Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ Mage War: Prelude To Armageddon ❯ The Ancient Key ( Chapter 1 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

The Mage War
 
Chapter 1: The Ancient Key
 
When they arrived at the Li manor, roughly an hour had passed. As Li got out of the car he felt slightly refreshed from his little nap. Looking up, he saw Futtie standing there with a smile, her arm wrapped around her husband. Soren looked rather nervous, understandable as Li had literally grilled the man for his history the first time he'd met him. He could almost feel him tremble as they shook hands.
 
“It's nice to see you again,” Li lied.
 
“Same here,” Soren responded in kind.
 
Apparently their smiles had fooled Futtie as she seemed almost proud of the two.
 
“Mommy!”
 
Li tried not to bolt as his nephew came running out of the house. Futtie picked him up and patted him on the head.
 
“What is it now Ren?”
 
“When's dinner?” the boy asked innocently.
 
Soren laughed at his son's antics though Li was hardly amused. He didn't really like kids and hoped his would never act that way.
 
“We can have it now,” said Futtie. “Your Uncle Syaoran is home.”
 
Ren looked at Li and stuck out his tongue. The dislike was mutual.
 
“Ren! Apologize immediately!”
 
“Sorry,” Ren said.
 
Futtie smiled at Li apologetically. “I'm sorry, Syaoran. He's been a bit hyper today.”
 
“It's okay,” Li said. “I just hope I'll be able to get some sleep tonight.”
 
Yelan greeted her son with a kiss on the cheeks when Li walked into the living room.
 
“I hope you behaved while in England,” she said.
 
Despite the fact that Li was now a man, she still watched over him like a hawk. It was probably her maternal instincts, but at times it could be overbearing.
 
“Yes Mother.”
 
“Good. Dinner's ready so wash up. You need to look a bit more presentable than that.”
 
Yelan was still master of this house, no matter who was the leader of the Clan. Knowing he didn't have enough time to take a shower, Li washed his face and took off the tie and suit. He also changed to a pair of khaki shorts just so he could get out of the black pants. As usual he sat at the other end of the table while his sister and brother-in-law sat at the other end of the table by his mother. Futtie was helping Ren get samples of the many dishes.
 
“So how did the business venture go?” Futtie asked. “Mother said you were meeting with Mr. Hiragizawa.”
 
“Fine enough,” Li replied. Few things escaped his mother's eye, but even she didn't know what exactly he had done in London. “It was basically to help rough out a contract issue that had developed with the Bank of China and a British company. Since we have ties with the bank and Hiragizawa had ties with the company, we managed to get them to cooperate.”
 
It was a plausible story and also true. Still, other activities had taken place.
 
“You must find it boring to deal with such interactions,” said Yelan. “However, it comes with the duty of leading the Clan. Our influence was not given to us, but earned and we must continue earning it.”
 
Li sneaked a glance over at Soren. The son of a major steelworks network based in Beijing, the marriage had been as much about love as convenience. True his sister loved the man and he loved her back, but at this level of society there was a certain amount of political reasoning behind such unions.
 
“So did you bring back any souvenirs?” Futtie asked, grinning.
 
“I wasn't exactly there for sightseeing. Besides, I go there every other month. Not much point in bringing something back every time.”
 
“You're no fun.”
 
Li said nothing as he mouthed down another helping of pork with rice. He rarely ate on planes as he usually emptied his stomach during the flights anyways. Thus he had to make up.
 
“Have you seen the news lately?” Soren asked, making conversation. “The Security Council is preparing to vote on whether to deploy more troops to the Democratic Republic of Congo or maintain its current level of involvement.”
 
“The UN has been doing so horribly there,” Futtie said. “The people there probably don't want them to stay.”
 
“And yet without the soldiers it would erupt in total civil war,” Li pointed out. “Force has its uses.”
 
“What about the massacre of the civilians?” Yelan said, joining the conversation.
 
Li glanced over at Ren and noticed the boy was too busy playing with food to understand what was being said. Probably a good thing.
 
“Blood is always shed,” said Li. “It only matters why it was shed. True the UN has failed in its responsibility, but there is nothing else capable of maintain order in Congo. I would hope they stay.”
 
“There's a good chance they won't,” said Futtie. “France is abstaining and Japan is the swing vote. Students all over the country are pressuring the government to vote against sending more troops and it looks like they might succeed.”
 
“Yes. I read a newspaper article about them just yesterday,” said Soren. “A few girls at Tokyo University have been especially pointed in their arguments.”
 
“Oh?”
 
Soren nodded towards his wife. “Yes. I believe their names were Mihara Chiharu, Daidouji Tomoyo, and Kinomoto Sakura.”
 
Both Yelan and Futtie looked over and stared at Li.
 
The Keyholder, Li mentally recalled. Yes, Sakura was the Keyholder.
 
“Syaoran, isn't Sakura your old girlfriend?” Futtie asked.
 
“That was a long time ago.”
 
“I didn't know you ever had a girlfriend,” said Soren. “Did you leave her or she leave you?”
 
“Soren, be nice!” Futtie said to her husband.
 
“Duty to my family forced me to leave her,” Li answered anyways. “Sometimes I question that decision.”
 
Yelan frowned at her son. If his uncle had been present, that would have been enough to start him on a speech about Syaoran's abilities to properly handle the Clan. His stubbornness certainly didn't help.
 
“If you'll excuse me,” Li said, “I need to get some rest. Goodnight, Mother, Futtie, Soren. I'll see you in the morning.”
 
Before they could say anything Li had stood and left the room. With him gone Ren decided to attract some more attention to himself and dinner went on.
 
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The sun was barely peeking out from the horizon as Li trained. A light sleeper, the faintest hint of light had awakened him and he was refreshed enough to exercise a bit. As his powers grew, the sword changed to conform with it. The blade was now almost as tall as him and slightly thinner. The hilt had also sprang outward a bit, balancing the weapon though it was heavier now.
 
Several others in the Li household were up, including his mother. She watched from the side as Li went through the basic warm-ups and started on the more complicated swordplay. Techniques and traditional positions had evolved while under Li's training. He had abandoned some of the oldest forms, adapting them into something only he truly knew about. While it annoyed some elders, others saw the strength and reasoning behind it and approved.
 
“You seem a bit slow today,” Yelan commented.
 
Without warning Li executed a new move, some kind of reverse-counter that probably would have beheaded his opponent if he had one.
 
“I have to figure out how to incorporate this technique in properly,” Li answered as he stretched a bit. “Rushing it won't get me anywhere.”
 
“Something you learned in London?”
 
Li nodded. “I'm hardly going to waste all my time just sitting and talking.”
 
There was still a rashness and impatience in Li, though it was diverted mainly towards business now.
 
“Several of the Clan elders will be here to speak with you this evening,” Yelan informed her son. “They're led by your uncle Yao Bi.”
 
Li nodded. The uncle that kept questioning his abilities.
 
“Does he intend to call me out?”
 
“Who knows? This won't be a simple social call, as four other elders are accompanying him.”
 
“I'll handle them.”
 
Yelan sighed. “Syaoran, Yao Bi isn't a fool and is ambitious. Do not give him any more reason to challenge you.”
 
Li relaxed and stopped the serious of moves he had been executing.
 
“Mother, I am no longer a little wolf. I am a predator, capable of being very dangerous. If he isn't foolish, he'll recognize that.”
 
“I hope he does, my son. I assume you did not fight with Hiragizawa.”
 
Li shook his head. “He simply annoys me so I do not hate him. Thus there is no reason to fight him.”
 
“You let your emotions guide you too much, Syaoran. Be careful.”
 
Li nodded and slashed the air a few more times. “I heard you were planning on going to the States to visit Sieffa.”
 
Yelan frowned again. “I am not sure this would be a good time to go. There are many unresolved issues in the Clan.”
 
“Go. I can handle them.”
 
“Are you sure, Syaoran?”
 
“You can't always watch over me. Learn to trust me a bit more.”
 
Yelan smiled. “I already do. You're very much like your father.”
 
Li stiffened at her mention of his long-dead father. It had been so long that he rarely thought of the man anymore. Besides, Li didn't really remember him either. That was the past so he had to focus on the future. He was just about to go in when Wei walked into the gardens with something in his hand.
 
“Master Syaoran, this just came for you.”
 
Li took it and ripped open the envelope as Wei and Yelan looked on. Inside were several pages, all blank and all with a pair of silver wings crossed at the top. Yelan looked at her son questioningly.
 
“And what is such a secret that the writing is invisible?”
 
Li frowned as his eyes scanned the papers. The words were invisible only to others but he could read them quite clearly. He looked at the last page and at the bottom it was signed Hiragizawa Eriol. He'd have to read through the entire thing to understand what Eriol had to say.
 
“I'll be right back,” Li said and disappeared.
 
Yelan and Wei exchanged worried looks. Though he was a man now, both had a sense of responsibility towards him.
 
In his room Li carefully read every character that Eriol had placed down. It was in code so it took a bit to discern the meaning. However, the end result was clear enough. A move was planned and he had to be in the right place to take advantage of the consequences. Unfortunately this meant another plane ride. Always prepared, Li had a suitcase packed with the clothes he'd need in his closet and took it out. After changing out of his training clothes he made a phone call and ordered his private jet readied. As Li walked downstairs Yelan appeared with Futtie and they both looked at the suitcase.
 
“I need to be in Beijing for a few weeks,” Li said to them. “Tell my uncle that if he needs to speak with me he'll have to call.”
 
Without offering any other explanation Li was out the door and into the car, leaving his mother and sister bewildered.
 
“What was that all about?” Futtie asked her mother.
 
“I'm not sure,” Yelan said. “Perhaps it involved the letter he received.”
 
They went up to his room but Li was careful. He had taken the papers with him and only the envelope remained. However, there was a return address so they weren't totally without clues. It was from a British company based in London.
 
“Eriol.”
 
Futtie frowned. She too knew about the reincarnation of Clow Reed.
 
“Perhaps we should call Fanren.”
 
Yelan nodded. Her second eldest daughter lived in Tokyo with her husband and she could pass on the news. Something was going to happen and her instincts told her it wouldn't be pleasant.
 
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Sakura yawned as she worked on the math problems. She had managed to improve in that particular area and needed this class to take the science course next semester, so here she was now still working at nearly midnight. With Tomoyo's help she had managed to do half of the problems but now her friend was asleep and Sakura didn't want to bug her. Besides, she did understand this stuff. It just took her a while to think it all through.
 
A pile of scrap paper attested to that and Sakura went onto a fresh sheet.
 
“Hoe, let's see. I have to reverse these, and do this. Hmm. Wow this is hard.”
 
Sakura looked up and saw the poster above the couch. It showed the broken bodies in the mass graves and the Red Cross workers surveying them. A powerful message and one she intended to spread. Still, she needed to finish the schoolwork so she could concentrate on the next rally. She went back to work.
 
When the phone rang Sakura had been deep in thought and nearly fell out of the chair. She grabbed it quickly so the continuing noise wouldn't wake up Tomoyo.
 
“Hello?”
 
“Good evening Ms. Kinomoto.”
 
“Hoe? Who is this?”
 
“What? I'm crushed that you don't remember me.”
 
The voice was deep and mysterious, though slightly comforting. Slowly it clicked.
 
“Eriol?”
 
“Ah. I see you do remember me.”
 
“Of course I do,” said Sakura. “How have you been? We haven't spoken in so long.”
 
“I'm fine. I'm just calling to let you know that I'll be coming for a visit. Perhaps it'll be in time for your next rally.”
 
“Hoe? You know about them?”
 
Sakura heard Eriol chuckle as he answered. “Of course I do. Oh, and don't tell Daidouji. I want this to be a surprise.”
 
“Oh. Is that why you called this late?”
 
“Of course, since I knew you were still up and Daidouji asleep.”
 
Despite the fact he was physically as old as Sakura and Tomoyo, Eriol still had the knowledge of Clow Reed. Keeping tabs on Sakura and her friends wasn't a problem for him.
 
“Fine. When do you expect to be here?”
 
“Within the next week. I'll see you then, Kinomoto.”
 
Sakura replaced the phone after she heard the click. It would be interesting seeing old friends again, especially Eriol. They hadn't spoken ever since the Void Card incident. Memories flooded back and Sakura remembered fondly the time she had spent with all her old friends, especially Syaoran.
 
“Why did you have to go back?” she wondered aloud.
 
But then again, she did know. Sighing, Sakura went back to work. It took her a while longer but she managed to finish all the math. She went to bed and dozed off before even hitting the mattress.
 
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In another part of Tokyo another phone call was being made. Fanren moaned and nearly fell off the bed as she picked up the phone.
 
“Hello?” she said groggily.
 
“Hello Fanren.”
 
Upon hearing her mother's voice Fanren woke up a bit more and sat up. Yelan didn't exactly call in the middle of the night for idle chitchat.
 
“Mother? Is something wrong?”
 
“This morning Syaoran received a letter from Hiragizawa Eriol and left immediately for Beijing afterwards.”
 
That got her attention.
 
“What was on the letter?”
 
“We don't know,” said Yelan. “Syaoran took it with him and I've been spending the day trying to see if anything was imprinted on the envelope. Considering how secretive everything was, it must be important.”
 
Yelan then filled her daughter in about the blank pages and Syaoran's attitude. It wasn't much to go by, but that was all they had. Fanren nodded and soon after her mother hung up.
 
“What was that about?” her husband asked, obviously awakened by the call.
 
Fanren looked at her husband with a worried smile. Without his glasses he looked so gentle and caring, so unlike his cool alter-ego.
 
“Syaoran went to Beijing after receiving a letter from Eriol,” she explained. “We don't know what was on it, but he left in a rush.”
 
Yukito frowned. “I see. Are you sure he went to Beijing?”
 
Fanren nodded. “Mother says the plane is in Beijing and she's confirmed his location. However, we still don't know why.”
 
“Then something is about to happen,” said Yukito. “All right. I'll tell Sakura tomorrow and Kero will discuss it with Yue.”
 
“But don't tell Touya,” said Fanren. “This could be dangerous and if he interferes it just might make matters more complicated.”
 
Reluctantly Yukito nodded. “But if things start to worsen, he might be able to help.”
 
Fanren slumped down onto the bed again, the tiny burst of energy she had now drained. It was unfortunate that anything important always happened at the worst possible hours. She snuggled up to Yukito and closed her eyes, getting the sleep that she needed.
 
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The office of the Foreign Minister was decorated with great taste and everything in here probably cost a fortune. However, in the Chinese government, a man of Fang Lou's position could afford to spend in a princely manner. The state covered for it anyways.
 
“Mr. Li, it's a pleasure as always.”
 
Li shook the man's hand but didn't really like him.
 
“Minister Fang. I've brought an interesting piece of news that I thought you might appreciate knowing.”
 
“Oh?”
 
“As you know, I'm friends with many government workers across the world and one of them let slip that they suspect a massacre is about to be launched.”
 
Fang raised an eyebrow. Li had provided him with many pieces of information before, helping him strengthen his reputation among his international colleges and his own position within the Chinese government. Though he was in the man's debt, Fang knew that Li had his own agenda.
 
“And what makes them suspect that?”
 
Li smiled. “Troop movements. I don't know the details, but I know that a village outside of the Congo capital is the target and there won't be any mercy.”
 
“Without more information I cannot act,” said Fang.
 
“I am well aware of that. In fact, the government that originally figured this out can't act either, as they do not know the target. However, if this attack carries out, it could help the position of the Chinese government and its allies in the UN.”
 
Fang smiled. “Even with the loss of civilian lives?”
 
“That's exactly why it will help,” said Li. “It could show that the UN is needed there to prevent even more attacks, despite its previous errors.”
 
“Of course. And you wish for troops to be deployed in Congo, why?”
 
“Stability,” Li answered. “We have business interests that can't develop without peace in Africa.”
 
That was true enough. The Li Clan's influence and investments stretched far and wide.
 
“I shall look into it.”
 
“There's a time for talking and there's a time for action,” Li said. “Those times are past. It's time for force.”
 
“That's pretty good,” said Fang. “Mind if I use it?”
 
“Only if you quote me.”
 
Both men laughed and shook hands again.
 
“Are you going to stay in Beijing?” Fang asked.
 
“Yes. I'll be here for another two weeks.”
 
“Then join me for dinner tonight. I'm meeting with a few other senior ministers and I'd like to introduce them to you.”
 
Li smiled and nodded. “It would be a pleasure, Minister Fang.”
 
This would also be a good time to get to know other people in the Chinese government. He only had connections with the foreign minister and the interior minister.
 
“Who else will be there?”
 
“The Defense Minister, Zhou Lou, as well as the Economic Minister, Tai Hwai.”
 
Li nodded. A good start.
 
“I'll have a car come pick you up at six. I assume you're staying at your family residence?”
 
“Of course. I'll see you at dinner, Minister Fang.”
 
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“And one more thing, how can you leave all of us here and run off to Beijing for no apparent reason!”
 
Li sighed as he listened to another of Meiling's `one more things.'
 
“Meiling, I have work to do and a dinner to prepare for. I don't need this right now.”
 
“Oh yeah? Well you didn't go to Beijing for no reason at all so spill it! What did Eriol say to you!”
 
“What? What makes you think Eriol is part of this?”
 
“Because the envelope is from England!”
 
Li held the phone away from his ear as Meiling continued to shout at him.
 
“Meiling, the mail was from a British company we have ties with!” Li insisted. “Besides, why would Eriol send me mail through them?”
 
“Then why were the pages blank? Hmm? That seems mighty suspicious to me.”
 
“Meiling, not everything I do has to be scrutinized by you people. I control the way my life goes.”
 
“What about something that affects the Clan? Do you know how mad your uncle was when you suddenly left without notice?”
 
“Let the old men scream all they want,” said Li. “If they try to bite me I'll pull their fangs.”
 
“Li! How can you say that!”
 
“I don't have time for this, Meiling. You've spent the last thirty minutes ranting. Now if you let me get back to work, I just might be able to get back in two weeks or so. Okay?”
 
Li didn't wait for an answer and hung up. He knew Meiling and the rest of his family cared for him, but there were things more important than even the Clan. The Foundation, for instance, was one. He grinned and a green aura surrounded him. Powers were only one part of the key, and Sakura certainly had enough of it. But now strong was her will? Or was that an entirely different part, separate from the powers? Time would indeed tell.
 
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“There was no need to accompany me to the airport, Archbishop Doles,” Eriol said.
 
“Why must you be so formal, Eriol? We've known each other for years.”
 
The man standing next to him was getting old, something he'd admit. Even on a day as beautiful as this, he required a sweater to keep warm. Still, London was rarely truly warm. Eriol smiled as he waited at the check-in with his old friend. Kaho stood beside him, though he had both their suitcases. It would only be five more months.
 
“I wish you the best of luck in Japan,” Doles said. “If this weren't so important, I doubt you'd handle it personally.”
 
“We'll send you a postcard,” Kaho promised. “You don't have the luxury of traveling very much these days.”
 
Doles chuckled. “Indeed. How I envy you young people. When you're as old as me, you'll appreciate what you had.”
 
The friends bade farewell and Kaho and Eriol were processed through. They came to the terminal and waited for the flight. Kaho sighed as she sat down, exhausted.
 
“I never knew standing was such a chore.”
 
“Perhaps it's because you're doing it for two,” Eriol said with a smile.
 
Kaho looked at her husband lovingly. They'd been married for two years now, ever since Eriol had turned twenty. He was the perfect husband for her, not just because of the wisdom stored in his mind.
 
“I wonder if Jonathan had to perform any exorcists lately.”
 
Archbishop Jonathan Doles was one of the few people left in the world that was truly trained to exorcise demons and spirits. He had the ear of many religious leaders across the world, even in the Vatican, despite the fact that he was of the Anglican Church. Perhaps that was why he was in the Foundation.
 
“There aren't that many spirits to deal with nowadays,” said Eriol. “It gives Jonathan time to rest.”
 
He slumped down a little in the chair, feeling lazy.
 
“Eriol! How could you leave without us!”
 
Kaho looked over and saw Nakuru running over.
 
“I knew you would get here on time,” said Eriol. “You do have your passport and plane ticket, right?”
 
Nakuru nodded. “No thanks to you. But I get to see Touya again!”
 
“He's married,” Kaho reminded the guardian.
 
“So? I still get to hang out with him.”
 
“Are you trying to make him a dishonest husband?” a quiet voice suddenly said.
 
Nakuru tore into her purse and pulled out Spinel.
 
“What did you say?! I'll tear you to shreds you little-”
 
Eriol and Kaho laughed as people around them stared at Nakuru's antics. She finally calmed down and returned Spinel into the bag, who had been pretending to be a stuffed animal for the entire time.
 
“Be careful how you act in public,” Eriol warned. “We don't want too much attention.”
 
Nakuru looked around and noticed all the people staring. She blushed heavily and sat down next to Kaho. With nothing to do both Eriol and Kaho glanced over at the television. It was currently on a news channel.
 
“And now we bring you to our BBC correspondent Gregory Hounds in North Dakota, United States.”
 
The shot switched to another man in what looked to be a mountainous area.
 
“Thank you James. I'm here at an excavation site in North Dakota where scientists have made an amazing discovery. Due to mining projects here, part of the mountain was leveled here and revealed something truly amazing. Just two weeks ago sonic imaging techniques utilized by Dr. Mendleson and his team revealed what seemed to be a structure buried underneath this location. They began digging and what they found was beyond anything anyone expected.”
 
The shot panned to a bearded man wearing a white hat. The man's glasses didn't hide his excitement.
 
“Dr. Mendleson, can you describe what you and your team have discovered?”
 
“Well, after we cleared all the rubble, we dug down about a hundred feet before hitting it, and at first we couldn't make heads or tails of what we found. Then we started going around it and now we're pretty sure. The tunnel outline that our sonic probes detected was actually the ribs and backbone of a gigantic creature.”
 
“Are you saying that some kind of creature died here?” Hounds asked.
 
“It's possible,” Mendleson answered. “We've found what looks to be the spine and my team is currently digging around to see exactly how big this thing might be. But so far, we think that it may be bigger than any dinosaur that ever existed.”
 
“How old do you think it is?”
 
“It's hard to say since the test results haven't come back yet, but we think it might be over 600 million years old.”
 
“Is that even possible?”
 
Mendleson. “A week ago I would have said no, but at this time that's only speculation. If my estimates are correct, then we're looking at a creature so massive that it dwarfed the dinosaurs, and it lived before them.”
 
Several of the other passengers were also listening with interest to this report.
 
“Well that was unexpected,” Eriol said as he pulled out a cell phone.
 
“Something wrong?” Kaho asked.
 
“We'll see.” He punched in a number and got through quickly. “Good day Director. I thought you might to turn to BBC.”
 
After waiting a few seconds another mysterious smile appeared on his face.
 
“Always a pleasure, Director.”
 
He hung up and slapped shut the phone.
 
“I assume you'll tell me later?” said Kaho.
 
“Time will tell.”
 
The boarding call came for them and the three got on the plane. Eriol looked worriedly at Kaho but knew his wife was tough. He just hoped she didn't suffer from motion sickness again.
 
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Li stepped into the private dining room and found that the other guests were already present.
 
“Ah, Mr. Li. I'm glad you were able to join us.”
 
“Always a pleasure, Minister Fang.”
 
The two men shook hands and Fang turned to the other two sitting by him.
 
“May I introduce you to the Defense Minister, Zhou Lou, and the Economics Minister, Tai Hwai.”
 
Li shook hands with both before sitting down. “A pleasure.”
 
“Lou was just telling us about that little piece of intelligence you managed to overhear,” Zhou said. “We appreciate you sharing it with us, but what can we do?”
 
“It certainly can be used for political matters in the United Nations,” Li suggested. “Think of the respect China would gain if it acted after the attack occurred. Of course, China would gain more if it acted before, but the current atmosphere prevents it.”
 
Zhou nodded. “Anyone can see that the UN is too paralyzed by division. However, if something were to happen, we can gain from it. The loss of lives is regrettable but unavoidable, especially since we do not know enough.”
 
The men became silent as food was brought in. Fine wine and delicate dishes were placed on the table before the waiters and waitresses left.
 
“It shall be interesting to see how the other nations react,” said Tai. “The United States will of course blather on about going in and protecting human rights and keeping the peace, but merely keeping the peace won't be enough.”
 
“Of course,” said Zhou. “Force must be used to crush this insurrection. The country won't know peace until both sides are disarmed.”
 
“Mr. Li said something interesting while speaking with me earlier,” said Fang. “I believe it was something like this. There's a time for talking and there's a time for action. Those times are past. It's time for force.”
 
“Rather insightful,” said Zhou. “No wonder you have become so successful.”
 
“Why thank you, Minister Zhou.”
 
But there was still much more to discuss as the four men ate.
 
“Perhaps we should offer our troops for the operation,” said Zhou. “They need some real experience and we can test our tactics and latest weapons.”
 
Tai thought it over. “We have the resources for such an operation, but we should not extend our forces too much. There is a limit to how much we can spend.”
 
“Of course. Mr. Li, I hope you understand that we are taking you into confidence. What you hear here can't be repeated.”
 
Li nodded. “Do not worry, gentlemen. Besides, I helped initiate this and it serves my interests as well.”
 
Tai sipped his wine and looked at Li. “How exactly does this help you, Mr. Li?”
 
“You gain greater respect in the United Nations and thus China becomes more respected. I would hope you will remember my assistance in the future. Besides, I have investments in some arms production facilities. With increased fighting, business for them goes up.”
 
“I didn't know you were in that line of business,” Fang commented.
 
“I'm involved in many things,” Li replied. “Never underestimate how far business can reach.”
 
“Indeed, since you're eating dinner with us.”
 
They laughed again and enjoyed the fine meal before them. There were good qualities in these men, though they had a few issues too. Li just took the time to eat the free food. He missed the cooking back home but it was important to keep in touch with people in power. And who knows? Maybe he'd join them one day.
 
End of Chapter 1
 
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Z98