You get your work published, even by yourself, I’ll will buy a couple of copies. I don’t like Kindle, I like a book that will rest on the shelf until I open it. Like books, maybe I’ll learn something sometime.
Hán was the next to speak, “Chén Xiù, I have been sent here from China on a most important task - a mission that is critical to all life on Earth. But I would also like to assure your safety. Do you think that you might care to travel with me for some days and assist me in completing my mission? I know that you might normally think my story to be a little crazy, but given that you’ve just witnessed my arrival, you may find it more believable.”
Chén smiled slightly and wiped back tears from her beautiful and delicate face. “So, am I to understand that a mighty secret agent from the Peoples’ Republic of China is traveling in a super-intelligent submarine named ‘Lotus Blossom’?”
Hán replied, “Apparently the engineers back at Mission Control are not without a sense of humor so, yes, I have been traveling in a mini-sub named ‘Lotus Blossom’. The mini-sub I trained with was named ‘Sea Dragon’, which I thought was a name much more appropriate . . . inspiring.”
The two shared a fleeting smile.
Hán continued, “Should you decide to accompany me, your knowledge of the country might prove critical to the mission’s success.”
It was Chén’s turn to reply, “I believe that our meeting was fated. So yes, Mr. Hán Lì, I will travel with you. I also believe it would be in the best interest for us both if we got underway as soon as possible. What is our destination?”
Hán Lì: “We’ll be traveling by road to an area near the center of the state of Colorado. Our challenge now is to secure transportation. Do you have a vehicle, or shall I secure one for us?”
Chén Xiù: “So, the same ‘engineers’ that sent you here in a miniature, artificially intelligent nuclear submarine did not think to provide you the means to travel across a continent?”
Hán Lì: “You may have a point, however I have been specifically trained to be resourceful, and I’m confident I can obtain transportation easily enough.”
Hán Lì took few minutes to make mental notes of distinctive beachside buildings so that, at the completion of his mission, he would be able to return to this precise location at the appointed time to summon Lotus Blossom for his return home, He briefly wondered if General Luó would honor his commitment to pay respects at his parents’ gravesite during the Qingming Festival.
Time enough for such musings after the mission is completed!
Hán Lì observed “I see a light along the beach in the distance to the south. Let’s walk down the beach in that direction, while we get to know one another a little better, and I tell you more about the nature of our mission.”
Hán and Chén began walking south in the surf towards the light in the distance, conversing in low tones so as not to draw unwanted attention. The incoming tide occasionally rushed up to their bare feet as the stiff, chill ocean breeze bristled the hairs on the back of their necks. The wavering reflection of full moon danced across the tops the the waves as they crashed along the rocky shore behind them.
As Hán and Chén continued walking the point of light grew, and they began to hear the sound of distant, raucous music that seemed to grow more distinct with each step they took. Eventually the outline of a building framed the source of light, and they could make out the shapes of several motorcycles parked on the sandy beach outside the building.
Approaching closer, a sign could be read on the side of the building . . . 'Crimson Horde Motorcycle Club'.
Hán Lì: “What is this ‘crimson’?”
Chén: “It means ‘red’, like blood.”
Hán Lì: “What about this word ‘Horde’?”
Chén: “It means a large group.”
Hán Lì: “This does not sound friendly to me. It think maybe it’s not a good idea to knock on the door!”
Chén: “Good thinking, Albert Einstein!”
Hán Lì: “Who is this Albert . . . ?”
Chén: “Nevermind, let’s continue down the beach!”
Hán Lì: “Wait . . . I can get us that motorcycle under the tree at the edge of their parking area. With a little good fortune we’ll be well on our journey before it is missed.”
Chén: “Are you crazy? You’re going to get us kill. . . !”
Looking to her side, she could see that she was talking to empty space, as Hán was already scurrying along the edge of the parking lot towards the motorcycle that had caught his attention.
Hán arrived at the motorcycle unobserved. He had watched enough old American movies, as well as mechanic training videos, that he was confident he could get it started easily even though he did not have the key. Fortunately this was a very old cycle which did not have modern security features that would present a bigger, more time-consuming challenge.
One feature Hán did not care for were the overly tall handlebars that would extend above his head. He did, however, appreciate the large black leather, silver-studded saddlebags that flanked either side of the rear wheel. These would provide all the storage they would need for their trip to NORAD.
Hán removed his backpack and retrieved a small tool box that contained wire cutters. Quickly he snipped the wires feeding into the key switch, stripped away a small amount of insulation, and wrapped each bare wire around the ends of a small electrical switch that he also retrieved from the tool kit. Hán then toggled that switch to its “ON” position, which he knew would, at least theoretically, allow him to kick start the motorcycle.
Pushing down hard on the starter pedal with his right foot, the motorcycle roared to life. Because this was a common sound around the biker club, and because the music inside was playing so loudly, the rumbling of the engine did not immediately draw unwanted attention. Closing his tool box and placing it back into his backpack, Hán crammed the backpack down in front of his abdomen until he could reach Chén and properly stow everything into the saddlebags.
Working the foot pedal, Hán was able to get the cycle into low gear and, feeding it some fuel, put the machine into motion. He slowly idled, with headlight off, around the perimeter of the parking lot until he reached Chén’s concealed position.
Waving his hand, Hán quickly motioned for Chén to grab the other canvas bag he had left with her and to mount the motorcycle behind him. Chén moved quickly - maybe a little too quickly - pushing the canvas bag into the saddlebag that was facing her, while Hán quickly stuffed his backpack into the other saddlebag.
Thus far things had gone very smoothly . . . Too smoothly.
Both Hán and Chén heard the sound of the music increase as one of the bikers opened the door and exited the building. Hán throttled the engine to full life and started circling around the parking lot. The sudden noise and motion caught the biker’s attention, who immediately called out for them to stop as he ran towards the street to block their exit. The motorcycle shot forward as Hán gunned the throttle, even as the biker dived towards them. While he was unable to stop their forward progress, the biker did manage to grab and yank free the canvas bag that Chén had hurriedly pushed into the saddlebag seconds earlier.
Hán and Chén continued onward and disappeared into the night, leaving the lone biker screaming at the top of his lungs as he rose up from the pavement, tightly clutching Hán’s canvas bag.
Yang lamented, “I guess I’m going to have to go do this for myself!”