Lee looked around the dimly lit room, he had stayed nowhere so quiet. He heard nothing through the thick sandstone walls underground. With no fans, he tossed and turned as he sweated throughout the night. On the odd occasions when he nodded off, he had nightmares about being buried alive.
He felt relieved the following morning when Samouern took him and Pon outside to the monks training area under thick jungle canopy.
Although hot and sticky, Lee looked astonished as he watched the Chokdet shooting arrows into small fruits, which he could barely see because of the dimly lit area, let alone hit with an arrow.
Pon, also impressed with the monk’s accuracy and speed after a Master gave the order to fire. The Chokdet shot arrows that obliterated the fruits in seconds.
Samouern looked at Pon and smiled.
“Your Warriors are formidable archers, Prime Master,” said Pon wai-ing the old monk.
Samouern then took them to a noisy training area where monks trained with swords that glinted in the dim light with sparks flying as metal clashed with metal.
Lee looked wide-eyed as the Chokdet attacked each other with precision. He felt amazed how they avoided cutting each other to ribbons in the darkness.
They watched the sword training for a while before Samouern took them to where more monks trained in hand-to-hand combat. The Master, on seeing the three, told his Warriors to stop, and he went over and wai-ed the three.
The three returned the wai and Prime Master Samouern smiled and said. “You have already met Master Sutchet, Porntip.”
“I am honoured to see you again Prime Master,” said the monk who Pon fought the previous day. “You’re fighting skills are impressive.”
The Master, still bruised from the clash, wai-ed Pon again.
“So are yours, Master Sutchet,” said Pon returning the wai.
Samouern took Lee and Pon around the neglected and overgrown Mahendraparvata City.
Although only the size of a small walled village, with the carvings and Buddhist sculptures still recognisable under the green foliage, Pon and Lee could imagine how splendid it must have looked centuries ago.
The Chokdet, like the Tinju in Salaburi, were self-sufficient. They hunted and lived off the jungle resources and, unlike Lee who looked uncomfortable in the jungle terrain, Pon felt at home.
With the noises from the jungle echoing around a small round clearing, they sat on straw mats as wild boars cooked over charcoal.
Pon, Lee, and Samouern sat separately from the hungry Warriors and Masters and a monk came over and served them chunks of meat and jungle vegetables on a banana leaf, with fresh water from a well.
After they ate, the two Prime Masters led the chanting.
An hour later, the Chokdet Warriors went into the jungle and patrolled around their Sanctuary and hunt, leaving the three chatting.
Lee told Samouern about modern communication and gave the old Prime Master his satellite phone and he and Pon taught him how to use it. The old Prime Master looked astounded and smiled when Pon called Kim and she spoke with the old monk.
Lee put their phone numbers into the contacts and told Samouern what to do should he need to contact them.
The old Prime Master, not fully understanding this new technology, experimented until Pon, seeing the battery getting low, told him about having to charge it, and showed him how to use the charger.
Samouern shook his head. “We have no electricity here. I will wait until I go to Shreythep village,” he said and turned off the phone.”
Pon and Lee spent the day with Samouern and the Chokdet. Pon showed the Warriors and Masters his Juglave and after showing them how to use it as a dagger, and although the jungle canopy was far denser than Salaburi, threw it at a bunch of coconuts in a tree. His aim was accurate and he split open one coconut.
Lee felt astounded by it all. He’d known Pon for several years, and although he knew he was a Tinju, he only now realised what that meant.
Lee had another restless night and early the following morning, Prime Master Samouern and several Warriors escorted Pon and Lee to Shreythep village.
With the sun rising, the villagers were still asleep when the party came out of the jungle. Walking through the jungle in the morning air felt a welcome relief for Lee, and although his clothes stuck to him with perspiration, he never felt as uncomfortable or exhausted as before.
Prime Master Samouern and the Chokdet wai-ed the pair and then headed back into the jungle.
Some of the villagers stirred when they heard the jeep starting and Pon and Lee drove along the trail towards Siem Reap.
Lee talked about the Chokdet’s skills throughout the journey but Pon remained silent, happy to have met another Sanctuary and knowing they would be useful allies should the need arise.
— Chapter Thirteen —
The sounds of metal clashing against metal and the thudding of wood against wood rang out on the large lawn at the rear of the Imperial Palace as Cambodian and Thai Warrior monks trained in fierce mock combat.
Pon had tarpaulin sheeting on poles put above the combat area to provide shade until the Chokdet’s eyes adjusted to the bright sunlight.
Taksin watched the monks training from his office window and although impressed by the speed and dexterity of these warriors, knew that their ancient weapons would be no match for the guns of their battle-hardened adversaries. He realised unless they came up with an edge their bravery would be futile.
His P.A. brought in a small plastic parcel and an envelope and handed them to him.
Taksin looked at the contents, laid them out on his desk, and read the reports in the envelope.
An hour later, Taksin went outside and walked over to the training monks. He saw the heat didn’t appear to be affecting the monks as they battled each other in fearsome combat with sparks flying from their swords and their cries of battle rang in his ears.
Pon stood with Manhut and Dave demonstrating techniques with their swords when he saw Taksin approaching.
He wai-ed his friend and colleague, who returned the wai and Taksin said. “I have the results back from the autopsy of the dead assassin and the contents of the key fob.”
Pon and Taksin left the training area, went to Taksin’s office, and sat at his desk.
“This is the report on the blood sample we took off the dead assassin,” said Taksin, sliding the report over to Pon.
“And this is the report of the substance we found in Abdullah’s key fob.” Taksin slid that report over and Pon compared the two as Taksin pointed at the report and told him.
“The dead assassin’s blood contained the same chemical that was in the key fob, which was what killed him.”
Pon looked at chemical formulas highlighted on both reports as Taksin slid over another report and said. “This was the analysis of the poison they found in Dave’s blood.”
Pon looked and frowned. “It looked different.”
Taksin nodded. “It is.” He pointed at the highlighted details and said, “Dave’s was from a plant from the genus Aroondium species.”
Pon nodded. “Aroona root.”
Taksin, having never heard of Aroona root, smiled.
Pon again looked at the first report and asked. “So what was this one Khun Taksin?”
Taksin shrugged, “It was a venom agent with the same potency as *VX.” He then pointed out some of the chemical formulas circled in red and said. “The toxicologist found peptides from snake venom, but from which species they didn’t know.” Taksin pointed at the report. “The venom expert said it was hybrid that he assumed was man-made. The lab found certain characteristics of viper and cobra venom that caused oedema that constricted the air passages and made the tissues swell before it clotted the blood.”
Taksin looked concerned and said. “The way Stu, Spock, and Dave described the suddenness of their assassin’s symptoms before he died, it appeared to be very nasty and quick. The coroner and forensic lab could only find a trace in the dead man’s blood, and
that was only because the coroner took the samples shortly after he died, because he found that once the blood clotted the poison was undetectable.”
Pon again looked at the report and furrowed his brow. “This still made little sense unless they used a different poison on the descendants. Dave said his descendants died slow and didn’t swell as much.”
“Perhaps they didn’t use such a high concentrate,” said Taksin, and sighed, “but unless we come across another murdered descendant and take a blood sample, we won’t know.”
Pon frowned and looked worried. “Who would have the technology to make this Khun Taksin?”
Taksin shook his head and said. “I don’t know Pon. Our forensic lab sent the reports and samples off to the CIA’s forensic lab in Langley to see if they might know.” Taksin looked concerned. “It appeared to be a chemical used in covert assassination and there’s no anti-venom or cure.” He leant forward and said, “Pon, whoever is behind this has access to advanced technology and chemical weapons.”
Pon felt confused and sighed. “Hmm, so were the key fobs also transmitters of some sort?”
Taksin shook his head, picked up a clear plastic phial off his desk, unscrewed the top, tipped two minute disks onto a white sheet of blotting paper on his desk, handed Pon a magnifying glass and tweezers, and said. “No, the key fobs only contained poison and its delivery system. These are what else they found.”
Pon picked up a minute disk with the tweezers and looked at it through the magnifying glass.
Taksin pointed to them and said, “They are the trackers. The coroner found one in the dead assassin and when he told us, a Palace doctor removed one from the same place under Abdullah’s skin by his ribcage.”
Taksin took out two A4 sized images from another envelope and handed him one image, and said. “The Bangkok science lab took one apart, photographed the internal workings, and enlarged the image.”
Pon looked at the enlarged image of the internal structure of the disks micro technology, and Taksin handed him the other image.
“What is it?” asked Pon looking at the other image.
“That was the American version of what we found. The CIA told me that they implanted them into their field operatives to track them and monitor their vital signs.”
Pon compared the two images and frowned. “They looked the same.”
“They are similar,” said Taksin, pointing out a few differences.
Pon saw a few minute circuits varied slightly as Taksin said, “When I sent the Americans the images of our version, they said they could be Chinese, Russian, or North Korean. They are looking into it further and will get back to me if they find out anything.”
Pon stared at the images again. “So they know where we are,” he said looking puzzled. “Why let the Amanussas get captured and then kill them?”
Taksin shrugged. “I don’t know Pon, unless it was to keep the Sanctuaries scared and on high alert. Perhaps they wanted to wear you all out before Fahed sent in his army… and dead men don’t talk.”
Pon smiled. “If you’re correct Khun Taksin, then we still have time to stop Fahed. He may not yet be ready.”
Pon’s eyebrows raised and sounding hopeful he asked. “Did you trace the signal from Abdullah’s tracker?”
Taksin sighed and shook his head.
“No, we removed Abdullah’s tracker before we knew they monitored vital signs. It stopped transmitting when we removed it. I’m sorry Pon.”
“That doesn’t matter, my friend, we still have time to find Fahed. They will now think Abdullah is dead.”
The two men looked at one another for a moment. Taksin then took something from a bag at the side of his desk and handed it to Pon. “I don’t know if this will be useful but we pieced together enough Tusen material for the seamstress at the Palace to make one suit, so she made it in your size.”
Pon, although not seeing the suit, felt its smooth cloth texture. “Thank you my friend. I am sure it will come in useful,” he said before putting it back in the bag.
“Oh, and I put Palace security on high alert,” said Taksin.
Pon thought and said. “I will bring the remaining Tinju here from Salaburi and booby trap our Wat. That will stretch Fahed’s forces should he attack both targets.”
Taksin nodded. “Here will be easier to defend and along with the Palace guard we should have more than adequate defences.”
He sighed. “I will tell the Royals about what is happening.”
“We have an advantage my friend, we know about them so expecting them,” said Pon sounding wistful. “We know how to detect them and unlike the secluded Sanctuaries, we will have more than enough forces here to remain on vigil without tiring them out.”
Pon, seeing the look of concern on Taksin’s face, said. “Don’t worry, we will find Fahed and put an end to this.”
“That was my other concern Pon. Every route I planned through the Hindu Raj Mountains is fraught with danger. We do not know what other terrorist’s cells hide out there. The area looked littered with caves, but we only know which one was Abdullahs. According to the Pakistan meteorological office, the adverse weather masked the area from satellites. And it is unsafe to fly over because of turbulence from high winds creating vortices in the valleys.” Taksin looked at his friend. “Pon, these are impenetrable fortresses. I beg you to reconsider this approach.”
Pon frowned and sighed. “We have no choice... Oh, excuse me Khun Taksin,” he said as his phone rang.
Pon looked at the number and furrowed his brow. “It’s a Thai number but I don’t recognise it,” he said and answered.
He smiled when the caller replied and asked.
“Hello Prime Master Johnson, where are you now?”
“We are at customs in Bangkok International Airport, buddy,” said the cheerful sounding American.
Taksin saw a look of relief in Pon’s eyes, but despite knowing that more reinforcements have arrived, he still felt concerned as Pon said. “Wait there Prime Master and I will send transport to collect you all. How many of you are there?”
Pon’s look of relief turned to disappointment as the American Prime Master said, “Two of us and we are having problems getting some of our stuff through customs.”
Pon told Taksin who nodded and said. “I will go collect them and sort out any problems with customs.”
While Taksin went to the airport, Pon went to the quarters and sat in the kitchen with Spock and Stu to await the American monks.
After Pon told them they were stuck in customs, Spock chuckled and in a bad Arnold Schwarzenegger impression said. “Probably got a bag of Uzi 9mm.”
Prime Master Chuck Johnson was not how Spock and Stu pictured him. They expected a wizened old Asian man as bald as a bell-end. Chuck was Caucasian, and of similar age and build as Spock, minus the beer gut… although he was bald as a bell-end.
The other American monk, Master Sedgly, was also Caucasian who looked younger than Chuck.
Master Sedgly had a trim muscular figure, although his facial features looked plain compared to the piercing blue eyes of Prime Master Chuck Johnson.
Chuck spoke with an American drawl as he introduced himself. “Call me Chuck,” he said.
“And I am Sedgly,” said the Master and nodded.
Spock and Stu knew they would have fun with Sedgly. His name alone would be the brunt of many jokes already forming in their minds and their milk bottle white skin reminded Spock and Stu how pale they used to be.
“They looked like the ghosts of Laurel and Hardy,” whispered Stu and he and Spock sniggered as Pon introduced everyone in the kitchen and they sat at the table.
“Boy,” said Chuck finishing his coffee, “I needed that.”
Moo came over and topped up his mug from the percolator jug.
Chuck smiled, “Well, thank you ma’am.”
“How was your flight, Prime Master?” asked Pon.
“Well, like I told Khun Taksin when he picked us up, it was the first ti
me Master Sedgly and I have ever flown, so it was incredible.” Chuck furrowed his brow and looked puzzled. “Mind you, we got strange looks at the airport from the Thais, have they never seen Western monks before?”
“Oh yes, we have foreign male monks here, but they wear Saffron coloured cassocks,” said Pon and smiled, “but only women monks here wear white cassocks.”
Chuck chuckled and said “Oh dear, that’s why… they must have thought we were women, eh Master Sedgly?”
Sedgly smiled. “Thank you for inviting us to your lovely home Prime Master Meesilli.”
“Please, call me Pon. These are the guest living quarters. I’ve had rooms made ready for you here with air conditioning.”
“Well thank you Pon,” said Chuck, “we weren’t long outside, but we felt the heat before we got into Taksin’s cool car.
Chuck smiled at Taksin and Pon said. “I will let you get settled in, and then we can compare notes about what was happening.”
Chuck and Sedgly nodded and picked up their bags,
“I’ll leave a full pot of coffee in the percolator, so you can help yourselves,” said Moo, who then went into the lounge.
Pon showed Chuck and Sedgly to their rooms. The American monks took items from their luggage and returned with Pon to join Taksin, Spock, Stu, Manhut, and Dave in the kitchen.
“Would you like something to eat?” asked Pon.
“No, thank you kindly, but we ate on the plane,” smiled Chuck patting his stomach.
“Neither of them looked like they lived on rice; they are obviously salad dodgers,” Spock whispered to Stu and chortled.
“Yeah, it’s probably too cold to grow rice in the mountains so it must be all the buffalo steaks they scoffed,” Stu whispered.
Chuck and Sedgly helped themselves to coffee, and they all went into the dining room and sat around the large table.
“You must be as shocked as we are about all this. I imagine you have a lot of questions about us, and I bet you are curious to know how I found you,” said Chuck and took a drink of coffee.
Pon nodded and Chuck put an envelope on the table.
“Let me first explain a few things, which I am sure you are wondering about.”
Protector--The Final Adventure Page 13
