Taksin, although feeling concerned, smirked as he watched the reporter being as rude to Special Agent Pendle as he was to him.
Pon sounded anxious as he pierced his lips and looked concerned, “You know what this means.”
“Yep,” said Spock turning down the volume, “The shit’s about to hit the fan.”
⸺ Chapter Twenty-Two ⸺
Dawn broke as the ceremony began. Tinju and Chokdet monks knelt in rows under a canvas canopy facing Prime Masters Pon and Samouern, who knelt at the front with Vitchae and Cenat.
Pon and Samouern chanted sutras and the other monks joined in with a crescendo of chanting in perfect unison.
Behind the monks, knelt Lee and Taksin wearing their military uniforms and next to them, Kim, Manhut, and Dave, with their hands in the wai position and heads bowed.
Two tired looking foreigners sat on the floor beside them looking uncomfortable and hungover, with Dao and Moo glaring at them.
Outside the canopy roof behind the Prime Masters were two wooden canoe shaped objects lying on marble altars four feet off the ground.
The chanting continued for around an hour and then there was silence.
The Prime Masters stood and Pon went over to the coffin containing his Tinju warrior while Samouern went over to his Chokdet.
Taking lit torches from the side, the Prime Masters ignited the blue-white clay substance covering the bodies. They then gave instructions in Cambodian and Thai.
The congregation bowed their heads below the altar apart from Spock and Stu who gazed at everyone else.
Moo glanced at her side and looked at the confused looking pair, “Get your heads down, idiots,”
“What… oh?” said Spock looking at the others and he and Stu lay down, as ‘whoosh,’ the mixture ignited.
They felt an intense heat on their backs for a split second and then silence as the smell of scorched wood filled the air.
After several minutes, the Prime Masters stood and removed the cooled down molten gold blobs from the altars and placed them into two terracotta urns.
The monks chanted again as Pon and Samouern walked to the Temple of the Sacred Light. Several minutes later, the other monks stood and followed their Prime Masters to the temple.
Seven people remained under the canopy.
“They will chant and pray for at least another hour,” said Taksin. “I will go to my office and… Oh, hang on.”
Taksin took his ringing smartphone from his pocket and answered.
The conversation was brief and Taksin looked worried. “We need to watch CNN.”
With Banti taking care of the kids while the ceremony was taking place, the women went to the lounge to help her while the men went to the kitchen and turned on the TV.
The screen showed pictures of destroyed buildings, the smouldering structures and lights from rescue vehicles illuminated the night sky and they heard a quiver in the broadcaster’s voice when she said. “Several hours ago, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi had been attacked and destroyed by unknown assailants, the death toll was now eighty-six, but more bodies are being found in the rubble.”
Footage then showed rescue workers taking away bodies and clearing rubble while armed police and soldiers walked around the devastation. “No assailants were found and so far no one has claimed responsibility,” said the reporter and the scene move to outside where another reporter stood.
“When witnesses were interviewed they said they saw nothing,” said the reported and the camera moved to an Arab man wearing a checked Keffiyeh who looked shaken as he said. “I was outside when I heard explosions and shots fired. It sounded like a war zone but I saw nothing.”
After several minutes speaking with the man and other witnesses telling the same story, the image on the screen moved to the CNN headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The broadcaster looked nervous as she said. “The revenge attacks have started.”
“Bollocks,” said Spock pointing at the TV, “You know who will get the blame for that.”
The others nodded. “Buddhists,” said Taksin with his voice trembling.
Spock poured them all a mug of coffee and they remained quiet as they watched CNN for any further developments.
Pon and Prime Master Samouern came into the lounge thirty minutes later and saw them looking alarmed.
“What happened?” asked Pon.
Taksin explained what they had seen on CNN and Pon looked concerned as he translated to Prime Master Samouern, who sighed. “I must get my Warriors back to Cambodia. I suspect an attack on our sanctuary will be imminent.”
Pon nodded and Prime Master Samouern went to organise his Warriors while Pon went to get Lee.
An hour later, they all went to the monk’s quarters and said goodbye to the Chokdet.
The Warriors sat in the back of the truck, and Prime Master Samouern sat in the front with their dead Warriors urn.
“I will stay in contact Prime Master,” said Pon and wai-ed the old monk.
“Be careful Uncle Lee,” said Kim as she wai-ed Lee who smiled.
“You too, and stay safe,” said Lee sounding nervous before driving away.
“This is all happening at a feverish pace, I am concerned about what will happen next?” said Taksin furrowing his brow. “I need to prepare for any eventuality, but I don’t know what to prepare for.”
“Yeah, and we still don’t know what happened to Sedgly?” said Stu.
Taksin, looking perturbed, sighed. “I need to go to my office.”
“I will come with you Khun Taksin, maybe I can help,” said Pon.
Taksin smiled and nodded.
As the others walked back to the quarters, Spock looked up and heard the theme tune from the Psycho dagger scene in his head when he saw the Demons and Samnan glaring at him from the window.
Lee, Dave, Manhut, and the girls went to the lounge with the kids and Spock and Stu went to the kitchen.
Stu took two beers from the fridge.
“What do you think matey?” asked Spock looking troubled. “This is all happening so fast.”
“Yeah,” said Stu, “and as my old mam always said, nobody knows whether they are going for a shit or a haircut.”
“I wonder why it was only CNN getting all this news. It seemed suspicious.”
Stu took a slurp of beer and shrugged. “Yeah, I wondered about that too Spock. Mind you, they are the Septic propaganda channel, so if it is as we suspect and the secret Septic Agencies are involved, they will be deceiving the rest of the world as usual.”
“But why would CNN broadcast this when they know how it will affect the world? They will cause mayhem.”
“Perhaps that’s what they wanted Spock.”
“Sneaky bastards. I wonder what they’re planning?”
Stu shrugged. “Yeah, and it’s strange how there was nothing on the web about any of this, nor anything about Fahed’s death.”
Spock nodded and took a drink as Taksin and Pon came into the kitchen looking perplexed.
“You look worried, what’s wrong?” asked Stu.
Pon went to get Dave and Manhut while Taksin told them.
“I have just had another call from the Thai channel 7 Chief. He told me to watch the breaking news on CNN, which he was told they will broadcast it in...” Taksin looked at his watch. “Five minutes.”
Stu turned on the TV and CNN came on with Breaking news story flashing at the bottom of the screen. The broadcaster looked anxious as he chomped at the bit to tell the story and finished the report about another attack on a Muslim Mosque.
Dave, Manhut, and Pon walked into the kitchen and sat as the Breaking News stopped flashing and was replaced in large letters along the bottom of the screen:
‘FAHED DEL ALAZ IS DEAD.’
The men looked at one another as the newscaster announced.
“Earlier today, American forces in Afghanistan found the body of Fahed Del Alaz, the leader of the terror group responsible for recent terror attacks on Buddhists. Aft
er a tip-off, they found the terrorist’s hideout just north of Kabul. Bravo Company, led by Colonel Jack Mercer, stormed the building and found the body of Fahed Del Alaz.”
The broadcaster then warned.
“The footage about to be shown is very graphic.”
Video footage showing the outside of a bullet-riddled stone shack came on as American troops carried out the body of Fahed.
Patches of red were visible through the pixelated face and torso as the soldiers carried the body to a Blackhawk helicopter.
The broadcaster continued giving details and then the footage showed an interview with Colonel Jack Mercer after returning to their Afghanistan base.
“Can you tell us what happened Colonel?” asked the interviewer.
The Colonel looked puzzled and said. “We received information earlier regarding the whereabouts of Fahed Del Alaz. When we arrived, we found him already dead.”
“Do you know who killed him?”
“No,” said the Colonel who took off his beret, shook his head, and looking perplexed, said, “It might have been a rival terror group. Whoever it was who called and told me about the location of Fahed’s body referred to him as Alshshafra.”
“But Islamic militants don’t usually attack one another,” said the reporter and frowned. “Do you think it was a Buddhist reprisal?”
The Colonel looked straight into the camera and said, “I don’t know for certain, but the man who tipped us off sounded Asian and said it was in revenge for the Muslims attacking Buddhist temples around the world.”
As the interview continued, Spock looked at Pon. “What’s up matey, you look puzzled?”
Pon pointed at the Colonel on the screen. “We met the Bravo Company commander, and that wasn’t him. Even the military helicopters I saw at Fahed’s looked different. I felt uncertain about this when we arrived back, so I had Taksin check.”
“Which I did,” said Taksin, “and the American military doesn’t use the Mi-171,” and pointed at the screen, “only Blackhawk helicopters.”
Pon frowned. “I suppose it is possible that they moved Fahed’s body straight to Afghanistan and set it all up. They must have shot him more times because even though his torso has been pixelated it showed more than just a wound to his heart.”
They carried on listening to the Colonel who told the reporter that Fahed’s body would be flown their base where an army pathologist would do an autopsy and confirm it was Fahed and his cause of death.
“Still no word from Sedgly?” asked Stu.
Pon and Taksin shook their heads.
“It’s all bloody strange. The main thing is that Fahed’s death has now been reported, so at least you don’t have to worry about his Amanussas.”
Pon sighed. “Yes, we do Stu.”
He rubbed his face. “Knowing Fahed’s dead and thinking Buddhist killed him they will want revenge.”
Spock nodded. “Yeah, and you heard what Colonel Buggerlugs said. He blamed Buddhists.”
“Tit-pish,” said Stu furrowing his brow.
There was a moment’s silence, broken by Spock, who grumbled. “You just made that word up.”
Stu grinned and tapped the keypad on his smartphone.
Pon felt a sense of foreboding, and with a quake in his voice said. “We not only have the Amanussa’s to worry about, we also have Islamic terror groups.”
Taksin nodded and sighed. “Perhaps not only them. If this escalates, Buddhists and Muslims around the world would become enemies.”
“Shit!” said Stu looking up from his smartphone
“What is it Stu?” asked Taksin.
“Yeah matey, you look like you’ve seen a ghost?”
“I have Spock,” said Stu and showed them his smartphone screen.
While the others looked at the screen and listened as Fahed ranted in Arabic, Stu turned on his laptop and brought up the same Facebook page as on his smartphone.
“That’s why I couldn’t find anything about him until I typed that in.”
The others looked at Fahed Del Alaz’s Facebook page, Alshshafra.
“Well done Stu,” said Taksin.
“It’s all written in Arabic,” said Pon. He looked at the stills of Video footage, and gasped. “What is he saying there?”
Stu pressed play and footage showed Fahed ranting in Arabic.
“Can you copy that Stu? ” asked Taksin.
Stu nodded and took out a USB from his computer bag.
While Manhut and Dave went to the lounge and Spock watched TV, Stu spent time with Taksin and Pon copying items from Alshshafra’s Facebook page onto the USB.
When finished, Taksin took the USB and said. “I will get this translated.”
Pon and Taksin looked concerned as they left the kitchen.
Stu went onto twitter and gasped. “Come look at this Spock.”
Lek and Sid, although being told that the ghosts were dead and their Protectors acted as if everything was fine, knew something troubled them. This was confirmed when they went into the kitchen to terrorise Spock after they saw Pon and Taksin leave.
Spock, who usually scarpered when they went in, just looked at them and forced a smile.
“What’s happening Spock? I thought wi’ t’ ghosts dead you would all be happy.”
Stu looked up from the laptop, “Don’t worry kids, everything will be fine.”
“Yeah, you little monsters, don’t worry.”
Sid furrowed his brow, “Are you sure?”
“Yep,” said Spock sniggering, “when things settle down, I can thrash you again at Super Mario.”
Sid grinned and said something to Lek who smirked before her bottom lip quivered.
Stu had a restless night worrying about was happening and went to the kitchen before the women prepared breakfast.
“Couldn’t sleep matey?” asked Spock who was already sat in there watching CNN.
Stu shook his head, “No, I am worried about everything that’s happening,” he said and switched on his laptop. “What are you doing up so early?”
Spock rubbed his swollen ear, “I couldn’t sleep; my lug throbbed all bloody night.”
While Spock made the tea, Stu went onto Facebook and typed in, Alshshafra, the blade.
“Oh,” said Stu looking surprised, “It’s gone.”
“Gone where?” asked Spock putting a mug of tea in front of Stu and sitting down.
“Dunno, but it said this content is currently unavailable so they must have blocked it.”
“Oh well, that’s the end of that,” said Spock smirking.
Stu shook his head. “Perhaps, but did you see how many angry face emoji’s were on it… millions, so the damage had been done,” said Stu and sighed.
“It’s a good job you copied it from your laptop matey,” said Spock looking worried.
“Yeah, and Pon said they must have filmed it in Pakistan because he recognised the throne on the footage,” said Stu and logged onto Twitter and looked surprised.
“Same thing there… account deactivated @ Alshshafra, and Fahed had millions of followers on there yesterday.”
“Yeah, you showed me that,” said Spock furrowing his brow.
Stu looked puzzled and asked, “Anything on CNN?”
Spock shook his head. “Nope, nothing new. They just keep repeating the footage from finding Fahed.”
The pair watched CNN but nothing else of relevance was mentioned before the repeat of finding Fahed’s body was broadcast again.
“Oh well, I suppose no news is good news,” said Stu and finished his tea.
“Huh,” said Spock and turned down the volume when Taksin walked in looking concerned.
“Cup of tea matey.”
Taksin shook his head. “No thanks Spock, I’m waiting for Pon. We have been working all night and he has gone to freshen up and arranged to meet me here and tell you what we uncovered.”
“Fahed Facebook page has gone and so had his Twitter page.”
“Never mind Stu, we
have what we needed. I had the videos from Fahed’s Facebook page translated and they aren’t good for us,” said Taksin and sighed. “The video footage showed scenes of destroyed Mosques, with pictures of Buddhist’s setting fire to copies of the Quran and laughing.”
Spock and Stu looked shock and Taksin said, “What Fahed was telling all Muslims to do was attack Buddhists because they had not only killed his father but sided with America to destroy the Muslim faith. He claimed to have proof that the Buddhist wanted to rid their countries of their religion of truth and he said he was about to release that proof.”
Taksin eyes filled with rage. “And now they’re insinuating that Buddhist’s killed him.”
Spock frowned. “Nobody will believe that, Buddhist’s aren’t violent.”
Taksin sighed. “In some countries they are, in Myanmar Buddhists and Muslims clashed.” He looked embarrassed, “as do we in our southern provinces sometimes.”
“Yeah, but that has been taken off Facebook and Twitter so will soon blow over,” said Stu sounding relieved.
“Maybe not matey,” said Spock turning up the volume as the video footage came on CNN dubbed into English.
Taksin’s eyes widened as he saw the same footage of Facebook he’d had translated now transmitted worldwide.
The three gawped at the screen and then at each other.
Pon came in, saw the footage, and gasped.
The four watched CNN for the next hour as footage showed destroyed Mosques and dead Muslims with Fahed holding up the copy of the Puravuttanta.
The footage then showed outraged Muslim holy leaders stood on platforms outside main Mosques condemning the Buddhists.
They ordered fatwa’s against them worldwide in revenge for destroying the Mosques and killing their martyr, Fahed Del Alaz.
Within minutes of the broadcast ending, Taksin received a phone call from the General in charge of the southern Thai army battalion requesting the King to release more forces to help in the south. He said he feared reprisals after the CNN news report was also being shown on the Thai channels.
While Taksin spoke to the General, Spock turned down the volume and looked at Stu. “The Septic news channel has already riled up the Buddhists, now they are pouring fuel on the Muzzies flames.”
Protector--The Final Adventure Page 22
