Ceremonial Rites

Sixteen - Introduction

Rio de Janeiro

07:00

"You arrived as tourists, you will leave as tourists. McGregor, out."

A loud bang echoed inside their suite as Marco slammed the door behind him furiously. The general denied their request for evacuation. McGregor doesn't want to risk any chopper or military sightings in Brazil given the heating dispute with the United States. The other gentlemen already concluded the result of that phone call. Derrick clicked his tongue.

"So what do we do now?" He asked Marco.

"Diego?" Marco transfer the inquisition to the rookie. Diego scanned his notes.

"Well, I've been trying to book us a flight to Texas but it's a negative. Not even a connecting flight to Mexico. A lot of tourists are trying to get off the country after the explosion."

The others groaned in irritation. Newland brushed his hair trying to calm his nerves while Marco and Derrick sat idly calculating any possible move they can make.

"What about Dr. Nirvana, sir?" Diego asked.

"Oh, God. I almost forgot about him. Screw that son of a b***h!" Derrick muttered.

"Let's leave him here. Our mission was over the moment Dr. Alderige died and the last laboratory exploded. Nirvana can go to hell." Marco responded.

"Are they really sure Dr. Vincent was in the float when it exploded?" Newland suddenly questioned the possibility.

Three pair of eyes instantly shot towards him. Now that Newland asked, they all started wondering if its true. For all they know Vincent was one hell of a doctor. With big pockets and long list of connections, he can see his own assassination coming.

"I mean, we all know what Dr. Vincent was capable of, right? Have you seen him jamming with us before Dr. Nirvana dragged us out?" Newland added.

"I think I saw him talking to somebody and I'm pretty sure it was him. It might be hard but I think he was in it." Diego answered.

"Let's just hope Lucifer gave him a warm welcome." Derrick intervened then continue fixing his things.

All of them chuckled to Derrick's remarks and proceed to their own bags to arrange their belongings. One way or another, they are leaving the country. Diego suddenly chirped in joy after a series of typing through his laptop. All eyes diverted to him anticipating what he discovered.

"All airlines were booked but we can ride a cruise ship. Who's in?" Then he showed his perfect white teeth to his colleagues while he wiggled his eyebrows.

"Hell yeah! I'm in." Newland immediately responded.

                              ***

Four gentlemen stood in awe watching the huge ship in front them, Armageddon. A lot of people climbed inside the ship in excitement. According to the latest data, this is the biggest ship own by an international company. More than 3000 passengers and crews are welcome to ride this magnificent ship. People from all walks of life started boarding the ship but a lot of them consists of snob elites riding straight to the first class.

"It's not a cruise ship, rookie. This is an ocean liner." Marco stated correcting the new kid.

Diego scratched the back of his head in embarrassment but Derrick tapped his head and motioned him to follow. Two personnel checked their belongings and tickets if they are indeed a legit passenger of the ship. After a series of inspections, a red carpet welcomes their arrival together with a medium size crystal chandelier hanging just above them.

Few judging looks from the elites passing through the hallway to their respected suites were all they received. They were wearing board shorts, flip flops and huge camping bag is also hanging on each of their shoulders. After the utter look of shock and awe from the bellboy who will usher them to their room, he managed to form a generic smile.

"Why are we in first class, kid?" Derrick asked Diego when he catch up beside him.

"It was the only available ticket. But we will share the same suite cause it cost a whole lot of bucks." Diego responded while holding his bag tightly.

The bellboy stopped to a well carved door with a lamp on its left side. He opened the door exposing the luxurious interior. Newland whistled in astonishment. A lot of furnitures costs more than their monthly salaries. The bellboy cleared his throat.

"Here is the key gentlemen, I'll leave it here. You can use the phone to call for assistance, if it happens that you need one. Thank you! Enjoy your stay." Said in the most formal manner with a well rehearsed nodding and smiling.

They all smiled at him politely and say their thanks. The bellboy anxiously closed the door avoiding any unnecessary sounds. Marco snorted to it and locked the door.

"So who's taking the bed?" Diego hopefully asked.

"Don't put up your hopes kid. World war 3 is about to happen." Derrick blocked the door to the bedroom.

"Grow up." Marco commented from the other side of the room. He settled in to a medium size couch.

"One down. Newland, are you fighting for this too?" Derrick called Yao Ming who is currently busy checking everything inside the room.

"You bet." Newland answered as he checked the drawers beside the couches.

"Fine. I'm taking the couch too." Diego muttered in defeat.

"Oh, come on! You didn't even put up a fight!" Derrick whine following Diego to the couch.

Diego just raised a finger and ignored the victorious man beside him. Derrick got back to the door facing Yao Ming who was about to get in. Newland returned the burning gaze.

"So what's the game?" Newland mocked.

"You're going down, Yao Ming. You're going down." Derrick countered.

                           ***

Huge drops of sweat, unsettling position and a very shaky eyes, Derrick could not hide his nervousness. Newland is about to make his move. Diego and Marco were attentively watching their every move. Newland stretched his arms. This will be his last straw. Everyone held their breath when Newland picked up his piece.

"Checkmate." Yao Ming announced with a smug on his face.

"Oh, man! Come on!" Derrick groaned.

Newland picked up his bag and cheerfully walked towards the bedroom. Marco and Diego snorted leaving Derrick boiling in annoyance.

"The bed is big enough for the two of us. Yao Ming, come on!" Derrick appealed but Newland started closing the door.

"You were saying?" He mocked Derrick.

"f**k you!" Then Derrick went straight to the smallest couch left for him and mouthed another profanity.

For two hours they had their most luxurious sleep before the speaker announced that dinner will be served in thirty minutes. By the time another announcement was made they already felt a small sway of the ship indicating that they are in the middle of the ocean.

Lazily, all four of them dragged themselves out for dinner. Diego was the only one who changed to something formal and the three other men regretted that they did not. Other male passengers were dressed as them but they lack the most obvious characteristic of an upperclassman, sophistication.

The dining area was more than they expected, buffet area was filled with foods they can't even pronounce. Servers with well put up pleasing gestures stood at the back of each cuisine. Golds and silvers were sparkling everywhere, from the spoon displayed on the table to the earrings wore by a woman laughing elegantly to the man flirting with her.

Marco sighed and proceed to get himself a plate. The server automatically smiled like he was programmed to do that to every person that will approach him. The others followed Marco's lead and stretched their plates to the servers.

"I feel so rich and poor at the same time." Newland murmured behind Diego.

"I know right. We just have to enjoy this while it last." Diego answered while he snatched some brownies from the counter which gained an interested eyebrow from a pretty woman attending it. He smiled in embarrassment.

"Not afraid of carbs kid? Nice. Most of the people here are so health conscious given the business they are in, I don't think diet is the most important thing they should be keeping their attention."

A man in late sixties and in expensive suit suddenly spoken beside Diego. Taller than him but shorter than Yao Ming. The only thing that he noticed aside from his aristocratic stand was the conniving smile he once saw to somebody. Somebody who also belongs to a very powerful family.

"Oh, it's just that I haven't had these ever since I got here in Brazil, sir." Diego answered politely.

Newland passed by him with a questioning look to the person beside him. He nodded motioning him to go to their table first. Diego watched how the man beside him swiftly snapped his fingers and the waiter quickly handed him his own meal.

"Have a good day, sir." Diego bowed a little and turned around.

"Tell me young man. How was the festival?" The man suddenly asked.

"Well, I'm sure you knew what happened that's why we're here. Scrambling to get out of the country." Diego responded with confusion.

"Oh, the explosion. I nearly forgotten."

Diego could not point the tone of that if that was a sarcastic remark or the middle aged man indeed almost forgotten the incident, but considering how heighten that event was he doubts it.

"I'm pretty sure the cops are solving that crime to give justice to those who lost their lives, sir." Deigo smiled politely.

"Well, justice delay, justice deny." Then the man raised his wine glass to him and left to talk to another man to the nearest table.

Diego put his tray nervously on the table while the others looked at him curiously. He shook his head avoiding any inquisitions and arranged his meal. Newland deliberately coughed.

"Do you know who that was?" He asked incredulously.

"Who is what?" Diego countered.

"You were talking to Viktor Samira, kid! The untamed oil exporter in New York!" Newland exclaimed like he saw his idol from afar.

"Wait! How did you know him?" Derrick asked.

"My father works in his company. His company supported my undergrad but you know, I dropped out." Newland explained.

All three men watched him intensely trying to absorb his confession.

"I swear! He is a lord, actually. He's father was a Marquis." Newland continued.

"Oh, big time." Marco commented and dropped a look to the gentleman who was busy chatting to the people around like he was the one hosting the party.

Diego swallowed a few times as he realized who he was conversing just a few moments ago. He continued eating consciously.

"What did he ask you, kid?" Newland asked. Still startruck to the fact that he is seeing the person giving his family enough wages to support their expenses.

"He asked how was the festival. I didn't know what to say since everyone knows what happened." Diego responded in defense.

"Why would he asked you that? We all boarded in Brazil. Everyone is dying to leave the country." Derrick intervened, completely weird out with the mysterious man.

Their conversation was replaced with complete silence and utter confusion with a mixture of suppressed rage. Doctor Rodney Nirvana just entered the dining area with a bright smile. Nirvana flirted to every woman he finds attractive giving the four gentlemen few tables away a fuel to add to their burning rage.

On his way to the group of ladies with gold digging auras, Rodney caught the four gentlemen who left him at the hotel this morning enjoying their food. He stopped to their table.

"What are the odds." Rodney muttered making four pair of eyes shot at him.

"Easy soldiers, this is the top of the hierarchy. We don't deal problems here through violence and indecency." Rodney stated a salty comment.

"Really now, Doctor."

Rodney turned around to know the familiar voice who interrupted him. With full of curiosity, the four gentlemen watched how Rodney swallowed in panic the moment he realized who he was facing. Gone was the obnoxious facade. Gone was the confidence he showed. Replaced with utter shock. He bowed.

"My, Lord."