Ceremonial Rites

Nine - Dance with the Devil

"Even though the US government still has an unsettled dispute towards Mexico, another incident happened to another location. There was an unconfirmed shootouts involving the US military forces in Brazil. Although the US government instantly denied the alleged incident, weapons only issued to the US arm forces were found from the site. The Brazilian government condemned this forceful "annihilation" to their citizen. Two gunmen was believed to have been shot by those alleged US forces for their drug operations. The US forces involved in the shootout was regretably not apprehended by the Brazilian forces. The president of the United States will address the nation tonight regarding this successive incidents involving the US military."

USS JOHN F. KENNEDY

10, 000 Nautical miles from the coast of Rio de Janeiro

"I got almost one hundred fifty people everywhere, somebody tell me something!"

There's so much containment to the tone of Admiral James Harrison who just boarded the USS Kennedy. The president sent him to fix this chaotic actions of the military. He shot a judging look towards captain John Nottingham who is currently the head of the monitoring on the assault in Brazil, which to the captain's defense earlier did not come from their own.

"Are you really sure they are not ours, captain? Issued military weapons were confiscated on the site!"

"We have communicated with all of our outposts in Mexico and Brazil, sir. Not a single soldier left to conduct an assault within the timeframe of the incident." Despite the firy gazed received by the captain, he was quite familiar with his superior's temper and he has mastered to remain calm if something like this occur.

"Then how on earth that all the fingers are pointing at us? We are still fixing the Mexico incident. Call your men in Brazil, cancel all assaults ordered to them. We cannot afford another military shootout in the country."

                                                                         ***

Sao Paulo, Brazil

A victorious smile plastered on my face after watching the news update. I need more time on this mission, and so I made some. I gave the team a vague reason why I left out of nowhere yesterday. They didn't seem to get it and I don't care. I placed the remote below the TV, picked my wallet and phone. We all agreed to have a discreet lunch to a private restaurant. It's very exclusive that only those who have connections with the owner and booked ahead of time are allowed to dine in. We're lucky cause I have both.

I made it completely clear to Jose that he will bring a fully tinted car today cause I'm gonna bring Nirvana with me. Ofcourse, we can't leave him alone to the resort. For all we know, Don Juan's men will search the entire place.

Jose fetched Rod at the back to avoid sightings at the front porch. A lot of little birds are here. Three black range rover parked in front of me. The middle one lowered the left side windshield exposing Jose who quickly motioned me to get in. I was expecting him to open the door for me. Rod was already seated at the back.

"Buenas tardis,  Jose, Rod."

"Buenas tardis, señor."

"This is not doing good in my nerves, Vince." Rodney stated anxiously which made Jose glanced at him channeling the anxious feeling.

I rolled my eyes to the both of them. I know the risks of our schedule today but not leaving the resort for the entire day is more suspicious considering most of my supposed fellas are here for vacation.

"Are we bullet proof, Jose?"

"Si, señor."

"Then there's nothing we should worry about." Then without any humor, I gave them a smile. It didn't calm them a bit. At least I tried.

It only took us a minute to reach the highway. Though the festival will be held to the other side of Brazil, the city is quite packed with tourists. Foreign and locals alike. Jose and Rod wobbled to their seats when the police vehicle roared their siren in a beat like it's acknowledging our passing.

"Friendlies?" Marco asked from the first vehicle.

They started mumbling some incoherent words of panic when the police vehicle tailed us. It leveled to my car. I lowered my window. The driver immediately recognized me and shouted an apology and greetings before they slow down to the the next intersection.

"Yep, definitely friendlies." I radioed.

Our convoy turned right. The end of this will be the starting point of the exclusive restaurant. Security clearance and reservations will be checked instantly at the gate.

"Another one. Red toyota vios." Yao Ming blurted out. I think he's on the third car.

We all stared at the rearview mirror down to the side mirrors. I snorted. Rod looked at me incredulously. He'll know when we get to the gate.

Our tail quickly turned to the next intersection evading a possible face off with the other group. I knew they wouldn't dare. Bunch of p*****s. We were held for a moment at the gate for inquiries. After a series of questions confirming my identity, the gate was widely opened for us.

Spanish looking villa stood proudly at the top of the hill. There were trees surrounding the place making it hard to notice from the outside. Security cameras were also scattered from one post to another. Even the trees have security cameras.

"Are we inside a maximum security prison cause it looks like one." Rod can't help but noticed.

We stopped in the main porch of a graveled driveway. The sound of the tires hitting the rocks was very satisfying. A formally dressed man greeted us with his warmest smile. I faked mine. We all started dislodging from our car and walked towards that formal looking usher. We looked underdress beside him.

"Buenas tardis, señor. Welcome to Paradiso de Suarez. We have made an arrangements for you. Follow me."

All six of them gave me a knowing look, they have full of questions which I don't intend to answer. At the moment. A warm and cozy interior embraced us. Most of the valuables were made of woods. Sounds like the Environment department will love this place. Few tables were occupied by unrecognizable gentlemen engrossed with their slight misunderstanding with each other. At least that's what they looked like.

Our usher who comes with the name, Tobias, so biblical, led us to our table with the view of the city. Lovely. He left us shortly. I already gave them our meal for today which will be cooked by the chef I sent earlier. Call me paranoid but no one can be too careful.

"Are we even safe here?" Rod nervously asked. I can understand that he's a fugitive to Don Juan but it doesn't mean he has to worry from time to time. Coming from someone who just sent a personal chef.

"100 percent. Don Juan can't even get hold of this one."

"What do you mean?" Marco's tone tainted with doubts.

"It's Don Roberto's casa. Roberto Suarez? Paradiso de Suarez." I deadpanned.

"The all time rival of Don Juan." Diego finished my statement. He's paying attention.

"Are you out of your mind? We are inside's Don Roberto's house and a rival of Juanito puta? Are you trying to get us killed?" Rod cut in.

"If this reach Don Juan, all of us will be compromised. What are you trying to do? Stop keeping us in the dark. Start talking." Marco firmly added.

I sighed in annoyance and drunk my own bottle of water.

"I just want a peaceful lunch, away from the little birds of Don Juan. We can't even have a proper meal at the resort."

"Santa Maria! You got to be kidding me, Vincent." Rod exclaimed in frustration.

"Don't worry. Don Juan will not touch us especially you, Rod, I just gave Don Juan a little distraction."

"And what is it?" Derrick suddenly joined the conversation.

"Don Juan's fifty boxes were seized by some vigilantes. Yep, it didn't reach the port. Those fifty boxes were the first batch to his first client. That means, by my calculations, the remaining samples will be around 150 boxes and that's not enough for a shipment to his three or four clients that needs 200 boxes each. He needs our expertise for the formula. Eliminating us will most likely killing his own profit."

The mixture of confusion and awe on their expressions were quite self soothing. I know I'm good with this. I sipped through my bottled water.

"I don't know what to say. But just yesterday, a lot of people were determined to shoot me so you have to try harder." Rod answered, a bit unconvinced.

"If you're having doubts, try standing at the balcony. Oh, right, Don Juan can't reach us." I countered in full sarcasm.

They sneered at my face before they decided to ignore me and have their personal conversation. Rodney on the other hand is still worried about his safety. He got this far. He should celebrate.

"Rod, please, everything will be as what I planned. You know me."

"Let's hope you didn't lose your sparkle."

The four gentlemen circling the majority of the table exchanged bothered looks after they checked their phones. It's about time. They were finally notified. All of them started fidgeting on their seats. Marco folded his sleeves to his elbow and cleared his throat.

"Bad cough, captain?" I offered my water hoping he would decline. Thank God he did.

"We have new instructions."

He sounded defeated. Why would he? I raised my eyebrow in anticipation. Surely, he can't keep us waiting.

"Go on. You can't keep us always in the dark, captain." I mocked.

------------------------------------------------------------

Paradiso De Suarez

12:00

Marco placed his phone on the table slowly, contemplating the right words to say. Headquarters sent another instructions. It's an abort mission to the assassination of Doctor Rodney Nirvana. He glared at the one person who's been manipulating every events that happened, Dr. Vincent Alderige.

"We're waiting." Another mockery from him.

"HQ aborted the mission. Wait for further instructions." Marco stated abruptly avoiding to spill more info towards Nirvana.

"How..... disappointing. What's with the change of hearts?" Vincent's sarcasm floated in the air again.

If he weren't a superior to him, Marco would've slammed the son of a b***h across him to the mahogany table. The obnoxious behavior of Vincent is quite unsettling. Acting like he knows something that everyone don't.

"Military disputes between the Brazillian government and the US." Yao Ming saved Marco the effort. He can see it clearly that he's been trying to extend his patience.

"What mission?" Rod suddenly cut in.

"You don't want to know, Rod. Just some protocols, capture and leave kind of thing?" Vincent answered his question in a manner that implies no importance to the issue at hand.

"Still, I'd like to know." Rod still trying to get involve.

"Then get your security clearance." Vincent deadpanned.

Although the four gentlemen loathed Vincent, they were a bit glad hearing him defend the importance of the secrecy of this mission despite the fact that they threatened to neutralize the man next to him. Rod rolled his eyes in defeat but still curious. He knows he won't win this round to Vincent.

The food arrived with Tobias smiling widely. Four waiters set every meal to the table carefully. Tobias bent to Vincent's ear. All eyes stared at the two whispering at each other in full attention. After nodding in final instructions, Tobias left urgently. To add up their overflowing curiosity, Vincent fixed his clothes and excused himself out of the scene.

All six pair of eyes followed him to the west wing where the garden swallowed their point of view. Despite the uncertainty to everything around them, they eat quietly. The food was quite impressive and they enjoyed every bite, momentarily forgetting the suspicion of what took Vincent so long. Before they could conclude their meal, a familiar man passed by the door.

"Alejandro." Derrick muttered making everyone on the table freeze."Even though the US government still has an unsettled dispute towards Mexico, another incident happened to another location. There was an unconfirmed shootouts involving the US military forces in Brazil. Although the US government instantly denied the alleged incident, weapons only issued to the US arm forces were found from the site. The Brazilian government condemned this forceful "annihilation" to their citizen. Two gunmen was believed to have been shot by those alleged US forces for their drug operations. The US forces involved in the shootout was regretably not apprehended by the Brazilian forces. The president of the United States will address the nation tonight regarding this successive incidents involving the US military."

USS JOHN F. KENNEDY

10, 000 Nautical miles from the coast of Rio de Janeiro

"I got almost one hundred fifty people everywhere, somebody tell me something!"

There's so much containment to the tone of Admiral James Harrison who just boarded the USS Kennedy. The president sent him to fix this chaotic actions of the military. He shot a judging look towards captain John Nottingham who is currently the head of the monitoring on the assault in Brazil, which to the captain's defense earlier did not come from their own.

"Are you really sure they are not ours, captain? Issued military weapons were confiscated on the site!"

"We have communicated with all of our outposts in Mexico and Brazil, sir. Not a single soldier left to conduct an assault within the timeframe of the incident." Despite the firy gazed received by the captain, he was quite familiar with his superior's temper and he has mastered to remain calm if something like this occur.

"Then how on earth that all the fingers are pointing at us? We are still fixing the Mexico incident. Call your men in Brazil, cancel all assaults ordered to them. We cannot afford another military shootout in the country."

-----------------------------------------------------------

Sao Paulo, Brazil

A victorious smile plastered on my face after watching the news update. I need more time on this mission, and so I made some. I gave the team a vague reason why I left out of nowhere yesterday. They didn't seem to get it and I don't care. I placed the remote below the TV, picked my wallet and phone. We all agreed to have a discreet lunch to a private restaurant. It's very exclusive that only those who have connections with the owner and booked ahead of time are allowed to dine in. We're lucky cause I have both.

I made it completely clear to Jose that he will bring a fully tinted car today cause I'm gonna bring Nirvana with me. Ofcourse, we can't leave him alone to the resort. For all we know, Don Juan's men will search the entire place.

Jose fetched Rod at the back to avoid sightings at the front porch. A lot of little birds are here. Three black range rover parked in front of me. The middle one lowered the left side windshield exposing Jose who quickly motioned me to get in. I was expecting him to open the door for me. Rod was already seated at the back.

"Buenas tardis,  Jose, Rod."

"Buenas tardis, señor."

"This is not doing good in my nerves, Vince." Rodney stated anxiously which made Jose glanced at him channeling the anxious feeling.

I rolled my eyes to the both of them. I know the risks of our schedule today but not leaving the resort for the entire day is more suspicious considering most of my supposed fellas are here for vacation.

"Are we bullet proof, Jose?"

"Si, señor."

"Then there's nothing we should worry about." Then without any humor, I gave them a smile. It didn't calm them a bit. At least I tried.

It only took us a minute to reach the highway. Though the festival will be held to the other side of Brazil, the city is quite packed with tourists. Foreign and locals alike. Jose and Rod wobbled to their seats when the police vehicle roared their siren in a beat like it's acknowledging our passing.

"Friendlies?" Marco asked from the first vehicle.

They started mumbling some incoherent words of panic when the police vehicle tailed us. It leveled to my car. I lowered my window. The driver immediately recognized me and shouted an apology and greetings before they slow down to the the next intersection.

"Yep, definitely friendlies." I radioed.

Our convoy turned right. The end of this will be the starting point of the exclusive restaurant. Security clearance and reservations will be checked instantly at the gate.

"Another one. Red toyota vios." Yao Ming blurted out. I think he's on the third car.

We all stared at the rearview mirror down to the side mirrors. I snorted. Rod looked at me incredulously. He'll know when we get to the gate.

Our tail quickly turned to the next intersection evading a possible face off with the other group. I knew they wouldn't dare. Bunch of p*****s. We were held for a moment at the gate for inquiries. After a series of questions confirming my identity, the gate was widely opened for us.

Spanish looking villa stood proudly at the top of the hill. There were trees surrounding the place making it hard to notice from the outside. Security cameras were also scattered from one post to another. Even the trees have security cameras.

"Are we inside a maximum security prison cause it looks like one." Rod can't help but noticed.

We stopped in the main porch of a graveled driveway. The sound of the tires hitting the rocks was very satisfying. A formally dressed man greeted us with his warmest smile. I faked mine. We all started dislodging from our car and walked towards that formal looking usher. We looked underdress beside him.

"Buenas tardis, señor. Welcome to Paradiso de Suarez. We have made an arrangements for you. Follow me."

All six of them gave me a knowing look, they have full of questions which I don't intend to answer. At the moment. A warm and cozy interior embraced us. Most of the valuables were made of woods. Sounds like the Environment department will love this place. Few tables were occupied by unrecognizable gentlemen engrossed with their slight misunderstanding with each other. At least that's what they looked like.

Our usher who comes with the name, Tobias, so biblical, led us to our table with the view of the city. Lovely. He left us shortly. I already gave them our meal for today which will be cooked by the chef I sent earlier. Call me paranoid but no one can be too careful.

"Are we even safe here?" Rod nervously asked. I can understand that he's a fugitive to Don Juan but it doesn't mean he has to worry from time to time. Coming from someone who just sent a personal chef.

"100 percent. Don Juan can't even get hold of this one."

"What do you mean?" Marco's tone tainted with doubts.

"It's Don Roberto's casa. Roberto Suarez? Paradiso de Suarez." I deadpanned.

"The all time rival of Don Juan." Diego finished my statement. He's paying attention.

"Are you out of your mind? We are inside's Don Roberto's house and a rival of Juanito puta? Are you trying to get us killed?" Rod cut in.

"If this reach Don Juan, all of us will be compromised. What are you trying to do? Stop keeping us in the dark. Start talking." Marco firmly added.

I sighed in annoyance and drunk my own bottle of water.

"I just want a peaceful lunch, away from the little birds of Don Juan. We can't even have a proper meal at the resort."

"Santa Maria! You got to be kidding me, Vincent." Rod exclaimed in frustration.

"Don't worry. Don Juan will not touch us especially you, Rod, I just gave Don Juan a little distraction."

"And what is it?" Derrick suddenly joined the conversation.

"Don Juan's fifty boxes were seized by some vigilantes. Yep, it didn't reach the port. Those fifty boxes were the first batch to his first client. That means, by my calculations, the remaining samples will be around 150 boxes and that's not enough for a shipment to his three or four clients that needs 200 boxes each. He needs our expertise for the formula. Eliminating us will most likely killing his own profit."

The mixture of confusion and awe on their expressions were quite self soothing. I know I'm good with this. I sipped through my bottled water.

"I don't know what to say. But just yesterday, a lot of people were determined to shoot me so you have to try harder." Rod answered, a bit unconvinced.

"If you're having doubts, try standing at the balcony. Oh, right, Don Juan can't reach us." I countered in full sarcasm.

They sneered at my face before they decided to ignore me and have their personal conversation. Rodney on the other hand is still worried about his safety. He got this far. He should celebrate.

"Rod, please, everything will be as what I planned. You know me."

"Let's hope you didn't lose your sparkle."

The four gentlemen circling the majority of the table exchanged bothered looks after they checked their phones. It's about time. They were finally notified. All of them started fidgeting on their seats. Marco folded his sleeves to his elbow and cleared his throat.

"Bad cough, captain?" I offered my water hoping he would decline. Thank God he did.

"We have new instructions."

He sounded defeated. Why would he? I raised my eyebrow in anticipation. Surely, he can't keep us waiting.

"Go on. You can't keep us always in the dark, captain." I mocked.

------------------------------------------------------------

Paradiso De Suarez

12:00

Marco placed his phone on the table slowly, contemplating the right words to say. Headquarters sent another instructions. It's an abort mission to the assassination of Doctor Rodney Nirvana. He glared at the one person who's been manipulating every events that happened, Dr. Vincent Alderige.

"We're waiting." Another mockery from him.

"HQ aborted the mission. Wait for further instructions." Marco stated abruptly avoiding to spill more info towards Nirvana.

"How..... disappointing. What's with the change of hearts?" Vincent's sarcasm floated in the air again.

If he weren't a superior to him, Marco would've slammed the son of a b***h across him to the mahogany table. The obnoxious behavior of Vincent is quite unsettling. Acting like he knows something that everyone don't.

"Military disputes between the Brazillian government and the US." Yao Ming saved Marco the effort. He can see it clearly that he's been trying to extend his patience.

"What mission?" Rod suddenly cut in.

"You don't want to know, Rod. Just some protocols, capture and leave kind of thing?" Vincent answered his question in a manner that implies no importance to the issue at hand.

"Still, I'd like to know." Rod still trying to get involve.

"Then get your security clearance." Vincent deadpanned.

Although the four gentlemen loathed Vincent, they were a bit glad hearing him defend the importance of the secrecy of this mission despite the fact that they threatened to neutralize the man next to him. Rod rolled his eyes in defeat but still curious. He knows he won't win this round to Vincent.

The food arrived with Tobias smiling widely. Four waiters set every meal to the table carefully. Tobias bent to Vincent's ear. All eyes stared at the two whispering at each other in full attention. After nodding in final instructions, Tobias left urgently. To add up their overflowing curiosity, Vincent fixed his clothes and excused himself out of the scene.

All six pair of eyes followed him to the west wing where the garden swallowed their point of view. Despite the uncertainty to everything around them, they eat quietly. The food was quite impressive and they enjoyed every bite, momentarily forgetting the suspicion of what took Vincent so long. Before they could conclude their meal, a familiar man passed by the door.

"Alejandro." Derrick muttered making everyone on the table freeze.