Ceremonial Rites

Eight - Two Sides

Sao Paulo, Brazil

El Puerta Resort

07:00

It must be a military habit to wake up early and knocked loudly to your door ignoring the possibility that you are still sleeping. I groaned loudly as I walked towards the door. What's the point of having your own room when they can disturb you anytime they want? Another loud knock hit my door while I'm still removing the locks on it.

I was raised back to the mortal world the moment Yao Ming bumped into me as he stride inside. What is wrong with these people?!

"I didn't say come in." I said sarcastically.

Derrick made himself comfortable to my couch, Diego looked unfazed on my swivel chair, Yao Ming leaned near the bathroom and Marco sat on the bed. They look serious. Okay. Something's up. I put up a smile.

"We received new instructions from headquarters. They've given us two days to finish your mission here or they'll have it their way." Marco

"What do you mean two days? I can't finish this in two days? Who ordered that?!" I demanded.

"Guess you're running out of time, uptown punk. In two days, this will be a military mission. We have our own orders."

                                                                         ***

Vincent stood, still facing the four gentlemen he's been working for the past few days. The looks of them instill the gravity of their situation. If he continue his pace, it will not take them two days to put Don Juan on his knees.

"What do you mean by that? Enlighten me."

Marco glanced to his colleagues asking for support if they will disclose the exact order they received. Eliminate Dr. Rodney Nirvana. Alderige and Nirvana were the only people capable of formulating the ThioA samples so by taking Dr. Nirvana out of the picture, Don Juan's production will stopped since Vincent is no longer working in the site. Marco nodded and sighed in defeat.

"If we failed to remove Don Juan, we are advised, to remove Dr. Rodney Nirvana instead. He is Don Juan's biggest asset to this operation. Taking him out will paralyze Don Juan's operation. This is a matter of national security, not just your personal vendetta towards Don Juan. If he continue to ship those bioweapons, a lot of lives will be at risk." Marco explained carefully.

Vincent who was dumbfounded by that statement stood agape in front of them. His partner to this research will be killed if they fail to stop Don Juan's operation. If all else fail, Rodney will be the cost.

"I beg your pardon?" He clarified, full of denial.

"You heard me." Marco countered.

They can see clearly how furious Vincent at that moment. His tight jaw and pale palms from clenching it hard give it away. Vincent faced the beautiful horizon outside his window but it did not relieve a bit of his anger. The president assured him this mission. The military version of this is much more aggressive but shorter than his initial plan. It will cost Nirvana though.

"I'll talk to the president." Vincent stated calmly. He will find out how did his leash got out of his hold.

Another knock on the door snapped them out of their focus. They instantly fixed themselves, prepared a fake smile for whoever is knocking. Vincent shouted lazily to the door asking who is it.

"It's Rod." Said in a hushed tone with an obvious panting like he just went running. Vincent quickly swing the door open.

Rodney anxiously glanced behind him and through the hallway before he slammed the door shut. The huge drops of sweat around his forehead were very alarming. He looked like he's been chased from the site down here.

"You look like hell, bro!" Yao Ming commented.

Marco motioned Derrick to be the look out and check for possible hostiles. Diego gave a bottle of water to the panting doctor on the bed.

"What the f**k, Rod! What happened?" Vincent asked.

"I got the sample." Rod answered while still catching his breath.

Vincent immediately stretched his arm to get it. After a quick look, he buried it inside his bag of clothes.

"Alejandro is on me. They started to suspect me when I got out of the site. Son of a b***h is sharp." Rodney said anxiously, still trying to catch his breath.

"Were you followed? You should've arrange for a meetup. We're sitting ducks here." Yao Ming commented.

"Yao Ming, get the guns. Bring the rookie of the year." Marco ordered.

Rod laid in bed. He was clearly tired from whatever he did to make it this far.

"I had nowhere to go. If I stayed somewhere else, I'm probably dead by now."

"Don Juan will be more furious right now. First, his shipment was caught by Don Roberto then his scientist who happens to be the only one who has the knowledge to formulate the samples deserted his site." Vincent stated beside Rod. Derrick suddenly hushed them.

"Two hostiles, in bound." He whispered.

Marco whispered back to ask if they were armed and he got a slow nod from Derrick confirming the assumption. Marco quickly radioed Newland to stay inside their room. A knocked on Vincent's door echoed inside. They all exchanged glances.

Marco motioned Rod to go hide in the bathroom. He then nod at Vincent to answer the door.

"Who is it?" Sounded so tired considering how many visitors he had in just a matter of an hour.

There were murmuring from the other side of the door. The three of them shot an alarming look when they heard a pumping of a gun.

"Alejandro, señor." Finally, he answered.

"What can I do for you in this early morning, Alejandro?" And he managed to sound sarcastic which Marco and Derrick gave him a warning look.

"We just want to inquire, señor. Ask a few questions."

Vincent slowly removed the locks. Derrick and Marco quickly jumped to the bed, pretending to be disturbed by this morning interference. They release an elaborated yawn like they both have a terrible hangover.

By the time Vincent already open the door by fifty degrees, Alejandro didn't wait for the invitation to get in. He shot a suspicious gaze at the two looking tired men on the bed. Vincent took all the effort not to laugh.

"Oh, hi. Sorry about this, mate. Just went overboard last night." Marco muttered, with his tired British accent, pretending to hold his temple.

"What's the noise!" Derrick sounding utterly in pain and covered his face like the sun burns his skin.

Alejandro eyed Vincent. Why on earth is he not hangover like these two? Where are the other two gentlemen?

"You didn't drink last night, señor?" Alejandro asked, full of suspicion. Vincent acted in impulse and faked a laugh.

"I was busy consulting my business at home. You do know who I am, don't you?"

"What kind of business? If you don't mind me asking."

"None of your business." Vincent countered with his venomous tone putting Alejandro on his place.

Alejandro seems to expect his obnoxious behavior and observed around the room. Watched every corner, every edges of the place.

"We have a situation this morning. A sample was stolen from the lab, by your friend, Dr. Rodney Nirvana." Alejandro shared it to him like he knew for a fact that Vincent already knew this. But Vincent did not give in and acted surprised.

"How outrageous? Rodney stole a sample? Why would he do that?" With a little forced disappointment in his tone.

"Don't act like you are surprised, señor. We both know who is the first person Dr. Rodney will go to in times of this." Alejandro stated leveling Vincent's cockiness.

"And who would it be?"

Alejandro laughed at the question like it was stupid.

"You, of course, señor. You are his friend."

This time, Vincent reciprocated the mocking laughter. He faced again the horizon from his window.

"That's funny, Alejandro, because I haven't seen my dear old friend ever since I visited the site. If you are trying to imply something else, then you are wrong."

"Let's skip the part where we pretend you don't know anything."

"Stop insinuating something that that is not true. Are you accusing me?"

With the look of utter disappointment and disbelief with the fact that he was accused, Vincent have put up a good look. The man across him glared at him in defeat.

"We will watch your every move, doctor. Every move."

Just when their problem was about to end, Alejandro stopped his pace and look at the bathroom. Vincent managed to compose himself and raised an inquiring eyebrow to him.

"Do you mind if I use the bathroom?"

Vincent smiled a bit.

"Not at all, but I'm sure you can find one on your way out. No offense, but I am very particular with cleanliness." And he shot a judging look at Alejandro's dusty boots.

"Buenas dias, señor." He greeted Vincent as goodbye, a bit insulted by his remarks but decided to keep it out of mind. He doesn't have an upperhand this time.

"Buenas dias." Vincent chirped back.

                                                             ***

Sao Paulo, Brazil

13:00

When everything was ready for the entire team, Vincent Alderige was no longer in sight. The vicinity lacked his presence which the four men grew suspicious. Marco signaled Diego to look for his boss downstairs. Maybe Vincent decided to grab a quick bite but he wasn't inside to either of the two restaurants.

"Negative, sir." Diego reported.

All of them shot an accusing look to Rod who was currently enjoying his first meal of the day. He raised his hands in surrender denying any involvement to Vincent's disappearance.

Vincent on the other hand was seated at the back of a mercedes benz, a bit troubled about his plan. If the US government will not allow them to extend this lengthy mission, then he will take another steps. Besides, US government is not the only ally his family have.

A thick steel gate opened in front of them. Jose behind the wheel fixed his polo which only today he was required to wear. Considering the weather, choking on it was not the only problem in his hands. Two security details checked their vehicle for possible explosives attached and they were all clear.

A woman same age as Vincent stood in the front porch, behind her were two housemaids waiting for instructions. Her smile widened when his car haulted in front. Vincent did not wait for anyone to open for him and stepped outside. They hugged like they've known each other for too long and that's because they really did know each other for too long.

"Vincent!"

"Catherine!"

She motioned every house staff to leave them alone.

"It's been what? Two years? Are you even married? The last time you were at my wedding, you're still single, don't tell me, it's still is?" Catherine asked in excitement.

"I'm glad you're here at Sao Paulo! What a coincidence? Where's Renard?" Vincent shifted the subject. Avoiding to be roasted.

Catherine rolled her eyes in annoyance. She motioned for him to take a seat in front of her. The garden area is the safest location for their indecent discussion.

"You probably know why I'm here?" With a smirk, he took his glass of juice and checked for anything unusual. Catherine laughed with that.

"If I wanted you dead, you won't even reach this far."

"Touchè."

Catherine and Vincent went to the same Ivy league school back in college together with her husband. She's been his sidekick for the longest time and he requires that skills today.

"I want you to do something." Vincent started.

"You mean another favor. I expect fair value in return."

"Consider it done." He countered.

"Sounds fair. Explain."