NationStates Jolt Archive

December 3 2007 - 2pm local time

"So this is it? This...insignificant vase..is it?"
"Yes. Dozens of men died for this - remember, the government wanted him to be buried in an unmarked grave in an unknown location. However, Zhang did not count on us having the sort of political power we did."
"So you are saying that the body was switched after the plane crash with someone else's?"
"Exactly. Zhang kept the entire thing secret. There was enough for him to deal with at the time without worrying about a corpse."

"Thanks for showing me this. I'd like a moment alone with his remains if you don't mind."
"I'm sorry sir but I really cannot. I have upheld my end of the deal - hey, what are you doing?"

The masked man, whom the guide had been chatting to pleasantly for the past hour, pulled out a knife and held it against his throat. There was an air of familiarity around him - the guide was certain he had heard his voice before, and had seen those eyes, even if it was through a mask. His heart jumped as the cold steel of the blade scratched against his neck.

"Listen...I must speak to him alone...even if I have to kill you."

((Cross-Yalu tag of concern!))

Quinntonian interest as well.

WWJD
Amen.

tag

Is there going to be more?

Tsar.

(Yes yes of course!)

The guide struggled for a bit and then stared right into the eyes of his attacker when he could not break his grasp. Not worth dying for an urn of ashes.
"Alright...go on, I won't tell." he said, flailing his hands and rubbing his neck. "But I've seen you before somewhere.".
The masked man threw him aside and uttered something quietly to himself and took out a packet of incense.
"Get out."
The guide shuffled out of the room, closing the door, fingering his neck and then collapsing outside in exhaustion after nearly being strangled to death.

The masked man took off his mask and lit his incense. He opened the urn and closed his eyes, as if he was meditating. Something felt cold, and there was a breeze in the air even though the building was underground and sealed.

Liu, I need your assistance. Please grant me your wisdom and intelligence.

Suddenly his hands violently reacted. He did not move them, but now they were shaking, like there was some supernatural force. Maybe it really was the dead, or simply just the toxic chemicals from the incense, but there was something about.

My brother, I will help you. I will give you all my wisdom, charisma, and power. But I want your soul in exchange.

Yes, it is agreed

He opened his eyes, feeling a sense of calmness and power surge through him. Holding the urn with one hand, he emptied the General's ashes into his mouth. Now we are one...