PRIMAL Vengeance

Chapter 35



PETROCON Tower, Sudan



"Get me the chief of police." Yang stared coldly at the prostrated corpse of Omar. "And someone show me the CCTV shots of the men who did this."

Yang had been scheduled to meet with the Sudanese Minister only minutes after he had been killed. He had flown in with one of the PETROCON helicopters only to be greeted by hysterical security guards and the news that Omar had been assassinated.

The Chinese operative walked through the apartment's open doors into the dead man's office. The security door had been explosively breached, the dead guards outside dispatched with precise headshots. Definitely the work of professionals, he thought.

"Sir, this is the only clear picture we have." One of the PETROCON guards approached with a piece of paper in his outstretched hand.

Yang snatched it from him. It showed two men in blue coveralls and body armor: a tall, well-built man and a second, smaller operative, both carrying MP7 submachine guns. Although the screen shot was blurry and the faces were covered, the men and their weapons were unmistakably familiar. Yang's lip rose in a snarl as the picture brought back memories of another painful defeat. He knew these two individuals had to be his assailants from the sinking of the 'Tian Hai'. The tall one he had fought, the smaller had disappeared over the rail before he could stop him.

The Chinese operative reached for his phone, dialed a number and waited for it to connect.

"You did not give enough warning," he accused. "They achieved their mission. Tell me what I am looking for?"

Yang listened intently for a full minute before replying. "This will be remembered. Keep me posted on any additional information."

He terminated the call with his source as a tall Arab dressed in a police uniform entered the office, an entourage of staff officers in tow. The Chief of Police surveyed the destruction wrought on the minister's office, frowned, and turned his attention to the Chinese man.

"Are you Mr Yang?"

"Yes, Sir. I represent PETROCON in all matters of security. As you are no doubt aware the Minister for Petroleum and Energy has been assassinated."

The Chief of Police nodded. "You have very powerful friends, Mr Yang. I have been ordered to place all my resources at your disposal."

Yang bowed his head graciously. "Sir, that is not necessary. This clearly falls under your jurisdiction. This should be your operation."

The Chief of Police was slightly taken aback by the security consultant's deference. In his experience the Chinese could be some of the most arrogant and demanding masters on the continent.

"Very well. Do we have any leads?"

"We do. I have just been informed that the men who did this are using a hotel as a safe house. A hotel somewhere in Khartoum."

"Khartoum has a lot of hotels, Mr Yang."

"Yes but how many hotels have an underground car park containing a tan-colored, soft top Land Rover sporting a number of antennas."

"Give my men a detailed description and we'll have every police patrol looking for these terrorists within the half-hour."

"Excellent. The PETROCON guards will be at your disposal should you need them."

"That will not be necessary," the chief replied curtly. He turned to one of his aides. "Put the SWAT team on high alert. Have every police officer in the city searching for this vehicle. I want every hotel, apartment and parking lot searched now."

"Yes, Sir." The chief's aide disappeared from the office, running to alert the relevant command chains.

"You had better stay close to me," said the Chief. "Just in case your contact has more information that might be useful."