The Lives of Tao

CHAPTER NINETEEN

ENCOUNTER



For the first few years, the Ming Dynasty was prosperous. Zhu was a strict but fair emperor. He codified the Da Ming lu, the Code of the Great Ming, to establish equal rights among the masses, something which humanity had never seen before. He fostered an agrarian society and suppressed violence. And even though he was a tyrant, he was beloved by his people. I saw the advantages of what Zhu’s absolute power could do. We could finally implement our enlightened theories. But once again, the Council had other plans. Zoras appeared to give me new orders.



The bouncer gave Roen a dismissive look. “Thirty bucks.”

Roen took his ID back, pulled out his wallet, and peeled off two bills.

Did he just say thirty dollars? To get into the club?

“Yep.”

That is outrageous!

“You’re telling me. And I used to go out three times a week every week for three years.”

No wonder you still rent.

The noise level at the club was ear-shattering as he walked into a packed room with a ceiling that rose three stories above him. The sound of a booming deep bass shook the walls in a repetitive rhythm that Roen could feel in the pit of his stomach. A dizzying array of bright, colorful lights sprayed the room, overwhelming the eyes.

It is loud in here.

“That’s one way to put it. Try actually talking to someone in one of these places.”

Roen left the main dance floor and went down a spiral staircase to the basement, where there was another dance floor. The atmosphere of the room was less spastic, with slower music. It was also better lit and without annoying pulsating lights. There, he found Antonio and some friends sitting in a booth against the wall.

After initial greetings were exchanged, Roen turned his attention to getting a drink. Buying drinks from the bar was like playing roulette; sometimes you got lucky, sometimes you didn’t. Patrons leaned against the bar, waving their money and hoping the bartender acknowledged their existence. Only at these places would the words “I know the bartender” have any pull. It took Roen fifteen minutes to get a beer.

Explain to me how this is fun: thirty minutes in line, thirty dollars to get in, ten minutes to work your way down here, ten more saying hi to people I can tell you barely know, and now fifteen minutes ordering a beer that costs twice what it should. You just lost an hour of your life.

“Why do you think I always swear to never come back?”

And yet you still do like an addict.

“More like a lemming.”

That works too.

Antonio walked to Roen and put his arm around him. “So your date went well?”

Roen nodded.

“Well, that’s a reason to celebrate. Cheers.” The two clinked their bottles together. “And you’re going to see her again?”

Roen nodded again.

“Another reason to celebrate.” The bottles clinked again. Antonio was hammered; his voice slurred and he leaned on Roen more for support than friendship.

“So, get this,” Antonio continued. “While you were pulling one of your disappearing acts the past few days, Sonya stopped by to drop off some books she wanted you to read. I made my move and asked her out, and guess what? She said I was sweet and she liked being friends, but she likes you! You! Over me! Actually, she didn’t say she liked you, she said she was, and I’ll quote, ‘totally in love with you.’ Imagine that! My boy here doesn’t get a date for like ten years and now, not one, but two hot chicks are madly in love with you. I have no idea what self-help book she’s having you read, but I want it.”

Roen was speechless. “Wait, what?!” The words came tumbling out of his mouth as he stood there in shock. “Sonya’s in love with me? Are you kidding?” Suddenly, he felt conflicted. She liked him? A flood of questions poured through his mind as he struggled with this new dilemma. Who was the better match for him? Who had the better personality? Who had a better figure? Who would his parents like more?

Do not get ahead of yourself.

Antonio laughed at the expression on his face. “You mean you didn’t know? The way she gushed about you, I thought your morning workout sessions were more like make-out sessions. Oh, here’s your money for the bet. You deserve it.” Antonio handed him a wad of cash. “You better be buying the drinks tonight, you sly dog.”

Roen held the wad in his hands and stared at it. “Wait, what bet? What is this money for?”

Put the money away and nod. Trust me on this one.

“Don’t rub it in, man,” Antonio grinned. “But seriously, what’s your secret?”

“Um... it’s my personal alien I was telling you about. He’s been giving me dating tips.” Roen smiled weakly.

I pat myself on my metaphorical back.

Before Roen could say another word, Antonio was off again, mingling with the crowd. Roen just watched as his roommate glided from group to group, talking to friends and strangers alike. He always admired how easily Antonio got along with just about everyone. Even strangers treated him like they were best friends after only a few minutes.

“So what’s this money for? What bet is he talking about?”

You do not remember that bet you two made?

“No, what bet?”

You have a rotten memory.

“I’d remember if I made a hundred-dollar bet. Heck, I get nervous making twenty-dollar bets.”

Well, stop thinking about it and use your newfound earnings to buy another drink.

Having finished his beer, Roen braved the packed crowd on the dance floor and worked his way back toward the bar. He waited another twenty minutes before the bartender noticed him. Not wanting to make the journey again, he ordered two scotches and double-fisted them back to the booth. There, he spent the rest of the evening drinking alone and watching the crowd.

Like ants over cake at a picnic.

“And you want to use us to take the Quasing home? Good luck.”

It was either you or the Neanderthals. There is still debate whether or not we made the right choice. Good thing dolphins do not have hands or you would all be extinct by now.

Roen raised his cup in the air to no one in particular. “Here’s to dolphins and their flippers.”

Indeed.

“I always heard dolphins were smart.”

They make humans look like chimps in any pattern recognition test.

“Pattern recognition test?”

Fundamentals of logical deduction, my friend.

“Good thing we have thumbs to offset our lack of intellect.” He raised the cup again. “Here’s to thumbs.”

The party was still in full swing when Antonio staggered back to the booth a while later. Under each arm was an attractive girl. “Ladies,” he said with a thick slur, “this is my buddy. Say hi.” The two smiled and waved. Antonio moved his arms away from their waists and patted Roen on the back. “This over here,” he gestured to his right, “is Laura. And this,” he gestured to his left, “is... what’s your name again?”

The pretty blond frowned and slapped Antonio on the chest. “Jerk,” she berated him playfully. The blond leaned forward and stuck her hand out, and said, “Hi, I’m Amber, you must be Roen.” Roen leaned forward and shook her hand.

“Tao,” she hissed.

Roen! Genjix!

Suddenly, Amber leaned forward and punched him in the face. Roen’s head snapped back and he fell back into the booth. Antonio looked bewildered. Before Antonio could say another word, Laura chopped him at the base of his neck and he fell forward.

Roen was used to being beaten in the face and quickly recovered from the blow. He focused on Laura while she was busy with Antonio. Still lying on his back, Roen kicked out and caught her on the side, sending her tumbling into the crowd.

Immediately, Amber lifted her leg and hammered it down on his stomach. Her stiletto heel dug into his midsection. He howled in pain and sat up. Grabbing her ankle, Roen pulled her leg and swung a hard right hook that caught her squarely in the face, knocking Amber over to the adjacent booth.

Get out of here. There might be more.

Roen climbed out of the booth, clutching his stomach. He turned toward the stairs just as Laura crashed into his back, slamming him against the wall. Roen fell forward, cutting his face on the hard brick surface. His arm banged against a large hanging mirror, causing it to crash to the floor. Glass shattered and spilled across the floor.

The crowd around them stopped dancing and stared at the chaos unfolding. Roen turned around just in time to catch another blow to the face. He reeled backward and hit his head on the wall again. Stunned, Roen fell to one knee as a rain of punches and kicks landed on him. While none of the strikes were particularly hard, the sheer intensity of the attack was overwhelming.

Roen, they are going to kill you. Laura is close by; stop covering up and take her out!

Peering through his spread fingers, he saw that Laura was standing just a foot away, launching kick after kick at his head. Ignoring the blows, he wrapped his arms around both her knees and squeezed. She gawked in surprise as he lifted her up and slammed her to the floor. The crowd collectively gasped until Amber jumped over the booth and elbowed him in the side of the head. A burly older man joined in the melee. Roen blocked a punch and ducked another – before a hard kick to the chest sent him stumbling back.

They are closing off your escape. Get upstairs!

Roen glanced at the stairs and took off. His chest burned and he had trouble catching his breath; that last blow had knocked the wind out of him. The burly man moved to intercept him but was a second too late as Roen reached the stairs first.

By this time, the music had stopped and the bouncers were converging on the fight. One bouncer grabbed one of the girls by the waist and tried to restrain her until she kicked his shins and elbowed him in the face. Another bouncer suddenly collapsed face first, dropped by an unknown attacker. Several others were barreling through the crowds, knocking people over as they tried to reach Roen.

There must be at least a dozen of them.

Roen continued climbing up the stairs. When he reached the top, he bumped into the chest of a large man blocking his path. The man was bald and very muscular – and he had several scars on his face. He gripped his massive hand around Roen’s throat and pinned him against the railing.

Marc! Be wary of him. Watch out for his elbow strikes. He is also very strong.

“My God! His grip... is like steel. He’s... choking me.”

“Hello, Tao,” Marc growled. “Where do you think you’re going?” He pulled a fist back, ready to pummel Roen. Suddenly two bouncers from the club jumped on top of Marc, trying to wrestle him down. With a snarl, Marc grabbed one bouncer with his free hand and threw him over the railing. The man screamed as he flipped over to the floor below. Marc turned his attention to the other bouncer and head-butted him. The bouncer staggered backward, and Marc finished him off with a kick that sent the bouncer tumbling down the stairs.

Roen took advantage of the distraction, slipped out of Marc’s grip, and threw several punch combinations. It felt like striking thick slabs of meat. Roen retreated, holding his wrist.

“Ow, my hand! What is this guy made of?”

Tougher stuff than you. Feint high, strike low. An image of Sonya performing one of her attacks popped into his mind.

Marc turned to him and snarled. Roen threw a left jab and a right hook, followed by a low kick, hoping to take the man’s legs from under him.

“A man who cannot stand cannot fight,” Sifu Lin often quoted.

Marc moved surprisingly quickly for such a large man, blocking the jab and dodging the right hook. The kick struck his shin though with a satisfying crunch. The only effect, however, was a barely noticeable stumble in Marc’s step. He retaliated. Roen dodged the first few, but subsequently collapsed under the barrage of punches. The man hit like a tank.

“I had expected more from you, Tao,” Marc said, standing over him. “Your new host is no Blair.” He raised his fist to finish Roen off just as a beer bottle flew through the air and struck Marc in the face, exploding into small fragments. He snarled in pain and staggered backward, blood dripping down the side of his face.

“Roen! Get out of here!” Antonio yelled, struggling with the crowds trying to escape the riot.

The room downstairs had degenerated into a full-blown riot. The Genjix were busy fighting several bouncers and club patrons at the same time – and winning. Bodies lay all over the floor as the dozen or so Genjix laid a path of destruction through the packed room.

Roen saw Laura strike one of the bouncers in the neck. The man collapsed, holding his throat and gasping for air. One of the Genjix swung a barstool in wide arcs, hitting anyone unfortunate enough to be in his way. Then he caught sight of Amber making a beeline toward him.

That was when Roen decided that enough was enough. He hated leaving Antonio down there, but he had to escape. He ran up the stairs as fast as he could. Most of the club patrons on the main floor were unaware of the riot below. Roen made his way toward the main door, pushing people out of his way as he approached the exit.

At the door, a bouncer with a headset stopped him. “Hey, you’re not going anywhere. We have the cops coming right now.”

Take him down!

Without hesitation, Roen threw a punch at the bouncer’s face. When the man tried to block the punch, Roen grabbed his forearm, pulling him off balance just enough for Roen to connect with a left hook into the bouncer’s ribs, followed by an uppercut that connected to his chin. The man dropped like a rock.

Good work. I see Lin’s training did not go to waste.

“He wasn’t an agent, just an average Joe.”

That had a size and reach advantage over you.

“I’m not that short.”

You are not that tall.

Roen burst out the door and scanned the streets. People milled around, some in line waiting to go into the club, while others waited for the valet. The cool night air was a shocking contrast to the humidity inside. Several people nearby pointed at his cuts and bloodstained clothing. In the distance, the sound of sirens became louder.

Time to make yourself scarce.

“Don’t have to tell me twice.”

Roen took off running, ignoring the people yelling at him to stop. He presumed that they were bouncers or worse, the Genjix. He rounded the corner on West Superior Street and headed east toward his car. As he turned, he glanced back at the club – just in time to see a small group of people run out. One of them saw him in the distance and they took off after him.

“Crap, they saw me.”

All that running and you cannot run any faster?

Roen ran faster than he had ever run in his life. Sheer panic gave him an unexpected rush of adrenaline, so that he no longer felt the aches and pains from the melee. It was impossible to get into the car and drive away before they reached him. He sped past it to the State Street intersection with the Genjix closing fast. He’d have to find a place to hide.

Ignoring the red light, Roen ran through the busy intersection and turned south onto the densely populated main street. While it was late, Chicago still teemed with night life. Patrons were streaming out of bars and clubs, trying to make their way home or elsewhere. This time, he did not bother looking back and instead tried to blend in with the crowds.

What are you planning to do?

“I might as well lead them on a wild goose chase and head back to my car after I lose them.”

Too risky. They might have someone watching it. You better leave it there.

“The Prophus must go through a lot of cars.”

Roen turned at every other corner and moved through different crowds, trying to make his movements as random as possible. He reached Michigan Avenue and headed south. It was nearly two in the morning, and the crowds had thinned out. He was tired and desperate to get home, yet the fear of the Genjix kept him moving.

“What should I do, Tao?”

Well, you are the mark, and the only way for you to know if you are still being followed is to know where the trackers are at. Protocol is to stop moving and try to locate them.

“Stop moving? I don’t want to do that.”

I sort of figured. Resort to plan B.

“What’s plan B?”

Text message 227 to the number 64732 and head for the safe house.

“Go to the safe house. Gotcha. What’s the text message for?”

It alerts Command of an incident and they can home in on your location through your phone.

Roen dug out his phone and texted the message. “Now to the safe house? It’s not that close.”

Time to put all that running to use. Get going.

Roen took off in a sprint, running south on Michigan Avenue and turning west onto Lake Street. Behind him, he heard the distinctive sounds of rifle shots. Who was shooting at whom? He didn’t stay to find out. He ran as hard as he could, changing direction every few blocks in order to throw off any possible pursuit. He was near the safe house when Tao ordered him to stop running.

Hide behind these bushes and wait. See if anyone is still on your trail. It will not do you much good if you lead them to the safe house.

Roen crept into a row of bushes and tried to make himself as small as possible, while still able to see the streets east and north of his location. His reconnaissance training from the past several months kicked in. He steadied his breathing and focused on his surroundings and the likely entry points his pursuers would come from. He became very still, moving elsewhere only when necessary when a young couple walked dangerously close. Now that this was a real life-threatening situation, he was thankful for all the monotonous training he had to endure.

Watch for oncoming cars turning. Their headlights will pass right by your location.

Roen remained still, checking his watch at set intervals. Finally, after thirty minutes, he felt safe enough from pursuit to climb out of his hiding spot and head toward the safe house. Just to be safe, he went a longer route and circled to it from the west.

That was very well done. You utilized your training very well.

“I’m glad you approve. You think I can move on to something more interesting like clandestine work?”

You are not ready for that sort of espionage yet. There is a difference between that and just field surveillance. One step at a time. Remember, I have been busy trying to help you see your toes when you stand.

“I wasn’t that big,” Roen grumbled aloud.

You looked like an offensive lineman.

A train passed by overhead on the elevated tracks, temporarily overwhelming his hearing. Roen stopped, leaned against a wall, and waited. It was only after the rumbling faded into the distance that he felt safe enough to continue. Roen walked to the safe house and punched in the entrance code. Staying alert, he didn’t relax until the metal door closed behind him and locked with a loud click and a hiss.

The safe house was dark, as usual. He walked over to the control panel and flicked the lights on, only to come face to face with the muzzle of a pistol. The panic came back in a rush. The Genjix must have compromised this safe house! Instinctively he froze and threw his hands into the air.

Your first instinct is to surrender? We are going to have to work on that.

“Oh, it’s you, Roen. Thank God you’re all right.” Sonya’s voice almost stopped his heart. Roen nearly collapsed in relief. She turned on the light and hugged him. “I got the text that something happened. The GPS had you in this area, so I came to the safe house, assuming you would make your way here.”

She smelled like cucumber and citrus, and her skin felt very soft. Roen held her tightly as the shock of the night finally settled in. He almost didn’t make it! Roen suddenly became very aware of the dried blood all over his body. As much as he did not want to, he let go of her and went to the sink to wash up.

“You’re bleeding. Is it serious?” she asked, moving to one of the cabinets and pulling out a tube of antibiotic ointment and some bandages.

“Nothing sleep and a bottle of Macallan won’t cure,” he joked. Now that she pointed out his wounds, the pain that had been dulled by adrenaline came screaming back. He walked up to a mirror and studied the Genjix’s handiwork. “They did quite a number on me,” Roen muttered. His face was a mess of black and blue welts, and he was cut in several places. He grabbed his shirt and took it off, wincing as he pulled it over his head, revealing more bruises and gashes along his chest and back when he looked in the mirror.

Sonya whistled as she walked up to him and studied the cuts. “I don’t think any of them will require stitches. Did you break any bones?” He shook his head and sat down in the chair. Roen watched her as she meticulously cleaned the wounds. She took out several rolls of bandages and wrapped some of the larger cuts. Sonya then began to dab the ointment on his body. It stung, making him recoil from her touch. “Stay still, you big baby,” she murmured.

“You’re very good at this,” he remarked.

“Something Mom taught me,” she replied. “There were a few times when she came home from a mission with bullet wounds or worse. I learned to be a pretty good nurse that way.” She caressed his cheeks, checking over her handiwork; their eyes locked briefly. Their faces were nearly touching. On impulse, Roen leaned forward and kissed her.

What are you doing?!

He waited for the uppercut that would floor him at any moment. That would hurt, he thought, but it would be worth it. Instead, he was pleasantly surprised that she kissed him back. Not a big kiss, but a light, gentle one. Roen stood up and wrapped his hands around her waist. She pulled back and looked to the side. The two stood there uncomfortably.

“I’m... I’m sorry,” he apologized. “I don’t know what came over me.”

Stupidity obviously came over you.

“No, I’m sorry,” she replied. “We shouldn’t be doing this.” She was still leaning on him though. Not sure if he should let go, Roen decided to finish what he set out to do and kept holding her. She did not try to pull away again. They just looked at each other. Roen noticed that her breath smelled good too.

“You’re going to get us in trouble,” she whispered.

“With whom?” he asked.

“Baji,” she murmured. “She’s screaming at me right now, asking me what the hell I think I’m doing.”

“That’s funny. Tao isn’t saying anything.”

Like hell! You two work together. Do not jeopardize your professional relationship because you have pubescent hormones.

“He just said that I’m confusing our professional relationship with affection.”

Sonya leaned close to him again. Roen leaned forward as well. She moved past his lips and kissed him on the cheek. “I think you are, too. Let’s not do something we’re both going to regret. I like you and you’re my friend, a good friend, but we work together, and something like this could cloud our judgment and get us killed. You should get some sleep. You must be exhausted.” She put her hands on his forearms and then moved away. Turning, she walked to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of water. “You want some?”

“Is that you or Baji talking?” he asked.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” She picked up two glasses and handed one to him.

“Is that you or Baji talking?” Roen repeated.

“A bit of both,” she replied. “Are you going home in the morning?” Her sudden change of topic had a tone of finality to it that told him the discussion was over. Reluctantly, he nodded.

“I’ll go with you,” Sonya said. “There might be trouble at your place. No matter what, don’t call your roommate. He might be compromised.” She pointed at the glass in his hand. “And don’t think for a minute that I’m your maid. Wash the glass before you go to bed.”

And before Roen could utter another word, she went into one of the bedrooms, shutting off the light – and left him standing there in the dark.



Sonya’s angry face came very close to Roen’s as she reached over and pulled him up by the front of his shirt. “Damn it, Tao, what was that all about?” Sonya growled.

Twenty minutes ago, Roen had fallen asleep on the couch at the safe house while Sonya took the lone bedroom. Now Baji, controlling Sonya, hovered over him and looked like she was about to take a swing at him.

Tao, controlling a sleeping Roen, feigned confusion. “You mean the ambush tonight?” he asked innocently.

“No, I mean your host trying to stick his tongue down Sonya’s throat!”

“I’m sorry, Baji. I did not know he was going to do it.”

“Well, she is confused now. She has spent so much of her life preparing for her role that she has not experienced much of a social life.”

“That is your fault, not mine. You should have made her a more balanced individual.”

Baji replied, “All your hosts seem to share the same womanizing traits.”

“Why are you so upset? Do you mean she likes him?”

“No, I mean she’s not focused on the task at hand. Get your playboy under control, Tao, or I will put him in his place.”

“Easy there, Baji – you sound like a disapproving mother.”

“You are damn right I am disapproving. Sonya has been groomed for great things. She has more potential than any other host I have had in centuries. Do not ruin her, or I swear...”

“You really should let her live a more balanced life,” he said.

That probably wasn’t the right thing to say. She glared at him and snapped. “Shut up. You take care of your host, and I will take care of mine. I never intruded on Edward’s training.”

“I let Edward marry and live a semblance of a normal life.”

“That is a tragedy in itself when you consider the usual fate of our hosts.”

“What about Dania? Do you regret her having a family?” Tao asked.

“What I regret is her marrying another host. Jordan’s death broke her will. I will not let the same thing happen to Sonya.”

“By not ever letting her discover love? Sorry, Baji, but I do not have as much control over my host as you have over yours. I will work on getting rid of his free will right away.”

She said, “Do not turn this around on me.”

“I suggest you just let them be for now and worry about it later. We have a little crisis on our hands. Have you notified Intelligence?” Tao asked.

As Baji finally began to calm down, Tao pulled her clenched fist away from his shirt.

She scowled and slumped into the recliner next to the couch. “This is not over yet, Tao. We are going to finish this conversation later. And yes, Intelligence found a hit on Hamilton Lee getting a speeding ticket off of Highway 80 last night. With all of Roen’s information washed, it must have tripped an alarm when his identification hit a dead end. That means the Genjix are actively monitoring for him and parsing through negative hits as well. Tell your boy to be more careful. They must want you badly.”

“What can I say? I do good work. At least one good thing came out of all this.”

Baji shook her head. “What good can possibly come from this? Roen’s risk levels now are exponentially higher. I would almost call in bodyguards if I thought they would be of any use.”

Tao grinned. “No, bodyguards would just attract more attention. I think tonight’s little encounter should prove to the Keeper that Roen is ready. Even with only a few months of training, he performed admirably.” Tao stood up and walked over to one of the computers. “You should get some sleep. They are getting up in three hours. This might not be over yet.”

“You are not going to bed?” Baji asked.

“Not yet. I need to expand Roen’s data wipe. From now on, he will only be Roen to those around him. Once that name enters a government system or credit agency, he will become Ron Tam.”

“Cute, just enough to cry user error.”

“I thought so too. Goodnight, Baji.”

Baji stood up and walked toward the bedroom. She glared at Tao one more time before going in. She said, “Hey Tao, we did well with Roen. You should be proud. But regardless, tell Roen to keep his mitts off Sonya or I will kill him myself.”

“He loves you too.”