Although he had not let it show, the news of Remo's visions had disturbed the old Korean. They betokened a future that, in truth, Chiun had hoped was far away.
Deep in meditation, he was attempting to seek the guidance of his ancestors when he became aware of an urgent conversation beyond the thin walls of the hut.
He had not detected the engines that would bring more men from Bachsburg. Only the sound of Batubizee's own truck returning a few moments before.
Since no one called to him, Chiun remained seated. Eyes closed, he continued meditating.
His concentration was shattered a minute later by the anxious appearance of Chief Batubizee and Bubu.
Eyes flitting open, Chiun crinkled his nose in displeasure at the odor that clung to the young native's soiled clothes.
"Master Chiun, I bring grave news," Bubu said excitedly.
Chiun resisted the urge to pinch his nose between his fingers. "Have the invaders arrived?" he asked. Batubizee shook his head.
"It is far more serious than an attempt on my life," he intoned. "Bubu and your son found one of the men who slew my warriors in the Bachsburg sewers. The young Master of Sinanju dispatched the villain."
A puff of pride swelled Chiun's silken kimono. "He is a good and faithful son." The old man nodded. "True to his House and our traditions." He suddenly noted the bandage tied over Bubu's sleeve. "You are injured." He frowned.
"Master Remo saved my life," Bubu offered. The chest of his kimono expanded further. "He is an ally of both the present and future Luzu Empire." Chiun smiled.
"I am not so certain," Batubizee intoned seriously.
Chiun allowed the air to slip slowly from his lungs. "What do you mean?" the Master of Sinanju asked, praying Remo hadn't done anything more stupid than usual. He was stunned when the truth was far worse than he could have imagined.
Bubu quickly related all that had occurred in Bachsburg. The story ended with the discovery of the nuclear device.
"You are certain this is what it was?" Chiun asked thinly once the breathless native was finished.
"I cannot say," Bubu replied, shaking his head. "I can only tell you that which Master Remo claims to be true."
"And what did my son do about this device?" Bubu glanced anxiously at Batubizee.
"Nothing, Master," he admitted to Chiun with some reluctance. "He merely laughed and left it where it sat." Frowning deeply, Chiun said nothing.
"This is terrible if true," Batubizee interjected. "I know well of these devices. When one explodes, death rains down many miles away. Luzuland would not be spared."
"I cannot believe that Master Remo would allow that to happen," Bubu insisted.
But on the floor, Chiun slowly shook his head. "You do not know him as I do," he said quietly.
"Then he would do this?" Batubizee demanded.
"I cannot say," the old Korean replied. "Remo's emotions are not his own. There is no telling what he might allow at this fragile state." He rose to his feet. "I must leave your side and hie to Bachsburg," he told Batubizee. "For to protect your land, I must see to it that this device of wicked consequence is destroyed." He marched to the door.
Bubu hurried after him. "I will take you," he insisted.
As the three men left the hut, Batubizee and Bubu hoped there was time enough for the ancient Master of Sinanju to stop the bomb.
For his part, Chiun hoped there was time enough before they left for the eager young native to bathe.
Chapter 26
Plastic fruit adorned the brim of the big straw hat. Strawberries, grapes, an orange and two bananas nestled neatly on the crown. As a dark-faced assistant opened the door, Mandobar stopped beside the overly muscled young man, first checking the hat's reflection in the shiny glass panes at the front of the huge auditorium.
Perfect. Almost.
Mandobar tipped the brim of the plastic-fruitcovered hat ever so slightly.
Now it was perfect.
"All right, all right!" Mandobar snapped. A fat hand waved angrily.
The man dutifully drew the door open fully. Mandobar breezed inside.
The great foyer with its crystal chandeliers and rich imported tapestries was chilled to an icy sixtyfive degrees. A great change from the hundred-degree weather outside.
Feeling gooseflesh rise across exposed arms, Mandobar hurried to a rear office.
As Mandobar settled into a wide chair, a fat finger stabbed in the speed-dial number for the office of the defense minister. It rang several times before the voice of a male secretary finally answered. "Minister Deferens's office. How may I direct your call?"
Mandobar leaned forward. The farthest rounded end of a well-fed belly brushed the edge of the desk. "Get me Deferens."
"I am sorry," the secretary replied. "Minister Deferens is unavailable at the moment."
It was already a risk to be speaking to someone other than Deferens directly. Mandobar's voice was recognizable.
Hoping that the five syllables already spoken would not be enough to alert the secretary to the caller's identity, Mandobar broke the connection. A chubby hand continued to rest on the phone long after it was back in its cradle.
Where was Deferens? This was the most crucial phase of the operation. Nearly all of the dignitaries would be in Bachsburg now. Deferens should have been coordinating with them from his palace office. Those had been Mandobar's instructions.
After a long time, the hand finally left the phone. Mandobar would have an underling at the village make the necessary calls to Bachsburg. The criminal leaders still needed to be told when and where to come. The men who had been brought here so far were always blindfolded. Even Deferens didn't know about the village. He had always been too busy with his work to ask or care where Mandobar's secret meetings were being held.
Of course, there would be no risk of exposure by having someone else call. After all, everyone here in the bungalow village already knew who their employer was. Not that this knowledge would do them any good. Unlike the coordinators in Bachsburg, all of the people in the village would be dead by tomorrow.
Mandobar stood. The fruit hat reflected smartly in a glass picture frame on the opposite wall. Beneath the mound of fruit, a plump face scowled back at Mandobar.
One thing was certain. If an AWOL Deferens ended up torpedoing this deal so late in the game, Mandobar would make certain his death would not come as painlessly as those in the bungalow village. After all, there were still plenty of tires lying unused around East Africa.
Gaily colored burnoose trails swirling wildly behind an ample derriere, Mandobar stormed from the office.
Chapter 27
When he pulled open his hotel-room door, Remo found the Master of Sinanju waiting inside. The old man was fuming.
"Is this where it ends for us?" Chiun accused hotly. "You fleeing with your wretched life while you leave your father in spirit to the mercy of radioactive booms and toadstool clouds?"