Captured for Interrogation

[bindingeagle]

Nikolai thought. "I think I'll be OK with regular weapons," he said.

 

[celestialdragon]

Alexis nodded. "You know how to get ahold of me when you need me," she informed Panda. She hugged him and smiled. "See you later."

 

[bindingeagle]

Nikolai grabbed the camera and microphone and got in the truck with Alexis. "Let's see what we can see before we make the grab," he said.

 

[celestialdragon]

Alexis laughed. "Sounds good," she said, sliding into the passenger's seat, her gun strapped to her hip.

 

[bindingeagle]

They drove into Beijing and found the massive four star hotel. "Looks like she's in the penthouse," said Nikolai. "Am I the diversion or are you?"

 

[celestialdragon]

"You can be the diversion," Alexis said.

 

[bindingeagle]

Nikolai got out and got a beer from a bar before heading into the lobby pretending to be beligerant and drunk.

 

[celestialdragon]

Alexis sneaked around, concealing herself well within the crowd in the lobby.

 

[bindingeagle]

The elevator rose to the top floor and opened to a long hallway. The door to the penthouse was guarded by four syndicate members.

 

[celestialdragon]

Alexis kept out of sight, biting her lip as she thought about how to get in the penthouse. "Nikolai, there's four guards here," she said softly in Russian. "Syndicate, and I recognize two of them."

 

[bindingeagle]

"I'm coming up, what's the play?"

 

[celestialdragon]

"Good question," she said dryly.

 

[bindingeagle]

"We could back off and go later tonight," he said. "Your call, you're up there."

 

[celestialdragon]

"Let's do that. We'll try to time it around the changing of the guard," she whispered softly. "Meet me in the lobby."

 

[bindingeagle]

Nikolai was standing in the corner having a coffee. He handed Alexis one as they left to go back to the hotel.

 

[celestialdragon]

"Thank you," Alexis said, kissing his cheek. "Back to our hotel to plan."

 

[bindingeagle]

"Look out to see if anyone is following us," instructed Nikolai, having to watch the overly crowded roads too much to be able to.

 

[celestialdragon]

"I'm always looking out for followers."

 

[bindingeagle]

The ride back was uneventful. Panda was awaiting a briefing to see what he could do to help.

 

[celestialdragon]

"There's syndicate guards outside her room," Alexis reported. "Four. I recognized two from my last stay."

 

[bindingeagle]

"We'll have to take them out," he said. "My girl is in place and ready to move as soon as you make the call."

 

[celestialdragon]

Alexis nodded. "I could use a change of guard schedule," she offered.

 

[bindingeagle]

Panda got one out and handed it to her. "This is what we have, and we;re pretty sure it's accurate," he said,

 

[celestialdragon]

Alexis took it and examined it. "I'd prefer a nighttime one, honestly," she said, handing it to Nikolai.

 

[bindingeagle]

"The only night shift change is at 4:00 in the morning. It's a pretty lax shift, if I remember."