CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER
MY MOTHER HAS BEEN IMPRISONED for many years now,” began Steers.
“Why?” asked Nash. “What crimes did she commit?”
Steers said dismissively, “She has broken no laws. She is a political prisoner.”
Temple said, “So she’s a political prisoner of the Myanmar government? What did she do for them to imprison her?”
Steers said sharply, “That is not relevant. And the prison is not run by the government; it is private, as I said. Nor is it controlled by the various rebel groups.”
“Then who does control it?” asked Nash.
“Again, irrelevant to the mission. What matters is my mother is not in good health, and I will not allow her to remain there.”
Nash said, “I’m sure you have highly skilled people to do this for you.”
“I have people who are well-known to the people from whom we will be extracting my mother. Whereas, you both are unknown to them, which makes you particularly useful to its success.”
“Just so it’s clear, I would do anything to help you, Ms. Steers,” said Temple. “But two Americans trying to free your mother from what I assume is a heavily guarded prison in a hostile land in Asia does not seem a recipe for success.”
“It’s all in the details, Mr. Temple. I have thought through every conceivable possibility and have arrived at a bold plan that I believe represents the best opportunity for my mother’s freedom.
And you both will be critical to that success.
” She glanced at Nash. “At first, I was only going to allow Mr. Temple to journey there, Mr. Hope. But when Mr. Temple insisted you come, I queried Lynn Ryder and, as I alluded to before, she told me of your. . .strengths. I was intrigued, and thus here you are as well. I trust you will not disappoint me.”
“And when do you plan on our executing this mission?” asked Nash.
“Very soon. Ideally, we would have more time, but there is nothing ideal about the situation. Thus, you both will have to learn most of what you need on the ground in Myanmar.”
“This prison?” began Nash. “I assume you have someone on the inside who will help with the extraction?”
“You are thinking at a level which I appreciate, Mr. Hope. Yes, I do have someone on the inside. Otherwise, the plan would have little chance of success.”
“How far is the prison from here?” asked Nash.
“Normally, the flight time is around four hours, but commercial service is not reliable and in some regions completely unavailable. The airspace around the prison is tightly restricted. And the junta, which now controls less than half the country, has taken to bombing the parts held by rebel factions. So it is decidedly risky on all levels. Thus, you will work your way to the prison from points north, where you will be initially dropped.”
“Points north!” exclaimed Temple. “But to the north of Myanmar is China. And I don’t think going across that border is a good idea.”
“China is not the only country to the north of Myanmar, Mr. Temple,” she chided. “I would have expected you to know this with your many trips to that part of the world.”
“So we enter from the north and make our way south to the region where the prison is located?” said Nash. “How long will that take?”
“A week, at the very least. And you must ingratiate yourself with the people there using the cover provided by others in Myanmar who are working for me on this.”
“And how do we do that?” asked Nash.
“Simply put, Mr. Temple is a businessman seeking commercial opportunities, which will work to his strengths. And you, of course, Mr. Hope, will be his personal bodyguard, which will be a natural fit for your skill set. Despite its political and governing challenges, and the hostilities unfolding across the country, Myanmar is opening up more to foreign trade. Locals engaged by me will be there to help you on your way.”
“And what about my company, Sybaritic?” asked Temple. “I told them I was taking some time off and I’d check in periodically, but still, I can’t just disappear for long periods.”
“All in good time, Mr. Temple. My mother’s welfare comes before all other things.”
“And the enticing rewards you mentioned if we do succeed?” said Nash.
Steers turned her gaze to him. “You get to live, of course.”