Two - Time To Rise

PRESENT DAY

"Let it rip, Gema!" I yelled at my best friend. Without hesitation the rebel at the control of her powerful motorcycle made it scream. Weaving through traffic was thrilling for both of us. "Yeah!" My excitement was visceral and I punched the air releasing my pent up energy.

What seemed exhilarating and carefree to Gembira and I was deemed reckless by police. Who knew? Ahead, on the six-lane highway leading to the airport, was a roadblock. As dusk was falling, the beautiful skyline of the city was disappearing quickly behind us, and ahead were the flashing lights of the law. Gembira tapped my leg and pointed to the roadblock about a quarter-mile in front of us. "Hang on, Kiddo!" She confidently leaned forward and I did as well making us more aerodynamic.

I do not have much use for fear. The real fear, for me, came years earlier in the form of hospital visits and sadly a broken family life. My biggest fear was losing the people I love and not living up to my true potential in life. I understand I have been gifted this life and I will change what part of the world I can. That leaves very little room for fear.

I scanned the line of police cruisers and pointed over Gembira's right shoulder to a slight opening in the first layer of the barricade. No words needed to be spoken as the plan was set. Gembira, as daring of rider as they come, studied the challenge ahead. As we approached the roadblock I could see there were several layers to their defense.

"Ready, Kid?" Not sure why she is still calling me kid but she is like an older sister. The rebel and I were ready for the obstacle course ahead.

I readied myself for my first true test. "Bring it, Gema!" You may be asking why? I say because my dad means more to me than...well, life itself.

Gembira approached with speed aiming for the tiny hole in the armor of the barricade, barely big enough for her motorcycle. She broke hard and I popped from the back of the motorcycle spinning over the hood of the first police cruiser and began to run as my feet hit the asphalt on the far side of the cruiser. The police were not expecting anything of this nature.

We had the element of surprise on our side. Gembira ripped the throttle and headed for the second layer of the defense and another opening was found. With fine dust and dark smoke billowing from her rear tire the officers visual senses were masked. We continued further into the barricade.

I ducked under a reaching officer then leaped over his car with my legs in the full tucked position. I uncoiled my legs and my sneakers hit the asphalt running. There was no way I was even thinking of looking back. The shouts from the officers were somewhat amusing the further I ran into the maze of vehicles.

Just then I was face to face with a police shotgun. I don't think he would have shot at me. We weren't actually hurting anyone, but then again, I may be a bit naive. So I slid on my backpack between two vehicles and out of his sight, foiling the shot. When I popped up behind the third line Gembira sped towards me.

Gembira must have been reading my mind, because without releasing the throttle, she crossed in front of me. I grabbed her leather jacket and my light framed body rose into the air. When I grabbed her other shoulder my legs came down straddling the seat again. I could not believe I just did that. That was freaking exciting for me, but for rebel girl there, it was just another stroll in the park.

We were not clear yet. I leaned into Gembira again who headed for a tiny strip of gravel along the very edge of the highway. When the tires of the bike hit the strip a gust of wind sent dust and gravel surging into the air. Debris from the dust cloud disoriented the officers near the rear of the blockade who were trying to make sense of what was happening. We sped away leaving the police untangling their barricade trying to continue their pursuit. Good luck catching a motorcycle with a head start.

It did not take long for the two of us to arrive at the Pudong Airport. Gembira stopped her motorcycle in front of the international departure entrance. Just moments from freedom, I thought, as I stepped off the bike and tore off my helmet. I was smiling so hard it began to hurt but my smile faded quickly with the police encircling my rebel friend and me, the newest criminals in Shanghai.

"Crap!" was the only word that escaped my mouth. Well, it was fun while it lasted. Sorry dad, I just screwed up.

I was very surprised when rebel G had an angry look on her face as she ripped her racing helmet from her head. Her long beautiful, jet black hair flew into the air like a frickin ad for shampoo, as she yelled at the police in Cantonese. "Want to keep your jobs?" Okay, I was stunned. Good move G, but they have us girl.

The look on my face must have been priceless as I looked at my friend. I had to ask her. "What the hell are you doing, Gema? Trying to piss them off?" Of course I had no idea what she was trying to pull off.

Gembira continued speaking to the police in Cantonese. "You do not know my father?" She was arrogant, like a snot nosed brat kid. Sorry G, but that was textbook brat, girl.

I turned to Gembira looking for the answer. "Who, exactly, is your father? You never talked about him!" Actually neither of us ever talked about our families. We were far too interested in our futures and I hated talking about cancer and the transplant surgery. I needed to be free of that.

Gembira stared at the police. "The Prime Minister." Then she looked at me. "You are about to meet him."

I laughed at Gembira like she was on the Improv stage. Because, to me, it seemed as far fetched as it could get.

The head police constable of the airport approached us "criminals". Then took a closer look at Gembira, and raised his hands to call off his unit. What in the ass? Yeah, I am Dead pool influenced, get over it.

Speaking Cantonese he released the other constables from the area. I thought he was nuts. It was Gembira and me! "Alright. Go back to your posts. I've got this." Then he looked back at Rebel Girl and spoke like he was her uncle waging his finger at her like she stole his donut. "How many times? How many times has it been?"

Gembira shrugged, "Does it matter?" I still wasn't really believing her. She outright dismissed the importance of the head constable. "When does my father land?" If she is acting, I will personally nominate her for an Oscar.

"He is already here!" He shook his head.

My jaw dropped and stayed open. Gembira closed it for me.

"He knew it was you on the highway and is now waiting for you and...and the kid." The officer shook his head again and led the way inside to a highly secured area of the airport.

The Prime Minister of China

"Sir, your daughter is here." The constable bowed and quickly exited the secured room. Oh my frickin gawd, she wasn't lying.

The Prime Minister spoke without looking up from his paperwork. I get the feeling this happens a lot. "Gema!" He raised his finger. "You...do not respect the law."

"You are right, I do not. They're slow." Gembira spoke with attitude as I coughed to hide my laughter. "And you will not allow me the race. Tell me...what I should do?" Oh, she was a defiant daughter and left the ball in her father's court to play.

"I can not have you exposed like that. Who knows what they would do on the track knowing who you are? I could not protect you there." The Prime Minister then fell silent, anymore talk about that and he would be digging his own grave. "Hmmmm." He paused. "Have you seen your mother lately?"

Gembira rolled her eyes. She did not like this part of their conversation either and she walked away from her father. "You already know the answer to that. She has parties, just so she can sing. She sleeps in 'till noon." There was one more to add. "She smokes!" I raised an eyebrow. My friend was equally tough on both parents. I think I may try to just disappear in the corner here.

"Hmmm." Papa was not making any progress with his daughter and in raising his gaze he found me at the other side of the room. "Gema, is this your friend?" Busted!

"Jordan, this is my father." Gembira looked out the window wishing she were anywhere but here in the room.

I approached the desk as the Prime Minister's personal assistant presented papers for him to sign. They were interesting to me. They never thought I would be able to read the papers so quickly.

"Jordan, I am Bolin. Sit." We studied each other. "American?" True, I did not look local, or even Chinese really.

Here goes, let's see if he can follow the family tree. "Well, I was born in California to Canadian parents, Chinese grandparents...so American - Canadian - Chinese if there is such a thing." I could only shrug. But I am a lover of names so I wanted to see his reaction to me knowing his name. "Your name, Bolin?"

"Yes." The Prime Minister answered me slowly trying to measure me. Good luck, you can not figure out your rebel daughter. I was confident amid even through all the uncertainty I faced.

"Gentle rain." I wanted to be the good kid here so I smiled. There was no need for me to cause this man more grief. "Cool. My grandmother gave me the Chinese name, Weidan."

"That...is a very special name. Can you live up to it?" He responded to me. He was a sharp man that wasn't going to be outwitted by a young American. "Profound sincerity."

I was trying to. I really hate arrogance or speaking in provocative tones, so I spoke clearly. "I watched you sign three very important papers. One for the initial go ahead for a southern hydro dam, the second for smog reduction in Beijing and the third. Well the third is the most important one. A present to Gembira's mother."

I caught a glimpse of Gembira as she looked over her shoulder briefly then back into the lonely night.

"Continue, Weidan, it seems you have something on your mind." The powerful  man sensed I had more to offer than merely listing the three papers he signed.

Okay here goes, "the dam thing? Even you know millions of villagers will be flooded out, animals displaced. You know this. Case in point, the three gorge dam, while neccessary, proved to be a harsh wake up to people along the river." The man nodded in agreement. How could I stop now, I was feeling confident, so I continued. "Smog reduction is great, whatever, but a present for Gembira's mother?"

"She loves presents." Bolin defended his choice. It was easy for him. "A necklace, ear rings. Really, anything beautiful."

"I will show you my favorite gift ever." I pulled my well played, scratched up, yet beautiful to me blues harmonica from my jeans. "Buy a gift like this for her and she will never forget you, wherever you are!" I gave him another smile that proved the love I had for the gift bearer. "You know what that gift is, don't you?" I could see a light go off in his noodle.

"A single white lotus." As he spoke Gembira turned her gaze to her father as if he awakened a memory inside her. "I am not sure how...but I think she loves white lotus."

Gembira had to turn back to the window, the rebel could not be seen to show the tears that hugged her cheeks. I think maybe she have remembered something as her father spoke.

Bolin ask me. "Why are you at the airport, Weidan? Traveling alone?" The Prime Minister asked wanting to know who exactly was seated in front of him. I get it, hanging around his daughter would make him very curious.

"Yes, I am alone. I need to be in Brussels by tomorrow night to help my father." I checked out his disbelieving look but I continued, there was nothing to hide. "He helps people who are enslaved and others that simply require a person to do some dirty work." I did not know exactly, he was kinda vague with me.

I can only imagine those few words struck a chord in the Prime Minister. He seemed a very intelligent man but what he spoke next freaked me out. He knew exactly who my father was from that brief description. "The Unlikely Assassin." His mouth remained ajar.

"He never spoke of ever killing anyone. Redistributed their wealth, yes, but taken a life? He doesn'tseem the type, sir." Jordan defended her father. "The people he has helped were victims the of a group of families called the 356." I gave Gembira's father all I knew about what my father did.

"How can you help him?" The man actually leaned forward and, well, basically called me a baby. "You are a child."

"Ah, Papa." Gembira turned from the window. She knew. "I wouldn't...."

Gembira was too late. I stood and warned the right honorable Prime Minister. "Sir, step away from the desk." The Prime Minister's personal assistant ran to his side. "Relax." Nothing like a jumpy assistant thinking how I was going to endanger his boss.

So without looking away from the two my right foot crushed the metal desk leaving it unable to perform its duty. Then I sat back down on the chair and stared at the men who stood there looking at the desk then to me.

The Prime Minister sat and pulled his assistant down to whisper an order. The man ran from the room quickly. "He will be back soon." Oh shit, busted, I bet the man was sent for the constable.

"Papa?" My fiery friend, Gembira, questioned her father.

The father waved both hands to have Gembira calm down. "I sent Chee to get a ticket to Brussels." He looked back at me. "Make sure you give your father my best."

We both looked at the Prime Minister in shock. I was in shock, least wise. My friend looked like she had her father back.

"I was just new to the party in 2007 and he....well, he saved the ones I love most." He looked at me and actually apologized. "I am sorry, I can not say anymore." Hmmm, I wonder what that was all about.

His personal assistant returned and handed him the ticket. The Prime Minister rose from his seat, looked at me and spoke genuinely. "Time to rise, Weidan. The world awaits you. I am certain of this. So until we meet again, stay safe." I was not expecting those words. I rose and accepted the ticket to Brussels.

Well, we have come to the end of the first part of my novella. I do not usually write at the end of a chapter, but it's true, even I can learn something new. What I am writing here is not covered in the Jordan Series so you get an idea of her early days with her father.
Oh and the White Lotus novella explains Gembira's reaction. See, I've got you covered!

So please, vote if you wish. But of far more importance to me...tell me what you think.