Always Another Way

Part 4

Caine opened his eyes with a start. He had no desire to relive the dark memories. They were part of the past. . .a distant past which he had struggled to keep deep inside.

He glanced at the Ancient, who still appeared to be in deep meditation. The younger man closed his eyes, copying his companion, but found that the peace was lost to him. Sighing, he pushed himself to his feet, feeling very much every year of his age.

Lo Si, sensing the movement next to him, shook his head sadly. "Peace escapes you."

Caine said nothing as he walked to the altar. He ran his hand over the flame of one candle, feeling the sting of its fire on his palm. Finally he turned to the old master. "Peace is not mine to own. It is a gracious gift to be treasured."

Lo Si nodded. "But I sense that now, my friend, even if it were given to you, you would refuse it."

Caine turned his attention back to the candles. "There are times when it is not deserved."

"If you choose not to talk about what troubles you, I can not help." Lo Si's blunt words were startling.

"As I said, it is in the past and can not be changed. Nothing will be gained by reliving it now."

"No," Lo Si agreed, "but that does not seem to matter." Lo Si gracefully climbed to his feet and stood behind his friend. "When you are ready, I will be here."

Caine nodded, but kept his back to the old man. The Ancient waited a long time for any other indication that Caine would decide to share his troubles. When none came, he turned and left the room knowing that he could not force the man to disclose his problems.

Caine stared into the fire of the largest candle on the altar and then closed his eyes. The fire's imprint remained in his mind. The memories came flooding back, despite his mental protest.

Rykker held the door of the hotel suite open and motioned for his guest to enter. Caine nodded his appreciation and stepped inside, glancing around the spacious room as he did. The hotel was elegant, much more expensive than Caine could afford.

"Can I offer you a drink?" Rykker said as he moved to the bar.

Caine shook his head, realizing that the alcohol he had consumed earlier was now upsetting his stomach. "No, thank you. I have had quite enough."

Rykker grinned. "You're a cheap date."

Caine tilted his head, frowning. "Cheap date?"

"Figure of speech, my friend."

"Ah. . .," Caine replied. He turned away from the man and moved to the large window which overlooked the city's skyline. "This is impressive."

"Yes, it is, isn't it," Rykker agreed as he poured himself a bourbon.

He moved to stand next to Caine at the window. "I won't have much time to enjoy it, however. I ship out tomorrow morning."

"Ship out?" Caine repeated. "You are a sailor?" The tone of his words indicated his astonishment.

Rykker laughed. "Not hardly."

Caine tilted his head, his curiosity piqued. "What do you do?"

"I'm a specialist."

Caine nodded. "A specialist in fighting?" he guessed.

Rykker smiled. "I do jobs that others are not able. . .or willing to do."

"You choose to fight, then."

Rykker nodded. "That is the key. 'I' choose. I choose when I fight. . .where I fight and what I fight for."

"You are a mercenary."

Rykker thought for a moment. "I really hate that word. It sounds so. . .so dark."

"It is," Caine replied simply.

Rykker smiled. "I suppose it is." The smaller man took a drink from his glass and then sat down on the couch. "I meant what I said earlier. I could use your skills."

Caine shook his head. "I will not fight for the sake of fighting. There is no honor in that."

"Is there honor in saving lives?" Rykker replied bluntly.

Caine's breath caught in his throat. "Lives?" he repeated softly.

"Yes. You see, Caine, I may be a mercenary, but I have my standards. As I said, I choose when I fight. The mission that I'm about to undertake is one I consider worthy of my time and effort."

"It is not for money?" Caine clarified.

Rykker smiled. "Well, in honesty, money is involved, but it is not the sole purpose." Rykker rose from his seated position and moved back to the window. "Tomorrow morning I and two others embark on a mission to save a family."

Caine eyes narrowed. "What has happened?"

Rykker shrugged his shoulders. "Have you been following the events in Cuba?"

Caine nodded. Even though he did not regularly read newspapers, it would be difficult to ignore the tensions which had been building between the United States and the island to the south.

"A U.S. professor and his family were arrested by the Cuban government last week and are currently being held as spies," Rykker explained.

Caine said nothing, allowing the information to process. Rykker continued. "The government intends to execute them in three days as a showing of its power. It's my job to get them out of the country before that happens."

"Why are you the one to do this?"

"Because this is an unsanctioned mission. Our diplomats' hands are tied. They've tried convincing Castro that this family is innocent, but nothing has worked so far. Unfortunately, we can't afford to have official military action taken at this time. Castro is already telling his people that an American invasion is imminent. If our military is caught in the country trying to rescue these hostages, it would prove him right."

Caine nodded, having no desire to understand the various political implications of the situation. "So you are to help this family?"

Rykker nodded. "Yes. I have a hand-selected team of specialists. Friends of mine who know how the game is played. We sneak in, we get the family and we get out before the government knows what happened. Unfortunately, my team is down one member. The initial plan called for four people, but one of my men was called out of the country on other. . . business. I could use you."

"Do you know where this family is held?"

"Yes. We have sources within who are not loyal to Castro. They will help us get in and out of the country."

Caine considered his words for a long time. "Why do you think I could help you?"

"I have good instincts about people, Caine. I like you. Can't say why, but I do."

Caine shook his head. "I am not the person you think. I can not go with you."

"Why? You have something better to do?" Rykker scoffed. He paused a moment then followed with, "Oh, yes, your search."

Caine didn't respond. Rykker took a step forward. "I'll tell you what, you help me and I'll help you. You join me and my men and I'll help you find what you are looking for. . .whatever that is."

Caine shook his head. "I can not. It is not possible."

Rykker shook his head. "I guess you're not the man I thought. I thought you were the type who helped others. But obviously, I was wrong. Fine. We'll rescue this family without you." The smaller man walked to the door of the hotel room and opened it. "I think you should leave."

Kwai Chang Caine slowly moved to the door of the hotel. Each step he took tore him apart. When he crossed the threshold and entered the hallway, he stopped and turned to Rykker. "They will be killed?" he asked quietly.

"Slaughtered. Innocent kids will be killed just because their father was in the wrong place at the wrong time," Rykker answered harshly.

Caine's gaze dropped to the floor. "This. . .this is not right."

Rykker shook his head. "No, it's not. But what do you care?"

Caine's brown eyes raised and met Rykker's. "I do care."

"Do you?" Rykker asked. "If you do, then help me."

Caine considered the offer. Memories of his own childhood flashed in his mind. He, too, had been the victim of military atrocities. His home in China had been destroyed, he and his father had been hunted, his friends slaughtered at the hands of an intolerant government. The nightmare images of the past caused his heart to flutter with emotion. Silently he stepped back into the hotel room. He turned to Rykker and whispered, "I will help."

Thomas Rykker had offered to let his new friend sleep on the couch in the living room of the suite since he doubted that Caine had other accommodations arranged. He then retreated to his own bedroom. Making sure the door was closed and locked behind him, he plopped down on the bed and thought back to the evening's events.

Never before had any one person made such an impact on him. His skeptical mind raised doubts about the intelligence of bringing a stranger in on this mission. But something inside, something completely intangible, told him that this man known as Caine could help, that not having him by his side would be disastrous.

Rykker picked up the phone on the nightstand and dialed a number. After two rings a strong, but gruff voice answered. "Blaisdell."

"I've got my third man," Rykker responded simply.

"That was quick."

"Time was of the essence."

"Can you trust him?"

Rykker considered his answer. Finally he gave a simple "Yes."

"Fine. I'll take care of the transportation changes. Good luck." The phone disconnected with suddenness.

Rykker took a deep breath and hung up. He glanced at his watch. It was already past midnight. The military transport to Miami left early. He and Kwai Chang Caine would meet the others there and then leave for Cuba.

End Part 4