Chapter I

LEE CHEN READ the encrypted email twice. These guys he thought were deadly serious. After all they knew his encrypted email account--- only five people in the world should have known about it. In his mind, that brought the message's importance up a bit.

He could understand the reasons why it was made through this “back-channel”. The ramifications of their actions--- and now this would send shock waves across the planet.

He decided almost at once that he must speak with the Primer--- Old One. Not the son. He must speak with the Father and then perhaps the Old Man would ask him to bring this to the son's attention. He needed advice on what course of action to take. After copying the message in his equally encrypted USB memory key, Lee Chen shut down his computer and prepared to leave.

The Old Man and he had a protocol, established when they started working on this. Has it been nearly 20 years now? And soon, the conditions were ripe to make it all happen. Flipping his mobile phone and hitting the speed dial it rang only twice, “Sir, I'm coming in”. That was all he needed to say.

“I'll be here”. The line went dead.

“May-Lyn,” He called his wife. “Please include this” pointing to his now packed notebook computer. They were making the things smaller still these days. “I'll be visiting our old friend.”

“Last minute preparation?”

“Yes, you know how delicate matters now are.”

“I'll take care of things here”. His wife said with a nod. Lee knew she would. As an afterthought, she called in after him. “Don't be long. Our flight for Manila leaves early tomorrow.”

Lee Chen heard but his mind, too preoccupied was elsewhere, matters were even now more delicate.

* * *

IT WAS A sunny day in Manila. Clear skies and a bright blue hue enlivened this hybrid Western and Asian City. Manila like Hong Kong and Singapore have strong ties with the West but unlike her sister cities, it was to America and Spain (the former more than the latter) that she showed allegiance to. The fact remain that the city and the country (the Philippines) as a whole speak English as a second language and the street signs--- well every billboard and just about everything else is in English attest to this nation's strong Western influenced past.

The streets of Manila these days, unlike those of five years ago was still crowded and jam packed with cars almost round the clock now and so very much unlike Bangkok was a few years ago. But Manila's streets these days are at least paved properly and unlike the chaotic street lines and signs of half a decade hence are now at least vaguely orderly.

Filipinos themselves are hybrids. They have had Western influences from up to four hundred years of their past. The country have seen the comings and goings of its Asian neighbors with China being a trading partner even before the Spanish ruled these islands. Walk Manila's streets and you would find people from an obvious diverse family heritage--- Spanish, Malay, Chinese, American, British, Indian, Arabic, and religion from the still dominant Roman Catholic Church and to the Muslims who have limited majority control over the South. Truly it is a culture mixed with a rich and vibrant past and this mingling is coming towards a collision course.

These days, the Roman Catholic Church who for centuries dominant in their control of the Economic, Cultural and Political landscape of this country is no longer a king (or queen as the case may be) maker. They are slowly relinquishing their supremacy to the stronger more potent influence of the Philippines' Asian neighbors.

Mount Olympus Tower--- sixty stories of business real estate rising over downtown Makati, Manila's Financial District is the real center of Economic Power in the country. What better proof than the Chinese Triad Overlord taking his office here?

The Triad, well this incarnation of it anyway was vastly different from the Russian Mafia or even the Triads from China from years ago--- and even to this day. Power brokers certainly with their seemingly endless pit of money and resources but the Chinese Triad didn't choose fame over money. They didn't covet unnecessary attention.

Charlie Young epitomized this. He was taught at a very young age by his father and now as Triad Overlord stay low-key, be frugal but when necessary, wield strength.

Earlier, Charlie Young, Filipino-Chinese, newly installed and recognized Overlord of the Chinese Triad walked into Mount Olympus unafraid by any threat to his person, shadowed only by his nondescript female bodyguard-assistant and his male bodyguard-driver. Employees of the various companies taking up residence in the building walked passed him. No one would have guessed that it was this man who owned the place and controlled their lives more than anybody would care to admit.

The Chinese Triad owned this place. it was laundered Triad money that made this building possible. It had been a full week now since the various factions throughout the City and the country as a whole recognized his authority. Now it was time to organize his new power base and what better way than to exercise his new influence than the seat of Triad Power in Manila.


THE FLIGHT FROM Singapore to Manila was routine for Samantha Chen. Her parents had already left Singapore a few days earlier and she was travelling alone. Not unusuual for her this was after all just routine. She had been traveling between the two cities all her life.

Seventeen years old and now entering University in Manila because her parents were both based there, she was happy to be back. She had terribly missed her friends. For Samantha Chen, daughter of diplomats and as crazy as it may sound to her cousins and friends in the small city-state Singapore was a place to visit, Manila was home.

The Boeing aircraft slowly began its decent. The pretty flight stewardess kindly asked her to fasten her otherwise loosed seat belt. Another stewardess--- probably the head of this crew announced to her team, landing stations.

For the next few minutes the plane continued its slow decent and two minutes later Samantha could hear the familiar thud signaling the plane had touched down and similarly the the engines whining as the Captain forced his aircraft to a crawl.
Looking outside, it was a bright sunny day in Manila and full of possibilities. Samantha Chen was glad to be back. She would see her friends soon and may be the party could begin anew.


ALEXANDER BRANDON DONOVAN's aircraft had just called in for final decent into Manila. It was his first time in Manila. His parents had forced him to continue University here. Raised in a Chinese-Filipino-British-American household, Alex knew full well in his roots and his diverse upbringing.

His maternal grandparents were Chinese Filipinos and his paternal lines could be traced back to both British and American societies. Dark eyes, black hair and slanted eyes, his features were average as well as his build. He stood five-feet and seven inches. But he walked with confidence in his stride.

Alex was an honor student through and through. But after entering university last year, his grades began to slide--- fearing that his new girlfriend the culprit his parents sent him packing for Manila. He would have threatened to leave the house for his girl but apparently she too was feeling the ire of her Chinese parents who were also not too fond of the influence Alex had on their daughter. Both parents were grooming their children for big things in life and was not about to let a little romance get in the way.

So Alex packed and now bound just in time for the start of university in Manila and other training his father had planned for him.


KIMI ALLISON FUENTES pulled her car into the Airport parking lot. It was a brand new Honda City that her parents just bought her. Kimi Fuentes was an only daughter and devoted to her parents. Model beautiful with her father's Spanish heritage showing she had started to gain the attention of the male population. But her parents, particularly her father would not have it, of course. There was something about fathers and daughters and how protective fathers were of their daughters. Samuel Fuentes was no different to his.

Kimi didn't mind, well truth be told she secretly was starting to like the attention the boys were giving her like a natural well-balanced person would at her age. In a few days she would be starting university.

Kimi wanted to take up architecture. But her father didn't want her to in spite of the fact that she had tons of drawings on her computer--- all designed via graphics tablet. It was her hobby, her passion to draw and she wanted to design structures. But her father wouldn't here of it. He wanted her to be a doctor. Doctors he said are all respected no matter where you go in the world. Being a doctor is a good clean, respectable profession. So at the behest of her mother, she enrolled at University aiming to be a medical doctor. She had the brains for it anyway but secretly Kimi was asking herself, did she have the passion for it?

The young woman set aside her concerns about the future. Today, she would be meeting her best friend from Singapore. They had been apart the last four years when Samantha had to go study in Singapore when her parents returned from their posting in Manila. But they kept in touch with she going there on summers to visit or Sam coming over here to visit. They were like sisters. Samantha was like the sister that she never had. They were best of friends.

So Samantha like the rebel that she was known for had asked Kimi instead of the embassy staff car to pick her up so they could swap stories and do girl talk. They had missed each other terrible and no phone call, text message, email or web cam could change that.


ALI BIN FARUQ entered Mount Olympus secretly through the underground entrance. Technically a fugitive and hunted by not only the Philippine Government but by most countries in Asia and by the ever powerful United States of America, Ali could still come and go as he pleased. Satellite tracking be damned.

Sure, it was a small inconvenience on his part to travel incognito most of the time but neither the possibility of capture nor the small price on his head toping now at US$5M could deter him from conducting his business.

Glancing at his watch as he entered the secure elevator that would whisk him to the top level of Mount Olympus. Powerful as he is, the Chinese Triad Overlord that controlled this territory had the full blessing and respect of his own masters. It was never good to be late.
But he and Charlie Young go way back. His friend would forgive him for being late, at least just this once. Being Triad Overlord counted for something regardless of the fact that they both got the same intelligence report and the Americans were a bit hot on his head after the attack he gave them in Indonesia just a few days ago.

The business they were to discuss was of the highest importance as Charlie secretly informed him when he sent the summons. Knowing his friend it would be an ambitious push. Everybody be damned.


SONNY GUTIERREZ WONDERED about his new charge, Alex Donovan. He had heard good things about the boy. Just like the maternal grandfather, honorable and Catholic like the mother. He was told that the boy was as and perhaps more intelligent than the father who he knew to be as honorable as his wife's father. Good upbringing had brought out the excellent breeding. But the boy, he knew was untested.

Why did Jack Donovan send his boy to Manila? Perhaps because he trusted people here more than any other place. He would find out soon enough what the boy was made of.
Sonny Gutierrez entered the Airport parking lot and soon enough found a spot. Turning off the engine and he got out, locked the car and made his way to the visitor's waiting area.
His mobile phone began to ring. It was Ryan Angeles.

“Sonny are you in the airport?”

“Yes, I'm on my way to the lounge now.”

“Good, get him settled in and come to the office after that.”

“Roger, boss.”

Sonny glanced at his watch. The boy should be getting off the plane now. Clipping his mobile phone on his belt, Gutierrez continued on his way.


A BLACK MERCEDES Benz S-Class S600 sedan pulled into the drive way of Villa San Miguel, official residence of the Archbishop of Manila. Bishop Gomez was riding at the back. He dreamed someday to live here. But he had long dismissed such ambition. He had too many disagreements with the Vatican most especially lately.

Like any organization, politics ruled the Roman Catholic Church. Here he was being summoned by the Archbishop of Manila for a “meeting of the minds”, the official call from the Archbishop's Executive Assistant said. As a good soldier of the Church of course he came. Was there a doubt that he would?

Looking out the window, he saw Father Derek Lopez, Cardinal Lim's Executive Assistant waiting by the door to usher him in. The driver had opened the door for Bishop Gomez and Father Lopez approached him and shock his hand with a warm smile.

“Most Reverence, good morning!”

“Father Derek, how are you? How's that gout of yours?”

“Much better now, thank you for asking.” Father Derek with hands clasped.

“The Cardinal is in the dining room and has asked if you would join him for an early lunch has he has had not the opportunity yet for breakfast.”

“Why certainly”. They made their way to the dining room. Father Derek opened the door and announced the Bishop.

“Your Eminence, Bishop Gomez.”

“Come in, come in.” Cardinal Lim said.

“Your Eminence, how are you today?” Bishop Gomez asked as he shook the Cardinal's hand.

“Fine, fine. Please join me for lunch.”

“Thank you!” As Bishop Gomez was taking his seat, Father Derek said, “Your Eminence, I shall be in my office should you need anything.” The Cardinal nodded and Father Derek slowly locked the door.

So this was going to be a private audience. Serge Gomez thought.

“Serge, I took the liberty of asking Sister Pascual to cook your favorite roast pork”. And a adequate serving for two men were on the table together with soda, fried rice and mixed vegetables.

“Thank you, I appreciate that”. Bishop Gomez said with truthful smile.

“Serge, I will get straight to the point”. The Cardinal said as they started having lunch.

“The Papal Nuncio had asked me to convey to you their concerns. The Church in the Philippines must move away from its traditional policy of interference with the politics in the country.”

“Cardinal, with respect--- it is the role of the Church to fight against any injustice!--- graft and corruption is an injustice in this country! It is our duty to be witness and to act---”

“Serge, I quite agree with the Vatican.” He said rather bluntly. “Before you disagree, let me tell you my reasons.”

“All right, I'll listen.”

“You see, the Church's history in this country has always been linked with its politics, most especially in the last two and a half decades. Yet look around you, we have been seeing a mass exodus of young people putting material and economic need before Christ. They don't want to listen to us. Too many couples are splitting up. Then there is poverty. Our job is to save their souls. It seems to me we have been caught up too many times in the past with politics that we have forgotten to be priests in the first place. How many did we accept to our seminaries in the last year? Barely a thousand. No one wants to be a priest.”

For two hours, two of the highest officials of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines argued and counter argued while they ate roast pork.


SAMANTHA CHEN rushed out of the airport arrival area.

“Hello?”

“Hi Sam!”

“Kimi?! Hey, I just got out of the airport were are we meeting?”

“You can just follow the--- wait! I see you!” Samantha panned her eyes across the crowd of people all waiting for loved ones or guests. Then she saw Kimi.

“Got you.”

“Ok.”

Minutes later they were off the Airport property and headed to Makati.

“Nice car, Kimi.” Samatha was grinning from ear to ear. Kimi had already told her about the car her dad bought her a week ago.

“Yeah!”

“So, I'm hungry. When do we start boy-hunting?!”

“Sammy! Don't ever let my dad hear you!”

Both women laughed. Soon they started their unending stream of girl talk as Kimi drove them to Makati business district.


ALEX DONOVAN phoned in the number his dad gave him. He was to meet a Mr. Sonny Gutierrez, an old family friend. Whoever he was, Alex thought, the man was late.

“Hello, Alex?”

“Yeah, Mr. Gutierrez?”

“Yes, where are you?”

“Well--- I'm right outside the airport... Where are you?”

“I'm at the waiting lounge under the letter “D”.”

“Ok. I see the lounge and on my way there. See you in a few minutes.”

Pushing his cart with his bag of clothes and his notebook computer, Alex found his way to the waiting lounge. Sure enough.

“Alex?” A man about Alex's height, brown skinned asked him.

“Mr. Gutierrez?”

Both men shook hands. “Let me help you with those... and call me Sonny everybody does.”.

“Thanks, Sonny.” Alex smiled as he handed Sonny his bag of clothes as he lifted over his shoulder the notebook computer.

Sonny brought Alex to a Toyota Rav4 and they made their way to Alex's new home in Makati. They had been driving for awhile and Sonny continued their small talk.

“So Alex this is your second time in Manila?”

“Well yes, my parents brought me here when I was a little boy. But I barely remember it.”

“Thats good, thats good, here we are”. Pointing to a condominium building just in the outskirts of Manila, very near Manila Bay.

As they got off the elevator to the 15th floor, Alex asked, “I understand this land is reclaimed from the sea?”

“Thats right. The developers were given authority to turn this area into a commercial-residential zone.”

Entering his spacious unit. “This is home for you.”

“Whoa”. Looking around. “Nice view.”

“Your father spared no expense.” Sonny grinned.

Sonny's phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Sonny, Ryan.”

“Boss? We just got in Alex's new condo.”

“Great. Could you put the boy on the line?”

“Sure, boss.” Turning to face Alex.

“Alex, my boss wants to talk to you.”

“Sure thing.” Reaching for Sonny's phone, “Hello?”

“Alex? This is your Uncle Ryan Angeles, I'm a good friend of your dad. We spoke on the phone in Hong Kong.”

“Good to hear from you Mr. Angeles.”

“How are you settling in?”

“Sonny and I just got in. This is great Mr. Angeles.”

“Call me Ryan--- or Uncle Ryan, Alex.” He wasn't really family. Ryan Angeles and Alex's Mum and Dad were best friends in University. Ryan also courted his mother or something like that--- his parents were always quiet about that. They always say that all three had been friends since University and that was it.

“Sure sir--- Uncle Ryan.”

“Listen Alex, I'm just getting off a meeting, may be we could have lunch.”

“Sure. Where shall we meet?”

“Well, there's a Japanese restaurant not far from where you are. Its over at the Hyatt. You like Japanese son?”

“Well I think Japanese Girls are cute and pretty, Japanese men--- I don't do stuff like that.”

Laughter could be heard over the phone.

“You'll do OK, Alex. Sonny knows the place. Tell him we'll meet there in 20 minutes--- its a short distance from your condo.”

“Sure thing Uncle Ryan. See you in twenty. bye bye.” With that the line went dead.
Handing Sonny his phone back.

“He wants us to meet him at the Hyatt in twenty minutes. There's a Japanese restaurant there?”

“Yes there is. I know of the place.”

Alex locked the his new home and he followed Sonny to his car to meet with Ryan Angeles.


CHARLIE YOUNG ENTERED the spartan conference room of his Mount Olympus Office. Every Boss stood up and shook his hand. He and Ali shook hands and hugged.

“Ali! I was afraid you would not be able to make this meeting.”

“Well, you called... we” panning his eyes across the room, “could not refuse such invitation from our leader.”

“Please lets all take a seat and I will get to the point”.

After everyone had settled down, Charlie Young began the meeting.

“As you know the day we all worked together, and coordinate our plans was the day profits began to pour in. Thats the bottom line in each of our businesses. I propose lady and gentlemen two things--- to expand our businesses with those of our partners in Asia and to strengthen our control over politics in the country.”

Ali spoke first. “We now control through our different organizations pools of politicians, media personalities the works. What are you saying... the only thing we have not yet done is make a play for the Presidency. Now with regard to the first part of your plan, we've tried that before my brother--- with limited success.”

“What I want is for the Triad--- we all here under one banner make this play.”

“What are you saying Charlie?” Victoria asked. “That we seed control to you?! Certainly out of the question!”

“My dear Victoria, I am not saying you seed control of your organization to me. All I'm saying is that we formalize our agreement and take it all to the next level. You all retain command of your various organizations and retain your present quotas but I ask only a small increase in your tribute to me--- and seed all long term agenda's to this Council. In short Victoria, you can do whatever you want so long as it does not impede on our goal to dominate Asia.”

“You want us to be a conglomerate--- in fact as well as in name”

“That is correct Alejandro.”

“Do we have your word that all long term strategies of this organization must be approved by this Council?”

“Of course, Peter. I have no desire to concern myself with the daily operation of your various businesses. In fact I have no problems admitting that such move will be detrimental to our goal of dominating Asia's underworld.”

“All right, granted such agreement is in place--- what guarantee”

“Sammy, Sammy for a gambler you ask about guarantees”. Charlie said with a smile. “I will not lie, it is a risk--- but with our combined resources, surely this new business venture will bring us more profits.”

Pausing, “We each here bring unique skills and opportunity. Ali among all of us here certainly has the firepower; you Sammy have an extensive network of operatives deeper than all of ours combined; Peter your prostitution network is a gold mine of information, for what man can resist a woman's spell? Victoria, yours is a money making venture to rival Sammy's Gambling. Lady and gentlemen, we can rule this country under our grip!”

For shrewed entrepreneurs they took their time discussing the finer details. By the end of the day, Charlie Young had solidified his power base.

It was time to begin the game.