Han Xin looked out the back of the vehicle. All he could see was the lines on the road whizzing by at high speed. They were far enough ahead of the American soldiers to feel safe. But Han couldn't help but hide his disappointment. The one thing that was absolutely clear was that he had failed.
Sure he and some of the remaining Red Tide soldiers in his group had escaped alive. And yes they had managed to kill a number of the American super soldiers, but he had been unable to kill Qi Lian. It was Han personally who had failed at this task. Even with an impressive advantage in his attack, he had still lost in hand to hand combat to Qi Lian twice now. Worse than that, she had nearly killed Han, he had barely escaped with his life. This was embarrasing.
Now he and his men were on the run, hoping to escape until their reinforcements could arrive.
"How many are left Qi Jiguang?" Han asked sullenly.
"We are down to 10 sir." Qi Jiguang replied.
"I believe it is safe now to make a U-turn, please do so." Han requested.
"A U-turn sir? I am confused."
"Have you forgotten Qi Jiguang? We sent our reinforcements to Plattsburgh. Most are already in transit, we can't change our plans now. At least not until some arrive to make it a fair fight." Han Xin responded.
Qi Jiguang found a place to make the U-turn and did not speak another word. Once the cars bearings were straight again, Qi Jiguang hit the accelerator hard. He felt like they were driving back into the belly of the beast.
Xin stared out at the countryside. He again found himself trying to understand how he had gotten to this place. He was losing a fight to Qi Lian, even with superior numbers. This was the sort of thing he had worried about in the first place. If Qi Lian and Qi Wei had been allowed to roam free, who knows what they would have been able to pull off. This was why they needed to be dead to complete the plan.
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Thus far all of Xin's efforts to kill Qi Lian had been thwarted. He had one last good chance to pull it off, before it was too late. He had seen the look in Qi Lian's eyes prior to slipping away when the building fell. She was out for blood, and now it was him or her. There was no alternative.
Xin also knew that Qi Lian would know where he was going. He was counting on this. There would be another battle, but this time the crown would go to the victor. There was no backing down, it was now or never.
"So we will have over 200 additional troops soon, is that correct?" Han asked, finally breaking the silence.
"Yes sir. They should be arriving in Plattsburgh very, very soon." Qi Jiguang answered.
"We need to get fully prepared for battle. This time we shall have the upper hand by having time to prepare for battle. Now Qi Lian can have to deal with a trap and get some of her own medicine." Han Xin stated.
"How are you so sure she will go to Plattsburgh sir?"
"Qi Lian is no fool. She knows exactly what I am going to do. She would do it herself. I don't know if she will gather the American forces or not, but it won't matter, we will have the advantage in numbers." Han Xin said assuredly.
They now watched out the window as several SUV's sped by going in the other direction. And then they herd the squealing of tires.
"I suppose they also know where we are going now."
"Yes sir it appears that way." Qi Jiguang replied.
"The party is about to begin!" Han Xin exclaimed.
Silence fell upon the car again. Han Xin thought about all the men and women he had lost today. The hundreds who had been lost in Russia, and the tens that had been lost from his group. Qi Lian had managed to whittle his best soldiers down to just 10. And she had caused the death of his beloved Qi Lee. This time she would not be so lucky. This time he had a fool proof plan, and he would emerge on top. This time she would die.
"About how long before we arrive in Plattsburgh?" Han asked.
"About 20 minutes sir. And we will be arriving approximately the same time as our backup." Qi Jiguang answered, as always trying to anticipate future questions.
"That is perfect, I couldn't have planned it any better myself. I hope they are prepared to enter battle almost immediately." Han Xin said excited.
"I am sure they are sir." Qi Jiguang responded.
Han was sure they were too. They would likely have to hold off the first wave of American soldiers immediately. But the first wave was not what worried Han Xin. It was the second wave with Qi Lian that scared him. But this time she would die, Han was sure of it. Wasn't he?