Page 2 - Hotel Rendezvous
Location: Los Angeles, California
Time: 11 pm
Rob goes straight to a hotel nearby Hollywood Boulevard. After checking in and settled in a room, he opens his laptop.
Upon starting up, Rob's phone rings. It's Conrad on the other line.
Rob: "Sir."
Conrad: "Are you in LA now?"
Rob: "Affirmative. I just came from the airport."
Conrad: "Good, you will have a partner for this. I immediately asked Mark to go there as well, to back you up."
Rob: "I see."
Conrad: "Now, he reported to me that he spotted some CIA agents around the vicinity of that hotel."
Rob: "They'll find nothing valuable. And..."
Upon looking at the location of Nina, he is surprised that she is in Hollywood Boulevard.
Rob: "What is this... Nina is also here."
Conrad: "What would Nina do there in Los Angeles?"
Rob: "I have no idea, sir."
Conrad: "Anyhow, Mark will also provide a car for this mission, should there be any racing involved."
Rob: "He's just itching to see me drive. Well, what can I do? I'm curious on the car, though."
Conrad: "Tomorrow shall be the celebration. You have to meet Mark first at a cafe in front of the venue. He'll provide everything you need.
And be in your best looks."
Rob: "I got it."
**************************************************************
Location: A coffee shop in Beverly Hills
Time: 7 pm, the next day
Rob heads at the coffee shop, wearing a tuxedo for the occasion. He sees Mark at the table, sipping his coffee.
Rob: "Never thought I'd be paired with you."
Mark: "Oh there you are. And don't worry, you can do all the damage you want to do. I read your mind."
Then Mark attaches a pin on Rob's chest. It's a name pin with the name "I. SHAW" on it.
Mark: "You will act as a receptionist accepting guests on that floor. That pin is a camera, and the rest of us are in that van watching your every move. I will also be in the same floor, albeit as a lookout for anything suspicious."
Then they see a blue Shelby GT500 arriving, and a valet attending to it. The driver - Martin Banks comes out and gives the keys to the valet driver.
Mark: "That's Martin. Star for the night, I suppose."
Rob: "His car isn't, though. I expect something flashy."
And then after Martin enters, a blue Bugatti Veyron arrives.
Mark: "Now, that's flashy."
Exiting the car is Francis Gautier. His presence surprised the two.
Mark: "What the bloody hell is Francis doing here?"
Rob: "One thing is for sure. This is one hell of a night. We gotta go up now."
The two arrive at the 45th floor, and Rob assumes the role at the hall, standing behind a tall desk accepting guests before they can enter the gala hall filled with lots of tables with catering.
He also has a small earpiece on his right ear, as means of communication with Mark.
Mark: "There he is. Martin Banks."
Martin approaches Rob, knowing the latter resembles so much of a celebrity.
Martin: "Shaw? Aren't you Jason Statham?"
Rob: "Hehehe... I assure you, I look younger than him. You could say I'm his stunt double."
Martin: "Hahahaha! Well, enjoy the night. You can enter the gala hall after all the guests have arrived."
Martin gives a pat on Rob's shoulder as he enters.
Rob: "Quite a nice fellow."
And then, half an hour later, Francis shows up, just as Rob is about to enter the gala hall.
Francis: "Am I too late?"
Rob: "You aren't. Please get in."
Rob finds suspicion already, the moment the two enter the gala hall. Francis is alone at a table, while Rob leans on a wall, looking around, and notices some men standing around the hall, with one of them just inches beside him.
At the stage, Martin comes up, and is now holding the microphone.
Martin: "Thank you all for coming. For 20 years, Banks Academy of Science has provided the most distinguished alumni in the field of science and technology. But it would never be possible without your most valuable contributions. While we teach you, we also learn from you. And with those lessons learned, it became possible for this institution to last long.
And along with this celebration, I shall also make a grand announcement. The academy is now offering a degree in robotics.
Robotics isn't new to mankind. They have been the product of our imaginations, even in TV shows, we see them. And it is something that only a privileged few can achieve.
But not anymore. Through this, it will possible for anyone to create their own robot. We all want to have a robot, am I right? We want a valuable friend like them.
The degree hosts various courses in robotics, with top professors from all over the world more than willing to help you achieve that dream.
I hereby declare, the School of Robotics open."
The audience applaud, even Francis.
Meanwhile, outside the gala hall, Mark notices armed men, preparing their weapons.
Mark: "Rob. Rob! Listen! Francis' men are here. He intends to assassinate Martin! Get out of there!"
Inside, however, a gun is pointed at Rob's head. It turns out to be one of Francis' men.
Goon: "Don't move."
On cue, Francis walks at the aisle, as if intending to greet Martin.
Francis: "Martin! Congratulations. At least you will celebrate the 20th year of your father's institution.
But I'm afraid this will be your last party. Savor it."
Then all of his goons point guns at the guests, and some of them come up on stage, also pointing guns at Martin.
Martin: "Never knew that my party would be this grand. You think I'll hand Nash over to a senile fool like you? Get over the loss of Noel, and move on."
Francis: "Quiet! I shall be the fastest racer in the world, once I get my hands on the last remaining serum."
Outside, Mark rolls a smoke grenade, to provide diversion at his location, and then he runs quickly to the door, rolling another smoke grenade inside.
The smoke provided enough distraction, and Rob manages to disarm the man beside him, by breaking his arm. Panic ensues, shots are fired.
Rob performs a sliding kick through the goons, and picks up an Uzi. He shoots the other goons, while noticing Francis escorted by his other goons to the emergency exit.
Mark: "Rob! Where are you?!? I'm at the stairs!"
Rob: "Just go! Leave this to me!"
Martin manages to escape at the back stage the moment Rob shoots his captors.
After taking the down the remaining men, more of Francis' goons came in, with one of them holding a grenade launcher.
The grenade has been fired, and Rob crashes through the window, falling at a great height as the explosion triggered.
Then he reaches for the inner pocket of his blazer, taking out a grappling hook gun. He immediately fires it, and manages to hook on a balcony of one of the rooms.
He carefully scales through the walls, until reaching the said balcony. Upon seeing no occupants inside that room, Rob smashes the window with his fist, and unlocks the door.
Upon entering, he communicates with Mark.
Rob: "Mark, I managed to escape."
He gets out of the room and quickly descends the stairs.
Mark: "Thank god! Man, that was hell!"
Rob: "I told you, it will be one hell of a night. Now this confirms Francis intends to take Nash Hall whatever it takes, even if it means killing Martin in the process."
*************************************************************
Rob gets out of the emergency exit, and sees a small stall. He purchases a box of cigarettes and lights up a stick, walking past through the firemen like nothing happened.
Suddenly, he encounters Sayuki, who also turns out to be monitoring Francis' actions as well.
Sayuki: "You MI6 peeps ruin everything. Get off the case!"
Rob: "I have no interest in arguing with you, woman. You don't even know what's happening."
Sayuki: "It's much better for you to stick in the Dream Alliance instead, you know?"
Rob just walks past Sayuki.
Sayuki: "Hey, I'm talking to you!"
She grabs Rob's arm, but Rob parries her arm and pushes her away.
Sayuki: "Don't you know how to treat women? I'm going to kick your butt right now!"
Sayuki prepares her fighting stance. For her, it's time to put her Savate skills to the test.
Rob: "All right..."
Rob assumes a Jeet Kune Do stance.
Rob: "Kick my arse, you say. If you can..."
He reaches out his hand, flicking his fingers, as if urging Sayuki to attack.
The battle between MI6 and CIA starts right here...
End of Page 2