Chapter 34: The Expendables
Of course, William had no intention of telling Christmas that this was just a personal whim. Seeing his favorite action heroes from his previous life in the flesh, he couldn't resist the urge to recruit them. With these men under his command, William thought, things were about to get very interesting.
"I need you to report to me here tomorrow. I don't need to remind you about the confidentiality clause, do I, Christmas?" William asked with a smile.
"No, sir. Even in retirement, we are bound by confidentiality regulations. Sir, I'll book a ticket now. I will report to you in London tomorrow. See you tomorrow, sir."
"Very good, soldier. You'd better find a good reason for your trip. Our meeting must be kept strictly secret," William ordered.
"Okay, sir. I'll be careful, you can rest assured."
"Then I'll see you in London tomorrow at 7 p.m. on London Bridge. Wear a baseball cap and carry a copy of *The Times*."
"Understood. Baseball cap, *The Times*. See you tomorrow, sir," Christmas said politely, waiting for William to hang up first before ending the call.
Hanging up the phone in New York, Christmas let out a string of curses. He had been a fool. He'd been retired for more than three years, and now, at thirty-three, someone was using his family to threaten him. The thought made his blood run cold. When he met this guy tomorrow, he'd teach him a lesson he wouldn't forget—show him that some people can't be bullied.
Being a mercenary was a dangerous business; that's why he'd moved his family to the United States and found an ordinary job.
Unbeknownst to Christmas, his angry shouting was overheard by Barney Ross, who was just coming out of a nearby bar.
However, Barney didn't reveal himself immediately. He waited a few minutes before stepping out and asking the still-fuming Christmas, "Hey, buddy. What's wrong?"
Though Christmas was furious, the life-or-death bond he shared with his teammates meant he didn't want to drag Barney into this. "It's nothing, Barney. Something's come up in London. I have to catch a plane. I'll come find you guys as soon as I'm done."
Barney watched Christmas go, but he didn't voice the doubts in his mind. "Alright. If you need the guys, you call me. You know we're a team. Don't try to carry it all yourself."
"Thanks, Barney. Don't worry, it's nothing I can't handle." After a quick fist bump with Barney, Christmas rode off on his sportbike.
Barney returned to the bar with a sense of unease. The other members of the Expendables saw him return alone. Hale Caesar asked, "Barney, where's Christmas? You're back by yourself? Toll Road's waiting for that knife-throwing contest. We all have money on it."
Barney thought for a moment before answering, "Guys, I think Christmas might be in trouble. I went out just now and heard him yelling on the phone. When I asked him about it, he wouldn't say anything and just said he was driving to the airport. I think we should go to London to help him. If it turns out to be nothing, then we can just have a vacation in London. What do you say?"
Everyone looked at each other and nodded. "Okay, Barney. The Expendables are a team. We don't leave a comrade behind."
"That's right, Barney. We're a team."
"Yeah! If anyone dares to mess with one of us, we'll tear them apart."
And so, the rest of the Expendables followed Barney to their private Grumman Albatross seaplane. This meant they didn't have to wait for a commercial flight and would arrive in London much earlier. Their weapons were brought in through their trusted channels. Once there, Barney ordered Caesar and Toll Road to the London airport to tail Christmas and see what was happening. Two Land Rovers followed at a discreet distance.
The next day, Christmas arrived by plane, unaware that two of his teammates were already waiting for him. As veterans, they knew Christmas's habits and abilities well enough to tail him without being noticed.
Christmas took a taxi into London and checked into a hotel near London Bridge. It was only 2 p.m., leaving him five hours before the seven o'clock meeting—plenty of time to prepare.
He decided on a plan. If the intelligence chief's identity was real, he'd find out what he wanted. If it was fake, Christmas would kill him and then move his family again.
As seven o'clock approached, Christmas left his hotel and walked towards London Bridge.
The moment Christmas stepped outside, Caesar, positioned across the street, spoke into the microphone on his collar: "Barney, it's Christmas. He's on the move."
"Received, Caesar. Follow him carefully. Don't get made. We don't know who the enemy is. It looks like he's heading for London Bridge. Keep an eye out for anyone suspicious. Gunnar and I are already on the bridge waiting."
"Received."
"Received," two voices replied in Barney's earpiece.
At 7 p.m. sharp, Christmas was on London Bridge, wearing a baseball cap and holding a copy of *The Times*, standing in the middle of the bridge and watching the Thames as he waited.
Meanwhile, William was sitting on a bench on the bridge, not far from Christmas, watching a painter capture the scenery. He had recognized the famous mercenary at a glance, but he was in no hurry. He was watching out for the other members of the Expendables.
He wasn't sure if the rest of the team would come, but it was a good thing he was cautious. After five minutes, his mental power scanned Yin Yang and Toll Road on the other side of the bridge. Yin Yang was also easy to recognize. In William's past life, practically everyone in China knew Jet Li as Master Wong Fei-hung. Looking at that familiar face, William could almost see him striking a Tiger-Crane Double Form pose. *You're certainly easy to spot, Master Wong,* he thought.
Since Yin Yang and Toll Road were here, Barney, the leader, must have come too. Sure enough, William located the other members of the Expendables in short order.
William cursed in his heart. So much for the confidentiality clause.
However, when he scanned Christmas again, he found no walkie-talkie on him. He scanned the other members of the team again and confirmed they all had radios, but Christmas did not. It seemed Christmas hadn't told the others.
William didn't know how Barney and his friends had figured it out, but it was just like in the movies. This group was truly loyal; they had followed Christmas to London unconditionally, without even telling him.
William put his hand in his pocket and dialed Christmas's number. His phone was connected to a wireless earpiece, so he wouldn't be spotted by the team.
*Beep… beep…* The phone rang only once before Christmas answered.
"Hello, sir. I'm on the bridge. You're late. Has there been a problem?" Christmas asked, confused.
"No, Christmas. You violated our agreement. Your team is all over this bridge. You've crossed a line. You had better pray you can get out of London in one piece. Goodbye, Soldier S1967726." After saying that, William hung up and switched off his phone.
Christmas stared at his phone, a look of confusion on his face. He immediately called Barney. A knot of anxiety tightened in his stomach. Something was about to happen.
---
$5 Tier – Early Access!
Read 30 chapters ahead of public platforms like RoyalRoad and Scribble Hub — with plans to increase to 40 chapters ahead once I reach 10 members!
Chapters are posted as soon as they're completed, so you'll always stay ahead of the curve.
Support the story and unlock early access:
Patreon is linked in My Profile or About.
Please select your membership carefully, as I have multiple novels ongoing. If you're on Apple, consider subscribing through your browser instead — it will be cheaper for you, and I won't have to wait 2 months for payments. Thank you!