Chapter 10 Zurich-Milan Bernina Express Railway
Akiko could clearly see as the black station wagon turned around and chased after her. She also watched Andalas drive slowly into the tunnels of San Gottardo. Akiko's eyes widened for a moment as she imagined tons of concrete that supporting the tunnel collapsing onto Andalas car. She shuddered from her own thoughts. Lately she had always imagined losing Andalas in tragic ways. A dramatic ending to a love story that was far from romantic.
Damn it! She was thinking about love! Akiko smiled wryly. Love must be the last thing in Andalas's thoughts. His mind might only be occupied with things such as knives, guns, bombs, and blood. Akiko smiled even more wryly.
Her task was to lure the station wagon. She was sure there were more than two hit men in that car. Even though she felt capable of dealing with them alone, and was still constantly annoyed with Lian Xi who tagged along with Andalas everywhere, Akiko was glad that the MSS woman was with her now.
Akiko was thinking her next moves. Even if they had to face each other and couldn't get rid of the stalker's car, it would be best if they faced it long before they reached the train station. Akiko learned from Andalas how to track the police and enemy who were looking for them.
"Lian Xi, get ready!" Akiko pulled out two fully loaded FN by Andalas and placed it on Lian Xi's lap.
Lian Xi responded with a little cough. She knew what Akiko meant. Akiko slowed down the car drastically. Lian Xi grabbed the FN and cocked the two of them then performed an acrobat that made Cecilia scream out loud with anxiety.
She move her slender body out halfway with her back resting on the car door through the open window and started shooting in a hanging position like a trapeze dancer.
Even Akiko whistled in admiration. She could also do the same thing but in a different way. Not that much. What Lian Xi showed was indeed very dangerous yet amazing.
Lian Xi's shots shattered the windshield of the station wagon. One of them who was next to the driver was seen slumped in the front seat with his face covered in blood.
But the driver of the car was very agile. He swerved the car to avoid shots from Lian Xi. Other cars were surprised by something they only saw in a movie scene hit their breaks. They didn't want to be close to whatever was happening in front of them.
Akiko glanced at the rearview mirror. The station wagon was still on them. The passenger in the back was seen opening the window and getting out to shoot back. Akiko, who was taken aback, swerved left and right. That guy was using an AK 47! and he was Isamu!
The barrage of shots missed the Mini Cooper. Akiko zig zagged on an extreme scale. Without being told to, Cecilia pressed her body on the back seat. Since hanging out with Andalas and Akiko, Cecilia's reflexes were sharpened.
God damn it! How dare Isamu hunt her down! Did her father know about this? Or maybe her father was the one giving orders? Akiko's mind was running wild.
But she couldn't be distracted for long. Again, the sound of AK 47's continuous fire echoed through the air. Even though she managed to dodge by making a sharp turn, a bullet managed to hit the rear glass which instantly shattered. Cecilia let out a loud scream.
Akiko was furious. She asked Lian Xi for an FN. After the gun was in her hand, Akiko did the unexpected. While shouting a warning to Lian Xi, she pressed the break hard and turned the steering wheel 180 degrees.
The car spun and as they were facing each other, Akiko quickly pushed her body out of the window and started shooting. Lian Xi did the same.
There was a loud screeching sound as the station wagon swerved left and right then hit the road divider and floated in the air for a few moments before rolling down in the grass after the driver got hit by Akiko's bullet.
Akiko grabbed the wheel again to control the circling Mini Cooper. After pausing to make sure the station wagon stopped rolling with the wheels facing up, Akiko stepped on the gas again. The commotion was over. From the map, she knew that the train station was close by, and she could hear the horn. She had to be fast to catch the train.
And Akiko was right on time. Shortly after she parked, bought a ticket, and sat on the platform while slightly out of breath, the Bernina Express train arrived. The three of them went up and sat quietly as if nothing had happened. Cecilia immediately called the car rental and informed that one of the rental cars was in the station parking lot before San Gottardo. The other one could be picked up at the next station later.
Cecilia cringed at the thought of the car rental company swearing when they found the Mini Cooper in such a disheveled condition. She would call them again later to replace the damage after meeting Andalas and assessing the damage to the second car.
After entering a long tunnel, the Bernina Express stopped at a small station. Akiko called Andalas and told him the number of their carriage.
From the window Akiko saw Andalas walking with his head down getting on the train. Akiko was a little pale as the train started to slowly pulling away from the station again, a bunch of people hastily arrived at the platform. One of them made Akiko felt sick in her stomach. Helda the Killer from the Baltic! The woman who had injured her badly in Helsinki.
Andalas approached and sat beside Akiko. His face still looked a little tense.
"Helda Kilstorm and her gang are on us again!" The man retorted briefly as he took the bottle of cold drink from Akiko's hand and gulped it down at once.
Akiko opened another bottle.
"Yup! Isamu and his friends too."
Andalas was taken aback. So, they were being followed all the time. This must be the work of the Organization. They had sophisticated equipment to detect their whereabout.
Andalas opened the X-One to check something. Then showed the screen to Akiko and Cecilia by pointing to a constant flashing dot there.
"This is the person who gave the order. It's the Executor! He's in New York. That's where we are going after Milan."
Akiko and Cecilia looked at each other. They had a long journey after Italy. Traveling by air was still a traumatic experience for them. Incidents and deaths seemed to follow them every time they flew.
Andalas smiled faintly.
"You don't have to come with me to America. Go with Lian Xi to the Gobi."