William Wu - Emperor

“That’s right,” said Wayne. “That reward means real trouble for us. Now Hunter has a lot of people-an uncountable number-working for him now.”

“Your plan of distracting him in some way could still work,” said Ishihara.

“That’s true, I guess,” said Wayne slowly.

“I believe so,” said Ishihara. “If Hunter is busy and therefore difficult to locate, then his efficiency will still be lowered, even with many people helping in his search. We might increase our chance of finding MC 5 first.”

“Let’s make sure the story on the street is true,” said Wayne. “Tell Xiao Li to approach Hunter and ask about this reward.”

Ishihara spoke to Xiao Li, who looked startled. Wayne could see that he was not eager to go near Hunter. The boy turned and studied Hunter for a moment before answering Ishihara.

“He is frightened,” said Ishihara. “He is afraid of the bad spirit.”

“Remind him that Hunter is not an evil spirit. He’s just a good one who is misguided-he should not be doing what he is doing. Give Xiao Li our absolute guarantee that he won’t be hurt. Then see if he will talk to Hunter and report back without revealing us.”

Xiao Li listened carefully to Ishihara and nodded. Then he took another cautious look at Hunter and slowly walked forward. In the shade across the street, Wayne saw Steve pouring tea again for everyone.

Once Xiao Li reached the tea garden, the traffic on the street blocked Wayne’s view of him. After only a moment, however, the boy came hurrying back with a big smile of relief. He dodged the people moving up and down the street and trotted up to Ishihara, reporting breathlessly.

Wayne drew back around the comer of the shop, out of Hunter’s sight. “What’s he saying?”

“He says it’s true,” said Ishihara. “Hunter has offered a stepped system of rewards based on how much help he gets. Even the top reward will not make anyone rich, but it is attractive enough to have started many people talking about it on the street. They are searching for both MC 5 and the Polo family.”

“Polo family. You mean Marco Polo?”

“Apparently he is here with his father and an uncle, as well,” said Ishihara.

“Oh. Well, I don’t know much about Marco Polo. Just that he came here in Kublai Khan’s time from Italy and went back home to write a book about it.”

“I know no more about this than you do,” said Ishihara.

“This is the chance we wanted, though,” Wayne said suddenly. “Will you tell him to report to Hunter that the Polos have left town? Today, so Hunter thinks he has a chance to catch them. I don’t think you should have an objection under the Laws. Hunter will protect his own team.”

“Yes, I can tell him to do this,” said Ishihara. “However, Hunter will ask which direction they took. Do you wish to develop your ruse further? We have an opportunity to distract him.”

“Well, sure. But I don’t know exactly what to say. Where is there to send him around here? Someplace convincing that will take him out of way.”

“I am not certain. As I told you, I have little knowledge of this society.”

“Yeah…me, too.” Wayne thought a moment. “What do we know about this time? Marco Polo, Kublai Khan, printing, gunpowder…” He looked up suddenly. “Say-what about the Great Wall of China?”

“What about it?”

“Uh, where is it?”

“Perhaps Xiao Li knows.” Ishihara turned to the boy and exchanged a few words. “He says it is north of Khanbaliq.”

“How far? We want Hunter to go on a long diversion, not just a quick side trip.”

Ishihara spoke to Xiao Li again.

“He has heard that the trip takes a couple of days on horseback. Since he has never been there, he does not know for sure how far the Great Wall is.”

“That’s far enough to get Hunter out of our way for a while. Let’s send Hunter there if we can.”

“I will tell Xiao Li,” said Ishihara.

Hunter waited patiently while his companions rested in the shade. Since he regenerated his energy by converting sunlight through the microscopic solar cells on his skin, he had benefited from the walk in the direct sunlight. Certainly this climate, in the summer, was easier on him and his human team members than the Russian winter had been during their last mission.

The little boy who had asked him questions a few minutes earlier walked back, looking at Hunter shyly. He stopped several meters away. Hunter waited for him to speak, but he remained silent.

“May I help you?” Hunter asked.

“I have information for you,” said the boy with a polite bow.

Steve looked up from his teacup. “What is it?”

“I have heard that the Polo family went north this morning to the Great Wall.”

“Yeah?” Steve grinned. “Hunter, that’s great. We know where to find them. And MC 5 probably hasn’t had time to reach them yet.”

“Are you certain of this?” Hunter asked.

“This is what I have been told,” the boy said carefully.

“Who told you?” Steve asked.

He hesitated. “Two men.”

“I see,” said Hunter. “What is your name?”

“Xiao Li.”

“Give him a tip,” said Steve.

“A tip is appropriate at this time? What if his information is inaccurate?”

“We’ll have to take some risk. Don’t give him the whole reward yet. If he’s right, we’ll pay him the rest.”

“Is this acceptable?” Hunter asked Xiao Li.

“Yes, sir.”

Hunter reached into his gown and gave Xiao Li a couple of small copper coins.

“Thank you.” With another bow, the boy turned away.

“Wait a minute,” said Steve. “You might be able to help us with more information.”

Xiao Li paused, looking at them all.

“You have more questions for him?” Hunter asked.

“Not yet,” said Steve. “But exactly what are we going to do? If we need to change our plans, he might know where we should go to find other people.”

“Agreed,” said Hunter.

“What is our plan now?” Marcia asked.

“I would like to hear all of your opinions,” said Hunter. “I am not certain what to do now.”

“This is a stroke of luck,” said Jane. She paused to sip her tea. “We could have spent hours trying to find the Polo family and they aren’t even here.”

“If MC 5 can’t find them, then why do we need them?” Marcia asked.

“Good question,” said Jane. “But at least we won’t waste time looking for them here in the city.”

“I think we should go after them,” said Steve. “They only left today-probably just a few hours ago. Maybe MC 5 is even with them or following them, too. In order to get some kind of introduction through them to the government, he will have to establish some kind of friendship with them.”

“Well, Hunter?” Jane shrugged. “What if MC 5 is here in town, instead?”

“That is a point to consider,” said Hunter. “MC 5 is our quarry, not Marco Polo.”

“I hate to repeat the obvious,” Steve said with a grin. “Especially when I know you don’t like it. But this is a stable town and we have no enemies here. Why not split up? Maybe, to reduce your worries, we three should stay here and you can go north to look for the Polos.”

“I accepted such logic on earlier missions,” said Hunter. “In most cases, I came to regret it. This time, we will stay together.”

“Okay.” Steve shrugged. “So what’s it going to be? Are we staying here to look for MC 5?”

“I remain undecided,” said Hunter. “Marcia, how far is the Great Wall from here?”

“About sixty-five kilometers. The road goes north from Khanbaliq through some mountains to a major gate in the wall.”

“We would need horses to make the trip efficiently,” said Hunter. “On horseback, that is a two-day ride each way, I estimate.”