The plane landed outside of the city on a poorly maintained field surrounded by scrub bushes and agonizing heat. The over-priced taxi ride to town was...an exercise in harm avoidance, from the crazy opposing drivers to the open air cab that threatened to throw me out on every turn. The beachfront hotel was accommodating and the sites and smells tantalizing, but not enough for me to leave the air conditioned comfort of my room and the twenty channels the local cable company offered. I bought a. As the humming increased, the free rock began circling closer to its sister and they both began to dim from their original vibrant glow. Imnok burst through the tree line and scampered across a field full of tall grass, her eyes focused on the rocky outcrop in the distance. She had never encountered this particular rout, but nonetheless she persisted, on her guard. It seemed to her that the planet must have millions of different geographies, as she encountered a completely different landscape. Does this seem preposterous to you? Is it more preposterous than the fact that Col. Sun holds your daughter's life hostage for the completion of the Chaing project? We have spoken before about your desire to leave China. The time is upon us. You will leave in two days, on Saturday evening. Your daughter will leave with you. Even now, my agents are in Shanghai. Before I risk them further, I require proof that you are ready to leave. I require the access code that only you have. The back door to. As she opened it Karen gasped and for a second her heart melted. Inside were two of the most stunning diamond earrings she had ever seen, with a lavish, matching chain. They were absolutely delightful and I grinned, finally seeing the response I wished for on her face. Thank-you she gasped, bewildered by the quality of the gift. Pausing, Karen put them on, fastening the delicate chain around her neck. After dinner the Waiter took away the plates. He asked if they would like to see the desert.