William certainly wouldn't tell Christmas that this was his guilty pleasure. He found it amusing to recruit characters he liked from movies in his past life. The thought of having these people as his subordinates made William feel intrigued.
"I need you to report to me in London tomorrow, is that okay? Also, Christmas, I don't need to recite the confidentiality clause to you again, do I?" William asked with a smile.
"No, sir. We people, even after retiring, are bound by confidentiality clauses. Sir, I will book a flight right now and report to you in London tomorrow. See you tomorrow, sir," Christmas replied hastily.
"Very good, soldier. You better come up with a good reason for this meeting to remain confidential," William instructed.
"Understood, sir. I will be careful. Don't worry."
"Then we'll meet in London tomorrow night. At seven, wear a baseball cap and hold a copy of The Times at London Bridge."
"Understood. Baseball cap, The Times. See you tomorrow, sir," Christmas said, waiting politely for William to hang up first before ending the call.
After hanging up the phone, Christmas, who was in New York, USA, started cursing. He was genuinely confused. He had retired for more than three years, now 33 years old, and how could someone from British Intelligence be looking for him? Moreover, this bastard was threatening him with his family. Damn it, when he sees this guy tomorrow, he will teach him a good lesson and show him that he is not someone who can be easily bullied.
If worse comes to worst, he would quit being a mercenary, bring his family to the USA, and find a normal job.
Christmas didn't know that his loud cursing was overheard by Barney, who had just come out of the bar looking for him.
However, Barney didn't come out immediately. He waited a few minutes before approaching Christmas, who was still fuming, and asked, "Hey, man, what's wrong with you?"
Although Christmas was still angry, the bond of life and death they shared over three years made him not want to drag Barney into his troubles. "It's nothing, Barney. Something came up in London. I have to catch a flight soon. I'll handle it and come back to you once it's done."
Barney, sensing that Christmas was in trouble but not wanting to pry, said, "Alright, buddy. If you need anything, give me a call. You know we're a team. Don't handle it alone."
"Thanks, Barney. Don't worry, it's nothing major. I can handle it," Christmas said, bumping fists with Barney before riding off on his motorcycle.
Barney, feeling uneasy, returned to the bar. When the other members of the Expendables saw him return alone, Caesar asked, "Barney, where's Christmas? Why are you alone? Toll is waiting to compete in knife-throwing with him. We've all placed our bets."
Barney thought for a moment and replied, "Guys, I think Christmas might be in trouble. When I went out to get him, I heard him cursing after a phone call. He wouldn't tell me what was wrong, just said he had to handle something in London and took off to the airport. I think we should go to London and help him out. If it's nothing, we can have some fun in London. What do you say?"
Everyone nodded. "Okay, Barney. We're a team. We don't abandon our comrades."
"Right, Barney. We're a team."
"Yeah, if anyone messes with us, we'll take them down."
So, the rest of the Expendables followed Barney to their private plane, a Grumman HU-16A Albatross. They didn't need to wait for a commercial flight and flew straight to England, arriving half a day before Christmas. Their weapons were stored on the plane. Once in London, Barney instructed Caesar and Toll Road to keep an eye on Christmas at the airport to see what was going on, while the rest rented two Land Rovers to follow.
The next day, Christmas, unaware that Caesar and Toll Road were tailing him, landed in London. These old comrades knew his habits and skills well enough to keep a distance without being noticed.
After taking a cab into London, Christmas checked into a simple hotel near London Bridge. It was only 2 PM, and he had five hours to prepare.
Christmas decided that if the security officer he was meeting turned out to be legitimate, he would find out why he was being sought out. If not, he planned to eliminate the threat and move his family to the USA.
Finally, it was almost 7 PM. After checking his equipment, Christmas left the hotel and headed towards London Bridge.
As soon as Christmas left the hotel, Caesar spoke into his shirt collar's mic, "Barney, Barney, Christmas is out. Christmas is out."
"Got it, Caesar. Follow him carefully. Don't get exposed. We don't know who the enemy is. From his direction, it looks like he's heading to London Bridge. Yin Yang and Toll Road, drive to the other side of the bridge and watch for suspicious people. Gunnar and I will wait on this side."
"Got it."
"Got it," came two replies in Barney's earpiece.
At exactly 7 PM, Christmas walked onto London Bridge, wearing a baseball cap and holding a copy of The Times, standing in the middle of the bridge, looking at the Thames and waiting.
My protagonist, William, was sitting on a bench not far from Christmas, watching an artist paint the Thames. Without even turning his head, his mental scan told him Christmas had arrived. This guy was too famous in William's past life. He recognized him at a glance. However, William wasn't in a hurry, as he was wary of the other members of the Expendables.
He couldn't be sure if the rest of the Expendables would show up. Fortunately, William was cautious. After waiting for five minutes, his mental scan picked up Yin Yang and Toll Road on the other side of the bridge. Yin Yang was also easily recognizable. In his past life, almost everyone in China knew Master Wong. Seeing Li Dada's face made William think of Master Wong. With his mastery of Tiger Crane Double Form and the Invisible Kick, Master Wong was invincible in Guangdong. You're amazing, Master Wong, so easy to recognize.
Since Master Wong and Toll Road were here, First Blood's Barney must also be around. Sure enough, it didn't take long for William to locate the rest of the Expendables.
William cursed inwardly. Christmas disregarded the confidentiality agreement.
But when William scanned Christmas again, he didn't find a walkie-talkie on him. After some thought, he realized what was happening. Scanning the other Expendables, he found they all had walkie-talkies, but Christmas did not. It seemed Christmas hadn't informed them.
Who knows how Barney and the others figured it out. Just like in the movies, this group really was close-knit, following Christmas to London without telling him.
William took out his phone and called Christmas. With his headset connected, he didn't need to hold the phone, so he wasn't worried about the Expendables noticing.
The phone only rang a few times before Christmas answered.
"Hello, sir. I'm on the bridge now. Sir, you're late. Did something happen?" Christmas asked, puzzled.
"No, Christmas. It's you who broke our agreement. Your buddies are all on the bridge. You crossed the line, Christmas. You better pray to God for protection, so you all can escape London. Goodbye, soldier S1967726," William said before hanging up and turning off his phone.
Christmas, staring at his disconnected phone, felt bewildered and immediately called Barney. He was filled with unease, sensing trouble ahead.
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