Leitao’s SUV came to a slow stop before the iron gates of the Chinese Embassy in Central Africa, the low hum of the engine fading into silence. His knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel, taking a deep breath to steady the drum-like pounding of his heart. The unhealed graze on the back of his neck throbbed, a grim reminder of the life-and-death struggle at the steel plant only hours earlier. In the passenger seat, a leather document pouch lay still, its contents—a Japanese-language "Uranium Mining Progress Report" and a satellite map marked with coordinates for Lake Victoria—like two bombs waiting to detonate.
Leitao pushed open the door and walked with a steady, determined stride toward the embassy gate. The sentry on duty immediately stepped forward, the crisp sound of his rifle butt hitting the ground ringing out. The young soldier fixed his gaze on Leitao, the emblem on his shoulder gleaming in the morning light.
"Comrade, please show your identification!" the soldier said, his voice loud and serious. As he stepped back with his right foot, his hand gripped his rifle firmly.
Chapter 464