Sleeper



By: Masked Maiden



Prologue: 1999







In essence, it was the most unusual place for a business meeting.  Yet 

because of their surroundings, they were merely an addition to the 

madness.  New York City's Time Square was packed with multitudes of 

people from all creeds, colors, and backgrounds, celebrating the coming 

new millennium.  They cheered and grew ever more restless as the clock 

started to count down the remaining ten minutes of the 20th century.



Then there were the two businessmen, the ones no one thought about 

noticing.  They stood on a patio adjoined to a hotel suite on the top 

floor, observing the celebration going on below them.



One man offered his associate a glass, which he accepted.  No toast was 

made, not even a silent resolution.  The crowd's roar was all that 

existed until the men took their drinks into their luxurious room and 

closed the glass-paned doors behind them.



"These Americans are so easily amused," spoke the associate, a slender 

and short middle-aged physician who was a native of China.  His English 

was nearly perfect, though his accent was distinctly heard with his 

tendency to pronounce every vowel.  "They stand there, crammed in the 

streets, make noise, and watch a gaudy ball fall.  It's pathetic." 



"Could we please return to the matters at hand, Dr. Li?" the second 

businessman requested.  He set his glass down on the bar and filled it 

with champagne once more.  He sat down on a barstool and waited for his 

associate to respond.



Dr. Hu Yen Li hid his disdain towards Stephen Lehmkuhl.  The man was a 

South African with ancestral roots from Europe that dated back to the 

1600s.  His intentions were as mysterious as his demeanor, but Hu Yen 

wasn't the least bit concerned.  There was no need to be concerned.  If 

this pale-skinned, moderately bulky and balding foreigner could show 

off his riches with his $2500 suit, his expensive champagne, and this 

hotel suite fit for royalty, then he was of importance to Hu Yen.  It 

was about the money – who had it and who wanted to spend it.  Always.  

Nothing more and nothing less. 



"Of course, Dr. Lehmkuhl," Hu Yen replied.  "I will permit you to have 

full access to one of my laboratories in China for 20 million American 

dollars.  10 million in my account by next week and 10 million once 

your crew has settled in."



Stephen agreed to the conditions.  "Consider it done."



"Excellent, but might I ask a question?"



"Of course."



"What do you intend to use my laboratory for?"



Stephen downed the last drop of his champagne and set his glass on the 

bar.  He arose from his seat and walked toward the Chinese man, keeping 

direct eye contact as he did so.



"I will not tell you," Stephen pointed his finger.  "My purpose for 

using your laboratory is none of your business."



Hu Yen made no attempt to disguise his anger.  "I see," he snorted.  

"And what if I were to cancel our transaction because I felt I had the 

right to know your intentions?"



"You wouldn't.  You're desperate for the money, which will help further 

your own research projects and keep your doors from closing.  But if 

you were to do such a thing, I have many friends."  Stephen pointed to 

the glass doors leading to the patio.  "The Americans are very big on 

human rights.  Perhaps I should inform the Army of God about your chain 

of women's clinics that are suspiciously linked to your research labs 

and to several labs in Oregon and Vermont."



Hu Yen laughed in Stephen's face and waved his threat away.  "I 

thought you were an educated man," he derided.  "You are suggesting 

that the Chinese government should close their abortion clinics because 

a few fanatics on the other side of the world want it to happen?  My 

country is smarter than that.  It would never work."



"Oh, I see… Then perhaps this will change your mind."



In one swift movement of the hand Stephen produced a handgun from the 

back of his pants and pressed the barrel against Hu Yen's forehead.  

The Asian man now shook with fear for his life as he kept his wide eyes 

on the handheld weapon.  He should have known from the beginning that 

this man was not to be trusted.  But he was in too deep now… and he 

needed the money.



"I don't care how much it costs," Stephen snarled, as if reading Hu 

Yen's mind.  "Double the fee.  Triple is if you so desire to.  Just 

stay out of my way.  What I would like to use your laboratory for is my 

business and my business only.  Is that clear, Dr. Li?" 



Hu Yen vigorously nodded.  "H-How long do you need it?" he inquired.



In a maddening motion Stephen raised his handgun to the ceiling and 

fired a shot as the fireworks from out started to explode.  Patches of 

powdery fixture fell to the floor like racing sparks.  Hu Yen covered 

his ears at the contiguous sounds, the fireworks, the gunshot, and the 

crowd at Time Square.  It all seemed to blend into one accursed roar.



Stephen jerked one hand from Hu Yen's ear and yelled into it, "That is 

also something you do not need to know!"



Hu Yen wriggled away from Stephen's grasp and stepped back until there 

was an acceptable amount of space between the two of them.  "Fine!" he 

snapped.  "But I raise the price to 60 million!"



"Done."



"And I want it all by next week."



"Now you're pushing it, Dr. Li."



"I don't care!  No money, no laboratory!  Have 60 million in my account 

by next week or the deal is off!"



The South African shrugged.  "Have it your way."  He tucked his gun 

inside his suit jacket and showed Hu Yen to the door.  Their meeting 

was now adjourned.



Before the Asian physician left Stephen cordially bowed and offered his 

hand.  Hu Yen stared at him with narrow, scornful eyes for a moment 

before shaking his hand.  "I better not regret this," he told his 

associate.



"Do not worry," Stephen said to Hu Yen.  "When all of this is over… you 

will not have time for any regrets." 



=====

End of Prologue





06.13.02





Disclaimer: Sailormoon and the characters of "Bishoujo Senshi 

Sailormoon" are property of Takeuchi Naoko, Toei Animation, Kodansha, 

etc.  "Sleeper" is inspired by the novel "The Most Important Little Boy 

in the World" written by Dean Briggs.  It is property of the author and 

Tyndale House Publishing.  I do not have ownership and I do not make 

any profits from the use of Sailormoon or the novel in this fan 

fiction.





Author's Note:

Just so you're told, the prologue was heavily influenced by one of the 

first scenes in the novel.  Though both versions of the scene have the 

basic plot -- two big-shots make a business deal and one uses violence 

to get what he wants -- they have their differences.  This scene was 

NOT plagiarized… so please don't accuse me. ^^;;; 





Email: masked_maiden@hotmail.com

Web Site: (a miracle romance) http://miracleromance.cjb.net/