Daoist Priest Of Mount Mao

The time was Tuesday, July 8, 2008, at 2:21 PM.

Pacific Ocean.

A medium-sized yacht sailed across the vast sea, with unidentified white birds soaring nearby. Yet none of the people aboard felt inclined to identify the species of seabird.

On deck, two men scrutinized the instruments before them. Both appeared young, likely no older than twenty-three or twenty-four.

The one on the right looked mixed-race, his hair cropped extremely short-a few more snips and only scalp would remain. With thick br...