At eight that morning, most of the personnel assigned to the DC-8 task force gathered in the Conference Room of the Operations Command Centre.
At that moment, the room was filled with noisy chatter.
Luo Danian was temporarily chairing the meeting. His boss, Sir Kwan, was not in attendance.
On either side of Luo Danian, Chinese and Korean mingled in a noisy jumble, but the central message was remarkably consistent.
In essence, they were demanding that the Police Force immediately hand over DC-8 so the Two Koreas could transport it out of Hong Kong.
The main proponents of this proposal were South Korea's consul in Hong Kong and Professor Siu Chi Yan.
Smack!
Growing impatient with the clamour on both sides, Luo Danian shed his usual refined demeanour for once and slammed his hand down hard on the table.
"What's all this shouting?"
With displeasure plainly written across his face, Luo Danian gave a cold snort and snapped at them.
"This is the Police Force's Tai Kwun. Do you think you're at a market?"
"We will take the lead in deciding how to handle DC-8."
"Even if we hand it over, that discussion will have to wait until our Big Sir arrives."
"Now, quiet!"
Luo Danian's usual polished manners did not mean he was weak or easily pushed around.
Otherwise, how could he have held firmly onto his position as Commander-in-Chief of the Police Force's National Security Department?
Under Luo Danian's piercing gaze, the South Korean consul and Siu Chi Yan could not help losing some of their bluster.
Whatever the circumstances, this was ultimately the Hong Kong Island Police Force's home ground.
Even without Sir Kwan of the Police Force present, this was no place for them to act as they pleased.
While Luo Danian had yet to state