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  “That shot broke the tankers back. It caught fire and went down. We lost fifteen men. The Captain got off a signal just minutes before he was blasted out of existence.

  “The sub made for deep waters and a Hindustan patrol boat dropped chasing the sub and picked up our first mate and a couple of able seamen. They were taken to New South Wales and are now recovering there.”

  “There is no doubt about who was responsible. Bao sent out a worldwide message saying he did it and would do it for every ship coming through the straits that he doesn’t care for.”

  Crown Prince Rodrigo paused for effect. He watched the looks of the cabinet members go from boredom to shock to anger.

  The Prime Minister Señor Heribeto Pons asked to be heard. The Prince allowed it.

  “My Lord, do we take action immediately or do we gather allies and then take action?”

  The Prince said, “We will take action, but I want to conference with you, the Minister of War and Generalissimo Alou. We will meet tonight when we can also open a line to Philadelphia and I can talk to Sir Malcolm. His King called him home from vacation last night. His input would be very valuable.”

  The Ministers agreed and set their schedule to keep it open for any announcements that may come in. They were ready to war, but surely time would temper their temper.

  Crown Prince Rodrigo waited and then sat by his Father. Maxmillian congratulated him on his tone of voice and his words that may have stirred some of the men and cooled some of them. Not that it really mattered, the Emperor was all powerful. But he knew the value of keeping trusted advisors and most times took their advice.

  While none of them were perfect, neither was he. But he often made them see his way. He has always been the acme of reason.

  Rodrigo went to his office and removed his ceremonial dress clothes and put on his regular loose shirt with four front pockets. He was just settling in to do some calculations on distance and how soon they could pick up the survivors.

  He would call his Fleet Admiral Gomez to see what ships they had that could get to the men as soon as possible. He wants to hear their accounts first hand. Time could dull their memories.

  He was disturbed by his man in waiting and told that he had a phone call from New England. Rodrigo took it

  immediately and thought it would be Sir Malcolm. It wasn’t. “Prince Rodrigo, this is Keith York. You were two

  years ahead of me at the Academy. Do you remember me?”

  “I do, to what do I owe the honor of calling me?” “It’s my honor majesty. Damn, Rod let’s not play

  games. How the hell are you?”

  “Great Keith, I get tired of that bowing and scraping

  crap really fast. What’s going on, why are you in New England?” “Sir Malcolm called the Academy and got me

  skipped up and now I am now Ensign Keith York, of the Defense Forces of New England, by order of his Majesty Edward, and so on.”

  All of that officious talk made Rodrigo laugh. “Now I remember you were always a bit irreverent with royalty. I had to take you to the boxing ring a few times to wake you up.”

  “Yeah right, not on your best day or on my worst, your Majesty. I fear your memory fails you.”

  “Keith, will Sir Malcolm release you? I could use someone my age around here. I’ll get you a title that way they can bow and scrape for you too.”

  “He said he would. Is it a baptism of fire for me?” “Exactly, plus Sophia spoke of you the other night,

  you do remember her from when she came to the Academy.” “Uhhh, yes. She asked about me? Give me a landing

  time, Prince Rod, I can be there tonight.”

  “No, let’s do this all official like, she’ll wait.”

  “Okay, send my Father a message and get clearance. Edward should have no problem with it if your Father approves it.”

  “Keith, my Father resigned last night. It looks like I have to start approving things. I need a close friend to help me get going. You have no vested interest in my country, unlike some of these “helpers” that I have to deal with. So come on down.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Colonel Trang arrived at the main government building with her usual company of body guards and hangers on. Every society has the peripheral people who seem to buzz around like bees. They are useful, in many respects, but often place a burden on transportation and accommodations. It was

  often true of Trang’s people. But if it got to be a bother, she farmed them out to other agencies. Her job was the blue ribbon job in the government.

  The foreign affairs deputy was technically over her but had the good sense not to impose. Trang had little tolerance for government drones.

  This visit was to launch the insurgent activities for the Bao regime in order to subjugate the American Continent. One stranger was with Colonel Trang. The man walked like a soldier, so he was left alone.

  Colonel Trang went directly to the residence of Premier Bao. She was never required to knock, because everyone who came through the door was immediately reported to Bao’s Chief of Staff, Brigadier Quan Huk. Huk met the Colonel at the door and escorted her to the middle office which was occupied by Bao.

  Bao was a bit paranoid and thought everyone was out to get him. He kept an office in an inner room. No corners or windows for Bao.

  When Colonel Trang was announced Bao got up and met her and her companion at the door. Her companion was a strange looking soldier; of course Bao was immediately alert to assassination. He knew that the soldier electrically scanned and he had no weapons, so Bao relaxed. He never considered Trang as a menace anyway.

  Trang paid the required obeisance and the soldier just stood there. Bao welcomed them both and finally spoke.

  “Colonel Trang, you are welcome as always. I would like to be introduced to your companion. Is he the one we spoke of?”

  “Yes, Comrade Premier, this is the man I told you about. He is capable of the job and very eager to serve you.”

  Colonel Trang turned and spoke to the man in a strange language. Premier Bao did not understand any of it. Premier Bao only understood spoke his native language.

  Bao had appealed to his ancestors to give him the long life and intelligence to spread the language all over the Pacific basin and banish the more barbaric languages to the North. He did not allow any other language to be spoken in his house.

  Colonel Trang knew that but was basically teasing the Premier. She introduced him, omitting the man’s real name, and called him as Antonio Vasquez. In the official cover story, he was a native of the North Western states of the Mexican Empire. He is trying to get into Southern Mexico to regain his ethnic identity. At least that was his cover.

  That made the Premier laugh out loud. Ethnic identity? What was that?

  It must be some new movement or bunch of trouble makers. They wouldn’t make trouble for him at home; he would order them to be shot. But he may be able to use it against some European powers. They seem to love that nonsense. He continued listening.

  Colonel Trang, in a rare show of humor mentioned it is mighty cold up in that part of the American Continent. That, in itself, was enough reason to move south. Premier Bao recognized it as an attempt humor and forced a smile.

  The Premier slightly bowed to Colonel Trang and then looked at Vasquez and spoke. His manner of speaking is such as to induce confidence and a feeling of secrecy.

  “Comrade, you have been fully briefed on your mission. Are you totally confident that you can do the job and may not live through it?”

  Vasquez spoke, in perfect Trokenese, “Yes Sir I have no doubt in my ability to do as requested and ordered. I have no family, I am anxious to serve you and our country.”

  Bao looked him over and found nothing lacking. He told the soldier to wait outside. The soldier left.

  “Colonel Trang, we have plans and we feel that if we can get the Emperor out of the way, we can move in fast because only he has the ability to order military action. The same is true of New E
ngland, only King Edward can call out the military.”

  “I don’t suppose you have plans for Edward, do

  you?”

  “No sir, not yet. We’re working with a couple of

  people in New England, but so far we have no takers. I may have to find someone here to fill in. The same plan applies: Kill the Emperor and the King. Don’t strike at the tail of the snake, take

  the head off.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Ensign York reported to Sir Malcolm in Philadelphia. He treated his father as the ultimate military man and showed the respect he held for both the man and the office.

  They were not about to show affection, not yet. Sir Malcolm said that the King was waiting for an audience with both of them. And no one wants to keep a King waiting.

  Malcolm, Keith and Sir Humphrey made their way up to the King’s office and were ushered in by the Major Domo who left them and stood by the door waiting. King Edward stood up and came around his desk. He shook hands with his oldest and best friend, Malcolm and then turned to Keith.

  The King gave Keith a manly hug and Keith froze.

  He had been pulled out of the military marine academy just yesterday. He was still military stiff.

  King Edward said, “At ease young man, we’re alone now. The Major Domo isn’t here.”

  He hugged Keith again and Keith said, “It’s wonderful to see you Uncle Eddie. I’m not sure I could have taken another six months down there. I know it sounds bad, but I absorbed all they had to teach me.”

  “Yes, I know, the Commandant said the same thing. Sounds bad, take this to heart, my nephew, don’t hide your light under a basket. Step up and say, ‘Hell yes I can do it’ then wade in and kick their asses.”

  It wasn’t very kingly, but certainly very paternal.

  “Malcolm, get this new Ensign assigned to a position then send him off to Mexico so he and Rodrigo can ravage and

  lay waste to female population.”

  “No sir we had no such intentions.”

  “Ensign York, we listen to telephone calls in and out of the country. Sophia is a lovely girl so get your boyish activities out of the way and then bring King Rodrigo up here so we can formulate some plans. When you return we’ll fill you in on operations we are in and how you can help.”

  Keith saluted and left the King’s room. Malcolm and King Edward called for dinner to be served in the office and sent for some maps. They were maritime maps and mostly showed the shores of countries and the islands around them.

  “Okay Ed, now this particular view is the Malacca Straits, as you can see it is only one hundred miles wide. The choke point is off of Kuala Lumpur which Bao controls.”

  “If it is blocked the shipping, going both ways will have to go all the way down to the Southern Ocean to get from India, Arabia and your empire. The increase of shipping costs will be enormous.”

  “East-west trade would be severely reduced to the point of possible depression and famine in some of the countries that we deal with. Now they’ve already destroyed one of Maximilian’s ships and have threatened others. We must insist that that area is free territory.”

  King Edward was no novice to reading charts and this one showed him that more trouble than he wanted was coming his way.

  He could see the Straits were a vital chokepoint and that Bao could easily take it under control. He could not allow that. He asked Sir Malcolm “Can we declare such a thing as calling it free passage?”

  “Yes sir, if they recognize it is a different story.”

  King Edward thought for a minute and then said “We need to talk to Maximilian as soon as possible. He has the big navy and Air Force and it was his ship that was attacked. Sure we’re allies but I can’t be sure we can contribute much.”

  “Sir, before Keith came in I was bringing the news that last night Maxmillian XV just sent the order out: He has

  abdicated and his son Rodrigo is now the Emperor of Mexico.”

  King Edward thought about it for a minute and then asked, “Is Rodrigo capable, and what do we know about him?”

  Sir Malcolm York spoke up, “I know nothing about him, but he was a couple of years ahead of our new Ensign at the Academy. They are fairly close.”

  Edward Lake thought about it and said, “Send him in to see me in the morning. I want you and Sir Humphrey in here also.”

  “What time?”

  “Let’s get it rolling early. Mexican Standard Time (MST) is the same as ours. So let’s make it 0730.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Ensign York was met at the plane by two armed Empire of Mexico soldiers. They were not armed but both of them looked like they could handle anything that came up. Keith never really thought about security. He was protected all of his life and he had just assumed it was a part of life.

  The Kingdom of New England’s aircraft waited until a person from the Embassy arrived with a bag. It was handed over to the loadmaster and he handed a like, secured, bag to the Embassy man. The plane then taxied and took off back home. He walked to the car with his guards.

  It was hot. Not for the locals, but for a Northern boy it was hot. He was thankful that he had spent three years in Nueva España. It was hot there too, but a lot more humid. Some guys used to say “it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.”

  Keith knew that there was not humidity in the desert but it sure is hot.

  He took it all in stride. He was semi-royalty and acted the part. He knew he had an image to protect. Keith, unlike his father, was not yet a blooded warrior, but he knew it could happen any time.

  After winding around to make sure they weren’t being tailed, the driver turned into the Royal Enclave. Two fully dressed out Imperial Guards met the car and led Keith into the ante chamber. He was met by a man in a business suit and was told that the Emperor would be in shortly. He waited and admired the building.

  Keith heard a rustle and bustle come from the hallway and Emperor Rodrigo, Emperor of Mexico and Defender of the people entered wearing everyday clothes and looking like he owned the world. He did, for all practical purposes. Rodrigo closed the door and gave Keith a hearty hand shake.

  “Ensign York, you look good mano. How’s about we get some suds down to our bellies. Talking is dry.”

  He agreed and Rodrigo pulled a lever on the bookcase and a keg slowly rolled out. It had two iced mugs and some napkins. Rod drew two mugs and then pointed to the table. They sat and rehashed things from the Academy and from the summer excursions.

  “I often thought about an old drill instructor we had. Is Chief Petty Officer Selvaggio still running the indoctrination course?”

  “He sure is I think he’s more savage than before. He was a terror wasn’t he?”

  “Yes he was. But he did it for a reason; to get us ready and in shape. He also weeded out the ones he knew

  couldn’t hack it.”

  “Well now, Rod, you sure have changed your opinion. I remember …”

  “I do too, and I would still like to strangle that wild man. This brings me to the subject at hand. No time for talk.”

  Keith was all ears now. He knew something momentous was in the offing. He was willing and able to serve his nation and to aide his best friend, soon to be Rodrigo I, Emperor of Mexico.

  The Minister of Defense, Señor Felipe de Carlos, was allowed in and waited until Rodrigo called for him. Rodrigo now went to the Emperor mode. He said so to Keith who only nodded and stood at attention.

  Rodrigo left the dining room and went to meet his Minister. Don Felipe had been the most loyal to Maximilian and had promised him the same for his son, Rodrigo.

  Don Felipe marched into the room and stood directly in front of Rodrigo and said, “My Lord, I am at your disposal.

  All of my allegiance is yours, if you are willing to accept me.”

  Rodrigo said, “Don Felipe I would not trust the security of the Empire to any other man, because they would come up short in comparison. “

  Minister de Carlos fa
irly glowed from the accolades. He gave a bow and then Emperor Rodrigo handed him the sash of office. All of the Ministers and Deputies had surrendered their sashes to Prime Minister Pons the night before.

  It was done unceremoniously after the Emperor Maximilian XV resigned. Pons assured them that their value was too high to forget and they would be seeing Emperor Rodrigo soon to get their sashes back.

  “My Lord, may I inquire as to the identity of the young Navy officer by the door.”

  “Yes, of course, his name is Ensign Keith York, of the Royal Navy of New England. I am proud to be the oldest son of Sir Malcolm of York, Premier of the French territories and closest confident to King Edward of New England. Ensign York will act as coordinator between the two countries, his Spanish is as good as mine and his English is much better than mine, especially in the technical terms.

  “Ensign, please present yourself to the Defense Minister, he will be your immediate superior.”

  Keith York, Ensign, Royal Navy of New England, stepped up and made a parade ground report to the Minister. Señor de Carlos looked him over and told him to stand at ease. Keith relaxed but still stiff as a cadet. Señor de Carlos approved.

  “My Lord, I have the plans for a capture of pirates on the high seas. I would like to discuss with Sir Malcolm a program where the two countries will train together for high seas capture and destruction of an enemy boat or ship that is wishing to do either of our navies harm.”

  Ensign York signaled to the Prince. Rodrigo caught it and told him to speak.

  “Sir, I believe what you are saying is that we will stop Bao and kick the crap out of piracy. Am I correct?”