by R E Kearney
“Or we could simply ignore them. Let them starve!” Evoil steps around the seat to confront Komfort. “Instead of attempting to save every pagan in peril, we need to concentrate on saving America. Forget them. We must complete the mission that we’ve been sent to do.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t recall asking your opinion,” Komfort retorts snottily. “I don’t believe that I’ve been talking to you.”
“No, you haven’t been talking to me. But when I detect someone continually checking to make sure that I’m not listening, that’s when I definitely start listening. I have much better hearing than you think I have.”
“Well, anyway, thank you for your opinion, but I’m still in command of our little trio, so I think I will be the one who determines our future. Not you.”
“No, I don’t think so. Not anymore.” Evoil stretches to his full height. “I’ve been praying on this and the Holy Spirit entered me and answered me and clearly declared that I shall be in charge now. Being a woman, you are simply not qualified. Robert, you are my second in command.”
Robert vigorously shakes his head no, “Oh no, I support Mugavus Komfort. She is who I follow. Definitely not you!”
“So you are choosing to disobey me and the decision of the Lord,” Evoil counters angrily. “I shall not forgive your unholy insolence.”
“No, I am choosing to ignore you. Instead, I will follow Mugavus and the wisdom of Sun Tzu, who wrote that we cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors. I don’t know your designs, but I do not trust you. Besides, you don’t know where we are going or who our opponent is. Again, Sun Tzu wrote that if ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril. Sorry Evoil, but I don’t want to be placed in any additional peril, especially by you.”
Evoil refuses to relent. “I will share with you the words of my much higher and wiser authority than Sun Tzu. From Philippians there is the word that I can do all things through him who strengthens me. And from Hebrews; obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
Robert watches Komfort, awaiting her reaction. She is sitting silent, looking down, her eyes closed, rubbing her temples with her index fingers. He expects a vicious verbal volley. Evoil hovers in the aisle beside them waiting for her to concede.
After capturing her frustration and exasperation, she calmly dismisses Evoil. "Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. I believe you will find that is according to Daniel. Now, you may walk behind me and, if you keep your mouth shut, I’ll even allow you to walk beside me. But, never shall you lead me, because you know not where you go and you know not what you do. And that is according to Mugavus Komfort."
“I’ve had enough! You insolent bitch!” Evoil’s hands shoot toward Komfort’s throat.
Komfort instantly grabs Evoil’s hands and twists. Her exoskeleton strength crushes his fists. He screams. Swift and smooth, in one blindingly fast motion, Komfort leaps from her seat and hurls him onto his back. Crash! Half a breath later, she flips him and slams Evoil’s bleeding face into the carpet. Slam! She smashes her fist into his kidney. Yanking his right arm across his back, she jerks him forward. Howling, he slithers across the floor attempting to escape her.
“Stop, Mugavus! Stop! You’re killing him,” Robert gently grasps Komfort by her shoulders and lifts her off the whimpering Evoil who rolls into a fetal position.
“Never start a fight you cannot win,” Komfort wriggles herself free.
“Where did you learn those martial arts moves, Mugavus? Very impressive.”
“Have you forgotten that I was a soldier once, too? I just followed the usual fighting technique of finding a way to get Evoil to willingly go where I wanted him to go in the first place.”
Robert chuckles, “Yeah, well, I doubt that he had any desire to willingly smash his face into the floor. But, if you say so, I’m not foolish enough to dispute you. Especially after what I just witnessed.”
Although she acts calm, Robert notes tremors in her voice and adrenaline shakes in her hands. Only in bad movies does somebody walk away from an attack and fight unfazed. She reacted instinctively to his attack and now she is reacting instinctively to realizing the full extent of her fight. When she silently turns and walks past him, Robert realizes that her thoughts have retreated deep within her. She disappears into the cockpit.
More than an hour later, a restored and confident Komfort reappears. She motions for Robert to join her in the kitchen. Before closing the door, she watches Evoil slowly and painfully shift around in his seat. He acts harmless, now.
Out of sight, Komfort unveils her proposal. “Evoil wants to lead, so we’re going to allow him to lead. Only, we’re not going to follow. He’s too large of a liability and burden. I don’t trust him. He could go crazy and attack us. We have to cut him loose and go on our own, for us to have any chance of success.”
“How do you plan to separate us from him, Mugavus?”
“Just like the manual says: The secret of success in battle often lies not so much in the use of one's own strength, but in the exploitation of the other side's weaknesses. So, we’ll exploit his weaknesses. And, as you know, he has many we can exploit.”
“True,” Robert nods in agreement. “But, I don’t want him to become boss too soon. He is unbearable as he is right now, without any power.”
“Agreed. When we land, I’ll inform him. Then we’ll develop a separation situation where we abandon him.”
“What’s a leader without any followers? Just a guy taking a walk.”
Chapter 22.
Addis Ababa
Fifteen minutes before touching down at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Komfort relinquishes military leadership to Evoil. He enjoys Komfort’s performance. Robert observes her command turn over with a sense of relief, knowing that he may soon be rid of his human headache. Acting deferential, Komfort approaches Evoil, who involuntarily flinches as she nears. Obviously her beating still bothers him.
She smiles courteously. “I’ve given this much thought and I believe you may be correct. Robert and I are merchants - not mercenaries. So, I think you should assume command of the military portion of our effort.”
A huge smile spreads across Evoil’s face. He sucks in a deep breath of pride and puffs up. “It’s about time. You have made the correct decision. Finally. I think…”
Talking fast, Komfort marches forward through Evoil’s acceptance dialog. “We’re already cleared with Ethiopian Customs, so when we arrive, Robert and I will be adopting civilian business clothes and traveling to the SPEA Embassy. It’s our cover. We want anybody observing us to think that this is a normal business trip. After our meeting at the Embassy, we’ll eat dinner in the city, as normal. These dinners last long into the night, so I have no idea when we will return. But, no later than eight in the morning, I imagine.”
Evoil appears surprised and slightly confused. First he glances at Robert and then at Komfort and then back to Robert. He is momentarily perplexed. While he has what he wants, he is not certain what he has. Komfort successfully caught him unprepared and knocked him off balance. Just as she planned, she disabled him through surprise.
“Dijaineo is planning some preventative maintenance on his airplane tonight. He’ll be working in the hanger. There is a shower, a small bedroom and a kitchenette inside. Robert and I will need to use the shower first, but after that it’s all yours. Ok?”
“Certainly. I will begin preparations.” Evoil’s ego and need to appear authoritative play right into Komfort’s plan. He refuses to admit that he does not know what he is doing, because it will show him as weak and unprepared. Lacking leadership ability.
Komfort and Robert waste no time. Twenty-five minutes after landing, in newly-printed, business clothes, they are happily tra
veling the six kilometers from the airport to the SPEA Embassy near Meskel Square in central Addis Ababa. While they wash and change clothes, Dijaineo loads their equipment into the rear compartment of their waiting, hired mini-bus. Then, smiling and waving, as if he does not understand English, the mini-bus driver speeds around Evoil, as he desperately attempts to flag them down. The driver is following Komfort’s directions explicitly: Stop for nobody. They escape.
“Perhaps, I misunderstood you earlier Mugavus, but how can we leave the nightmare of Evoil behind and still return to our airplane tomorrow morning?”
“We’re not returning to our airplane. That was just to keep Evoil there and out of our way. We’re traveling by land to the plantation. We have to. I learned, just before I gave Evoil command, that rebels are in control of both the Tepi and the Mizan Teferi airports or, at least, threatening the airports. Ethiopian authorities say rebel bands are operating throughout the Sheka Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s Region. That is right where our plantation is located.”
“How bad are these rebels? Nasty towards everybody or just Ethiopians?”
“Well some of them are believed to be connected to ARTAS. So they’re nasty. But, most of them are like the Kokos outside the plantation, they are climate refugees fighting for food and water.”
“Basically, they’re gangs then?” Robert promptly starts considering nonviolent methods for reducing their problem. “Can they be bought? It’s easier to feed people than to fight people. Less painful and less bloody, too.”
Komfort chuckles. “You always have a platitude, don’t you? But, you’re correct. We’re going to follow your suggestion from the airplane. We’re becoming international benefactors hauling a load of relief food and medical supplies to ease their suffering.”
Robert smiles broadly. “Going as good guys giving goodies. I love it. So where do we find the food and how do we haul it?”
“All of that is being arranged by SPEA Ambassador Amesha Spentas, at this moment. At least, I hope so. Amesha can be somewhat unreliable at times.”
“That surprises me. I didn’t think any citizen of SPEA is anything but efficient, effective and perfect.”
“Sorry Robert, but we’re mere humans and we come equipped with all of the human faults, foibles and frailties.”
Riding from the Bole Airport to Meskel Square on Airport road displays the best of Addis Ababa. Airport road flows like a concrete river through a canyon of glassy skyscrapers. Newly-constructed, multi-story office buildings, hotels and apartment buildings border this major road on its right side. On its left side a crowd of traffic travels Africa Avenue. Hugging Africa Avenue, another wall of steel, concrete and glass, reaches into the sky.
Entering central Addis Ababa, for his first time, the panorama pleasantly surprises Robert. Vibrant and alive with pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles, Addis Ababa appears a thoroughly modern world class city. For several years now, it has been designated the unofficial capital city of Africa. From what he perceives through the windows of their vehicle, he agrees.
Turning onto Menelik II Avenue, they pass the Africa Hall on their right and the Addis Ababa Park on their left. Farther to their left, spread the manicured lawns, gardens and zoo surrounding the National Palace. Although immense, the two-story, gray-stone and concrete National Palace is not spectacular architecture. Ethiopia’s Ministry of Trade and Industry slide by on their right. Turning right on Tito Street, they travel less than a block before their driver parks them in front of an unassuming building next to the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia. A small sign on the front of the building identifies it as home to the Offices of the State of the Society Preserving Endangered Agriculture.
“How appropriate that your offices are located near the Ministry of Trade and a major bank. Beautiful area of the city, too. Is all of Addis Ababa like this?” Robert inquires, impressed by his observations during his ride.
Komfort sighs, as she and Robert exit the vehicle and walk toward the offices. “Oh, no. All that you have seen is a façade. Follow Tito five or six more blocks into the Kazanchis district and you will find a much different city. A poor city. More than eighty percent of the people in Addis Ababa live in poverty and in crowded slums like Chereka Sefer where there is still no running water and no toilets. Around the outside of the city, you will find the shacks and the growing slum villages of hundreds of thousands of climate refugees. Every day, more villagers from drought stricken rural regions of East Africa squat in the hills surrounding the city.”
“Of course. I should have expected that. I don’t believe there are any cities on Earth today that aren’t overrun by climate refugees.”
“And that’s why ARTAS and all the other antigovernment rebel groups have a growing foothold here. Lots of hungry and angry people living in shacks,” Komfort adds as she enters SPEA’s offices. “Which has me worried, because ARTAS is definitely here and can cause us major problems.”
“Greetings and welcome to the Ethiopian offices of the Society Preserving Endangered Agriculture. How may we assist you?” The Gutefrau humanoid-bot hails them, as they step inside.
“Mugavus Komfort, it’s so good to see you again,” a swarthy, jovially-beaming Middle Eastern looking man announces, as he enters the room. Nearing them, he extends his hand toward Robert. “And you must be her friend, Robert Goodfellow. Welcome to Addis Ababa.”
“And you must be Amesha Spentas. So very good to meet you!” Amesha grabs Robert’s hand and vigorously pumps it. Robert likes him immediately.
Serious, as usual, Komfort greets Amesha with a flash of a smile and a wave of her hand before starting her questioning. “Have you obtained the vehicles and materials we require? We must leave tomorrow morning.”
“I have hired four trucks with drivers for hauling food and medical materials. For you and Mister Goodfellow, I have contracted for a driver and a Land Rover. It should be big enough for you and your equipment. I trust those arrangements are acceptable?” Amesha nodded his head with a toothy smile.
“Yes, the Land Rover suits our needs. Is the driver trustworthy and do they know the countryside in case we have to leave the highway? Are the trucks in good shape? I don’t want any junk. I need good drivers for them, too. Did you hire good drivers?”
“Yes. Yes. And I think so. Drivers that will drive trucks filled with food and medical supplies through the hills filled with starving and sick rebels and robbers are not easy to find. They have to be crazy or crooked, or both.” Amesha shrugs his shoulders. “I know I would not do it.”
“Why are you still using human drivers then? Don’t they have driverless-robotic trucks here? Drones?” Robert asks, surprised.
“We tried driverless trucks, but they didn’t function well in our erratic traffic. Their logical computers froze attempting to compute and navigate among our illogical drivers and donkey carts,” Amesha responds with a note of pride. “Driverless vehicles don’t react to attacks, either. They usually just stop.”
“Ok. Good points. So just how shady are these drivers that I’m trusting with my life?” Robert apprehensively asks.
“Well…” Amesha shakes his hands in front of himself in a ‘you can trust me’ gesture, “…you know they say that smugglers know the right routes and the right people to deliver your goods. They aren’t afraid of the law and they have honor among the other thieves. As long as you pay them, they are very loyal…”
“…unless somebody pays them more. So, I hope we’re paying them well.”
“Very well.” Amesha rubs his thumb and index finger together.
“Ok. I’m not thrilled. But, you do what you have to do. Now back to the food and medical supplies. Where are they?” Although she knows the materials are not there, Komfort scans the room where they stand from side to side.
Amesha shrugs his shoulders again. “Well…you contacted me very late today. So…”
“So? So what?” Komfort asks, peeved.
“But what?’ Komfort snaps.
“As I said, you contacted me late. Too late. So, you must go to the Merkato tomorrow. First thing. Early. You can buy the best and freshest foods. Very good foods at the Merkato.” Amesha smiles broadly and happily nods his head.
“I suppose I should know, but what is the Merkato?” Robert innocently inquires.
“Ah, the Merkato.” Amesha whispers wistfully, “The Merkato is life. It is full of life. It is Ethiopia.”
“Stop romanticizing it, Amesha. No Robert, the Merkato is a huge mess.” Komfort frowns and shakes her head disgustedly. “The Merkato is the largest open air market in Africa. We can buy all of the food supplies we need there, but it won’t be easy. It’s a sprawling, crowded chaos that weaves in all directions and you never know what you’re going to stumble into or what you’re going to find. And if you’re not careful, you can become lost. Very, very lost.”
Holding his hands beside his head, he dismisses her complaints. “Oh, she exaggerates, Mister Goodfellow, because she had one tiny, bad experience there. Didn’t you say…?”
“Yes, well, let’s not discuss that embarrassing event now, Amesha. Komfort waves her palm in front of her face.
“Of course to buy the supplies we require in the Merkato, we’ll need someone familiar with the Merkato, who can bargain in Amharic and is accustomed to conducting commerce with the Ethiopian Birr.” She looks away from Amesha toward Robert and winks. “I don’t suppose you know anybody with those skills. Do you?”
“Ah, you tease me. But you forgot about hiring porters and just navigating the market, with its many different sections, and its continual flow of vehicles, people, and livestock.” He slyly grins. “You know only Amesha can do these things for you.”