by DiMirra
"Deportations to North Africa are in full swing. I expect they may take the virus with them so we intend to provide enough vaccine to the ships in the harbors to inoculate all passengers before release.
"Keny is sweeping through Africa like a triumphant Roman General. There are huge crowds wherever he goes and we are doing our best with security. There was an attempt on his life this morning. One of the Guardians received serious wounds. The would-be assassin was in the crowd and they subdued him immediately.
"The Guardians are interrogating him now. I do not feel bad for this son of a bitch. It has been as if the people were waiting for this opportunity and for Keny all their lives. Plans are being submitted, cash is being distributed, and people are working who haven't drawn a paycheck in decades.
"Johnny, this feels genuine and I am so proud to be part of it. We have three missions against some rebellious holdouts tonight, Islamists who see their power fading. Other than that, it has been very quiet and productive.
"Your little treasure, Bao, will land at the base just before you arrive. Perhaps you should take her home to Cristina?"
I said, "That's a delightful idea. I will do it. In fact, she does not know I'm coming. Give her a heads up and ask her to bring along my Nanny."
"We spoke with Campitelli several times throughout the day. The missions for tonight in South America are approved. I suspect, by tomorrow morning, those for whom the message is intended will have received it."
"Thank you, Uwishun, I'll speak with you tomorrow. Get me updates on China, Russia and Southeast Asia please."
I had a double Grand Marnier on the rocks, tilted my chair back, and let my mind run wild through all of the compartments. I awakened when Berberson touched me lightly to advise we were an hour out. While I was freshening, up the attendant prepared a bowl of black bean soup, Cuban style -- with rice, cilantro and chopped onion. It was always one of my favorites for a light snack. I enjoyed a double espresso and a smoke.
Jackson was there to meet me at the hanger on our side of the airfield. I could tell from the activity on the field that missions were still in progress.
"Johnny, I don't know how you do it. I've got General Hamilton telling me to do whatever you say, no questions asked. Who are we killing tonight?"
"Jack, if I told you, I would have to kill you, it's above your pay grade mano. We were just removing some obstacles between us and World Peace. Now that's a Hell of statement, isn't it?
"Where's my baby girl, Bao?"
"She's in your office with your Nanny, Maria, and Cristina, who arrived by chopper about an hour ago. I believe she's already in charge."
"Jackson, as soon as you have the BDA, please get it up on the screen for me. I'll see you on the morrow".
I had a wonderful little studio apartment and office in the back of the hanger. It was nicely appointed. As I entered, the scene was overwhelming. I felt a tear of joy wet the corner of my eye.
I said, "Well, I can see who will hold court in the future."
The ladies were making sounds that only an enamored woman can make. It was one of life's beautiful moments, maternal love and instinct on full display. I would keep it close in my memory to drown all of the sorrow and madness that was going on around me.
Then I heard or felt Zheng's thoughts on the subject -- "She is our future, Uncle. She will run the world one day. I am already working with her." He was overwhelmed with joy. I shall carry that feeling with me all of my days. It was in that moment I knew the future would bring what we longed for.
"Ladies!" I shouted. And they turned to greet me. Cristina gave Bao to Maria and pranced over to me, jumping into my outstretched arms.
"What do you say we head home"? I asked.
I got that grin and wink from Cristina that I love so much. I asked Berberson to get the chopper wound up and we headed out. Maria took Bao to my childhood bedroom. They would stay the night together.
It was a chilly early morning in the mountains outside of Bogota. A fine mist glistening on everything it touched. A fire crackled in the master suite. The room felt cozy and romantic as flames danced like Celtic fairies.
Whenever Cristina disrobed, I felt she could bring the dead back to life. I had thought myself exhausted but such was not the case when she was standing in front me in her undergarments. We remained engaged in flagrante delicto for the rest of the early morning, after which we fell into a deep slumber.
Chapter 40
Bogota: 11:00, January 30
Sometime after mid-morning, I woke up to the aroma of fresh, hot espressos that were sitting on the nightstand. I took one, sauntering into my adjoining office in my pajama bottoms, and lit a cigarette. I had Ali on line in an instant.
He took one look at me and chortled, "Good morning, Father," as I heard Uwishun guffawing in the background.
I said, "Great, get it all out right now and then bring me up to date."
"Baba, there's not much change from yesterday. The US and the EU continue to gradually make progress in most areas. China has not yet turned the corner. India, Malaysia, and Indonesia, along with the rest of the subcontinent, are still in panic mode."
"Russia has successfully annexed most of its old Provinces and is showing signs of standing down, content with these regained boundaries. The President has, through his Foreign Minister, expressed an interest in our Cellbot technology, personally."
"The major Cleric and jihadist campaign is complete. Our own casualties were light, with eleven dead and 57 wounded. We have a hundred teams in the field in 21 countries hunting down the few who escaped."
"On to South America. Please view screens two and three behind me for live shots of last night and this morning's high altitude BDA. All targets were hit with little collateral damage and good effect on the intended targets. The Cardosos and the Mellos were completely degraded. Also the Air Force in Argentina. We have boots on the ground in the area so I'll report on their intelligence as it comes in later today. I suspect the way forward is clear for Don Francisco and company."
"What news of Keny and the African operation, Ali"?
"Baba, it could not be better. More than ninety percent of the populations are on board and those leaders who were reticent have become convinced, for their own safety, this is the right path for the continent. United Africa now has command of all armed forces, central banks and the bureaucratic institutions. Cash is being distributed and people are back to work in numbers these countries have never seen before. Life will be good. They had the farthest to go but may be the quickest to recover."
I mused to Ali, "Who would have thought that we could accomplish so much, with so little, so quickly?" I felt Zheng smile and say, "I did."
"Ali, I will be sending my Super Twin with a new leased aircraft, another Business 757, your way within a day. He will need to make numerous personal appearances and start meeting with leaders all over the globe to keep up the momentum. I'll give you a heads up when he's on his way.
"By the way, Zheng says were ready to ship vaccine, and a small amount of Cellbot therapy to India, please advise and make sure you get all of the concessions we want, particularly control of the military for the time being. That's all for now. Job well done."
"Ciao, Baba."
As I turned around I saw Cristina was up and had been listening to the end of the conversation.
She said, "When were you going to tell me about this 'Super Twin?'"
I must have had that 'just got caught look' because she said "Well"?
"No secrets, my love. I just found out about this three days ago myself. The short version is Zheng continues to make new and amazing discoveries. He has cloned all of the key members of our family that are at risk, so if something should happen, we will be able to continue executing our plans. I met my twin and he is all me in every sense of the word. I do not believe you would be able to tell the difference. It is much too early to speculate on whether this is a good idea or not, although I suspect it will be good. As long a
s I live, we will have each other. If something should happen, you will still have me. It's as simple as that."
I had been in war-mode for two solid weeks, night and day. Now that I had help, I thought Cristina and I could head for the Ranch in Costa Rica. There we would meet with our Brain Trust and work out the final touches on our governing document. I would present this founding document to the United World Council when we meet in Lugano in a few days.
"Cristina, I'm going to Costa Rica for a couple of days, if you can bear to leave Bao, I would like you to come with me?"
"I would be delighted Johnny. It will give us a chance to visit with our son, who I understand is enamored with a lovely young girl from the Arce family."
I said, "That was a well-kept secret and a good choice. I didn't know. Pack your bags, Princess. We leave in an hour."
Swahilison ordered the newer helicopter to the Castle, which would take about thirty minutes. We stopped by the hanger to speak with Jackson and Ali while they fueled and catered 'The G.' I had both Berberson and Swahilison with us for the trip.
Cristina boarded The G to settle in as I went to the office. Jackson handed me a double shot of espresso and we sat in front of the screen with Ali waiting for us.
"Good morning, Son," I said.
Ali responded with "Buenos Dias" to Jackson and me.
"Baba, things are still quite raucous in North Africa and the Middle East. Not so much violence any longer, as most of the hard-core leaders are dead and the rest will soon be in that condition. There are heated discussions on the future of Islam and the meaning of the divine mission of the Grand Mufti to Mount Hira. We're interpreting this as a good sign that sets the stage for the "new message" people are eagerly awaiting.
"India has agreed to our demands. I've asked General Hamilton to send a four-star with a team to take control. They will also be in charge of vaccine distribution and Cellbot therapy so there will be no cronyism. He still can't believe how we pulled this off, and frankly, neither can I."
"Don Francisco, along with Wakani and Cristina, have arranged for a meeting of all the current heads of governments and indigenous populations in South America, to be held on February second at the Castle in Bogota. We will provide transportation and security."
"China may have turned the corner with Ebola contagion. I have a report, an hour old, that says new infections are showing a small decrease in percentage."
"Ali," I broke in, "I've heard it said 'As a species, we do not work together for the common good until we're on the brink.' I believe this is proof positive. Or maybe you should keep your eyes open for the 'Second Coming.'"
"I will be sending my Super Twin your way today to begin liaising with all the future leaders while I'm in Costa Rica for a few days. Cristina and I will be working on the finishing touches of the United World founding documents -- a place to start. As you found out, in all respects my Twin is me, so treat him accordingly. Zheng has shown me the way our thought processes are connected. I know whatever he knows and vice-versa."
"Ok Baba, enjoy your time with Cristina and Rodrigo."
Jackson walked in the office as I finished the conversation with Ali and greeted me with "Muy buenas tardes, (a Very Good Afternoon,) Johnny."
"Jack, what do you have for me today?"
"Johnny, a few surviving second-tier Cardoso family members contacted my people at the Embassy. They are pleading for mercy."
"What are your thoughts on the subject, Jack"?
"Johnny, I am inclined to grant their requests."
"Jack, lets do this -- if they agree to sign over their several million acres in the Amazon to the United World to be designated as a refuge, then I would agree to the clemency request. Please make it clear if they do not, they will be hunted down until they are extinct. I'm headed to our Ranch in Costa Rica if you need me."
"That seems fairly harsh, Johnny."
"What makes you say that Jack?"
"Well, your family owns nearly ten times those holdings in the Amazon Basin."
"Jack, I believe your point is moot. Our holdings are in a 'Forever Wild' trust. The land is in its original, pristine condition. It is only accessed for medical research and inhabited by natives who do not want contact with the outside world. It is not, I repeat not, used for agriculture, mining and logging like the Cardosos' holdings. Do you see the difference?"
"Johnny," he concluded, "you and Cristina have a great trip. I'll put an end to this Cardoso business while you're gone."
I boarded The G and sat next to Cristina. The flight would take a little more than two hours. We would land at the airport in Liberia. From there, it would be a 15-minute helicopter ride to the ranch. The Foreign Minister, an old friend, met us at the plane. We had a fine demitasse of Costa Rican espresso with a cup of Pops caramel ice cream. He remembered that flavor was my favorite. Chalk one up for ice cream diplomacy.
We discussed matters important to his government's finances. I assured him we would buy a transportation bond in the amount of one billion dollars. It was conditioned on the legislators passing a balanced budget bill that would limit the growth of government spending to one percent per year. This would have the effect of wiping out their deficit in ten years. I thought it was time for all governments to become more prudent in spending their citizens' money.
The ranch helicopter arrived with Rodrigo at the controls. We were both delighted to see him. We departed immediately to the ranch. The dry season was just beginning so the landscape was verdant, displaying in its magnificence, every shade and hue of the color green.
We landed on the plateau where our family compound was located. We were high up and could see the glistening Pacific Ocean in the distance. The air was clean and crisp at this altitude. I assured there was plenty of security around, including two Guardians already, who Berberson and Swahilison reinforced. Our security company had a medium-sized office in San Jose. Rodrigo was vice-counsel from Colombia to Costa Rica.
Rodrigo gave his mother a huge hug and said "Mama, welcome to Rancho Buenos Aires.
"Papa, always great to see you. I have a wonderful dinner planned for tonight. I sent two of my men down to our sport fishing boat at Pappagallo. They brought back six fresh dorados, enough fresh shrimp for cocktails and ceviche, and a dozen choice lobsters. They hooked a nice Bluefin tuna.
"We are serving fresh sushi now with ice-cold Bavarian Light, your favorite."
He led us over to the expansive veranda with its panoramic view of the countryside and the ocean. The sushi was excellent because this tuna was still swimming three hours prior.
I said, "I had given you a tall order, Son. Is your team ready to make its presentation on how government should be set up and operate in the 21st Century?"
"We are, Papa, but we'll save that for the morning, if you don't mind. I have our local Shaman here now. I thought an ayahuasca ceremony might be in order later this evening to honor the advent of a new way of governing ourselves."
Rodrigo had chosen this Shaman well. The rituals, complete with tablas and flutes, were performed with exquisite flourishes. Cristina and I wandered over to our bungalow, enchanted with each other and by the mood. She confided in me that she had started the Cellbot therapy some weeks earlier. She was excited about the thought of a new child of ours. We took our time enjoying the emotion we had achieved by exploring each other's bodies with that deeply informed knowledge only old lovers have. It was an evening of complete abandon and utter bliss.
Chapter 41
Costa Rica: 07:00, January 31st
I was enjoying my first espresso of the day with a smoke and listening to the toucans squabbling at the fruit dish twenty feet from the veranda. On this day, for some unknown reason, I was missing my Mother, who had died much too young. I wondered if a hair, root and all, would be enough to bring her back.
I felt Zheng say "Of course, why not?" With this thought to brighten my existence, I enlisted Cristina for a big country breakfast. We headed to the ranch house.<
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Everything was fresh there -- the eggs, sausage, bacon, avocados, milk, coffee, sour cream, orange juice, rice and beans -- were all grown and processed right there on our farm.
The faces were young and fresh, too, because the future belonged to them. It was only fitting they had a hand in shaping the philosophy that would govern them. We had an open-air forum built on the Greek model, encircled by gardens reminiscent of Versailles. Surrounding the forum were thousands of flowering rose bushes, which perfumed the air with the fragrance of Pura Vida (Pure Life.)
Rodrigo opened our assembly with a Hopi prayer to our Creator, which had always been one of my favorites --
Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight On the ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn's rain. When you awaken in the morning hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry. I am not there. I did not die. My Spirit is still alive . . .
Rodrigo continued, "When this task was first assigned to me, I was overwhelmed by the enormity of the undertaking. It is a proposition so large and so bold that none of the great minds prior to this date came upon a suitable framework for man to govern himself.
"I looked to all the of the great works that came before -- from the Sumerians, Persians, Egyptians, Greeks, Hebrew Scriptures, Roman Law, the life and times of Jesus, the Qu'ran, Old English Law and the Constitution of the United States with its Bill of Rights. Grand ideas they all contained, so why then did they all eventually fail?
"It appears to me the flaws were in the mechanisms of governance. I believe Lord Acton expressed in 1800s what my conclusion must be -- 'Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.'
"It's the professional politician, the demagogue, those who thirst for power, those who divide us and those who think all outcomes should be equal. These, then, must be avoided at all costs. The operative ideas will be traditional cultural values, simplicity in laws and regulations, swift criminal and civil justice carried out by men and women of good common sense, not professional politicians, lawyers and judges.