Roger Dumas sat on a bench. “She wanted to be with me? She's just married a Brit, or I should say a former British officer. They will be having ten children and many grandchildren over the coming years. And I was desperate to see her, and only prevented from doing so by something Reno said. He essentially asked if seeing her was more important than getting back my family. It was that moment of hesitation that stopped me from journeying to see her.”
The Naffi clone then stood. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I want you to be constantly looking over your shoulder, knowing I am just one step behind. Perhaps your own paranoia over that thought will be your undoing.”
Roger Dumas chuckled. “Your psychology won't work on me, Marwal. I know all the tricks as I have been using them in business for years. Although, I will say you caught me off guard with this one.”
“Just know this body will one day pass, and I will be back on your trail. Your capture is inevitable.”
“We shall see.”
As Roger Dumas moved on to conduct his business, Naffi paused the playback. “I wanted to end him right there.”
Reno shook his head. “He did us a favor.”
Naffi turned and angry eye. “What? How so?”
“Because your focus on our mission would have been consumed by this distraction. Your time in the past would be spent playing house and spouse and not on bringing about the change we seek.”
“I could easily do both. If anything this would make me even more committed to the success of the French Empire.”
Reno chuckled. “This love sickness you seem to be prone to makes you delusional. There is nothing about having that relationship that would further our cause here. It's all about you and your personal feelings... your Human feelings. It makes me want to deny you another Roger Dumas clone.”
“That death will not happen for another six years. During that time the Empire continues to expand.”
Reno pulled up the latest archive for comparison. “Is there adventure worth watching on the remainder of this recording?”
“Very much so.”
“Then I will refrain from scanning the archive until you are done.”
“So you are willing to sacrifice time on our mission if there is adventure to be had?”
Reno stared at Naffi for several seconds. “Well played. But in the future, should you wish to get involved with a Human female for your own personal reasons, please just forward through those recordings as they are of little interest to me.”
“Fair enough. But I would like to ask this, has your clone not had urges with relation to Human females?”
“It has, but I am a scientist. I've learned to put those feelings aside, just as I've done with my work here.”
“So you've had an Opamari you had feelings for?” Naffi grinned.
“I have. But again, I consider myself a scientist and my work comes first.”
“Interesting. Before we proceed, is it anyone I've met? Perhaps at one of the conferences Nunol made you go to? Or maybe someone from the OSSHR board?”
“If you must know, it is your assistant Vara.”
“What? How? I mean, when did this happen?”
“Nothing has happened. I just find her... intriguing. Attractive by Opamari standards, and capable.”
Naffi chuckled. “Capable. That is such a scientist-ty trait to point out.”
“I find that quality attractive as well. And since you've decided to mock me for it, I'd rather not discuss this any further.”
“Would you like to see her? She's coming here later today.”
Reno looked over at the door with a nervous expression. “What? Why didn't you tell me?”
Naffi laughed. “Relax. She is not coming. I only wanted to see your reaction.”
“I should have kept this to myself.”
“No. it's OK. I'll not harass you about it further. And just so you know, she did speak fondly of you.”
“She did?”
Naffi chuckled as he shook his head. “Scientists. So gullible.”
Reno sighed. “Can we get back to the recording of your current alternate life. It's much less irritating than you are in person.”
With Britain now a part of the growing Empire, Spain and Portugal joined as well. With those nations came most of the Americas, save the recently created United States. Back in Europe, focus was turned toward the southern half of the Mediterranean. From Casablanca to Algiers to Tunis, each fell quickly to the French armies. Tripoli fell in a day, with Alexandria negotiating a peaceful surrender to an overwhelming force. But the governor of Cairo and a local leader who claimed hereditary rule, Muhammad ‘Ali, assembled an Egyptian army in an effort to deny Napoleon a new territory.
Roger Dumas, given command of the Army and Navy of the Southern Mediterranean, came ashore with his commanders, taking up position in Fort Quitbay. Outside troops were unloaded in the harbor from steam-powered transports. In a surprise move, Napoleon arrived with his traveling staff. Roger Dumas was standing in the western entrance to greet his Emperor.
“Ah, General Dumas. I am happy to see you well.”
“And I thank you for the new title, my Emperor.”
Napoleon hesitated. “I'm still not accustomed to that title. I would prefer if you continued to call me General.”
“Very well, General. To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“To my curiosity. I find the halls of the Imperial Palace to be empty of life. I'm surrounded by politicians who are all pressing to make their tiny piece of the Empire that much more powerful. It is tiresome, so I've come out to observe the fight.”
Roger Dumas gestured toward the citadel's entrance. “Come this way. I'll show you our plans.”
As they walked, Napoleon came to a stop, placing his hand on one of the walls. “Did you know this citadel now stands on the foundation of one of the seven wonders of the world?”
“The seven wonders?”
Napoleon turned. “Yes. Certainly you made study of those in your youth? The Colossus of Rhodes? The Pharos Lighthouse here in Alexandria, right where we stand. The Great Pyramid at Giza?”
“I'm sorry, General. I'm not very familiar with those.”
Napoleon stared for several seconds. “I find that shocking. Many of these stones that surround us were brought to this location two thousand years ago. A lighthouse was constructed on this very spot. It stretched one hundred meters up into the sky, a beacon to every sailor in this region. There is tremendous history here, General Dumas.”
“Perhaps I will take up those studies when I return.”
“See that you do. One must know where they came from before one will know where they may go.”
A table was laid out before them, covered with maps. “We are positioning forces here and here. In two days they will be surrounded. We will be using your strategy from London, choke them off and wait them out, although I am certain they could be overrun in a day.”
“A peaceful merger is the preferred method. See if their ascribed leaders are willing to talk. I understand Muhammad ‘Ali is claiming hereditary rule. See if he would be amenable to having that rule under our care. And let him know he will have the support of the French Army.”
“I expect this campaign to be complete within two weeks. From there we proceed to Jerusalem. Before this year is out, Constantinople will be a part of the Empire.”
“We live in exciting times, General Dumas. Already we are laying tracks between our largest cities. Imagine traveling from Paris to Berlin and down to Vienna in only a day or two.”
Roger Dumas grinned. “And then on to Constantinople and Baghdad and all the way down to the Mysore Kingdom of India.”
Napoleon smiled. “You dream big, General.”
“And this is only the beginning.”
Chapter 15
_______________________
The campaign in Egypt was over within a week. Muhammad ‘Ali assumed local control. A team of French advisors w
ere left to assist with his transition. The highly mobile Army of the Southern Mediterranean was divided with nearly a quarter, one hundred thousand men, being left to garrison the coastal cities now under the Empire's authority. Two weeks later, Jerusalem and its surrounding lands fell as the massive army rolled north.
The month of September saw much of the remains of the once-powerful Ottoman Empire crushed. The once great city of Constantinople, the gateway from Europe to Asia, held out for almost a month. But again, in the end, hunger overcame their commitment to defiance. The Greeks voluntarily joined the Empire, as did the Poles and the Swedes.
Before continuing into the Middle East, General Roger Dumas was ordered to “persuade” Emperor Paul of Russia, to join the Empire. The Russian Army had just taken possession of the Crimea and the Russian Navy ruled the Black Sea. Emperor Paul was furious over the capitulation of Constantinople, a prize he had been eyeing for a number of years.
An aide came to the room of a house Roger Dumas had made into a temporary headquarters. The house sat on a hill that looked down onto the Black Sea. Two steel-clads sat in the deep water just below with a third out on patrol.
“General. We have a radio communique from the Emperor. He requests you answer.”
Roger Dumas followed the aide into a room where the radio equipment was kept as a closely guarded secret.
“Sir, you requested my attention?” Dumas asked.
“I've just received a diplomatic letter from Emperor Paul. He is demanding that we withdraw from Constantinople.”
“I expected as much, General. Our response will be known in two days. Our fleet of steel ships will be arriving this afternoon. After a day of maintenance and resupply we will begin our Black Sea campaign. I expect it to take no longer than a week or two at most.”
“We are getting deep into October. The weather to your north will become harsh. How will you proceed from the Black Sea dominance?”
“We will be transporting our army to the Crimean peninsula. We will hold there until spring. I've instructed our navy to begin preparations to resupply us there until the weather again warms. Our campaign next year will be to close in on St. Petersburg, where we will again press for peace.”
“We have our Army of Prussia standing ready. It is capable of laying siege to St. Petersburg. Why should I not order them to advance today? We would annihilate any resistance by the year's end. That would allow you to continue on the Middle Eastern campaign while the weather is good.”
“I believe that would be at the cost of many lives. Our troops are well supplied and well fed. Moving them during the dead of winter will not only lower their efficiency in battle, but our ability to keep them alive. These are the men we want to come home to their families, farms, and our new factories. St. Petersburg will still be there in the spring.”
The airwaves were silent for several seconds. “I will consult with my staff and will give you a decision by tomorrow.”
Naffi paused the playback. “This was a foolish move. I gave him the perfect plan. Instead he marches two hundred thousand men into the bitter cold. And it seems the Russians have been playing the spy game and I have to believe it is because of Marwal.”
“Is he not still captive?”
“An unexpected death. I believe he sent his clone back to be an advisor to Emperor Paul. Our forces were met with identical rifles and cannons, including our longest-range models. If not Marwal, someone has been selling secrets.”
“Will you still be invading the Crimea?”
“No. The order came down for us to move south to Tehran, then over to Baghdad and again down to Basra. From there we were to follow the Persian Gulf out to the Indian Ocean and down the Indian peninsula to Mysore. The king there has mentioned his interest in joining the Empire. We already hold much of that territory through our British and French colonies, so we are expecting victories without much effort.”
“You die again before that happens. Why?”
“Marwal. His clone was waiting in Tehran. He must have helped the Russians until he got word of our move to the south.”
“You are here, his raid was obviously not a success.”
“It was a success in that I was killed in front of several dozen witnesses. Roger Dumas is now officially dead.”
“Why did you forward through these other segments and not just tell me?”
Naffi slowly shook his head. “Would you have watched them had I told you? I think not.”
“Perhaps you are right. You said you were almost captured, tell me about the incident.”
“We had just arrived on the outskirts of Tehran. A group of dignitaries were sent out to welcome us and to invite us in for a negotiated peace. We accepted and were taken to the Shah's palace, with our armed escort of course. Upon arrival we were given a grand feast and entertained for several hours beyond. The Shah, who seemed gracious and eager to appease, invited me for a private tour of his palace.
“Two of my guards followed us into his private chambers, which consisted of a well-stocked harem and his sleeping quarters. It was there where we were offered the services of his harem. I respectfully declined. My guards, although tempted, did the same. But the offer was a ruse, a distraction.
“As we gazed upon the beauties in his household, four men crept up from behind. The first two attacked and killed my guards. The next two subdued me. At that point I looked up to see a grinning Marwal clone.”
“You obviously escaped.”
“I was gagged and my right eyeball was popped from its socket. The first three attempts at a connection failed. The bio-link mass would not attach. The fourth one however, did. But there was some kind of defect that would not allow a full connection. As the fifth and final link was being held up for attachment, I managed to squirm enough to knock it from his hand. I then smashed it on the floor with my knee.”
“He did not attempt to hold you until he could return?”
“The remainder of my guards came looking for me. Just before they broke into the room I was stabbed and carried away. The Shah claimed I had left on my own. He was beheaded the next day because of it. I heard talk my body was to be dumped before I blacked out.”
Reno scanned through the archive. “It says here your body was never found. This is great news.”
Reno read a bit further. “Hmm. Not as great as I thought. There were a dozen witnesses to your execution. The Shah personally took your head and his associates carried it and your body away. That was just before your army invaded, captured, and killed him.”
“Yes. It seems perhaps my run as Roger Dumas has come to an end. What else do the archives show?”
“The St. Petersburg assault was a failure. The Northern Army was repulsed several times before a bitter winter storm devastated their ranks. The Russian Army followed with an assault on Budapest, then Vienna, and finally Berlin, cutting off the Northern Army's supply line. The Prussians and Austrians flipped sides. As did Muhammad 'Ali in Egypt, his army racing across the southern Mediterranean cities.”
“That is quite the setback.”
“Oh. There is more. Much more. The Spaniards and Portuguese turned next. And with the help of the Americans, Britain revolted. It says your army remained in the Middle East, unable to fight their way back to Europe, eventually surrendering to the army of none other than Tipu Sultan, coming all the way up from Mysore.”
“So the entire Empire collapsed over my death?”
Reno chuckled. “No. Over the mistake of Napoleon for attacking during winter and because of the meddling of Marwal. All sides now have the latest weapons.”
“This is a disaster. Prepare a clone and send me back to Tehran.”
“And what do you plan to do from there.”
“I have a radio. I will convince Napoleon he should not attack St. Petersburg.”
“You have a radio, but you are dead. At least, Roger Dumas is dead. That message will have already been sent by the time you get yourself back in command. And how will you e
xplain your death?”
“That will be easy to explain when I show up as not being dead. Warm a clone. I wish to start cleaning this up immediately.”
Just over an hour had passed before the clone of Naffi came to stand in a rocky field near the village of Karaj on the outskirts of Tehran. A contingent of French soldiers was approached with their commanding General confessing to having been kidnapped and dumped in the desert. He was given a blanket for cover and hurried to the command tent where radio contact was made with Napoleon.
“Sir,” Roger Dumas said, “you must believe me. The St. Petersburg move is a bad idea. Somehow, the Russians have gained access to our weapons designs. Their forces are of equal strength, but in better position to defend. I just received this intelligence a short while ago.”
“This is a ploy, General. Propaganda to dissuade us from what will be a monumental victory over one of our last great adversaries.”
“I have it on authority these same forces are planning a counter attack at Berlin.”
“We rule the Baltic Sea. How could they possibly move a force behind us if not by water?”
“I can only tell you what has been revealed to me, sir. Emperor Paul is far better prepared than we thought.”
“I will take this under advisement. Continue with our current plan. How was your meeting with the Shah?”
“It was a trap. I was kidnapped but managed to escape. I will be ordering our troops to take the city when this conversation is finished.”
“Excellent. Get to work on that and keep me apprised. And thank you for the information.”
The airwaves returned to nothing but static.
Roger Dumas sat back with a scowl.
His first in command stood at attention beside him. “General, should I order the assault?”
Almost a minute of silence passed. “No.” The clone turned to face the radio operator. “Open a channel to my fleet commander.”
The operator made the connection. “The staff of Admiral Girgo is ready, sir.”
Roger Dumas took the mic. “Is Admiral Girgo there?”
Napoleon Page 13
