“I’m impressed,” said Skull, taking another drink. “You guys have a gift shop or something? I’d like to take some of this back with me for my next cookout. Sure as hell beats Miller Lite.”
“The beer is not for pleasure or for getting drunk,” admonished Stephen.
“I think the vow of silence has made them chatty,” said Timothy to Stephen. “I would not take anything they say too much to heart. Since entering our monastery they have behaved themselves properly.”
“At least they did not disgrace the habit. So you really are Brother Alan and Brother Zinabu,” Stephen said with a smile before taking a sip.
“Well,” said Zinabu, “except that I’m a Jew. Is it a big deal to be a Jewish monk?”
Timothy choked on his beer, while Stephen smiled wider.
“Let’s not dwell on the details,” said Timothy. “Maybe it would be best if we spoke no more of vows.”
“Hear, hear,” said Skull, pulling off the heavy habit. “I appreciate the disguise, but those things are heavy and just don’t breathe. Have you guys considered a lighter material? Maybe some kind of linen or cotton weave?”
“I like it,” said Zinabu still sitting in his robe.
“These habits are made of the coarsest wool,” said Stephen. “This is what the brothers of our order have worn for centuries.”
“Okay,” said Skull, holding his hands up. “I’m just thinking you could do better, that’s all. ‘Smarter, not harder’ is what I always say.”
Timothy waved Skull’s arguments away. “Perhaps we should talk about where we go from here. You said something about one of our brothers leading the men south?”
“Yes,” said Stephen, taking a long drink of his beer. “Brother Titus will guide you to the Cumba Region. You must be careful of any Ethiopian officials. Many are under the influence of the Caliphate.”
“Doesn’t sound like you approve,” said Skull.
Stephen sat back, staring steadily at Skull. “Ethiopia is the only African country never colonized, by Europeans or anyone else. Many tried and failed. Yet, after thousands of years of fighting invaders, now many welcome them.”
“What would you suggest they do?” asked Zinabu.
“The people should trust in God first. They should stand for Ethiopia and each other. They should do what is best for its people, and that includes Edens. They should not give in to their fears.”
“Even if that leads to war?” asked Skull.
“Yes,” answered Stephen. “War comes and goes, yet Ethiopia is still here. What they are doing now is lunacy, and may destroy us all.”
“I’ll drink to that,” said Skull, clunking his cup against Stephen’s and drinking.
Suddenly, they heard loud voices outside, and then pounding on the door. Timothy and Stephen looked at each other.
“Quick,” said Timothy, “hide.” He pulled a small curtain aside to indicate a large carved alcove in the wall. Zinabu went in first, and then Skull. The material fell back to cover them. Skull watched the room through a tiny hole in the rough cloth.
“I will talk to them,” said Timothy. Before he could leave the room, there came a loud bang, and then soldiers filled the room with angry shouts.
An arrogant officer with facial scars confronted Stephen. Three soldiers with rifles stood behind him. The officer and Stephen spoke back and forth in Amharic. The man tried to step around the monk to go search the rest of the monastery but Stephen blocked him with his body.
The Ethiopian officer backhanded Stephen and yelled at him more in Amharic. He then stepped to the side to walk around Stephen, but the monk once more barred his way.
The officer’s face contorted with rage. He pulled a pistol from a holster at his belt and held it to Stephen’s head.
Skull silently slipped a pistol out from the small of his back and carefully attached a suppressor.
Stephen stared at the officer without wavering.
When the officer stepped back again to walk around him, Stephen again blocked the man’s way.
The soldier pulled the trigger and Stephen’s head exploded in blood and brains.
Before the body had even hit the floor, Skull dodged past the curtain. The officer hardly had time to register surprise before Skull shot him in the forehead.
The other three stood there stunned, and Skull shot them all in quick succession before any of them could lift a weapon. It was all over in less than two seconds.
Silence again reigned in the room. Brother Timothy administered last rites to Stephen and the other monks were attempting to do the same for the soldiers.
Skull searched the bodies carefully, but didn’t find anything to indicate why they had come here, and then he cursed himself for being too efficient. It would have been convenient to question one of them to see what brought them to the monastery. He should have only wounded one, and killed him afterward.
“What brought them here?” asked Zinabu.
It had to be Mossad, thought Skull. Or Spooky. He pushed the latter thought away. Backstabbing them gained Spooky nothing, and he rarely entrusted his business to incompetents such as those now lying on the floor.
Skull turned to Timothy. “Someone back at your monastery talked. It’s the only answer.”
“It can’t be,” said Zinabu.
“You must leave,” said Timothy standing up from beside a dead Stephen. His face was etched with pain and resolve. “These were but a few, and more could show when these do not return.”
“Where’s this Brother Titus?” asked Skull.
At the sound of his name, a young monk turned to them. He shook his head and said words in Amharic. Timothy spoke back to him, but the monk appeared determined.
“What’s going on?” asked Zinabu.
Timothy looked pained. “He says you are men of bloodshed and that he must not yoke himself to such as you. With Father Stephen gone, no one can force him.”
“He’s not wrong,” said Skull. “Leave him be.” He turned to Zinabu. “Can you get us to Cumba?”
“Should be able to. I’ve made the trip from my village to Addis Ababa several times.”
“Now all we need is a vehicle,” said Skull.
“Take the van,” said Timothy. “It already has your belongings inside. Time is short. Take it and go.”
“What about you?” asked Zinabu, indicating the room around them with his hands. “How are you going to explain all of this?”
“I won’t,” said Timothy. “I myself will take a vow of silence.”
“That might not work out so well,” said Skull. “You ought to all leave.”
“We have occupied this monastery for centuries and never left. To lie is more dangerous than to not speak at all. We do not want to endanger you by telling them anything. It is in God’s hands.”
“Okay,” said Skull pointing at the other monks. “Maybe it would be best if all of you take vows of silence.” He pointed at Brother Titus. “Starting with him.”
“Yes,” said Timothy, and then spoke to the men in Amharic for a moment. He then turned back to Skull. “I have declared myself in charge until another can be selected, and as such have placed them under vows. I myself will take them after you leave, which must be soon.”
“Indeed,” said Skull. “Sorry to leave you with a mess like this.”
“You did not bring them here. It is not your fault.”
Zinabu placed his hand on Timothy’s shoulder. “Thank you. Remember to take care of the donkeys.”
Timothy smiled wanly. “God be with you both.”
As they climbed the stairs to the van, Skull looked back. He saw Timothy standing among dead bodies with his hands grasped around his crucifix. His lips moved rapidly as he prayed.
Chapter 21
Cassandra and Geoffrey exited the plane in Nairobi and were driven in the back of an armored SUV to the headquarters of the Kenyan National Intelligence Service.
“Why are we going to talk to these folks?” asked Cassandra.
�
��I told you,” said Geoffrey. “We have to coordinate things if there is going to be an agreement.”
“But if Prince Richard has already contacted the Kenyan government, why are we working with their spooks? I’m presuming he spoke directly to the President or Prime Minister.”
Geoffrey didn’t say anything.
Cassandra’s face tightened. “He hasn’t contacted them yet, has he?”
“You don’t understand how these things work,” said Geoffrey. “The Kenyans are going to want something in return for their help. It’s simply not proper for a member of the royal family to haggle over terms. Our purpose is to find out what their terms are and report them to the prince before he reaches out to them.”
“You do realize this isn’t a game, don’t you? If the Kenyans don’t agree to help, those people in Ethiopia are probably all going to die.”
Geoffrey reached out and patted her hand. “Relax dear. It will all work out.”
She jerked her hand away. “Don’t patronize me. That sort of shit may work on the type of women you’re used to hanging around, but not me.”
Geoffrey started to say something and then stopped. He sighed and looked out the window as they rode through the streets of Nairobi.
Arriving at the NIS Headquarters, they were escorted to a large beautifully paneled conference room on the second floor of the building. An immaculately dressed Kenyan with a commanding air met them at the door.
“Ah, Gakuru,” said Geoffrey spreading his arms wide. “It is good to see you.” The two men hugged and clapped each other on the back.
“And you, my friend,” said Gakuru stepping back and smiling at Geoffrey.
Geoffrey turned to indicate his companion. “This is Cassandra Johnstone. She is my counterpart from the Free Communities.”
“Very nice to meet you,” said Gakuru who took her proffered hand and bent over to kiss it lightly. “It is always a pleasure to do business with such a beautiful woman.”
“Let’s hope so,” said Cassandra with forced grace.
Gakuru turned to another man standing behind him. “This is Pili, my chief of operations. He will assist us with these discussions. Shall we sit?”
The four took places around the large, intricately inlaid wooden table. Cassandra reached to serve herself from the steaming tea pot on the table but Gukuru stood and grasped the pot. “Let me, please. Such a lovely woman should never have to serve herself.”
Cassandra smiled, amused, but caught the frown from Geoffrey.
He’s jealous, she realized. Or at least annoyed by his friend’s behavior toward me. Geoffrey has a bit of a crush.
Cassandra had been on the receiving end of such infatuations before, and had even used them against the men involved from time to time. Though she hardly compared in beauty to the girls easily obtainable by men with power, there was something about a confident, intelligent woman holding her own among them that seemed to invite the desire for conquest. It had far less to do with looks than with the difficulty of the challenge.
Gakuru poured her tea, and then offered her cream and sugar, which she refused with a shake of her head and a smile.
“Shall we get down to business?” said Geoffrey.
“There is no need to rush things. Let the lady enjoy her tea.”
Cassandra felt the press of time. “Actually, Geoffrey is right. I’m afraid we need to get on with this.”
“Then by all means,” said Gakuru with a wave of his hand, “let us discuss business.”
“Thank you,” said Cassandra. “We understand that you previously had an agreement with the Israelis to grant asylum to the Edens trapped in southern Ethiopia asylum.”
“Temporary asylum,” said Pili. “The plan was for them to move on to another permanent location within a year.”
“Yes,” said Cassandra. “We would like you to extend that same offer again.”
Gakuru looked at Pili and then back at the two across from him. “It was our understanding that the operation was off now that the Israelis have pulled their support.”
“That is incorrect. The mission is still very much on. The FC is currently in the process of extracting the Edens from the Cumba Region.”
“We did not know this,” said Pili. “The Israelis were very insistent that it was off.”
Geoffrey pushed his tea aside. “They are definitely out of this now. Nevertheless, there still exists the possibility of saving these people. I should also add that Prince Richard would be grateful if Kenya could assist in this matter.”
Gakuru and Pili spoke in their own language. Pili shook his head sharply.
“I’m afraid we have already taken steps to strengthen our northern border,” said Gakuru. “If the Ethiopians launch a military operation against these Edens, we cannot have it spilling over into our territory.”
“But you could open the road to Cumba,” said Cassandra. “The Edens could enter there.”
“I’m afraid it is not possible,” said Gakuru. “We respect what you are trying to do, but this no longer involves Kenya.”
“I understand that, but we would like it to involve Kenya again.”
“There is much you do not understand,” said Gakuru. “These are uncertain and dangerous times. Such a thing as you propose could gain Kenya dangerous enemies.”
“You mean Ethiopia?” asked Cassandra.
“And the Caliphate,” answered Pili.
“But you are obviously willing to risk this if the situation is right,” said Cassandra. “Otherwise you would never have agreed to help the Israelis in the first place.”
“That was a different arrangement,” said Pili. “The Israelis were willing to make it worth the risk.”
“What were they willing to offer in return?”
Gakuru sat back and smiled. “That was a private agreement between business partners and does not bear on this current conversation.”
“What would it take to make it worth the risk again, then?” asked Cassandra.
Gakuru and Pili spoke again in Swahili before Gakuru turned back to them. “You understand that I am in no position to make such an agreement, but I can outline terms that I believe my government would find acceptable. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” said Cassandra. “We understand and are in much the same position.”
“This is how things get done after all,” said Geoffrey. “Let us work them out at the lower levels.”
“Indeed,” responded Gakuru. “I believe it is possible that our government would risk the disfavor of the Caliphate and Ethiopia by granting these Edens temporary asylum. In return, Kenya would like support at the United Nations. There are several important votes coming up soon.”
“The Free Communities does not have a seat at the UN,” said Cassandra.
“Yes, but the United Kingdom does. It has veto power over any resolution and is a permanent member of the Security Council. We understand that it is in everyone’s best interest if our arrangement remains secret, but they can support us quietly through the casting of votes in our favor.”
“That might be a tall order,” said Geoffrey.
“That is not all, my friend,” said Gakuru. “If Kenya comes under attack from the Caliphate, either directly or through a proxy such as Ethiopia, then both the United Kingdom and the Free Communities must come to its aid militarily.”
“You’re talking about a secret military alliance,” said Cassandra. “Those are very dangerous things, which is why they went out of fashion many years ago.”
“I am not exactly talking an alliance,” said Gakuru. “You will come to our aid if we are attacked, but we will not come to yours. You must understand we are only a small poor African country, whereas the UK and the FC are rich and powerful.”
Cassandra stifled a snort. “The FC is hardly in the UK’s league.”
“But you are growing as the number of Edens grows.”
“I’m not sure that’s going to be possible,” said Geoffrey. “The UK is trying t
o walk a fine line between a number of dangerous players.”
Gakuru nodded. “Then you understand the position we are in.”
Geoffrey was shaking his head. “I still don’t think that will be possible. Perhaps some other considerations, such as medical supplies or food?”
Gakuru shook his head. “I do not believe that will be sufficient, but rest assured this will not affect our friendship.” He and Pili stood. “I hope you enjoy the rest of your time in Nairobi.”
“Give us some time,” said Cassandra, looking at Geoffrey. “We might be able to make this work.”
Geoffrey looked at her as if she had lost her mind.
“Of course,” said Gakuru. “Might I suggest you do not wait too long. From my understanding, the Ethiopians are concentrating their military for a final attack on the Edens.”
“Yes,” said Cassandra, controlling herself and shaking the two Kenyans’ hands. “Thank you. We will be in touch.”
Cassandra didn’t speak as they climbed into the SUV and left NIS Headquarters.
She realized Geoffrey was angry with her, so she invited him out to dinner in order to soothe his irritation. Their hotel restaurant was rumored to be the finest in the city and she made reservations for two, donning a revealing evening dress.
If he is smitten with me, now is the time to use that to my advantage.
Cassandra made sure she was already at the table when Geoffrey arrived. She could see from across the room that he was still angry, but his face softened at the sight of her. She stood to greet him.
“You look amazing,” he said taking her hand and kissing her cheek. He then walked behind her to help her with the chair before seating himself.
“I took the liberty of ordering some champagne,” she said. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. Are we celebrating something?”
“The future.”
Both stopped talking as the waiter returned with a bottle in an ice bucket. He opened the bubbly and filled two flutes.
Geoffrey lifted his glass to her. “To the future, then.”
“To the future,” she responded, clinking her glass to his and then taking a sip.
“Should we order?”
Eden's Exodus (Plague Wars Series Book 3) Page 15
