MY TREASURED DESIRE

Chapter FORTY-TWO: Don Leslie Adams' Show!

Saturday. 9:30 pm Local Time (12.30 pm, GMT or UTC.)

Riverine Community beneath the Lagos – New Beijing Bridge, Achaia.

20 Days Before the Proposed Traditional Marriage Between Alexa and Reynold.

John Doe’s Report.

The retired Colonel had warned me that he would blow my mind, shortly before we all alighted from the Achaian Navy’s Ferry and entered the village. Colonel Leslie seems to be the Local Chief of the village, the way he was familiar with the locals. When he led all of us to that big old, thatch-roofed house, he blew our minds in a senseless way… He spoke the local dialect for about 30 minutes, and the villagers were hugging him freely. Then, a young man who dressed like a local fisherman came out of the crowd, speaking fluent English Language. Achaia and Middleville are important nations of the British Commonwealth, after all…

“It was at about 3.00 pm Local Time, and the youths were gathered around the wide bank of the sea. The sad thing was the sporadic gunshots far away on the emperor’s bridge. We saw balls of fire, but the bridge was so high up. A mini earthquake was shaking our homes… The gunshots suddenly reduced. Then, at an interval of twelve minutes, we heard the wailing siren, and we felt that the police will end the c*****e… For we know that all those sporadic gunshots would not waste unless lives are wasted along with it… Again, we heard scanty gunshots at intervals, then another silence… I heard a single shot, followed by the loudest noise I had ever heard. Stronger fire engulfed the entire bridge, and I knew that cars were then exploding because balls of fire were hitting our sea.”

Colonel Leslie asked a question in the local dialect, and the gentleman's answer gave out the interpretation: “This is what happened next. It looked as if it was a movie… One man held a pretty lady and jumped with her from that far – about forty-five feet above the water level… The girl screamed when she saw the dangerous things in the boat, which she must fall into… Look over there,” the storyteller pointed to a place under the bridge as a motorised boat passed by and said, “Two flying boats like that passed slowly under the bridge like that! One carried dangerous things like metals and planks, while the other boat carried masked fighters. The lovers fell into the boat that had the dangerous materials. Oh God, it was like people crashing into knives and killer weapons from such a height. The masked men started hitting them with long weapons that looked like shovels… The two were no more screaming because they had fainted, but the fighters wanted them totally dead. That was when our youths who have been swimming to that direction - submerged under the sea - appeared and gave those men the unforgettable beating of their lives. Two of them escaped after seeing that the couple had died.”

“How do they know that the couple were dead?” Colonel Leslie asked.

The man screamed as he spoke, “We all saw them as dead, Chief… That was why we were so mad, and we almost killed those guys. We regret that we only broke a few jaws, arms, feet, and body parts of those terrors. I wished they had all died!”

“Why did you all feel so angered by the masked men? I learned that the same guys have been extorting cash from your community residents, here, without any one of you resisting,” I asked, buttressing my point in the process. But the man smiled dryly before saying his next words –

“When you see human beings killing helpless human beings who they never knew, the bystanders will have adrenaline gushing in their bodies. At such times you feel pleased to die for someone else… However, we already nursed enough grudge in our hearts against these ones. So, we struck. I am proud to say I stabbed one of those terrorists in the neck, but I never knew if he was saved!”

Leslie asked in English, “So, the masked fighters ran away from a few youths of the village and left their victims for dead?”

Another villager, a woman responded, “No, Chief. The youths overpowered that set of fighters and quickly seized the boat that contained the man and his woman. They overturned the other boat that contained the seriously wounded fighters – It was a terrible fight!”

I also asked, “Was that everything that led the couple to the present state?”

The sweet middle-aged woman asked me, “Do you know their present state? Dead or alive?” I shook my head, same as Leslie and our team members.

Then, she added, “I received the bodies of the couple and checked for their pulses…”

My heart started pounding loudly. The faces of the team members became melancholic, and Leslie shook his head slightly…

The woman continued, “they were alive, so I sent hefty boys to take them to our traditional healing home, there.” She pointed to the old, huge, thatch-roofed house, and continued… “Those soldiers’ boats that we seized were brought to our safe house… They are our war booty! But, as the weak soldiers were busy fighting with the hungry predator fishes, two bigger flying-boats appeared, saved those weak men, and came to us with guns, asking where the couple are! They hit, manhandled, and swore at a large number of our people at gunpoint!”

One man wearing a corporate suit surprised us with his appearance. “Hello, Government People,” he sounded, with an air of importance. “Do you need some assistance? I am the authentic voice of the village… I think you should not stay long around here. The Area Police would soon arrive!”

The crowd colourlessly started to reduce, as only the fisherman and the kind woman dared stay with us!

“Very Important Man, Thank You! We only need to know what you told your people – Area Police, I mean… when they asked you about your rescued guests,” Colonel Leslie asked with a smile…

The corporate man acted excited and ready for some news. He returned the smile and asked Leslie a follow-up question: “Be kind to tell me. I thought these villagers have finally confessed to you!”

I continued the fake friendliness and asked him, “Are you not the voice of the people, and should you not be aware, Sir?”

“If I had known, I would have informed the Area Police… Please, save my job, friends… I have a gift for all of you!”

Colonel Leslie handed the corporately dressed spokesman over to the Naval Policemen who came with our team and started speaking the local dialect again. The villagers gathered again, and life returned to the audience. Then he asked the people – “Why do you fear your Village’s spokesman so much?”

The sweet middle-aged woman answered with a question to her people: “Who was that man?”

“Traitor!” The people chanted, and Leslie quickly rose with his hands up, saying,

“Please, let him be!”

“No,” the people chanted. Then, the fisherman added with a loud voice, “These masked men are no Policemen! They are usurpers… That Traitor feeds from them and bribe any government official that comes to help us!”

“Should we wait to be sure if these men are not truly policemen?” I asked, with compassion, and there was a chorus, “YES!” So, I replied to them, “Done. Your spokesman will not be allowed to communicate with anyone until his Area Police comes, Okay? Then tell your people that they should stay on their beds no matter what they hear tonight! Do not come out to pay any tax! Alright?”

The people chanted louder, “Yes!”

Leslie asked the Sweet middle-aged woman if we could see the couple and she nodded.

Only a few Naval Policemen, Colonel Leslie and I entered the Traditional Healing Home. Dr. Reese looked so beautiful, even on her sickbed and I wondered if she was not an “Ogbanje” as we call the spirit beauties with esoteric powers in Southern Nigeria! I was so carried away looking at the Princess’ fairy countenance, till a heavy nudge from Leslie woke me up… Dr. Alex Junior looked sound, too. One healer was using herbs on them and speaking inaudible words… Then, I broke the silence in the fairly large room, “Are your patients, okay?”

The sweet middle-aged woman ended my worries with her words, “By 2 am today, they would even be strong enough to run, and follow you while you ride a car!”

Suddenly, some people shot into the air. However, the villagers have recoiled into their huts as we implored them to do. There was a voice of a person speaking through a megaphone: “Pay your taxes, no one can escape from the Government! We are keeping you safe from the pirates. We are your Area Police. A peep towards the seashore, one can see over two hundred men armed with swords and other weapons. Only their two leaders had AK-47 assault rifles.”

One of Leslie’s Men hid in one of the huts and focused his powerful video camera to cover the events of the night. Another of the Super-Expert Master of martial arts, then, came out and snatched the megaphone. He said, “Hello colleagues, your matter has been reported to the Imperial Office. This is a community in the Seat of our Government. I have been sent to appeal to you… This is 12:45 am. Please go back to your homes and let these law-abiding citizens enjoy their peace. Do not terrorize these villagers again. You are safe… This is an imperial hand of fellowship. We don’t want bloodshed!”

The masked man from whom the megaphone was snatched went back and snatched his megaphone back and responded… “we only recognise the Prince of Middleville, not your coward rulers in Achaia. You cannot stop us, so let these villagers save the lives of their innocent children and women and pay only a token tonight!”

As the masked announcer stepped away from the one who had earlier used his megaphone, about six swordsmen went to attack Super-Expert Master. Everyone on the masked men’s side was shocked at the dexterity of the strange, lone opposition. The Super-Expert Master disarmed two of his attackers and sliced those men with their team members’ swords. Within a few minutes, those men were dead meat. One of the leaders of the Fake Area Police directed his multiple-bullets-discharging weapon at the opposing Super-Expert Master but was shocked that he could use the heavy swords to parry the bullets into the crowd of the opponents’ army. The shooter’s bullets were exhausted in the process, but while he tried to replace his cartridge, one of the naval police personnel hit the head of the masked soldier with the butt of his gun, expertly disarmed and handcuffed him.

Simultaneously, three of Leslie’s super-expert masters entered the midst of the soldiers, breaking arms, disarming them, and leaving them limp at the seashores… With only five Super-Expert Master, the shocking m******e had happened… The rest of the soldiers, having seen about a hundred of their men maimed or killed and their identities exposed, ran away with their lives… Moreover, their two leaders have been arrested, their faces uncovered!

At 1. 30 am, the village Healers discharged the neurosurgeons. Leslie donated $2,000,000= to the Community, appreciating them for being their brothers’ keepers. He made his farewell speech and took permission to leave them for another season.

Colonel Doe commanded the cars on the bridge to be returned to the Command Headquarters. The Naval Officers prepared a boat to convey the neurosurgeons, with Leslie and John Doe. Then, Naval Officers took a few boats to convey the handcuffed masked men to the Headquarters. They all left through a route that led them to the sea dock behind the A.S.S.S. Headquarters, the government agency responsible for the collection, analysis, and appropriate dissemination of foreign intelligence. A.S.S.S. is also charged with the conduct of espionage activities outside British territory.

Sunday, 2:10 am Local Time (Saturday 6.10 pm, GMT or UTC.)

Crown Prince’s Residence, Imperial Palace, Achaia.

20 Days Before the Proposed Traditional Marriage Between Alexa and Reynold.

John Doe’s Report.

The neurosurgeons’ couple has just completed their treatment, and they were taken to Reese’s suite to recuperate! However, there was a little meeting in the large, magnificent Sitting Room with all the Six Super-Expert Masters, John Doe and the top team of the A.S.S.S., Don Leslie, Princess Alice George-Orji, Princess Alexa, Prince Raymond, Prince Reynold, and the King of Achaia in attendance. The throne seat of the King was also brought into the sitting room, and we met him sitting on it.

“Colonel Leslie Adams, I had fully restored your noble personality and integrity in the Military Force of Achaia: You have been promoted Brigadier-General with full honours and all the medals that goes with it… Your emoluments shall be paid in arrears in full complement of a General… Your General’s Pension will be prepared from tomorrow. Your vocation, henceforth, as Achaia’s Military Ambassador Plenipotentiary is hereby decreed. However, you will not be re-instated as a full-time soldier, but you will enjoy every benefit of a serving General. As I have no authority to annul a decision sanctioned by my father, His Imperial Majesty,” said the King, with a serious countenance. He stretched out his left hand and a well-dressed military man stepped forward, stamped his feet, saluted him, and handed him two files on which the King steadily appended his signature and affixed his seal. He gave the same to Prince Reynold who also signed the necessary documents in the two files. The crown prince handed the files to General Raymond and the king raised his right hand that has the signet ring. The ancient trumpet was sounded. It was so loud that it cut through the night!

“My second son, General Raymond – by this decree that we have signed – becomes the Chief of Imperial Defence Staff… while his elder brother takes up my position as the Field-Marshal and Commander-in-Chief of the Achaian Imperial Armed Forces! Prince Raymond, you may now begin your work as C.I.D.S. of Achaia… You shall maintain your G.O.C. position until the next emperor takes his decision on that.” the king pronounced.

The people rose to their feet and chorused, “As the King decrees, so shall it be… Long Live King ReyRey, The King of Achaia!” And the ancient trumpet filled the city again!

When the people took their seats, the Crown Prince appreciated his father – the King - for his pleasant surprises, on behalf of the recipients of the elevation. He announced that the decorations shall be done as part of the National Day Celebration. He continued,

“His Royal Majesty would take his leave as he wills; however, I must inform the new Ambassador Plenipotentiary to ask for a single favour from the King for delivering on his promise to the Imperial Council on this matter! Remember the Achaian Custom… The King shall convey to us, his decision after 72 Hours!”

Don Leslie was not overwhelmed, as some would have been. Hence, he said:

“I do appreciate His Royal Majesty for believing in me so much, and not waiting for me to succeed before going ahead to prepare the deeds for my honour… Now, I seek to be honoured to be – with my team – the bodyguards to Dr. Alex Junior and his fiancé as they return to the UK. Thank you so much, Your Royal Highness!”

Everyone was stupefied, and shocked that he did not ask for wealth or any other physical aggrandizement! Some schools of thought believed that the entreaty could be a trap!