Road To Hegemony

PROLOGUE. CH10: BIRTH

Over the next two months, Special Agent Balogun and his task force members were able to create an intelligence-sharing web between the Military, D.S.S, and the Lagos State Police Command. Though in its infancy, they were able to leverage it to pass Intel as needed to the D.S.S and the police leading to the prevention of more than thirteen heinous crimes including a planned mass shooting, some drug deals, and a bank robbery. They were also able to solve some old cases including finally figuring out the mole in the Police force.

The culprit was Deputy Superintendent of Police(DSP) Chris Abayomi. Intel revealed that he was not a corrupt police officer on the Bahd gang’s payroll but was actually the one running it. He used his capacity as the ‘personal assistant' to DCP Omase Bash, the Area commander for Lagos Island, to gain access to information on investigations against the gang, finding ways to disrupt them.

He was also one of the biggest detractors of Special Agent Balogun while he was still a detective in the force. He was the first person to agree to transferring Special Agent Balogun to the D.S.S. Not because he cared for him but rather to get him out of the way.

If convicted, he is facing a life sentence or even a death sentence.

So far,  Special Agent Balogun has been able to silence any doubters with his leadership of the task force. Even Special Agent Akeredolu has been thoroughly convinced and is now a staunch supporter. The Military command is also currently very satisfied with the successes of the task force and is waiting for the guidelines they would submit to replicate the same in other parts of the country.

However, if anyone asks what Special Agent Balogun was most proud of and happy about, it will be the fact that he has been able to handle matters, not only in the task force but also, at home without conflicting the two.

A week after the JAMB examination, Kola Balogun receives a mail informing his admission into the Nigerian Military University. He was required to fill in details about his course of choice and other extracurricular activities.

He decided to choose Advance Military Studies as his major and Criminology as his minor degree.

He also applied for the advanced special forces training program. This decision was made, by him, after long consideration. According to the man in the suit, he met in a canteen after his JAMB exam, the higher the authority or influence he has, the more he could help his brother. Joining an elite Spec Ops unit like the army’s Eagle squad, the navy's division49 would be the best choice to fast-track his career into a position of influence before his brother needs him.

With a plan in his head, stroking the ring on his finger, he looked to the future.

Mrs. Shade Balogun has been over the moon the first month of her pregnancy. Even with all the fears surrounding it, she only sees the good in it. She’s going to have another child.

With the help she’s getting from her family and friends, she believes she will pull through. The Balogun family, more or less, gave her hospital a blank cheque for her treatment. She can not but be grateful, even though she is a very successful criminal lawyer and is rich personally in her own right, she definitely can’t pay what the family is offering. She is also grateful to her husband because, even if he doesn’t say it, she knows he had something to do with it and is definitely doing something in return for the family. After all, the family has more than 300 members, so that kind of money can’t be given out without something in return no matter how small it may be. She noticed her husband has been a lot busier lately, but even with that, he makes time to be there for her.

She can’t wait to give birth, to let everyone know that it was worth it.

Onikan Hospital

Shade and her husband arrive at the hospital for this week’s agreed check-up. It’s the fifth week of pregnancy and so far so good, as far as she can see, everything looks to be going fine. Dr. Maja completed her check-up and said, “I want you to rest now. I need to explain some things to your husband. I will say it again, ‘don’t do any strenuous activity'. I know it’s something every pregnant woman is told but it is more so for you. Baba Kola, follow me to my office, please. “ Both husband and wife nodded. Shade adjusted to rest on the bed while her husband went with Dr. Maja.

Dr. Ayoola Maja’s Office

They arrived in the office and sat down. “Hope there’s no problem? “ Asked Special Agent Balogun

“Well, her body is under more stress than usual. I know it’s not obvious because of her emotional state but it’s there. Her body is providing for her and her baby after all. What’s bothering me is that the sixth week to about the tenth week is the first growth spurt she will undergo. I was hoping to have her here in the hospital through this period for proper observation. The funds from your family more than cover it.” Said Dr. Maja seriously.

“Anything you say, we will do. All I want is for both of them to be alright at the end of it all. “ accented Special Agent Balogun

“I will prepare a long stay VIP ward for her then.” Said Dr. Maja.

The sixth to the tenth week of pregnancy is the period where important organs such as the heart and brain begin formation. Facial features become distinct and noticeable through ultrasound, reproductive organs begin formation allowing a guess of gender, and most importantly, increase in size. At the end of this period, the baby is no longer an embryo but now a fetus.

During this period, Dr. Maja’s fear came true and Shade’s physical health plummeted. Nutritional IVs had to be given to support her. This continued until the third month of her pregnancy when something baffling happened.

The baby stopped growing. Only nutrients, just enough for itself survival, were given to OR taken by the fetus. Everything else was used to reinforce the mother’s failing health. This went on till the fifth month, a time when the mother was healthy again. Dr. Maja and her colleagues were baffled, shocked but most importantly, happy for the mother and child.

From the fifth month(i.e actually the fourth month of baby’s growth) till the tenth month(ie actually the ninth month of baby’s growth) everything went on as expected.

However, after this tenth month, even though the baby is fully developed, Shade did not go into labor.

Then the eleventh month…

Then the twelfth month…

Luckily, tests and scans showed the baby is alive and well, receiving enough nutrients to stay alive. In fact, his brain never stopped developing. Also, Shade’s constitution was constantly being strengthened. Doctors guessed that the mother was still too weak to give birth safely, hence, the labor is being delayed.

Since there were no adverse effects on the mother and child, doctors decided to allow the status quo to remain. They believe that it might be beneficial to both. The mother’s physique is being strengthened while the baby’s brain is undergoing further development increases the likelihood of him being a natural genius.

Finally, the thirteenth month…

Shade went into labor and gave birth to a baby boy. The day is May 4th.

Everyone involved was happy. From family to friends to doctors and nurses that play a part in the entire journey.

Seven days later, a naming ceremony was held. The baby was named Korede Balogun.

Shade received more good news. While she was pregnant, she was nominated as a candidate, subject to approval, for a position as a Federal High Court judge. A nomination she turned down after weighing her situation. Now, she received news that she has been called to the inner bar and is now a Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN). She and her husband celebrated while Kola carried his little brother.

Throughout the naming ceremony, Kola noticed something interesting. Aside from their father, mother, and himself, if anyone else carried Korede, he would cry loudly. Almost as if he recognized them. Looking at his brother’s innocent face, he thought, ‘To think someone so tiny and fragile will change history.’ He took a breath and swore in his heart, ‘I will protect you for as long as I have the power to help.’

Kola looked up at his parents “What an interesting family.”

A future D.S.S management staff, a S.A.N, a future Spec Ops soldier, and a future bookmark of history.

END OF BOOK 1: ORIGINS