Wings of the Morning (46 page)

‘How do we do that? Felix and I wrestled with it. We need skills, therefore people. We need equipment, materials, stores. But we’re not starting with nothing. There are assets
already in place. There are drains and dams and roads and power stations and a municipal bus service. OK, they’re in a bad state but they do exist. There are basics which operate. Our task is
to repair and improve — quickly.

‘For this, we want the basic skills. We need more builder than architect, more doctor than brain surgeon, we want cooks, mechanics and plumbers. We can get to poets and lecturers later.
First priority is to get the show onto a better maintained road.

‘So how do we get there with all our people and kit? Fergus has told you that Zero Strike Force will travel by sea and so will all the other elements of Zero. There will be three ships in
total, plus one plane.

‘Our principal vessel is now called “MV Orphans Angel”. She was built in Germany in 1995. About 75000 gross tonnage, some 900 feet long and 110 wide. Ten decks. Constructed for
the cruise market. She was to be mothballed for a couple of years because her owners had found a larger liner for their West Coast and Alaska business. Orphans has chartered her for a five year
term. Under our contract, we are permitted to convert her, so the “Angel” is now docked in Korea with changes being made to her accommodation. She will emerge with fewer bars and
restaurants, the most spacious cabins becoming workplaces, one cinema converted to a conference hall, the gymnasium much enlarged and better equipped, a huge supermarket and a complete hospital
section. The “Angel” is a fine ship and she has come to us with an established skipper, an Australian, plus his officers and about half the required complement of crew.

‘The other two vessels are container carriers built about twelve years ago, fifteen thousand tons each and both are roll on – roll off. We have bought them outright and we have a
captain and crew for one, but not yet for the other. We have called them “Orphans Hope” and “Orphans Dawn”, a bit schmaltzy but good for PR.

‘“Orphans Hope” is currently under sub contract and doing work between Europe and Russia. She will come back to us next summer in July, and will get a thorough inspection in
Rotterdam before proceeding to Felixstowe for loading in October 1999. She will carry all of our back up supplies: food, both dry and refrigerated, and a huge variety of other stores as well,
everything from furniture to fireworks, medicines to metals, cookers to cradles.

‘“Orphans Dawn” is different. As you’ve heard from Fergus, she will transport our strike force and the fuel reservoir which we’ll need, particularly for the
aircraft but also for the armoured cars, Land Rovers, trucks, forklifts, generators. She’s now at a shipyard in Pakistan. They’re making a form of flight deck on her, but it’s
hidden behind a wall of empty containers and they’re adding a machine lift so there’ll be access to the deck below. “Dawn” will emerge as a fighting ship in disguise and
able to fly off the helicopters she carries.

‘Now back to the big ship — “Orphans Angel”. When her conversion is complete, “Angel” will leave Korea and make her way to Hong Kong, arriving there in about
twelve months’ time. It’s a very expensive place to berth but Hugh and I think it will be worth making a news splash. It will be at this destination that the recruits to Orphans of
Africa will enrol and it will be from Hong Kong that “Angel” will sail with much publicity and cork popping.

‘I have a little more detail for you on how this programme will progress. Felix is working to finalise the skills we want to hire. We’ve already started to interview locally in
Europe, the States and Asia but the process of engaging people won’t crank up until the middle of next year. The basic deal, however, will be the same for all to whom we offer a job. The
contract of employment is for twelve months commencing 1st December 1999, including two months paid leave to be taken at the end. So you’re paid ’till November 2000, free to go at the
end of September. Salaries vary according to the post, but all to be paid by transfer from Hugh’s Bank in Tortola, BVI. Follow on contracts available in principle, to be negotiated during
year One. You are flown free to the ship in Hong Kong and at termination back to your airport of origin. No cost of living. Food and accommodation provided on the “Angel”. No further
perks or bonus. If you want health or life insurance, fix it for yourself.’

‘I am quite sure,’ said David, ‘that this package is going to produce all the applicants we want. We’ll need to weed them out carefully, but there are sure to be some
rotten apples and we just have to deal with them as and when. But there’s something further of course. All these people, from all around the world are essentially being engaged under false
pretences. The business plan for Orphans is perfectly genuine and reflects all our aspirations. But we make no mention of the first part, the interregnum during which we are taking over a country
and establishing a brand new nation. If that deception offends anyone, we don’t argue. We simply pay them up and fly them home.’

It was Pente who interrupted him, ‘how many are we talking about, David?’

‘Round figures. The “Angel” carries three thousand. Say five hundred crew and the rest our recruits to the Orphans mission.’

There was the immediate expostulation around the table which he had anticipated. He held up his hands to gain some silence and went on.

‘I know. These are big numbers, and so are the costs for them — win or lose. And of course, Zero Strike Force is on top and much more expensive per head. In addition, there’s
all the hardware and equipment. But we can’t do things by halves: that way leads to frustration at best or disaster at worst.’

David paused briefly before moving towards his conclusion.

‘There’s no time limit to our discussion today and you can look at all our figures as closely as you like. But first, hear again from Hugh as to where we are on the money.’

On cue, Hugh came in.

‘I’ve only one thing to add. We can get to the total five billion from the sources I’ve covered. I’m quite sure of that, but my confidence received a boost from news just
a week ago when Dundas Securities received its single largest investment. It’s for one billion dollars and it has reached us from a lawyer in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles. He’s a man
named Carl J Brogan and I know the identity of his largest client. Brogan has acted over the last twenty years for Mobutu Sese Seko, the deceased President of Zaire. Brogan continues to look after
the estate for his inheritors. It’s a fine irony that this contribution to Zero comes from an African ruler who was famously corrupt. Mobutu embezzled over five billion US dollars during his
rule and now twenty per cent has come back to help with a new start on the continent.’

The participants in this crucial meeting were by now mostly slumped in their chairs, exhausted by the concepts and the figures. David acknowledged this by suggesting a break for them all and a
chance for some individual conversations.

‘You have listened to a great deal of detail,’ he told them, ‘but it’s the whole of the grand plan which flays the senses. I know and I understand. I’ve been living
with it for so long and I still peek over that precipice myself. You have every right to ask if this is a new dawn — or a perfect storm. All I ask is for your complete and honest reactions.
Hold nothing back.’

By now, he was standing and starting to move towards the buffet, checking his watch and not surprised to find the time already past 4 pm. Outside, London’s winter evening wrapped itself
around them. There was an aura of detachment. Everybody moved from the table, some through the door towards the washrooms, others to the buffet. David’s assistant Ursula bustled out in search
of fresh coffee. David took another glass and returned to his seat. He sensed dejection amongst them, disappointment: or was it disbelief? Aischa came to sit with him and they whispered together as
he described his feelings.

She shook her head.

‘It’s none of those, Darling one. It’s exhaustion. There’s a huge lot to take in and you’ve worn us out. But not completely: look at Hugh and Felix, all pumped up
and raring to go.’

David glanced around and could see she was right. She spoke again, ‘give us a good break. I’m just going to the loo, but I’ll be right back.’ They smiled at each other as
she slipped away and David slouched back, sipping at his tonic water and feeling refreshed by her words.

There was more comfort to come from King Offenbach, who sat on one corner of the table swinging his leg as he began,

‘I’d as soon keep this between ourselves, David. It’s spooks territory and it won’t help anyone else to know about it.’

David looked up at the familiar, quizzical smile and immediately felt invigorated. It was clear that King was coming from acceptance and embellishment rather than rejection.

‘Go on,’ he said.

‘OK, my friend, I’ll do just that. But first, a mite of reassurance for you. I’ve not changed my mind. I’m with you like I said before and I’ll be staying that way.
That’s a promise, and I can add something to it now. I’m mighty impressed. You’ve done a whole lot of work to pull all this together, David. Of course, you’ve got the help
of one powerful team what with Felix and this Fergus who looks damn good to me. To say nothing of Hugh Dundas,’ and King shook his head in admiration, ‘extraordinary guy. But with all
of that, it’s you who’s taking the point and driving Zero forward. Congratulations.’

‘Thank you, King.’

‘They’re well deserved. But now, here’s my contribution. You’re well prepared already and you’ll sure as hell be doing a whole lot more during the next twelve
months. I’m pretty confident that you’ll steam right on in there, but my thinking is around what happens after. What’s the rest of the world going to say? What’s going to be
international reaction and response even? Have you given that any thought, David?’

‘Well yes, I have, King but maybe not enough. What’s your point?’

‘It’s this. I reckon you’re gonna stir up a helluva hornet’s nest. Within a day or so, you’ll have them table thumpin’ in the capitals of Europe,
there’ll be preening and posin’ in Washington and Downing Street. Outrage on all sides and you know why? Because the big hitters don’t like to feel themselves outsmarted and they
sure as hell will be feeling surprised. That means there’s the danger of one or more of them saying “hold on now. Nobody told us about this. What the hell’s going on?. We’ve
gotta do something.” And that would be real dangerous, David. It could start bringing you guys all the attention that you really do not want.’

David sat straighter in his chair. ‘I’m with you King. So what do we do?’

‘Distraction’ was the immediate answer, ‘Distraction and diversion. If anyone starts to get pushy with us, we need to have a counter punch ready which can at least buy us time
‘cos that’s what we’ll need most. Leave it to me and I’ll be ready if and when we need it.’

They were interrupted by Pente looking for some time with David, who moved on feeling contented by his conversation with King.

They were all back in the dining room now, but still in small groups or two together as animated discussion continued. After a while, David invited them to sit down again, saying that he had one
further matter to present to them before bringing their session to a close.

‘It’s been a long day already,’ he said, ‘and I expect a part of you is asking questions. Why do this? Why try against all the odds and strive for the unthinkable? Why
take such risks? My answer? Because there’s the need, there’s a clear purpose and because I’ve been given the opportunity to try. And that’s what I’m going to
do.’

He didn’t wait for reaction. He built on his moment by rising to walk around the table, placing before each of his companions a leather bound folder. He returned to the end of the table
and remained standing as he spoke to them.

‘You will find here a résumé of the plan and facts we have considered. It concludes with our destination and the date of our arrival. On the first day of the new century, we
will found here a new country which we will call Millennium and over its capital, Century City, we will raise the flag of a new nation in Africa.’

He did not need to issue a further invitation. They turned their pages to find the maps, the photographs and the depiction of a flag, a solid square of that azure blue, the cloudless sky of
Africa and upon it, the thin outline of a rising crescent moon.

JOSH TROLLOPE — February 1999

On a cold afternoon, Josh took the train from London and in due course came home to his terrace house in Marlborough. He let himself into the loneliness, missing Moira as
keenly as ever although it was nearly five years since the pneumonia had taken her. He made himself get on with it, to unpack his small case and make a cup of tea as he thought over the events of
the last few days. He had enjoyed himself: the sense of involvement and of making contribution. The renewal of an old friendship.

It had started with a phone call from Rory, his son of whom he saw little these days. Not that Josh was complaining. Rory was now thirty-four, long grown and gone, but evidently fulfilled in his
job with Bastion in the Far East. The quality of contact between father and son was good and better two days later when Rory flew in with his boss, a Mr Carradine who seemed to have the right cut
about him to be the officer commanding. He had done most of the talking. They were planning a mercenary operation in Africa and needed to find a discreet advance party. Rory was pretty sure his Dad
could help. Josh listened, liked the approach, made his contact and packed his small case. Then the three of them took a direct flight from London Gatwick to Lagos, Nigeria.