"Secret Weapon and Last Hope" from Secret Weapon and Last Hope
The wars continued. David courageously led the Cedrians through some of their hardest years. As more and more neighboring countries began to recognize Cedrian sovereignty, the governor-general began to shift towards cutting his losses and ending the war before more budget was depleted towards a lost cause. After years of bloodshed, the Cedrian prime minister and the governor-general met for the first time. Their summit was high stakes, since one wrong move could wipe the Cedrian Republic off the map. But the province was finally open to discussion and, after careful consideration, David accepted the invitation to come to the capital to negotiate. Diplomats on both sides established missions in both territories. They could either have wars or discussions. And both sides were too exhausted to continue the former. Now that the Cedrian Republic had proved itself, the province was willing to negotiate. But the relationship between the two countries was very fragile.
“Well, this is rather awkward,” thought David.
The governor-general was equally uncomfortable shaking hands with the Cedrian prime minister. Enemies become friends when practicality necessitates it.
The Cedrian nation set up an embassy in the capital of the province. And the province set up an embassy in the heart of Cedrian territory. Both parties enjoyed a forced friendship just like the mutually-assured destruction of nuclear attack kept peace during the Cold War.
The Cedrian prime minister and the governor-general entered the Executive Mansion. They spent hours discussing the needs of each of their nations. David was scared shitless the whole time. A tiny, powerless minority group – easier to wipe out than a precarious Jenga setup on the verge of collapse – was faced with the most powerful province in the land. How could he stand up to the governor-general? How could he get anything he wanted? Yet the discussions are a great sign for the Cedrians – so they have a chance of negotiating their survival. The intense pressure of speaking up to the powerful governor-general was exhausting David – the fate of the entire Cedrian Republic was in his hands. He was one man representing his entire country, and the burden was huge – and the stakes were high. David’s performance at this summit was like Pheidippides running an exhausting marathon to save his nation during the war – and his people depended on it. At last, the negotiations became more informal. They had tea and enjoyed a performance during the break between discussions. David finally took a deep breath and relaxed a little bit – but not too much. He could never let his guard down in enemy territory. The banquet was tonight, with a performance to celebrate their discussions. There would be cake prepared by the best pastry chefs in the province, and much champagne to go around. And David really could use some champagne to take the edge off right now. The two leaders passed through the Executive Mansion and the banquet hall and past the cabinet room.
“After you, prime minister,” the governor-general said as he held the door open for David.
“Ah, thank you, governor-general.”
As David entered the hallway, the door suddenly slammed behind him. Provincial guards seized him. He was trapped! Seventeen guards surrounded David and there was no way out. David screamed. But, alas, the orchestra was playing behind the closed door. And the paparazzi kept focusing on the beautiful lady in the red dress. “Help!” screamed David as the guards beat him and tied his arms. The newspapers interviewed the governor-general about what a successful summit today was. Meanwhile, on the other side of the door, David was passed out from chloroform. His body was taken to the end of the hallway where it was hidden in a box. What next?
The governor-general met with his cabinet. Major General Hughes proposed, “Kill the prime minister! Then take back the Cedrian land that is rightfully ours. If we kill the prime minister tonight then we can commence the attack tomorrow. We’ll have the advantage because their leader’s death will cause a power vacuum. They will be unorganized and victory will be easy.”
“I disagree!” interjected the Minister of the Interior, “Keep him as a hostage. We will hold the upper hand in negotiations. The Cedrians will give us anything we want in exchange for their precious little David.”
“I propose both,” replied the governor-general.
At the ransom exchange, the governor-general met with Patrick II, the son of Patrick the Great.
“David is in this box,” he said as the soldiers laid down a heavy crate, “Do you have the gold?”
“All 8,000 crowns, as requested.” And Patrick II showed the governor-general the bag of coins.
“Great. So we’ll be off then.”
Patrick II approached the box. As he opened it, he took the bag off of the captive’s head. It was David’s chauffeur!
“Where’s David?!” Patrick II demanded.
“He’s dead. I shot him myself with my pistol to his head. You have no leader. And you just gave me 8,000 gold crowns. Surrender now or we invade the Cedrian Republic.”
What a terrible predicament for the poor Cedrians. Were they naïve in trusting the ransom exchange? Of course. But if your beloved leader is captured, 8,000 gold coins is nothing compared to a priceless human life. And it was worth a shot. They would be kicking themselves for not trying to save their prime minister.
Patrick II reflected in deep sorrow. His leader was dead, and his Cedrian nation was about to be invaded. It will take Cedrian Parliament three months to hold elections and debate who should be the next prime minister. But, alas. The Cedrian Republic will collapse in three days. As soon as the provincial guard invades, if the Cedrians haven’t decided on their leader, they won’t stand a chance.
“I’m taking charge of this situation. My nation depends on it,” Patrick II thought to himself. He took after his father, Patrick the Great, the national savior of the Cedrians. Patrick II summoned all of his courage – and all of his nation’s manpower – to unite in defense of their sacred Cedrian nation.
Violence begets violence. Only love can cure hate. Patrick II met his lover.
“Rebecca, I have a favor to ask of you. It may require great personal sacrifice. But the fate of our nation depends on it.”
“Anything, Patrick. What do you need?”
“You remember the night at the embassy ball? Where you wore your beautiful red dress and everyone fell in love with you?”
“Yes.”
“Go to the governor-general. Infiltrate enemy lines. Make him fall in love with you. Then report back all of the military secrets you’ve learned from him. It will give us an advantage in the fight.”
“Are you sure?”
“A heart in love is more powerful than a thousand guns. You are our secret weapon. And, frankly, you are our last hope.”
“Well, this is rather awkward,” thought David.
The governor-general was equally uncomfortable shaking hands with the Cedrian prime minister. Enemies become friends when practicality necessitates it.
The Cedrian nation set up an embassy in the capital of the province. And the province set up an embassy in the heart of Cedrian territory. Both parties enjoyed a forced friendship just like the mutually-assured destruction of nuclear attack kept peace during the Cold War.
The Cedrian prime minister and the governor-general entered the Executive Mansion. They spent hours discussing the needs of each of their nations. David was scared shitless the whole time. A tiny, powerless minority group – easier to wipe out than a precarious Jenga setup on the verge of collapse – was faced with the most powerful province in the land. How could he stand up to the governor-general? How could he get anything he wanted? Yet the discussions are a great sign for the Cedrians – so they have a chance of negotiating their survival. The intense pressure of speaking up to the powerful governor-general was exhausting David – the fate of the entire Cedrian Republic was in his hands. He was one man representing his entire country, and the burden was huge – and the stakes were high. David’s performance at this summit was like Pheidippides running an exhausting marathon to save his nation during the war – and his people depended on it. At last, the negotiations became more informal. They had tea and enjoyed a performance during the break between discussions. David finally took a deep breath and relaxed a little bit – but not too much. He could never let his guard down in enemy territory. The banquet was tonight, with a performance to celebrate their discussions. There would be cake prepared by the best pastry chefs in the province, and much champagne to go around. And David really could use some champagne to take the edge off right now. The two leaders passed through the Executive Mansion and the banquet hall and past the cabinet room.
“After you, prime minister,” the governor-general said as he held the door open for David.
“Ah, thank you, governor-general.”
As David entered the hallway, the door suddenly slammed behind him. Provincial guards seized him. He was trapped! Seventeen guards surrounded David and there was no way out. David screamed. But, alas, the orchestra was playing behind the closed door. And the paparazzi kept focusing on the beautiful lady in the red dress. “Help!” screamed David as the guards beat him and tied his arms. The newspapers interviewed the governor-general about what a successful summit today was. Meanwhile, on the other side of the door, David was passed out from chloroform. His body was taken to the end of the hallway where it was hidden in a box. What next?
The governor-general met with his cabinet. Major General Hughes proposed, “Kill the prime minister! Then take back the Cedrian land that is rightfully ours. If we kill the prime minister tonight then we can commence the attack tomorrow. We’ll have the advantage because their leader’s death will cause a power vacuum. They will be unorganized and victory will be easy.”
“I disagree!” interjected the Minister of the Interior, “Keep him as a hostage. We will hold the upper hand in negotiations. The Cedrians will give us anything we want in exchange for their precious little David.”
“I propose both,” replied the governor-general.
At the ransom exchange, the governor-general met with Patrick II, the son of Patrick the Great.
“David is in this box,” he said as the soldiers laid down a heavy crate, “Do you have the gold?”
“All 8,000 crowns, as requested.” And Patrick II showed the governor-general the bag of coins.
“Great. So we’ll be off then.”
Patrick II approached the box. As he opened it, he took the bag off of the captive’s head. It was David’s chauffeur!
“Where’s David?!” Patrick II demanded.
“He’s dead. I shot him myself with my pistol to his head. You have no leader. And you just gave me 8,000 gold crowns. Surrender now or we invade the Cedrian Republic.”
What a terrible predicament for the poor Cedrians. Were they naïve in trusting the ransom exchange? Of course. But if your beloved leader is captured, 8,000 gold coins is nothing compared to a priceless human life. And it was worth a shot. They would be kicking themselves for not trying to save their prime minister.
Patrick II reflected in deep sorrow. His leader was dead, and his Cedrian nation was about to be invaded. It will take Cedrian Parliament three months to hold elections and debate who should be the next prime minister. But, alas. The Cedrian Republic will collapse in three days. As soon as the provincial guard invades, if the Cedrians haven’t decided on their leader, they won’t stand a chance.
“I’m taking charge of this situation. My nation depends on it,” Patrick II thought to himself. He took after his father, Patrick the Great, the national savior of the Cedrians. Patrick II summoned all of his courage – and all of his nation’s manpower – to unite in defense of their sacred Cedrian nation.
Violence begets violence. Only love can cure hate. Patrick II met his lover.
“Rebecca, I have a favor to ask of you. It may require great personal sacrifice. But the fate of our nation depends on it.”
“Anything, Patrick. What do you need?”
“You remember the night at the embassy ball? Where you wore your beautiful red dress and everyone fell in love with you?”
“Yes.”
“Go to the governor-general. Infiltrate enemy lines. Make him fall in love with you. Then report back all of the military secrets you’ve learned from him. It will give us an advantage in the fight.”
“Are you sure?”
“A heart in love is more powerful than a thousand guns. You are our secret weapon. And, frankly, you are our last hope.”
