Teguina let the suitcase fall, both as a show of defiance, because he felt guilty by having it in his possession, and because he suddenly did not have the strength to hold it. He placed his hands casually behind his back where Samar would not see them shake, and sneered, “I see your time with your American friends has not helped to improve your looks, Samar.”
“Nor has your time with your Chinese friends improved your integrity,” Samar said. “Where are they, by the way? We saw very few in the city today.”
“I no longer need the Chinese to help me secure my country,” Teguina said. “Your revolution has failed, your followers have been destroyed, your troops have been slaughtered. The people know that I am their President—”
“The people now know that you are a liar, a thief, and a traitor,” Samar said casually. He motioned to a man standing behind him, who was photographing the whole scene with a professional-quality videotape camera. A soldier carried the suitcase over to him and opened it so they could photograph its contents; then the cameraman swung it back and took pictures of Teguina’s shocked, disbelieving expression. “You will be taken into custody and tried by the Parliament and the Supreme Court. I hope they vote to execute you.”
“And do you expect to preside over the trial yourself?” Teguina asked mockingly. “You are hated in this country. The people blame you for all that has happened. You as President of the Philippines will ensure civil unrest and political hatred for the next generation — you will tear this country apart far worse than I ever could. If I am sentenced to die on the gallows of Marikina Cathedral, I will certainly see you there beside me.”
“I will let the people and the Parliament decide that,” Samar said. “And I will not preside over your trial — the President will.”
Teguina’s smile vanished, and he looked at Samar’s face in complete confusion. “The… President? But if you will not preside—”
Samar turned to watch as the helicopter that had been safely orbiting the rooftop now began its descent. When it landed, the left side opened…
… and out stepped Arturo Mikaso.
Teguina could not believe his eyes. His jaw dropped open in complete surprise as Mikaso stepped toward him. “Hello, Daniel,” the Philippine President said. “Thank you for allowing us the use of your getaway helicopter.”
Teguina also noticed that a Chinese Army officer and two American military officers also stepped out of the same helicopter. “What… what kind of conspiracy is this?” he stammered.
“No conspiracy, Daniel,” Mikaso said. “The Chinese military has always said that they are in the Philippines to support the legitimate government against rebels who wish to seize power. Well, I am the legitimate government, and you are a traitor. They now support my government, along with the American military. Now that the Filipino military is firmly behind me once more, their services are no longer required, and they have advised us that they are departing immediately — as are the Americans.”
“But… but I thought you were dead!”
“You mean, you thought I had been executed,” Mikaso corrected him. “I have learned that the Chinese dislike the stain of honor that goes with executing a head of state. They shot me all right — but it was only a superficial wound. Then they put me in protective custody — a prison in any sense of the word, but I think a far better fate than one that you had in store for me.” He nodded to the Commonwealth Defense Force guards. “Take the First Vice President into custody. I have already advised the Speaker of the Parliament of this action; he will meet you at Government House with a copy of my warrant sworn out against Teguina.”
After Teguina was led away, Mikaso and Samar stood and faced each other. Samar wore an expressionless visage; Mikaso a slight smile. “So, General Samar. Are you happy to see me as well?”
“Why did you stay in custody so long?” Samar asked bitterly. “The country has suffered much because of your silence.”
“I had little choice in the matter, Jose,” Mikaso explained. “While I was recuperating, the Chinese were trying to decide which way the wind was blowing before really killing me. If they had not seen what kind of fool Teguina was, I would be six feet under a dungheap in Manchuria by now.” He sighed, looking across to the surrounding skyscrapers and tropical trees of Manila, then added, “The country needed to experience a little suffering, Jose,” Mikaso said. “There will always be those who think that armed struggle and revolution will accomplish more than democracy. I think the people had a taste of what happens when democracy is not allowed to work. If democracy fails, the will of whoever has the biggest or the best guns prevails. That means death and destruction on a massive scale.”
