Sky Masters полностью

“I have a simple question, Mr. Vice President,” Mikaso said, a gleam of humor now shining in his eyes and a hint of a smile tugging at the comers of his lips. “Do you honestly expect the Philippine people to believe this fairy tale? That the Chinese were victims of Filipino aggression… the Chinese graciously offered the use of their warships… the Chinese only protected themselves when you overran Puerto Princesa? Do you honestly expect the world to believe that the Chinese suddenly became our staunch ally simply to fight off the evil, corrupt New Armed Force troops and install your own Communist puppet into power?”

“They will believe it, Mikaso,” Teguina said slowly, “because… you will tell them.”

“Me? You expect me to betray my country, my homeland, just because of your threats and a Chinese rifle pointed at my head? Certainly you are joking,” Mikaso scoffed.

“This is the end of the American puppet regime in the Philippines, Mikaso…”

“No, it is not. I know you, Daniel. I am not the tottering old fool, the white-haired, senile figurehead you always believed I was. I chose you to become my vice president because your flowery speeches and socialist ranting and raving has awakened the political fire in a lot of people that never cared much for national politics.”

“You would not have been elected if it were not for me!” Teguina snarled.

“That’s right, Daniel, that’s right,” Mikaso admitted. “And you will not succeed without me. I understand the importance of a coalition government, and I understand that there are factions in this country that desire change. I was willing to accept the opposition party in order to carry our nation forward into the future after the departure of the Americans. You can do the same. If you want change,

Teguina, then have your National Democratic Front form its own coalition and defeat UNIDO. Have your party enact laws to give more funds to the people and less toward defense, if that’s what you propose. You are the Vice President. You carry considerable political power, more than your confused brain realizes.

“But… if you enlist outsiders’ help to overthrow the legitimate government and close down the parliament, people all over the world will fear you, and your own people will condemn you. And if you continue to rob the treasury, install yourself in luxury in the presidential palace, and turn our nation into a battleground, you will eventually feel defeat. There is always someone around the comer with a bigger gun and a bigger army—”

Teguina reached over, grabbed Mikaso by the lapels of his jacket, and said in a low, burning voice, “I don’t want your prostituted government anymore, old man.” He then pushed the President back into his seat and yelled, “Admiral! Enter!”

Mikaso stared as a contingent of about fifty Chinese troops rushed into his office. Several Presidential Guard soldiers were led in, some carrying the dead bodies of other policemen or soldiers.

Behind them all was a Chinese naval officer, about sixty years old, in white uniform slacks, dark helmet, a dark-blue jacket that appeared thick enough to be a bulletproof vest, and a sidearm. Beside the military officer, to Mikaso’s complete surprise, was the ambassador from the People’s Republic of China, Dong Sen Kim, who averted his eyes and would not look at Mikaso directly. Along with the Chinese troops came several of Mikaso’s Cabinet officials, most of whom were National Democratic Front members — but they also included Eduardo Friscino, the Minister of Interior.

“This is the new governor of the People’s Republic of the Sulu Islands, Eduardo Friscino,” Teguina said to Mikaso. “He has seen your frail attempts to restore American dictatorship to the Philippines and has agreed to join with me to form a better nation, separate but equal, different yet fused together for the good of all.”

Mikaso stared in disbelief at Friscino. “Eduardo—”

Eduardo looked like a whipped dog. Standing in front of all those armed soldiers, he already seemed on the verge of collapse; now, under Mikaso’s incredulous glare, he seemed to practically wilt into the floorboards, but said nothing.

“Because of the political and cultural separation that exists between the southern islands and the northern island,” Teguina continued, “I have decided to create a new state, a federation of provinces that will be independent yet closely allied to the north. Luzon and the Sibuyan islands will be known as the Democratic Federation of Aguinaldo. It will be under my control, protected by loyal military forces as well as New People’s Army groups formed into provincial militias.

“Palawan, Mindanao, and the Sulu Archipelago will be known collectively as the People’s Federation of the Sulu Islands,” Teguina went on. “Once joined officially, Aguinaldo and the Sulu Federation will once again become the Democratic Republic of Aguinaldo.”