The President stood up from the table and ran out.
Staff collected their things and scrambled to leave. They had a long sleepless night in front of them. No high-ranking official would sleep that night in the Empire.
At seven in the morning, the generals and the President met in the Map Room.
The President hunched over a massive table, studying a large map of South America as a hot cup of coffee laid on the edge with wisps of steam floating from the top of the coffee.
The President noticed his generals and invited them in.
“Generals, come right in and join me. Unfortunately, I had a sleepless night, so I have been here all night. Get yourself some coffee. A chef long ago hooked me on Indonesian Kopi Luwak.”
Coffee maker laid on a table near the corner of the room next to a large leather armchair. Coffee mugs, sugar cubes, and fresh cream were placed on a silver tray next to the coffee maker. On the other side, the President stacked several large, ominous-looking books of the Empire’s finances that would intimidate any reader.
Generals grabbed themselves some coffee and joined the President at the table.
“Troops are mobilized, and they’ll be in South America by tomorrow,” General Edwards stated.
”Good, how do you plan to invade?”
“We will load the amphibious war ships with equipment and soldiers and sail them right up to the capitals and see what happens,” the General of the Navy added.
“That is a good strategy. If they do not shoot, then no one should die.”
The President sipped his coffee again.
Generals also drank theirs.
“Generals, I am not worried about the invasion. It is paying for the cost of redevelopment. I expect little resistance, but you never know. Let me know if you experience any complications. Oh, by the way, how do you like the coffee?”
“Coffee is excellent, sir. It’s the best I ever had,” the General of the Air Force stated loudly.
“Good, my chef turned me onto this coffee years ago. I thought he was crazy, but he is right; this is the best coffee in the world. We are drinking coffee made from the excrement of a weasel-like animal, the civet. Their digestive systems remove the bitterness from the coffee beans, adding lots of flavor.”
General Edwards smiled and added, “Sir, I had eaten and drank a lot worse, when training for Army Rangers.”
Other generals smiled because they remembered some of their military training as young men and learned to subsist on raw food from the wild that would make a wild dog sick.
Generals finished their coffee and returned their coffee mugs to the silver tray.
“Do you men want some breakfast?”
“Sir, we can’t. We have a long day ahead of us. We must go.”
“Generals, let me know about any complications, immediately.”
“Yes sir,” the generals stated in unison, and then they filed out of the room.
The President poured himself another cup of coffee, adding a small drizzle of cream and one sugar cube. He stirred the mixture and sat down in his armchair.
He sipped his coffee, put it down on the table, and grabbed one of the thick books of the Empire’s finances. He had plenty of time before his next meeting.
At eight, the President ran into the Cabinet Room and sat at the head of the table, scanning the faces sitting at the table.
Everyone had a sleepless night with dark circles surrounding their eyes.
The President announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, how will we pay for this expansion? We do not have the money.”
“Can’t we call the new states - territories and insert exceptions into the law. We can issue special money that people and businesses can only use there but not in the Empire. Some day in the future, they can exchange this money for real money from the Empire after we had shore up our finances,” Chad stated.
“I do not like it because we mimic the democracy that we replaced. We start bending and shaping the laws to what we want. Danger is if we bend and manipulate the laws too much, then they lose meaning. Nobody will understand them, and eventually not follow them,” the President explained eloquently.
“Couldn’t we pass a temporary tax to pay for the expansion? People of the Empire will benefit from it too,” Jennifer added.
“That is the last option, but you know me. Taxes are never temporary. We become use to that money flowing in, and we never want to give it up.”
A sheepish, feminine voice spoke up and uttered, “Sir, we’re assuming we must pay for the expansion of the Empire. Why don’t we force the world to pay for our expansion?”
Everyone turned to see who had spoken.
A new face sat at the table, hidden in the corner. She was petite with short brunette hair. She parted her hair to one side and wore a dark, navy business suit with a white dress shirt underneath. She wore polished shoes somewhere between high heels and hush puppies. Her name was Lauren Woschiff.
The President stared at the new guest because he did not recognize her.
“Go on, I want to hear this,” the President said calmly.
“Can’t we counterfeit other countries' money like the Euro, the Chinese Yuan, or the Russian ruble, or have hackers open bank accounts in those countries. Then we use their money to buy our materials and equipment. Finally, we use dealers in small countries like Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey to buy the equipment and materials and deliver the materials to us in their ships. Of course, we cut them in on the profits. Then we face the labor costs of development. However, they work indirectly for the Empire, so they must pay income taxes.”
“Your plan is devious, but I like it. The Empire has no friends in the world, so we need not worry about anyone being angry with us. First, find some of those small countries and enter agreements with them. Second, scrap Russia, but add South Africa because it supplies the world with gold. We can buy their gold at a discount and add it to the gold in our vaults. Then we can legally expand the money supply. Finally, Venezuela’s petroleum industry should help pay some of the cost. We can finance the expansion of the Empire. Now ladies and gentlemen, I am really tired. I am going back to bed.”
Staff gathered their things, returned their coffee cups, empty plates, and silverware to the serving table, and rushed out the door.
The President waited until everyone left.
However, Dan, the Vice President, remained seated.
After the room had cleared, Dan started, “So, how do you like my new financial wizard?”
“She is brilliant and original. I like her. What is her name?”
“Her name is Lauren Woschiff. I know she’s brilliant; I saw her do some amazing stuff.”
“Where did you find her?”
“She was an intern from an Ivy League School. She was working for one of my managers, who always turned in mediocre reports. Then one day, his reports became good with specks of cleverness. I knew he didn’t do it. All I had to do was look at the employment records. His intern had started a week before he turned in his first good report. I stole her and put her to work for me.”
“Good, let’s create a new position for her where she can attend our cabinet meetings regularly. We can expect good ideas from her. I also give you the authority to raise her pay. As you know, I pay good money for good talent. I want the best and the brightest working for me.”
“Great! I knew you would like her. That’s why I snuck her in today.”
The President gathered his documents, slipping them into his leather folder, and starting to rise from his chair.
“Ah Jerrick,”
The President sat down in his chair because Dan rarely used his first name anymore.
The President looked at Dan in surprise.
“She also found out something else. She developed an algorithm that cross-references our budget numbers. Do you know we found evidence that someone skimmed billions of dollars from the budgets, a million here and a million there? After a wh
ile, those millions add up.”
“Oh, I see she is very clever. Yes, Dan I did skim the budgets. I needed to fund several projects off the books. You know I am a firm believer in technology. I used a slush fund to pay for new inventions. I do not want anybody to know about them. I want the Empire to develop the technology first before anyone else.”
“Is there anything I need to know?”
“Most of these projects were duds, except for three.”
“Really,” Dan said with a hurt tone in his voice. His best friend had kept secrets from him.
“One is we can reverse aging. Pills work great, and they make everyone turn back the clock to 20 years old. Unfortunately, the medicine does not stop and continues working on the body. Then it starts unraveling the body’s cells, and their bodies begin to fall apart. After we had figured a method to shut off the medication, then we will call it a success.”
“What are the other two?”
“You would not believe me if I told you. Let’s just say the Empire is not confined to the surface of the earth. Many new possibilities will open up for us in twenty years.”
Then the President gathered his things and returned to the bedroom, trying to fall asleep.
***
On June 1, 2030, the Empire sent its naval ships to Caracas, Venezuela first. This invasion differed from the previous invasions.
Crowds of people started celebrating as the Empire's soldiers unloaded tanks, and equipment.
Next, the army drove its procession of trucks through the streets slowly.
Crowds of people formed parades and moved to the sides of the street, allowing the military vehicles to pass. People stood on balconies, throwing confetti while crowds of people tossed flowers at the troops.
Stress and tension racked the Empire’s troops because they scanned the crowds, looking for unfriendlies with assault rifles. Soldiers didn’t want to shoot at the civilians because one or two gunmen hid in the crowds.
As luck would have it, no gunmen hid in the crowds that day, and no innocent people were shot.
Procession of soldiers reached the main campus buildings of Chavez’s government.
Buildings were vacant, and all offices were empty. Here and there, a dead body lay on the ground or occupied a chair in the office. They were high-ranking officials in Hugo Chavez’s government.
One squadron cautiously made their way to Hugo Chavez’s office.
Chavez’s assistants worked in a large ante-room before the President’s Office. El Presidente didn’t spare any expense. Room screamed wealth and opulence. Floors were marble; the room was painted a soft red pastel while the doors, desks, and crown moldings were a reddish mahogany.
Squadron carefully entered the President’s Office. It was identical in style and size of the first room. A large dark wooden desk was in the room’s center of the room.
Then the troops spotted a person sitting in a chair on the balcony. They only saw the chair’s back.
Person sat in a chair, looking out the balcony.
“El Presidente? El Presidente?” A soldier called out.
Person didn’t move.
As the soldiers approached slowly, they saw why.
Hugo Chavez was dead as his right hand fell to his lap, holding the gun with a rigor mortis death grip. He had a small hole on his right temple, and a large exit wound at his head’s back.
Hugo Chavez committed suicide hours before the invasion. He sat at this chair, watching his country from the balcony. As the Empire’s troops landed on the port, he stuck the gun to the side of his head and pulled the trigger.
As the soldiers turned to leave, a corporal approached Hugo Chavez’s desk, which was large, at least 4 feet long and 2 feet thick, and made from a darkly stained wood. Along the front of the desk, were four carved lion heads jutting outward in a row, and the sides of the desk had one lion head. Draped around the lion’s heads were banners, carved into the wood. Then a soft dark-green velvet covered the desk’s surface.
Another soldier turned and asked, “What is it?”
“This desk is quite exquisite, carved by hand, and must be a 100 years old.”
“You know Chavez had contacts with Russia. This could be a gift from the Russians. This desk probably came from Russian royalty passed down in a family for hundreds of years.”
Corporal announced on the radio, “We found Chavez. He committed suicide. We also found a gift for President Davis. Get some movers here ASAP.”
“Smart move! I heard the President collects knickknacks from dictators and kings. I’m sure he’ll love this desk.”
“Yes, corporal, the President will be very happy.”
***
Although President Chavez’s policies caused economic disaster, he had many dedicated followers.
President Davis granted Hugo Chavez a hero’s burial because one dictator admired and bestowed respect onto another.
President Davis paid for the construction of a massive, granite mausoleum for El Presidente, granting his followers a place to respect their fallen leader.
President Davis hid Hugo Chavez’s suicide, claiming El Presidente fought honorably to the end.
***
Colombia and Panama fell just as quickly. The Empire’s naval ships docked at the ports and unloaded the army.
One army sped towards Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, in jeeps and cargo vans while another army rushed to Panama City that lies on the southwest tip of the Panama Canal.
Along the way, the people stood along the streets, hollering and cheering as the Empire’s army had passed by. The Empire had arrived, bringing jobs, wealth, and prosperity. Their lives would become better.
***
Kahil Kafkas, the ship's captain, was a typical Turk. He was tall, thin with black wavy hair, and a dark complexion. Kahil as usual for the Turks was also handsome.
Ship and crew were waiting for dockworkers to load the cargo in Istanbul, Turkey. A crane carefully stacked 9,200 metallic 20-foot long containers on the deck like piles of bricks.
Captain hired a new first mate, and they stood in the control room, watching the activity on the deck.
“Captain, are we going to take this freight to the American Empire?”
“Yes; we are. We’ll drop this shipment in Venezuela, South America.”
“Aren’t you worried about sailing into the Empire’s waters? I heard President Davis has a large fleet of naval ships and satellites that blast ships out of the water.”
“They do, but we’ll be safe. They only fire upon military ships. We’re delivering freight for the Empire?”
“Aren’t you worried that we are supplying the enemy?”
“No, a job is a job! Plus, they pay well! That’s why I hired you. You’re supposed to be a good first mate. Besides, I inspected some of those shipping containers.”
“Really! What’s the Empire buying?”
“Just plain old construction materials: power tools, metal and wood studs for walls and ceilings, nails, screws, drywall, and furniture. I found no guns or computers. It’s all construction materials.”
“That’s odd. I thought the Empire manufactured their own products. I thought the Empire isolated itself from the world?”
“You got me, but they pay well, so I’ll deliver this shipment on time. That’s why my conscience doesn’t bother me. We’re not shipping tanks and guns. Besides, I plan to use my savings to retire someday. Oh, I have a special treat. After we deliver our cargo, we’ll dock at Cuba.”
“Cuba, I heard about it. People claim Havana is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.”
“It’s a nice bonus for a job well done. Nightlife is fantastic too. In the clubs, they dance a neat salsa, where all the couples form a circle. Then you dance with you partner, twirl her around several times, and then pass her to the guy behind you. Then you get a new girl from the guy standing in front of you.”
“It sounds complicated.”
&n
bsp; “It isn’t once you get the hang of it. Then the best part is after the evening is over, you grab a woman you like and take her home with you.”
After a moment of silence, the captain asked, “So, do you still think we’re traitors?”
“I guess not. It sounds like you found a good thing.”
“Best part is the Empire pays in brand new Euro bills with sequential serial numbers.”
“Wow, I wonder where the Empire is getting all that money?”
***
On October 20, 2032, the President of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank, Arthur Wellesley, called for a special meeting with all the top European leaders.
Arthur began, “Dear ladies and gentlemen, let start this meeting. I called you here today because we found irregularities in our monetary system.”
The Prime minister from France, Léon Blum, asked, “What kind of irregularities are we talking about?’
“Someone is counterfeiting the Euro on a massive scale. Something we have never seen before.”
“What are talking about, a few million?” The Prime Minster of England, Ramsay MacDonald, asked.
“No, minister, we’re talking about billions, or even trillions. Counterfeit money is an exact copy. Only way we know it is counterfeit is when we destroy our old money, we register the serial numbers. Now we have destroyed money this year that we had destroyed years ago. Our experts examined the money, and the copies are perfect. We also discovered evidence where computer hackers break into banks’ computer systems and open accounts with millions of Euros in them.”
Everyone paused to ponder the speaker’s words.
Several ministers sipped water from their glasses.
President continued, “Have you noticed something strange about our economic expansion? All our construction industries have rebounded strongly. They are hiring workers. Yet, I examined our construction permits, and we are not building anything in Europe. New construction remains flat. Where are all these construction materials going?”
President paused for a minute to allow this information to sink in.
“Well chap, please continue,” the Prime Minister from England replied.