Chapter 2

LEE CHEN ARRIVED at Kingdom of Thailand Foreign Minister's hotel suite. The two man, long friends on and off the international stage, shook hands.

“Lee, how are you?”

“Fine, Ar-Hama”

“Please take a seat”.

“Certainly.”

“Why such covert meeting? Is something amiss?”

“My friend, The Old Premier has told me that I should speak with you. May I show you an email message?”

“Of course.”

Lee opened his notebook computer and showed Ar-Hama Salae the encrypted email that was sent to him. “This was sent to me the night before I left Singapore.”

“This is your government email account?”

“One of many such accounts--- but this one is only known to some top officials of my government and now, at the Old Primer's behest be shown to our partners in Asia”.

“How credible is this?”

“That is what my government wants to find out. Do you think Manila can be trusted---?”

“Certainly Herman and President San Juan---”

“Yes, they can be trusted... but what about factions in the President's government?”

“Yes, but we have no other way to verify this. Other than your government, the Philippines have stronger ties there than we do.”

“There is no other recourse than to to let this out.”

“Thank you Ar-Hama, I will keep you informed about it.”

“Yes, this certainly colours our plans.” He said with a smile. “But we must be optimistic.”

“Yes... it certainly changes a whole lot of things. I must go old friend. Thank you for your advice and I will have a private audience with Herman.”


HERMAN MONTALBAN HAD been Philippine Foreign Secretary for three years now. He and President David San Juan had been college friends. Trusted implicitly by the Philippine President, Herman is well known and respected in the international scene.

In less than forty-eight hours the whole Asian region will be turned upside down or right side up--- which ever way you see it. Herman had been a part of that and saw it as a way to help Millions of Filipinos and bring Asia on top of the world stage again. Well, South East Asia at least.

His mobile phone chirped. It was Lee Chen. That was a surprise. Herman thought.

“Hello?”

“Herman, this is Lee Chen. How are you old friend?”

“I'm fine Lee. It is great to hear from you. How are you Lee?”

“I'm all right Herman. But I was wondering if I could see you? It is of a matter of great importance.”

“Of course, my friend! When and where do you want?”

“How about now?”

“Certainly. I'm in the office--”

“Your office will be quite fine Herman. I'm four blocks away... I could be there in a few minutes.”

“I'll be here.”

“Thank you. See you in a bit.”


ALEX DONOVAN HAD completed his class for the day and had arrived in his “Uncle” Ryan's office. Alex had been working for Ryan Angeles since arriving in Manila in his off hours from school. It has been three months since he started school.

His dad and Ryan apparently had a conspiracy of sorts. He needed to learn a thing or two about business Dr. Donovan said, on top of his premedical school classes.

Right now his job had been to run an audit of the company's financial reports.
Boring. Alex Donovan thought. “reading financial statements are important to a future CEO”. His mind kept recounting the online conversation that he had with his mother. It would have been easier had his dad said it, so he could go to his mother for backup. but no. His mum said it. no appeal.

He should be taking up law instead of pre-med.

“Your having it easy,” his father had said. Which was true, Alex had to admit. Most people start in the mail room. He was Executive Vice President. He had little to grumble about. Besides, he had free lattes. Thats got to count for something, the young man thought. Alex was an addicted coffee drinker.

Back to work.

Just then his phone buzzed. “Alex Donovan”

“Alex? Could you come to my office?” It was Ryan Angeles.

“Sure. On my way.”

It took him all ten steps to enter the adjourning room.


RYAN ANGELES WAS talking actively with his visitor, a very beautiful young woman. Samantha Chen was wearing formal wear--- skirt and business jacket and dying to get out of and into some jeans and shirt. She was on official business for her father who wanted Ryan Angeles, President of the Makati Business Club to be present at the ASEAN meeting his father was organizing.

“Uncle Ryan, my dad extends his disappointment for not having come in person. He wanted to discuss with you business.”

“Let me guess, something very important came up---. Don't worry Sam, your dad and I have been friends too long. I know how he thinks. Besides, I am with a very beautiful, intelligent young woman, who I haven't seen since she left the country. Who wouldn't want that?”

“Thank you Uncle Ryan.”

“Well Sam, I was looking forward to seeing him but not entirely disappointed. My, you have grown up.”

“Well yes, Uncle Ryan. I'm a University girl now, at your alma mater no less. First year, business.” Grins. “Dad says I should thank you for pulling some strings last minute”.

“Well, it wasn't a problem. The brothers were easy. They're all pals and you're a smart intelligent young lady and daughter of South East Asia's top diplomat. So, how is University life going?”

“Its great! my best friend's studying there, she's taking up a pre-med course.” then as an after though, “I never thought studying business was ssssoooo boring.”

“Business? boring? Never!”

“Well, you make it look easy, Uncle Ryan.”

“You know, my nephew's going to the same University...”

“Really? your nephew? who? maybe I know him?”

“His name's Alex Donovan, pre-med... in fact he works here with me learning the business, which from the look from his face when I catch him, he finds it boring.”

“Well I don't know him. But he's Pre-Med? My best friend Kimi is Pre-Med. We go to the same school. Maybe she knows him...”

“Why don't you sit while I give him a call.”

Pressing a button on his desktop phone. “Alex, could you come up to my office?”

“Sure. On my way.” the young man replied.

“So Sam, what was it that your father wanted to talk to me about?”

“Well, he said to tell you that he is expecting you at the Embassy dinner next week. I got the impression that he wanted to discuss some matters with you in private prior to the dinner, but he left in such a hurry this morning... Anyway, he said to me to tell you that it is... 'of the highest importance' that you be there. end quote”.

“Hahahaha. Well that's your dad all right. You know, you're dad's a busy man. So much so these days if my sources tell me correctly.” Ryan said with a mysterious smile.

“Tell him that I'll be there.” Just then the door opened and Alex walked in.

“Uncle Ryan?”

“Come on in.” Samantha stood up and with one arm on her shoulder, Ryan introduced her to Alex. “Samantha Chen, this is my nephew Alex Dononvan.”

“Pleased to meet you Ms. Chen.” As Samantha extended her hand and Alex shook it.

“My so formal, what have you been teaching him, Uncle Ryan?" Sam said with a smile. "I'm Samantha but my friends call me Sam.”

“Well, its Alex.”

“You're Uncle has told me so much about you!”

“Sam is the the Singaporean Ambassador's daughter. She's here on behalf of her father and is going to the same university you are--- business right Sam?”

“And you're pre-med, he told me.”

“Yeah, I just started three months back---”

“My best friend, Kimi is also Pre-Med.”

“You're best friends with Kimi Fuentes?”

“You sound surprised.”

“Well she's like this so serious student— and you're---”

“I'm what?!” Mocking him.

Opposites of the spectrum, Ryan thought in amusement for all three of them.

“Look Alex, Sam you guys are obviously getting along.” Looking at his watch said, “Alex its almost time for lunch. Why don't you take Sam out to lunch--- and Sam, tell your dad he can expect me at the Embassy Affair next week. He and I can discuss matters then and if possible, I'd like Alex to be there as well. What do you think?”
Sam looked at Alex quizzically, “Alex can wear a suit?”

“You're hilarious,” Alex said.

“So off with you kids, old man's got to work.”

“He's throwing us out.” Alex said looking at Sam.

“Yeah.” Sam grinned. Turning to Ryan, “Thanks for meeting with me Uncle Ryan, and again I apologize for my dad's absence.”

“Nonsense, Sam. Your dad and I are good friends. I'll see you at the Embassy Dinner.”
“Sure Uncle Ryan!” She kissed him on the cheek. “But don't you want to join us for lunch?”

“I still have some work to do here and you youngsters get along so well. I'm sure Alex will take good care of you.” Turning to his nephew, “You better, Alex.” Mocking seriousness.

“Not a problem.”

Together they walked out of Ryan Angeles' office.

“So what do you want for lunch?” Alex asked as they boarded the elevator, which was “lift” to both.


ALI BIN FARUQ was running through some files on his notebook computer when his satellite phone rang.

It was a rare occasion that it did. The device has hardly ever been used. Terror networks had long since learned that using such modern communications technology was not the wisest course as the Americans and their allies with their electronic eavesdropping system where topnotch. NSA and ECHELON are probably now locking on to this signal and catching everything that they're going to say. Technology was not to be trusted.

This must be of great importance to warrant such call.

“The morning sun will rise again”. Then the line was broken.

Completely benign but the code made sense to Ali. He continued on with his work. It would be sometime before he would need to act on the message. He simply filed it away in his mind.



MARIE JENNIFER was a beautiful young woman. She grew up, a normal teen. Her parents brought her regularly to church. Suffice to say she has had an active church life.

Marie was into her junior year at the local university. She was doing all right. But she missed her boyfriend. They had gotten closer. He was an older man and had bought her this townhouse last year. Her parents were both living in the province while she studied here. They thought this place belonged to their old friend, Bishop Serge Gomez who was helping them out by leasing this house to their daughter.

Marie had just tried calling her boy friend four times. She missed him. They were both happy. OK, she admitted to herself that the relationship should it ever come out would be frowned upon most, especially by her parents. Well in her mind she thought they were both happy. They were in love, weren't they? Wasn't that the important thing?

It was way past lunch and she was hungry and so she started cooking and humming. She was very much happy. She continued humming to herself.


SERGE GOMEZ and the Bishops of the Philippines where gathered at Bishop Gomez's office. They did this as regularly as possible. The Catholic Bishops represented the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines and though there was an official representative of the Vatican--- The Papal Nuncio, the Bishops were doing the dirty work of ministering to the flock.

For over four hundred years, the Church in the Philippines had been instrumental in so many changes, for good and ill. This gathering of holy men have been more regular of late. They have been sensing their power losing its potency. And they are alarmed and threatened.

People, more so in the Philippines often make the mistake that men of the cloth are generally infallible. Perhaps because they are so closely associated with God that we mere mortals forget that holy men and women are human too. It is a myth that they have allowed to exist. Or perhaps because for more than four centuries these men and many like them have weaned Filipinos to their brand religion.

These men gathered together are no different. They seek to profit themselves.
Take Bishop Serge Gomez for example. Now as the meeting was breaking up, Bishop Serge Gomez could not wait for his contemporaries to get out and leave. Outwardly he had created the image of championing the fight against corrupt public officials. Sermon after sermon about the ills of society about the immorality of palace-size houses and extravagant wealth. Yet he kept his own dirty little secrets.

Saying good bye to his fellow bishops, Serge rushed to his ante room. He had already four missed calls. It was the same number.

He dialed it.

“Honey, I'll be there to pick you up in a few minutes.”

“OK.” Was the only reply.

“Honey” was Marie Jennifer Valdez. She was thirty years his junior. She was studying business management and her parents were close friends with the Bishop. She was also Serge Gonzalez's mistress. Neither parent knew of the relationship.

After changing to his street clothes, Serge Gonzalez opened his table drawer and picked up an envelope filled with bills. His Church's weekly earnings amounted to at least US$1K. He reported regularly 75% of it. Picking up “extra” cash and car keys, he headed to his church-owned SUV.

Over looking his window, you could see not three blocks away from the church a squatters area filled with small interlocking shanty houses. Perhaps that was one reason why Serge Gonzalez wanted to leave hurriedly.

He was anxious to visit Marie at their private townhouse outside his parish, ten kilometers away from windows overlooking shanty houses.



KIMI HAD been working at her parent's mom and pop shop since she as far back as her mind could take. She knew the ins and the outs, had apprenticed under all the “departments”--- kitchen, counter, waitress, janitor, inventory and whatever else her mom and dad put her through.

Though sometimes she wished otherwise, Kimi Alison Fuentes enjoyed it. Most especially since the day she realized that whenever she had problems, all she had to do was think it through and found out the best way to do that was to do work--- the manual kind.

The Fuentes' Mom and Pop aptly titled “The Little Kitchen Shop” which was a combination of convenient store and restaurant, patterned after the Hong Kong kind (and so many others around the world) was a cash cow.

The Fuentes' and their only daughter would by just this shop would want for none until their great-grand-child. It was that lucrative for such simple business.
Kimi's family was a simple one. They had owned the four story building that had the basement for their small mom and pop. Kimi's mother, Elena Fuentes was a devote Catholic. Her dad, Daniel Fuentes was the typical Asian dad, strict with their daughters, well not just Asian but almost all, if not all fathers were over their kids especially their daughters.

“Mom,” Kimi was saying, “Its just dinner at the embassy. One night.”
Her mother was still skeptical.

“One night, without curfew.” Her dad said between sipping coffee and balancing the store's books.

“Yes, dad”

“And what will you be doing? Drinking? 'hanging out with boys' with that friend of yours?”

“Yes, Sam will be there--- its her dad's party. I'm honored that she and her dad and her mom asked me too come. And yes, mom there will be wine, beer and so many other liquor. But you know I don't drink, not too much. And yes, I'm aware you met boys differently in your day mom. Dad, it's not like I'm getting married tomorrow!”

“Heaven forbid!” All her mom could say. Her dad's eyes darkened, as if ready to kill any young man who would marry his daughter.

“Mom, dad... it would be the perfect opportunity to meet people... not just people my age but people who make sense.”

“Dirty politicians.” Her dad uttered.

Just then, Kimi's elder cousin Olivia Cruz entered the kitchen.

“Hi Uncle Daniel! Hi Auntie Elena!” Kissing them in the cheek and putting their hands to her forehead (the latter, which is the Filipino greeting and sign of respect for an elder relative). “Whats happening here, Kimi?”

“Hi Ate (older sister in Filipino) Olivia—- i was just asking Mom and Dad if I could go to Samantha's party.”

“Ah, I see.” Turning to her uncle and aunt. “Auntie, Uncle, you know Kimi's a big girl now--- and the security in that place is top notch---”

“We're not worried about security,” Daniel was sternly looking at his niece.

“Uncle, Kimi's a big girl, she's smart, she's intelligent, she's beautiful and she's your daughter--- so responsible and respectful all thanks to you. Maybe its time to let her do somethings for her own reasons.”

“Well,” Elena Fuentes started. Then she looked at her husband.

“All right, Kimi you can go. Only if Olivia can go---”

“Wait--- Uncle, I can't.”

“No buts. Kimi goes only if you do---”

“Dad! Mom!”

“Kimi, listen to your father. I don't like it either but, with Olivia there the changes of trouble goes down.”

Kimi looking at Olivia, her eyes pleading.

Olivia, unable to resist her younger cousin's plea said, “Only if Sam says I could and when I say we go--- we go, is that a deal?”

“YES!!” And Kimi in delight hugged her cousin. Kissing her mom and dad, “Thank you!” Then both young women dragged each other to their room.

“We have to plan what to wear!” Olivia said.

“I have to tell Sam!” Kimi added.

“Its starting,” Elena Fuentes said. “Our little girl is growing up.” Then she made the sign of the cross.

“Yes,” Daniel Fuentes added. Then quietly they returned each other's attention back to their work, all the while still worried about their only daughter who they realized was growing up.



IT HAD BEEN many years since Father Rey graduated from the Society of the Divine Word (SVD). Now, the university chaplain had been for the greater part of the past decade, he was happy looking after young people and was expert at it.

It wasn't a surprise that every so often some young person would call on him and ask what he was doing. He had influenced so many young people. They just wanted to say hello.

Four months ago he got a call from one of his old university friends. It was Tina Donovan. She was a doctor now--- an oncologist of all things and based in Hong Kong where her family had lived.

They spoke over the phone about so many things. Too many good things had happened to both their lives. Then she came to her point. Tina had an ulterior motive. Which she apologized but after doing so, Father Rey thought, she had no reason to apologized. In fact, he was honored by the request.

Besides wanting to catch up with Father Rey. Tina talked about her only son, Alexander who was going to take up university in Manila, in Father Rey's university.
Tina Donovan had asked him a very special favour. She wanted Father Rey to look after him and to make him see the country for what it really was beyond the four walls of high priced malls and the jazzed up clubs. Tina wanted her son to be a person. But he must never tell the boy of what they discussed, she had explicitly said.

Father Rey was more than happy to do so and honored at such a request. So he made an extra effort to know the boy. Had even asked the Dean for his information and sought him out.

It took a mere hour to discover that Alex Donovan was a remarkable young man. Though average looking, he was an intelligent young man who got along with his peers rather easily. He wasn't an extrovert but somewhere in that gray area between that and being introvert.

He found out from the boy--- young man he corrected himself that aside from his studies, his parents wanted him to work for his Uncle Ryan, who wasn't really his uncle but a good friend of his parents. Now, Father Rey didn't know Ryan Angeles personally. But had met him once or twice and knew him by reputation and the Donovans couldn't have picked a better guardian for their son. It seemed to him, this young man's parents were preparing him well for his future.

He had ask Alex if he had sometime to help him out with some social work. Father Rey had worked tirelessly for the past year in an orphanage. It was a small publicly funded half-way house. The volunteers there had made a miracle about it, in spite of the shoestring budget.

Admittedly, he was surprised to hear Alex say yes. Pretty soon after that he began to take him to slum areas on weekend pilgrimages. At first, he thought very little of Alex. Maybe Tina had already spoken to the boy. But soon it became apparent that his interest was personal and not driven by being forced to see something entirely different.

Over the course of weeks then months, it became routine for them. People didn't see the young man as a foreigner. His mixed features of Chinese, British and Filipino and his ordinary looks made sure of that. But as the young man was interacting with the people, he could glimpse the sadness in his eyes at what he was seeing. Maybe something was getting through to the boy.

Father Rey did not know what to make of it for sure. He didn't press the lad. Maybe God had something planned for the boy. He just let it be both afraid to rock the boat and after knowing the boy all these months, Father Rey knew Alex would come to him if or when the time came.

Lifting his phone, the priest dialed a number. On the other end, Tina Donovan answered the call. They spoke the customary greeting, and asked if each was OK. Tina and Father Rey knew that it was honestly asked and so, the answer was honestly given.
Tina had secretly held her breath--- what if something was wrong with Alex? It was a natural thought, unfounded she knew in her heart of hearts but she was his mother, it was always a natural thing.

So Father Rey spoke about Alex. How much the boy had seen. How much he had yet to learn. He too was holding his breath for an entirely different reason. The young man had potential. He was secretly proud to be a part of his “education”, as the boy's mother so eloquently phrased. This young man was going the distance.

Tina Donovan had just chatted with her husband, who had just chatted by phone with a their good friend, Ryan Angeles. She had heard almost exactly coming out of her husband's lips. Their boy was doing OK and Ryan said he had potential, a huge one.

All four had been experts in their various chosen professions. They too were gifted parents, but being gifted have its own set of limitations. How little would they know of a person's future? One thing for certain, they would prepare Alexander Brandon Dovonan very well for all the curve balls life would be throwing at him.



ALEX HAD few friends in school. Well the true kind anyway. He knew a lot of people but the crowd that he hang out with were Ibrahim Sulayman and Charles Kim, the latter better known as Chuckie Kim. They did every project together and hang out pretty much everyday. Each brought something to their group.

Ibrahim Jacob Sulayman or I.J. (pronounced Eye-Jay) was descended from a long line of Malay, at least until the 18th century or so his grandfather was always telling him and his brothers. Not that he believed but not one to go against the elder Sulayman, kept his mouth shut.

IJ was the campus resident computer-boy. He was an extraordinary hacker--- but of course, like all great hackers was pretty much anonymous. By the time he was ready to enter university, Ibrahim had already devised numerous cryptographic systems that rival anything the NSA could make. He had already made a small pie out of his special talent and was now honing his skills for something really big. How big? IJ didn't know just yet but he was coding day and night for it, preparing.

Alex met him while needing to solve a particular computer problem for Ryan Angeles'. Being capable of hanging out pretty much with every crowd, he slowly came to discover IJ's very much hidden to ordinary preying eyes talent. Alex not being dumb in the world of computers was still amazed at IJ's raw talent.

One day, two months ago solidified their friendship when Alex offered IJ a position at Ryan's company.

“Alex,” looking at him straight in the eye said, “Your a great friendl. I'd be willing to work with you someday and we'll both make it big, but I won't work for or with anyone else other than you.” They've continued to be friend since then. But he would later discover he would work with one other person. They had worked on various other projects since then.

Chuckie Kim was a Korean who came into the country to study. He was intelligent but what made him stand out was his ability to deliver just about anything anybody paid him to acquire. Good, services, you name it, Chuckie Kim was a walking breathing outsourcing phenomena. He had contacts wider than Canada's frontier. Was it surprising that he became his group's go to person?

“Chuckie,” Alex was asking, “You think we can have those supplies Father Rey needs by week's end?”

“I don't know—-”

“Chuckie? What do you mean--”

“Dude, I was just kidding, the stuffs being taken care of. Its a done deal, Alex.”

“Fine.”

Browsing through his Pocket PC computer, “IJ, hows the page going? When can we go live?” The group was creating a website for Father Rey's mission.

“If it were anybody but you Alex---”

“IJ, don't start we do pro-bono work every so often. Cleanses the soul---” just then they ran into a blind corner.



SAMANTHA CHEN had just gotten out of her first year chemistry. She hated chemistry. The only good thing was that she could take the class Kimi was in in spite of being in two different courses, the department allowed her since all the other business major class were filled up.

“Kimi,” with her grin from ear to ear, “Its great news your parents finally gave you permission to go!”

“Yeah! Isn't it great!”

“This could be the start of so many adventures together---”

“What adventures?!”

“Well for starters, you're the lady with the wheels...”

“Designated chauffeur then?” Kimi said, mocking Samantha.

“Weelll.. you know I'm not allowed to drive...”

“Riighhttt...”

“I'm kidding!” hugging her best friend.

“I know.” Kimi was smiling from ear to ear.

“So, when do we start boy-hunting?”

“Sam! you know Olivia's going with us!” hitting her in the shoulder.

“Hey! That hurt Kimi, really.”

“Well its going to have to wait. I have biology in five and its across campus. Later, OK?”

“OK, future surgeon, we'll talk later after your done. Send me a text?”

“OK”.

With that the girls parted ways. And Sam, checking out her phone messages ran into a blind corner.



IT WASN'T so much as a practical demonstration of physics as like setting off a nuclear bomb, two objects on a collision course with Alex Donovan being twenty pounds heavier than Samantha Chen. Remarkably neither one was hurt badly.

“HEY!” Samantha yelled.

“Oh, its you.”

“Well yes its me. Couldn't you look were you were going?”

“Well it seemed to me that it could work both ways.”
Standing surprised were Alex's two best friends--- IJ and Chuckie.

“Hey! You two, enjoying the view? Aren't you going to be gentlemen and help me up?”

“Oh, sorry!” IJ was the first to recover and helped Samantha to her feet. Chuckie on the other hand, helped Alex to his.

Dusting themselves, “Sorry about that” they said in unison. Then they had a laugh.

“Samantha Chen, meet my best friends--- IJ Sulayman and Chuckie Kim.”

“Pleased to meet you guys.”

“You said we were going to meet up before the party but, this is ridiculous. You could have at least prepared me and I would have worn some padding.”

“Some padding! What nerve!”

And Alex laughed.

“Uh, Alex?” IJ was asking. “Chuckie and I need to get to class, we're late. So give us a ring with that project of ours OK?”

“Sure thing, guys.” Still looking at Sam.

“Catch you later and nice meeting you.” Sam called back as the two young men left for their classes.

“So are you done for the day?”

“Yeah.”

“Surprise! I am too. Want to have a cup of coffee?”

“Sure. As long as your paying since I might have a concussion or something and for a four eyes, you sure can't see your way better.” She was the one wearing eye-wear.

“Concussion? Your fat behind?”

She hit him on the arm.

“That's for calling me fat... twice!”

Alex chuckled.

They spent the next four hours in conversation over coffee and cake, the latter Sam only tasted and Alex had to consume all by himself. “Women,” Alex thought when Sam got him to devour the cake that she ordered.



GENERAL GONZALEZ was the Philippine Armed Forces Chief of Staff. The old man was up for retirement in a few months time. He was in the Palace to have the mandatory retirement extended, the former being a law and the latter common practice by the Commander-in-Chief, the President of the Republic with decades of tradition and precedence.

Peter San Juan was the President's son. A Regional Governor in his own right, Peter was perhaps the second most powerful man in the country, outshining even the Chief of Staff and the leaders of Congress.

Shady dealings were both men's expertise. In the four years of the San Juan Administration, Peter San Juan and Ronaldo Gonzalez were the principal instigators of corruption. Ronaldo was meeting with Peter to discuss how best to approach the latter's father to extend the former's position.

Peter needed Ronaldo where he was at the moment. The Armed Forces was in the processes of acquiring modern equipment. Which is to say they were on a buying spree to acquire decades old F-14 Tomcats, Harriers, battleships and diesel submarines.

Ronaldo's expected successor was not so much a boy scout as not being in good terms with either man. Suffice to say the Vice Chief of Staff's loyalty lay with a different politician that neither men respected nor enjoyed the company of.

It was of course too much to ask for honor among thieves.

“Ronny, I'll take care of my dad. Don't worry about it.”

“Peter, I've been in government to know that politicians will back you up until its too much for them. I want an assurance now, damn it!”

“Look you know my father's taking some pressure for the Military's recent fiasco--- the crack down on those terrorists was played rather badly, General.”

“Under orders from the palace and not to mention so many others in Congress, to whom your father had to cave into---.”

“Still you must understand Ronny the media can be pretty loud especially when they such stupid things on air.”

“Whose side are you on, anyway Pete? We have a business arrangement. The boys up north are getting pretty antsy, they want to expand territories.”

“Then you better tell them to lie low! And you better send the message that thats important if everyone wants to go along as business as usual. The opposition is smelling blood and we might all be out looking for new jobs in a year and half's time.”

“Fine.”

“Ronny, the announcement for your extension will be announced as soon as a new
news-cycle can begin. Just wait until the public and the newsies forget about the fiasco. Just a couple more days OK?”

“Just so you know, I know a lot more.” With that General Gonzalez stood up. “Is that a threat?”

“No, unless you want it to be. I'll see you in a few days, Pete.”

With that the General left the office and returned to the Officer's Golf club. Peter San Juan picked up his cellphone and speed dialed a number.


A PHONE was ringing. Sammy Ang took his time checking out who was calling. After about two missed calls, he picked it up.

“Pete, whats up man?”

“Sammy, I hear you guys up north are getting antsy.”

“Well, profits aren't what it used to be.”

“So you took a hit?”

“Enough not to be able to remit our average to you on time.”

“Listen, I want no excuses---”

“Look, dude it was your father who ordered the crackdown and we're taking a hit. The newsies are all over the place.”

“Fine. But you've got to understand that come May, if we don't do this we might not be able to give you the protection that you need.”

“Peter, peter, come May, if you're not in power someone else will be--- but that will greatly depend on support from your constituents. And you'll need us to provide that constituent as well as the funds to mount your little campaign. So don't threaten us. Get your father to ease up or you'll find yourself without the customary police escort.” With that he canceled the call.