Things moved quickly after that, the next three months had been spent in ever closer contact with the rebels. Even the world media were starting to pick up on the growing conflict on the island of Syrnat. Of the three major cities on the island two were now in rebel hands. Only the Capital Linar, remained. Once it fell so too would the Communist regime present on the island. The old dictator, a robust fellow known as Terio, had holed up in the city with the last of the army still loyal to him. There was still blood to be shed but the end was in sight. Felix intended to be there for that end. In fact it was rather crucial he was. Timing was now more key than ever, too soon and he would lose the initiative, too late and he would lose the glory.

Thankfully his allies had managed to finally occupy one of the few airports on the island and transform it into a somewhat safe position. It was here that he flew into. Along with twelve of the best trained of the Balduin militia. Avelina and Karina remained at home until such a time as their new Kingdom was secure.

Things had been progressing nicely for Felix. Avelina had been tentative at first, still unsure of their new arrangement. Though they spent their nights together, nights full of passion and lustful desires she was always distant during the day. Whether due to her own sense of shame or her maintenance of outward appearance she gave him little, more so around Karina.

His sister might have vocally resigned herself to Felix and Avelina’s new relationship, but her face did not always reflect that. It did not bother him so much in the beginning, not when the nights were so full of pleasure. But his annoyance at the fact steadily grew. On a night maybe a month after the meeting he finally confronted her. The day had been a stressful one as the Rebels of Syrnat had made their move against an army stronghold. The results of the Battle were inconclusive, and Felix was in an impatient mood.

I won’t dwell on the matter or the smaller details, not as we move onto the extremities of war. I will only say that their conversation was a long one. The lights in their room stayed on well into the night and the sounds which came from it suggested their conversation had been, shall we say, a beneficial one.

That next morning they had gathered all of the House before them to announce the circumstances of their arrangement. It was a shock to no one, and most were rather pleased for the couple in truth, for they made a rather elegant one.

Do not judge us for that, for it must be remembered that what was considered taboo for most, for Bloodliness was second nature. The Balduins had often married cousin to cousin, uncle to niece, aunt to nephew before. Though admittedly, those marriages were usually arranged long before they ever actually happened, the sudden and indeed violent nature to Felix and Avelina’s relationship was what truly made theirs stand out. Still, only Karina showed any signs of dissent, yet even she had not spoke out against them.

Since the official announcement Avelina seemed more at ease. She was now often found by Felix’s side, and he by hers. Only around Karina did they show any great degree of reserve. At all other times they seemed to be only affectionate and expressive.

Though his sister was evidently still coming to terms with it Felix was not worried about her. Given time she would come around, he was sure of it. Avelina and her had already begun talking again, and not just in the company of others. Briefly perhaps, not at all like they had been before, but still. It was a start. All in all then Felix was more than content as the Balduin jet made its descent onto Syrnat’s runways.

As they touched down Felix shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He understood the need for body armour, but he did not enjoy wearing it. It felt constrictive, he hated constrictive.

The command of the army was already waiting for their benefactor. What Felix supposed was a Royal welcome was waiting for him as he disembarked.

All three of the Rebel leaders were there to meet him. After embracing each one in turn he urged them to guide him inside. It was not all that safe to be out in the open, even surrounded by so many of the guns and infrastructure his money had bought.

Here seems a good moment to enlighten a little on the history of the rebels and just how Felix came to hold such sway over them.

His decision to pick Syrnat had been an easy one. It alone seemed to satisfy all his needs. His father had clearly laid out the priorities for any potential Kingdom. One, it had to be an island. Preferably away from any powerful overbearing neighbours. Two it had to have land and population enough to become profitable with the right investment and infrastructure. Thirdly it needed to be unstable, either politically, militarily or financially. Unstable enough that Balduin power could easily be used to shape its future. Syrnat fulfilled all of these for Felix.

It was an island, cut off from most of the world’s superpowers, located as it was off the East coast of Indonesia. Though not small it was not difficult to manage or traverse logistically. The island was about the same size as Hokkaido and had a population of just over 5 million. It was poorly developed but had once been a rich source of wealth for the Spanish colonisers previously stationed there.

By Felix and his team's calculations with the correct management and influx of wealth the island could easily become a leading supplier of rubber, coffee, cocoa and sugar amongst a great deal of other commodities. The situation could not have been anymore perfect for Balduin intervention when Felix began his machinations. Unlike in his Father’s time, when the rebels were little more than a few underground agitators, by the time Felix had read the will they were becoming a serious threat to the and those who named themselves the Restorators were already engaged in guerilla warfare Communist regime.

Their goal was to restore the Island to its roots and to transform it once more into a land of prosperity, pride, tradition and free trade. To supplement this they meant to elect a new President from amongst their own upon their victory.

All worthy goals. All goals which Felix had no interest in.

Many different leaders of the rebels had been to visit Felix at many different times and at many different places. All arranged and organised by him. In those meetings Felix eagerly proclaimed his desire to aid them, highlighting his own descendancy from a past Spanish family of the island. He claimed to have a deep spiritual connection to Syrnat, his birthplace and where he had spent his childhood (it had not been difficult at all for him to forge such a paper), he even had locals who eagerly supported his story (again it was not hard to find people willing to collaborate at the sight of American dollars).

Few questions were asked to ratify these claims, with the sheer volume of weapons, goods, and everything else they needed being provided for it seemed to the leaders a reasonable enough claim. What reason had they to doubt their wealthy benefactor who had so easily and willingly offered up support. Question too hard and they might risk losing that support. Had they known what was to happen they would surely have conducted their questioning far more stringently.

Of the three Rebel leaders currently in power, Budi was the oldest. He had been a leader of the movement for over thirteen years by the time Felix arrived on the island. Now almost sixty he had been forced to take a less direct role in the warfare, whereas before he had gladly placed himself on the front line he now directed it from afar. A traditionalist he had taken the most convincing before accepting foreign aid in their struggle. Of the three he was the most suspicious of Felix, and the only one who ever thought to question him about what he wished for the future once they did achieve independence. Questions which Felix never failed to skilfully avoid, carefully reiterating his desire to accomplish the matter at hand before worrying about such things.

Arif was the youngest of the three leaders by far. Still only twenty one, he himself had grown up in rebel mountain camps all his life owing to his Father. Arif’s father had been an ex-government official and close friend of the Dictator who had famously surrendered his position of power to fight for a brighter future. Named Nurul, he had been the first rebel. A figurehead for the entire movement he had been assassinated two years previously, allegedly by an assassin personally hired by Terio to remove his greatest foe. This was all true, though it was actually Felix himself who had orchestrated the assassination, Nurul being too powerful and wary to control he had needed the man killed and used the Dictator to do it. Providing the assassin himself as an anonymous gift from one strong man to another. His death had divided up the power and allowed the third of the rebel leaders to come to the fore. A pity, as Nurul had been one of the only people who had ever spoken to Joaquin about the island.

The third leader, a man named Ashley, had in fact been placed in the position by Felix himself. Ex American military he was one of those first military advisors that reached the island on Felix’s behalf. For almost three years now he had been closely working with and gathering power within the rebel movement. Nurul’s death had allowed him to rise further up their ranks without too much scrutiny and he was now considered key to all rebel activities.

They sat in what remained of the airport’s lounge. Felix smiled warmly and spread his hands out wide.

“We are almost there Brothers. One last push and we will finally achieve a free Syrnat. Truly these are great days we are living in.”

“We have not achieved it yet,” Budi remarked, “The Capital is well defended. They will not easily give in. This final push of ours will be a bloody one.”

“Then we must ensure it is the blood of the government army that is most plentiful,” Arif stated, “And with the consignment we received last week we could not be anymore prepared. We have the manpower and firepower to succeed, let them defend. They will not hold us back. The city will fall, and Terios’s regime along with it.”

Felix nodded at Arif’s words, the boy looked on him as something of an idol he knew. A fact he found ironic considering his role in Nurul’s death. Felix was actually quite fond of the young Rebel, in other circumstances he imagined they might have been friends. They had bonded quite quickly on matters of the outside world. Felix’s ambitions went beyond friendship however, as most grand ambitions tend to do.

“Then everything is in place? All is prepared?”

“All is prepared.” Ashley confirmed. “We march on the city at dawn. With the artillery and tanks in place we will be at the palace gates before nightfall.”

“Good, oh and do try and preserve the palace from the worst of the attacks, we should seek to keep as much of the old buildings as we can. Remember we are not only dealing with the present but also the future. Buildings like the palace will serve as the new seats of the freely elected President and his Ministry.”

“We can make no guarantees on that account,” Budi interjected, “All that matters is victory, we shall deal with the future when it has been made clear to us.”

“Indeed.” Felix clapped his hands, “Then let us drink to tomorrow’s success, you’ll be glad to know Budi that I have brought one of those whiskies you so admired at our last meeting.”

“It is a pleasant drink, I can’t deny it. Very well then, let us share a glass and retire for the night. We must be ready for everything that will happen. It may be that the government forces have something in the way of surprise in store for us.”

Felix poured out the four glasses himself and raised his own.

“Whatever happens I am sure that by tomorrow’s end we will all be heroes. But enough on that for the moment. For now, let us drink.”

And so they did.

They woke early the next morning, by the time the sun had risen almost all of the rebel forces had already begun their final assault. Felix followed on behind with the command group. In his mind there was little he could do to help now. He had given the rebels the means of success, it was up to them now to use those means to finally take the city and end the war.

He watched on as the minutes and hours passed painstakingly by. The city had become a warzone, great clouds of smoke and ash engulfing the skyline as the defenders desperately tried to hold back the rebels. Felix had to admit, though a fat old man Terio certainly inspired loyalty in those who served him. He had not expected them to hold out so long. Yet he was glad they had, the extra time had been well spent reaffirming and perfecting his plans. Everything was almost in place.

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Overheard a few soviet era planes flew past but they were quickly shot down by the Skyshield air-defence system Felix had sent ahead of him. The short range air defence system was more than capable of shooting down enemy planes far more advanced than those of the People’s Army. Still, it was no pleasant wait for the fighting to cease and their conquest to be finalised. The sounds of gunfire continued well into nightfall. Only then was word passed back through the lines that the last holdout of the loyalists had been taken and what soldiers they had remaining were finally throwing down their weapons.

Felix’s moment had arrived. He felt a sensation almost similar to that which he’d felt before the Meeting. Nervous, on edge, but excited. Excited and ready for what was to come.

Gathering himself he pulled Ashley aside in the chaos of the celebrations and passed on his final orders.

Ashley was a soldier through and through, there was no need for final orders, he knew what he was to do, still Felix felt better having given them.

They made their way inside the city, though it was not easy to make out much from the inside of their armoured vehicle it was clear that the city was in ruins. Its rebuilding would have to be amongst the most pressing issues for Syrnat going forward. Felix was not worried about such issues for the moment however. It was more a help than a hindrance, he would have had to destroy most of the poorer parts of the city in any case.

They were led in a convoy of tanks and armoured vehicles straight to the palace. Felix was both surprised and pleased to see that it had indeed escaped the worst of the damage.

Roars of triumph and cheers of joy and success rang out as they exited their vehicles and headed inside the palace gates. It seemed all around them the Rebels were busy marking their victory. Blood, bodies and a broken barricade met them at the Gates to the palace but there were already a host of their men waiting for them. Those at the palace were mainly composed of Balduin soldiers, men brought in from their private militia to carry out the more dangerous and specific tasks of the rebels. Professionals, Felix was glad to see them making up the majority of those present, it would make what was to come that bit easier.

One of Ashley’s officers came up to guide them through the cavernous halls of the old colonial era palace. They made their way deep inside to the old throne room. There they were greeted by several more of the militia troops who had encircled a lone figure, the man known as Syrnat’s Uncle.

Terio was sitting on his palace chair as if he still ruled. Surrounded by six men all with guns trained on him he only looked on almost absentmindedly. He wore his full army uniform, complete with his vast assemblage of medals and badges. The man had received so many honours that his medals almost overlapped such was their number.

A proud man, but a smart man Terio must have known his time was up. He must have known it long before his city had fallen. The rebels had been a constant thorn in his side but only in the past three years, and particularly the last half a year or so had they truly threatened him. Now they had unseated him. Execution was a guarantee. Yet despite all of this he smiled as the four leaders of the rebellion strode down to him.

His nonchalance in the face of such ruin… Felix had to remind himself not to like the man.

“So you have come, with your foreign Master. Arif, your Father would be proud. He was always eager to return dear Syrnat to its roots. Though I’ll admit, I would have chosen a different period of time then the colonial one. How many of our people died by Foreign hand again? It was in the millions was it not? And as for you my old friend, Budi, time has not been kind to you. Are you eating? You look so thin? So tired.” Terio looked down at his own ample stomach, “Though as I glance upon you now I believe I could do with a few months rebelling. My wives would certainly thank you for it, although probably not, there is very little they like to say thanks for. Yet you must be glad, perhaps if you are lucky you will be allowed to be a Minister of Agriculture in your Master’s new government.”

“Your words mean nothing to me Terio. You talk about foreign aid so dismissively, even while your men die and fall with Soviet guns and armour on their bodies. Since its Fall you have lost all semblance of civility, all semblance of dignity. You are a fraud, a cheat and will long be remembered for the Tyrant you are.”

“At least I will be remembered. That is a comfort to me.”

“Do you have no shame?” Arif spat down at the Dictator. “You who have devastated our once beautiful Country. How many people have died for your supposed Utopia? You have led our people into poverty and despair. We will lead it out of it.”

“We will lead it out of it.” Terio snorted, “Ah yes, the enthusiasm of youth, I recall being similarly afflicted. Not to worry, life will soon sort that out for you. Oh, hello Ashley, I’ve heard a great deal about you. But I’ll admit it’s mostly boring, dull things. How skilled of a soldier you are, how well you understand the intricacies of war. All skills which will no doubt make you a fine politician in this new order of yours. However you’ll forgive me if I skip over you a little. I wish to look on that wealthy hero of yours. The one who is Syrnat in both heart and soul.” Terio wagged a finger at him, “You are an interesting one. I do wonder what you’ve planned. Something great I imagine, you’d not have gone through all this trouble for nought I’m sure. Hoho only let me see the faces of the others when you do act. I beg you.”

“We should gag him,” Arif shook his head, “The man speaks and breathes only poison.”

Ashley took off his own bandana, Felix was pleased to see him taking the initiative, he did not need Terio causing any last minute problems for him. They were almost ready.

Felix finally focused on Terio, he had been busy directing the cameramen to properly engage in the conversation before. It was critical that they were live and broadcasting to the entire nation. The very basis of all his future plans depended on it in fact. Terio seemed no more bothered by his gagging than he was by the guns locked on him. He tilted his head sideways and a little surprisingly regarded Felix with curious eyes rather than hateful ones.

Felix took out the revolver from around his waist, the gun, a first generation colt SAA had been an eighteenth birthday present from his Grandfather. One he had been loathe to give up despite all that had happened. He liked it too much.

“Are we live?”

The cameramen nodded to him.

“Is this truly necessary? I still believe we are lowering ourselves to his level with such actions. The man must die, but why like this?”

“We have been through this already, Budi.” Arif nodded at Felix. “It is necessary, Terio has earned such a death. And more than that, the people of Syrnat deserve to witness it. This man has caused them more pain than any other. Let his death now bring them some happiness.”

Budi glared at Arif, though he said nothing. Once again Felix was glad of his support.

Arif stepped aside and bade Felix come forward, “It is through your gold and welcome aid that we stand here today. It feels only right then that you Felix Balduin are the man to end this dark age of our land and help lead it into the new.’

Nodding solemnly Felix stepped forward, it felt strange to him to hear his full name spoken by an outsider of the Family, especially on a live broadcast. The feeling was strangely thrilling, though he could not say exactly why.

Taking a step forward he dramatically turned off the safety and stood before the old Dictator.

Pausing he closed his eyes and pressed two fingers to his forehead. It was the signal he had decided upon long ago, and it was answered immediately.

From the balcony on the right overlooking the dais came the sound of gunfire. Felix saw Budi go down instantly, his body and head both riddled with bullets. He had been the primary target, the man that needed to be taken out most of all.

Arif was next, he’d hardly taken a step before he too collapsed under a hail of bullets. Felix ducked and hid himself behind the body of Terio on his throne. The dictator’s eyes were wide as they darted left and right, he seemed more surprised than anyone by the appearance of his men. The last desperate attack was evidently not one he had counted on.

Things moved quickly then, several People’s Army soldiers came flying down from the balcony.

A gunfight promptly ensued. Felix glanced back to make sure the cameras were still rolling. The camera crew had retreated and were animatedly shaking and screaming into the lens, though there was a conspicuous lack of bullets veering in their direction. He waved one of the cameras in his direction before pausing a moment to gather himself with gun pressed against his forehead. He almost smiled in the moment thinking of how good it would look.

Then charging off to the side he replicated a scene he had been practising for quite some time. He didn’t spin outright in the air, that would have been way over the top. Instead he slid artfully to the side. Two army men went down under his attack. The practice had not been for nothing.

So far everything looked great. Felix had always been a lover of film. The research then into just how to make a realistic shootout was one he had wholeheartedly committed to. That and it gave him a chance to act, one which he gratefully took up.

He’d even brought in a Hollywood expert in to oversee and organise proceedings. Alessandro, as he was named, was disguised as one of Felix’s own guards. It was a pity that he would have to be killed, he had done his job well. However, allowing him to live after knowing so much would be taking an unnecessary risk of the truth being revealed.

The movie squibs were truly effective. It really did appear as if both the bullets and the damage they inflicted were actually happening.

Of course not all of it was fake, that would not have been of much use to Felix and his goals. The bullets that passed through Arif and Budi were no fakes, just as the bullets which had taken out the local rebels who’d accompanied them into the building were not fake. Some of his own men too had needed to be killed, they would need at least a few bodies from their own forces to really sell their story. They had been told that they might be hit by some of the fakes, it would have been quite a shock then to see their real blood spilling out before their eyes.

The scene didn’t last long. Those who needed to be killed were killed and those who were to feign death lay motionless on the ground in pools of fake blood. Felix nodded back to his camera crew as he hurried over to first Budi and then Arif. When he went to the young rebel’s body his tears were almost genuine. He lay over them for a minute before he waved the camera off. There was surely enough film now to cover everything.

The sound of blood spluttering up made Felix turn around. On the ground Ashley lay with his hands pressed against the throat. He was in obvious pain but was desperately trying to speak.

Felix sighed and went over to crouch down beside him.

Shaking his head he used his revolver to scratch the back of his head.

“Yesss I suppose you are not best pleased by all this Ashley. Three years of your life spent sleeping in mosquito infested swamp and jungle, freezing your arse off up in the mountains, and whatever other struggles you had to go through. It will be hard for you to understand I’m sure, but you really did have to die. Honestly, you did. I did not make that decision easily.”

Ashley managed to turn his body enough to look upon Felix. Blood gurgled up from his neck.

“I know, I know. You see if anything you did your job too well. That ironically is your downfall. The rebels, well they love you. Were you to stay alive then it might put my own leadership under question. With Budi and Arif gone you would be the obvious candidate for many people to step up. I couldn’t have that now could I? Could I? Oh, you’re dead.”

Felix gritted his teeth and patted Ashley on the chest. The man had served him well. It really is a pity, he thought to himself, but still, there absolutely was no choice in the matter.

All around him his militia were busy securing the room. They were almost ready for the final scenes.

While he waited Felix went up to Terio and removed his gag. He sat down heavily on the steps and observed a moment as bodies were moved and the doors secured to prevent any outsiders getting in.

“You mean to make yourself President then, is that it?”

Felix shook his head, “King actually.”

“Bastard, you’ve played us off against each other. Wicked clever, I’ll give you that. I thought it was the Americans sticking their nose in, they’ve never liked me. Always ranting about Human rights and what not. Nevermind the embargoes that caused half those same human rights to happen. So I killed a few political opponents, who doesn’t? Ahh anyhow, it makes little difference to me now. Am I to die?”

“You are.”

“Well, I’ve had a better life than most, I assure you. So be it. Do you want a word of advice? One Ruler to another.”

“Not really. I am not much for advice myself.”

Terio laughed abruptly, “Spoken like a right bastard. You’ll make a fine King. Only, do one thing for me.”

Felix raised a brow, “What?”

“My second wife. Her and my boy. Let them go at least, yes? As a last wish to a dying man.”

“A last wish?” Felix got up from the steps and nodded towards the camera crew. It was time for the execution.

“A last wish,” Terio smiled even as the gag was put back on him.

Felix held the gun up to the dictator’s face. He squinted down at him. “Nah.”

Felix wasted no time on theatrics this time. The bullet ripped into the old man’s face, shattering into his skull. Even on the purposely old cameras they were using the image would be a lasting one. The definitive moment when the evil Dictator fell to the new Rebel Hope. It was almost like Star Wars.