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Authors: Stuart Slade
Tags: alternate history
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the time schedule, their response was that the cable was needed urgently and they would pay a substantial premium if the work was started immediately. They would pay an even larger premium if the work was completed within a year. That’s a deal AT&T can hardly refuse, and it will give the Thais as good communications with Australia and ourselves as any in the world.”
“What the devil are they playing at? That’s a huge investment for a country of their financial standing. How are they paying?”
“Our sources say, they offer payment in gold.” Sir Eric spoke that softly. “Apparently, the management of American Telephone & Telegraph Company have gold fever and see bars of gold bullion decorating the accounts at the next stockholder’s meeting. They’re searching for a cable-laying ship while we speak. That doesn’t answer why, of course.”
Sir Martyn thought the whole matter over. “It could be that they see the Armistice as being the fuse that sets this whole region ablaze. They could be right there, you know. The Dutch East Indies are restive; with the Netherlands occupied, authority there is unclear. The French will not last much longer. With Britain out, they’ll fold in a day or two at most. That means Indo-China is also on its own resources. Then we have our own problems here and there’s the Japanese in China. This whole area could come apart at the seams and they may well want to be in a position to know what is going on. Good, secure communications would be worth their weight in gold. And that is just what they are paying.”
Sir Martyn was interrupted by his intercom bleeping. “There’s a diplomatic messenger for Sir Eric waiting. He says its very urgent.”
“Send him in.” The two men exchanged ‘uh-oh’ glances.
Sri Eric signed for the package and opened it. Then he went white with shock. “Martyn, we have just received our word from London. It states that we are to comply with the terms of the Armistice without question and that the terms of the agreement as negotiated in London are binding upon us. We are reminded that the system of Imperial Preference upon which our economy depends is contingent upon us maintaining the agreements signed by the British Government on our behalf. Martyn, this is as close to an ‘or else’ ultimatum as I have ever seen from London.”
“Do as you are told like good little boys or mummy will spank.” Sir Martyn spoke bitterly. “Who do they think we are?”
CHAPTER THREE: ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES
Bestwood Lodge, Arnold, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
“This will not do; this will not do at all.” Churchill chomped down on his cigar and stared ferociously at his whisky-soda as he stomped backwards and forwards. “These are times when we, as a nation, must rise to meet the challenge and end the threat of dark tyranny that hangs over us all. We must stand up and fight this abomination that has taken place. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves, that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, ‘this was their finest hour.’“
The Duke of St. Albans applauded the bravado with a strong dose of irony at its incongruousness. “Well done, Winston. That would have made a great speech in Parliament.”
“It would have been one. I had it all written, but That Man forestalled me. He has silenced me, and when the time comes, I will silence him. There will be no last speech from the scaffold for him. He will lose his head in silence.”
“Speaking of losing heads, Winston, we cannot afford you losing yours. And you will if you appear now. You said it yourself the first night you appeared here. Protective custody one day, found dead in your cell the next. The Commonwealth is looking for leadership and you, you alone, can provide it. We have to get you to Canada. If we do not, the Commonwealth will not last one year, let alone one thousand.”
“That may be
“What the devil are they playing at? That’s a huge investment for a country of their financial standing. How are they paying?”
“Our sources say, they offer payment in gold.” Sir Eric spoke that softly. “Apparently, the management of American Telephone & Telegraph Company have gold fever and see bars of gold bullion decorating the accounts at the next stockholder’s meeting. They’re searching for a cable-laying ship while we speak. That doesn’t answer why, of course.”
Sir Martyn thought the whole matter over. “It could be that they see the Armistice as being the fuse that sets this whole region ablaze. They could be right there, you know. The Dutch East Indies are restive; with the Netherlands occupied, authority there is unclear. The French will not last much longer. With Britain out, they’ll fold in a day or two at most. That means Indo-China is also on its own resources. Then we have our own problems here and there’s the Japanese in China. This whole area could come apart at the seams and they may well want to be in a position to know what is going on. Good, secure communications would be worth their weight in gold. And that is just what they are paying.”
Sir Martyn was interrupted by his intercom bleeping. “There’s a diplomatic messenger for Sir Eric waiting. He says its very urgent.”
“Send him in.” The two men exchanged ‘uh-oh’ glances.
Sri Eric signed for the package and opened it. Then he went white with shock. “Martyn, we have just received our word from London. It states that we are to comply with the terms of the Armistice without question and that the terms of the agreement as negotiated in London are binding upon us. We are reminded that the system of Imperial Preference upon which our economy depends is contingent upon us maintaining the agreements signed by the British Government on our behalf. Martyn, this is as close to an ‘or else’ ultimatum as I have ever seen from London.”
“Do as you are told like good little boys or mummy will spank.” Sir Martyn spoke bitterly. “Who do they think we are?”
CHAPTER THREE: ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES
Bestwood Lodge, Arnold, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
“This will not do; this will not do at all.” Churchill chomped down on his cigar and stared ferociously at his whisky-soda as he stomped backwards and forwards. “These are times when we, as a nation, must rise to meet the challenge and end the threat of dark tyranny that hangs over us all. We must stand up and fight this abomination that has taken place. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves, that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, ‘this was their finest hour.’“
The Duke of St. Albans applauded the bravado with a strong dose of irony at its incongruousness. “Well done, Winston. That would have made a great speech in Parliament.”
“It would have been one. I had it all written, but That Man forestalled me. He has silenced me, and when the time comes, I will silence him. There will be no last speech from the scaffold for him. He will lose his head in silence.”
“Speaking of losing heads, Winston, we cannot afford you losing yours. And you will if you appear now. You said it yourself the first night you appeared here. Protective custody one day, found dead in your cell the next. The Commonwealth is looking for leadership and you, you alone, can provide it. We have to get you to Canada. If we do not, the Commonwealth will not last one year, let alone one thousand.”
“That may be
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