Assassination (attempt) in Pretoria

[Manetheren]

"Field Marshal Cruywagen and Admiral Kruger are on their way here by plane from the north, they should be arriving in the next four to six hours. Could you contact your people at the Tahoe embassy and make arrangements for them to meet with your ambassador before they proceed to present their ultimatum to the prime minister?"

"Cruywagen knows that Tahoe has reservations about him - but he did specifically ask what would Tahoe's position be, as he does not wish to cause disruptions in the close economic and political relations between our two nations. He views this as a purely internal, domestic matter that should not affect Tahoe."

"I will certainly contact the Ambassador and inform him of the situation, leaving out the more sensitive classified information, of course. If you would give me a few moments so I may do so, that would be appreaciated." Boersma nodded his approval, and Van Haesten walked a few steps back, pulling out a cell phone and dialing a number for the embassy. Talking rapidly in Irish, he told the Ambassador that Field Marshal Cruywagen wished to speak to the Taoiseach about sensitive information regarding the current conflict. A few minutes later, the Ambassador called Van Haesten back, telling him the Taoiseach would be in his office all day and Cruywagen could call him at any time.

Van Haesten turned back to Boersma, "Well, Minister, the Taoiseach will be availible to speak with the Field Marshal in a few hours time. All Cruywagen needs to do is show up at the Embassy and the Ambassador will direct him to a secured phone in a sound proof office."

[Botha]

Van Haesten turned back to Boersma, "Well, Minister, the Taoiseach will be availible to speak with the Field Marshal in a few hours time. All Cruywagen needs to do is show up at the Embassy and the Ambassador will direct him to a secured phone in a sound proof office."

Boersma looked relieved that they now had the Armtha-SS on their side. Strijdom now had no one remaining to stand up and defend his government.

“Let me go and contact the military high command and notify Field Marshal Cruywagen. I shall inform him that as soon as they land in Johannesburg, to make their way to the Tahoe embassy.”

For the first time since they had met, Gert Boersma saluted Colonel Van Haesten. He then made haste for his government vehicle and departed from the hospital square.

One of Van Haesten’s soldiers then came up to the colonel. “Sir, the prime minister… he is asking for you. He wants you to report to him immediately.”

[Manetheren]

Sir, the prime minister… he is asking for you. He wants you to report to him immediately

"Bring me to him." Van Haesten said, while straightening his uniform jacket. Things were only getting more and more interesting. This is way above my paygrade thought Van Haesten to himself

[Botha]

"Bring me to him." Van Haesten said, while straightening his uniform jacket.

As Van Haesten exited the elevator in the basement, one of his soldiers quietly approached him and whispered in his ear. “Strijdom has just heard the rumours of the ceasefire.”

The guard then nodded towards one of the rooms “He’s in there…”

As the Colonel calmly but cautiously made his way into Strijdom’s makeshift office, he could hear a radio in the background tuned to what sounded like a foreign station.

“Come in Colonel…” Strijdom beckoned. He sat at his desk, in his wheelchair, with a sense of dejected resignation.

“It appears the military has chosen to…” The prime minister paused, lost in thought. “…the military has chosen to take action to end the fighting.”

After a wait which seemed like an eternity, Strijdom looked up at Colonel Van Haesten. “It is over for me, I suspect Cruywagen will send the Krygsmagte here to arrest me. My own people have abandoned me.”

Another long wait… then

“What should I do? What would you do if you were in my position?”

[Manetheren]

“What should I do? What would you do if you were in my position?”

Van Haesten sighed. It seemed everybody in the Transvaal government was suddenly trying to get his support. Getting caught up in politics back home was bad enough, but in a foreign country...van Haesten shuddered unconciously. He was, after all and Armtha-SS man first and foremost and thus dedicated to nationalism, racialism and ideology to the degree of fanaticism. He sympathized with Strijdom, regardless of the insanity of the Natsionalselfmoordplan. He took a deep breath.

"Well, Mister Strijdom, I would say you certainly are in a tough position. First, you are correct in that Field Marshal Cruywagen is en route to Pretoria from Rhodesia, I believe thats where he is, to give you an ultimatum on the continuance of your governance. Before he is to meet with you, he will go to the Tahoan embassy and talk with Taoiseach O'Deaghaidh by phone, where I believe, he will recieve a severe dressing down from the Taoiseach. I have never met the man, but by all accounts he follows politics in Transvaal very closely and has never completely trusted Cruywagen. That is the rumor, at least. He is known to be a great admirer of Staatspresident Botha and has always been fond of Van Matteus."

"Now, as for what I would do if in your situation...I would go to the people. Make a public radio broadcast. Paint yourself as the hero of this war. First you were a victim of communist, black African aggression but shrugged it off and returned to your job of defending your people the very next day. Tell your people that you would do anything neccessary to protect Afrikaner supremacy in South Africa. You may even tell them that you ordered Field Marshal Cruywagen to offer a ceasefire with the ARM in the interests of restoring peace to Transvaal, mentioning of course that they have been militarily defeated and pose no more threat. The people tend to believe the first story they hear, and Cruywagen will be hard pressed to convince them otherwise. If the ARM goes away peacefully, then it is you that won, and if they resume fighting than Cruywagen's plans will be destroyed and you can solidify your place again."

"I honestly believe that the Taoiseach will support you, if you decide to stand up to Cruywagen. But that will require your taking initiative now and not reacting to the Krygsmagte but rather taking the initiative and making them react to you. It is the fundamental rule of warfare, after all. I know the Taoiseach will not want to be seen as meddling in Transvaler affairs, either, so if Cruywagen gets here without you doing anything your administration is over."

[Botha]

I would go to the people. Make a public radio broadcast. Paint yourself as the hero of this war.

At this point with few remaining options, he was not going to quiz Van Haestan exactly how he knew about Cruywagen’s plan. But Strijdom’s morale noticeably lit up and revived his will after hearing the Colonel’s words.

“That is a brilliant plan, Colonel. Pure genius!” exclaimed the embattled prime minister. “I’ll… I’ll take credit for ending the war… now we need to get to a radio receiver as soon as possible, before the military arrives in force on the scene. The first thing they’ll do as they establish control over the city is seize the communication centres.”

Strijdom collected some papers from his desk. “Van Haesten, round up a squad of your men and let’s make our way to Radio-Transvaal, their broadcast facilities are located downtown not far from where the embassies are. While I am there, you head to your embassy and wait for Cruywagen to arrive. If he moves from the embassy, stick with him. If I haven’t been about to get a message out to the people, then you will need to delay him if they make their way to the radio or television stations.”

Colonel Van Haesten’s cellphone buzzed.

“Sir, some of our men patrolling south of Pretoria just spotted Cruywagen and Kruger on their way from Johannesburg. They have Krygsmagte tanks with them. I calculate they will be at our embassy in 20 minutes – or if they are detouring to the hospital, then they’ll likely arrive in your vicinity in 10 minutes.”

Edited February 6, 2009 by Botha

[Manetheren]

“Sir, some of our men patrolling south of Pretoria just spotted Cruywagen and Kruger on their way from Johannesburg. They have Krygsmagte tanks with them. I calculate they will be at our embassy in 20 minutes – or if they are detouring to the hospital, then they’ll likely arrive in your vicinity in 10 minutes.”

Van Haesten looked back up at Strijdom. "You have to move sir, Cruywagen is between 10 and 20 minutes away." He walked to the door and told the sergeant outside to gather 20 men and a troop carrier and wait outside the hospital in back. Van Haesten looked back at Strijdom. "I will have an escort take you in a troop carrier, fairly low profile as we have been using them for transport around the city. I will head to the embassy and contact my government. I doubt Cruywagen will want to arrest you before talking with O'Deaghaidh, as they have already planned a discussion."

With that, van Haesten lead Strijdom out back behind the hospital where he boarded a troop transport with 20 SS men. The driver was ordered to head for Radio-Transvaal.

Van Haesten got inside another vehicle and drove towards the embassy.

[Botha]

The convoy of tried-and-true Centurion tanks – or Olifants as they were called in Southern Africa – made their way slowly but steadily towards the government district and embassy row. For the personal stationed at the Tahoe embassy, these were the first actual Transvaler regular troops which had been seen in the city since the rebellion started over two weeks ago.

The tanks halted in front of the embassy and two staff officers climbed out of them. Both of them were in their mid-to-late fifties; one wore the sand-brown uniform of a Krygsmagte field marshal while the other was suited in the dark navy uniform of the Seemag.

Field Marshal Paul Cruywagen, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and Admiral Rudolf Kruger dusted off their uniforms and then walked up to the gate of the Tahoe Embassy. Both men saluted the guards stationed on duty.

The Marshal spoke in his characteristic gravelly, solemn baritone voice: “We are here to meet with His Excellency, the Ambassador Séamus Ó Grianna. We believe he is expecting us.”

[Manetheren]

The Marshal spoke in his characteristic gravelly, solemn baritone voice: “We are here to meet with His Excellency, the Ambassador Séamus Ó Grianna. We believe he is expecting us.”

The guard, an SS trooper (Embassies and consulates are guarded by the Cosaint Thaidhleoireachta SS, not the Armtha SS. Both are branches of the Ministry of State Security, from which the acronym SS is derived) wearing a black dress uniform saluted the Field Marshal and Admiral and said, "This way, please, sirs." He opened the door to the embassy, holding it open for them. Inside, he lead the two leaders through the lobby and up the main stairs to the Ambassador's office. The SS trooper opened the door, letting the Marshal and Admiral into the office.

Ambassador O'Grianna was a tall well built man, typical for a Tahoan, with combed over white hair. He stood and walked to the door, shaking the hands of the Tahoans, welcoming them to the embasssy.

"I hope all is well in the current conflict, I know you must be under considerable stress. It is customary in Tahoe to welcome guests with a toast and a meal, I could call up a whiskey from the kitchens if you wish" the ambassador said with a smile. "Perhaps that is inappropriate for the current situation. Now, I have managed to corner the Taoiseach, these damned time zones making talking directly difficult, if you wish to speak with him."

[Botha]

The marshal shook hands with the ambassador. “Thank you Your Respected Excellency for your kind hospitality but we should perhaps not keep the Taoiseach waiting.”

Cruywagen made sure to specifically use the title which protocol associated with Ó Grianna’s status as Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Pretoria. As the Dean, Ó Grianna was permitted to attend executive cabinet meetings called by the Staatspresident – a unique perspective accorded to no other diplomat, although attendance was far and few between now since Staatspresident Botha had taken more of a backseat role in the day-to-day management of the government since the dawn of the Oranje Republiek [OOC: Transvaal joining IRON]. Those meetings, however infrequent and generally dull they were, also gave Ó Grianna valuable insight into the complex workings of the Federal Government as well as the various power politics and factions which operated within the Government.

Admiral Kruger then exchanged greetings with the ambassador in strained but passable Irish before switching back to English. “I’d actually quite enjoy one of your whiskies if that’d be no trouble to you, sir. You see, I received my naval training in Tahoe… and I must admit I acquired a taste for your country’s fine whiskey while I was there.”

Cruywagen gave the admiral a sideways glance of dismay - that now was not the time to be drinking whiskey when matters of national importance were at stake. The ambassador sensed however that Admiral Kruger was simply attempting in his own way to lighten the tension which surrounded the men.

The Marshal then spoke to break the ice. “Well, I suppose we should get this dialogue with the Taoiseach underway. As for privacy, I am fine if the four of us sit in the phone conference.”

[Botha]

The static from the radio disappeared as Radio-Transvaal went back on the air:

“People of Transvaal, this is Prime Minister Hendrik Strijdom speaking to you today. The domestic conflict between the Federal Republic and the Azarian guerilla organization has ended.

“Yesterday at noon, under my powers as Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Transvaal, I authorized the order for the military under the command of Field Marshal Cruywagen to cease hostilities and hold their ground as the Azarian forces made preparation to demobilize and acknowledge the re-establishment of Federal Republican control over the territory under their influence.”

“An amnesty has been proclaimed throughout the Federal Republic for those soldiers who took up arms under the leadership of the Azarian Movement. Its leaders will be permitted to leave for exile unhindered and my government shall not pursue nor press charges against their rank-and-file members that remain.”

“In the coming months my government will work towards the reconstruction and reunification of our great homeland.”

[Manetheren]

The Marshal then spoke to break the ice. “Well, I suppose we should get this dialogue with the Taoiseach underway. As for privacy, I am fine if the four of us sit in the phone conference.”

Ambassador O'Grianna walked to the liquor cabinet on the side of the room and poured Admiral Kruger a whiskey. He looked at Colonel Van Haesten, who had just walked in, and raised an eyebrow, asking him if he wanted one too. Van Haesten shook his head, no.

"A Tullamore Dew for you Admiral, one of the finest availible. Now, gentlemen, if you would please take a seat, I shall get the Taoiseach on the line."

Marshal Cruywagen and Admiral Kruger sat down immediately, though the ambassador noticed Colonel van Haesten hesistate and check his watch before sitting down. The ambassador picked up a phone on his desk and dialed a number. He spoke a few words to the secretary on the other line before the Taoiseach picked up. Setting the phone on his desk, he pressed the speaker button. Immediately, the Taoiseach could speak to everybody in the room.

"Failte, gentlemen, it is a pleasure to speak with you all. I trust your health is also satisfactory. I am not normally a hasty person, yet Ambassador O'Grianna tells me that the current state of affairs may change significantly and you, Marshal Cruywagen, want the support of the Government of Tahoe for this...transition. If you wouldn't mind, could you brief me on the current state of affairs and your plans, Field Marshal?"

[Botha]

If you wouldn't mind, could you brief me on the current state of affairs and your plans, Field Marshal?"

“Certainly Taoiseach, of course… what the military high command – as represented by myself from the Army, Admiral Kruger here from the Navy, and Flight Commander Wise of the Airforce who is currently at our headquarters in Lusaka – propose is that, behind closed doors, Prime Minister Strijdom’s authority is curtailed and restricted.”

“We have come to a unanimous decision that through the exposure of Strijdom’s support of a secret ‘scorched earth’ defensive and nuclear policy that he is now proven mentally unfit to govern Transvaal.”

“On a public level, we want it to appear that Strijdom is still running the show, so to speak, as we wish to preserve the appearances of a functioning democratic republic. The military will not come out into the open and take over the government, we do not want it to be seen that Transvaal is ruled by a junta.”

“Once Strijdom’s term expires, regular elections will take place except that at some point beforehand he shall announce to the public that he won’t be running for re-election due to, let’s say, ill-health.”

Marshal Cruywagen then looked at Van Haesten. “I believe your colonel here is aware of Strijdom’s defensive plans of national Gotterdammerung and can give you the details”

One of Ambassador Ó Grianna’s butlers walked into the room and whispered into the diplomat’s ears. “Are you sure?” Ó Grianna blurted out, interrupting the Taoiseach and Marshal.

“Excuse me gentlemen, I am so sorry to interrupt… but it seems that Prime Minister Strijdom has just made an announcement on the radio.”

The butler then turned on the radio located in the corner of the room… Strijdom’s voice was heard over the airwaves:

“People of Transvaal, this is Prime Minister Hendrik Strijdom speaking to you today. The domestic conflict between the Federal Republic and the Azarian guerilla organization has ended....”

[Manetheren]

The room instantly fell quiet as everybody listened to Strijdom's radio broadcast. At one point, Marshal Cruywagen glanced at Colonel van Haesten, who impassively looked back before turning his gaze back to the radio. When the Prime Minister had finished, silence hung over everybody awkwardly before the Taoiseach could be heard softly laughing from the phone.

"Well, Field Marshal Cruywagen, needless to say, your plans just got mightily confused. You see, now Strijdom will have the support of the people and no matter what you claim to the contrary, he can just point at his supposed record. What, may I ask, do you propose to do now?"

[Botha]

What, may I ask, do you propose to do now?

Field Marshal Cruywagen restrained his anger on hearing the announcement. He wasn’t sure or not if the Tahoans were in league with Strijdom or not, but he could tell that they weren’t backing him with open arms at this moment.

He still had a couple of political trump cards up his sleeve. Now for him to show his hand.

“How exactly, Taoiseach, would Strijdom maintain order if the military is not behind him? He also has the Ministry of Interior & State Security against him now. Perhaps we should just stand aside and let all the natives walk in and have a go at him?”

He waited for their reaction, knowing full well the Tahoan disdain regarding non-Europeans. He knew that possible scenario might frighten them to their senses and call out their bluff if they were truly backing the prime minister.

Admiral Kruger looked pensively at Cruywagen, before contributing his own input: “Also, we made the NSMP public knowledge… that alone would bring down Strijdom and Van Matteus in one fell swoop.”

[Manetheren]

“How exactly, Taoiseach, would Strijdom maintain order if the military is not behind him? He also has the Ministry of Interior & State Security against him now. Perhaps we should just stand aside and let all the natives walk in and have a go at him?”

Admiral Kruger looked pensively at Cruywagen, before contributing his own input: “Also, we made the NSMP public knowledge… that alone would bring down Strijdom and Van Matteus in one fell swoop.”

"Oh I don't doubt it would. Were, however, the Prime Minister to deny the NSMP and accuse you of making it up in order to remove him from power and install a junta, you would have to consider the possibility of a real civil war, not just a few tribesmen with guns. Democratic nations tend to support their elected leaders especially if they are popular, as Strijdom is certain to become even more so with his recent address to the nation. If you were to move against him and have him speak out against you, well, terrible things would happen. If you failed to provide security and let the...natives...have a go at him, as you said, well, is gaining power worth letting Pretoria and the rest of Transvaal falling into anarchy for?"

Marshal Cruywagen sat stone faced, listening to the Taoiseach, while Admiral Kruger shifted in his chair, signaling his discomfort at the tone of the conversation.

"You see Field Marshal, it is not so much that I support the Prime Minister and oppose you, yet the path you are taking is ultimately going to weaken white Afrikaner rule over South Africa, which of course cannot be allowed. If you and Strijdom were to work together however..."

[Botha]

"You see Field Marshal, it is not so much that I support the Prime Minister and oppose you, yet the path you are taking is ultimately going to weaken white Afrikaner rule over South Africa, which of course cannot be allowed. If you and Strijdom were to work together however..."

Field Marshal Cruywagen looked at Admiral Kruger. Both men knew that the Taoiseach had made a good point. Regardless what Cruywagen’s own personal opinions may be about the problems and social divisions of Southern Africa, he knew that the majority of white Transvalers would never accept any form of native rule – and thus any attempt to even hint at permitting that possibility to occur would immediately extinguish any form of public support for the military against Strijdom.

He approached the issue from another direction – one which he had more strength.

“I think you over-estimate Strijdom’s popularity with the electorate. If you look at the breakdown in the National Assembly, Strijdom is in a position of weakness. Assuming that Van Matteus backs him up and most likely the Reverend Du Toit, assuming the Reverend even lives, then there are still enough moderates in the National Party along with the support of the pro-military and progressive Demokratiese Barakke Party to remove him from power through legal means in a vote of no confidence…”

Suddenly, as if Cruywagen had a revelation from above, he stood up. “Gentlemen, I believe we are finished here.” He looked at Admiral Kruger, who polished off the last of his whiskey and stood up to get ready to leave.

“The only deal we will make with Strijdom is this…” the Marshal spoke in a firm, determined tone of voice – one the Tahoans had never heard him use. “He agrees to resign at the end of his term and not run for re-election, and that the military has the final say in the use of any future nuclear weaponry which he is building… also, he has to clear any major domestic changes through us. Otherwise we shall find a way to remove him through the National Assembly. He can choose to be our puppet or he can chose exile. I am sure you can relay that information to him.”

Cruywagen and Kruger then made their way to the exit.

[Manetheren]

Colonel Van Haesten and Ambassador O'Grianna watched the two Transvalers leave. When they were gone, they looked at each other silently for a moment before the Taoiseach, who was still on the line, spoke up.

"Well the Field Marshal is one headstrong fellow now isn't he. I don't think he has quite considered the implications of his coup. We must not allow Transvaal to fall under native control, nor can we allow it to fall under the control of its sympathizers. Colonel van Haesten, return to Prime Minister Strijdom's side and escort him out of the city for his own safety. Ambassador O'Grianna, issue a public statement congratulating the Prime Minister on his victory. Field Marshal Cruywagen is a threat to the national security of Transvaal and thus a threat to our own national security. You understand your orders, gentlemen?"

The colonel and ambassador murmured their assent.

"Good. And Colonel...do be careful, Cruywagen seems like he is on the verge of using violence."

The Taoiseach hung up the phone and van Haesten and O'Grianna looked at each other. The ambassador shrugged, as if to say, what can we do about it. Colonel van Haesten stood up and saluted the Ambassador before leaving the embassy. Taking the back roads, he got back to the radio station quickly. Hopping out of his car, he walked into the building. Finding the Prime Minister, he informed him of the meeting.

"Prime Minister. We must leave Pretoria immediately, it is far to risky for you to remain here. Field Marshal Cruywagen is dead set on having you be his puppet. You must not fall into his hands. I and forty of my men will escort you out of the city. You must begin appealing directly to the people and the National Assembly. Tell them Cruywagen is seeking to arrest you, coup you, whatever, but make it convincing and keep hammering it home. Otherwise you are done for."

[Botha]

"Prime Minister. We must leave Pretoria immediately, it is far to risky for you to remain here. Field Marshal Cruywagen is dead set on having you be his puppet. You must not fall into his hands. I and forty of my men will escort you out of the city. You must begin appealing directly to the people and the National Assembly. Tell them Cruywagen is seeking to arrest you, coup you, whatever, but make it convincing and keep hammering it home. Otherwise you are done for."

Prime Minister Strijdom was silent. He put his head in his hands, leaned forward in his wheelchair, and sighed.

“Unfortunately for me, Cruywagen does hold a lot of public support. Not an outright majority, but it nevertheless is considerable and enough that his supporters in the National Assembly, both within the National Party and in the DBP probably do have a stranglehold – or at least block me from doing anything. The DBP, which are very pro-Cruywagen, polled as many votes as I recieved in the last election. And unfortunately people will listen to him and what he has to say. It will be my word against his - and I believe him when he says that he could go to the National Assembly and get a vote of no confidence. I cannot guarantee Hofmeyr's or Van Matteus' support - those are the two waverers who currently keep me in power. Hofmeyr has his own eyes on the office, while Van Matteus and I do not get along very well. She is also quick to stab someone in their back when it advances her own cause.”

“If I stay and agree to become his puppet, then I may just as well resign now and spare myself the humiliation. If I stay and try to fight him, chances are I could lose – or worse, plunge the nation into a white vs. white civil war, something that would destroy the Federal Republic. Either way my political career would not recover.”

More silence…

“However, if I refused to go along with their plan and resigned now, Jakob Hertzog would become the new prime minister. He got run out of office before due to bungling the national economy as well as our foreign policy – which is a real weak point with him due to his inability to speak decent English.”

“Now unbeknownst to Hertzog and Cruywagen is that one of our key trades is nineteen days inactive and it is my suspicion that we shall lose it in the next 48 hours or so. What better welcoming present to land on Hertzog’s doorstep than an economic crisis?”

“Colonel, I believe I must leave Transvaal now so that I can fight this battle another day. Let the nation lurch around under Hertzog for a few months and come May when the federal election rolls around, I will have a much better chance at regaining power – especially if your people can lend support.”

More silence…

“I have made my decision… I am asking the Government of the Tahoe Republic for asylum. I need to leave now. Once I am safely out of the country and fully recouperated from my injuries, then I shall speak to the people and prepare for my return to contest the election.”

Edited February 9, 2009 by Botha

[Manetheren]

Colonel van Haesten was a smart man. Smart enough to know that the Taoiseach hadn't told him everything. Why else would he order me to rescue Strijdom if he knew it would create a diplomatic incident with our closest ally, thought van Haesten. As he listened during the conference with the Transvalers at the embassy, it was clear to him that Strijdom was going down, one way or another. Yet, it was his duty to protect and serve him.

"Very well, Prime Minister, we must return to the embassy right away and from there take a helicopter to Johannesburg. You can finish up any duties that you might need to at the embassy."

[Botha]

"Very well, Prime Minister, we must return to the embassy right away and from there take a helicopter to Johannesburg. You can finish up any duties that you might need to at the embassy."

“If you don’t mind Colonel, I need that briefcase there” motioned Hendrik Strijdom to a brown leather satchel case sitting next to his hospital bed. While Van Haesten grabbed the case, Strijdom gathered his papers from his desk and bundled them together. The colonel handed the satchel case to Strijdom, and he stuffed the papers inside.

As they exited the hospital room, Strijdom brought his wheelchair to a sudden stop.

For a moment, Van Haesten thought that the prime minister was having second-thoughts.

Strijdom took a deep breathe, looked around, and then looked at the waiting Colonel. “Okay, let’s get this over with... to the embassy” and followed the Tahoan into the elevator and outside to the waiting troop carrier.

[Manetheren]

The troop carrier was packed with Strijdom, Van Haesten and ten other men hand selected by the colonel to serve as a bodyguard. They drove through the quiet streets of Pretoria to the embassy, where the pulled into parking lot in the back. Going through a small gateway in the perimiter wall, they made their way to the helipad where the embassy's helicopter was sitting with its rotor blades already spinning.

On the edge of the concrete stood the ambassador who shook hands with van Haesten and Strijdom. He shouted over the noise, "Well, I can't say I'm looking forward to trying to smooth over this whole mess with the Field Marshal...he didn't look to be quite so happy at us after our meeting. Any advice, Prime Minister?"

[Botha]

Any advice, Prime Minister?"

Before boarding the helicopter, Strijdom handed over an envelope to Ambassador Ó Grianna.

“This is my letter of resignation which I wrote up hastily while on my way here. I’d appreciate it if you could deliver it to the military so they can forward it onwards to Staatspresident Botha.”

The helicopter engine made talking difficult, so Strijdom was forced to shout: “As for advice, I cannot see the Marshal doing anything serious to rupture Transvaler-Tahoan relations in the long-term. However if your government instead wishes to send a message of disapproval to him, a kick in the balls so to speak, deliver the letter instead to Kruger – or better yet Colonel Petrus Malan of the Transvaler Raketkorps.”

Strijdom was laughing to himself as he was wheeled inside the helicopter – which soon lifted skywards and proceeded to head south towards Johannesburg.

[Manetheren]

The ambassador laughed quietly to himself as he watched the helicopter roar into the air. Walking back into the embassy, he glanced out of a front window on the way up to his office noticing a number of troop transports had just arrived in front of the embassy. His heart started beating rapidly, thinking it was the Krygsmagte arriving to arrest the Prime Minister...but no, it was just the remainder of the Armtha SS troops arriving. Their roles had been replaced by the Krygsmagte. The ambassador would deliver the letter of resignation once it was confirmed Strijdom and van Haesten were safely in the air.

Back aboard the helicopter, van Haesten and Strijdom rode in silence, with Strijdom staring out of the window at the ground rushing by down below. Every time one of them seemed to have something to say, they lost the courage and thus remained silent. Landing at the airport in Johannesburg, Strijdom noticed that one of the Aer Lingus jets was already on the tarmac ready to take off. Getting out of the helicopter and walking towards the jet, they were greated by the pilot who informed them they were fueled and ready to depart.

"Shall we go, Prime Minister?" asked Strijdom, who simply nodded back, yes. They boarded the aircraft together. Once aboard, flight attendants asked if they wished for a beverage while the jet taxied for takeoff. Soon, they were in the air.

[Botha]

“Wat bedoel jy dat hy hier nie is nie?” said Field Marshal Cruywagen. “What do you mean he isn’t here?” he quizzed the Kygsmagte guard again.

“Sir, as I said, the prime minister isn’t here. The hospital is now abandoned except for some medical orderlies. They said that Strijdom left around half an hour ago with the Tahoans. They all withdrew and left. All of them.”

“What is wrong, sir?” called Admiral Kruger from the waiting tank. Cruywagen replied “Well, it appears that Strijdom is now with the Tahoans. He left half an hour ago and has either gone into hiding at their embassy or he’s on the Kasier Martens Highway making his way towards Johannesburg.”

Kruger looked at his watch. “If he left half an hour ago, then he’s probably still on the highway. We can alert the perimeter patrols north of Johannesburg to be on the look out for him… although what are we suppose to do with him? He’s still the prime minister; it isn’t like he cannot go where he pleases…”

Marshal Cruywagen walked back to his waiting tank and got on the radio. He sent orders to his command post to notify all Krygsmagte patrols to apprehend and detain the prime minister as soon as he arrived in Johannesburg.

‘I should probably contact the airport too’ he thought to himself.

He dialed through to Johannesburg’s Botha International Airport. The response he got made him slam the phone receiver down so hard it shattered. Admiral Kruger head the smashing and walked over to the Marshal. “Sir, what is wrong?”

“According to the airport personal, Strijdom left on a Tahoan flight ten minutes ago!”

“Ten minutes ago? How did he get there so fast?” asked Kruger.

“They say he arrived by helicopter” answered the flustered Marshal.

“Did they say where he was going?”

“No. But I am sure the Tahoans know… we need to return to their embassy and find out.”

Edited February 10, 2009 by Botha