----------------------------------------------------- May 7th, Cornell Ranch, Rhodesia ----------------------------------------------------- Ethiopian Ambassador Abraham sat stiffly in the back of the glossy black Armstrong Siddeley Star Sapphire Mark II, a ridiculously long name for what was a standard luxury car in Rhodesia. The vehicle was speeding along a well paved roadway flanked on either side by massive fields of tobacco, one of the high value exports Rhodesia sent around the world. White and black guards rode horses amongst the long rows being worked by black workers, none of whom look as destitute and starving as the black revolutionaries would have you believe. Abraham had been forced to come to terms with this realization when he arrived in Rhodesia as he found black families to be living in comfortable conditions, the envy of many in his own country. There was a large water truck parked roadside up ahead and a group of workers clustered around it as they filled their gourds and splashed the liquid on their faces. The driver, another black man, was carefully doling out the precious liquid under the watchful eye of a Land Rover with mounted machine gun manned by a white man in green fatigues. "We are entering Mr Cornells land now sir." Said the black chauffeur from the front seat. He had not spoken to Abraham at all during the journey and was one of the few blacks Abraham had seen with a firearm, an Enfield Revolver, strapped to his hip. "Thank you." Abraham replied, turning to glance out at the fields again. Nothing seemed to have changed in the landscape but he did note the small white stake next to the road that was used by the Rhodesians to mark off quarter sections. The terrain itself did appear to be getting more hilly and in the distance, he had to duck his head to see out the windshield, he could see a low set of tree covered hills. On the top of one of the hills he could just make out a large white house that gleamed as the sun shone on the south facing wall, a stark contrast to the towering mountains of the Eastern Highlands behind it. Abraham was not a stranger to being invited to land owners houses. Ethiopia was the power in Africa at the moment, or the Imperial power anyway. South Africa was a disaster at the moment and Rhodesia was doing an excellent job of playing down the economic success it was enjoying. Abraham's friendship, or patronage would be more accurate, could secure contracts with the Ethiopian business community. He flattered himself that he was a practical man, he wore his Western business suits well, advised his government to serve their best interest, but he had to admit the Rhodesians, at least the white ones anyway, lived well. Not luxuriously, one could never accuse them of that, the President had worked hard to prevent a massive disparity between white and black Rhodesians. The car was turning off the main highway now. Even with the number of vehicles on the rise the highways were not what you would call "busy". They bumped over the railroad tracks, still the most popular method of travel, and onto a well groomed gravel road. As the road began to climb into the Highlands he looked out the rear window and over the massive fields that spread before him. It was a pleasant sight as the sun bathed it all in a soft spring sun, a rain squall moving swiftly across a range of distant mountains. Then they were into a thick forest of Boabab, Mopane and Musasa trees that cast their heavy shadows over the roadway. The forest floor was thick and lush, a testament to the regions steady rainfalls. He could see a small heard of Bushbuck Antelope that raised their heads long enough to study the car before deciding it posed no threat and returning to their dinner. It was heartening to see such innocence from animal life in the area. Mr Cornell was well known for his strict anti-hunting policy, unless he authorized it. It had allowed for a fantastic study of Rhodesian wildlife over the years. An easing in the rumble of the car engine and a surge of power was enough to tell him that they had reach the top of their long climb. The road levelled now and wound across the wooded ridge line until it suddenly opened onto a clearing. In the middle sat a large two story white farm house topped with red tiles. A pair of huge elephant tusks framed the door which was opening even as the car spun up the drive. Two black footmen waited like statues for him, dressed in simple white robes, their heads bare, and red sashes across their chests. One of then stepped forward as the car came to a halt and the door snapped open. "Welcome Mr Ambassador. Mr Cornell is on the North veranda and requests that you join him." Said the footman as Abraham stepped from the car. He was aware of the cool breeze that played across the hills, blowing down from the Mountains to the North. It was refreshing after being on the lower plain where the air tended to hang hot and humid. He allowed himself a moment to glance around. Two whitemen stood nearby, rifles slung over their shoulders, hands holding the leashes of two massive Rhodesian Ridgebacks that were lying quietly at their masters feet. They both offered the black man cursory nods which he returned quickly. The house was square, he knew that from previous visits, with a large interior courtyard that doubled as a hallway, all rooms opening in to it. A veranda ran around the other three sides of the house, only the front, which faced east, sported two story columns that held up the red tiled roof. He adjusted his suit and made his way up the steps, admiring two lovely hanging baskets of the flowers that flanked the doorway. Inside the door two flights of stairs rose on either side of a second door that led into the courtyard, one to either side, curving upwards to meet on the second floor. He needed no guidance from here, thanked the footman, and then made his way up the right hand flight of stairs which would take him to the Northern veranda, his dress shoes clacking loudly on the tile floor. He stepped onto the veranda and, as he always did, drew in his breath in wonder. The view to the North was that of the Highlands, huge peaks stabbing into the clouds as rain squalls raced across them and lighting flashed in distant passes. "Ah! Abraham, welcome!" The voice, deep and cheerful, came from a young white man who stood to greet his guest. Henry Cornell was in his mid-forties, well built, and by all accounts an excellent soldier and generous land owner. His dark hair was cut short and blue eyes that always seemed to be looking into your soul were sparkling with genuine welcome. "Henry, nice of you to have me up, thank you." Abraham replied as he sat in the offered chair. A small table between them held two bottles of local Rhodesian beer, the cool moisture still running down their glass sides. Abraham took a long sip of the beer and relaxed for the first time in a week. Henry was the closest he had ever come to calling a white man a friend. "Aneni, the Ambassadors coat please." Henry called over his shoulder. Before the sentence finished a woman slid forward. Officially she was what state officials called "coloured", unofficially she was a half breed. She was beautiful, her skin flawless, her breasts and buttocks straining against her white robe. She smiled devastatingly at Abraham as she took his coat before retreating without a word into the house. Henry maintained a considerable staff despite his bachelor ways. The house staff was exclusively female, all of them attractive, and the grounds staff exclusively male, all of them dangerously fit. Henry paid a bonus to those of his staff who could keep up with him on his rigorous personal fitness regime, white and black alike. "Business goes well I hope?" Abraham asked as he downed more of his beer. He knew it went well, he had, after all, been instrumental in helping open Ethiopian and American markets to Henry's tobacco. Henry never paid him directly, that would be cheap, but he had bought the ambassador his house in Salisbury and the car he had arrived in. It was a mutually beneficially relationship. "Always." Replied the white man with a grin. It was impossible not to like Henry. He was generous, ruthless, handsome, cunning, fair, and so much more. Very few could complain of his treatment of all his employees. Pay was done by the government scale but bonuses for hard work and extra production were quick to come when his expectations were exceeded. "I hear your Crown Prince was down for a visit. Managed to piss the President off something fierce." The comment was shrewd and Abraham winced. "Yes, well he is young." There was no way this conversation could continue without Abraham saying something be might regret. Thankfully Henry noticed his discomfort and changed the topic. "Weren't we all once." Henry said tactfully, finishing his beer. Aneni had replaced it within seconds, returning only to provide Abraham a second drink as well. As he did every time he visited, Abraham had to force himself to not ogle the staff, it seemed somehow inappropriate. "I have been making inquiries into purchasing a shipping company." Henry said as he put his bare feet up on a stool. "Not passengers mind you. But our taxes here are less strict than they are in Europe and the United States. How is Ethiopia's shipping industry?" The two men fell into a familiar pattern of discussing business and their respective countries. They had met many years before when Henry was part of the Rhodesian trade mission that had arrived in Ethiopia. He had been then, as he was now, a dedicated bachelor. Abraham was married to his work so the two made fast friends as they discussed trade, diplomacy the situation in Europe, the civil war in South Africa, etc. Abraham had faithfully served his country. Henry had done his mandatory four years in the military, made Captain, and promptly retired, investing his minuscule savings into a hand bag company that sold exclusively in Britain. From that he had expanded into automobile imports, then as a weapons supplier to the Rhodesian army, and eventually into farming. His easy manner had won him many friends and investors. Now he was one of the wealthiest man in Africa at the tender age of thirty five. Abraham for his part had attended a high level university, earned two degrees in International Business and, Trade and Commerce. He had served his Emperor faithfully for many years now as a Diplomat and jumped at the chance to become the Rhodesian Ambassador when the time came. The existence of a White African Rhodesia did not bother him in the slightest. He had seen what happened in South Africa, German West Africa, and so many other places, Rhodesia was doing well on its own. Darkness was slowly descending on the Villa, dinner had been consumed, much beer drank and cigars smoked when Henry at last gave a yawn and pushed back his chair. "I think that's it for me Abraham. I am down in the West forty tomorrow to put some new irrigation in. Stay as long as you like, good to see you." He stuck out his hand and the black man shook it. He had always been surprised how Henry treated him like family. Or maybe he treated all his friends like this, he had no family to compare to. "Thank you for having me Henry. I may stay another night, if you don't mind. I have some papers I need to work on and it's blessedly quiet around here." Abraham stood and felt his head spin slightly. His shirt sleeves were rolled up and the several buttons on the front undone, his tie long discarded. "Not at all. Use my office if you like. Or the study, whichever you prefer." Henry jerked his thumb towards the next row of french doors over. Inside a soft glow came from a desk lamp. Abraham knew that a large safe was hidden somewhere in the room but he had never looked for it. That would be an insult to his host. "Goodnight Abraham." "Goodnight Henry." The white man vanished into the house. Abraham paused a moment longer to enjoy the evening air, taking a deep breath, filling his lungs. A soft tread on the tile behind and a pair of arms encircled his waist, teeth biting him gently on the shoulder blade. "Good evening honeybee." He said, turning to look at Aneni, her teeth brightly white against her dark skin. "It has been to long." "It has, oh great lion." She said with a soft laugh. "Henry still does not mind?" Abraham asked. He had always felt guilty about his romance with her until a year ago when Henry had calmly, and curtly, told him that any children Abraham and Aneni sired would not be allowed to stay at the Villa. Henry despised children. "Of course not. Why would he? He just likes to look at me." Another laugh, one that almost seemed sad for the briefest moment Abraham noted with some surprise. "But now that you are here it does not matter." She said quickly to cover the lapse. He smiled back and then drew himself up pompously. "Very well, show me to my room." She took his hand in hers and led him into the house, through a set of tall wooden doors which closed gently behind them before turning and sliding her dress over her head, her skin gleaming in the lantern light. "Do as you will master." She whispered as he pulled her close to him.