[b]Iron Lady - The Battleship Comes, The Brother's War - The Ending?[/b]

As the Battleship and its US Navy escort were allowed through the Corregidor fortress' old guns so that they can dock at the Naval Yards at Cavite, Priscilla Aglipay-Rizal, soon to be the [i]former[/i] Lady President once Archibald had won - Aurelia deciding to run for Vice President, while suspicious, had guaranteed the Agriculturalist's win - thought of the odd turns fate took. Standing just behind the Naval Yard's docks along with her bodyguards, as well as an array of dignitaries, she couldn't help but feel as though the Philippines had a fighting chance against any threat now. Aurelia's deals had won them Rhodesian aircraft to convert to military use, and training for new pilots.

These, along with the docking Battleship which splashed water on the harbor itself, symbolized hope. [i]Yet the need for them symbolizes grief, grief that people are not coming together for the prosperity of all.[/i] She looked at Irene, her housekeeper.bodyguard, whose scarred face had an expression of joy. Instead of sharing her concerns, Priscilla would ask, "What is the name of that ship?"

Irene replied, "The Yohannes IV; Yohannes is 'John' in English, 'Juan' in Tagalog."

Priscilla nodded and said, "Then it's settled, the name of the ship will be 'Juan IV'; a direct translation of the ship's name. Anything to honor the nation that gave us this gift." [i]Anything except giving them back their ship.[/i]

From a telegram from Lucrecia, she had heard about the Bahr Negus' objection to the gift, as well as how the latter had lacked compensation for it. This was actual theft, not redistribution, yet at the same time, it was a far lesser crime than allowing one's nation to fall. [i]We are one of the last decent places on Earth, one of the last places that are aware of their flaws and do not ignore them. That does not mean we are perfect; rather that we are self-aware.[/i] She looked at an approaching Aurelia, who looked stunning in a dress of blue Philippine Silk and Sulu pearls. [i]Will we keep that self-awareness once I am gone? Oh, God, I hope so.[/i]

Aurelia gave a slight bow; Priscilla was surprised to see genuine deference in her expression. The rich landowner then said, "Good news from Sulu: Al-Hakam Kiram has finally met his brother in battle. Despite the Sultan not actually fighting, his forces, with help from Sarawak, have won; Kota Kinabalu has switched allegiance. As for Lahad Datu and the eastern ports, 'volunteers' from Sulu itself staged another incursion, this time with better boats."

Prsicilla sighed. "I do not want more territory, merely security against a potential Japanese encirclement. Tell Al-Hakam that I recognize his Sabahan dominions as an independent state...if he hasn't declared independence already."

A smile from Aurelia. "Oh, that's the Sabahan People's Congress' job; you taught Al-Hakam Kiram well - even as his armies are crushing the last remnants of resistance [i]and[/i] bribing the interior tribes into accepting the new order - he [i]adbicated[/i] actual political power; the Congress now has control of Sabah itself. They wasted no time declaring that the Philippines' friendship is accepted, but not domination."

A breeze blew as Priscilla smiled and nodded. "Then, as one of my last acts as President - after thanking the Americans and Ethiopians for their battleship - I will formally drop the legal case and legal arguments for Philippine soverignty over Sabah. With a potential Japanese Invasion coming, I'd prefer allies, not servants."