Dark Ages

They were in the office, in uncomfortable and ancient chairs that had served Harold Smith’s office forever. With the chairs, an equally old couch and the two desks, the office was tight. Smith would return momentarily.

“When you moving back to the other office, Junior?” Remo asked.

Mark was tapping at his keyboard. “We work pretty well together in here.”

“You wouldn’t want some privacy?”

“Not really.”

“You’ve got a girlfriend, you know.”

Mark didn’t look up. “I do know that, thanks, Remo. But I don’t plan on having make-out sessions while working. So it’s, okay sharing an office with Dr. Smith.”

“You could use some more space in here, if that’s the plan long-term. There’s nobody next door. Why not break out the wall?”

“We’ll see.”

“Hush,” Chiun said.

“I could do it while we’re waiting.”

“You speak to hear yourself talk,” Chiun admonished.

“Shutting up now.”

Remo watched the tides batter the shore of Long Island Sound. He listened to Mark Howard tapping his keys and making small sounds when he found something of interest.

“Huh. You know what? I’m missing that idiot bird. He was rude, but at least he was interesting. Maybe I’ll buy Smitty a big bird for Christmas. Bring a little life into this room.”

“Emperor Smith has no desire for a big bird,” Chiun said. It was his habit to refer to the CURE director as Emperor. Masters of Sinanju hired out their services only to state leaders with true power. Smith qualified easily—he wielded great influence around the globe, although almost no one was aware of it. Still, the title of “Director” was insufficient in Chiun’s eyes.

“Feel like I’m waiting at the dentist’s office,” Remo complained, but even then he heard Smith’s footsteps coming through the reception area.

“Remo,” Smith said sourly. “Chiun.”

The door opened again before it had closed. The late arrival was Sarah Slate, newest addition to the CURE staff, and the girlfriend of Mark Howard. In contrast to Smith, Sarah gave Remo a smile. She always gave him a smile, although they rubbed each other the wrong way. She placed her hand gently on the narrow shoulders of the ancient Korean man. It was the kind of intimate touch that Remo still couldn’t get used to. Chiun just didn’t take to people like he took to Sarah Slate.

Still, everybody seemed to take to Sarah. She was annoyingly likable. Remo had to admit he had some affection for her—above and beyond his appreciation for the fact that she had saved his life. Above and beyond the fact that she was as hot as a tamale and as cute as a button.

“How was the bird?”

“He is at home with his People, healthy and content,” Chiun reported. “His leg gives him no more trouble.”

“You’ve heard about the business in Newfoundland?” Smith asked when Sarah had departed.

“Yawn. I mean yes,” Remo said. “Doesn’t sound like a threat to U.S. security.”

“The Newfoundland coup is no threat,” Smith agreed. “The next coup attempt might be.”

“Is there another one?”

“Not yet.”

“Then call me.”

“Sit down and listen,” Chiun admonished. “The Emperor clearly has more to say.”

“Thank you. Master Chiun,” Smith said. “The man who occupies the capital building in Newfoundland is claiming his actions are legal, based on a document called the Proclamation of the Continuation of the British Empire.”

“I must have slept that day in history class,” Remo said. “I’ve never heard of it.”

“You’re not alone. Nobody heard of the proclamation until today, when it was posted on an Internet Usenet group. The proclamation uses all original, authentic source material, but combines them in unorthodox and creative ways. They’ve got several royal documents in here, dating from 1655 through the middle eighteenth century. They were mostly put in place to strengthen the authority of the British Crown by giving more incentive to its field agents. Essentially, it bestows salvage rights on colonies whose control has slipped from England’s hand—either through negotiated treaty or revolt.”

“Snore.”

“It gives this authority only to the knights of the j realm and former colonial governors. Theoretically, a man who has a knighthood is too honorable to abuse his power.”

Remo shook his head. “Yeah, right. So they give some knight the authority to take back a piece of real estate that England stole from somebody else in the first place?”

“They then have the right of taxation and authority in the restored colony,” Smith added.

“They’re sanctioned despots,” Mark Howard explained. “Remember, these rules were established when England was wrestling with all kinds of colonial problems—not the least of which was the developing crisis in North America.”

“So what?” Remo said. “The 1700s were a long time ago—I know it because I saw it on TV.”

“But this morning, Sir Regeddo Tulient staged a takeover of the Newfoundland government seat, called the Confederation Building, and used the proclamation as justification for it,” Mark Howard said, “He claims his knighthood makes it his right and duty to restore the lost holdings of the British Empire.”