Part 39 Epilogue

The Press went crazy with the story of the band disappearing again.

Some newspapers wrote about it sympathetically, many were convinced it was just another attention seeking promotion by what they claimed now to be the biggest con in showbiz, whilst the remainder just made up stories and began conspiracy theories.

The truth of the matter was David, Marcel and Missy stayed put and helped rebuild the shattered lives of the people of Ethiopia.
Prime Minister Hollowman renewed with the belief he rid himself of a heavy burden went onto set reform and change that his country hadn’t witnessed in years and eventually retired after 3 terms in government and a reputation as a great leader.
The Abbey and the brewery still flourished and large proportions of the profits still went to the charities set up by the band though now a percentage went to support where Marcel, David and Missy were rebuilding.

Ethiopia itself flourished after boys and Missy settled.
A large influx of University graduates returned from Europe and America with a new outlook and started to have an effect on how things were done in the country.
Combined with large mineral and ore discoveries by local companies boosted the economy.
The most fortuitous event was the return of regular weather patterns that ensured crop growth in abundance as a long cycle of droughts was broken.

Prosperity abounded.

It came as a huge shock when Ethiopia invaded Somalia and drove out the war lords with the backing of the British government led by Prime Minister Hollowman and within three years established Somalia as the jewel of the east African coast becoming a new trendy holiday destination and a thriving economy.
Somalia returned to democratic self rule within five years.

Due to Mr. Blanc’s draconian style of running his empire this time around, he left no lieutenants or seconds to take the reins of his growing but yet young company holding and in doing so were easy prey from the competition whilst the rest collapsed.

Shidot Records and Mr. Sincerity continued to make truckloads of money with re-issues and the constant flogging of the Monk Rock brand.
In reality it was more money for the charities.

There was talk of a Stage Show with the story being written by Ben Elton.

David and Missy eventually married after David decided being a monk had some draw backs when it came to celibacy and they lived happily ever after with over a 100 adopted Ethiopian children.

Marcel was content to stay a Monk.

No one ever saw or heard from James ever again, at least not that they admitted it. Sometimes if you passed by Marcel’s lodgings you could swear he was talking and singing with someone in there.

Part 38 Where to now?

Later that evening as it became apparent that no one from the government or the local authorities was going to investigate or even acknowledge what had happened to the campsite of the New Era army. Marcel, David and Missy were sitting around a camp fire assessing what to do next.
Everybody had already revealed that James had led them to safety and assured them it was all over, the balance was restored and he was home, though in reality they had no idea what he was talking about but deep in their hearts they knew they would never see him again.

“Let’s just not go back” announced Marcel
“What just stay here?” asked David
“Why not. We’re more useful here than anywhere else”
“You mean just walk away?”
“Exactly”
“Sounds like a plan”

Part 37 Bad cloud rising

The flames rose high and the noise followed a split second after.
A roar like an angry lion not like you’d expect an explosion to sound like at all.
Missy and David looked on in awe as the massive fire ball contracted and a big plume of smoke replaced it and grew larger over the horizon.
Marcel dropped onto his knees and started to pray for the souls who had just been obliterated.

Part 36 The roar of screaming jets

Mr Blanc. waited.

His throbbing head dulled by the fear of the rifles aimed at him from ten paces by four New Era Militiamen.


For a few seconds he heard the screaming roar of the fighter jet


then nothing


ever again.

Part 35 Caught

Mr. Blanc couldn’t believe Hollowman wouldn’t take his call but was more surprised when the New Era slammed his rifle butt into the side of Blanc’s head.
Mr.Blanc awoke and found he was tied to a tree in a field. A soldier was standing above him and reading out a list of crimes.
“What’s going on here you morons” he asked.
“Welcome to your trial, judgment and execution Mr. Blanc” replied the soldier.

Part 34 Relief

Minister Hollowman was sitting at his desk deep in thought while several of his Military Advises awaited his decision. It was a tough one, many lives would be lost but it would be the purpose of a freer world.

“Sir” one of the General’s said “News just in – It seems all the local population have moved out of the target area, that should cut our loses substantially”

“Yes” said The Prime Minister perhaps a little too excitedly. “New Era and Blanc in the same place, no one would criticize us for taking out that garbage – Go ahead gentlemen- do your duty”

Prime Minister Hollowman felt a huge weight lift from atop his shoulders.

Part 33 Means to an end

AFRICA
Mr. Blanc looked up from untying his legs and saw the others had left he ran towards the cave opening and stopped dead in his tracks as he came face to face with the familiar uniforms of the New Era Militiamen, he quickly bolted back into the cave and dialed the satellite phone.

LONDON
Prime Minister Hollowman felt he had been the Devil’s pawn for too long, he had felt filthy and depressed ever since he had won the election.
The spectre of Mr.Blanc shadowed his entire life and he couldn’t take it any more. He had used his country’s resources for this mad man and it wouldn’t be long before he became so entrenched in his doings that he just couldn’t live with himself anymore.
His soul felt stained.

But this morning something changed.

Much to his own relief, PM Hollowman had woken up this morning with a new lease on his own destiny and felt strongly that the only way to get rid of Mr. Blanc out of his own life was to meet him head on.
Then he really did believe he could make a great Prime Minister for his country.

The new intelligence report from MI6 this morning had been nothing short of prophetic and would be the answer to all his payers. He ordered all local support for Mr. Blanc pulled immediately and unconditionally.

It was when he put the notes down that his assistant said Mr.Blanc was making an emergency call from Africa.