CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
They were all gathered in the dining room for breakfast, and their boss was there also, Jr too. Everyone felt that truly Jr had a
strong grip on the camp while Alijha’s hand had slightly lost the grip. His presence brewed so much heat upon them. As if he possessed a supreme supernatural power that was geared towards taking over the camp. They felt it, they saw it, but they couldn’t explain it. It was beyond their comprehension.
“Gentlemen, we have a voyage across the sea...” Alijha said with a deep yet low voice.
“We are going to Egypt and then take the plane to Spain.” His eyes were becoming red, the crew began to wonder, something was wrong about the trip. They kept looking at Jr. However, these guys loved voyages, they were excited about it. Alijha felt he was betraying his loyal boys, his heart was burning.
“You can now go and prepare yourselves because we will be taking off this evening, but Jr remains behind with me for a few minutes,” Alijha said, dispersing them.
“Jr can you now speak something with life in it...”
“Grandpa... OK then let me suggest a fair deal. I’m an agent of the Somalia Navy,” he said while showing him the badge. Alijha was so shocked.
“Indeed I do not know you Jr...”
“Yes you don’t, but my new deal is that let’s cancel the voyage and pay the boys for the years they have served you and part ways with them. But we’re still going to take you to a hotel in Spain. This is to spare your life because the international community is looking for you. You no longer have the guts to fight back for your survival. The International security will be told that you were long killed and your boys will be an alibi. This is to protect you.” Alijha pondered upon his words silently.
“So what about the camp?” Alijha asked with a sorrowful voice, for he was faithfully married to his business.
“I will run it… to restore it by driving away the evil you attached to our family name.”
The guys were called to gather at the conference thirty minutes before their departure. They knew their voyage time was up, and their excitement had risen.
Jr stood in front of them and said, “Gentlemen, good evening, we are sorry to let you know that the voyage trip has been canceled. And also that you will be parting ways with us all of you in the next three days. So we will be paying you for all the years you have served Alijha faithfully. We are sorry for the inconvenience this might have caused. However,each of you will be given $20,000.00 cash.” He said and remained standing. They all looked at each other and murmured. They were satisfied with their lump sum of money, and after the meeting, most of them met Jr privately and thanked him for that decision. They were hopeful that out there- they will be able e to better lives.
For the past few years, they were not allowed to leave the camp for greener pastures because Alijha felt they would be turned into spies by International Security to demolish his empire. One by one they also went to Alijha to bid him farewell.
Alijha too bid his palace farewell by walking around it. The memories he created; good and bad, sweet and sour. He never dreamt of such a day he would part ways with his palace and camp while alive.
He walked over to the cemetery. Knelt down before the tomb of his father and asked for forgiveness.
Alijha became confident that a new and fresh life awaited him. In the evening, his servant prepared his luggage, and he was ready to leave.
Alijha’s pirates were no more. Jr dismantled the army although he didn’t anticipate executing it that way. He went to his grandmother’s grave and offered an honorary gesture. The crew departed for good to their respective home towns and villages.