422. GAR

Giving 20 Billion dollars was a big no, the Director of the CIA was not worth this much money. So Gerald Ford agreed to the first term, he had nothing to argue with since he too acknowledged that what happened was wrong. The UK was a major ally and to stop them from developing technology was the same as stopping themselves.

It didn't matter if they don't let the Americans participate in their projects, after all, even they don't let people from foreign nations participate in their secret military projects.

Without saying anything, Magnus left, there was no need to make any public statement about this as it was going to be a mess soon anyway. He simply returned to Belize as another rocket test was going to take place.

...

The next day, the bomb dropped when in a press conference called by the CIA, its director spoke directly in front of the camera with a darkened face and eyes that would even shame a panda.

Admiral Stansfield Turner walked to the mic and simply spoke about what had been planned previously, "Thank you for coming, ladies and gentlemen. You are called here for an announcement and a confession. I am stepping down from the position of the Director of CIA, effective midnight.

"The reason for this is a lapse of judgement and decision in my capability and capacity. The poisoning of the CEO of FutureTek Industries was carried out by the CIA on my orders. I regret the decision and apologise to Mr Armstrong for this unfortunate act."

That was all he could tell them. More would mean putting the national interests in danger, as it might give some sort of idea to the rest of the world that the US was hostile to allies. By just naming Bobby, he was basically saying their actions were against the company, not the nation.

Anyway, the harm had been done. The image and trustworthiness of the CIA would hit rock bottom and many conspiracy theories will ensure that people lose trust from the government as well.

Magnus had played his own small game, as by doing this he had made the British population less interested in the United States. This would go a long way as he planned to develop the nation.

The journalists tried to ask questions about whether the President knew about it or the reason they did it. Of course, USSR jumped into the frying pot and tried to stir the reaction, openly claiming they felt bad for the United Kingdom and Bobby. They got nothing but a cold shoulder though.

Gerald Ford emerged and addressed the controversy at his own press conference, where he revealed that he had found out what had happened and that he talked with the British Government and Crown Prince Magnus, the best friend of Bobby. By doing this the man saved his ass, he was very good at it.

However, the bigger news was to come later the next day, when a shocking announcement was made. Admiral Stansfield Turner was found hanging by the ceiling with a rope around the neck in his house. Magnus just sighed, he didn't know if the man did it in shame or the President did it, he was not sorry in any way, the man had grown-up kids, one married and one in college.

That didn't stop FutureTek industries from suing the hell out of the United States Government, Tonks & Tonks represented FutureTek, which put a lot of pressure and in the end, a settlement of 2 billion dollars was made(roughly 8 billion today.). Bobby and Magnus clanked bottles of chilled beer while watching the successful test launch of the Pendragon Z rocket.

"Haha, man, you are one bad capitalist. Your best brother got poisoned and you still made 2 billion," Bobby jokingly said,

Magnus shrugged, "What can I say, I'm just too good at making money. But now I will have to be careful, the US will be pretty alarmed about me, I need to install my guy in their top office somehow."

Bobby shut his mouth and made a zipping gesture, "I didn't hear that,"

"Anyway. I'm off to Africa now with Emma, or else she's going to complain I've forgotten her after school," he got up from his beach chair. They were sitting on the terrace of the Mother Grace Space Centre. It was initially going to be named after Elizabeth, but Magnus denied that as she already had enough places named after her.

"See you later then, at your coronation, I guess. Tell Ragnar to come here and get some training, I won't be the only one flying that damn rocket," Bobby distastefully said. He had no idea what Ragnar was doing, the guy had only said he was working on something that can help on the mission and reduce weight.

...

Using a Portkey, Magnus returned to London, Emma's new villa, to be precise. It was just 5 minutes walk from Strawberry Hill House, where the Grant family lived.

"EMMA, MY LOVE! Come out, look, your handsome boyfriend has arrived," He shouted at her door, particularly to embarrass her. Sure enough, a book fell from the window, aimed at his head, though he caught it.

She came out running, but Magnus just clutched her into his arms and kissed her lips. She shied away, "Stop, there are people,"

"There will always be people, and I'm not kissing them." He rebutted and continued.

"Oh my, young love sure is shameless," Emma's mother walked out of the villa, teasing them.

"Good evening, Mrs Vanity. May I take your daughter on a trip to Africa?" he asked her like a gentleman.

She continued to tease, "Would you stop if I say no?"

He caught Emma's hand, "Umm... not really, I'll just take you along as well then,"

Emma's mother laughed loudly, "Haha, no, I won't spoil your personal time. You may go, take care, love birds."

Magnus grinned, helped Emma into his car and moved to the airport, "We're going by my plane this time,"

"Why? You don't have a portkey?" She inquired.

"No no, I just felt like spending more time with you and taking a flight will give us enough of it," he replied with a straight face.

But Emma stared at him, "Huh, shut it, I know what you want, you just want to do that with me,"

He shook his head, looking hurt, "My love, you mistake me. I just wanted to watch a movie with you on the plane."

"REALLY?"

He nodded, "Yes, and then maybe some fornication."

She punched his side, "KNEW IT! But I guess, I also hadn't any action in some time,"

...

Turns out, they couldn't even wait for the end of the movie. The entire flight duration was spent having some grown-up fun. When the plane landed in Zimbabwe, the financial capital of the African continent, they had rested and woken up 15 times.

But getting back to work, he went to the Royal Palace built in Zimbabwe, it was for Magnus to have his important meetings. The visit was official and presidents and prime ministers of all African nations were asked to come here for a meeting of great significance.

By now, the Dragon Service of Africa had dealt with all of the military dictators or power hoarding Presidents who were borderline dictators. Entire Africa was more democratic and free at this point than Europe.

The Soviets, the Americans, the French or Portuguese, all had lost their influence in the region one after another. Since Zimbabwe was a focal point, all nations wanted the same success story, hence they naturally tilted towards the UK.

In a closed-door meeting in a giant luxurious hall, without reporters except for the royal stenographer. The seats were taken by all kinds of people, some wearing western suits and some wearing their cultural clothes.

He started the meeting with warm thanks, "I welcome you all to Greater Britain with warm wishes. All of you know about my work in the recent years in the entire African region."

This was real, most of these heads of state were either put in place by Dragon Service or they were existing men in power made loyal. Hence, everyone in that room was loyal to him.

"I am here to propose two things, one is an African Union, a giant Union of 54 nations. We shall have policies aimed to ensure the free movement of people, goods, services and capital within the internal market; enact legislation in justice and home affairs; and maintain common policies on trade, agriculture, fisheries and regional development.

"We shall have more laws and better oversight in regional harmony and human rights, eradication of hunger and poverty from all underdeveloped regions. As a whole, Africa will protect itself, with an alliance of all nations to act if anyone gets attacked. There shall be Union courts to help with regional disputes. With this Union, Africa will have its place on the world stage." He laid down the plan in front of everyone. If any of them had any questions, they could ask.

Magnus gave them time to check the proposed plan in the documentation. Of course, the more detailed thick files will be given later for them to read with their economists and policymakers.

"Your Highness, will people be allowed to travel freely within Africa?" the President of Uganda asked.

He nodded, "Yes, as long as you possess a passport, you can travel and work in any part of the African Union. Since the world speaks English, it will be made a common language for all of us, so it's easier to work everywhere."

"Can we enter the United Kingdom as well?" The president of Nigeria asked.

"Yes and No, you can freely enter the African part of the United Kingdom, but not the European part, since the UK is also a member of the European Union, it can create problems for us. But rest assured, the visa rates and requirements will be much lower." He clarified. Although Magnus had tried to bring unity and equality, letting the whole of Africa freely enter the European UK would be catastrophic. Because of cultural differences and the huge population of Africa, a major crisis could erupt. This was the case for at least a few years.

After an hour of discussion, he came to the next announcement, this was much more important, "To make the African Union a success, we need to first make it stand on its feet. Sadly, we have no means to do that for now. Hence, I have decided to invest in a major infrastructure project that will help us all trade with each other. The project is called GAR, GREAT AFRICAN RAILWAY."

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