Part 31 - The Prisoner (Saturday, 18 July, 1970) Jimmy looked out the window of his room to the golden sands, the coconut palms and the brilliant azure of the Pacific Ocean. His suite did not feel like a prison cell but that was what it was. Steve had made it quite clear he was under house arrest. Jimmy wondered, not for the first time, whether the Ratu was behind the seizure of power. For the moment though, Steve was the highest ranking of the plotters Jimmy had encountered. The other captors deferred to him. Not that the Methodists would get away with this. There would be an accounting. Perhaps even before the strengthened International Court of Justice in the Hague. Suddenly, in his mind, Jimmy was transported. To that Moscow spring, earlier in the year, when he was sharing breakfast with Peggy at the British embassy. He was explaining to Peggy the concerns Yuri had shared about the operation of the ICJ.[1] Yuri was worried lest any of his inquiry agents should appear before the Court, the proposed procedures in the Hague not offering the accused the same safeguards guaranteed under the Soviet constitution. Peggy sniffed over her marmalade toast. "Not inquiry agents, dear," she said, "Interrogators. Never use two words when one would suffice." Peggy had used a neutral tone but had nevertheless managed to say the word 'interrogator' like it was a bad thing. "I think Yuri is being a bit precious," she added. Jimmy knew 'precious' was not a good word in the Peggy lexicon. He thought it was a bit unfair. True, the British with their highly developed democratic sensibilities had no need of a written constitution but Jimmy felt they should not be dismissive of those that did have such documents, especially one as beautifully written as that of the USSR. Once again, it appeared Peggy had failed to explain her position adequately. She had no grievance with the Soviet constitution per se , just that it inadequately mirrored reality. The USSR was a country with secret tribunals determining the fate of malefactors, prison camps hundreds of miles from anywhere where suspects could be held incommunicado and a Minister for Justice who wouldn't recognise the eternal golden thread if it were wrapped around his neck and used as a garrotte. Peggy had then used a lawyer's phrase to describe her suspicions of the state of Yuri's mind. "Why is he so worried about the risk of his interrogators being prosecuted?" she asked. "Only the guilty have anything to fear," she added, answering her own question. Jimmy thought this last statement went a bit far and would have said so. Phrases such as, "The innocent have nothing to fear" were worrying even if said by well-meaning people like Peggy. But Jimmy remembered a comment Yuri had made, about sending the Spetznatz commandos to the Hague should any KGB interrogators be arraigned. Perhaps best to say nothing. Hopefully the enhanced Court would be acceptable to other countries - ones without such exacting standards of justice as the Soviet Union. And then it was winter in Fiji again. Jimmy was a prisoner in tropical luxury. But he had plenty of memories to pass the time. He recalled that James Bond film he'd seen at Christmas...

(Sunday, 19 July, 1970) It was important to see the Prime Minister first, thought the First Sea Lord. The heads of the other services were still bitter about the East-of-Suez cutbacks. And from what Sir Peter Hill-Norton knew of Mrs Benn, an 'I told you so' approach would cut little ice. Recapturing the Fijis would be difficult. Britains allies in the region, New Zealand and Australia, had already signalled that they would be difficult. Deploring the way the islands had made their UDI but refusing to support in any way what they saw as 're-colonisation'. Much depended on the American attitude towards Diego Garcia as a refuelling and resupply point. But the Navy had to be in a position to act. If the Navy couldn't project British power across the oceans, what good was it for, anyway?

(Monday, 20 July, 1970) "Gentlemen, please sit down". Lyn had used a low quite voice but its effect was electric. Both Bob and Bobby stopped mid rant. Bob's face was a deep red and Bobby was breathing heavily. The pair exchanged angry glances and were seated. "Now, let me summarise," said Lyn, "Bobby is proposing that we recognise the new Dominion of Fiji and give her new government the support required to maintain good order and safeguard her freedom. While Bob suggests we maintain our alliance with Britain and give logistical support to allow her to restore order to her rebellious colony." "Is it fair to say," Lyn asked, "that you agree that these two policy proposals are mutually incompatible?' There were nods. Lyn faced a difficult choice. On one hand a new, anti-Communist government in the Pacific was a God-send. Letting the British reclaim the islands only to give them their independence as a Marxist dictatorship would be a backwards step. On the other hand the British were long-standing and close allies. Lyn looked at Bob and Bobby. On one hand Bob was a loyal member of his cabinet since the early days, working hard to support Lyn's policies . On the other hand Bobby was a sneering member of the Eastern establishment, whose two-faced undercutting of the Administration was starting to give Lyn the squirts. Well, worse squirts that usual. Lyn announced to his cabinet, "We're backing the British." "Mr President," said Bobby gravely, "I'll have to consider my position." "You do that, Bobby" said Lyn who then thought to himself, "You just do that, son[2]."

(Wednesday, 22 July, 1970) The new government of the Dominion of Fiji seemed more sure of itself. Jimmy found himself on a charter flight to Sydney with the British Governor and other officials of the ancien regime . There was to be a separate charter flight for surviving members of the Royal Fijian Regiment who had not thrown in their lot with UDI. Not all those on the flight were ex-prisoners. There was one chap, an Australian. "Call me Duncan," he said.[3] Jimmy could find out little about him - he was a 'contractor', in 'import-export'. Apparently import-export was of great interest to the new regime. Jimmy wouldn't have thought Steve and Co would be that credit-worthy but Duncan insisted their credit was indeed good, "The very best." Duncan had dark hair and blue eyes. His beard mostly matched his hair, only with flecks of red. Jimmy felt his own chin. It had been almost five days since he'd shaved. He'd never thought of growing a beard before - he feared it would make him look like a folk-singer. But Duncan seemed to carry it off. Resourceful chap, too. "Beer?" asked the Australian, as he opened what appeared to be a plastic picnic-basket filled with ice and gold-and-red canisters. "Church-key," Duncan announced as he located a tin opener and passed a Castlemain Bitter to Jimmy. "Cheers, sport," came the toast. "Cheers," Jimmy replied. You'd have to be pretty resourceful to come up with all that kit in the middle of a coup in Suva. Duncan was clearly a man to watch.

Lieutenant-Commander Windsor, 'Neddie' to all his friends, was overcome with excitement. He was going to see action! This would make pater sit up an pay attention. He was always telling Neddie about the things he had done when he was Neddie's age. Well, with HMS Cavalier sailing for Fiji Neddie would have a few stories to tell around the family dinner table, too! Neddie could scarcely contain his excitement. "Ying tong iddle eye po!" he exulted. [If you'll just let me continue.]

[1] The International Court of Justice was established in 1945. As constituted it hears torts between states rather that criminal cases against individuals. No additional powers have been subsequently granted which should make our timeline's equivalent of Yuri happy. [2] In Lyn's ratiocination process 'son' is only an approximation of a complex Texan compound noun. [3] Duncan actually introduces himself to Jimmy as 'Donald'. But as 'Donald' isn't Duncan's real name either we shall continue to refer to him by the name Jimmy remembers. All clear?