National Police Directorate for Algiers
Algiers, French National Republic
27 April 2005, 0007 hrs
Louis Nicolas Bonaparte arrived at his former working place in the early morning hours. He worked as director of National Police in Algiers several years ago, then he was chosen for police prefect of Algiers. But he lost everything with this foolish over-ambitious project of imperial restoration. Other man was chosen for police perfect in Algiers when Louis Nicolas was appointed for minister of the interior. He had nice chances for good career in Dassault's goverment, but he ruined everything with his hunger for more power. Now he was going to search for a job for which he was educated: Work of police inspector. He was also chief inspector once, but he couldn't return to this position immediately as he didn't have his team to lead anymore. He visited police director in Algiers and he gave him the office of some inspector that was killed in shooting some days ago. Lois Nicolas dropped the big box with his stuff on his new table and turned on the computer.
Louis Nicolas surfed the web for news. Everything was quite the same, everyone reported about republican victory at plebiscite. Those news made him even more bitter. Bonapartist League fell apart right after the plebiscite, all supporters left him. This really wasn't a good idea. This was the thought that came most often into his mind. He was sorry that he left republicans and followed such unstable ideas. Then the news about failed attempt of assassination of President Dassault appeared. Counless thoughts started to occupy the analytic mind of Louis Nicolas Bonaparte. It was no doubt that royalists are behind that. Ligue Bonapartiste was dead, Orleanists were the only serious opposition left. They must have attempted to remove the president, as he was the key figure in republican goverment. Without strong president, who also didn't have any good successor, republic would fell apart and kingdom could be established. He quickly grabbed the phone and made a call.
Presidental Palace
Algiers, French National Republic
27 April 2005, 0009 hrs
Louis Nicolas Bonaparte jumped out of his Citroen and ran towards the presidental palace. Policemen and Gendarmes allowed him to pass and soon he was waiting in the room that was used to accept the guests. President Dassault appeared after long hour of waiting and it was clear that he wasn't really happy of this visit.
- What do you want now, Napoleon? - President had his left hand in wrapped in bandages and he wore the black admiral uniform. In the 24th April, just one day before the plebiscite, President Dassault was on visit in naval base in Oran. He received the honorable title of the Grand Admiral of French Navy, despite he didn't know anything about the naval warfare. But his friends in navy managed to gave him such ''promotion'', so he could easier counter the influence of Duke of France, who was one of most important naval commanders. But small accident also happened during President's visit to naval base, as some device on the bridge of FS Jacques Massu accidentally exploded, and burned the great part of President's moustaches. President had to shave away remaint of his proud moustaches, so he also made his plebiscite speech with a new look. He decided it's good now, as moustaches were making him look older anyway, so he won't wear them anymore.
- President, first I need to humbly ask you for your forgiveness. I had made a great mistake, please, let me repair it.
- What makes you think that I can forgive your betrayal? Without you, Duke of France would never managed to make such a political crisis.
- That was the worst mistake of my life, I was blinded with my unrealistic ambitions. Please, give me another chance, let me to prove my loyalty again.
- Well, I should make you minister of the interior right away, shouldn't I?
- That would be the kindness I couldn't accept, all I want is only your forgiveness.
- But you know that you can't demand anything from me, do you? You don't have any support, you're only a common police inspector now.
- I know that.
- And you know that someone wanted to get rid of me. I can't trust to anyone now. It could be you that organized that ambush, you know that?
- I would never do a such thing! But I know who would!
- Let me think. Oh, I know, Duke of France, he has done that! How could I miss that! Bonaparte, this old story doesen't work anymore for me.
- But President, royalists wanted to assassinate Marechal Darlan once! It could be the same now.
- I can't and I won't accuse anyone without the proofs. Mister Bonaparte, go back to your tiny office in the most forsaken part of police directorate where you belong. My people are working on this assassination attempt case, I don't need you to tell me what to do. You have made enough harm already.
- Very well, President. But if you need me, give me a call. You know where to find me.
Bourbon Residence
Outside Algiers, French National Republic
27 April 2005, 0012 hrs
- That is unacceptable, how can you suspect me of such an dreadful deed? - asked Duke of France one of inspectors that were searching his mansion for any proofs.
- Being suspect doesen't mean you're neccessary guilty, so you don't have to worry unless you really are the conspirator.
Duke Philippe d'Orleans felt that anger is growing up quickly in him. He couldn't believe to such accusations. Orleanist movement together with Action Francaise is very centralized and he knew that such actions were not an option. There also weren't any radical Orleanist fractions that would try to kill the President. There are only a few radical Carlists in National France, but those monarchists are concentrated mostly on Spain and wouldn't mess with such affairs. And Carlists are not connected with Orleanists anyway, they support a diffrent Bourbon branch.
- Chief, this will probably interest you. - was heard from inspector's communicator.
- I'm comming down. -answered the inspector and left the Duke of France alone. A man in his sixties approached the Duke. His elegant and a bit snobbish image was showing that he was a noble also.
- Duke Philippe, you must follow me quickly.
- Comte de Lyon, is something wrong? - asked the Duke of France.
- Sire, can't you see this was set up? They want to remove you, Dassault is changing this country into dictatorship, and he is making sure that all opponents are gone.
- I am innocent, they can't do anything. The Truth always wins.
- Duke, those are dangerous games, please, come with me!
The voice was heard from somewhere - Get the Duke here, quickly! - and the steps started to come nearer.
- They really have set this up, I hope you have good plan, Count. - Duke followed Comte de Lyon into one of several cabinets. Count touched one of the books on massive shelf and the great piece of furniture moved away, revealing the secret passage. Both men entered the passage and Count of Lyon touched another switch on the wall of the passage. Massive shelf moved back into original position.
- Fortunately we have this passage. - said the Count when they were walking down the dark tunnel. Count lit the passageway with a small battery light. The tunnel ended somewhere in the tiny bay, where some small vessels were located. In fact, this wasn't some secret dockyard, it was simply private marina. Secret tunnel only made a way to it faster.
- Well Count, where are we going? - asked the Philippe d'Orleans, when two nobles embarked luxury speedboat.
- Just a few miles ahead, ship is waiting for us.
- What ship?
- German one.
- What, Germans? Do you have contacts with Germans?
- It's always good to have many important friends. That's what you still have to learn, Your Highness. - Speedboat left the marine and sailed into open sea.
On German frigate SMS Gotland, Captain Bauer soon spotted incoming boat trough his binoculars. - Graf has made a good job. - said the captain of frigate to himself.