The Loyal Lieutenants Act Nine Scene One Sub Scene Two

 

Act Nine

Scene One

Sub-Scene Two

Ness’ nest encroached

 

After the ratification of the Treaty of Paris of 1898, Porto Rico came under the colonial control of the United States of America. This brought about significant changes: the name of the island was changed to Porto Rico (it was changed back to Puerto Rico in 1932). The island's social and economic structure modernized after 1898, with new infrastructure such as roads, ports, railroads, and telegraph lines, new public health measures, hospitals, and programs to develop agriculture. 

Sugar was a commodity for the people, and sugar was an essential ingredient. The traditional ingredients for moonshine are corn and sugar, and during fermentation, the sugar produces ethanol, which makes hooch or moonshine. During distillation, alcohol separates from the mash.

Egypt was one of the major players in shipping sugar from there illegally. They managed the barges that sailed the coasts and inland by river. The Treasury agents had limited success or were not given the needed numbers to ease the extra oversight on that trade.

The Porto Rico main gang, the Porto, owes the Pharoah some favors.

“Si Senor, where is the outhouse?” The lady dressed in the sundress and wide-brimmed hat asked Elliot, who was seated on the porch of the beach hut. It had been some days since his narrow escape from the opium den, but he called for them to return there.

“We are not complete with our task.” Elliot voiced out.

“Your task, and not ours.” Castella argued. “We were supposed to protect you.”

“And if you get shot, we are... well, failed, but it would not be the death sentence for us. You are a Treasury Agent and not a Lieutenant for the Romans.” Albert added. Chapin nodded his head.

“Well, give me a few days. I will decide then to return to Rome.” Elliot requested. And it was granted. All he did was sit there. He was thinking of the next action: rat on Dickson or report on Egypt. Eather mode, he was still a rat. That stigma will stay with his career, then. He had thought of calling Mark at Rome to call off the operations, but he felt uneasy about doing so. More to it, Egypt was not his jurisdiction.

“Si, Senor?”

“Sorry. There is... You can use ours. It is in the back, next to the shower room.” At the beach, the shower was an option to a bath, and it was refreshing in the warm weather. The trio of his guards were in the hut, sleeping off their stupor after long sessions of drinking.

“Si.” The lady walked by the side of the hut. Elliot was to watch her; who would not, for she was a beauty? But he caught a glimpse at the beach. There were five guys there, in the loose tunic and pants with the straw sandals, but they were carrying shotguns.

“Guys! Take cover!” Elliot called out when the shots impacted the hut walls. He dove off to the floor and drew his Browning. “Shots fired.”

An obvious observation, and Elliot was returning fire. The group dispersed and took cover before firing. Elliot crouched up and slammed his body against the doorway. He crashed in and saw the lady he offered their outhouse was there at the backdoor with a gun. He fired first and then crawled to cover.

“Albert! Castella!” Elliot called out. “We are...”

“Lower your voice!” Castella shouted. “We can hear you.”

Elliot saw the dead lady at the rear door. It was a typical design of the tropical hut, where the front door was joined to the rear door by a corridor. Castella crawled out of the right-hand side room with his gun drawn. Albert was in the opposite room.

“Where is Chapin?” Elliot asked.

“He is manning the window at the right-hand side window.” Castella replied. “Who is shooting at us?”

“You think I could walk up to them and ask? How would I know?” Elliot snapped back.

“Let us get into cover nearer to you.” Albert crawled forward. His experiences of being under fire helped him move fast. “Now let us get some idea of who was shooting us.”

Albert looked over the railing and saw that the beach was cleared. No one was there.

“It looks like they left.” Albert said. “Check on the lady.”

“Lady? He is not. It is a guy dressed like one.” Castella examined the dead lady. “Shot in the head. Good move there, Agent.”

“Then she could be anyone from Egypt or the others. I think it is time we go back to Rome.” Albert looked at Elliot.

“No. You guys go on back. I am to stay here. I have been shot once too many times. I am going to find some answers to all of this.” Elliot shook his head.

“Damn you, Agent. I am calling Mark for instructions. Meanwhile, you stayed here and kept that gun loaded.” Albert cursed at Elliot.

“It is loaded.” Elliot looked at Castella.

“Mine was not. I was looking for the bullets. Do you have any?” Castella looked at Albert.