Raji, Book Three

“What is your cause, Major?” I asked.

The major leaned forward to tap the ash from his cigarette. “Quite simply, we want the British out of Burma.”

“And if the British refuse your invitation to leave?” I asked.

“Then we are prepared to take action against them.”

“‘We?’” I asked. “I’ve read in the newspapers the British have almost five regiments in Burma, plus artillery and gunboats. Do you have enough men to go up against that kind of force?”

“No, we don’t have enough men to confront them now, but our numbers grow every day.”

“And you want me, Raji, and I suppose Kayin, to join your army?”

“Kayin has other duties to perform. But I would like very much for you and Miss Devaki to join with us on a training exercise.”

I wanted to know what Kayin’s other duties were, but he continued before I could ask.

“I’m taking a regiment of irregulars to Ethiopia for a training mission.”

“Ethiopia?” I asked. “Why so far?”

“Three years ago, in 1928, the Emperor of Ethiopia was killed in the civil war. Two days later his wife, the Empress, died of mysterious causes, then Haile Selassie crowned himself the new Emperor. Those loyal to the former Emperor continue to fight the forces of Haile Selassie in the outlying provinces, and we are fortunate enough to have access to one of the airfields in a region they control. We have been invited to use their training grounds for our new recruits.” The major took a last puff of his cigarette and stubbed it out in the ashtray. “As you say, it is a long way, and that is one of the reasons we are going there. It is so far away that the British will not notice what we are doing. We would like the two of you to go along and serve as our medics.”

“I don’t know about Raji,” I said, “but I don’t feel qualified to perform any medical procedures.”

“Nor do I,” Raji said.

“This will not be in the nature of surgery or treatment of diseases,” the major said, “but more along the lines of first aid.” When he received no response from either of us, he went on. “We expect minor wounds and maybe a broken bone or two, nothing more.”

I glanced at Raji.

Is she thinking the same thing I am? A broken bone or two?