"I'm highly disappointed in you and very unfortunate to have you as my heir"! Major General Bassey barked out at his son, Percy. " At this rate, you will end up as a nobody. Just one more insignificant individual roaming the earth and my popularity will forever eclipse yours"! They were supposed to have a peaceful family dinner but it seems that was not to be it.
Mr Bassey is a Major General in the army and through years of hard work and doing many underground jobs for the top echolons in power, he had been able to amass wealth and popularity for himself. The incumbent president has been in power for many years, he came in shortly after the General got promoted to the rank of a Captain and since then, he seems to be favoured by the government and years later, he was the Chief of army staff and has held that position for over eight years.
He had been grooming his son to take after him and establish links with the government but Percy just seems to have other motives in mind. By nature, he was a quiet, cheerful and intelligent boy who wants nothing to with force or cunning. His Dad had noticed the boy's distaste for the military as soon as he made it into Junior college, instead the boy had a strong affinity for sciences and he made this known to his father in no mean words. But his father attributed it to the influence of been a teenager and believe he will change his mind as he grew up. He took Percy along to dinners and gathering of many other influential military officers and quite a number of personal meetings too but the boy's conviction for science refuses to wane and just this evening, on his 20th birthday, Percy has made it known to his Dad point blank that he was taking a different course in life and that has set fire to the already gathered gunpowder.
"Dad, there is no need for me to toe the same path as you. You own father was a school teacher yet he let you choose your own path and you surpassed his legacy, please, let me pick my own path too." He said softly.
"My father was not known as a teacher but I am known and therefore, I want you to make fame too. I have already made the way easy for you. I have the connections to get you into the military easily and after that, glory awaits you".
"Dad, I don't want that. I want a profession where I can contribute to humanity and save lives. All lives, irrespective of nationality or doctrine." Percy pushed on.
"It seems you 've been sleeping since your birth or do you want to play dumb? His father asked angrily. "I'm a soldier, not an assassin. I save lives too!"
"By killing." Percy said nodding his head sadly. "I don't want to save lives by taking other lives. I am going headlong into science Dad, and nothing else sways me. Please, just give me this opportunity and believe in me. I won't fail you!" Percy said pleadingly.
General Bassey sat quietly in contemplation, he closed his eyes for about fives minutes which seems like eternity to Percy. Ultimately, he cleared his throat and this was a signal for Percy to sit up and listen. His heart was beating wildly.
"Since you're bent on being a thorn in the flesh of my legacy, I don't want to see you anywhere near this house again until you regain your senses". Major General Bassey said through clenched teeth. " I will withdraw all privileges my status extends to you and am freezing all bank accounts in your name. Now leave my presence!"
Percy felt like a bomb has just gone off in his head. Although he knew his Dad was very scrupulous but not this determined on punishing him. His mother meant to say something but one glare from her husband was enough to make her go mute. She wept silently.
Bassey knew he could not convince his father neither was he ready to give up on his dreams of saving mankind. He slowly walked up to his room to gather his belongings or what the circumstance deemed fit to allow as his own. His mother came up to his room while he was at it.
"Am sorry son. I could not put in a word for you. You know how brutal your father can be." Her eyes were still red and watery.
"Don't worry mum. Everything will turn out fine."
"I suggest you go to my brother's house and explain things to him. I will call you later to see how you're settled."
"Okay Mum. Thank you."
Percy hugged her and for the first time since he got the shock, he wept.
"We have to declare a lockdown in the whole country sir. Until a means is found to curb this menace that is eating us up!" Colonel Vincent said.
"A total lockdown will halt economic activities and may lead the country into recession. We can't afford such a situation Sir." Mr Felix, the minister of finance chipped in. "And beside, we just passed the year's budget and we can't afford to go back on our words."
"Of what use is the budget to a dead people?" Major Tracy asked. "We are talking about an epidermic which infects even without contact and kills swiftly. I advise we shutown all activities until a suitable means of containing this virus is discovered since there is no cure in sight."
President Toareed sat quietly. He was a soldier, a General but this menace of a virus has defeated him utterly. How do one fights against a foe he cannot see or is helpless againt. He had called a meeting of his cabinet to see if any glimmer of hope can be found but it seems no flicker of hope remains. A lockdown seems the best option now but death still lurks in the shadown as hunger will fill in the space and a civil unrest may bloom out of it. For he knew hunger drives even the meekest of persons, wild. But still yet, he had to make the call and he hoped, that a solution will be found before it gets unbearable. He was just bracing himself to pass the edict when Doctor Dayo, the minister for health put his hands up to speak.
"Yes! Doctor Dayo, you have something to say?"
"Yes sir." Doctor Dayo stood up and adjusted his tie. "Sir, just this morning, I got a call from a top medical expert in the alliance of nations and he told me their best expert has found a cure for the virus plaguing us." A murmur swept through the conference room and slowly died down. "Although he is under the sponsorship of a world power nation and also, he alone can oversee the administration of this cure. we can still plead with the alliance to help us out. I believe they can't just sit and watch us get wiped out by this deadly virus"
"This is wonderful!" President Toareed exclaimed with a broad smile. "I suggest we send a delegation to the headquarters of the alliance of nations to see if this expert can spare us a thought. We are ready to pay for his services."
Nominations were held and it was decided that Doctor Dayo, Mr Eldris, the minister for foreign affairs, Mr Zack, the minister for Science and Senator Eket, the president's chief of staff should make the trip.
"I believe there is one other person to include on this delegation." Doctor Dayo said. "His presence may lend us an extra weight in this quest."
Everyone looked round the room and finally returned their gaze to the doctor.
"And who will that be, if I may ask?"
"General Bassey Sir. The chief of defence staff!" Doctor Dayo offered.
A slight murmur of disagreement swept through the room. And Air Marshal Charles tapped his microphone and sat upright to speak.
"This is not a military expedition so I see no reason why the General should make the trip. Lets keep this on a diplomatic and civilian terms".
A murmur of agreement rolled around the conference room it died down as soon as the president made a motion to speak.
"I believe doctor Dayo has a reason for recommending the General." Doctor Dayo nodded, smiling. "So, can you please tell us your reason."
Doctor Dayo stood up smiling.
"I made the recommendation because this expert with the breakthrough cure is Percy, General Bassey's son!"
A gasp of surprise swept through the room and General Bassey widened his eyes in shock. He had long forgotten about this obstinate son of his. He believed the boy was cut out to be a failure but what twist had fate made. This same boy now holds the key to the survival of the entire nation. Wonderful!.
But he thought it was not wise to be on the delegation since he treated the boy badly and he made this known to the cabinet, most of whom already knew what transpired years ago but the president would not buy this idea and he ended the argument with one final sentence.
"I know Percy to be a good boy. Gentle and respectful. We can only try and hope time and events have not made him despise his father", the president said.
After the meeting broke up, General Bassey made his way to his car and just as he wanted to drive off, doctor Bassey ran up to his side and passed an envelop to him.
"This is from your son, he asked me to give it to you. And just incase you 've been wondering how I got in touch with him. Yes, I helped him secure admission into medical school overseas and helped to see him throughout medical school after you sent him packing." Doctor Dayo said and left before the General could say anything.
He opened the envolop with shaking hands and flipped open the note. What he saw made him shed tears, something he has not done for several decades.
"Hello Dad! I knew a day like this may come and am glad it did and also glad I can be of help. I believe now, the eclipse of your shadow over me is waxing thin and you now wonder how. But don't worry, when you come, we will talk about it over a cup of coffee."
Percy.
