The ceremony was meant to be a simple affair, but when they arrived at the bridge thousands lined it, and Samuel was asked to say a few words. He spoke of the tragedy of the economic collapse, how it had driven many to desperation and despair, even some to suicide.
"Sometimes," he remarked, "good people lose their way, their hearts become heavy and they falter. It is easy to condemn. It is hard to forgive, but sometimes forgiveness is better.
A soul is now at peace because in its last hours it struggled to find those it was separated from, and find peace in their forgiving love. May all those who have lost their way find peace. Let us mix this lost one's ashes with the waters of this river. Let the waters dissolve those ashes and carry their essence into the heavens, perhaps to float across The Great Ocean and fall upon The Distant Land that was his home, and to flow down into that river he called sacred. It is not as unlikely a thing as it sounds, and perhaps if we all pray that it will happen, it just might happen!"
He nodded to Gandhi who took the urn from a bearer, walked to the edge of the bridge, and slowly dumped it, so the ashes floated down and came to rest on the water's surface. They were followed by thousands of flowers from the bridge and the river banks. Then someone started singing the hymn "I Will Take My Journey Home," and all there joined in. Then everyone departed, the officials paying their respects to Gandhi.
"Perhaps," Major Joseph commented, "we should delay a month or so."
"No," Gandhi answered. "We will proceed. Let this sadness be replaced with joy."
A messenger from the base ran up and handed Samuel a note. He read it and looked totally bewildered.
"What is it?" the others asked, gathering around.
"The UN debate has ended," Samuel explained. "The UN recognizes Saint George as a legitimate ruler of Nimba! They believe a reasonable peace can be negotiated. They forbid any outside interference. A naval force is being sent to blockade the southern ports and to keep our forces from coming to the aid of the rebels."
"Have they gone mad?" Major Joseph screamed. "It is insanity!"
"Your government is protesting," Samuel continued, "they have ordered the ambassadors of The United States, France, and Great Britain out of the country. They are ceasing all trade. They will not support the UN blockade! They will allow Spiritist aircraft to use their bases to supply the rebels."
"They can never get enough material in by air!" Gandhi cursed. "Their only chance is by sea. The Republic WILL challenge the blockade. SURELY the rest of the world knows they'll FIGHT!"
"The new American president is getting very bad advice," Samuel commented. "There are those that fear The Republic's growing power, do not like that The Republic doesn't play the old political games. I think they'll choose this situation to try to challenge. They've picked the wrong damned time!"
The others nodded.. "Get your wedding," Samuel ordered, "enjoy your leave. When you get back we're going to double our preparance for a ground attack. Those involved in this aren't going to sit still. They'll try to move against us, to keep us from reinforcing the west coast. They'll try to tie us down."
A while later s a naval battle neared off the Nimban coast a secret service agent came to Samuel's office. Samuel did not need to be told he brought bad news. He told the man to sit down and give his report.

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