Friday, May 21st Victoria, BC
The receptionist announced that his guests had arrived. Jack Jordan asked his secretary to go out to the lobby and escort Ted back – she must have meant guest, not guests. It must be getting close, he thought excitedly.
Ted came into his office, greeted the Premier, and introduced the gentleman with him. ‘This better be the good news,’ Jack thought as he gave Ted a darting look. "Well, it’s certainly, a pleasure to meet you. How is the President holding up with all these new acquisitions of statehood?" Jordan asked.
"Yes, he has been very busy on the issue – it’s consuming time and consideration – very important, he feels – historic events – the flag is changing – certainly this is a view and perspective we wouldn’t have guessed or speculated about."
"True, very true. So, what can I do for you today?"
"Yes, thank you, I believe Ted has a few items to go over with you that may need to be clarified, from our Administration’s viewpoint. Can you give us your thoughts, Ted?" Ted picked up the hand-off.
"There’s a couple of issues, Jack, that you need to be privy to, at this time. Some of them affect the Province, some of them affect you, directly. We need your help to insure the transition of British Columbia, from Province to State, goes as smoothly and efficiently as possible. You can help make that happen, for the Administration in Washington, in a number of ways."
"The President is counting on you, Jack. By supporting him, you will be helping him immeasurably during this transition. You will be helping the President with your first duties and responsibilities – your first act of direction and support as the new Governor, for your new leader, the President of the United States. This Administration will long remember the support you’re able to provide us, now, Governor."
Enough stroke, Ted decided, and got to it. "As you know, the changes that are taking place affect more than just the United States and Canada. As Her Majesty is the Titular head of Canada, she is a part of this process as well. Washington understands the benefit of maintaining a good relationship with the Crown. Certain items have been agreed to between Her Majesty and the President. The first issue now before us is the name of Columbia for the new State – yes, wait – give me a moment to explain, Jack – this new state name of Columbia, rather than British Columbia has already been agreed to by the President, as a direct request from Her Majesty. The President was happy to help make this happen, for the Queen."
"Jack, before you interject – just let me present the rest of the agreement – then we can discuss the issues, along with the name change." Ted watched the Premier lose most of the colour from his face, and knew he’d better make it a quick cut…
"The Crown, our Prime Minister, and the President have agreed that Vancouver Island shall NOT be part of the transition to statehood. Vancouver Island shall become the new and sovereign nation of Canada. The Queen wishes to continue as the Head of State of Canada – the new Canada – in this case. The new Island of Canada shall retain its Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and also shall retain the historic protectorate of the Crown. Both the President and the Queen have pledged and will proclaim that Canada – the new Island nation of Canada - shall be supported and protected by both the United States and the United Kingdom."
Jack excused himself from the meeting, got up, walked across the large executive office, and ducked quickly into his private bathroom.
Ted looked over at his old friend, "Somehow I sense this meeting is over."
"Yes. And you know, I think it went rather well."
They both rose and left Jack’s office. His secretary, not seeing her boss with them, asked if everything was all right. "Yes," Ted answered her concerns, "all is fine."
After they stepped out into the bright Victoria sunlight, Pontiac stopped Ted. "Oh, before I forget," he said, pulling a sealed file folder from his valise, "here are all the documents from the White House. Everything is complete. The President said whenever the Prime Minister is ready, it’s his show." And with that, Pontiac stepped into the black sedan that had been waiting to return him to the heliport.
Ted looked at the folder in his hands – and for the first time in a very long time, was completely overwhelmed. He walked quickly back to his hotel suite, to place the call, while he still had a voice.
After centuries of peace between Canada and the United States, many people on both sides of the border advanced the idea of one great nation.
Many also resisted it.
As Provinces across the mainland begin to leave Canada to become part of the USA, a few people from Vancouver Island develop their own plan: they would steal Canada, before it vanishes.
From a beautiful island off the western coast of Canada, follow this powerful tapestry of political deals, human struggles and triumphs, as it weaves from Victoria to Halifax, from Manhattan to Seattle, from Ottawa to the White House to Buckingham Palace.
Many also resisted it.
As Provinces across the mainland begin to leave Canada to become part of the USA, a few people from Vancouver Island develop their own plan: they would steal Canada, before it vanishes.
From a beautiful island off the western coast of Canada, follow this powerful tapestry of political deals, human struggles and triumphs, as it weaves from Victoria to Halifax, from Manhattan to Seattle, from Ottawa to the White House to Buckingham Palace.
Authors
The Mace is authored by individuals with thirty years in the political, legal and technical worlds of Canada, the US, Europe and Asia. In the five years since the release of The Mace, a number of the predictions in the novel have begun to occur.
Letters
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Author's Note: ~
The first printing was ready on October 4th - the very day that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were to arrive in Victoria. Because Buckingham Palace plays such a crucial role in the successful and happy ending to the story, we felt that, if we could make it happen, we wanted her to have the first books off the press.
Through some wonderful and gracious people that were involved in this great event, we were able to take the very first two copies of The Mace over to Government House to be given, on our behalf, to Her Majesty and Prince Philip. It is truly wonderful that so much of the fictional story that was written months before their arrival, Her Majesty was able to experience.
~ Rene Howard
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
October 30, 2002
Thank you for your thoughtful letter and for sending me a copy of your recently published book, The Mace.
I greatly appreciate your courtesy and generosity in presenting me with this gift. Also, thank you for your kind words of support. I would like to reiterate what an immense privilege it has been to represent my fellow Canadians, allthese years. Above all, I feel especially honoured by the trust they have shown me time and time again. Throughout my life I have endeavoured to live up to their expectations, and your portrayal suggests that, in certain instances, I have clearly succeeded.
Thank you, again, for your good wishes.
Sincerely,
Jean Chretien
Prime Minister of Canada
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
October 30, 2002
Thank you very much for sending me a copy of your novel entitled The Mace. I am pleased that you were able to offer assistance to BCBC and the Ministry of Management Services.
It was interesting to read about the Plan for the independence of ...
[spoiler edited]. This fast-paced story was told with intrigue, ingenuity, and a unique writing style. I appreciate receiving a copy and wish you all the best.
Again, thank you for the gift. It was good to hear from you again.
Sincerely,
Gordon Campbell
Premier of British Columbia
~~~~~~~
Author's Note: ~
The first printing was ready on October 4th - the very day that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were to arrive in Victoria. Because Buckingham Palace plays such a crucial role in the successful and happy ending to the story, we felt that, if we could make it happen, we wanted her to have the first books off the press.
Through some wonderful and gracious people that were involved in this great event, we were able to take the very first two copies of The Mace over to Government House to be given, on our behalf, to Her Majesty and Prince Philip. It is truly wonderful that so much of the fictional story that was written months before their arrival, Her Majesty was able to experience.
~ Rene Howard
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
October 30, 2002
Thank you for your thoughtful letter and for sending me a copy of your recently published book, The Mace.
I greatly appreciate your courtesy and generosity in presenting me with this gift. Also, thank you for your kind words of support. I would like to reiterate what an immense privilege it has been to represent my fellow Canadians, allthese years. Above all, I feel especially honoured by the trust they have shown me time and time again. Throughout my life I have endeavoured to live up to their expectations, and your portrayal suggests that, in certain instances, I have clearly succeeded.
Thank you, again, for your good wishes.
Sincerely,
Jean Chretien
Prime Minister of Canada
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
October 30, 2002
Thank you very much for sending me a copy of your novel entitled The Mace. I am pleased that you were able to offer assistance to BCBC and the Ministry of Management Services.
It was interesting to read about the Plan for the independence of ...
[spoiler edited]. This fast-paced story was told with intrigue, ingenuity, and a unique writing style. I appreciate receiving a copy and wish you all the best.
Again, thank you for the gift. It was good to hear from you again.
Sincerely,
Gordon Campbell
Premier of British Columbia
~~~~~~~
Press Articles
NOTICE !!
STORY SPOILERS
IN PRESS ARTICLES
AUTHOR SWINGS THE MACE AT CANADA-U.S. RELATIONS November 18, 2002, Nanaimo News Bulletin By: Chris Bush, The News Bulletin
If times got tough enough, could Canada/US relations get a lot closer? Could provinces even start joining the Union to the south? Nanaimo author Rene Howard envisions scenarios where it could happen.
Picture this: Saskatchewan, birthplace of the CCF, bastion of Canadian socialism, pushed to the brink of economic disaster by years of drought and crop failures, casts its eye south of the border for help from its equally thirsty neighbouring states.
The Midwest has capital, no water. Saskatchewan has abundant quantities of water, but no finances to access it.
So begins the domino-effect fragmentation of Canadian confederation along north/south economic corridors that already exist. So does the drought in the prairie provinces and the U.S. Midwest.
The authors hold dual Canada/U.S. citizenship.
“We started to develop an idea. Could Vancouver Island stand on its own if there was a natural catastrophe? Could it weather the storm?”
But there doesn’t have to be a disaster here. Just follow the news.
“As we were writing the book, things were happening,” he says. “The drought in Saskatchewan, the terrible situation with the horses dying and the locusts and grasshoppers. The drought extended all the way down into the Midwestern United States.”
In this political mystery thriller, Vancouver Islanders must react quickly to events happening in mainland Canada and, if possible, save Canada - perhaps even steal it.
What evolved was three months of planning and nine months of “1,000 words a day or bust” hard writing to launch The Mace by October in time for the Christmas season.
“It takes place in the near future. We call it reality fiction because we wanted to make it real, but it’s set in the future so we could fictionalize and not take liberty with politicians, governments, people and businesses here.”
Commentary has already come from some fairly high level officials, including Premier Gordon Campbell who sent a letter containing references to passages in the book one would only know from reading it, indicating how much he enjoyed The Mace.
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PORT ALBERNI STARS IN POLITICAL FICTION BOOK November 1, 2002, The Alberni Valley Times By: Siobhan Burns, AV Times
The authors, from Nanaimo, launched their political fiction book called, The Mace, on Saturday, Oct 26 at Woodgrove Centre in Nanaimo. The book, written under the pen name Rene Howard, was released on Oct 4. “It’s political fiction, there are two main story lines. One is the situation going on between Canada and the U.S. Each of the provinces on their own decided to leave Canada to become part of the U.S.,“ said Rene. The second story line is about a small group of people, some from Port Alberni, that try to save Canada.
The authors have lived in Nanaimo for one year. Before they moved to Nanaimo they lived in Victoria for a few years. “We’ve lived on both sides of the border so we come from experience. We’ve done a lot of work with the political system, both in the U.S. and Canada”.
We call the book “reality fiction”. “The people are fictional. The settings are real. The events have already begun,” reads the back cover of their book.
The couple said they have worked together on a lot of projects and that they enhanced each other’s skills when writing the book. “Two-thirds of what we wrote didn’t end up in the book”. One of the biggest challenges that we found is that you have to edit a lot. Editing can sometimes take longer than writing”.
The very first book off the press went to Queen Elizabeth and the second went to Prince Philip.
It’s also doing quite well in town.
“I’ve sold it surprisingly well. Their first delivery to me was sold out and we’re working on the second one,” said John Templeman, owner of Curious Coho in Port Alberni. “It’s the very first book either fiction or non-fiction which had put natives of the West coast, Port Alberni in particular, in a very positive light. The Saturday they brought it in to me, I read it right through. It’s very possible and probable. It was well rounded and an interesting read - which is unusual for a first novel,” said Templeman.
