A Modern Nemo 9

The video conference was underway. Eric was seated before a large computer screen. On the screen different windows were opened and he could see Christopher Lau, Makoto Ishida and Kojiro Miyata. At Eric's left was Leon; at his right, Maximilian. Behind him were Linus and Cyrus.

"Increase the security complement on my ships?" asked Chris. "I don't think we need to do that, Eric. I may not like Konstantiniadis but I don't see any reason why my ships should beef up their security teams. They're well-prepared for possible pirate attacks and the waters of Southeast Asia and China, Korea, Taiwan and Japan are under control, thanks to Operation Marmara."

Operation Marmara was an ongoing joint effort to protect the South China Sea as well as the western Pacific from piracy. Its main participants were the navies of the EOGC, Australia, New Zealand, China, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. It was named Marmara after the sea on the southern side of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait connecting the Aegean to the Black Sea. 

"It's not pirates I'm worried about, Chris," said Eric, "It's Konstantiniadis."

"He's not a pirate, Eric."

"No, not a pirate," repeated Eric. "But something else."

"Something else?"

Beginning with Leon, everyone looked at Eric more intently.

Eric put his hands together, brooding.

"I am also feeling uneasy about this man," Makoto noted. He was the president of Tensai Technologies, a member company of the EOGC. "He's buying too many ships. It doesn't make sense that a shipping tycoon would buy too many ships."

"Ordinarily, more ships in a fleet would give his competitors a run for their money," stated Maximilian. "But contracts for the building of large ships in the tens from Japan, China and South Korea is alarming."

"We're talking about ships the size of tankers and freighters," added Cyrus. "In China alone, Konstantiniadis has signed a contract to build forty of them."

"Who of you has read Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea?" Eric asked.

"I have," replied Kojiro. He was Tensai's vice-president.

"Captain Nemo."

Kojiro started. "No," he gasped, "it can't be!"

"Only it gets more interesting as you read Konstantiniadis' book," Eric continued.

"Chris," Kojiro concluded. "We are looking at something dangerous about to unfold."

"I'll start making preparations," said Leon.

"Do we inform the other Marmara participants?" asked Linus.

"Not yet," replied Eric. "They won't believe it until they see something major."

"I've never read that book," remarked Chris.

"I'll send you a copy," said Eric. "Meeting adjourned."

A Modern Nemo 8

Shoji Kawamura headed for downtown Tokyo, to the five-star hotel where Konstantiniadis was booked. He carried his backpack. In it were Konstantiniadis' book, some clothes and a few belongings. He did not tell his family where he was going.

"Excuse me," he asked the concierge, "what's the room number or Mr. Anthony Konstantiniadis? It's urgent."

"I'm sorry, sir," the concierge replied, "we can't just give the room numbers of our guests to strangers. It's company policy."

"Please, I need to speak to him!" Shoji insisted.

"I'm sorry, sir. I can't do that."

Shoji wouldn't take it. He ran down the hallway but was grabbed by two bellboys.

"Let go of me!" Shoji  cried as he struggled with the bellboys.

"Take him out, now!" said the concierge, coming up behind him.

Presently, Konstantiniadis came out of the elevator with several of his associates. He walked past Shoji, toward the coffee shop on the other side of the lobby.

"Mr. Konstantiniadis!" cried Shoji, "wait! I have to speak with you!"

Konstantiniadis stopped and turned. "Let him go," he said, motioning at Shoji.

The bellboys released Shoji. The young man ran to Konstantiniadis and bowed.

"You wanted to see me?" the businessman asked.

"Yes sir," Shoji panted. "Your book, I understand it."

The look on Konstantiniadis' face brightened. He put an arm around Shoji's shoulders. "Come with me," he said. "We'll discuss this over a cup of coffee."

Shoji nodded. "Thank you, sir," he said as accompanied the American and his associates to the coffee shop.

Maximilian entered his father's study and found seated near the window, reading Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. At the table in front of him was Konstantiniadis' book.

Maximilian picked up the book and flipped through its pages.

"You have to read Jules Verne before you go into that," remarked Eric.

"Captain Nemo?" asked Maximilian. "Yes, I've read it."

"We have to be wary of this Konstantiniadis character," continued his father. "He's about to unleash a catastrophe on maritime commerce."

"That would cause worldwide panic."

"Exactly," said Eric as he put his book down. "It looks like Chris will need some more protection for his ships. Tell your Uncle Leon to reinforce Chris' maritime security complement."

A Modern Nemo 7

Shoji Kawamura dropped to his bed and continued reading. The book was far too arresting in its message for him to just set aside. He was already halfway through the book. The first ten chapters, which he had read the night before, talked about Konstantiniadis' questions about life and the details of his realization. Now Shoji was entering the second part of the book.

In the first half, Konstantiniadis talked of the daily struggle necessary to simply fit in to life's daily routines; that keeping to one's daily rituals was the true source of everyone's daily struggle. The cause of suffering, according to Konstantiniadis therefore, was the constant struggle to "fit in" with the rest of society.

It's amazing, Shoji thought as he went through the pages. Eric Ong never wrote a book and he never even spoke about freedom. Maybe it's because he also is a victim of life's daily grind. He attained so much success but never looked up, only around.

Now I will share with you a dream, a vision. the book went on. What if you decided to really use your freedom? Let me show you a way. What if you used that freedom of yours to create something new? Would that not give more meaning to your life? That was what drove pioneering men and women to form the United States of America. It was the same thing that powered the voyages of discovery. I will share with you a new frontier to conquer: the sea itself!

I'm not talking about sailing across the sea. I'm talking about making a new country founded upon the sea!

A new country founded upon the sea?

Eric Ong was in his study back in the manor. He put down the book The Dream of the Oceans and leaned back on his chair. Gazing out at the night sky through the window, her murmured, "We're in for trouble."

A Modern Nemo 6

Eric Ong was eating lunch at one of the many upper-level restaurants in Great South Tower. His eyes were on the TV as it was showing the news. Apparently that Konstantiniadis character was entering into contracts with several Japanese, Korean and Chinese shipbuilding companies for the purchase of new ships. The expansion of Green Oceans' fleet was causing concern among the other shipping companies, Lau Ka Lok Shipping under Eric's friend Chris Lau in Singapore was no exception.

Lau Ka Lok Shipping, a member-company of the EOGC was the largest shipping company in South East Asia. It was headed by Christopher Lau and based in Malaysia and Singapore.

On the table was tea, rice, roast chicken and vegetables. As Eric ate and watched the news, Maximilian arrived and sat in front of him, placing a newspaper on the table. The younger Ong looked at the TV, hissed slightly and turned to his father.

"That Konstantiniadis is starting to become a pain in the neck," Maximilian muttered, "have you heard what Uncle Chris has been saying?"

"I know," replied Eric as a waitress approached and handed Maximilian the menu.

Maximilian ordered coffee, roast beef and mashed potatoes. "You know," he continued, "sooner or later we have to do something about him."

"We can't take any rash actions yet," said Eric. "Besides, taking out a competitor with force is bad for business."

"So we wait, then?"

Eric nodded. "Wait and watch his every move," he said.

Meanwhile in Japan, Shoji returned home, locked himself in his room and returned to reading Konstantiniadis' book. It was far too impossible to simply put down.

A Modern Nemo 5

Shoji opened the book to the first page.

Are you tired of this life? was the first sentence of the first chapter of the book. Intrigued, Shoji read further. Why would a businessman, one of the richest in the world, say this? This life?

Maybe you ought to take a look outside the four walls of your room; there's a bigger world out there.

Hey, Shoji thought, he's right! There's more than just school and work.

What if I told you that you can be a part of something greater than yourself, a glory that you can share in? And no, I'm not talking about some cult where you have to surrender your freedom and possessions to some guru in India. No, I'm talking about something else.

Shoji went on to read about how Konstantiniadis' dream came about; that when he was just sixteen and in the midst of his rebellious phase, an idea came to him: people were so engrossed in keeping up with the world's standard of living that they failed to look around and see that there was more to life than just mere existence.

On one of his trips at sea aboard one of his father's container ships in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, Konstantiniadis had an epiphany. He saw nothing but water for miles around and if something were to happen to the ship, he would perish. Then it dawned upon him that to live, not just merely exist, he would have to be an active participant in this unscripted opera called life. The day-to-day things like working, sending kids to school, getting married and paying the rent were nothing more than routines in life's game. One would never be noticed. To be noticed meant to navigate through the great ocean called life, and this was what true freedom meant.

Freedom meant getting out of life's normal routines and taking charge.

"Shoji!" called his mother from downstairs, "it's time for dinner!"

"Just a minute," he replied and continued reading.

True freedom means to conquer, the book continued. True freedom means to explore. True freedom means to be your own self.

As Shoji continued reading, he discovered that Konstantiniadis came to love the sea and was angered by the pollution, over-fishing and dumping of waste worldwide. For freedom to be exercised, Konstantiniadis was saying, it had to be given meaning and he found it in the protection of the environment. Such a profound insight was mind-blowing for Shoji.

Of course, he thought. I just can't work, play and eat. That's all just meaningless!

"Shoji," said another voice. It was his father, who had just come back from work. He was a manager in a supermarket. "What are you doing in there? It's time for dinner."

"Onii-chan," it was his younger sister. "It's time to eat. Your food will get cold."

Shoji irritably put the book aside, stood up and opened the door. Before him stood his father and sister.

"Let's go," said Mr. Kawamura as he turned, "don't keep your mother waiting."

Shoji's sister, Haruko, took him by the hand. She was twelve years old and had a rather playful personality. "Let's go, onii-chan," she said and led him to the dining room.

As the family ate dinner Shoji seemed oblivious to everybody. He barely spoke and ate little. The ideas from Konstantiniadis' book were swirling around in his head. Everyone else's attention was on Haruko, who was talking about what happened in school.

Upon finishing, Shoji put his chopsticks and bowl down. "Thanks for the meal," he mumbled as he rose and proceeded to return to his room.

"You haven't eaten much, Shoji," remarked Mrs. Kawamura. "Are you feeling alright?"

"I'm fine," he replied. "I've got a class project to work on."

"Do your best, onii-chan!" said Haruko with a raised fist.

"Do your best, son," said Mr. Kawamura. "We're looking forward to see you working in the EOGC Territories."

Shoji smiled wryly, waved a hand and went upstairs. The power of the book's message was impossible for him to ignore and he spent the whole night reading it. By morning he looked haggard, having had only thirty minutes of sleep. His mother noticed but before she could ask him what happened he had already walked out of the house and hopped on his bicycle.

As he was pedaling, keeping the bike balanced was quite a challenge as he was still drowsy and he nearly crashed into other people several times.

A Modern Nemo 4

The first time Shoji saw Konstantiniadis was several months ago. The American businessman was giving a talk at the university auditorium about the importance of shipbuilding and shipping companies to cease dependence on conventional fossil fuels in favor of environmentally friendly ones like biodiesel. He had already taken the liberty by entering into contracts with South American farmers to grow jathropa for processing into biodiesel to fuel his ships. He even made mention that in the Philippines, Eric Ong was already mass-producing biofuels from jathropa, palm, corn and coconut oil as well as sugarcane for public consumption and that that country -not just the EOGC Territories- was already almost completely independent from crude oil.

That momentarily rekindled Shoji's admiration for Eric Ong until he heard the end of Konstantiniadis' speech.

"But I have a greater dream," said the American, "A dream that even Eric Ong will never be able to achieve."

Something that surpasses Eric Ong's achievements?

"Eric Ong's dream began as a struggle against oppression," continued Konstantiniadis. "He ended up creating his own quasi-nation. I admire the man because he built the EOGC Territories when I was only dreaming of my visions. But he limited himself to his insular ambitions and didn't look further. I offer something bigger: freedom! I offer the freedom to chart your own destiny. I offer you the freedom that only those with the determination, resourcefulness and the pioneering spirit possess! That sort of freedom is the freedom to lay the foundations of something greater than a mere business empire! That something greater will make you prosper truly and live your life to the most full!"

The crowd applauded him. Afterwards at the pictorials, Shoji was able to shake Konstantiniadis' hand. 

The American businessman's appearance was imposing. He was a large man with a strong build, standing six foot-two, Mediterranean tanned, long black hair and a goatee. There was a bright sparkle in his eyes and he exuded an aura of confidence and power.

Konstantiniadis shook several hands, signed a few autographs and posed for a couple of shots before Shoji could approach him. Upon reaching the American, Shoji clasped his hand with both of his own hands excitedly.

"Mr. Konstantiniadis," he exclaimed, "I really like your speech. You inspire me!"

"Thank you," Konstantiniadis replied, "I'm glad I've got another person motivated."

Shoji took out his cell phone and asked another student to snap a photo of him and Konstantiniadis. Shaking hands with the American again, he left as the rest of the crowd pushed forward to have their own photo ops.

That was the first time Shoji met Konstantiniadis. He never forgot that moment. When the American businessman returned, it was learned that he would be in Japan for a month. Part of his schedule would include selling his book and participating in discussions over the purchase of new ships.

At a very prominent bookstore a book signing was being held for the businessman's work, which was titled The Dream of the Oceans and Konstantiniadis was sitting at a desk, signing copies of his book for customers.

Shoji snatched a copy from the shelf and went in line, a rather long one, to get an autograph. When his turn arrived, it seemed that the businessman recognized him and was glad to sign his copy quickly. Shoji wanted to say a few words of thanks but the crowd was pushing so he had to leave. of course, Konstantiniadis did give him a wave as he left.

After the book signing, it was back to school then home afterwards. He couldn't contain his excitement any longer when he rode back home on his bike. After taking off his jacket and dumping himself into bed, he took the book out of the shopping bag and began to read. 

A Modern Nemo 3

Anthony Konstantiniadis was a third-generation Greek American who inherited a vast shipping fleet from his father. His grandfather had been a ship captain who started a small shipping company which plied the routes along the east coast of the United States and Canada. 

Beginning with only two vessels, the fleet steadily grew under the leadership of Konstantiniadis' father and expanded its operations. By the time Konstantiniadis finally assumed control, the fleet had tankers, container ships, ferries and luxury liners and had a global reach.

What awakened Shoji's interest in Konstantiniadis was that the man was a sort of rebel. Like Eric Ong, Konstantiniadis was not the type who could be cowed into submission. What markedly differentiated him from Eric Ong was that the latter was an unwilling participant in a showdown with the Philippine government and only conceived the idea of achieving autonomy while fighting his battles while Konstantiniadis held an idea from the very beginning. 

Even their ideas were different. The idea behind the EOGC was an old one; several institutions in history were its inspiration, the most important being the British East India Company and the Hanseatic League.

Konstantiniadis, on the other hand, had an idea that went beyond Eric Ong's ambitions. Konstantiniadis was born wealthy unlike Eric Ong, who came from a middle-class family. He had the luxury of developing his ideas in school. Meanwhile, Eric Ong was hard at work building his empire; he had some ideas but did not think of anything greater than turning his hometown of Cagayan de Oro into the Busan of the Philippines.

Shoji had a vague idea of what Konstantiniadis wanted: freedom to travel the world, unhampered by international treaties and conventions, as well as protection of the environment. 

Konstantiniadis' company, Green Oceans,  had set up shop in Japan. It shipped cars and electronics from Japan to other parts of the world, particularly to the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, Australia and New Zealand.

The next few weeks would be decisive for Shoji. Anthony Konstantiniadis was coming to Japan.

A Modern Nemo 2

Four years ago. Tokyo, Japan.

A young architecture student was driving his bicycle back to his home from school at sunset. After parking his bicycle outside the door of the house he went inside, dropped his shoes instead of arranging them and climbed upstairs to his room. He said not a word to his mother fixing supper in the kitchen, which was behind the stairs.

She was startled by the noise he made. "Shoji," she asked, "is that you?"

The sound of a door slamming shut was her answer.

"Oh that boy," she remarked as she returned to her cooking. She was worried that he had become increasingly withdrawn ever since he entered college. But there was something else she did not know of.

Shoji Kawamura took off his jacket and threw himself on the bed. He chose architecture in his childhood because he wanted to work in the EOGC Territories; this, his parents knew.

As a child, Shoji admired Eric Ong. The Chinese-Filipino businessman turned the world upside down by seizing control of the central Philippines and much of its big southern island and turned his conquests into a success-story. While the rest of the Philippines remained the same unchanging backwardness, the territories under EOGC control experienced a gigantic leap forward in development. Gone were the rebels, politicians and crooked government workers. The economy was on an upswing and even the attitude of the people in the EOGC Territories changed drastically. An EOGC Filipino hated politics and fatalism and loved work (but also appreciated vacations and days off.) An EOGC Filipino also respected money and was consequently not a big spender (and was either into saving money or looking for ways to invest it,) in contrast to a non-EOGC Filipino.

In addition to the political stability -albeit due to apathy and occasional contempt toward the Manila government- and prosperity which the EOGC had brought to the territories under its control, the same organization also brought about international recognition. The EOGC Territories enjoyed an autonomy comparable to that of Hong Kong and Macau. A dual system was in force; the EOGC Territories had their own money, foreign service (including embassies,) government institutions, flag, laws, anthem, passport, stock exchange and even -unlike Hong Kong and Macau- its own armed forces. Manila did maintain a token presence in the EOGC Territories; there were policemen, civil servants and elected mayors and congressmen. But much of their power was nominal and they couldn't attempt to cross paths with the EOGC. Those who foolishly attempted to do so suffered retaliation from the populace and not from the EOGC. Many a congressman, mayor, governor and kagawad who took measures against the EOGC would find the city hall or provincial capitol stormed by angry mobs that would occupy the buildings and throw them out... and even follow them to their homes. Nobody wanted the Manila government to mess with the EOGC, for the latter had brought economic benefits and opportunities that the former promised but did not deliver. And for members of certain government agencies, like the Bureau of Internal Revenue, to be assigned to the EOGC Territories was a virtual death sentence. The Manila government could not dictate its terms to the EOGC and any attempt to enforce certain laws considered by the inhabitants of the EOGC Territories as unacceptable was an invitation to face the EOGC's wrath.

Unlike non-EOGC Filipinos, EOGC Filipinos were more independent and tolerated government activity only in terms of law enforcement, civil law (very specific,) public health and education. When it came to matters like politics and taxation, EOGC Filipinos hated the taxmen and looked down on elected officials. Any attempt to collect more than the unilaterally-declared income tax of five percent, which the government didn't agree to but was unable to refuse because of Eric Ong's style of dealing with the government -a predatory peace at gunpoint, would raise the government employee's greatest fear: the lynch mob. Already, lynching of government officials had become so commonplace that it almost became an EOGC pastime. Nobody wanted to go to the courts to complain of abuses made by government people because the judges were themselves employees of the government. Despite the lynching, the EOGC Territories were surprisingly stable. The message was clear to the international community: we don't just want honest officials, we also want good laws. And the international community didn't mind; it was easier to do business with Eric Ong than with the Manila government.

It came as no surprise, therefore, that EOGC Filipinos neither registered for, nor reported, value-added tax. As far as the EOGC was concerned the only taxes to be paid were income tax, estate tax, real property tax, final taxes on dividend income, community tax and import tariffs. Income, estate and dividend taxes were unilaterally placed at five percent while real property tax was put at one percent. Only import tariffs and community taxes remained unchanged. Needless to say, EOGC Filipinos were able to retain more of their hard-earned money than non-EOGC Filipinos. 

Working in the EOGC Territories was not as stressful as in Japan, but it was also highly rewarding because talent and skill were highly prized. Shoji wanted to work in the EOGC Territories; this was something his parents knew and they were proud of him for it. Ever since the Takeover, the EOGC Territories attracted investors, companies and jobseekers the world over. But the years in university, with all the stress, deadlines and examinations, dampened Shoji's spirits. He ended up living from one exam to the next and one project to the next; things started to look dull. The thought of working in the EOGC Territories was still there but it was slowly pushed aside by the dreary, routine, life at school.

But this was what Shoji's parent's didn't know: someone else had gotten their son's attention only a few months ago. It was another businessman from the other side of the world, a Greek American named Anthony Konstantiniadis.

A Modern Nemo 1

Shoji Kawamura clung to the floating wreckage as he watched his ship, the 350,000-deadweight ton former ULCC supertanker Green Voyager go slowly beneath the waves amid fire and smoke. Many of the other ships in the convoy, too, were burning. All this happened because he and everyone else had been held in thrall by a madman.

Looking east, he could see the American warships. Some were still firing on the convoy, the ones that had not entered the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone. Turning west, he could see the EOGC warships, the destroyers and two battlecruisers, also firing upon the convoy -those that had entered the EEZ.

Only four years ago, this vast fleet of ships had been built up, drawing people from many nations to it with the hopes of living a brighter future, free from the conventions and traditions that shackled them. This fleet of ships was supposed to pave the way to a new concept of nationhood: a nation not limited by borders and natural resources, one free to move about the world, physically avoiding those countries that didn't like it and being free to travel anywhere in the world. It would be a nation that would have freedom of movement throughout the world, but at the same time, those who lived in it would have to have the spirit of pioneers: adventurous and hardworking It would also be safeguarding the world's ecosystems and pioneering in the use of green energy.

A strange new concept indeed and yet in only a few years the dream descended into madness. Their leader, a shipping tycoon who inherited the nucleus of the fleet from his forbears, had made war upon the world. How did it all begin?