Chapter 1: Elaine

"Will Roger and Elaine come into my office straightaway please." We both looked at each other when the announcement came over the Tannoy but stopped what we were doing. Roger shrugged his shoulders as if to ask what was up and I guess most of the others in the offices wondered too because they looked questioningly at us as we walked by their desks.

"What do you know about Tumali?" Ted asked when we stood nervously in front of his desk.

"Not a lot Chief," Roger admitted, "Small country in central Africa."

"It's not really a country in its own right and yet they claim it is. It is more like a self governing state or enclave within Malawi, if I remember correctly sir," I said. He nodded and I went on, "I don't really know much either sir, but I believe a tribe took over an area of what was then Nyasaland when it was part of our empire and declared independence long before Malawi itself became independent. Because of the mountainous terrain and its remoteness we were never able to oust them and eventually more or less left them alone. I think there is a degree of cooperation between Malawi and Tumali now and a general agreement to respect the Tumali borders. A General ran the country for some years but he died and now his son has taken over. Most other countries don't recognise them and I believe there are human rights issues but as I said sir, I know little enough about the place."

"That's a start anyway. Stop whatever else you are working on, and see what other information you can find on the country, its people, culture and stuff like that. Find out also how you can get there, flight times etc and what you will need in the way of jabs and medicals etc. Report back to me after lunch."

"Are you going to be sending us there Chief?" Roger asked. I could hear the quaver in his voice and I too had a nasty feeling we were going to be sent there.

"We'll see," our editor replied noncommittally, "Get the information and report back this afternoon. Now git."

As our research progressed, Roger and I became more and more apprehensive of going there, me particularly and over lunch we discussed whether or not we should refuse to go if the assignment was offered to us. "At this stage in our careers Elaine, I don't think we dare refuse," Roger pointed out, "Not unless we plan to become novelists instead of journalists." I knew he was right. It was a major assignment and if we turned it down, it would be most unlikely we'd ever advance our work and our job on Today's World might be terminated. Both of us had flats we needed to pay rent on and other credit commitments that required regular payments.

At three that afternoon we printed our report and Roger handed it to me to present to Ted. I knew he was more nervous about such things than even I was and I guessed I would be the one fielding the questions.

"Sit down please," Ted invited and I knew then we were in for a long session and my suspicion was confirmed when he told the switchboard to hold all calls for him. "Well Elaine?" I tried to hand him the report but he just said, "Give me the main points for now. I'll read it later."

Tumali is a small country in the northernmost part of Malawi. Most maps do not actually show it because officially it is part of Malawi. It is roughly circular in shape about 30 miles in diameter but the boundaries are irregular and convoluted to conform to the mountains. It is surrounded on all sides by steep cliffs and impenetrable rain forest, which is why it has been able to keep its independence. There is a small airfield and fairly regular flights from Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi. Some goods come in by steamer along Lake Nyasa and up the Songwe River and are taken by cable car from the dock to a small station at the top and then by road to Chapoti which is the main town in Tumali."

"Okay, that the travel guide bit, what about the people?"

"It's a very feudal system sir, with General Cumu as the head of state with supreme powers. The people are more like serfs especially the women." I blushed at this point and looked down at my notes. "The women or more or less baby producers sir and see it as their duty to keep themselves pregnant." I paused and read from my report, "Ten days after having her third menstrual period, the belt she wears to indicate that she is not ready for breeding is removed and she is taken to a communal area where she selects several men who impregnate her one after the other. In the following days any men who desire to do so may continue to impregnate her when work and other duties allow. No girls are allowed to refuse and indeed, if the web site is to be believed, it seems that they want it and continue to have sex with many men even when well pregnant. The babies are sold sir! Would you believe that is their main export! I don't think I would wish to be part of that society sir."