He looked out the window, in the Holyrood Palace gardens, workers were changing the flags. The old Union Jack was lowered, and the new flag of the Scottish Kingdom was slowly raised. The process was quiet, yet thrilling.
"Times have changed." He said softly, unsure if he was talking to himself, or to those ancient portraits on the wall.
April 30th, Gulf of Mexico, offshore.
The blue seawater sparkled under the sun.
A fleet of three warships was cruising southeast at cruising speed. Leading the fleet was the Mexican Navy's latest "Kukulkan" destroyer, its streamlined hull cutting a white trail across the sea surface.
On the bridge, fleet commander Admiral Carlos Mendoza held up binoculars, observing the sea horizon. His mission was a "friendly visit" to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar, conducting joint exercises and humanitarian medical activities.
But everyone knew, this route skirted India's "backyard."
