Klaussen tracked the president down and negotiated a deal for Southern Ace to operate freely from Galkayo out to the coast, building water pipelines, factories, and airstrips for “local harvest- ing of various fish products for export to Middle and Far Eastern markets.” Southern Ace’s fleet would include up to fifty vessels, the agreement stated, “7–8 meter boats supplied by a builder in Mogadishu, outboard engines we will import from Hong Kong. These boats and engines will be provided to fishermen in return for an agreed percentage of the catch.” In return, the state would re- ceive a 10 percent share in the business.

Klaussen also hired a well-connected local from Galmudug named Liban Mohamed Ahmed to help make arrangements on the ground, dole out local payoffs, and navigate the delicate politics of the area’s clans. With his help, Klaussen leased a three-story block house in Galkayo, white with fringes of sky blue. It was set back on its own property, with room to create a kind of compound that could serve as the Southern Ace base of operations. The property was surrounded by an eight-foot wall that Klaussen ordered topped with barbed wire. Liban also recruited a security force, composed of local fighters who would be paid to guard the compound, its employees, and Klaussen himself. From the roof, Klaussen and his men had an unimpeded view of the surrounding city, and out to the desert on the horizon. They installed a pair of satellite dishes to maintain constant Internet access.

After two months, everything was set up. When Le Roux called to check in on progress, Klaussen reported that he was ready to move full-time to Galkayo and ramp up the project. “I need to talk,” Le Roux said. “Okay, no problem,” Klaussen said. “No, no, not like this, I need you to get the first plane out to Hong Kong. I need to talk to you in person.” The flight from Nairobi to Hong Kong was fourteen hours. “How long should I stay?” Klaussen asked. There would be no “stay,” Le Roux told him. Klaussen was to fly to Hong Kong for the meeting, then turn around and fly back