The Mullinix Book 3: Resolution

By Rodney Mountain

It has been twenty years since the end of the Bolantine war and an uneasy peace has been
holding between the Mullinix-Sotanberg alliance
and the Bolantine Empire. Copeland Irons, son of the current Mullinix and Apprentice is in service
school along with his friends as a new change comes along the horizon. Along with hi cousin Kyrie he is brought into the family business as he deals with the life of being the son of the Mullinix.

The Bolantines have not been quiet during this time, the evil emperor is up to his old tricks and setting up a collision course between the nations that no one can avoid....

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rodney Mountain
• Release date: Jul 26, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465719720

Rodney Mountain

Born in 1977, Rodney Mountain has been writing books for 14 years. Starting with 1998's "The Healy Murders" he has continued writing various novels since then. He is married with two children that have so far failed to drive him completely insane.

Book preview

Chapter 1 - Prologue

Peter Lomax looked out at the large group of students he had in the room. He'd been teaching in the service center for over a quarter century, but it never failed to amaze him how many cultures were contained under the umbrella of the Mullinix Empire. With the addition of the Siraqi Cession, just 18 years before, even more cultures were in the building.

He smiled as he looked at how calm things were with all walks of life in the same classroom. There were children of the well to do in Connoer, a poor cobbler's son from River Fortress, Two beggars from Shanxie and a rich kid from Serenik. This was just in the first row. This building made them all equals. Even the son of the Mullinix and the apprentice was in the room.

Lomax looked over at Copeland Irons, the son of Mullinix Medoferro and Mullinix Apprentice Trinaferro. It was proof to Peter that he was getting old. Peter had served as the councilor for Mullinix Medoferro and his representative Simon Sutcliffe shortly before Medoferro became apprentice. Now, Medoferro's son was sitting in the room waiting for him to start his lecture.

Copeland sat with his friend Alvin towards the back of the room. Copeland took the best of both of his parents and mixed them as if in a blender. He had his mother's dark hair (which grew out to his shoulders) and his father's lean build. He had also grown more than either of his parents, as he had hit six-foot three by the time he was sixteen.

Pete Lomax knew today's subject would be easy for Copeland, as he had lived in the palace all his life, but one thing that the Mullinix had insisted on was stringent education on recent history in order to make sure that no citizen could forget what the Bolantines had caused. He tapped his ruler on the desk to regain order.

Good morning, everyone! Peter said, sounding cheery enough to annoy those who had indulged too much the night before, It's time for another class. Everyone awake enough to take part today?

Awake yes, one boy said, Alive is another story.

I've been there, Peter chuckled, I'll try to take it easy on you for a bit. Today, we need to cover recent history. Copeland, I know this is all old news for you, but your father decreed that everyone has to go through it.

Eh, Copeland shrugged, Be interesting to hear it from someone else's perspective.

You would put it that way, Alvin said, I think we know all this.

Most of it happened before you were born, Peter reminded him, Let's start with the basics, seeing as most of you had too much to drink last night. How is the Mullinix chosen? Jake?

The Mullinix is chosen from first semester students like us, Jake recited, This is to catch them young when they have nothing to unlearn.

Good, Peter said, You've all been tested, though there is one of you who is safe from the job.

Being the Mullinix's son does have some benefits, Copeland grinned, I can't get stuck with the job no matter what happens.

How do they know who doesn't want the job? Alvin asked.

They have ways of figuring it out, Peter said, I don't know all of them. I doubt anyone outside the palace does. I hope you don't find out, because it means you've likely been chosen.

A chuckle went through the room at that one. No one really expected that to happen this time. A Mullinix was only chosen when one of the three Mullinix, usually the elder, dies. Insegniferro was an old Mullinix, now 82 years old, but he was not showing any signs that he was near death.

Ok, Peter said, We've all learned how the Mullinix are chosen and who they are chosen from. Who can tell us how many Mullinix we have had this century? he paused and saw Copeland's hand go up, Someone other than Copeland Irons, Please.

Alvin chuckled at his friend, who went a bit red in the face. Considering Copeland lived with three of them; it wasn't surprising that he knew this bit of history. Finally, a red-haired kid from Nessun Cucchiaio raised his hand and Peter nodded to him to answer.

Five, I think, the kid said, The three that are there now and two right near the beginning of the century.

Correct, Peter said, Can you remember why we've had so many in a century barely 30 years old?

Mullinix Massimaferro's death, the kid said, I heard about it in history class.

It was a quick thing, Peter said, A Medico corrupted by the traitor Ellis LaPorte fed Massimaferro the drug mellemaic while he and then Apprentice Medoferro were on a tour. Mellemaic is a nasty drug which was also responsible for the death of the king of Siraq. Couple that with the death of Mullinix-elder Taliaferro just under six months before, we ended up with the youngest full Mullinix in centuries.

And the first time that the Mullinix and Apprentice were from the same class, Copeland said, remembering his father's stories, Dad was chosen three days into the term, Mom was chosen on the second to last day.

That's right, Peter said, Fortunately Mullinix Medoferro turned out to be very good at his job. His planning kept the Mavelan forces at bay and kept Cirrus as a part of the empire.

Aren't the Mavelans our friends? one of the teenagers asked, Have been for as long as I can remember.

They are now, Peter agreed, We never wanted anything but friendship. Their former king, the late and unlamented Facie, did little but try to take more and more. When Cirrus defected from his rule for Mullinix freedom, he tried until his last breath to find a way to destroy us.

Now, the Mavelans are run by committee, Alvin said, saying something to keep himself awake, Not by an unfit king.

It was one of the few good things that came out of the Bolantine war, Peter agreed, How many of you remember what you were told of the Bolantine war?

It was the first time Mullinix troops ever served in a foreign excursion, a child in the back said, Why did we send troops to a land whose ruler hated us?

It was only their ruler who hated us, Peter said, Most of the Mavelan people disliked their own ruler worse than anyone else. Unfortunately, Facie was not the only malevolent ruler in the region.

If Facie was so bad, why did we stop fighting at the edge of Cirrus after the Ascension War? Copeland asked, I never did ask my father that.

It wasn't our right to go after them, Peter said, Medoferro did not want to waste our young men's lives in a war to punish Facie. He felt that it was the Mavelan people's job to oust Facie if they wanted to. He did what he had to do to ensure that Mullinix would not be attacked again.

Which brings us to the Bolantine war, the same child who had questioned the involvement before, Why did we get involved in a war with a nation we'd never had contact with?

The Bolantines are pure evil, Peter said, Cruel executions, wars of aggression, subverting governments. They do it all. One of my year mates was an officer under Michelset in the battle of Southern Oasis. The Bolantines slaughtered everyone they caught. No prisoners, no quarter. The survivors managed to evacuate and collapse the well, leaving the city useless to them.

Why did they attack Southern Oasis? the young man asked, Did we do anything?

The Bolantines were using sand riders to flank the Mavelans, Peter said, They were also going after the Damascans. We assisted the Damascan forces with setting up a trap that stopped the flanking maneuver. The remnants of those Bolantine troops went after the combined Mullinix and Damascan force in Southern Oasis.

May I? Copeland asked the teacher.

Sure, Peter said, I'm sure you've talked to your father about this before.

Medoferro met Bolantine himself up in Siraq before the war, Copeland told them, He went north to figure out why so many people were coming over our borders and to figure out why Siraq was on the edge of civil war. Turns out, the king had been subverted by Bolantine himself. Dad called him on it and Bolantine tried to have him murdered. Luckily Bolantine's plans were thwarted. I'm sure some of you from up in that region have heard the horror stories.

Me dad say we lost half our people during that time, one of the kids from the former Siraqi regions said, Lord Endicott, as the people up there called Bolantine at the time, took all the food and the money to feed his soldiers doing something or other up north. Me dad lost four brothers to the hunger and to the Royalists.

That's how we came to power up there, Peter said, Medoferro couldn't sit idly by and watch people suffer. He didn't force the region to become Mullinix. Our troops went up to remove an illegal despot, nothing more. It just so happened that the people thought we were a better bet.

No complaints here, one of the Siraqi kids said, Except for the food here, but it seems we all get that.

The great equalizer, Peter agreed, That's why I don't eat with you if I can help it.

Has it always been this bad? one red haired child asked, I wouldn't feed this slop to my cows.

Recipe hasn't changed in centuries, Peter said, Like I said, the great equalizer. You all get to suffer together. No favorites, everyone gets the same thing. No matter if you're in a part of the empire that has been here for years or from the Siraqi Annex. You are all citizens. And that brings us to the subject of that annex.

How did the annex happen? One student asked.

Well, Peter said, It started with the things we've already talked about. A lot of people dying and the southern part of Siraq on the edge of full out civil war. Medoferro led a team up there to conduct trade negotiations with the Siraqi government, though this was mainly just a smokescreen.

Why talk with a government so corrupt? one student interjected.

They were the law there, Peter said, Same reason we didn't go in and take out Facie. Same reason we don't declare war on the Bolantines. It isn't our battle to fight. Until they did something directly to us or until their people asked for help, there was no reason for us to go in.

My dad said there was no reason to go in, the same child as before said, He said that Medoferro was a warmonger.

That's the beauty of freedom, Peter said, Everyone has an opinion.

Copeland Irons steamed at that a little, for he knew that his father was anything but a warmonger, but knew that it would be impolitic to interrupt. He watched as Peter Lomax figured out what to say next.

The truth of the matter is this, Peter said, "I was in town when Medoferro went to Siraq. He went in with nothing more than a small guard contingent. He usually travels with a larger entourage in country than he did up there. This was to find out what was happening with people that lived in another nation.

"Before he could get to the palace, his barge was attacked by rebels. Most of his guards were wounded and his power use kept them all from dying that day. He and three others continued on, sending home the wounded to make sure that they got medical care. This was despite the fact that most of the guards wanted to continue with him.

Medoferro and three others continued on to the capital and met with their ailing king and the aforementioned Lord Endicott, who we now know better as Emperor Bolantine. He had infiltrated the king's court and diverted resources to a project of his own in the north. His utter lack of regard for the Siraqi people is legendary as I'm sure anyone who lived up there will remind you again.

All the students of Siraqi descent quickly agreed with this. Lord Endicott had been reviled by one and all. His methods were well known up there, for all of them had family or friends that had been brutalized during the years that Endicott ran Siraq.

But taking the land wasn't legal! the child exclaimed.

We didn't take anything, Peter explained, "When he found out what Bolantine had done to the country he sent back a messenger. His orders were to provide aid to the rebel causes and to send the army to the capital. His intention was not to take over the nation, but to simply remove the cancer that had devoured its government.

"The army actually faced no resistance. Those poor people had been mistreated so much that the Mullinix invasion was a relief. General Hardin's troops spent more time dispensing medical attention than they did fighting anyone. The only actual fighting happened when they reached the royalists in the palace, led by one of Bolantine's men.

"Medoferro met up with the army, who had already picked up his representative and Princess-Consort Charissa. All of them had escaped from the Siraqi prison Bolantine had put them in. The Princess-Consort was the last person in the legal line of succession in Siraq, but she had no desire to rule.

"That's where the Siraqi Annex came in. Southern Siraq was mostly Mullinix speaking anyway. Northern Siraq had long since formed ties with the Serenians. Rather than risk a fight between the Mullinix and her former nation, Medoferro and Charissa came up with the annex line. The Serenians agreed to this as well, and the Siraqi people were given the choice whether they wanted to join either one.

It took less than a month for every single village south of the line to petition for official admittance into Mullinix. No laws were broken, or even bent for that matter. I haven't heard many Siraqis complaining about the deal. The taxes are lower and our soldiers don't level entire towns like theirs did.

Is this why we fought against Bolantine's forces? that same child asked curiously, Even though the Mavelans weren't real friendly with us?

The Bolantine question is a complex one, Peter told them, It was something that we didn't want to get involved in, but it was a case of better a small battle now than to have it hit our homeland later.

Sort of like stopping a fox before he's in your henhouse, one student said, Daddy would set traps outside the property to make sure that the fox couldn't get our chickens.

Exactly, Peter nodded, The Mullinix had seen the consequences of letting a situation smolder. They lost too many people in the Cirrus invasion, an invasion that could have been prevented if they had just forced Facie off the mountain years before.

So they saw Bolantine as that type of threat? the pacifist child asked.

After what he did in Siraq, yes, Peter agreed, Unlike the mess in Siraq, where there was pure anarchy, there was established control down south. We had no interest in taking over, but we did want to help. Once the Mavelan government ejected Facie and the government of Damascas requested our aid, we helped as best we could. The Bolantines invaded, we all worked together. For every one life we lost, both Damascas and the Mavelans lost ten or more.

So why didn't we finish it? the student asked.

Because none of us wanted to start a world war, Peter said honestly, We weren't prepared, we weren't strong enough. Even with Sotanberg by our side, we don't know whether we could win a war with the Bolantines in the long term. There's also the fact that they rationally judged that if we did win, the cost wouldn't be worth it.

So we wait for them to attack again? the child asked.

We prepare, Peter said, And we make sure that no one ever forgets what the Bolantines are capable of. That's why we're talking about this today.

What if they do attack again? another student wondered aloud.

Then, we deal with him, Peter told them, We will defend ourselves. Count on it.

The bell sounded, indicating that it was time for all the students to go to the lunch room and eat their bland food. There was a collective shudder in the room, just as there always was at this time of day. Peter smiled and stood up to wish his students luck with lunch.

We've covered the subjects, Peter told them, Enjoy your lunch. Let me know if you have any questions.

Chapter 2 - Return to the Palace

Ok, Medoferro said to the citizens in front of him, You mean to tell me that none of you know who the hell fathered this child?

We are members of the free love collective, the young woman said, It could be any of them…

I've heard enough, Medoferro said, Free love is all nice and good but there is responsibility to be had. This child needs a family that will take care of him, not a bunch of bickering idiots who can't decide who fathered whom. Is there anyone in there who can be eliminated?

No Mullinix, the girl said, her head bowed.

Fine, Medoferro said, Then you can take care of the child yourself. No paternity will be judged. However, every male in the club that had relations with you must pay to a trust fund that will be set up to keep your child fed, clothed and cared for. I'd also suggest you find a new hobby, as most of those men will not be happy with you after this.

No one protested the decision, though several people in the audience were snickering. The free love clubs were new in Mullinix, but this was the first time a child had resulted from one of them. Medoferro personally didn't care one way or the other, but was hoping that this would convince the clubs to be more careful.

Any more cases waiting for me? the Mullinix asked the lieutenant running the room, Or am I done for the day?

No more in waiting, Mullinix, the lieutenant said, Session can close.

Thank you, Medoferro said, Good afternoon, everyone. See you next time.

Medoferro walked out of the room and into the antechamber where several members of the house staff were waiting for him. It looked rather empty, but they were at half staff because of Trinaferro being out on the coast taking care of the recovery efforts after a hurricane.

It's too quiet around here, Medoferro said as he took his coffee, Where the hell is everyone?

Iggy didn't come down today, Marianna said, The house staff is half of the size it used to be, mainly because we have to vet them more after Marina's betrayal.

I know, Medoferro nodded, It's doubly so with Trin out in Northport and Copeland in training school. Why did Iggy not come down?

He didn't feel well, decided he wanted dinner upstairs, Marianna said, Looks like you're alone for dinner tonight.

Great, Medoferro said, Any word from Trin?

Northport is a total loss, Marianna said, The levy system broke, that was the only thing holding it out of the sea. Thousands of lives lost.

I knew we should have had them move out of the damned bowl years ago, Medoferro grumbled, I take it she'll be on the line later?

If they can get it working again, Marianna nodded, They had to dig it up and splice it five miles inland. The new kit isn't working right. It overheats.

Fun, Medoferro said, Ok. I guess I'm having dinner alone tonight.

What makes you think that? Simon Sutcliffe asked him, coming into the room, Didn't they tell you Chrissie and I came back into town while you were dealing with cases?

Medoferro smiled as he saw Simon Sutcliffe walk in. His old friend was wearing a smile on his face as he usually was. It was one of the things that made Simon a perfect personal representative. Medoferro always felt better when he was around. This also applied with Charissa, the Serenian noble that had been married off to the former Siraqi king. She was also a sight for sore eyes.

I'm glad to see you, Medoferro grinned as he saw Simon, I thought you and Chrissie were up in Skolnik this week.

There wasn't much up there to check, Simon shrugged, When I heard about the hurricane I figured I'd do more good here than there.

I was getting sick of the interview circuit anyway, Charissa smiled, You're also going to need me if there has to be a fundraising effort.

Since her narrow escape from Bolantine's hands with Simon during the Siraqi cession Charissa had become a full blown celebrity. She was constantly sought for interviews and had become an advocate for the downtrodden in Mullinix. She and Simon had also become a near inseparable pair ever since.

Charissa's visibility made it much easier for Simon to do his job as well. Simon was able to find out things because people were too focused on Charissa to lie to him. The fact that Charissa was beautiful and radiant, even in her forties, made it impossible to ignore her. Medoferro was happy to have her on his side, almost as happy as she was not to live in Serenia or Siraq any longer.

I guess it's three for dinner, Medoferro said, Unless there are any other surprises?

Nope, Simon said, Not from us. Iggy not joining us?

He's taking dinner upstairs, Medoferro told them, Copeland is in school, so that leaves us and the house staff, who is rather shorthanded at the moment.

I'll whip up some sandwiches for you, Marianna said, I'll cook a real meal tomorrow, when Iggy is up for it as well.

Sounds good to me, Medoferro said, We have a photoplay that is supposed to be good too. I think we have a plan for tonight.

Good, Charissa said, Is it the one starring that cute newcomer to the Selenian studio?

I think so, Medoferro shrugged, I don't pay attention to who is in them anymore, so long as they are good.

Invite the house staff too, Simon suggested, Let's have a good night for everyone.

Just so long as I get one of your arms all will be good, Charissa grinned, chiding Simon on his old tendency to go for house staff when they're home, Right loverboy?

Come on, Medoferro laughed, Let's go eat and watch.

Chapter 3 - Mr. Corie and Lady M

What do you mean the mine is running dry? Corie shouted, That was the best bauxite find we've had in a decade! Those scientists promised us we would have a hundred years of bauxite out of that damned mine!

Corie was about to have an aneurysm as he was that angry at what he was hearing. Since the end of the Mavelan war, twenty years earlier he had been the head of the Bolantine Empire's military equipment division. The news that he just received from the new head of the Alanaris Bauxite Mine had just made that job more of a headache than it was worth.

Can the other mines make it up? Corie asked the man across his desk.

No, he answered honestly, The other mines are coming up with samples that are less than five percent bauxite. It goes down another percent and we won't be able to separate it out anymore. That's why we put so much effort on Alanaris.

Fine, Corie said, putting his fingers on his temples, Anything else before I go and get sacked by the emperor?

No sir, the man said, grateful to be leaving.

Corie knew it wasn't the mine manager's fault that Alanaris turned out to be a dud. The only reliable mine anywhere near the Bolantine Empire was the one that they missed just north of Mavelan city during the last war. Unfortunately, the Mullinix and Sotans had that one locked tighter than a drum.

Corie stood up and walked around a little. He knew he had to figure out something to get the bauxite production back up. The engineers had brought down the amount of bauxite needed for production down to the bare minimum, but without any coming in at all the production lines would soon be stopping.

Corie finally decided that he needed to walk out and see if Emperor Bolantine was in his office. Alas, Bolantine himself was out checking things in the field, as he bored of office work very quickly. Immortality may bring about patience, but it did not bring any better appreciation for office work.

Looking for someone? a throaty female voice said from behind him.

Emperor Bolantine, Corie said and then turned around, Lady M? I thought you were out in the field as well?

Lady M was an enigma in the Bolantine government. She was nominally seconded to the power user division, but she moved all around to whatever interested her. She was hard to miss, for she wore a modified Bolantine uniform that went over her whole head, including her eyes. The only skin she showed was around her mouth.

Nothing much for me out there, Lady M said, I heard you were having problems with the bauxite production in Alanaris.

The mine is going to run dry within the next month, Corie nodded, Not much we can do about it right now. I'm going to put the resources we have pulling the bad bauxite out of Alanaris into the exploration program.

We've been looking, Lady M said, We need to do something else. How much searching did you do for Bauxite when you were in Siraq twenty years ago?

Very little, Corie said, You know about that?

I was Mullinix then, Lady M told him, You picked me up in Sotanberg.

I'd almost forgotten about that trip, Corie lied, It was overshadowed for me by the war that followed.

Not for me, Lady M said as she revealed her scarred face and head to Corie, It was a Mullinix Representative who did this to me, one who claimed he loved me. I have every reason to remember that trip and the people who changed me forever.

Ouch, Corie said, I can see why you dislike the Mullinix.

So you know why the bauxite problem concerns me, Lady M said, I intend to make the Mullinix pay before I die.

That's going to be more difficult without the bauxite, Corie said.

It could be years before we find another source, Lady M warned, Without those machines to make a difference…

They didn't matter much last time, Corie reminded her, I was with the mechanized force. They destroyed our fleet with a pile of scrap metal.

A mistake we will avoid next time, Lady M assured him, I may have an idea on how to get a new mine together or a least how to take enough Bauxite to keep our builders going for years.

Do tell, Corie said, I'm all for that.

Not yet, Lady M said, I will inform Empress Bolantine. There is nothing you could have done.

Thank you, Corie said, knowing she had connections to Empress Bolantine that he couldn't fathom, You know where to find me.

More than you know, Lady M agreed, The only good thing about being physically blind is the fact that I use power sight. I always know where everyone in the building is.

Corie watched her walked out, shaking his head a little bit. He had enough power sight to see the hole that had been burned into her by the power stream injury many years before. He didn't know if it was a good thing to tie his fortunes to her, but he knew from experience that it was better to go along with someone that has the Emperor's ear than it was to go against them.

Chapter 4 - An Interrupted Photoplay

I'm sorry guys, Medoferro said as they left the theatre room, You can watch the rest of the photoplay if you like.

Nuts to that, Simon told him, I want to know what is going on in Northport as much as you do. Chrissie can go start the press effort.

She's welcome to listen in, Medoferro said, Best if you know what is going on to speak intelligently about it.

Works for me, Charissa nodded, Let's hope it isn't as bad as they're saying.

I have a suspicion it’s worse, Medoferro grumbled, I know that area. Beautiful town, but it was built in an area that it shouldn't have been. With as little warning as they got… It won't be pretty.

Medoferro had been Mullinix for the better part of thirty years by this point, but every time he thought he'd settled into the job he found a new challenge. Be it war with the Bolantines or dealing with the myriad of problems caused by the Siraqi Annex, one thing this job had never been was boring.

He was also in line to become one of the longest serving Mullinix in the top job. Massimaferro's early death left him to become one of the youngest men to ascend to the top position. With Insegniferro still in apparently good health he could be there for years to come.

He slid into the bauxite lined line room, taking his customary seat. He had spent more time in this room than he cared to think about, mainly because more often than not they gave him bad news whenever he was in there. He did not expect that to change when Trinaferro came onto the line.

Ok, Medoferro said, I'm here. What's going on out there, Trin?

Trina is sleeping, Stacy Cossy said over the line, Or at least she'd better be by now. She's been awake for nearly two days playing nurse out in the mass triage.

Stacy Cossy had been Trinaferro's personal representative for many years. Stacy was a rarity as far as personal representatives, she was five years older than her Mullinix and a former Mullinix Guard. She had originally been assigned to watch the Mullinix candidate while Mullinix-Elder Taliaferro was dying. The guard experience made her a godsend during disaster situations, which had become her stock in trade over the preceding decades.

Are things that bad? Medoferro asked, What do you need out there?

We need everything, Stacy said honestly, If the person who decided to put the Government House and Medico center on the coast right next to the levy were still alive, I swear I'd kill them myself.

Been there for centuries, Medoferro reminded her, All lost?

Between the winds and the storm surge everything in them was lost, Stacy told him, The medico facility collapsed for sure, the government house is five feet deep under water on the second story.

Guard? Medoferro asked.

Most of them got out, Stacy told him, They're keeping order as best they can. We have groups from Immortal Park and Connoer here already, but they had to keep some back to deal with refugees on their home turf.

I'll send some from Siraq, Medoferro said, I've been meaning to redistribute them down south anyway, might as well have them do some good out in Northport first.

I'll do the line work on that when you finish here, Simon said, You holding up ok, Stacy?

Simon? Stacy said, I thought you and Charissa were in Skolnik this week.

We came back to Mullinix Centre when we heard the news, Charissa told Stacy, Figured we would need to get official relief fundraising started, and Mullinix Centre has better facilities than anywhere else.

Good, Stacy said, These people will need it, regardless of what happens to the city itself.

The city is moving, Medoferro said quickly, You tell the remaining civil leaders that I am not authorizing one coin for the rebuilding of the city if they try to put it in that location again.

No argument here, Stacy said, The most urgent need is Medicos. We have two, and frankly they aren't very good. Even as far out of practice as Trina is she is doing better than they are. We need good trauma people, fast.

We're supposed to have facilities for that, Simon said, Why didn't the collegium send anyone?

I'll find that out after we get done, Medoferro said, Anything else I need to know?

Not really, Stacy told him, Wire is going to be dodgy for a few days. We're working with salvaged kit and it heats up fast. Until they can get a proper wire room put together, we will be limited to short talking.

Keep it together, Medoferro said, We'll get you some help as soon as we can.

There was shouting on the other end, Medoferro could hear that the technicians were about to lose the kit, so they said their goodbyes and got off the line. The three of them walked out and looked at each other. It was not hard to tell that Medoferro was extremely angry at the fact that there had not been any Medico response yet.

Your orders? Simon asked, knowing it was better to be formal when Medo was angry.

Get on the line to Hardin's troops, Medoferro instructed Simon, Send the group that was due to rotate down south out to Northport. Trin will have operational control over them when they get out there. Charissa, can you get in touch with your media contacts? Get that ball rolling?

You got it, Charissa nodded, You're going to deal with the medicos?

Yes, Medoferro said, This is inexcusable. I want them here within the hour. Any of the collegium heads that refuse the invitation are to be dragged here. This is getting fixed and getting fixed tonight.

Medoferro was usually a quiet leader, but when he got angry most of the others knew to let him do what he needed to do. He didn't get angry without reason and they all knew that he had plenty of reasons to be angry that night.

Chapter 5 - Service School

Copeland Irons stretched a bit as he continued shoving the sandwiches into the kits. The entire service school had been pushed into action creating the kits that were to be delivered to the storm area the next day. He looked over at his roommate, who was barely keeping up on knocking the boxes together.

You ok, Alvin? Copeland asked him, You look peaked.

I didn't sleep last night, Alvin shrugged, You know that. Hell, I don't know how you do it, Copeland. You must have ice running through your veins to have resisted Lucinda's charms last night.

Remember where I grew up, buddy, Copeland grinned, I have been surrounded by beautiful women all my life. If I let myself go gaga every time one looked at me, I wouldn't get anything done. Luckily, I'm here to save your butt today.

I'll remember that next time you need help in math, Alvin chuckled, Speaking of the pretty women in the palace, any chance…

We'll have to see, Copeland said, Honestly, they are more of a housekeeping staff than anything. None of them have really been anything more than that in our lifetime. Insegniferro is too old and my parents have no eyes for anyone but each other.

You know, Alvin said as he eyed the sandwiches they were packing, Compared to what we're eating, this crap looks appetizing.

Heh, Copeland said, I know it. I wish I could go home again just to eat. Dinner at the palace was usually good, and dinner with my grandparents… Oh man…

Don't tease me, Alvin grumped, I'm just a kid from the Oasis. Fish and fowl, bland as can be.

We'll go out to the pub tomorrow, Copeland promised, I'll buy the onion loaf.

I'll hold you to that, Alvin told him, Let's get these things done so we can move on to something more palatable.

Chapter 6 - Insegniferro

Medoferro sipped on his coffee as waited for the heads of the Medico Collegium to be rounded up. It was turning into a long day for him, but he was determined that things wouldn't get messed up any worse on his end. He contemplated what he was going to do to shame the heads when Alisa, one of the younger members of the house staff came up to him.

Medo, she said, Could I talk to you a minute?

What's up? Medo asked her, I've got a minute, but not much more. The medicos will be here soon.

Iggy, she said finally, You know I've been the one tasked to taking care of his needs?

Right, Medoferro nodded, Marianna isn't up to handling the stairs as much, so she mainly stays in the kitchen and handles antechamber. What is going on?

I think something may be wrong with Iggy, she said finally, He has refused to move from his bed all day. I don't even think he's gone to the bathroom.

Is he awake? Medoferro asked, suddenly concerned.

Yes, she nodded, I would have rushed for a medico otherwise, but something doesn't seem right. But when I asked him…

He just said he wanted to read and be left alone, Medo sighed, Ok, you've convinced me. I'll go up and talk to him. I need to let him know what's going on anyway, so I have an excuse. Get with Marianna and get the medicos fed and plied with coffee or tea. They won't be happy when I talk to them.

Thank you, Medo, Alisa said, breathing a sigh of relief, Marianna thought that Iggy was just being ornery, but this isn't like him. I'm sorry if I'm being a bother…

No bother, Medo assured her, smiling a little, You are doing your job. Someone has to take care of us otherwise we'd work ourselves to death. Go on and get the coffee ready, I'll be down after I talk to Iggy.

Alisa smiled and bowed, heading off to the kitchen. Medoferro shook his head and made his way upstairs. If he had met Alisa before he had met Trinaferro he might have considered spending a few nights with her. Trina had made it so he couldn't even consider another woman again, however. It just would not work for him.

Medoferro went over to Insegniferro's chamber and rapped a few times, waiting for the expected brush off. Insegniferro did not take long to respond.

I'm fine, Alisa, Iggy said, I just want to rest.

Can I give you an update before you go to sleep? Medoferro said through the door, I just got off the line to Northport.

Can it wait? Iggy asked hopefully.

No, Medoferro said, We need to talk.

Insegniferro sighed and knew that he wouldn't push off the younger Mullinix forever. He looked around and propped himself up to get in a better position. He finally grunted his assent for Medoferro's entrance.

Medoferro walked in and the first thing he noticed was the smell. His sense of smell was never the best, but it would have taken a lot to mask that one. Insegniferro acted like there was nothing wrong, but he wasn't hiding from Medoferro.

What's wrong? Medoferro asked him, You've not left this bed today.

I'm fine, Iggy mumbled, Just give me the update and let me be.

Bull, Medoferro said sternly, This room smells like an outhouse. You haven't moved all day. What the hell is going on, Iggy?

I don't feel well, Insegniferro said, trying to pull himself up, I just want to sleep.

You're slurring, Medoferro said, looking closely, You are using your left hand to hold your book and the power waves are out of kilter on the right side of your head. You've had a brainstorm, Iggy.

I have not, Insegniferro said, not willing to admit it, You're reading me again!

I don't have to, Medoferro reminded him, I can see you passively, Iggy. Tie it with the slurring and favoring your right arm… Why the hell didn't you let Alisa get you some help?

I don't want to be an invalid, Iggy hissed, I was hoping it would take me the whole way.

Good gods don't do that to us right now, Medoferro said, Northport is a total loss and Trin doesn't have a reliable line to consult over yet. The kit up there is fried and lasts only about ten minutes at a shot.

What do you want from me? Insegniferro asked, tears forming in his eyes, I don't want to be a burden on you… You two are more than capable.

We may be capable, Medo told him, But you are still our family. You've been more like a father to me than my own was. You deserve to go out comfortably, with dignity.

The medicos will just prolong it, Insegniferro said.

If you don't treat it you might just become incapacitated, Medo reminded him, You've earned your retirement. Let me get you some help so you can enjoy it a while longer.

I don't want a big deal made out if it, Iggy protested.

Rasten, Medoferro said, She's on her way here as part of the collegium council. I'm about to chew them out over their performance in Northport. She'll probably be the reasonable one anyway. Brainstorms are her specialty, so I'll have her come up afterwards.

Ok, Insegniferro sighed, I still…

Don't want to be a bother? Medoferro asked, You aren't. Alisa is worried about you. Will you kindly let the girl help you get cleaned up?

I should be able to do that myself, Insegniferro sighed.

You can't, Medo said, And you know it like I do. Alisa will be in. Don't fight the girl.

Fine, Insegniferro sighed, Let her in.

Medoferro nodded and went out to let Alisa in. He explained what was going on and told her to keep it close to her vest until he got the medico in to see whether he was right. He just hoped it would not be too late.

Chapter 7 - Empress Bolantine

Nikki Bolantine stretched out and walked around her suite in the castle. Despite the power she held and the fact that she could do pretty much whatever she wanted, she still got bored quite often. The suite she lived in proved that, for it held examples of every diversionary game you could think of. She was sitting in front of a table playing one such mind game with a subordinate when Lady M walked into the room.

Who is winning, Empress? Lady M asked as she observed the game through her power sight.

I am, Nikki said, Not that I care. I'm getting bored.

Perhaps I can come up with a diversion for you? Lady M said, I have a plan that I would like to run by you.

Sure, Nikki shrugged, Gotta be better than this boring game.

She looked sternly at her opponent, Your orders until I get back are to get better at this so I can have a challenge next time.

Yes Empress, the man nodded, taking his leave of the two women.

Nikki Bolantine was not a large woman by any stretch. She was slight, her skin a little bit dark and her eyes were slightly slanted, indicating some exotic blood not often seen in the Empire. At the best of times she stood just under five feet tall and was often mistaken by those who didn't know her for a teenager.

Lady M knew better. Nikki Bolantine was a power user without par in the Bolantine Empire and the mate of the immortal emperor Bolantine himself. Nikki Bolantine, herself immortal and thousands of years old, had knowledge in that small frame that mortals could only imagine.

Ok Marina, Nikki said, using Lady M's birth name, the only one in the Empire who dared to do so, What no good are you coming up with now?

A possible way to get us some Bauxite, Marina said, We will need it with Alanaris drying up like it has.

I know, Nikki said, grumbling a little, The lack of bauxite is pissing off B no end. I personally think we will need another decade of preparation, but if we can't get that bauxite we may have to move earlier against the Mullinix than we had hoped.

Gottgol has just found a large mine, Lady M told her while she passed the information packet over, Two miles from their northern coast, just outside Eringol. It is considered a private mine up there.

I don't like the idea of buying bauxite, Nikki old her, It's dangerous enough without getting third parties involved.

That wouldn't be an option, Lady M said, "The Mullinix supply two-thirds of their economy. The Mullinix would buy their mines out to keep us from getting any of it.

So how do you plan on getting it? Nikki wondered.

Diversion and destruction, Lady M smiled, I've been working on a soldier control protocol for years now. I have it working to the point that with the help of a few feeders I can personally control two to three hundred soldiers. Give me twenty average feeders or ten good ones, I can control an army of over a thousand.

Small army, Nikki said, You proposing a Bolantine invasion of Gottgol? The Mullinix would never stand for that.

Hell no, Lady M said, That would be suicidal and would provoke a general war down here. No, I'm thinking of something a bit more cunning than that.

Do tell? Nikki asked, wondering what Marina had come up with.

We clothe the starting soldiers in Mullinix uniforms, she stated, Make Gottgol think the Mullinix are doing it. No one will believe it for long, but without solid proof that it's us the Mullinix and Sotans won't declare war.

So how does this get us the Bauxite? Nikki wondered.

Use the ships we brought the soldiers up in, Lady M said, Have a mining crew strip the mine while the rest of us trash Erindol and head south. If the Mullinix figure out what we're doing I will simply send the horde out there. I should be able to pull in able bodied civilians to replace losses and expand our horde. They won't be disciplined, but they will be destructive.

Ok, Nikki said, thinking about it, Go ahead and get the uniforms ready and obtain plans for Mullinix style coastal boats. Get an initial horde ready for Bolantine and me to see the tests.

Thank you, Empress, Lady M said, a smile forming underneath her hood, I will have the first tests ready within the week.

Very good, Nikki nodded, Let me know what you find. I will talk to Bolantine about how this fits with our overall plan.

Lady M knew when she was dismissed. She left the room and soon after Nikki went into a secret passage that connected her suite with the Emperor's bedroom. It being reasonably early in the morning, Bolantine was still asleep. He woke up as she entered, just as he always did.

It's still Early, Bolantine said, his dark eyes barely opening, What brings you in here?

I knew saving Marina would pay dividends, Nikki said, sliding into the bed next to him and pushing his blonde mane aside so she could kiss him, She came in with a plan today that might score us some more bauxite.

Alanaris is failing, isn't it? Bolantine asked, Despite Corie's administration.

Corie did the best he could, Nikki shrugged, Not his fault that the mine was a dud. He kept it better organized than most anyone else would have in this situation.

So what is her plan? Bolantine asked, And how much is it going to cost us.

Nikki spent a few minutes outlining Marina's plan. She didn't bother taking credit for any of it. Being immortal as both of them were, they didn't bother with petty issues of credit. They knew they would outlast any of their mortal servants, so let them enjoy what pleasures they could have.

Audacious, Bolantine said, nodding, Dangerous too. A lot of ways that could fail.

We make sure she stays at the back, Nikki said, The horde just has to divert from the diggers long enough for them to load the ships with bauxite.

We abandon the horde, I take it, Bolantine nodded, knowing he was right, We know the Mullinix don't have battle ships, so getting home should be easy enough. So long as we aren't obviously behind it, we should be all right.

We prepare for war, just in case, Nikki cautioned, "It can't hurt to do maneuvers when we launch anyway.

We still outnumber them, Bolantine agreed, And we likely have better conditioning, even if we don't have the machine counts we'd like.

Time for some fun, Nikki grinned, You agree?

If Marina's test is impressive we'll do it, Bolantine agreed, But first…

He touched Nikki's hand, eliciting a giggle from her. The war plans could wait. They had something else to do for a little while…

Chapter 8 - Northport

You wouldn't be able to tell from the clear skies outside Northport that a massive storm had all but leveled the area a bare two days before. If it weren't for the fact that the city down below the hills was under twenty feet or more of water the area would have been rather idyllic, much like the vacation spot that it had been for centuries.

Trinaferro stood up and walked around a little bit, her dark hair flowing out behind her. The wind blew a little, pushing it in her face a little. She noticed that it had gone a bit grayer, something she was seeing more and more often as she approached fifty. She managed to keep fit, despite her demanding job and if she bothered to color her hair could pass for her mid thirties if she wanted to.

She turned around and saw Stacy Cossy coming up behind her with another couple members of the guard. Stacy was not bad looking herself. She still had blonde hair and kept trim by working out with the guard regiments wherever she traveled. She sat down next to her Mullinix and looked out over the destroyed city.

You're supposed to be sleeping, Stacy told her, I told Medo I had you put to bed.

I'm resting, Trinaferro protested, Sleep isn't an option. Too many memories today.

The medicos should be here soon, Stacy told her, Medo was pissed that they weren't here yet. I think he is going to kick some butt with the Medico community.

About time, Trinaferro nodded, How did he sound?

Tired, Stacy shrugged, I didn't get to talk long. Damned kit was heating up too fast again.

I miss him already, Trinaferro sighed, Sad isn't it? We have been together for this many years and I still get emotional when I'm away from him for a few days.

It's called love, Trin, Stacy told her, You and he are meant for each other. We all knew that, even when we were young and in service school.

True, Trinaferro sighed, I'm just wondering how long things can stay so good. He's been in the hot seat for a long time.

He thrives on it, Stacy shrugged, He may hate it as much as you do, but he's good at it.

I'm hoping that he'll get to do it a while yet, Trina smiled, Mainly because if he can't, it means something happened to Iggy.

It will someday, Stacy said, You prepared if that happens?

Yes, Trina nodded, It will be sad, but I won't be alone. I'll still have Medo. Medo won't let me sink and if I have to do it alone… I will manage.

This is a mess, Stacy said, Northport will never be the same.

Did Medo say anything about rebuilding? Trina asked her.

He said that the city was not to be rebuilt in the hole, Stacy said, He said to leave the remains of the city where they were and to build higher.

We don't have the ability to pump it out anyway, Trina sighed, I can see it now… The sunken city tourist attractions, the glass bottom boats. It'll be a new industry for them.

There's always a silver lining, Stacy smiled, At least you have a good outlook on it.

I have to, Trinaferro smiled, I made my bed nearly thirty years ago. All we can do is keep going. If something happens to Iggy, it means that Medo gets to relax a bit finally. He could use it.

So could you, Stacy said, Time for you to get some sleep. You haven't slept but a few hours since you've been here. Medo will kick me if you don't sleep before the troops get in.

Trinaferro nodded and looked again over the flooded city. She wondered if they would ever know how many had died in there. She figured she would be better off not knowing.

Chapter 9 - Brainstorm

Medoferro stood outside Insegniferro's room as he waited for Medico Rasten to finish checking over things. He was still steaming from the chewing out he had to give to the medico collegium heads before Rasten came up to take care of Insegniferro. The sheer arrogance some of them had shown in the wake of a national tragedy was stunning to him.

Are they going? Simon asked Medoferro, It has been a long time since I heard you shout like that.

They deserved it, Medoferro told his long time friend, You know it as well as I do.

No argument, Simon said, holding his hands up, I'm honestly amazed you didn't shove a fireball up Marcus Chitzen's ass. I know I wanted to.

If he causes any more problems I might, Medoferro told him, I've got enough problems without Chitzen giving me crap for not letting them charge their patients into poverty. No medico is on the poverty rolls with what we let them charge.

True, Simon agreed, Some don't even charge the limits. Toria thrives and charges as little as she can.

Medoferro nodded. There was a distinct philosophy battle going on in the Mullinix Medico community. Mullinix was a personal responsibility based society, but the leaders had the right to regulate if necessary. Medoferro had found it necessary a few too many times in the last ten years or so.

It will pass, Medoferro sighed, I hope. Even if they didn't agree with me, this was a piss poor time to fight me on it. I just hope that their stupidity doesn't cost any lives out there.

Medoferro sat down and stretched a little. He was tense and it showed. Simon sometimes missed the days when he first came to the palace when he could simply suggest to a member of the house staff that Medo needed relaxation and Marina would show up and force him to relax.

Unfortunately, Marina was long gone and the only woman Medo would even consider releasing that tension in a healthy way with was hip deep in mud dealing with the crisis on site. Simon sighed and watched Charissa walk up the stairs. She sat down between the two of them and smiled.

I just gave an interview with the local paper, she said, And I already have a relief group sending supplies and volunteers out. Hope you were as lucky.

The medicos are grumbling, but will be there, Medoferro said, I'm more worried about Iggy right now.

What happened to Iggy? Charissa asked, having missed the excitement.

Brainstorm, Simon told her, Rasten is in with him now.

Not good, Charissa said, A brainstorm took my mother just before I was shipped off to marry that creep in Siraq.

I know, Medoferro sighed, Not that I wouldn't love to get out of this job, that's not the way I would prefer to do it. Besides, that just puts Trin in the line of fire.

We know, Charissa nodded, I still remember citizenship school. It was fun, actually.

You were eye candy for the boys I'm sure, Simon chuckled, I bet more of them paid attention to you than they did the lecture.

Well, Charissa grinned impishly, I was much older than most of them…

The moment of humor ended when Medico Rasten walked out of the room. She pushed back her gray hair and sat down on a bench across from Medoferro. She looked tired, even more so than she did when Medoferro first met her a few hours after Mullinix Taliaferro died. He had been freshly chosen then and she was taking care of the ailing Mullinix. Now, she was back for the same purpose.

How bad is it? Medoferro asked her.

It's a brainstorm all right, she agreed, taking an offered cup of tea from Marianna, How much do you want to know?

I don't want to know any of it, Medoferro said honestly, But I need to know the prognosis.

He's a mess, Rasten said simply, He is eighty-two years old and has suffered a moderately severe brainstorm. He's in pitiful shape, probably hasn't gone outside in months and his blood pressure is high enough that I'm betting he will have another brainstorm in the next few weeks. Probably a fatal one next time.

You are nice and cheery, Simon said, Predicting the end of the world too?

You asked me for the prognosis, Rasten shrugged, That's it in a nutshell.

I should have expected that after the chewing out I gave you guys, Medoferro said, "I don't apologize for