Heir To The Empire: The Next Generation

By Jonathan Taylor

Martha always admired her veteran father and sought to emulate his example. Her wish was granted when she, along with her prodigious and reclusive best friend Elisabeth, was accepted in the premier military academy in the world. Once there, the two are assigned in a unit with Giuliana, a free-spirited and passionate fellow cadet, as well as Viktor, a young man who maintains his cool in almost all situations and is seemingly full of surprises. As the semester rolls through, they face the hardships the university pushes on them as well as befriend some of their fellow cadets, however a looming terrorist threat and the secrets they keep from each other threaten to tear their careers, and friendships, apart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jonathan Taylor
• Release date: Sep 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9783982368603

Jonathan Taylor

The boy who would become Jonathan Taylor was born in early 1992 to white-collar parents from blue-collar backgrounds. Growing up, his up-bringing was mostly formal, he stuck to what his parents set out for him and generally at least tried to stay out of trouble. He did well enough in school to be able to attend a leading technical university, but his creative drive remained as active and eager as ever, and after graduating, he has become quite a bit more capable of indulging it.

Book preview

HEIR TO THE EMPIRE:

THE NEXT GENERATION

JONATHAN TAYLOR

Copyright © 2021 by Jonathan Taylor

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review. For information, write to: [e-mail]

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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Contents

Welcome to Trento

Step in line

A week in the life

Playing with knives

Dust bunnies

Field work

Recovery

Insiders

Guardians

Look-outs

Wading through the ashes

The clean side of duty

Moments of endearment

Bad decisions

Youthful folly

Back to society

On the field

The battle of Trento

The longest night of the year

Return to the self

The last week

Big dirty secret

Glossary

Welcome to Trento

The loud, booming chimes of the clock tower announced to the world it was midday. Underneath it, Trento’s main train station was bustling. It was almost always regarded as the city’s unofficial hub, and the rush hour traffic was doing its best to officialise this title. Trains were rolling to the end of their platforms, or were moving onward, leaving the station, heading to their scheduled destinations, coughing and puffing their steam through the large open airways above the rails, or blowing it through the platforms, while masses of people, in an astounding display of order and purpose, made their way over the station’s marble tiles on to the stone pavement of the platforms to catch their trains.

Inevitably, a whisk of steam would blow into such a moving crowd, pushing the more cautious or easily frightened into stopping and holding back the line of commuters. You could always easily recognise these people on the train as well, they would always check their clothes for any dirty or wet spots before they found their seats. In front of the railways, safely stowed away behind the stone columns separating the platform section, several coffee shops and small diners awaited patrons all over the large open walkway, flanked by the exits from the ticket stores. The swarm of people rushing through the station moved mainly through its’ centre, right below the large rendition of the city’s coat of arms, through the main entrance. Salespeople rushing to close an arrangement, tourists looking forward to aimless wandering, displaced artists searching for their next creative opportunity, everyone moving, everyone looking for what will take them to their next destinations. Well, almost everyone.

A young woman was standing on the end of the farthest left platform, next to the train that brought her in Trento, looking around and contemplating the people and place, acquainting herself with her new surroundings. She was taller than average, with a complexion darker than her origins might imply, dark brown eyes and mid-length flowing black hair. She wore a dark green trench coat, with a similarly-coloured red-striped vest, now half unbuttoned because of the unexpectedly warm weather, and a dark blue button-up shirt. She paired these up with green pants and slim, ankle-high boots, some of her favourites. Over her shoulder she carried a single-strapped duffle bag, which she seemed to carry without any effort whatsoever.

Martha, her friend, Eliza, cried out to her from several metres back. A similar duffle bag adorned her shoulder, yet she found it harder to carry her bag. She wore regular black shoes paired with blue pants, a slim blue vest and white shirt. She chose a slim red waistcoat instead of the similarly heavy trench coat Martha did, making her short honey-blonde hair, which the two of them have described as almost orange in the past, seem to almost fuse with the coat. Her look was otherwise quite plain, green eyes, the light skin typical of Duttstan natives, and average height. Wait up, Eliza continued more softly as soon as she was closer to Martha, and confident they could hear each other.

I told you, Liz, Martha started, you shouldn’t have brought the cauldrons with you.

Enough with the cauldrons already, Eliza let out with mild rage as she arrived next to her, I explained to you I brought them should they be necessary. And don’t start with the ‘We don’t have a Potion course on the curriculum’ speech, she cut Martha off, just because it isn’t mentioned doesn’t mean we won’t need them, eventually.

And if you’re wrong? Martha asked.

Then I will have been wrong, Eliza calmed as she was looking at the orientation signs. Let’s go, she let out while turning to the right, there is a train station to cross between us and our streetcar.

You sure we don’t have to go out the main exit? Martha demanded.

You don’t think I can read a map? Eliza replied. You only want to go through the main exit because the city’s coat of arms is nestled over it.

You’re not entirely wrong, Martha admitted, it’s among the better-looking ones I know.

It has a nigh-timeless design, Eliza started, the only major element to have changed since its adoption under the Byalldaim dynasty is the shape of the shield; the emblazoning and partitions have remained virtually unchanged.

You’re not telling me anything I didn’t already know, Martha replied with fake annoyance.

You always enjoy the refresher.

The two crossed the station to reach their exit. As this exit led to a side street to a major boulevard, Eliza expected it to be grey, drab, empty, and uninteresting, the kind of street which passers-by ignore completely. When the surrounding area came in full view under the Sabin sun, it was one of the rare occasions in her life when she was glad to be wrong; the brown, green, and reddish earthly tones of the neighbouring buildings created a distinctive, but complementary contrast to the red brick structure the two were just exiting. A look over to the boulevard, from where the streetcar was supposed to arrive, revealed a similar bustle to what was going on in the train station they just left, framed by well-kept trees with reddening foliage, while in the distance the contrast between the city’s industrial district and historic centre created a striking picture for onlookers.

Well, Martha smiled, looking in the distance, the former Imperial capital sure looks amazing.

I knew you’d like it, Eliza smiled as they arrived at the street car station. And there it is, she added as the streetcar appeared in her field of view.

Another half-covered elongated cage on rails, Martha disappointedly commented on the vehicle’s appearance. I thought Sabinians would have better design ideas.

It’s a new vehicle type, Eliza shrugged as it pulled into its’ station, it has to be functional first. Give them 20 years, they’ll think of something pretty.

Kind of a shame when everything else is as tastefully ornate as it is, Martha continued as they got in line to board the vehicle.

Didn’t expect you to be this disappointed, Eliza answered amused. Like I said, give them…

Hold the door!! The loud voice of a young man interrupted her as the two were about to enter the car.

They each set a foot on the first step of the vehicle, to keep it in place, while making a half-step to the side. The man in question was running to the vehicle, cutting a lean figure that seemed to blur its’ appearance even as it came closer. Once he got close enough, he jumped into the vehicle, tripping over its’ sill and falling flat atop the steps.

I’m okay, he said, lifting his right hand. I think I am at least.

You’re in the car, in any case, Martha replied as she grabbed his hand after fully entering. She helped him up as the streetcar started moving. Eliza held up the backpack he was wearing, surprised by how heavy it was.

The lean profile he cut while running seemed all the more accurate as he was standing up. The black, buttoned-up longcoat and matching pants and shoes seemed to draw more emphasis on his long, slim body, and the sharp features of his face. His piercing green eyes and short, bushy brown hair did soften his appearance somewhat, and he had a pleasant smile.

Thanks for helping me in, he told the two. Are you also starting university today?

Yeah, what gave us away? Martha replied, while Eliza, in spite of her initial surprise, immediately realised his assessment shouldn’t surprise her.

Your age, the time of year, your apparel, he answered, confirming Eliza’s assumption. Also going to IMU?

Yeah, the two answered almost at once. How did you guess that? Martha asked.

I get lucky at times, he shrugged.

I see you travel quite light yourself, Martha added, all you have is a backpack.

Yeah, well I don’t really need too much.

As the streetcar veered into the next street, a large explosion made itself heard from the one they just left. A large and thick column of smoke arose from where the train station would be. Streaks of green and white covered the smoke column in its’ entirety.

The Green Dawn, Eliza realised as she recognized the streaks.

Those fickers again… the young man spat out in contempt.

It seems course work won’t be our only concern, Martha said.

Step in line

The morning sun was making its’ way up the sky as Giulia made her way to Trento’s International Military University. She spent the past night at her aunt’s house, then got ready for the day, dressing up in her white shirt, red trench coat, and maroon pants and shoes. A pronounced nervousness came over her as she made herself ready for the day, but as she was finishing up, and then headed out to the university, she felt the nervousness melt away, and eagerness take its place.

It would be more than three hours until the commencement speech started, and the university gates were still closed, however to her surprise the small plaza in front of the university was full of people, full of students awaiting the opening of the university grounds. Her aunt wanted to accompany her to the plaza at least, but she assured her she would be fine, she would find the university, and she didn’t need help, and was now very glad to see her future colleagues.

She started making her way towards the crowd, her enthusiasm growing almost with every step, especially as she started noticing smiles among the crowd. A figure suddenly emerged from a side street and she attempted to step aside, but unfortunately too late and stepped on his forward foot. She almost jumped off his foot, turned to her victim, a young, tall, large man, and started apologising profusely for her misstep.

I don’t understand your apology, the young man said in Dutt with a distinct Gaulish accent, I don’t speak Sabin, but I accept it nonetheless.

Oh, sorry, Giulia apologised again, this time in Dutt, I didn’t know you weren’t Sabinian. She then briefly looked him over.

His thick, oval, stern face with thick full lips carried a pleasant smile, framed by dark, curly hair flowing from the top of his head, and warm brown eyes looking tenderly towards her. His appearance was otherwise quite plain, he wore a black waistcoat and vest with a light grey shirt stretching over his ample, powerful frame, dark grey pants, and black plain shoes.

I’m Giulia, by the way, she added and stretched out her hand, Giulia Abaretto.

Simon Grosjean. He shook her hand. Are you starting at IMU as well?

Yeah, she confirmed, I got a little excited when I…

No need to explain, he told her. I will join you, he added as he turned towards the plaza. She smiled and walked along with him. I must admit, he continued, I didn’t expect the plaza to be this full.

How many people do you think will run into the courtyard as soon as it opens?

I’m quite certain the rules forbid it, Simon said, so only those looking for punishment or who don’t know the rules will do so. Which are you?

The latter, Giulia innocently smirked as they entered the gathered crowd. It looks as though the entire class is already waiting, she spoke somewhat louder, covering the crowd noise from those around them.

Perhaps, her companion answered as loudly. Are you supposed to meet someone before commencement?

The gates of the university grounds opened before she could give her answer, and the gathered crowd made their way into the courtyard at a steady, slowly accelerating pace.

Can I hold your arm? Simon asked.

Are you afraid of losing me? she reached out her elbow.

Afraid is not the word I would use, he grabbed her elbow, but I prefer you being next to me. I was a reclusive child and you look like you could help me make friends easier.

At least you know how to sweet-talk, she giggled.

The crowd around them started dispersing, allowing the two to move more freely through the courtyard, and Giulia was eager to acquaint herself with her new home. The first part of the courtyard held the lecture and reception hall, a black-painted brick and steel building as tall as it was long, featureless aside from several tall windows and a barely slanted roof, with reinforcement columns along its sides and on the corners. Right behind it was the mess hall, shorter, longer, more metallic and more box-like in appearance, painted in a faded yellow and green colour mixture, and with more windows. A very small gap existed between these buildings, which seemed to disappear whenever the buildings were observed from an angle.

If it disappeared when observed from other angles, Giulia had no time to notice, as she pulled Simon towards two people, a tall and slender brown-haired girl wearing a red jacket with maroon pants, similar to her attire, and a shorter, broad-shouldered boy in an olive-coloured jacket, standing next to each other without noticing the other. A smile coloured her face as she greeted them, and they initially turned to each other instead of towards her. The two of them first greeted each other, then turned towards Giulia and Simon.

Oh, you greeted us, the brunette smiled, her slender body producing a slim, high-pitched voice.

I have, Giulia answered, and then introduced herself.

Beatrice Silvietta, The brunette introduced herself.

James Dawson, so did the boy, his voice much rougher than his stature and young features would give away.

The four of them then walked along after introducing themselves, further through the campus. They acquainted themselves with others as they walked by, and asked them to come along, but they all refused, either because they already joined another group, or because they preferred to see who their roommates would be. Dawson would point out, mostly with girls, that it made no difference, cadets are supposed to get along regardless of who they associate with, but he would always be declined, sometimes politely, and then teased by Beatrice. I’m a cadet again, the thought occurred to Giulia as the quartet continued their walk.

The second section of the campus housed the four dorms the students would occupy, each four levels high, furbished with plain red and brown bricks, and indistinguishable aside from which playing card symbol was ascribed to their sides. The dorms surrounded twin towering buildings, one of which housed the offices of the professors and the teaching staff, and the other the seminar rooms. These were the tallest buildings on university grounds, and with their dark grey and black complementary colour arrangement seemed to anchor everything else in place.

Between these two buildings, an artesian fountain stood, surrounded by various blooming flower beds, each of which gave a very pleasant and distinct smell as one approached them. The light grey pathway network connecting every building on the campus seemed to emanate from this small flower pavilion, with sheer swaths of grass stretching out between the pathways and the buildings, covering almost every other surface between the walls surrounding the campus. Various benches were also strewn around the dorms and the office buildings, and trees and shrubs were planted all along the courtyard wall.

After attempting to enter the twin administrative buildings, only to find them locked, the four of them sat down on the closest bench. Giulia sat between the guys, Simon between the girls, and then they started talking about their times at school, the games they played, the pranks they pulled, or were pulled on them…

Hello everyone, Giulia eventually recognised a voice greeting her group.

Hi Enzo, she looked up to her once schoolmate, his olive skin glistening in the midday sun. Everyone, this is the Enzo I kept mentioning in my stories, she dispassionately introduced him to her group. Have you come to take me away now? she asked after he introduced himself to her group.

You can say that, his answer came, but nothing prevents us from coming back, you don’t have to say goodbye.

We should actually head to the lecture hall now, Beatrice said, people will soon start crowding the entrance, we will make it easier for ourselves if we head there now.

We can meet again later, Giulia said as she stood up. The semester has barely begun, after all. She then bid her companions farewell and followed Enzo to the other girl in her school who was accepted at the IMU.

Nice to know you’ve made new friends, Enzo spoke.

And you’re still her serving boy, she replied in her native tongue.

Why would you think I am her serving boy? he defended himself.

Is she ever nice to you?

Of course she is, he smiled. Why would you think she isn’t?

I introduced you to her. I know what she’s like.

And yet you think I am her serving boy.

You are, even if you don’t know or realise it.

Then why are you still following me to her, if that’s what you think of her?

So I know where I stand with her, Giulia fired off. His question did rattle her, though, like a drop of sweat going up her spine. She just shook her head and moved along, trying her best to appear unperturbed.

Enzo finally reached a bench next to the university library, a fairly tall building in its’ own right, with floors as long as they were wide, easily the largest in the campus section, where their former schoolmate, Claudia, sat with her legs crossed. She wore high-heeled shoes and a peach dress with lace sleeves, the only girl on campus who came in a dress, and a thick, light blue vest. She also had sunglasses on her nose and was reading from a tour guide of Trento while spinning a lock of her blondish red hair between her fingers, though Giulia was sure she was just posing as though she were reading. She gave no reaction initially, but cut Enzo off before he could introduce Giulia, closed the guide, lifted her eyes and rested the glasses over her head.

Did the moment sweep you up? her remark came.

You could say that, Giulia replied. Why didn’t you come for me yourself?

Enzo offered to search, Claudia said, and I obliged him.

How generous of you, Giulia responded as she planted herself beside her former schoolmate. I’m surprised you’re not in the lecture hall already.

I would’ve gotten bored, Claudia giggled. You’ve been here long?

Since the gates opened. Why do you care?

Can’t I just strike up a conversation?

It’s never just conversation with you, Giulia retorted.

Ladies, please. Enzo jumped in.

She started it. Giulia defended herself.

It doesn’t matter who started, Enzo fired back. We’re enrolled in the best university we could ask for, we should conduct ourselves better than this.

Yeah, Claudia smirkingly turned to Giulia, we should. She then looked up to the next section of the campus as Giulia calmed her breath: Have you seen the stadium and gyms?

I’d actually want to see them myself, Enzo chimed in.

No, Giulia said as she turned her gaze to the crowds. We should get to the lecture hall for the commencement speech, more people are starting to head that way.

Even better, Claudia replied, we’ll have the place to ourselves.

So you can run back while we’re exploring and make me miss out on an even more important inauguration? How stupid do you think I am?

How honest do you want me to be? Claudia smirked.

That’s not funny, Claudia, Enzo scolded her. Besides, Giulia’s right, we have to get to commencement. We can see anything else in our own time.

Finally, Giulia added as she stood up from her seat and headed to the lecture hall entrance.

The commencement speech was now less than 30 minutes away, and the crowd had gotten almost too thick to allow motion. Giulia enjoyed the wide variety of faces and outfits as she was wandering through the campus and getting to see them at her own pace, yet within the more tightly-packed crowd the kaleidoscope of faces and jackets became more and more overbearing. She thought of blowing the crowd away with gusts of wind, but aside from it meaning she would attack her colleagues, she knew it would make no sense, as everyone else was of at least comparable training to her, they would know to defend against it. Regardless, she was still able to use her more ample frame to make a path for her and her former classmates, and eventually, as the doors of the reception hall opened, they were able to get in line.

As the queue moved, she noticed a very interesting new face she hadn’t seen before. It had sharp features softened by a tasteful arrangement of brown hair atop it, and carried by a black-clad body. The owners’ green eyes gave off a calming stillness, an unusual but pleasant feeling for her.

We have an opening, let’s go, Claudia awakened her from her contemplation.

You go on ahead, Giulia replied dismissively, I have someone I want to meet.

Your loss, Claudia shrugged and stormed inside.

We’ll catch up later, Enzo said as he moved with Claudia in the queue.

Giulia straightened her body, and moved just enough to allow the crowd to make its’ way around her. She soon noticed the two girls on his side, one almost his height, with black hair and a dark green trench coat, the other around her height and sporting middle-length reddish blonde hair. A shadow of disappointment crept up on her face, but she chased it away with a larger smile, and made a half-step towards the three:

Hi, she switched back to Dutt, welcome to Trento. My name is Giulia.

Hi Giulia, the tall girl replied. I’m Martha, she is my friend Liz, and he is some guy we picked up half an hour ago.

My name is Viktor, he presented himself and reached his hand out.

Delighted, Giulia answered softly and shook his hand. I haven’t noticed you around until now.

We just got here, Viktor replied.

An hour ago, we were still in the train, Liz explained. We wanted to keep our travel simple, and that was the most convenient connection we found.

I see, Giulia replied. She then turned to the others: Enjoying the city?

Quite a bit so far, actually, Martha stated. Though I don’t think it will make much of a difference if we don’t, it’s not like it’ll change for our sake.

Besides, Liz jumped in, stopping Giulia’s giggle, most of our time will be spent on campus grounds anyway, it’s best...

Would you like a tour of the campus? Giulia cut Liz off. I can give a short tour as soon as commencement is over. You ought to know where everything is if you are to make the best of your time here.

I don’t need to, Martha disinterestedly replied, Liz already gave me the full breakdown on the way.

I’ll take the tour, Viktor said, and a discreet smile came to Giulia’s lips as she turned around.

The four of them had in the meantime made their way inside the building, with Giulia leading the way. The austere black steel and red brick exterior housed an equally austere dark brown wood interior. Plain panelling covered every wall, made up the shades for the windows as well, the smell of wood varnish lingering in the air, and the floor and ceiling both bore the same matte black finish. The only differences between them, aside from the floor being beneath them, were the slant of the floor, which Giulia guessed to be about ten-to-one, and the light fixtures pinned to the ceiling.

A podium stood in front of the gathered student body, standing around one metre tall and bearing the same matte black finish. Right in the middle of the podium was a stand, similarly finished as the walls, standing around chest height. Giulia felt herself getting more and more tense as people poured into a place that seemed too small to house them.

So, Martha broke through her tension, this is where we will have our courses.

I imagine it will look different when there are seats inside, Viktor mused. They will definitely need to put up raised rows, make sure everyone gets good perspectives.

I sure hope so, Giulia replied. I liked this crowd when the gates just opened and we had the whole courtyard to ourselves, being packed in like this cannot be accurately explained simply with uncomfortable. She then reached her hand behind her, hoping to catch Viktor’s hand. She touched fabric and started making her way up when his hand caught hers and stopped its’ ascent, and then stepped back as Martha took point in the group, unbuttoning her vest. She didn’t think it would be this warm, Giulia thought as she noticed her motion.

First time in Sabinstan? Giulia asked.

You got me, Martha admitted. I didn’t expect the middle of autumn to be this warm. And you better wipe that smug smile from your face, she told Liz off while pointing at her, you’re just as warm but will never admit it. Only then Martha threw a glance at Liz, who still sported a smile, but through bitten lips.

The doors closed behind them as the last students entered the hall. The tall windows kept the place well lit, yet shortly afterwards the ambient light grew brighter, particularly around the stage. A man then appeared on stage from a back section, his steps echoing through the hall. He was wearing an army general’s dress uniform, a long green jacket with green-grey trousers and black summer boots. His uniform bore a variety of insignia and medals, but even though he was perfectly visible, his uniform’s paraphernalia was too dim to recognise. He was broad of shoulders and body and exuded a commanding presence, yet his facial features seemed inviting, almost soft. Contrary to Giulia’s expectations, not only did he have a full head of hair, he kept it short and tastefully trimmed. His bushy moustache and short, pointed beard almost seemed to exude warmth in spite of the years imprinted on them through the grey.

Welcome to Trento, the old man greeted the gathered student body. My name is Niccolò Perosa, I am a Lieutenant-General of the Sabinstan Army, and Dean of the International Military University of Trento. I want to begin by congratulating you, dear cadets, on the achievements you gained in order to enter the best institute for higher military education within the Five Republics. I am pleased to see you in such numbers, and I hope to see you as eager to reach greater abilities and expand upon your potential as future officers, hopefully even generals, of new generations of the Allied Republican Armed Forces. The crowd gave off a small cheer before Dean Perosa continued: "Please do not see your studies as a goal in and of themselves, most who do so do not tend to carry long careers. You could, but by definition you are unlikely to beat the odds, and it would also run against your goal as the organisational backbone of the armed forces.

Our recent history has shown us the dangers of following goals that conflict with our purpose as a military. I have seen and come to understand that the purpose of armed forces isn’t to wage war, that is instead the means by which they fulfil their goal, which is to protect and safeguard the society and the people of their country. War is a messy affair, and you need to focus your bearing if you are to be effective at it; which is why you are not only learning to hone your magic, you are not only learning how to increase your proficiency with the use of classical and modern elements, you are not only learning how to arrange troops and squadrons, be they on land, sea, or in the air, you will also learn how to lead.

He paused for emphasis, and then continued: You will learn to take responsibility for your actions, you will learn what motivates people, how to ensure and engender loyalty and trust, and how you can find the most effective course of action. You have, no doubt in my mind, heard a great deal about the Republican War so far in your young lives; most of it might be related to the cruelty of war, some might be from embittered store owners annoyed the Empire split. He allowed the crowd to giggle, before continuing: You might somewhat know how it went, how it came to be, and have lived through its’ aftermath. I am honoured to be the Dean at the time the first generation born after the war can enter the University, and I want to make a bet with you: I bet that your generation will be greater, not just in ability, but also in its’ actions, than the generation that fought in the war. I turn to you, he ended his speech in a crescendo, and ask: Will you accept this bet?

The entire crowd erupted in cheers and applause; a pleasant tension floated through the air as the newly minted cadets welcomed the challenge set forth by their Dean.

Thank you for listening, Perosa kindly replied as the cheers died down, I will now leave you with Quartermaster Regler, he said pointing to a shadowed corner of the podium, where a large figure was slowly revealing itself, and wish you the best of luck. The Dean then retreated back where he came from in the applause and cheers of the audience.

The quartermaster was a large and imposing man, broad in shoulders and stoutly built. He could knock a wall down by running into it, Giulia thought as she noticed his silhouette emerging from the shadows. He wore a dark blue uniform with a white armband over his left arm. Only the shoulder pad and sleeve insignia functioned as any sort of trim. Quartermaster might also be his rank, Giulia guessed based on his uniform. Also, she could see it was a work uniform, not a more elegant dress uniform, like the general wore. As he approached the stand it was clear he was taller, and much rougher in appearance than the general. He had very short hair, too short to be trimmed in any way, his eyes bulged as though they were about to pop out of his head, and the skin of his face seemed to have shrunk over his skull.

To his side a slightly shorter figure joined him, carrying a large black