"Mule…"
Summary: My AU version of the Asimov tale from his collection of Foundation and Second Foundation tales.
Even as civil war threatens the mighty but flawed Foundation, the Galaxy's greatest power since the Fall of the great Galactic Empire, its road to eventual triumph as the reuniting force in the Galaxy yet (supposedly) guaranteed by the quasi-mystical Seldon Plan, a mysterious warlord of a new and rapidly rising power is maneuvering to seize domination of the Galaxy in defiance of Seldon.
Part VI…
"Captain?" Pritcher approached the seated Captain Merv at her desk, she rising quickly to acknowledge him and wave him to a seat.
"Hanis Marti. Welcome." She smiled. "I always appreciate a man who arrives on time. Please, be comfortable."
"Thank you. Have you had a chance to look over my proposals?"
"Indeed. What you've brought is quite useful and the price fair." She nodded.
"Excellent." He leaned back.
"Of course…" she eyed him. "It's Foundation technology."
"I said it was the best." He smiled.
"Meaning, in spite of your copyrights…"
"Not stolen from those who acquired it from the Foundation I assure you." He replied.
She smiled and eyed him. "How did you manage that?"
"I've many talents, indeed I could be useful to your government in more ways than a few improved weapons."
"I'm sure you could." She agreed. "And why the great desire to serve Our Union?"
"The Union…And myself. I'd like to see the Foundation humbled, certainly, but it's a living I'm after…And a chance to advance in the new Galaxy your ruler seems to be creating."
She put head on hand, eyeing him.
"So, you're a mercenary as well as a Trader?"
"My record on that's clear…I served with the Previa fleet and hired out to the warbands during the civil war on Janus. With Qoso the ruler of Coum when he took most of the Sector, till he got too greedy and collapsed. The Union would be a step up, though frankly I think I'd prefer a career in my own field…Acquisition of weapons systems."
"Hmmphf…" she chuckled. "You're a bold one then. Well, we can certainly do business on what you've brought. As for more, I can pass on your qualifications to my superiors…With a recommendation that after you're thoroughly vetted, it be accepted."
"Thanks."
"Here's our offer." She pressed a pad and a display floated over her desk.
"A very fair price. I accept. The rest of the specs will go right over to you. Once I receive first payment."
"We'll have that out to you by day's end once my superiors approve. Fair enough?"
"Quite so. And, as to…?"
"That's more complicated, and will take more time, naturally. But…If you can provide more proof of your fitness for service, I'm sure things can be expedited. Will be you be staying on Kalgan long?"
"As long as it takes…" Pritcher smiled. "Though to prove my fitness might require a little travel."
"Lets settle our business here…" she pushed a compad to him. "And I'll see if perhaps we can get you a proper interview in the next day or two with the right people."
He eyed the compad and pressed with a thumb, his print the required signature.
"Well, you're now considerably richer…Or will be by day's end." She smiled. Pressing more pads on her desk, causing a holoimage to appear. "Kervin? I'm sending you some files to review." The image of the young officer nodded and vanished.
"Always nice to hear. That I'm richer." Pritcher grinned. "So, have you served with the Kalganian military since before the new government took power?"
"Oh, no…" she smiled. "I'm quite new to the ranks. Signed up just after the Mule took power. Fortunately they need officers and I had education enough for military admin."
"So, you've only been in the military…What? two months? I'm impressed. What did you do before?"
She grinned. "Would you believe I was an entertainer? A singer in fact."
"Well, Kalgan had long been a resort world." He noted.
"I was actually rather well known, even off-world…My stage name was Lena Botos."
Lena…Botos? He blinked. An image coming to mind of a gigantic stage and holographic display, with a beautiful, rather closer to naked young woman singing lustily as she danced.
"You're Lena Botos?" he stared, the girl beaming.
"My maiden name. It's Merv now. But, nice to be remembered." She noted. "Am I to take it I have a fan?"
"Very much so…" Pritcher, quite sincerely. "I'd say I have a number of your holorecordings back home. Though I couldn't, till now at least, afford one of your live concerts."
"I'm flattered." She beamed. "But I think I can remedy that deficiency. Here…" she pushed a disk forward on desk. "I'm giving a free concert to the troops in the main government courtyard tonight. Even digging out my old costume." Warm smile.
Pritcher picturing a vision of Lena Botos, half naked in gold lame, dancing wildly about a stage…
"This'll get you into the VIP area."
"Thanks." He took the disk up and pocketed it. "I do appreciate it."
"I'm retired but I like to do what I can for morale." Smile.
"I'll be there." He nodded. "Well, let me know as to that interview. I'd be grateful."
"You're welcome." She smiled.
"You know…" he paused. "You're the first person here, among the officials or folks in general, I've heard use that name. Mule, I mean. I was beginning to think it might be illegal to call him that."
"No, but we try not to use it except with affection." She smiled. "It's easily abused."
"I see…So, the man is popular with you? A good ruler? Frankly I've heard little fact about him."
"The best. The one who'll reunite the Galaxy, Hanis." She beamed. "Of course I owe him a good deal myself. Not only the chance to do something worthwhile here, for Galactic reunification, but…Well…" coy shrug. "I owe him my family…"
"Really?"
"My husband, Loris, is a general in his forces…He once served the old Kalgan forces and the last warlord, Keffin and fancied me, but was too shy to ever speak to me. The Mule helped persuade him to reach out to me and it's been true love ever since." Fond beam.
"Really?" Pritcher eyed the Captain's enraptured face…
Wait…Loris Merv? "General Loris Merv, Keffin's old right hand? He's your husband?" Pritcher stared.
"Oh, yes." She beamed. "But he's now a General serving the Union, away with the fleet. We just celebrated our two months anniversary. " fond nod.
Pritcher pictured a large thuggish fellow, bald with a large stomach, though strong enough to toss two large men across a room during a drunken orgy. "Congratulations…So your ruler, the Mule, introduced you?"
"Oh, no…He simply noticed Loris was sweet on me and encouraged him to make his move. I'm so grateful. We're expecting our first in about seven months." Beam.
"Double such…So, he encouraged Loris to meet you?"
"Hmmn-hmmn. Right after my concert after the Citizen took over and Loris accepted his new rank under him. To think I nearly left Kalgan then, but fortunately I agreed to do a show for the festivities. My last, excepting what I do now for our troops."
"I see. Well…He must be a romantic. Underneath the conqueror, I mean."
"I think so." Nod. "Of course, I've never actually met him."
"You haven't? But Loris has…?"
"Well, no. Not in the flesh. The First Citizen is so busy, he can't meet with every single official or officer in the forces. But even so, he took the time to notice Loris was pining for me. And he passed word on that he should try to meet me." Beam. "He has great regard for my husband. But Loris is a brilliant commander."
"Really? And that was that?" Pritcher stared at the Captain's ecstatic face.
"It was. The moment we met I knew. I said yes that very night and we were married a week later. Of course by then the First was off with his troops but he sent his best wishes."
"Wonderful." Pritcher nodded. "A real love story."
"Yes, indeed. " the Captain beamed. "And now both of us serve the Citizen's dream of reuniting the Galaxy."
Cheers from the outer hall…Huzzahs.
"I think there's good news." Captain Merv beamed, pressing some pads.
"Today our forces routed the Foundation's Fourth Fleet at Oloosia, with forty ships captured and twenty destroyed,along with the capture of the garrison of fifty thousand and the loss of ten ships and three hundred of our heroes!" an announcer in black and silver uniform proclaimed feverishly. "Congratulations to our brave troops and to our Sovereign! May this be the herald of many more victories!"
Pritcher staring, Captain Merv, a radiant beam on her lovely face, a joyous tear running.
…
"Mis…" Toran rose from chair as Ebling entered the house, a guard nearby waving for him to sit.
"Any new word?"
"The Mule's boys broke out of Oloosia and seized Corvanis…Admiral Callier himself apparently surrendered, in the middle of the battle, with half his force…Claiming it was hopeless, despite outnumbering them." Mis shrugged. "Indbur's calling for mass purges…"
"But…" Toran began. "Bay…And Magnifica?"
"I managed to see them…They're fine so far. Just being questioned. Poor thing…Magnifica, I mean. She's clearly terrified."
Mylin emerged from the kitchen, looking anxious… "Eb?"
"I'm fine,dear." He noted. "Indbur's put me on probation…These last days have put a scare in him for sure."
"I thought we'd licked the Mule's depressor." Toran shook head.
"We have…" MIs nodded. "He's got a few new tricks but nothing that serious. I can't understand why Callier surrendered. I'm almost inclined to think…" shrug.
"Callier? Really? Gone over?" Toran stared.
"He spoke on holovision, called on the Foundation to give up…Of course he may have been tortured, who knows." Mis shook head. "Anyway, Indbur's gone off his head and is ready to start mass executions among the military. Oddly enough, though, he seems to have backed off the idea of putting me on trial. He's asked me to continue working on the Crisis calculations…With the usual 'or else'included. I think he's terrified, Toran. I'm working on him to release Bay and the girl, at least return them here. To encourage my cooperation. But there's been a new development, which may or may not help."
"You've got to get him to release Bay, Eb." Toran shook head anxiously. "She can't stay in a cell now."
"Eb's doing all he can for her, Toran."Mylin noted. "He won't stop."
"No…But listen, Toran. The Trader Worlds offered to negotiate between the Foundation and the Union..."
"What? That's sure to…" Toran, a bit desperate now.
"The Mule ignored the offer and his ships fired on the Trader ships attempting to approach in truce. The Union's declared war on the Traders as well. It just came through."
"But that's insane." Toran shook head. "A couple of wins over fleets on the borders and they add to their enemies? They were already outnumbered nearly eight to one."
"Yes…But, Toran…The Traders are offering alliance, with the Foundation. And I believe Indbur will accept, after some hemming and hawing. And that means we ought to be able to get the ladies released. I've got word through to make it a demand. I think we can manage it." Mis beamed.
"Thank the Powers…" Toran sighed. "If…Eb? You're sure?"
"Give me a little time. Indbur knows the military high command is getting jittery, they want this alliance. Be patient, son. They're both all right and Bay's well. She sends her love and the girl is caring for her. She's bearing up pretty well, actually. A real help to Bay."
"Good." Toran sighed. Mylin looking relieved. "Bay's ok, though? Really?"
"I've got good doctors watching her and they say she's fine. Don't worry."
"Thanks, Eb." Toran nodded. "But please, don't stop with Indbur."
"He won't." Mylin smiled. "But it's time he got to bed himself. Come on, you old fool." She pulled at Eb. "You should get some rest, too, Toran. We're going to bed, now, if you don't mind?" she eyed the two guards watching impassively. One shrugging slightly.
"Thanks. Come, Eb." She led him off, pausing to eye Toran from her and Eb's bedroom door. "She'll be fine and the baby will be fine, Toran. Get some sleep while you can."
"Sure…" he sighed, nodding.
…
The interrogation and holding cells of Foundation Security…
"My lady, are you well?" Magnifica, gently to the trembling Bayta, lying on her cot.
"I feel terrible, Magnifica. I think I'm going to lose the baby." She murmured. "Torie!" she cried, twisting.
"Help, Sir Guard! My lady is ill!" Magnifica cried out, rushing to the door of their cell room. "Please, kind sir, fetch the doctor!"
"Quiet, there." A guard in Foundation Security uniform came up. "You…" he regarded the spindly figure at the bars.
"I said, please fetch the doctor, my lady Bayta is ill." She eyed him. "And if she dies, your master will blame you." Calm tone. The guard eyed her set face a moment, then turned, pulling his compad and crying out. "Fetch the doctor! Get a nurse in here! Now!"
"Thank ye, kind sir." Magnifica nodded, turning back to Bayta on cot.
"You'll be fine, my dear Mistress Bayta. The doctor will come soon." She stroked her head. "Be at peace, dear Mistress. I'm here. This is just a minor fever, nothing to fear." Her sad brown eyes steadily gazing into Bayta's.
"Torie…" Bayta gasped, but calmed steadily.
"We'll see him soon. It will be fine, all is well." Magnifica, gently…Cooing a bit to her as she stroked her head.
…