"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 XXVII…
"It's nothing so complex as a shield per se…" Logu was explaining to Pritcher and a floating holoimage of Goldan as they neared the edge of the Borealis system in Trev's own ship, he and Pritcher having traveled together while Goldan piloted the Herve just behind, it being too small to accommodate three even uncomfortably. "Some huge shield generator would be a dead giveaway…And the Empire merely wanted to keep people away. The more natural the cause, the better…And nothing like a little lethal radiation to do that."
"Nothing a good ship's shielding can't handle." Goldan's head noted.
"No, but enough to cause most not to waste their time. And the mini-emitters are solar-powered meaning they'll last as long as Borealis shines and utilize the natural ores in the remains, supplemented by some planted deposits by the Empire. Cleon was no slouch in creating an elegant deception and he had the resources of a Galaxy." Trev smiled.
"And you found the emitters probing about here in the outer debris field?" Pritcher asked.
"I did. And was lucky this baby was as you say 'good'. We should start getting readings soon as we enter the field. The system was designed to seem natural. Just radiation emitted from a somewhat more radioactive collection of space debris than most. A sort of 'not worth it to trepass sign, go away' thing."
"But it didn't stop you…And won't stop us." Goldan noted.
"They didn't want to draw attention by killing people, just persuade the bulk to move on. Standby, we're getting readings." Trev noted, eyeing the main instrument panel.
"Me here as we…" Goldan's image now breaking up. "Hmmn, bit of interference there for a bit, but the transmitter's compensated. Taking a deal of power to get through though."
"Don't waste more than you need to get out." Pritcher insisted.
"I won't." Goldan nodded. "It's not that bad. But kudos to the Empire for a clever system, I still can't detect the emitters."
"There…"Trev pointed on the viewscreen. "Let me magnify that…See that rock, planetoid, really? The straight cut there."
"I see it." Pritcher nodded. "Beautiful job, quite precise."
"The Imperial canons were noted for their precision in the main fleet. That's a perfect cut but see, they tried to conceal it…" Trev pointed. "They tractor rammed another large planetoid there to make it less obvious. You can find hundreds of pieces like this, only most are much better concealed, they must have rushed it on this one."
"Why go to all this trouble?" Goldan asked. "They've pulverized Gaia after evacuating as many as they could. It's fragmented. Why try to conceal that?"
"They didn't want any evidence to confirm the legends that survived." Pritcher noted. "But if the Gaians were such a threat…"
"Potential threat…" Trev shook his head. "There was a long time to go before they achieved a collective and their mental powers were quite limited. A few apparently got impressions of the coming danger and fled before it was too late, most didn't."
"But their descendants could have achieved more powers, bred the Mule." Goldan's image suggested. "Or the Second Foundation, or both."
"Especially any who escaped the fleet, to Sesa or other places." Pritcher noted.
"Anything's possible, Gilese." Trev shrugged. "But the very few on Sesa not exposed and handed over to Imperial forces had little chance to work on their mentalics."
"Perhaps…"
"Plus…" Goldan's head noted. "The robot leader, the one who was smuggled into the Imperial bureaucracy by Cleon and his wife, themselves, monitored for Gaians. According to the legends he'd decided against Gaia completely, as too threatening to Humanity and put his hopes in Seldon's work. He surely kept an eye on Sesa as well as other places."
"Maybe…" Pritcher considered.
"Oh, there's one…" Trev punched a few pads. "Good, got it stored. Quite a nice one…Trillium as well as uranium. Gotta consider the practical, Janis." He grinned at Pritcher. "We came here to mark out good mining claims, right?"
"Yet you and your friends haven't done much to promote mining here." Goldan's head eyed him.
"We don't have the tech, son. But as your brother noted, you have access to captive mining tech. You can pull these babies out like magnetically-chemically leaching ores tucked across a mine shaft."
"Can we get in further?" Pritcher urged. "I'd like to see if we can…" a collision alarm caused a sudden automated veer that threw him nearly off balance.
"There's your answer. Not really. Not in my ship, anyway." Trev smiled. "Another reason why I wanted this little partnership. Your ship's got the goods and shields to go in deeper."
"Giels? You up for this?" Pritcher eyed the floating head.
"A chance to show off my pilot skills, as well as, my design skills for the Herve, no problem…Janis. I'll probably lose contact for a bit though, hang on." Goldan's head vanishing to show a small view of him within the Herve's main cabin. "I'll try to stay in contact but…Expect me to rendezvous back here in say, fifteen?"
"All right, kid. Be careul…" Pritcher urged.
Trev eyeing him…
"Of course he's not your brother, but you're pretty fond of the kid?" smile.
"Lets stick to the terms of our partnership, Trev." Pritcher noted. "No questions about things unrelated to this survey, right?"
"Sure."
"After all I could ask if and why you're concealing that you're of Gaian ancestry." Pritcher noted. "Not that I'm saying that, just that I could." Smile.
…
Goldan and the "Herve" returned unscathed precisely fifteen minutes later.
"Well…?" Pritcher's face on viewscreen, Trev's ship not allowing for such high tech as holography to other ships. Only the "Herve"'s ability to ionize the space in Trev's cabin having allowed Goldan's transmissions.
"I've got it." Goldan laconically. Showing a tiny bit of what looked like fused plastic to the camera. "I also found an emitter, but had to settle for a picture. Too hot to handle aboard." He pressed pads and a holoimage of the said emitter appeared floating in the midst of Trev's cabin.
"That's an emitter, nice job, kid." Trev beamed. "But the other thing?"
"Not imperial tech. Not all that advanced but artificial. It must have been Gaian." Goldan noted.
"Proving there was a settled planet here." Pritcher nodded. "Indeed, a nice job."
"And the ship did get a nice three dimensional map of the major mineral deposits on the planetoids in the area here." Goldan, pressing more buttons. Trev's face lighting up.
"Nice to know one's proven a legend and become rich at the same time…" he noted.
…
"You're uncertain of our guest?" Goldan eyed Pritcher, as they sat in the cabin of the Herve, enroute .to Sesan space. He having insisted on transferring over to the Herve via airlock docking after he and Trev had reviewed Goldan's mineral data. Promising to meet again with Trev and his potential investors on Sesa shortly.
"Lets say I prefer to keep our business negotiations as limited as we can." Pritcher noted. "I don't know for sure what his, his people, and possibly, the Sesan government's game is, and I don't trust what I don't know. Besides we need to go over what we have to date. We now know Gaia once existed and was destroyed, presumably before it got too far along in mentalics, by the clone Emperor Cleon during the Height, just before the Decline began, actually. The people were scattered and mind-wiped, though a handful escaped on their own, at least to Sesa. Thanks to you, we know our friend Trev may be one of their descendants."
"He's high score on the scale, like me…Doesn't mean he can use or uses it. We and the Empire never got very far there." Goldan noted.
"And meaning, just possibly, he's Second Foundation." Pritcher eyed Goldan.
"I could be, based on that." Goldan smiled. "I'm not though…They missed out on me, if they even recruit in the Foundation. And exist, to recruit."
"Given your role in testing the Mind Static field, I'd say you're not." Pritcher smiled. "But if you are, please see I forget should I learn it, once you assure me the Second is fighting the Mule."
"Yes, sir." Goldan smiled back.
"Ok…Lets consider what we know of the Mule…"
"Whatever he is, natural mentalic or trained, of Gaian descent on Sesa or Sayshell or somewhere else nearby, as your father reported, he seems to have the power, mentalically, to influence individuals profoundly, even bend them to his will, while also able to influence whole populations. Now lets consider the Mule's Empire or his 'Union'. He expanded almost exponentially for several months, apparently from pirate base to planet to system to sector to an Empire based on Kalgan that is currently fighting well against a power and its allies that must be at least ten times larger. But, after the first months, suddenly this progress comes to a stop. He's been held in Siwenna, even lost ground, after a string of remarkably easy victories, against even a technology powerhouse like the Foundation. And today, Sesan and Sayshell news reports he lost a battle at Tervel and has been forced to regroup,with new fighting at Horleggor and in Siwenna. What does that tell you?"
"What his edge was, for the moment he's either lost it…Or he's holding it back." Goldan noted. "Perhaps he needs to consolidate or recharge…Both his forces and his own power."
"Perhaps. But it suggests to me he's not on the front lines right now, not with his forces." Pritcher eyed Goldan.
"You think he's returned to Kalgan?"
"Perhaps…But look, each time he's won easily…Apart from his people's efforts in some pretty tough fights…The local government, the armed forces surrendered. Even with odds in their favor, or at least a good chance."
"Meaning he influenced them?"
"I think so."
"And the questions being…How? Mentalically? And why isn't he influencing defeats now?"
"Exactly." Pritcher nodded. "And it looks to me like it's because he must be there to influence…Which we suspected…And the evidence suggests he's not there."
"The question then being…" Goldan eyed Pritcher. "Just where is he, now? Are you suggesting we just met him?"
"No, I don't think so. Logu could be almost anything, a Second Foundationer, even just a gifted person with an interest in profits and in preventing the Mule from invading his home. But I think he'd've hit us hard and converted us if he were the Mule."
"Great that your theory worked out." Goldan smiled. "Unless we were converted and are happily going about the Mule's business without realizing it."
"I think we'd probably be happy but quite conscious." Pritcher noted.
"So that still could mean the Mule is near. Should we risk another landing on Sesa? Or run home with what we've got?" Goldan asked, eyeing Pritcher. "That is what you asking me, right sir?"
"Right." Pritcher nodded, wry smile. "I personally think we should see a bit more of Sesa, maybe even check on Sayshell, but I know there's a valid argument for returning to the Foundation. I'm open to discussion before I make the final decision."
"We've gotten this far." Goldan shrugged. "It might be a good idea to try sending a personal capsule to Intel on Terminus, but it could give us away, especially if Mallow or any other converted Foundation Intel is on our trail."
"Then it's back to Sesa, to see if everyone is as up on the Gaia legend as Trev Logu." Pritcher noted.
…
Terminus, Office/Palace of the Mayors…
Where Indbur , third of his noble line, contemplated the humming war machine in motion all about him…Though curiously at the center of gravity, his office, there was profound quiet.
The hallmark of a strong and efficient government, as he noted to himself…Enjoying the chance to focus on that essential detail, the thickness of pant material in soldiers' uniforms.
There being good reason to believe that the effectiveness of Foundation soldiers had been reduced by 0.09 percent by pants legs being 0.02 microns too thick.
But an easy matter to resolve…He checked off the command box that would set the wheels of a thousand plastic fiber uniform factories humming. Or reset them.
Unfortunately, the happy peace of his office was disturbed by the entry of Major Ota, his second-in-command presently at Terminus' Intel Services, Colonel Fryb, second in command under General Mora, currently on duty with the First Fleet, holding an inquiry into the surrender of Foundation forces at Sagosa…Horleggor...The first battle of Siwenna...And other defeatist behavior.
"Excellence…A report from one of our agents on Sayshell…Two really, her reports had trouble getting through the lines, the war, sir."
Indbur frowning with incredulity…
"You interrupt my work for an operative's…Two…Reports? Ota, unless this is about the Mule's death or capture…"
"It concerns in part the traitor, Captain Han Pritcher, Excellence. The first does. And the second, an agent we suspect guilty of treason, supposed to have been based among our team on Kalgan as an intelligence agent, Lieutenant Harla Mallow."
"Pritcher…And Mallow? I'd thought she was assumed dead. So another Mallow turned traitor." Eyes gleaming through his spectacles. "Your report may be of interest after all. Tell me the details."
"Reports, sir. They both come from our operative S. Pely on Sayshell. Pritcher apparently made contact with her a few days ago, claiming to be searching for the origins of the Mule…"
"Meeting with the Mule, for the Opposition you mean." Indbur, triumphantly. "And this Mallow, also met our operative on Sayshell, likewise en route to meet the Mule."
"Pritcher contacted her, claimed to want local information and presented his credentials in the normal manner."
"What?! They should have been denied, at once! Why weren't they denied?!"
"Well, Excellence…" Ota, looking sheepish. "We'd agreed that it would be easier to track…"
"Who agreed?! What fool agreed…?!" Indbur eyeing Ota.
Uh…
Decorum, career, survival, indicated only one path of action to the Major…
"Our people at Intelligence, Excellence."
Memo to self…Destroy the signed order by Mayor Indbur agreeing to retaining Pritcher's status temporarily in order to track his movements…
"Well, where did these traitors go to meet the Mule? I want some verified proof to confront some of our traitors here!" Indbur, face slightly palewith rage.
I assume that means we pull Mis in again….Ota thought. Though sooner or later he's sure to drop in on his own.
"Excellence, Lieutenant Mallow has, so far as Agent Pely knows, remained on Sayshell for about three days, disguised as a tourist. Captain Pritcher went on to search out some legend about the Empire's activities in the Sayshell sector, she claims he was sure they involved the Mule and possibly the Second Foundation."
"What nonsense! How gullible are your agents, Ota?! No wonder the Mule has come so far! Well?! What legends and where did Pritcher go?! And why has your agent not apprehended Mallow yet?!"
"I'm not familiar with the legends, sir but they involved a planet some claimed the Empire destroyed about 1000 or so years ago. Pritcher apparently sought the system where that planet supposedly had existed, to confirm its destruction. As of the last message, he had not returned. Finally, sir. The agent had not yet been informed Lieutenant Mallow was under suspicion…Her credentials…" Pause.
Indbur coldly eyeing him…
"We had had no reason, sir…"
"Incompetence. Treason. Failure to see what is right in front of your eyes, Ota. I tell you, when the Mule is defeated, heads will roll at Intel as well as in the Fleet! See that Pritcher and this Mallow lieutenant are immediately arrested!"
"Sir…We as yet have no extradition treaty with the Sayshell Union, to arrest these agents there would be a major violation of diplomatic…"
"We could win a war with Sayshell, Major." Indbur coldly.
Still…
"Can't this agent and her fellow agents kidnap Mallow and Pritcher? Send them to us for interrogation and trial?"
"I…Don't know if Agent Pely has that kind of support in place, Excellence. We try to keep agents there to a minimum, for diplomatic reasons."
"So, you are saying my Intelligence service can do nothing?"
"There may be options, sir…We can issue the agent orders to apprehend both individuals but…"
"Do so." Indbur coldly. "I want the two of them in our cells by the week's end. Violate Sayshellian jurisdiction if you must. It's time those people learnt what it means to challenge the Foundation!"
"Yes, sir…"
"Tell General Mora to see this personally! And with your assiatance!"
Well, if we send a ship full of agents in some disguise, it may not be too bad. Ota thought, saluting, bowing then hurriedly backing away out the huge office entryway.
Not so bad as trying to send in a full invasion force and start a second front right in our midst.
…