"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 XXIX…
"So as our friend Gilese has shown…" the standing Logu, displaying holographic map of the Borealis system in the Sesan Council's main chamber, made a nod to Officer Goldan aka Giel Gilese, in his chair, "The Borealis debris field is the treasure trove I and others have always maintained it was. And with the captive planetoid tech the Gilese brothers can bring in, for the first time we have the chance to do serious mining here. You can see by my previous charts based on the data young Giel acquired, the amount of trillium ore alone could trigger a new economic boom in this sector. I say it's time to start reaping the riches of the Borealis field, especially when wartime demand for rare minerals, iron ore, trillium, uranium will be so high. This is our chance, friends. Lets seize it."
Well…Pritcher, nodding thoughtfully as Gilese the elder. The fellow, Seconder, Mule, or whatever, is a good salesman.
"We've heard the pipe dreams of mining Borealis for years, Trev." A small fifties-ish man frowned in his chair. "What proof do we have these…Guests…" nod to the Gileses. "Have the tech needed?"
"I'm happy to furnish specs and display equipment." Pritcher spoke up. "But your investment, while welcome, is voluntary. If you feel you can't go along, no hard feelings. However, with Mayor Huya's and your Council's permission we will proceed."
"Borealis is free property in unclaimed space." The Mayor spoke up. "You're free to mine if you wish, though we appreciate your courtesy in asking."
"We want access to Sesan refining and right of passage through Sesan space for our mining transports." Pritcher noted. "Though we do want to show all proper courtesy." Smile.
"Subject to all normal fees and tariffs of course…" Logu noted.
"So we, as a community, profit in any case?" the Mayor smiled.
"If we succeed in getting anything out, you do." Logu nodded. "To some extent. If any of you invest, you're partners and will share according to your investment."
"Well, Logu, since we win either way…" Mayor Huya smiled. "I urge the Board and Greater Council to give its full support. Personally, I can't invest while in office but if you can, keep a few shares available for me after the next election cycle."
"You might need 'em!" a guffaw from the fifties-ish man, others chuckling.
"I'm in, within reason." Gul Hainan called, with smile.
"Up to you what's 'within reason', you cautious bastard." Trev Logu smiled. "Welcome aboard."
Several others raised hands…
Well, Pritcher thought. Nice to know we'll have a retirement fund should we be fired and imprisoned for a while on our return home. And if we're executed, Goldan does have family.
…
"Well, when Harla Mallow and this Pritcher captain return…" Mis noted to a furious Indbur's holographic face facing him on his living room display. "And confess to working with, or for the Mule…You can call me back and accuse me! Till then I'd appreciate if you'd let me get back to my work, which even you've noted is vital."
"I've never said that, you posturing ball of lard! I said your record and potential work did cause me to hesitate in arresting you immediately!"
"Really. Forgive me, I must have misunderstood. I'll cease work at once. I'm sure your own staff can deal with the situation easily."
Flavia, seated among Indbur's aides, she representing Sessons and the scientific team, pasted a frown while repressing a grin…
Damn you, you ole fool. Even when you insult me…
"Stop!" Indbur commanded as Mis rose.
"In the interests of the war effort only, Dr. Sessons has urged me to let you continue your work as it might have some merit in confirming his and Dr. De Santis' calculations. But if I learn that you are involved with Pritcher and Mallow, make no mistake, Dr. Mis! Greatest scientist though the holoreporters may proclaim you, I will arrest you and have you face the fullest penalties Foundation law provides. And your 'guests' the Foundation traitor, the Trader's whelp who started this war, and that Kalganian stranger the so-called clown/entertainer who was the cause, however popular an entertainer your friend Marti may have made her!"
"She is quite popular, though she was not the Cause, you know that. The Mule was looking for a reason to make war." Mis grinned. "Oh, come on, Indbur." At the Mayor's agitated face. "The war news breaks well for now, you should be drooling at the prospect of your victory parade, my trial, your new purges of the military."
"It does, no thanks to you or your traitorous friends in the 'so-called' Democratic Opposition."
"And with thanks to my goddaughter's Trader husband whose relations brought you an alliance and two thousand ships plus, not to mention a number of worlds formerly sitting on the fence waiting for you and the Mule to break heads."
"Yes, they wanted to weaken the Foundation. But instead, we gain strength. The Seldon Path is proven yet again to be our infallible…" Buzzer on desk, Indbur slamming hand on pad. "Yes?!"
"Sir." Holographic head of nervous officer… " Major Ota urgently reports that his team on Sayshell finds that Lieutenant Mallow has left the planet. Destination uncertain. Captain Pritcher has not returned."
"What?!"
So Han Pritcher slipped away again? Flavia crushed back a grin.
Hardest thing in this job is to hold down one's feelings and give that little twerp unwavering support. Sessons is so much better at this.
But, at least he's not his father…Mother sure had some stories to tell about Indbur II.
Still, this Mallow girl. I had no contact with her but Anton and others said she was a first class operative when she was sent out to manage the standard intel team on Kalgan.
Not of our group but a member of the Opposition…Now she's left Kalgan after being presumed dead or captured, and told our operative on Sayshell she was on a secret mission with Pritcher or at least in support of him.
Mis rose…
"Where are you going?!" Indbur's floating head cried.
"This is my home, Mr. Mayor. And I assumed you wanted me back at my work, hard at it." Mis noted.
"What I want is to know what Pritcher and this other traitor are up to on Sayshell?!"
"They're both off Sayshell, Indbur." Mis, calmly.
…
"Hello, Flavia." Mis turned as she and two aides came out. She expressing no surprise at his sudden arrival.
"Came all this way just to be waiting for me?" she eyed him.
"Always, and any time, darling." Smiling.
"Your latest model wouldn't care to hear that, I'd guess."
"She's a tolerant girl for an old fool. She reminds me of you in your younger days."
"They always remind you of me in my 'younger days'. When I was what, fifteen?" Flavia smiled, mockingly.
"You were an angel then…" he noted.
"Leave us." She commanded her aides. They nodding and heading back down hall
"Taking a chance there, dear. At least one and one-half of those twerps belong to Ota and/or Mora if not direct from Indbur." Mis grinned.
"Yes, I probably am. Thanks for the alert. What do you want, Mis?" Roll of her eyes at his look. "Some way to treat that kid, a Devers isn't this one?"
"I didn't say anything, dear. The projection is all yours. Though I would like your help."
"I haven't urged Indbur to arrest you or her or your friends the Dartells. By the way, as to the lady?"
"My niece of sorts, Bayta. You knew her. Now, be fair, Flavia." Mis frowned. "She spent plenty of time with us way back when."
"All right. That was a low blow. She was always a nice kid as I recall. Though she might…"
"As an Opposition cell leader, resent my coming to one of Indbur's stooges?" he eyed her. She slapped him.
"Feel better striking an old and very distinguished man?" he smiled.
"Unfortunately, not as much as I'd like to be. And nonsense, you're not that old."
"Well, in spirit I'm twenty-five."
"Two, I'd say. And I spent eleven years nursing you. What help, Mis?"
"I need access to Seldon's files sealed on Trantor."
"Ooookkkk…Did I become the Emperor recently? I've forgotten." She smiled at him.
"We…My friends and I…Need permission to leave Terminus for Trantor. I need you as well as Sessons to press for us to be given that permission."
"Sessons? Are you asking me to ask him or telling me he's had a stroke and said yes?"
"Telling you. And I won't go into it but you know why he will agree."
"Really…Getting you out of his hair is that important to him?"
"I'd say so. Flav, this is important. I've gone as far as I can without those files."
"Can't you put the case to Indbur? He might agree, if it's a matter of beating the Mule."
"He needs to be assured…By a couple of his staff…That it is. That I'm not simply trying to escape with my friends. Time is running out, Flav. The Vault opens in seven weeks and I assure you, it will not be good news. Seldon did not see the Mule coming."
"You've calculated this?" she eyed him, anxiously.
"Better. I feel it in my gut."
"Lovely. I'm to risk my career…"
"You don't care about your career. I've never believed that, even if I didn't know…For sure." he finished lamely.
Damn you, damn you, damn you, damn you…You damn beautiful old vain piece of…She sighed.
You'll be the death of me…Literally. And my damn me-to-hell regret is it won't be us, together at the end. But when I die, old age, accident, Ota ordering "fire", The Mule sentencing me to death , or, maybe, if I'm lucky, like Sessons hopes to, then the last thing I'll think is…He never believed it, he always believed in me. And that joy will carry me through…She blinked back tears.
"If Sessons backs your request, I'll go along." She noted quietly.
"Thank you, Flav." He nodded. "And good luck, with everything."
"Please get the hell out of here…" she told him.
…
Sessons in office, at holopad reviewing the "vital equations on the Plan" he'd told Indbur would keep him from today's gabfest leading nowhere. But while the equations were the same he'd struggled with on timing the Vault's opening, his need to be away and alone was real.
A private compad blinked, he pressed it.
Package delivered.
He nodded and pressed a self-destruct. The pad dissolving on his desk to gas.
Well, the Mind-Static unit was now safely somewhere off Trantor. Where, it was best not to know. Who was keeping safe, likewise.
But it was, as much as humanly possible…Safe.
And useless as it might be now to combat the Mule or a reasonably powerful mentalic…Say your typical Second Foundationer…It was the one weapon all our centuries…And the Empire's…Efforts had come up with.
Surely that alone made it cause to be quietly grateful it was safe…As humanly possible.
And even if the Mule or said Second Foundationer could probe and read minds, he'd have to catch whoever actually held the device. Wherever it now was.
So…Provided the Mule or Seconders couldn't reach and search every mind…
…
"Well, we've pulled off that end…" Trev Logu nodded to Pritcher and Goldan as they sat in what passed for one of Sesa's trendiest places.
And, really, though the décor was hardly Foundation standard, the food was pretty good…The drinks not bad…The entertainments reasonable…Pritcher thought as a good-looking dancer passed him.
"And you boys have what you wanted as to Gaia. At least the proof she existed and doesn't exist." Trev nodded.
"We still don't know all the whys…" Pritcher noted. "Or exactly what happened to the Gaians."
"Or if one could have been raised to be the Mule…" Goldan chimed in.
"I wish I could help there. But it was hundreds of years ago." Trev noted.
"Trev…If I may." Pritcher eyed him. "My…Brother…Has a degree of mentalic ability. Nothing major, just a vague ability to score high on tests."
"Does he?" Trev looked at Goldan. "Nice." Goldan nodding. "So? Have I been fooled and I'm be introduced to the Mule?"
"No. And I think you're well aware of that. But he can sense others with ability. And you have some degree of ability." Pritcher eyed him, Trev faintly smiling. Goldan eyeing him.
"I've scored well on ESP tests in college tests, that sort of thing." Trev nodding.
"You have some mentalic ability and you've helped us. You therefore want us to find something about the Mule." Pritcher eyed him. "Either you are him, unlikely given he'd just crush us, you're an agent of his who wants to cover for him, which is I think unlikely since he could just manipulate us or if he's too busy, have you bring us to him to do so. Or you're acting for the Sesan government which wants to defend itself if possible and your ability is just a bonus. Unlikely since they'll have to choose the safest course and that could be either side winning from their pov, so they'd either just put us off or at worst hand our heads over to the side they choose. And next…If I put some more cards on the table…"
"Always good." Trev nodded.
"You're an agent of or represent the Second Foundation…Hopefully seeking knowledge yourself against him. Though if you're protecting him, we'll have to hope he's part of the Seldon Plan and accept whatever happens to us as for the greater good…Then finally…"
"Finally, yeah?" Trev eyed Pritcher.
"You're a Gaian yourself, with some agenda, perhaps survival of your kind, perhaps related to the original collectivation plan, 'Galaxia'."
…