"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 XXXIV…
Mis frowned at Sessons currently maintaining the annoying persona of a rather officious, considerably arrogant bureaucrat at this meeting between the two…
I understand it's a role but you damned well play it so well…
"There's really nothing I can do for Captain Pritcher, Dr. Mis." Sessons noted, leaning back in chair at his desk facing Mis. "His Excellence has determined in review of the case that the man committed a number of offenses and may well have compromised the security of the Foundation. At very least, he directly disobeyed the orders of His Excellence after the Mayor granted him pardon. The fool spat on Our Ruler's clemency. He must face his punishment." Hard stare.
"Sessons, Pritcher was trying to save us. He brought us the first solid information on the Mule. He may even have a link to the Second Foundation."
Shrug by Sessons…"Major Ota's team at Sayshell only found Pritcher had sought the Mule there, after missing him at Kalgan, for whatever purpose. And there's been no sign of the so-called Lieutenant, or Major…Such presumption if she's assumed that rank…Mallow. Though the Mayor is quite willing to consider she too has committed treason, betrayed her duty, and joined the Union forces."
"And Sesa? Has Ota's 'capable' team tried to locate the Second Foundationer Pritcher mentioned?"
"Of course…But as former Captain Pritcher refuses to divulge the man's name…"
"I'll ask him. But what did Ota's people find on Sesa? Did they locate the sources Pritcher found?"
"There's a famous 'saint' of sorts there. There are legends regarding a planet the Empire supposedly destroyed and that some of its people came to Sesa a thousand or so years ago."
"And the talk of them having mentalic ability? Of a strange child with mentalic powers? And of that Imperial Lord trying to locate some via blood testing?"
"Nothing." Sessons shrugged. "Well, to be sure, there are always legends and the ravings of lunatics and such. But nothing substantial. Certainly nothing about this Imperial turned pirate conducting tests."
In other words, Ota's people heard a few things, bearing out Pritcher's tales, Mis thought. But nothing on Rox…
"But Lord Rox of Vargos was an Imperial official. He did become a pirate leader. We've verified that."
"It seems that may be true, though a few accounts from distant systems is hardly 'verification'… But even if it is, how does that clear Pritcher? He's guilty of treason, Mis. And you are damaging yourself trying to defend him. I say that as a friend."
"Really?" Mis, dryly.
"Don't waste your time trying to help a known traitor or his friends, Mis. You're not so secure as your reputation may cause you to believe. The Mayor is determined to use his war powers to keep us safe from such and to finish the Mule. Focus on your work, there you're valuable."
"Thanks." Sour tone.
"Again, said as a friend. And a Foundation patriot. You're of value to us, Mis. Don't throw that away to help a traitor and a dead man, as far as his career at least, goes."
"He's a brave man, a patriot, and of value. And I want to keep him from being physically dead, Sessons. I'm appealing to you as a…Heavens help me…Colleague."
"He's to be court-martialed, Mis. The trial starts in two days. He'll have his chance to clear his name."
"There's nothing to clear. And this will be a show trial, nothing more."
"Really? Perhaps some of us believe in the fair justice of Mayor Indbur's government." Sessons, a bit frostily.
Laying it on a bit thick, Sessons, Mis frowned.
"Fine. You and Indbur are crucifying a good man to no purpose. But at least consider the information he brought."
"It's being evaluated…"
"By Mora and Ota, no doubt…" sigh as Mis rose.
"Before you go, Doctor." Sessons, sternly. "As regards my assistant Minister, Dr. De Santis. I understand it was you who persuaded the Mayor to let her go to Trantor for the data you needed."
"You know that." Mis shook head. "What's your point?"
"I would prefer you not involve my assistants in anything that could be construed as…Dangerous…Or worse."
"As you pointed out, Sessons, Indbur knows and approved of her mission. It's simply data recovery."
"Yes. Yet you felt you couldn't go yourself?"
"I'm sure the Mayor would have been a bit unhappy with my leaving Terminus at this time. And with my house guests, which I would have insisted upon."
"I see."
"Has there been any word from Flavia…Dr. De Santis?"
"She last reported she'd reached the Trantor system safely. It's a rather desolate place these days, you know. Are you sure there's really valuable data left in that mossbound old library? Surely Seldon transferred all his files to Terminus?" Sessons eyed him.
"Not all by any means. The Emperor of his day, the Cleon clone, insisted his work till his trial stay with the Library. Seldon agreed. It's still there, as far as I know. And I need it."
Thanks for telling me she got there. And I'm sorry…I did not wish to put Flavia at risk any more than you, Anton. Mis eyed him. Hopefully, the war will continue to keep from that section of the Galaxy.
"As for your 'house guests'…" Sessons eyed him.
"They remain under my care and responsibility."
"I still say the Kalganian woman should be here. We have questions."
"Give them to me, I'll ask her. She's come to trust me. By the way, she's not Kalganian. The Mule brought her there when he conquered the place. And right now, my niece of sorts, Bayta, needs her."
…
"Are you sure?" Bayta stared at the doctor examining her. Magnifica by her side, looking anxious, rubbing hands. Mylin as well, to her right.
"This baby is going to come…Soon." The doctor nodded. "Probably you were off by a week or two, but you've been traveling a bit, right? Interstellar? That can complicate things sometimes."
"But I was told it was safe…" Bayta began. "We had good shields and we kept away from radiation sources."
"Depends on you and the space you travel in…" the doctor shrugged. "Look, sweetie, it's not that serious…The baby's seven months along and a little anxious to come out. We'll bring you in tomorrow and he'll be fine."
"But…Can't I try to keep it a little longer?"
"This isn't a choice, dear." The woman frowned at her. "You've got the best medical care in the Galaxy here, you and your baby'll be fine. Anyway, let me get you set up for tomorrow at the Terminus Care Center. You'll feel much better once it's all over. I promise you, it's not that big a deal with good care."
"When's Torie due back? Mylin?" Bayta looked over.
"I put a call to him. He'll be here." Mylin noted.
"Of all times to try to put together a deal with his uncle…" Bayta fumed.
"Lord Toran will be here and will be with you at the doctors' temple, my Lady." Magnifica noted. "He would never allow anything to keep him."
"Can we come?" Mylin asked the doctor who shrugged.
"Up to the Security folks, I guess. Fine by me and the facility. Though of course you'll just be waiting."
"Can you get clearance?" Mylin turned to the current lead guard who shrugged. "Come on…She's an important prisoner and she needs us to be there."
"Have no fears, Lady Bayta." Magnifica, soothingly. "All will be well. And the young one will be fine."
"I hope so…" Bayta, nervously. "Please…?" she turned to the guard herself, "I need my friends to come."
"I'm putting the request in, Miss. Not up to me." The guard noted.
"Bay?" Toran, followed by Randu, entered, a guard following, another remaining outside as they entered.
"Torie!" Bayta cried, raising arms to him as he came over. "The baby's got to come sooner." Anxious look.
"So Mylin's told me." Toran nodded. "Is this really necessary, doctor?" He turned to the woman doctor, a middle-aged woman with tightly curled hair who frowned.
"I think I've made it clear, it is." She noted.
"Well, then we go. Tomorrow, right?" Toran asked.
"We've got her booked in at 8 am. I've got a med transport coming for her at 7. It's perfectly routine, don't worry."
"It's not routine to have a baby over a month early…" Bayta sighed. "But…Ok…._
"It's pretty common, actually." The doctor shrugged. "She'll get the best care, don't worry. I've got to get along, see you tomorrow, Ms. Dartell, Mr. Dartell."
She paused by Magnifica… "Are you that…Singer or whatever? I saw your concert on the Holo Network."
"Yes, I do some playings. Thanks ye, kind doctor."
"My kids are big fans. Well, I'll see you folks. And no need to worry." The doctor noted.
"Let me get on the horn to Indbur's people and Mis." Randu suggested. "I'll demand clearance as part of the alliance. We'll get you all in."
"Tomorrow…" Bayta stared at Torie. "I'm a mother as of tomorrow."
"You're already a fine one, sweetie." He smiled. "This is just putting the final touches. Magnifica? You ready to be a sister?" he grinned.
Magnifica blinking…
…
"So. you are telling me, a senior official of the Foundation Federation…" Flavia glared at the wizened old man in rather antique Imperial garb, looking for all the world like some painting of an old Imperial Lord…And twice as ridiculously arrogant and proud in his bearing as Imperial Library…Attendant…Attendant? As she stood by the equally antique but still rather grand entry portal…A mix of luminous metal gateway and polished wood and metal counter in reasonably well-preserved High Empire style…"That I can't have access to the Imperial Library?"
"Madam…Whatever provincial government you may claim to represent…" the attendant, speaking in the affected accent of High Imperial Galactic, eyed her presented credentials with disdain while carefully adjusting his rather antique magnifying spectacles. "Only His Majesty, the Emperor Dagobert may grant permission for persons not attached to the Library administration and its Scholars or the Imperial Court to access the Galactic Imperial Library of Trantor."
"Provincial government…?" she fumed. "I'm a Foundation Minister, directly from Terminus."
"And your provincial government should have obtained authorization from the Imperial Court…" the man sniffed. "I am sorry. I can do nothing. Good day, ma'am."
"Wait. If I can obtain authorization…From the Imperial Court…?"
"Then it shall by all means be our pleasure to assist you." He noted. "However, I should note the Emperor has not as yet returned to the capital…"
A blasted, sacked ruin, its own inhabitants are cannibalizing for metal and building materials while trying to clear sustenance farms, she thought.
"…And is currently residing on NeoTrantor, at the Imperial Summer Residence."
A shabby former Imperial estate, about fifty light years away, now the current "Imperial" capital of the twenty agricultural worlds that used to supply Trantor with food…She sighed.
"Well, I'll obtain authorization…Do you happen to know the contact codes for the Court?"
"I do not, madam. They have not been entrusted to me by His Majesty's Court. However, I believe due to temporary circumstances of war, it is not possible to directly contact the Court from Trantor."
"The Kalgans have penetrated this far?"
"Kalgans, madam? I'm not familiar with the term. I refer to the war with the usurper, Gelimer. Accursed be his foul name."
"Gelimer? He was killed by his rival twenty-five years ago. And the rival was killed six months later. His kingdom and fleet's long gone." She eyed the attendant.
"Indeed? We have not been informed of this. We must rejoice at the Emperor's triumph. No doubt he will at last be returning to Trantor shortly." Nod.
"Right." She sighed. "You are sure there's no direct communication with the Imperial Court from here?"
"No, madam. Our apologies for the inconvenience."
…