Princess Rescue Inc

by Chris Hechtl

  “What do I do about the overbearing male?” Deidra snarled after the latest cramp seemed to ease.

  “Oh? I thought that's what the riding crop was for?” Wanda teased. Deidra eyed her. She sighed. “Later dear, when you’re in a better mood I will tell you a bit about role playing and games people play.”

  <==={}------------>

  Ryans poked his head around the corner. Sue didn't look up from her clipboard. “Coast is clear,” she said turning away, then back.

  “How... never mind,” He shrugged, coming out. She looked up.

  “You wanted to see me Doc?”

  “Yeah, I was going over the gear the soldiers are carrying.”

  “Yeah? I don't think we can add much more Doc, it's getting close to game time,” he said. They were less than a week away from marching now.

  “Well, this you should,” She picked up a bundled cloth and tossed it at him.

  He caught it and looked it over. “More bandages Doc? We've got them with the field medics.”

  “No,” She sat down on the edge of the empty bed. “Socks duffus.”

  “Okay. Now I know I'm slow. We've got two pair for each soldier.”

  “Make it three. I also want a class on hygiene.”

  “Doc...” he sighed and closed his eyes. He really didn't want or need another delay.

  “Seriously. Not kidding here,” she growled. She pointed to her face. “See?”

  He rolled his eyes. “What's this about Doc?” he asked, leaning against the wall. “I really do have a lot on my plate right now, including a rather temperamental princess.”

  “That will keep,” Doc growled. “This is important.” He tossed the sock ball at her. She caught it. “See, I better not see one single case of trench foot. And if I have to amputate one damn foot I'm going to shove a scalpel up both your asses and the ass of the so called military experts we brought along,” she sighed irritably and ran her hands through her bangs.

  Ryans caught on immediately. “Ah. Okay,” Ryans nodded, thinking about it.

  “Maybe at the same time,” she growled, not looking at him. He snorted.

  “Trench foot?” he finally asked.

  “Or jungle rot. Take your pick. I don't care. Shin splints I think I can deal with,” she grimaced. “But you've got to get these people on top of this. I mean now Eugene. Build it into the training. Whenever they get their socks wet, either from sweat or crossing water, take them off IMMEDIATELY!” She slammed the clipboard into the wooden railing making a shark crack sound. A nurse came running but she waved her off.

  “I gotcha Doc,” Ryans nodded sobered. He really didn't want or need to lose experienced men over something so stupid.

  “One hour with wet feet will chew them up. A day of marching with wet feet will put a man up for a month or two. If it's real bad or not treated ASAP it will rip the skin off. Don't even get me started on gangrene,” she said. She turned. “If I have to amputate one damn toe...” She waggled her finger at him.

  He grimaced and shook his head. “Okay, well, first the roads are pretty good. Roman so we don't have to ford many rivers. In fact remember? We crossed two bridges on the way here.”

  She nodded. “And if it rains?”

  “Ah, yeah, there you have a point. I'll make sure the others know. We'll work it in. I'll go figure out how to get another pair of socks in to the ruck.”

  “Make it two,” she said firmly. He looked at her. She unraveled the socks. “In a pinch a clean sock will serve as a temporary bandage.”

  He nodded. “All right Doc, thanks,” he said. He waved and then paused in the doorway. “Anything else?”

  “No, now get,” she ordered and waved a dismissive hand.

  “I'm going,” he said shaking his head. “I'm a going. Geesh, women these days, I think Max is right, they all plumb loco,” he said, walking off.

  “I heard that!” she called. He grinned as he walked off.

  <==={}------------>

  “Intelligence has confirmed, Art’ur is the King. It seems Richard died the year before,” Perry said coming in and sitting down at the table. He nodded politely as a servant put a platter of food down in front of him.

  “Meat, glorious meat,” he said smiling in anticipation. His stomach rumbled. Sue chuckled.

  “Never could get between a guy and his beef... or whatever that happens to be,” she said, chuckling as Perry cut a piece and paused as he put it to his mouth. He seemed to think about it for a second then shrugged and bit down. The others chuckled.

  “So, Richard's out, Art’ur's in? Huh.” Ryans grunted. “Young enough not to know better or care?”

  “Something like that,” Perry replied between bites.

  “What do you mean?” Deidra asked hooking her arm through Ryans'. He smiled at her.

  “The young are brash and impulsive. We have a vibe, an immortality streak when we're young. Risk takers without a thought to the consequences. We're also more likely to be hot headed and impulsive, all things we can use to our advantage,” Perry explained.

  Deidra seemed to think about that for a moment. After a long moment she nodded slowly. She wasn't admitting the point, just agreeing in order for him to continue.

  “Most military people enlist when they're young. They don't know they aren't immortal, and they love to take risks. They love the idea of adventure and glory. As you get older you gain experience and slow down. You start to lose your hot blood and start getting wily. Age and treachery versus youth and vigor and all that,” Sue interjected, trying to translate.

  “In other words, Art’ur's in his first campaign. He's got a lot to prove, and he's young and reckless. This entire campaign is not very well thought out,” Perry said.

  “He has to prove himself on the field of battle. It's a Duluth tradition my lord,” a servant said nearby. Deidra gave her a look but Perry smiled at her.

  “True. Thank you for pointing that out lass. I hadn't known it,” he said. He bobbed a nod to her. “Good meat,” he smiled. She blushed and curtsied and then filled his glass.

  “I'm surprised he's stayed outside Duke Emroy's to be honest. The young usually don't have that level of patience,” Ryans said looking thoughtful.

  “He must really need the food and materials to move on. Or thinks he needs it,” Perry answered. He paused for a moment. “Actually, now I'm fairly certain he does after what the Silent Knights pulled off. But he also doesn't want the castle in his rear. It may also be a trap, or one he thinks is a trap. Try to get the Imperium to move before it's ready, crush it outside the walls of the castle demoralizing it, and then move on the castle and then the capital and take it with little effort.”

  Ryans nodded. “His war machine has stripped the surrounding countryside to stubble. Moving on is going to be interesting for them,” he mused darkly. He shook his head.

  “We're starting to get some angst from our own quarters too,” Perry said with a snort.

  “The young want to move out?” Ryans asked smiling. Deidra gave him a curious look then shrugged.

  “Some of the lords do now that the planting and second harvest has been completed. I too wish we could go. I would like to see my cousins saved,” she said giving him a look.

  “We're almost there dear. Give it a couple of more days. A week at most if the weather holds,” Ryans answered hugging her.

  <==={}------------>

  Sue smiled encouragingly as she explained to Xeji and the other students how the machine worked. The patient was lying on his back on the bed; a special water cushion supported his kidneys.

  Xeji had quickly become one of her favorite students. They young man seemed to soak up the techniques quickly, far quicker than the older students. Many had years of bad habits to unlearn.

  “Now, the ESWL, or Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy device is an ultrasonic device invented over thirty years ago to break up kidney stones. Usually we use pain medication to manage the stones, opiates if possible,” she explained and then
shrugged, certain they were only getting half of the explanation. They'd get the gist of it in a moment.

  “And this?” Xeji asked, pointing to the LCD screen.

  “That's him. See the ultrasound scanner showed us where the stones are. See?” She pointed to a mass on the screen, then to a few more. “You've got a lot of them,” she told the patient. She shook her head. “You need to cut down on your salt and proteins. drinking a lot more water would also be a good idea. The water can irrigate your kidneys and flush these out when they're still tiny.” The patient grunted.

  She looked at the image and typed at the keyboard. “You see, when the stone passes it irritates the inside of their body, especially the urethra when it passes. If a stone grows too large it becomes trapped and can cause damage or shut the kidney down.”

  Xeji nodded. The other students murmured. “Can we get on with this doctor?” Duke Troy asked plaintively. She smiled.

  “Sure thing. This is going to sting a little. It'll feel like a rubber band snapping on your skin... ah... wait you don't have them... um...”

  “Try to hold still Dominus,” Xeji said to Duke Troy, nodding to her.

  Sue nodded in response. “Right. What we have here is the lithotripsy device.” She held up an elliptical device then placed it on his side. “This sends shock waves through his body to the stone. It creates cavitation bubbles around it which breaks it up into tiny pieces.”

  She thumbed the activation switch. Duke Troy grunted and grimaced. “Almost there,” Sue said, guiding the device. She turned it off then repositioned it for the other stones. The Duke began to twitch and move a little.

  “You have to be careful while using this device, it can tear capillaries and cause internal bleeding if the patient doesn't hold still,” she almost barked that last part out. He grunted a chuckle and then held still.

  “I shall endure,” he ground out, freezing in place.

  She nodded. “You'd better,” she growled. Some of the class tittered a little. “All right, that's it for the big ones on this side, let’s see...” She refocused the ultrasound then repositioned the lithotripsy device then paused. “Here,” she said. She held them out to Xeji as she got up. “You take a turn.”

  He frowned then nodded and took the seat. She guided his hands to the stone. They both watched the monitor. “Can I see?” the Duke asked. Smiling Sue angled the LCD so he could get a better view. Xeji initiated the pulses. The Duke watched amazed as the stone broke up on the screen.

  “That's it?” a student asked as they wiped the gel off the Duke and he sat up.

  “For now. He will need to be checked every couple of months to make sure he doesn't have any larger masses growing. I'd say every half year or year depending on what's found,” Sue said. She eyed the Duke who nodded.

  “Thank you doctor. Such a wondrous device to do such a thing. And simple to use as well,” Xeji said, touching the wands.

  “Simple to use, but hard to make. It'll be years before we have another so we better take good care of what we've got,” she smiled at him. “And teach as many people as we can to use it properly.” He chuckled at that as the Duke left. “Okay, who's next?” she asked turning to the class.

  <==={}------------>

  “Are we ready to fight?” Baron Siegfried Von Shale asked querulously. “It's getting unbearably hot out there. Men and beasts will tire easily if we don't move soon.”

  Ryans nodded. “Agreed, but we can't move until we're ready. If we do, we invite defeat,” he said. He shrugged at the Baron's vexed expression. “We're getting there; I'd estimate another week before we move.”

  “Ah. Well, I wish you had a device that could cool the air,” the Baron whined, fanning himself.

  “Oh we do. It's called an air conditioner. It can heat the air as well,” Ryans replied absently.

  The baron looked condescending. “Another of your magical devices? Too bad you don't have one,” he said.

  “My aren't you sounding a bit snide. Wake up on the wrong side of the bed?” Ryans asked getting up. “As it is, we do happen to have some of these devices here. They are built into some of our vehicles. Follow me.” He led them out of the castle. Amused the Baron and courtiers followed.

  In the outer courtyard A Stryker pulled up. “Thanks Scooter,” Ryans said waving.

  “No prob. What's this about anyway?” Scooter asked giving the courtiers a look.

  “Oh, just a demo,” Ryans said as he opened the passenger door and then cranked up the AC. “Yup, nice.” He smiled as the cool air hit him. “Baron? Care to feel it?”

  Other lords looked amused and motioned for the Baron to move. He went over and put his hand out. “I don't...” He got closer to the cab then his brows knit. “How is this possible?” he asked looking surprised and perplexed.

  “Is it true?” a lady fanning herself with an Asian style fan rushed over and stuck her head in. “Oh it is, it is!” she shrieked happily. Ryans winced at the tone of her voice. She cooed as the cool air flowed over her.

  “I want a device like this,” the baron said suddenly, eying the lady.” Ryans and Scooter chuckled.

  “Don't we all. We're working on it. Max is setting up the factories for many things. Once we get this little invasion settled we can build all sorts of things,” Ryans said exchanging a look with Scooter.

  “Other things? Like the heater you mentioned?” a person in the back called out.

  Ryans nodded. “That too. And lights. Medicine, radios,” he waved. “All sorts of things. For any who can afford it.”

  “Ah,” a lord nodded wisely.

  “But who will build it?” another asked.

  “Why, artisans of course!” another said snidely.

  Ryans frowned and then shrugged. Before he could say anything Scooter stood up. “Well some will, but the factories will employ peasants as well. They'll do simple labor and be paid for it. They can use that money to pay for food and their taxes... and get some items for their families.” Scooter said giving Ryans a look.

  “Ah. I'm not so sure about that...” Siegfried said rubbing his chin.

  “If your peasants prosper so too do you Baron. If they have enough to eat, enough to pay their taxes and more to do with as they please then they can do other things,” Ryans said smiling. “Of course those who invest in the future will have a greater stake in it,” he said suggestively.

  The Baron's eyes narrowed. “Go on.”

  “Well, you aren't the only one interested in such devices. Many here would love to have them, as would others in this city and beyond. Now if someone invested in making them and selling them...”

  “Then they could sell them for a profit,” a lord laughed from the back. “And it would be on their land employing their people! A grand idea indeed, I see great interest in this. I have invested for years in commerce with good results. Though many a ship has been lost, those that got through brought much fortune back with them. I can see this bears thought,” the portly lord rumbled then nodded to himself. “Much thought.”

  Siegfried gave his shrewd colleague a look then nodded. “That it does.”

  Ryans nodded. “Right, now, Scooter here can show you some of the other gadgets like lights,” Ryans said. He reached in and flicked a light on inside the cab of the truck. “I understand you've got bioluminescent ones in some areas. They work okay, but don't throw a lot of light, and require constant tending to work. Well, we've got electric lights that are brighter, or dimmer if you prefer, come on when you want them and will work as long as you have power. Day or night,” he smiled. His audience began to murmur at that idea.

  <==={}------------>

  “We can't hold back much longer. The natives are getting restless,” Perry murmured as they watched the remorseless drilling going on in the quad.

  Ryans sighed. “Yeah, tell me about it. How are the Silent Knights doing?” he asked. Since the main camp had turned into such a hornet's nest they'd switched the commandos over to ambushing the raiders out lo
oking for food and material. It had gone well, at least for a while.

  Perry scowled and shook his head. “Terrible. Duluth has stopped sending out raiders in small groups since we've been picking them off. He's beefed up security so we can't sneak into their camp anymore either.”

  “Ah,” Ryans nodded. “Well, it's about time he smartened up a little.”

  “Yeah, you can't have everything go your own way. We've got word he's about ready to break camp,” Perry grimaced. “He's gotten wind of Galloway's forces holding the gap and his logistics are getting mighty tight. His last three attempts to break them have gone nowhere. I'd say he'll leave a containing force and then go shopping for greener pastures any day now.”

  Ryans nodded. “So it's definitely time. All right, spread the mobilization word. I'll talk with the natives.”

  “Right. You realize we've only got about nine hundred riflemen and musketeers right? Twice that many bowman? Not to mention the main army,” Perry said. There were another seven thousand in the main army but none with modern arms.

  Ryans frowned. “Yeah well, we've got to go with what we can. I think we'll have to go with the Bravo variant of the plan.”

  Perry shook his head. “Send the Strykers up hay diddle diddle right up the middle? They'll be trapped and unable to maneuver. A human wave will overwhelm them.”

  “No... I guess I should have said the Charlie plan then,” Ryans grimaced. He hated getting things mixed up.

  “Oh. Ah... Hmmm,” Perry nodded thoughtfully. “Okay, I'll think about it.” He waved as he walked off.

  <==={}------------>

  Princess Deidra and the Queen talked about things with Wanda, Charlie, and Sue. They talked about why they love their countries. Wanda finally got a mystic smile and pulled out her laptop. She pulled up a video and played it for them. God bless the USA by Lee Greenwood. The Queen was a little baffled at first, until Doc paused the video and had Wanda pull up a captioned version, then translated that into the native language. Wanda showed them several music videos, as well as videos of many things from earth. The Queen was interested,

  Deidra was humbled by the show of patriotism; she bit her lip in thought. “Why did you leave then?” she asked when they paused the video.