"Robbing the cradle problem? By the way, getting married?” Eugene pointed back and forth between himself and Deidra. “ Her idea. Her and her family's, not mine. Both political and other motivations involved," Eugene explained.
"And then there is this," he said as a nanny brought Hermione in briefly.
The Terrans stared at the girl.
“No way am I leaving either of my ladies,” Eugene said softly. Deidra favored him with a soft smile of approval.
"Now, do you really want to try to take a man by force from his family, against the will of the sovereign of a foreign nation, on her soil, and then try to bring him back to the portal through that sovereign's lands? I highly doubt you'd get out of the palace alive, let alone out of the city."
A few of the palace guard tapped their staves meaningfully in counterpoint to the king's statement.
General Periot grimaced and looked around at the guards who studied him right back. "Well, when you put it that way …"
"I'm glad you could see reason, General," Deidra said dryly.
“Just to be on the safe side, we'll disarm you anyway,” Eugene said. Guards moved in and stripped them of their personal weapons. “For the record, I don't know who dreamed that one up, but really? You have no jurisdiction on an alien world. I know the courts don't care how you get a body in front of them, but it's a bit different here.”
“Laws passed on Patria are on Patria , not here,” Deidra echoed with a curt nod.
“So, are we prisoners now?”
“No. You will have an escort. If you wish to leave, you can do so,” Deidra said after a look to her husband. He nodded in support. “We would prefer to work with you rather than at cross-purposes.”
Chapter 52
Doctor Delecroix called with a report near the end of the long winter. Sergio ran the interface between the excited French scientist and the bemused laymen.
Based on the doctor's initial findings, he confirmed some of their hypothesis while rejected a few others. Scientists on Earth had determined that the planet's strong magnetic fields could draw or deflect the wormhole before Eugene anchored it on Earth. The same on the planet, that cliff site was one of many on the planet where the wormhole was drawn to.
Doctor Delecroix had done a bit of digging and had concluded that there was a large magnetic material in the cliff, most likely iron of some sort. He speculated that the wormhole might connect to other worlds as it did between the two planets.
“How?” Sydney demanded.
The doctor admitted that his hypothesis was weak on supporting evidence.
Max, however, latched onto the idea. "Hell, it explains why different species. The ecosystem is nuts!"
Doctor Delecroix stated that the anchors were changing things though. Long-term projections were hard to pronounce though. He had another hypothesis that the wormhole was stripping electrons from the plateau. There were definite energy readings around the area, and those would explain why it was a hot spot for thunderstorm activity.
Fortunately, the equipment was protected by lightning rods.
~~~^~~~
Max and the others swung into action once the temperatures began to climb and the snows began to melt. The botanists worked with their students to plant seedlings in the greenhouses to give some of the plants an early start.
Nate and Mary wanted to go out on another expedition, but they had to wait until the start of summer. They had also promised to help expand farming technology and practices in the east as well as in Duluth.
~~~^~~~
Sue dealt with a rash of problems, but the technology Wanda's group had brought helped to speed up the creation of medicines and vaccines. They still didn't have nearly enough to inoculate everyone in both kingdoms, but they were working on it.
~~~^~~~
Eugene was on hand when the second graduating class at the university graduated. Some of the Duluthians were troubled by the events in their home country. A few applied to remain in the Imperium. Deidra granted those requests, though she had her people remind them gently that their people were suffering back home too. A few returned to Duluth to work with Zara in rebuilding that country.
~~~^~~~
Once spring was in full swing, General Perioit, Mister Yellowknife, and their people were escorted back to the gateway plateau.
Deidra offered lands and money to any Terran who wished to remain. "I'll also fund scientific expeditions you wish to mount, within reason of course."
"Why? Why would she do that?" Doctor Givani asked, turning to Eugene.
"Genetics for one. Also our knowledge," Eugene replied. “They are big on learning these days,” he said with a nod to Deidra.
The Italian woman turned to the imperatrix and studied her. Deidra studied her coolly right back. "Oh."
"They are also interested in learning new things. Their society is revolving around it. Their ancestors had to work together to survive."
Doctor Delecroix agreed to remain, but the others said they wished to return to Earth.
They piled into the general's hummers and truck and headed back through the gate. “And they can tell whoever they want whatever story they want. That's the downside of letting them go,” Eugene muttered.
His wife looked up at him. “Then why did we let them go at all?”
“Because they are more trouble than they are worth,” he replied.
~~~^~~~
Earth
“So you failed in the primary mission?”
“Capturing the king and bringing him back would never have worked. It would have meant taking the entire family hostage. Given how tight their security was and the distance to the gate, I refused to take the risk,” General Periot stated evenly.
“And the secondary objective?”
“That we managed,” the general said, holding up a memory chip. “Images, documentation on their current military hardware and numbers, as much as they would allow. I used the primary mission objective to ensure that they'd deport us as soon as possible.”
“Ah. I'm looking forward to your debrief.”
“Yes, sir.”
Epilogue
"Well! I'm glad that's over. Now, what the hell is going on back home?" Eugene demanded once he was back in the capital.
"Your company lost control of the gate. The UN voted that it was an 'Important World Resource' and for want of a better term, nationalized it after a hurricane knocked the platform about," Wanda replied.
"I pieced some of that together," Eugene drawled. "So, we have them to worry about now too?"
"Oh, yeah! By the way, in case you didn't hear, there was a story of alien abduction and the world coming to an end."
"Wait, what?!?"
"Yeah, something about aliens abducted some people, brought them back, then came back a year later to move them to another planet. One guy had it filmed but the media sat on the footage. No one believed it."
"Are you …?"
"No, I'm not pulling your leg. Hey, we're on an alien planet, remember?" Wanda said plaintively. She waved her finger and pointed up.
Eugene snorted. "Point."
"So, when we left, they treated it as the same thing. They treated it like it was a hoax. Everyone thought you'd pop up with CG video and they'd debunk it. But, then we came back with samples and all sorts of stuff. And then the news of the alien abduction got out."
"Okay, so, where does the world coming to an end fit in?"
"Well, the aliens said this big ass rock, about the size of a small moon is going to hit earth. The major government institutions found it and they are scrambling to 'Do Something.'" she said, making air quotes.
"The ameteur astronomy club got involved and they confirmed it. That was about the time we decided that we'd had enough fun and it was time to shit or get off the pot," Wayne stated.
Eugene scowled. "I'm starting to have that puckered feeling."
"So do a couple of billion people on Earth," Wanda said with a snort.
"
I know, and that's what is starting to scare me the most …"
Authors Afterward
Yeah, I did that. Yup, that was me. I had help though; Jory and some of the fans poked me about it. But it was all me. After insisting that Bootstrap Colony and PRI were two distinct universes, I decided what the hey, throw them together.
We'll see what comes out of it later. Personally? For the moment? No clue. (Okay, minor white lie, I did block out PRI 3 out already)
It's funny; I envisioned both books as one-offs. Both are one of those, what if things that just grew into a story. I was pushed into writing sequels and here we are.
From time to time, I get people wanting me to do something, add more ships, give the hero the edge, that sort of thing. I try to resist it (Honest!) but eventually I give in a little. But the story is about the journey, the struggle to get to that defining moment. If you make it easy, it's not fun.
I have to admit, I have a desire for a passing to realism. I mean, I know I could wave a magic wand since I am the writer, but I resist that impulse. Again, part of the journey is the struggle to get there. And no story should be neat and tidy. I always leave a loose end, either intentional or unintentional.
Besides, it's fun.
What's next you might ask? Am I going to create a new universe? Hmmm …
“Guinea pigs? Anthropomorphic ones?”
“No!”
“Still … hmm, Space Hamsters?”
Ooh! David Weber's already brought them up a time or two … that'd be fun!”
“No ! Get a hold of yourself, man!”
“But …but but but we're talking about hamsters! Cute, adorable … terrifying … hamsters! Like that guy in that one video game? With the wrecking ball?!”
“No ! See? It's been done. So stop researching it!”
“GRR … okay.”
“No pouting.”
“No promises.”
Muhahaha
As usual you can read my assorted musings, see images, and occasionally talk to me on my blog.
Cast
New Cast
Queen ( Imperitrix) Deidra 18 princess, married to Eugene Ryans. Long golden blond silk hair.
Eugene Ryans: Civilian businessman, engineer, dilettante with military training. Prefers to go by Ryans but his wife and sister-in-law got that changed.
Hermione: blond daughter of Deidra and Eugene.
Crown Princess Zara princess 16. Blond, sent to Duluth.
Terrans who stayed:
Doctor Sue Carter- female internalist multiple fields
Charlie Therman- female biochemist/chemist= blond
Nate Billings- British biologist/naturalist
Mary Delouses- botanist/agriculturalist
Max Howlett- mechanic/inventor/ machinist. Married to Cecily.
Natives:
King Andreas 50+ dies due to heart disease KIA
Queen 50+ dies in fire/influenza near end KIA
Prince Balthizar: Princess's younger brother. KIA by raiders protecting sisters from rapists.
Duchess of Emory- wife to Emory in castle on visit ( Domina )
Duke Emory- His castle had been under siege by Duluth ( Dominus )
Cecily: big woman broad hips, big bosom, nice complexion. Viking Brunhilde, engineering student, engaged and later married to Max.
Jer, Evan: Techs with Max. Evan new, 1 month into apprenticeship. Has security badges.
Answorth: Son of duke Emory, paige to Ryans. 10 years old. Becomes an officer.
Druzilla: old royal chambermaid. very haughty, into fashion. doesn't set fashion just redresses old patterns each season. Just enough to get people talking. Loves layering on the makeup.
Corgi: page to Perry, 11 years old. About to start Squire training. Son of duke Pyror. Goes to college. Supposed to become an officer when he gets older.
Angie: female nurse: head of nursing
Gunther: Zara's intended, died when he was 8 due to illness.
Domina Ciara: minister of cloth and fashion. (textiles) mole on her chin. Anorexic, but into fashion. Slight Asian genotype.
Leofrick: understudy to the lord Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Doland: Burger Miester mayor of the capital.
Winston: thin lord (Dominus) of the Exchequer. (taxes)
Tobin: Dominus -border lord
Haiat: Asian lord of glass and silicon. He has a wife who is into glass and Deidra's fashions.
Lorry: Domina
Leo:
Gengi: Hindu lord. Tall and thin.
Marcus: Subcontractor. Runs several plants and subcontracting factories. Big on supporting the regieme. Friendly with Cecily.
Ctesibus: Assistant to Max and Cecily. His parents and family are Artisans who made intricate jewelry, primitive clocks, compasses, astrolabes, and antikythera mechanisms. Named for the Greek inventor of air pressure mechanisms.
Eratosthenes: He started as a librarian before moving on to the university administrator.
Military:
Licinius Crassus: Decurion (cavalry) and commander of the Flying Legion Cavalry. Roman nose. Short brown hair. Thin and wiry.
Gaius: Cavalry
Julius: Cavalry
General Aeneas Tacticus: Tactician and Commandant at the war college.
General Calabos Mitropoulos: In charge of logistics
Casius Bellus: Miles who got across the border to give warning of the coup. Lost most of his fingers, toes, and his nose. Deidra awarded him a medal of valor as well as the 'Paul Revere' medal. Max and Charlie promised to work on prosthetics for him. Max 3D printed prosthetic hands for him to use.
Akemi Ping: Asian descendant, female pilot. Military. Light, jockey.
Gallius: Miles in the Resistance. Something of a sergeant.
Alvus: Guard at the border. Has a male Medicus and male Legatus.
Legatus Tyron: Leader of the pass fortress.
Legatus Giaus Caesar: Commander of the gate fortress.
Legatus Zane: Commander Alpha Platoon. 3 squads (maniples) team 1-3. His is team 3.
Shane: Observer and shooter for Alpha Platoon.
2 snipers, 2 spotters.
Cadius Sennia: Brother to Hayden and Tia. Both were killed in the coup. Family all dead. Cadius was a trooper before being recruited to be trained as a spy. He went to Duluth and got to the capital. Set fire to public barn and other structures after finding out his siblings were dead.
Tendra Haki: Spy in Duluth. Partner with Cadius.
Civilians:
Corry: female New Englander. Sailor, cook. Only person still alive from Miss Bliss . Other 3 crew members died over time. Married a native sailor, has 2 children. Takes care of other children in the small isolated fishing village. Husband Guthrie. Took radio to lighthouse on hill and talked to capital.
Tiberius: Junior Tech smith with Tacitus.
New Expedition from Earth:
30 personnel from UN:
Général de brigade: General Jean Louis Peroit -Long face, lean body. Tall. Foreign Legion, then UN. But actually employed by mercenary group.
Lieutenant-Colonel Raoul Maurin
Lieutenant Buxley
Sergent (Sergeant) Jean-Claude Lennuyeux
18 military personnel including above. 4 are drivers.
-Yusef Samra
Mousa Hassa
Josef Sedan
Kareem, Yasim Zhar, Rami Massad,
8 scientists. They come in the 2 trucks with a driver.
Doctor Nelly Ramirez -Medical doctor.
Doctor Jim Dee McEntire -Sociologist, anthropologist.
Doctor Selene D'tebensha-Sociologist, cultural anthropologist
Doctor Heath Delecroix: Physicist -male. Remains behind at gateway fort.
Doctor Isobella Givani: Italian Biologist/zoologist
Doctor Pawfeather: Botanist
6 personnel from Ryans company
Stewart Yellowknife: Native American lawyer from South Dakota. There to get Ryans to sign documents, story rights but act
ual power of attorney and to take control of his company. Very incenses about corruption and take over. Like the USA and his people all over again. Determined to stop it. Being used.
Hostage Rescue (Princess Rescue Inc Book 2) Page 66
