NOVEL NEXT Chapter 56: Field Studies, One Year Later
Brinus was at a Navy Base on Cloisterian 6 one year later. He welded some metallic ceramic plates to the inside of a fusion reactor with a plasma torch. The Ruins of an old neighborhood spread for miles throughout the base. A fusion reactor stood on an old housing foundation. Surrounding the base was a concrete wall and endless grass savannas with the occasional homestead.
Brinus was 6 feet 4 inches tall, with thick, messy blond hair, icy blue eyes, a V-shaped body, and a six-pack just down when he heard someone shout his name. He deactivated his plasma torch, jumped out of the reactor and was covered head to toe in black soot on his normally creamy peach skin. Brinus smelled like burned gunpowder.
"Lieutenant Helios! Stand at fucking attention when standing before a superior officer!" shouted his commander, Lieutenant Commander Sinbad, in a yellow radiation suit.
Brinus stood at attention and saluted his commander once he regained composure.
"How are you still alive, lieutenant?"
"Sir?"
The commander pulled out his TriQuarter and put it at the entrance of the fusion reactor. The Geiger counter app turned red and popped 20,000 RADs.
Brinus smiled. "I wondered why I felt so good
"You should be dead, lieutenant. Close the door if you're going to work inside. You're going to contaminate the entire fucking area."
"Yes, sir."
Commander Sinbad sighed and then looked Brinus in the eyes. "I know you're a dak fire mage, but you need to be considerate of those around you when working on radiological equipment. What would happen if you killed everyone on the base?"
Brinus said nothing
"What the fuck would happen if you killed everyone on the base because of a radiological accident? I need you to say it."
"I'll be given a war crimes trial."
"You're lucky you're a dark fire mage! You're like a goddamned cockroach and are immune to radiation and heat! Next time you do a stunt like this I will write you up you asshole! Now close the door!"
"Yes, sir."
Brinus climbed back into the fusion reactor and closed the door. Brinus returned to replacing the inner lining of the fusion reactor. Damn, I almost destroyed the whole area. I got to be more careful.
Three hours later, Tangent arrived at the reactor core with a magnetized case of antimatter fuel.
Tangent was a rabbit person with a metal breastplate on her chest. She was orange and white, with orange ears and white tips.
She wore a white lab coat with her name tag and civilian rank. She had no shoes, as she had large legs and bunny feet. She banged on the door again.
Brinus opened it, but this time followed procedure so he did not expose the area to radiation.
"What is it Tangent?"
"I brought the fuel I mixed for the reactor. Where do you want it?"
Brinus frowned and wiped some of the grime and sweat off his eyebrows. "You can mix it now. I'm done.
"This took all day," observed Tangent.
Brinus looked and Cloisterian 6's main sequence star was setting over the horizon.
"Yeah, it did. The reactor was worn down 'cuz it was from a Federation power plant. It had a lot of wear and tear."
Brinus looked at his work with pride in his eyes as Tangent filled the fuel container.
Tangent looked at the ruined foundation the reactor was on. "Just think. The Federation went from being the number one superpower to being a conquered nation divided between us and the Vendalfi within six years."
Brinus put Tangent on his shoulders and approached the reactor's control panel. He began fiddling with the controls to get the settings he wanted. "Greed destroyed the feds. They decided to prioritize infinite growth over the common welfare. They ended up losing 90% of their population and three-quarters of their military."
"What will happen to the Prisoners of War now there is no Federation?" asked Tangent.
"I guess they will be given passports, IDs, microchips and then released."
"What will happen to Marci?"
Brinus shifted Tangent to the back of his neck as he balanced her while working. "Well, since there ain't no federation, she technically didn't commit any crimes, so there ain't no crimes to prosecute."
"Essentially, everyone will start over in the frontier worlds."
Brinus nodded. "Basically. I Doubt their families survived. The only people who survived the war on the federation side were people who disengaged from the government and homesteaded before the war or were in the military."
Tangent ruffled Brinus's hair. "Are you ready to ignite the reactor?" she asked as she wrapped.er arm around Brinus's head as Commander Sinbad came up to the control booth, standing next to him. "I noticed the reactor was finished."
"Yes, sir. We are setting the settings and powering it up now," said one of the reactor techs.
"Good. The base commander is assigning you command of the reactor. She is also going to give you a staff to manage since you won't be able to man the booth 26 hours a day, 8 days a week." Said Brinus to the tech.
"Yes, sir. When do I meet them, sir?"
In an hour or two. They are being shipped in from Navy Trooper Base 20.
"Yes, sir. Can't wait to meet them." My first real command. I know I had a couple at the academy, but this one is real! I'm excited! Brinus smiled and saluted. "Thank you, sir."
Brinus put up a no-smoking sign in the control booth and created a smoking section for them outside the door. Since Brinus quit smoking three years ago, the smell of Tarken Tea cigarette smoke made him nauseous. His voice also still sounded like he was a five-pack-a-day smoker, like he never quit.
While cleaning the bathroom in the control booth, Commander Sinbad came out of his office, "You're a duke? You could have one of the crewmen clean that for you."
"Is that an order, sir?"
"Just a suggestion. Isn't it degrading to clean a toilet?"
"I may be a duke in title, but I ain't accepted as one." Brinus put a toothpick in his mouth after he finished scrubbing the toilet.
Commander Sinbad pulled out a Tarken Tea cigarette from his pocket and put it in his mouth. "Do you want one?" He offered the pack to Brinus.
"I don't smoke, sir." Brinus was tempted to take a cigarette and light it in his mouth. However, he knew it would make him very sick.
"Is there something wrong with you? Why don't you smoke?" asked Commander Sinbad as he lit his cigarette.
Brinus's left lip curled in disgust. "I don't smoke, sir, because those things are coffin nails."
"You're weird." Commander Sinbad tilted his head back, took a deep draw and walked out of the bathroom blowing smoke into the air.
The commander came back. "Oh, one more thing. You need to go to Harper Plantation. Your Husband Simmie was requested as well since he's the base's robotics officer."
"Now, sir? I am about to meet my new crew, and it's almost sunset! The bandits will be out."
"That's an order, lieutenant."
"Can I at least shower and get a fresh uniform?"
The commander nodded, blowing smoke into Brinus's face.
He almost vomited, but instead gagged. Brinus saluted and left.
After dressing in a new uniform and taking a sonic shower with Simmie, Brinus and his husband boarded a Military Sherp. It had space for six people, a repeater blaster with air cooling, a driver's seat, and a gunner.
Simmie had brown skin, brown eyes, and black curly hair. He had the same physique as Brinus but was only 5 feet 11 inches tall.
Simmie sat in the sherp behind the Gunner. Brinus sat in the passenger seat.
"Ready sir?" The driver wore Navy Trooper armor and had three gold chevrons down his arm.
"Yes, sergeant. Harper Plantation."
"Yes, sir."
The sergeant drove through the gates and down the road. The asphalt streets deteriorated to the point they were filled with potholes. The streets were lined with ruined housing foundations. It was taken over by nature. Yellow Savanna grass and low trees had begun to grow in the neighborhood. The main sequence star was low in the sky but it was still bright. For miles, they drove through the destroyed city.
Finally, Brinus spoke. "Whatever happened to this here city?"
"I heard once supply chains broke down a year after Marci defected, the cities starved and then people died in mass numbers. There were food riots and then everyone starved to death. Once most of the population was gone, the enemy began surrendering in mass, and without a government to oversee a surrender, we just occupied the planets."
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Simmie smiled. "What happened to Pattaban?"
Brinus laughed and sucked on his toothpick. "I heard he put on makeup, a woman's dress, a wig, and high heels, and then tried running during the food riots. He was torn to pieces by the crowd and they hung his body for display."
Simmie sighed. "Serves him right. He caused the deaths of 90% of the federation. Not to mention the death of his nation."
Brinus stretched out and put his feet on the dashboard. "Not to mention the genocides he oversaw, the murdering of prisoners of war; the purges; I could go on."
Simmie put a toothpick in his mouth and handed one to Brinus, who was already one.
"Well, that's that. Long live the Pattaban, the greatest tyrant in galactic history." Both Brinus and Simmie laughed.
The sergeant smirked as he turned down the street. "You two seem like you'll miss him."
Brinus chuckled and put his seat down so he could take a nap. "I will miss the war 'cuz I like fighting. Pattaban can burn in hell."
Simmie laughed and ruffled Brinus's hair. "I love you, hon. But sweet pea, you don't need more war."
"Oh babe, you have no idea how much I want to fight."
"That's why you have Kobchi."
Brinus pulled Simmie's hand over his head and kissed him. Simmie climbed over the middle of the seat and sat in Brinus's lap. "I'm gonna grab a few hours of shuteye while we drive to Harper Plantation. Wake me when we get there."
Brinus cuddled his arms and legs around Simmie and Simmie turned on his side and put his arm under Brinus's head and the other arm on top of Brinus's chest.
The sergeant saw they had matching wedding rings.
"You two must love each other very much."
Simmie kissed Brinus on the face and Brinus kissed him back. "We do. Good night."
Several hours into the drive, it was well after midnight. Both Brinus and Simmie were asleep on top of each other, cuddled. The night was calm and peaceful. They would arrive at Harper Plantation by sunrise.
There was a loud explosion and a ball of fire engulfed the sherp. The gunner began shooting his repeater blaster as the sergeant yelled out in surprise and sped up.
Brinus jerked awake and threw a fireball through the window setting the dry grassland on fire. He also hid Simmie underneath him as he sprayed fire from his wand. Several people ran out of the grasslands screaming, on fire.
The sherp was hit with a screaming antipersonnel RPG and it blew the Gunner to pieces. His lower half fell into the passenger compartment. Brinus took over the gun and began spraying the enemy as Simmie threw out the gunner's legs and torso. Just as quickly as the ambush came they disappeared into the night.
"What the fuck was that?!" Screamed Simmie.
"It was a raiding party. I'm guessin' they didn't expect a dark fire mage. The natives that survived the food riots hate the immigrants coming here so they attack the military convoys with the assistance of former federation military personnel."
Brinus stood at the repeater blaster. "Honey let me do it," Simmie said.
"Hell No! you ain't putin' yourself in danger! I'll fuckin' do it! Don't ever ask that question again!"
The sergeant rolled his eyes and snorted. This is why married couples should never go on missions with each other. I hope they don't do something stupid or leave me to fend for myself.
The rest of the ride was tense and silent.
At sunrise, they approached Harper Plantation. It had a wraparound screened porch, was made with colonial-style bricks and white marble columns every ten feet, was three stories tall, and was surrounded by acres of Tarken Tea bushes tended to by androids and indentured servants. The windows were made of stained glass in patterns of Harper's life. The name reminded him dearly of his past love, Harper. He missed him, but it was long in the past and was of no consequence now. Still, it was only a reminder.
The sherp pulled up into the driveway and Brinus and the sergeant stepped out and began to urinate into the gravel. Simmie did not drink water or eat food, so he was fine, but he was a bit dehydrated and hungry. He came out and stretched. His mouth was dry and his stomach rumbled.
After Brinus finished, he came up to Simmie and slapped him on the ass. "Hey, hon." He kissed Simmie on the neck.
"Babe, we're on a mission. We need to be professional."
"And? It's just the three of us?"
"How can you be so calm after someone died right in front of you last night and you killed several people?"
Brinus nipped at Simmie's left ear and growled, "I told you; I enjoy combat. I like the thrill and the rush. It is no different from anyone else I've had to kill." He slapped Simmie on the ass and tried to make out with him.
"I am not in the mood and we are on a mission. You need to behave." Simmie crossed his arms and scowled, pushing Brinus off of him.
"Sourpuss." Brinus blew Simmie a kiss.
The sergeant rolled his eyes and rang the doorbell. One of the hall boys answered.
"May I help you?"
"We are here to see Harper Magnus about his robotics and reactor issues."
The hallboy saw two lieutenants in uniform and a navy trooper in battle armor.
"He is asleep right now. He will be woken by the breakfast gong."
"Where…" started Brinus.
"I am not asleep." Said a voice familiar to Brinus.
Harper came up to the three men. He was barefoot and wore a pair of gym shorts. He had a petty officer's first-class chevron tattooed on his right arm and pec, he also had the third task force's crest on his chest and left pec. He had a cigarette in his mouth and another behind his ear.
"Brinus! Do you remember me? We served together on the victory for six years. You were my commanding officer. We served at the workshop."
He looked into his eyes. Naturally, Harper had served under him for six years, but wait, his eyes looked familiar. No way…
"You're alive!? Saul told me you died! I thought you were dead!" Brinus hugged Harper and began crying.
Simmie's fists balled in anger and his pupils dilated. Another young man came out from the great house.
"Harper, let the man go. You're making his husband angry."
Brinus let Harper go. "Sorry. I am married to an amazing man. How are you?"
"I am doing well after I got out of Saffron, as you can see. I got some nice land, started a cigarette manufacturing company, and built a great house. Without the Navy, I would be dead or in prison."
Harper kissed the young man that came out and then lit the cigarette behind his ear with the cherry of his other one, putting another one from his pack behind his ear. "Why don't you get settled first? We will meet after the breakfast gong and go over issues then. Is anyone else coming?"
Twenty minutes later, Brinus was unpacking his bags with Simmie. Simmie came up behind him, which caused Brinus to jump and turn around.
"You scared me. What do you want?"
"He's kind of cute. I see why you liked him." Snapped Simmie with a frown, crossing his arms and leaning against the door frames.
Brinus made his screw-you smile at Simmie. "Yeah, I plan on leaving you tonight for him. Maybe we can get divorce papers?"
Simmie ruffled Brinus's hair. "You bastard," he said lovingly.
Brinus began laughing. "You know me too well."
Harper came into the room and saw both Simmie and Brinus laughing. "Am I interrupting?"
Brinus noticed Harper still had a cigarette in his mouth. "Do you always smoke?" snapped Brinus.
"Yeah? And? Anyway, I thought we could hang out in the drawing room and catch up on old times."
"I'm married." Brinus flashed his wedding ring.
"And so am I?" Harper flashed his own wedding ring. "If you don't want to hang, just say so and we can keep it professional."
"Nah, give us a few minutes to unpack. We'll see ya' in ten minutes," said Simmie, slapping Brinus in the chest.
Harper took a draw from his cigarette. "Great," he smiled, letting the cigarette smoke gently float out of his mouth.
Harper left the room.
Brinus looked at Simmie with a blank expression. "It don't bother ya' he's an old fling?"
"Not really. You served together for six years, after all. We have ten minutes to unpack." Simmie smiled and began hustling.
Brinus reported to the sitting room. The sitting room had baroque-style paneling with stained gunstock oak. There were no mirrors in the panels and the floors were gunstock oak wood as well as with painted white ceilings and ornate filigree molding. The fireplace was for real wood made with colonial red brick and a white marble mantle. The furniture was neo-imperial and not the more fancy type with the elaborate patterns and the brass gilding.
He shook his leg and cuddled with Simmie, and held his hands. Suddenly, the doorbell rang, and then someone screamed. The tension instantly jumped. Brinus grabbed his wand and ran for the door.
Brinus ran to the Door as Simmie ran behind him.
A woman with blond hair and blue eyes similar to Brinus but in a Federation rear admiral's uniform stood at the door. "Hello hon, long time no see. How's your husband?"
Brinus looked at her with a confused look. "Who are you?"
Her uniform had a black overcoat with red trim and a pair of black pants with a charcoal grey shirt. It had a name tag with Marchella Von Blankenship on the overcoat, and three red stars on her shoulder.
"Where's Harper? He owes me for this week's protection fee."
"I don't know, and I don't care. Get lost." snarled Brinus, slamming the door in her face.
That's no way to speak to your mother!?" Marci put her steel-toed boot in the door before Brinus could close it. He pulled out his wand and shot a plasma ball at her foot, but realized he couldn't. She had put something on the doorknob to strip him of his magic.
"You thought I was a dumb ass haha? You burned five of my men to death last night! Hahaha! I came prepared sweetie!"
"Who are you?" snapped Brinus. He truly didn't know who this woman was.
Marci pulled out her blaster. Simmie came up behind Brinus and began firing at Marci. Brinus dodged and ran up to Simmie, shielding him from the bandits outside. Marci shot Brinus in the back of his leg and then ran off.
Brinus fell to the ground and screamed out in pain. He began bleeding as Harper and Simmie carried Brinus to the Dining room table. Harper's husband came running into the room with his medical bag.
"I was a surgeon in the Navy during the war. Step back and let me work!"
"Okay, hon! Come on Simmie." Harper grabbed Simmie and guided him to the Sitting room.
"Okay Brinus, my name is Dr. Magnus. I am going to give you some Polymorphine and Quntinline Nitritie for anesthesia. I want you to count back for me from ten. Starting when I start the IV.
Dr. Magnus started an IV with ease in Brinus's left hand. He began counting down as the doctor pushed meds into the needle. Brinus was out cold at six.
The doctor cut open his uniform pants and turned him around. After starting a .9% normal saline solution bag into his IV. He looked at the blaster wound. Damn! He's hit with an anticlotting agent. I'll need to act fast. He used saline with an irrigation needle to clean out the wound and then used forceps to remove the burnt clothing. Dr. Magnus then loaded a hypospray with a clotting agent and injected the blaster shot. It made a hiss, and the blood began clotting.
Once the wound was fully clotted, Dr. Magnus ran a deep tissue regenerator for five minutes. Once it was scanned with his TriQuarter, the area under the blaster wound was healed. He then used the dermal regenerator for another ten minutes. The wound was healed.
Simmie paced back and forth with a toothpick in his mouth. Harper was still shirtless and in gym shorts, as he had a cigarette in his mouth.
"Do you want a smoke?"
"You have no idea how tempting that is… but I quit for my husband."
Harper laughed and crossed his legs and feet. "Did I tell you where I met my husband?"
"I don't think it was in the Navy."
"We were cashiered out of the service at the same time on two different ships. We were on the same transport and heading to Cloisterian 6. We kind of vibed and wanted to create a business together. So, we created Harper Plantation."
"When did you get married?" Simmie asked as he chewed his nails.
"About three weeks ago, I think? We got married at one of the Navy bases."
Dr. Magnus came into the room. He had blood all down his apron and on his hands.
"I stopped the bleeding and healed the wound. It looks like she used some type of chemical on the doorknob, so one of the hall boys might have put it there."
"Well, I have deliveries and business to attend to. I trust you deal with the Hall boys."
"I gotta clean up first. Brinus lost a lot of blood, so he should be evacuated ASAP. I can keep him alive with sterile saline solution and ringer lactate, but he will need a blood transfusion."
The doctor left the sitting room.
"I'll go radio the nearest MASH base," Simmie headed out the sherp.