by SK Benton
"First, how did you end up in the military? You are so goddamned gorgeous you could have been a supermodel."
Jennie actually blushed at Corning's compliment. She was used to compliments, but one coming from such a high-ranking servant of the people was truly appreciated. She couldn't even manage to stutter out a response, merely shrugging her shoulders and then smiling at Max.
"Okay, I'm truly sorry. I realize you must get a lot of compliments. So for the next question - Admiral Bagatelle stated your full title to be Commander Jennifer Escalante de Gunnarsson. Are you now somehow related to Captain Gunnarsson? Perhaps married to one of his relatives?"
"He's my husband, ma'am."
"Oh… I see. But, is that not illegal? Two officers marrying in the military?"
"That's another thing that's going to change," said a smiling Bagatelle. "In fact, here's something that will blow your mind. The good Commander here was born Jennifer Marie Bagatelle. She's my little sister."
"The attending congressmen and women were taken aback momentarily. The nepotism statutes were one of the things that Johnson had not touched, even though he had violated them of more than one occasion.
"And she was under your command for a number of years. Have you nothing to say for that?" asked Corning.
"Ma'am, let's use this as the closer to our conversation. Jennie was born when I was in the university. Our parents suffered a tragic accident, costing them their lives, when I was in the naval academy and out on a six-month recon training mission. By the time I got back to Azul she had already been placed in foster care, and then lost to me. I searched for her for years, finally locating her when she had joined the naval academy. I placed her under my command, never revealing our relationship to her, and in fact denying her promotions in order to keep her close by."
"So, you felt you were protecting her in some manner?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"And was there anyone else who knew of your relationship to her?"
"Oh, of course, Commander Alicia Vasquez, my fiancé."
"Another rule broken?"
"Ahem… another rule changed, Madam Speaker. In fact, once we have eliminated the Vrol I would like for limited numbers of families to serve on starships. We are a defensive, not offensive force. And with the advent of faster-than-light travel we are now poised to become explorers."
Corning nodded her head and smiled. Then, standing up, she approached Bagatelle and said, "Rear Admiral Luigi Bagatelle, in the absence of any higher authority, I hereby grant you the commission of Admiral of the Navy. God bless you, Admiral, and God bless the people of Azul System."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker," responded the Admiral.
"I just made that up, but Jorgen, can you record it in the archives, please?"
"Sure, Sarah. We shall do so immediately."
Bagatelle then turned to Max and Jennie and said, "You two - the promotions I gave you in the Rhönen are now official."
Jennie got a cute, whiney expression and asked, "What? You mean you aren't gonna make a nice…"
She was cut off by Bagatelle's glare, which then turned to a smile as he went and hugged his little sister.
"Madam Speaker, shall we inform Congress that Azul Federal Government is intact and that we shall fight the Vrol together?"
"Yes Admiral, I believe that is an excellent idea," she responded.
The selected delegates all stood to leave when they suddenly stopped in place, gaining dazed expressions. Jennie looked at them, then at Draagh, Michael and Gabriel who all also seemed surprised. The only Azulian without a clueless look was Sarah Corning.
"What is wrong with my people?" she asked, seeing Max turn around and say, "Madam Speaker, we revealed too much to these people. I have modified their memories slightly. They will remember everything about our meeting except for the parts about archangels and magic."
"Oh… my. Are you going to… modify my memory also?"
Max smiled and held out his hand, taking hers into his, "No. Someone needs to know, and in the future we shall have need to discuss things of a higher order."
"Well then, I am honored. Is it, perhaps, because I was Catholic?"
"Why do you ask that?" inquired Gabriel.
"Well, because I was a terrible Catholic."
"So was I!" laughed Michael, gaining a curious look from Corning as the group left the meeting room.
"Madam Speaker, I assume you are going to put the governmental reformation to a vote, am I not correct?" Bagatelle inquired.
"Oh, of course, Admiral. But rest assured, you will receive a unanimous vote. Especially now that you have removed the most annoying elements in Congress, for which I must thank you."
"And there's one other thing… we need a President. We need one quickly. Per the Constitution, if the President and Vice President are both disabled or otherwise eliminated, then the responsibility falls upon the Speaker of the House. Ma'am, that's you," added Max.
Sarah Corning had long dreamed of leading her worlds, but not like that. She wanted to run a fair and robust election. She shook her head and stopped in place.
"No. Not me. We need an election in Congress. In fact, I am nominating Jorgen. The majority of our Presidents have been either from Oz or America, with two from Nueva Argentina. It's about damned time we have a Swiss President. He's a good man, and he's one of these … lycans."
Two hours later, the joint session of Congress was preparing to vote on new leadership to replace the tyrannical dictatorship that had temporarily taken over Azul System. Max and his extended family stood on the wings, watching as everyone took their seats. It was an unusual, hastily prepared vote. Never before had both houses of Congress voted at the same time in the same chamber, but their votes were going to be separated, and then counted appropriately.
"All in favor of electing Jorgen Bierle to the office of President of Azul System say aye," commanded Sarah Corning. She received a resounding and thunderous response in the chamber, followed by a standing ovation. It was a sure thing that her sacrifice would garner her a top spot in the next election cycle, which was what she truly preferred. Still, Jorgen Bierle was not only happy - he was ready to get to work. He was a man of quiet conviction, and had despised Johnson on a level like no other. His mission in life was to restore Azul to greatness. He had no qualms regarding being a temporary wartime President - he simply wanted to win the war.
Max walked up to Bierle to congratulate him on his new position, finding the man most concerned with selecting his replacement in Congress. Max could feel the man's goodness and made a decision to restore something taken. He touched Bierle on the shoulder, causing the newly-minted President to blink for a moment and then turn and look at Max with wide eyes. He then broke out into a great smile and nodded his head.
"I remember, and I understand why you did what you did."
"Congratulations, Mr. President. We shall need to work together in order to defeat the approaching alien fleet," said the hybrid lycan/Primulus.
"It shall be my pleasure, Captain. Just let me know how I can assist."
"Well, first off, how would you like to awaken you nascent lycan skills?"
"Oh my, that's right. I am of the lycan genome. How would we do that? Will it take long? Is it painful?"
"Whoah whoah! It's okay!" laughed Max. "It is a simple inoculation, it is painless and almost instantaneous. Plus you will have much sharper mental acuity, greater strength, and your five senses will be off the charts. But, as an added benefit, you'll be able to communicate telepathically with Admiral Bagatelle and myself, as well as other command-level officers."
"Very well, then. If those are the positives, what are the negatives?"
"Well, you'll have to spend a couple of days away from Azul training to learn your new abilities, and… the full moon is kind of a bummer, but you're the President, so we can move you out of its influence for the time being."
"Two days? How much time do we have before the invaders arrive?"
"Oh, two years? Maybe a bit more?"
"Very well," he laughed, "I shall go forward with the process. Where shall we do this?"
"Oh, this part you're gonna love. Grab some warm clothes," said Max.
Zermatt, Switzerland, 4268
"I cannot believe this. It was nearly a myth in my country. We have images, vids, even holographs, but I am actually here," gasped Jorgen Bierle, seeing an ancient wonder for the first time in his life.
"Yeah, it's pretty cool, isn't it? You know, I could conjure some ski gear for us and slip us up to the top if you'd like. Gornergrat still has many natural and skiable slopes even after all these centuries."
Jorgen pulled his gaze away from the Matterhorn, one of the most famous mountains on Earth, and gave Max a kind and appreciative smile. He had actually dreamed of climbing that peak when he was a child, knowing it only to be a dream - an absolute impossibility. But there he was, looking at it from the abandoned and nearly disintegrated town of Zermatt. Still, his better judgment took hold and he responded to Max.
"No, Captain. We are here for a purpose, not pleasure. However, may I take a… rain check on your offer?"
"Of course, Mr. President. Let's go to the Rhönen Dominion and start your training."
Chapter 22 - Welcome, Mr. President
Rhönen Dominion
Captain Max Gunnarsson and Jorgen Bierle, President of Azul System, walked across a massive castle drawbridge, entering into the courtyard area of King Krynos' castle. It wasn't moments later that Jennie and Liliana went running out to greet the man of their lives. However, Jennie stopped and held Liliana back once she noticed her husband was with the new Azulian President.
"Hi Honey, welcome home. You could have told me you were bringing company!" exclaimed the lovely dega.
President Bierle elbowed Max and said, "Don't hold back on my account, son. You should see my children when I go home."
Max bent forward and held his arms out for Liliana, knowing he would have plenty of time for affection with his wife later in the evening. The little girl ran into him, nearly knocking him back with the force of her forward momentum.
"Papi! Papi! I achieved a global 3D slip!" she exclaimed breathlessly.
"Lili! Serious? That's amazing! But you did it with your great-grandfather's assistance, right?"
"I was only there to supervise, and she wears the tracker, so she was safe, my boy," said the ancient mage as he approached the small group. "Congratulations, Mr. President. And welcome to the 43rd century."
Bierle extended his hand, shaking Draagh's firmly, but looking down at the little girl who had made an incredible claim only moments earlier.
"Captain, I assume this is your daughter."
"Yes she is. Liliana, I would like for you to meet the new President of Azul System, Jorgen Bierle."
Liliana curtseyed and then extended her hand to Bierle, surprising him with her greeting.
"Es ist mir eine Freude, Sie zu treffen, Herr Präsident [It is my pleasure to meet you, Mr. President]."
"Captain, are you and your wife not natives of Nueva Argentina? Your daughter has an uncanny mastery of Deutsch."
"Mister President, I was born here in the Rhönen Dominion; in this very castle, in fact," responded the young lycan.
Bierle gave Liliana and odd look, obviously attempting some form of mathematics in his head. He saw a girl, roughly eleven years of age, yet Max Gunnarsson was a fugitive from his world for less than two years. Noting his confusion, Liliana offered an explanation in which she had great pride.
"Mr. President, I am the adopted daughter of the Gunnarssons. Still, we all love each other very much," she whispered to the man.
Bierle leaned forward and whispered back to the girl, while saying, "I can see that. You know, just because one is adopted does not mean they are loved any less; rather, sometimes more because they have been chosen and were not a result of nature. In fact, one of my own children is adopted."
"What do you mean by result of nature, sir?" a puzzled-looking Liliana asked, full well knowing what he meant, but wanting to see his reaction.
"I… um… erm. What I meant was… um…"
"It is fine, Mr. President. I know what you meant," she responded with a wink.
Very well, shall we meet with the king of this castle? I would like very much to thank him for his hospitality." Bierle was happy to get moving along, so he turned toward the obvious entrance into the castle and followed Max, Jennie, Liliana and Draagh.
The group walked into the castle, maintaining a straight line to Krynos' offices where he would hold private meetings. The door was open and the king was seated, with his heir apparent, Donus, standing at his side.
"Ah, greetings, my friends!" exclaimed Krynos, standing and holding his arms out wide. Jorgen Bierle had briefly seen the lycan king earlier in New Sydney, but didn't have the opportunity to meet the massive leader. Krynos walked around from behind his desk and shook Bierle's hand with a generous amount of strength, knowing the man was an inactive lycan. "So, you have come to avail yourself of the gifts of your blood. I say welcome! We shall have a celebratory dinner this evening, and you shall be my guest of honor. After all, it is not often that one has the opportunity to entertain the leader of an entire world!"
"That would be plural, as in worlds, my liege," added Liliana, dangerously correcting her king, as she so often would do with anyone.
"That is what I said, young one," the king responded with a glare. "Do you not have some Youth Brigade duties in which to attend, hmm?"
Liliana's face lit up, as she completely ignored the fact that she managed to correct the king in public, which was a rather rude thing to do. "Oh yes, my King! Tomorrow night we are to practice crossbow accuracy in total darkness. It shall be in preparation for the day when we battle the putrid covens of our vampire enemy."
Liliana curtseyed yet again, and then ran over to her parents, hugging each one. "I have schoolwork to complete. I shall see you all very soon. And again, Mr. President, welcome to the Rhönen Dominion." She then did something that nearly shocked Bierle - she disappeared from sight with a light popping sound.
"Where… where did she go?" he asked, amazed at her sudden disappearance.
"Aside from being lycan, our daughter is also a mage, Mr. President," responded Jennie.
"And quite a fine one too. Extremely rare in this or any other world, I might say. Yes, extremely rare," added Draagh.
"So is she a Primulus like you, Captain?"
"Oh no. She is what is referred to as a minor mage - a human with magical abilities. Well, a lycan with magical abilities, in her case," said Max.
"Please! Have a seat, good sir!" said Krynos as he pulled a chair over for the newly minted system leader. Bierle took his seat and Krynos went back around behind his desk. "Oh, and I would like for you to meet Prime Commander Donus, my military leader and heir to the throne of the Rhönen Dominion."
"Congratulations on your selection, Mr. President," Donus entered courteously.
"Thank you, Donus. Everyone. I have a feeling this will be interesting - being activated."
"Oh yes, it shall be quite interesting, good sir," said Draagh, as Bierle turned to look at him, noticing the Primulus was holding a massive syringe, roughly a half meter in length, its needle protruding out twenty centimeters. Bierle's face nearly went white as Draagh gave him an innocent smile. Everyone managed to keep from laughing for about ten seconds, when the room burst into hilarity. Even Jennie thought it was funny.
"I am so sorry, my good man," said Draagh, appearing to wipe a tear from his eye. "Think of it as an initiation gag. It was young Liliana's idea, you should know."
Jorgen regained some color in his face and took the joke in stride. He was quite the jokester in his university days on Azul, so he was no stranger to being pranked. "Yes, she does seem to have a mischievous nature," he added.
"Who? Lili? Naahhhhhh!" they all cried out in unison.
Krynos pulled a bottle of Glen
nfidich Scotch whisky out of his desk and slammed some shot glasses onto the smooth mahogany top, gaining a wry grin as he did so.
"Let us make a toast - to a new brother!"
"But, I haven't been inoculated yet," said Bierle, feeling a very slight pinprick at the same time. "Oh, I guess that means I can have my drink now?"
Draagh winked at the man while putting a small syringe into his coat pocket, and nodded his head courteously. "You shall soon begin to feel the effects of your transition, my good man. Please, everyone - bottoms up!"
"I already feel a bit flushed. But what shall I do when I have completed my transition?" he asked.
"I was thinking we take the President to Hotel California. I need to check up on those guys, and it would be a great opportunity for him to see some Vrol up close," said Max.
"Great idea, sweetie. I'll see if Jess and Pandy want to come along," added Jennie.
"You have captured Vrol? I will be able to see them? These alien invaders?" asked Azul's leader.
"Captured? No. We're gonna hunt one - together!" said Max while wearing a maniacal grin. Bierle nearly started to panic when Krynos jumped in.
"My dear Jorgen, do not fret. We shall all be together and you shall not be in any danger. After all, we could not allow the leader of Azul System to be decapitated on his first day as an activated lycan now, could we?"
"Mr. President, you'll be safe. You're one of us now," said Jennie. That was enough to calm him down. He sat back and smiled, looking forward to the rest of his time in the Rhönen Dominion.
"Very well. Shall we give the good President a briefing on territorial security and then retire to lunch?" asked Krynos.
Max held the briefing, using infoscreens to show activity all over Azul System. For the most part there was complete peace. Riots had sporadically broken out in Portlandia, caused by inactive ghouls that lived as squatters in abandoned warehouses. However, none other than Gabriel easily quelled these minor outbursts. He had been given permission to terminate any genetic vampires with extreme prejudice, but cautioned to only kill those who were attempting to do harm to persons or property.