The Mullinix Book 1: Ascension

by Rodney Mountain

  Chapter 114 - Battle Costs

  Medoferro woke up about an hour after he passed out. He stood up slowly and watched the battle move further and further away, knowing that his fireball turned the tide of the war. Knowing that there was little more he could do on that end he headed over to Simon, who was also just beginning to wake up. He looked pale and was still sucking down on the potion.

  "You look like shit, Simon," Medo smiled, "Did you at least avoid burning your hands?"

  "I think the burned hands would seem like a better trade," Simon chuckled, "Did it work?"

  "Sorry I left you there, Medo," Horwitz said, "But he needed help more."

  "It’s ok," Medo said, "I’m fine."

  "So how did we do?" Simon asked, "Did we do it?"

  "Better than we’d hoped," Medo smiled, "Looks like the Mavelan forces are retreating."

  "Good," Simon said, "I’d hate to feel this lousy for nothing."

  "Look at it this way," Medo told his friend, "You survived. A lot of them out there on both sides didn’t."

  "I think I’ll take my injuries with a smile now, thank you," Simon said solemnly, coughing a little, "Can we at least get out of the fucking rain?"

  "Yeah," Medo chuckled, "I think we can manage that. Think you can walk yet?"

  "We’ll take him if he can’t," one of the guards said, "We owe you two that much."

  Simon tried to get up, but fell over miserably. Several of the guards took Simon and helped him along. Medoferro was still able to move himself, so he took the stairs slowly. There was a group of soldiers awaiting orders on the first floor. He pushed his long hair back and unapologetically took a chair in the room, which was given freely when they saw how lousy he looked.

  "Where’s Cholt?" Medoferro asked, "Still leading the forces?"

  "I’m here," Cholt said, coming in, "I don’t know what you did, but I love it! It worked!"

  "I know," Medoferro said, "How much did it help?"

  "Broke the back of the Mavelan advance and bucked up our people," Cholt said, "We’re pushing on them, forcing them into a rout."

  "Medo!" Paulus exclaimed as he pushed into the room, "Good god man, what the hell did you and Simon do out there?"

  "A little encouragement to get back where they came from," Medo chuckled, "I guess it’s working."

  "Putting it mildly," Paulus chuckled, "The Mavelans I saw were tripping over themselves to get out of Cirrus."

  "Did you get control of the base?" Medo asked him, "I haven’t exactly been keeping up. More to the point, did you get LaPorte?"

  "Would you believe the fat fucker had a heart attack on us?" Paulus said, "Aided in the end of course by Suvorov’s palm smacking into his chest."

  "Serves the bastard right," Cholt said, grunting approval, "Nobody is going to miss him."

  "Least of all the people of Cirrus," Paulus agreed, "Suvorov is consolidating control at the base and rounding up the ones we can prove knew about LaPorte’s plan."

  "I need to know, Medo," Cholt said, "This is your last chance to turn back. How far do we push them?"

  "Get them over the mountain range," Medoferro said, "They will not rain projectiles down on us again."

  "Cholt!" Martin came in yelling, "There’s a contingent coming down the mountain in a white flag convoy!"

  "How many of them?" Cholt asked him, "And how senior?"

  "Gotta be pretty senior if they’re coming in white flag like that," Paulus said, "Wonder what they are up to?"

  "One of them is wearing a Mavelan General’s bars," Martin said, "It looks like they want to Parley."

  "Do I do it or do you?" Cholt asked Medoferro, "I warn you, diplomacy was never my strong suit."

  "I’ll do it," Medoferro said, "Keep pushing at the forces to let them know we’re serious, but let them into a secured area and we’ll talk as soon as I can walk far enough to get there."

  "You’ve got it," Cholt said, "You heard the Mullinix! Get moving!"

  "How much are you looking for?" Paulus asked Medoferro, "Just an end?"

  "Security," Medoferro said, "That’s all I want. We’ll see what they’re willing to do to give that to us."

  "If they aren’t willing?" Cholt asked them, wanting to know what to plan for.

  "We kick their ass over the mountain and ensure they never want to return," Medoferro said, "Plain enough?"

  "It is for me," Cholt said, "I’ll work on the plans. Let me know if they change."

  "Do you want me there or do you want to go alone?" Paulus asked him, "It’s your choice."

  "I’ll go alone," Medoferro said, "No offense, Paulus, but you’re so much older than me that they’ll be less likely to take me seriously if you’re there."

  "I know," Paulus nodded, "I’m not worried. You’ll do fine. They’ll have to get used to dealing with you anyway."

  "Right," Medoferro sighed, "Ok, I’m going. Wish me luck."

  "You’ll need it," Paulus chuckled, "I’ll be over at the base if you need me. Suvorov will need my help getting things cleaned up."

  "I’ll go there when I’m done," Medo promised, "I’ll have to sleep a little soon. That fireball took a lot out of me."

  "You’d better take care of yourself," Paulus told him, "Trina will have my ass if I don’t bring you back safe and sound."

  "No kidding," Medo nodded, "Send her a message that I’m fine, ok?"

  "I’ll have them fix the lines," Paulus said, "You can tell her yourself."

  "Even better," Medo agreed, "One more thing before I go."

  "What is it?" Paulus asked him.

  "Have Simon brought to the clinic at the base," Medo said, "He took the worst of it. Make sure the medicos continue putting fluids into him too."

  "You got it," Paulus agreed, "Good luck, Medo."

  Medoferro nodded and walked away, wondering what would happen.