Princess Rescue Inc (87 page)

<==={}------------>

“I
see you're getting along with the princess a lot better,” the Sergeant said
after Deidra made her excuses and left. He watched her go smiling slightly.

“Something
like that,” he said, returning his attention to the Master Sergeant. “I'm not
sure where it's going to lead, if anywhere,” he shrugged. Which was true
enough. Deidra had at least stopped pressuring him into committing to stay. He
was taking things one day, and more importantly one
evening
at a time.
The evenings when they both had energy were memories he would treasure he
realized. He looked back to the Master Sergeant who was studying the map. “I
had an interesting conversation with Nate a little while ago...”

“Was
he prattling on about the animals again?” the Sergeant asked, sounding annoyed.
“I told him it could wait. It's not like it's important.”

“I
disagree,” Ryans said. The Sergeant looked up. “Oh some of it was chaff, but
there were some interesting tidbits in there. Like the war pigs.”

“War
pigs?” the Sergeant asked, wrinkling his nose. “You're kidding I hope.”

Ryans
shook his head. “Fraid not Sarge, war pigs six legged monstrosities, head of a
warthog, with four great big serrated tusks. Temperament of your worst hung
over, caffeine deprived, angry DI after his wife and commander chewed his ass.”

The
Sergeant snorted. “Sounds hard to believe.”

“Oh
believe it. Remember that thing that chased the princesses a couple of months
ago on our trip here?” he asked. Waters nodded. He hadn't seen it but had heard
the reports of it. “I'm going to look it up in a minute. In fact that's why I
came here. It seems Duluth has a few... or did in the last war. Big nasty
things, a guard told me about it. I peeked at the skull in the den. Nasty.”

“Like
an ex wife I used to have. Probably prettier though,” the Sergeant deadpanned
with a small smile.

“More
than likely,” Ryans answered with a laugh. “But that was just one nugget. I'd
hate to see a couple of these beasts running amok on the battlefield. From the
looks of the skull it would take a bazooka round or fifty cal to put one down.”

“If
it got among the men...” the Sergeant said catching on.

“Yeah.”

“No
plan survives contact with the enemy, that's why they call them the enemy,” the
Sergeant said nodding. “But we know about it now. Damn, now I know why the
General wanted pikes and lancers among the musketeers,” he sighed, rubbing his
brow. Of course the bastard could have told him, he thought with a touch of
annoyance.

“Yup.
You may want to rethink that little tidbit. Also, he pointed out some nasty critters,
and something for Doc to put to her medical puzzle.”

“Do
tell...?” the Sergeant asked looking up. He wasn't sure he wanted to hear more
bad news but knew he needed to be aware of it.

“Well,
you can get a look at some of the war beasties in the den or stables yourself.
But as far as Doc's bit, well she's been on and on about bouts of rickets and
calcium deficiency affecting people. It turns out the animals don't produce
milk like Terrans do... and those that do use boron not calcium in their bone
structure.”

“Ah,”
the Sergeant nodded.

“Ah
indeed. We're going to have to check our diet. I'll get Gregory on it in a bit.
I want him to double check that little thing. Also have him overhaul what he
can here, dietary practices abroad, and for the army itself.”

The
Master Sergeant looked thoughtful. “Hmmm.”

“In
other words, better rations,” Ryans said smiling.

“Oh
I got that part. I was just wondering what other things we've been overlooking
from time to time,” the Sergeant sighed. “Ah the hell with it, what will come
will come.”

“Problem?”
he asked the next morning as he watched Deidra wince. She glared then tried to
tone down the glare when he winced. She'd been prickly and distant this
morning. He'd been distracted and had avoided the subject.

“Sore?”
he asked coming over to her. She wrinkled her nose at him. She had a riding
crop and gloves tucked under her arm. She was dressed in dark brown leathers.

“Going
out riding Princess Deidra?” Wanda asked amused. They looked over to her. Ryans
shrugged. “Which way? I can see who the top is obviously,” Wanda asked
wickedly. Ryans sighed, rolling his eyes.

“I
think not,” he said giving the princess a look. Her face twisted. “Cramp?” he
asked softly as her hand went to her middle. She snarled a little. He sighed
moving away. He shook his head.

“Ah...
it's ah... your womanly thing,” he said to Wanda. Deidra glared.

“That's
a private matter,” she snarled locking eyes with him.

He
shook his head. “Most of the time yes, your health is a concern for me. When
you’re biting my head off for being concerned it raises eyebrows. Mine
included.”

“You
Terran’s... always talking, always explaining,” she snarled slapping the riding
crop.

Wanda
gaped. “Wanda could you...” Ryans asked backing away, hands up.

“Yeah,”
she said giving him a look and disdainful sniff. “Sure, leave her in my hands.
Suurre.” She looked back at the angry princess clutching at her belly.

“Thanks,”
Ryans said retreating quickly.

“That
bad huh?” Wanda observed watching the princess gasp a little. She went over and
took the riding crop. “Come on dear, we'll see Doc, she can give you something
for the cramps and the pain. I've got a couple of pads you can use that should
help with the bleeding,” she said, wrinkling her nose at the smell. She held Deidra’s
elbow, steering her down the hall.

“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.