Dusts of Avalon - Beastwithin.org

VI. A H M TDaleworth blinked. A lowly lieutenant explaining the purpose of the entirebran of service to one of its new bosses? Yes, the military was working just asone expected it to work. “Yes, mr. President! e World Federation Space MarineCorps is a bran of service that specialises in high-mobility rapid deploymentoperations from aboard starships, sir! We work in close cooperation with theWorld Federation Space Fleet, and generally land on enemy-occupied zones inother worlds, bringing in armoured infantry where the enemy least expects them— or, as we saw in Paris, where the enemy definitely expects them. In principle,it is quite similar to this station of yours, sir: Spaceships that can drop heavilyarmoured infantry anywhere in the world.”“I see. So wherever the enemy goes, we go?”Daleworth wasn't quite sure if this was stupid or insightful. “Prey mu so,sir.”“Very good. Now — Lancelot, wert thou spying on us?” Arthur asked.“No doing of my own, sire”, Lancelot replied from his cylinder. “I found to mysurprise that I am unable to sleep, or even divert my aention from the images ofthe amber that the necromancer floods my mind with.”“Pardon me, sire”, Merlin said, not very happy how things were going, “butthere was a slight tenical issue with the armour.”Fyrehart coughed. “Are we done, mr. President?” Without waiting for ananswer, he continued, “Now that we have this over with, I'd have a few questionsof my own from my new general and… scientific staff member.”“By all means”, Arthur said.“How many people and these… armours of yours you are bringing in? Howmany knights, exactly?”“Our knights number thirty-three. And we have Merlin here, as well.”“And your nature appears rather… curious. What exactly did you mean whenyou said you are a ‘man no longer’ and how you ‘died a treaerous death’? How…how exactly have you survived for millennia, or if that can be even be calledsurvival?”“I am quite puzzled, because that question would have been my first question”,Arthur said. “Perhaps Merlin can answer that in a satisfactory manner…”“Ah.” Merlin said. “I could. But would you really comprehend it?” Merlinturned to Dr. Colbert. “You have brought in your solar — undoubtedly a remarkablewoman, or she wouldn't have been brought here on this… historic meeting— but she has not uered a word during your proceedings. Is this how yourespect wisdom?”President Malory raised his arms. “Rest assured, Merlin, we are people whoregard sciences and resear in highest esteem. Perhaps—”“Oh, you value scientists? You value scientists? And you brought a singlewoman aboard. If you can demonstrate how mu you value scientists, mr. Pres-