Bryn, together with the Tribal members helping with the Taming operation, organized into three teams. Then, together with Tasar, she made the rounds to each of the platoon leaders and filled every Taming slot they had open for the next morning. Their goal was to Tame as many beasts as they could before they left.
Turgan was heading up a retrofit of one of the larger, unused spaces in the lower level for rebels to house their new companions. That was one issue they hadn’t really had when Taming babies. A lot of the adults, though, didn’t fit well into daily activities inside the base.
With no time to waste, Tomis, Incedis and the rest of Titus’ crew were at the top of the list for new companions. Jules wanted one right away, too, but Pax told her she needed to spend some time getting used to her new magic first. She’d agreed as long as she got a companion before they deployed.
Their crew’s workshop bustled with activity when Pax checked in to answer questions. Crissim happened to be there and Pax let him know that he was the next on the list to get a secondary element.
If that worked out, Pax planned to work through the rest of the mages in his friend groups as quickly as possible. They wanted to build the rebellion’s strength as fast as possible, but Pax planned to do everything to ensure his friends got strong first to ensure they had the best chances of making it through the coming war alive.
Satisfied that everyone was making progress on essential tasks, Pax posted a list for element unlocking sign-ups on the door of their workshop. He wrote an explanation at the top that he would need ten-minutes to unlock a mage’s minor element and that he’d mostly be available in the evenings and early mornings.
Pax expected the committee’s endorsement and the war news to overcome any lingering reluctance for mages to get their new elements. He asked Rin to help with the sign-up process and screen the applicants she could. If she, Amil and Dahni could discover what element lay hidden in each mage, it would make his part of the process go faster when he got back.
Titus agreed he and his people would take on the process of springing Langley and his crew and guide them through officially joining the rebels. He promised to let Pax know when they needed his mental mana skills to verify the intentions of the Vanguard team.
Feeling overwhelmed with everything he needed to get done, Pax hurried through the base with Talpa by his side and Whisk flaring out when anyone got too close to him. Their protectiveness made him smile.
With a mental effort that was becoming easier the more he did it, Pax kept striding through the base and activated his altar interface. He contacted Solani 2-nine, and gave her an update on his new status with the committee, the news about the empire’s army, and the likely response of the rebels.
I can’t believe we’re at the point that outright civil war is actually happening. Her tone was sad and somewhat shocked.
It was inevitable. Pax’s jaw was tight as he made his way to their suite and hurried to his room. He needed some privacy and time to work with the altar. It was critical that he take care of the base if he was going to join the war effort and be gone for an unknown amount of time. Or—
His thoughts skipped a beat, but every street kid was a realist. Or—if he died. He couldn’t leave the base crippled without him. A sudden rush of gratitude filled him at having managers he could trust implicitly.
The suite was silent with everyone gone, and Pax wasted no time making it to his room and lying back onto his bed with a sigh. He closed his eyes and got busy.
2-nine? I’ve got to get everything ready to keep running here without me. Where do you recommend I start?
He caught a flash of surprise from his connection to her, followed immediately by a confident determination.
Magesecond Fenix is always saying how vulnerable you fleshbags are, so I’d like to ask you to promise me something first?
Anything. Pax didn’t hesitate.
Can you do whatever it takes to survive what’s coming? We all appreciate and care for you and your crew. We don’t want to lose you.
Pax let out a soft sigh. I feel the same way about all of you, too.
But we’re not the ones heading into a nasty war. And besides, as long as there is power here, we’re pretty much eternal. So, do me and my sister a favor and stay alive so we can help babysit the cute younglings you and Rin produce.
What? Pax choked on his next breath.
Oh, did you not want to talk about the future after the war? I think that looking forward to a wonderful future is inspiring and comforting when times get tough.
No, it’s not that. Rin and I are not . . . I mean, we’re just . . . Pax’s thoughts kept stuttering as he tried to explain.
Delighted laughter from Solani 2-nine pealed in his mind. Oh, child. You two are perfect for each other. Take it from someone who’s witnessed so many poor matchups to tell you that this one will make both of you happier and better than either of you is alone.
Her words made him think back to how he’d felt helping Rin unlock her ice and Pax felt uncomfortable enough that he shied away from scrutinizing it. That’s all very interesting, but we need to get busy with the altar and the progress you and Tyrodon have made getting the base up to full function, alright?
Of course. Solani’s tone was all business again, which helped Pax relax.
First, I need to make sure you and the other managers can manage the altar in my absence, especially if the worst happens.
Solani sighed. None of us want to imagine the worst, but you can give one of us temporary proxy controls over the altar, similar to what you did, allowing me to help Tyrodon with his issues in the power room. You would, of course, be able to take control back at any time, but it would allow us to operate on your behalf. It’s something that none of the light mages in the past ever did or likely even knew about. They never asked.
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Pax immediately understood the implications. The ancients used the mage copies to manage the tedious functions of the base, but never gave them any genuine power. Well, back then, they had an entire headquarters full of light mages to help. He didn’t have that. Besides, the four managers had become trusted friends and had a wealth of experience that was priceless.
Tell me how to do it. And do I put all four of you in charge or does there have to be a hierarchy?
Solani was silent for a long moment.
Pax remembered how she’d reacted when he’d delegated the control of the power room to her. You’re going to have to get used to how much I trust you. The four of you have proved yourself reliable repeatedly. None of us would have a chance of getting the base working the way it is without your help. You’re so good at it, I’m almost unneeded.
Nonsense. Without a light mage, we couldn’t have activated the altar. Then she paused and, with a teasing lilt to her words, sent, Though you might be a bit redundant, now that you’ve taken care of that.
He let out a surprised laugh, then replied in a sly tone, So, since Magesecond Fenix is the most senior manager, I should put him in charge when I leave?
Oh, Vitur. Please don’t.
Pax’s peals of laughter rang out in his empty room. Fine. I’ll put you in charge with the other three able to vote together to veto a decision of yours they don’t agree with. Does that seem reasonable?
If you’re sure. 2-nine was back to serious. You could just leave a list of directives for us to work on enacting, you know. Then you wouldn’t be giving up control of the base to us.
See. That’s exactly why I trust you with this. Isn’t there a saying about only those who don’t seek power are qualified to hold it?
Are you sure that isn’t just a way to justify unloading all the work of running this place onto someone else?
Pax smiled, but kept a serious tone. If I don’t make it back, we both know this place will eventually fall apart, because you won’t be able to adapt to any changes in the future. And I’ve got a feeling that this place might become critical to the survival of the empire. So, I’m trusting it to the four of you.
Before she could say anything further, Pax addressed the altar. I, Commander Vipersworn, give indefinite permission for Magetwentyninth Solani to act on my behalf when I am not reachable for any reason. She can give and remove permissions for others to assist her. The only exception is that Magefortyfifth Solani, Magesecond Fenix and Magethirtyfirst Fenix can override any of her decisions with unanimous agreement between them. When I am in contact, the four managers have permissions to do anything necessary to advance the current directives. Please report any actions they take in my daily check-ins.
The altar responded a beat later. Understood. Instituting Magetwentyninth Solani as proxy for Commander Vipersworn when he is out of contact. Magefortyfifth Solani, Magesecond Fenix and Magethirtyfirst Fenix have veto power over Magetwentyninth Solani.
Solani 2-nine let out a wry chuckle with more than a touch of disbelief. You actually did it.
Of course, I did. Now, it’s time to get to work. Altar, please show me the latest update.
***
List of current directives and their status:
- Conserve enough energy in the altar storage crystal to maintain functions for a period of two months.
Status: Achieved. Energy reserves are stable and sufficient for 120 days of autonomous operation.
- Establish a connection to power sources, starting with the main power station in the basement.
Status: Achieved. Main power station operating at 60% capacity. Additional resources and work required to increase output. Completion time estimated at 2-4 weeks.
- Initiate a full system diagnostic upon power restoration.
Status: Complete for currently explored base sections. See below.
Currently ~52% of the base is functional, including the following based on data when base was fully functional:
- 72% of altar’s full functions.
- 60% of main power station.
- 30% of possible living quarters.
- 1 of 4 dining halls.
- 25% of workshop facilities.
- 100% of student elemental training rooms.
- 6 of 20 golem protectors.
- 62% of base protective shields.
- 33% of base repellant fields.
- 40% of storage facilities.
- 38% of climate control and air filtration.
- 29% of water and waste controls.
Unknown status ~35% of base unexplored and unpowered. These now include the following important locations:
- 1 main vault and 2 minor vaults.
- Main armory and 3 ancillary storages.
- Main library and student library.
- Main communications room and 2 satellites.
- Main infirmary and 2 small clinics.
- Senior mage training room.
- Warrior training room.
- Various crafting facilities including: Alchemy, artifact crafting, enchanting, repair, and various other workshops.
- 3 recreation rooms.
- Repair systems based on critical functionality and security.
Status: Initiated. Prioritizing power and defensive systems.
Would Commander Vipersworn like to change the priority of the current directives?
Yes/No?
***
Pax quickly selected ‘No’ and tucked his hands behind his head on the pillow. Wow. Quite the progress since the last time I checked.
Solani’s tone was pleased. You aren’t the only one working on this, you know. Despite the committee dragging their heels, the exploration teams are very motivated to finish exploring the base. With our guidance, they’ve reached a lot of the critical sections. And if there’s a group of rebels we managers respect, it’s the crafters. They are a force to be reckoned with, and the committee has given them almost completely free rein to improve the base.
Pax scanned over the numbers again, the worry that he’d be leaving the rebellion in the lurch with a half-crippled base easing a lot. Then what are the next steps?
It depends on when you think you’re leaving.
Pax ran over everything they still had to do before they left and weighed it against the urgency to mobilize as many troops as possible to counter the empire’s actions. He knew he and his friends needed to strengthen the rebels already heading to take on the full might of the empire’s army.
But it would be a waste to leave the troops in the base without the bonuses of Tamed companions and new spell slots. How fast could they work their way through the people here?
A week. I think we can afford to spend a week finishing as much as possible and then all of us will need to join the war for real.
Solani 2-nine blew out a breath. Then we’ll get as much done in a week as we can. We will help leverage the work only you can do to reach as many people as possible. Give me the night to plan with the other managers, and we’ll have a schedule for you first thing in the morning.
Pax sat up in his bed with a smile at her efficiency, despite the urgency pushing him to not waste a minute. You could give the committee a lesson on efficiency, you know.
That’s at the top of my list now that you’ve made me your proxy.
Pax laughed in delight as he hurried out of his room and made a beeline back to the workshop. He’d squeeze in work, awakening as many of the Viper littles as he could before dinner and then move on to the mages needing elements unlocked afterward.
That just left squeezing in a late-night visit with Jane before bed. He’d been careful working with her. His efforts had improved her health immensely, so perhaps she was ready for a push. Something that prompted her to remember him and Titus would be amazing. Leaving her here at the base, still unable to recognize her sons, while they left for war was too distressing.
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