I’m heading to breakfast, Solani 4-five. I’ll be there in a few minutes. Is that enough time to tell me your news? Pax threaded his way through the halls bustling with morning traffic as the base woke up. He’d been up since the middle of the night, and a hot plate or two of breakfast sounded heavenly.

  Of course. I only interrupted you because this is important and may or may not require your intervention.

  Pax’s stomach tightened at her words, but he kept his stride even. Over the frantic pace of their time at the base, he’d quickly learned that taking care of himself was crucial to his stamina. Whatever the news, he’d grab some breakfast before taking care of it.

  The new exploration and training crews that have been combing through the unexplored sections of the base have found something, several somethings.

  Oh? Now Pax’s stomach was doing flip-flops of excitement. The treasury? The armory? What did they find?

  Both. A late crew last night cleared the path to the wing where the main treasury is located. I didn’t inform you because they weren’t sure of what they found, and you were busy. I planned to tell you when you did your morning check-in.

  Initially, the exploration crew couldn’t get the door open, so they sent a notification to the committee about their valuable find. The committee instructed them to guard the location overnight. But now, they’ve dispatched people to get it open. Also, a few of the crew who got bored with guard duty stumbled across the door to the main armory, which is in the same section of the base.

  Finally, a second, unrelated crew just broke through to the wing where the main library is located. I expect they’ll be able to get inside in short order. It’s not built as impregnable as the treasury and armory. I expect the years of deterioration have left more than one way to get inside. Her voice took on a tinge of mixed excitement and sadness. I know books aren’t as exciting as coin and weapons, but this discovery makes me wonder how much of our heritage is still intact after all these years. Not to mention, Magefifteenth Eldric was the head librarian last I knew.

  Eldric? Pax’s brow rose as he stepped into the dining hall, his mouth watering at the delicious smells that greeted him. The offerings at mealtimes had improved as more supplies had come in, and Dahni’s new gardening venture took off.

  Yes. And the Eldric line helped a lot with maintenance of the base. If we can get even one of them back online, it will speed up our efforts to get everything fully functional. She hesitated for a moment before continuing. And it would be nice to have someone else to talk to.

  Pax laughed. You mean other than the two Fenix curmudgeons?

  There was an embarrassed silence before she said, Maybe.

  Pax shifted impatiently from foot to foot as he waited in line to get his food. It was obvious the line grew exponentially as the morning got later. But he’d wanted to help as many of the mages as he could this morning, which made him later than usual.

  “Hey, let Vipersworn up to the front here.”

  As heads turned his way, Pax realized someone was speaking to him over the thrum of conversations in the food line. At the front of the line, he saw a young warrior waving for his attention.

  “Yeah, he’s the guy who brought Taming to us rebels and has been giving new elements to our mages. He doesn’t have time to wait in line.” A crafter woman standing next to the warrior raised her voice to be heard over the others.

  The surrounding area quieted as people looked between Pax and the other two. To his surprise, instead of irritation at the two up front telling him to skip the line, he saw nods and smiles of agreement. In moments, the people in front of him parted, motioning for him to move up and get his food.

  Pax’s first instinct was to flush in embarrassment at the sudden flood of attention and approval. Then he felt his breath catch, and his eyes stung. The unexpected swell of emotions caught him by surprise. He forced himself to straighten and meet their gazes as he followed their urging and walked to the front of the line.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Moving through the approving gazes to either side of him was a new experience for him. It made all the long hours, frantic effort, and dangers they’d spent most of the last year fighting their way through suddenly feel worth it.

  This was the reaction he’d been hoping to receive when he’d first arrived. On the surrounding faces, he could see acknowledgment of how valuable what he and his crew brought to the rebellion was.

  Pax and his friends might have had to coerce the committee members into acknowledging that, but the troops on the ground had taken nowhere near as long. And considering they would be the first to put their lives on the line, he understood why.

  Words of gratitude and recognition came from either side as he made his way to the food. Hands clapped him on his back, while others reached down to give Talpa a quick stroke.

  Even Whisk took a moment to bulge out from under Pax’s armor, adding two gelatinous hands that waved gleefully at the spectators. His antics got quite a few chuckles instead of the instinctive flinching and fear Pax had seen in the past.

  A quick glance around made it obvious that attitudes had changed about Tamed beasts. There was a smattering of various companions that were small enough to fit in the dining hall with their partners. Pax knew the rest were likely enjoying the new companion quarters on one of the newly cleared lower floors. Things were looking up, and Pax suddenly felt as if they were finally making a meaningful impact.

  When Pax finished piling two plates with everything that looked and smelled good, he grabbed an empty seat. He gave Talpa and Whisk their portions and then devoured his own as quickly as possible. Around him, most gave him space to eat, but the nods of approval and occasional pat on his shoulder from someone walking by left him bemused.

  He’d spent so long on the outskirts of society as a street rat and then as a young upstart butting heads with those in charge that he wasn’t quite sure what to do now that most people around him were sending supportive glances his way.

  As he worked his way through his meal, Pax settled on a determination to continue doing his best. His goals hadn’t changed, but now he had people to fight for who actually wanted to succeed and would listen to his ideas and instructions.

  The group of mages sent by the committee is on their way to the wing with the armory and treasury. They should arrive in another twenty minutes. What are your instructions, Commander Vipersworn?

  Pax stiffened as the information delivered in Solani 4-five’s more formal tone penetrated. He shoveled in his last few bites, barely chewing before swallowing. I’m on my way.

  Solani 4-five hesitated. Perhaps you’d like to delegate? Don’t you have plans to finish some of the crew quest today? And aren’t you close to reaching your next mage level? Dealing with the committee’s attempts to usurp your authority in this case will not help with either of those goals. Might I suggest sending your brother, some of his crew, or perhaps Mages Incedis and Eldan to handle this? The committee’s mages might respond better to them in any case.

  Pax stopped mid-chew. Solani 4-five’s words completely derailed the direction of the plans he’d been making. He immediately knew she was right. And what was the point of gathering loyal people to his cause if he continued to do everything on his own?

  You’re right. Can you get word to Titus and Incedis, since I need Eldan for the awakenings? Update them on the situation and leave it to their discretion to do what’s best for the rebellion while keeping reasonable control for us.

  Solani 4-five paused for a beat before replying. You’re not too bad at this delegating thing. And I know I speak for all the managers when I say thank you for trusting us and giving us more control than any light mage has in the past, not to mention a commander.

  Well, I’m doing my best not to imitate the arrogant flicks who think they know more than everyone else. Pax set his fork down on his tray and leaned back with a soft groan. Maybe he shouldn’t have eaten so fast. Quick question. How much of the communications system have you reestablished in the base?

  Pretty much any area that has power will also have speaker devices allowing the managers to project their voices. So, we can’t speak privately to anyone not directly bound to the altar like you, but if you need to get word to any area of the base currently occupied, one of us can do that.

  Great! Can you let the following people know I need them to meet me in our workshop as soon as possible, and then let me know when they can make it? Pax paused for a moment to order his thoughts. I need Crissim, so I can give him his secondary element. But don’t mention that part out loud unless he’s alone. I also need Kai, so I can awaken the last little needed to complete that part of the quest. Then, can you notify everyone who needs to join us for both of those, including the non-mages on my crew, so I can make sure they get proper credit for the quest?

  Got it. Solani went quiet for a minute while Pax cleaned up his food tray. All right. Crissim is on his way with the rest of your crew, including the ones that just got back from a night of Taming. I’ll track down Kai and send him along as soon as possible. Good luck.

  Thank you. Pax stood and grabbed his tray, Talpa already moving to follow him, with Whisk slipping back under his armor. I’ll get busy as soon as they arrive. And let the other managers know to get those rewards ready. We should earn at least two of them today.

  With an excited grin, Pax barely kept himself to a fast walk through the crowded halls back to his workshop. He couldn’t wait to see exactly what the quest rewards would be.

  I just finished book 7 of System Universe by SunriseCV. I really enjoy that series as it seems to have a new major plotline with every book that I enjoy.

  What about you?

  Here are twenty more chapters to keep you up even longer:. #sorrynotsorry :)

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