The Pauper Princess and the Way of the Trilobite - Part 12
Part eleven is here.
What: a fanfiction for Girl Genius, featuring my literary stand-in and stunt double Mara
Time: bearing down on six months after the events of Another Story
Legal disclaimer stuff:
"This story is not approved by, sponsored by or affiliated with Studio Foglio LLC or Airship Entertainment."
The Pauper Princess Fanfiction Theatre Presents:
The Pauper Princess and the Way of the Trilobite - Part 12!
Mara switched off her talkbox and returned to the Family Room, where Family Time had been briefly interrupted while she answered Her Ladyship's call. She smiled at the children still in play, then did her best to silently convey to Kelvin that the call had not been a social one. She whispered to him that they'd discuss what she knew later.
Kelvin had brought his lute, but singing had been postponed until Mara's return. She wanted to watch little Edward playing with his "chemical elements" blocks first. Each wooden block represented an element from the periodic table; she hoped that he might lay them out in order, but instead he was just stacking them up as high as he could, only to knock them down again while making explosion sounds. So much for any Spark signs... yet. He was only three years old, though.
"Poppa? Momma?" said Isabel, busy with her crayon drawings. "May I bring the Jäger to school tomorrow?"
Her parents exchanged looks. Kelvin did a double take to see if Mara really was paling suddenly. She was. He decided to answer for them both. "I'm... We don't think that's a good idea, honey," he said. Mara shook her head in agreement. "But we're curious why you want them in school with you?"
"Tomorrow is Job Day," said Isabel. "Mrs. Seinfrich wants us to bring somebody to talk about their job."
"What sort of ‘job' do you think they have?" he asked.
She shrugged. "They serve Heterodynes," she said. "So... their job is whatever we say it is, right?"
"No," said her mother. "That's not how it works. They might ‘do whatever we say,' but they're soldiers first. We must respect that. Speaking of their ‘serving Heterodynes,' remember, honey; people still don't know about us."
"Why?"
"It's... We're not ready to yet," said her mother. "There's still much work to be done first. So please, you must continue as before. Don't go about denying what we are, but don't tell people, either."
Her father nodded. "And the Jäger are just visiting Guildern like any other guest here."
"Dietrich said that Jäger don't visit Guildern because it's boring," said Isabel. Her father sighed and rolled his eyes. "But don't worry; I told them it's not boring and that there are many educational entertainments here!"
"Thank you, honey," said her father. "You surely straightened them out."
"So, may I bring them?"
"No," said her mother. "I'm sorry, honey. We hadn't been clear. They will not accompany you to school."
"But whyyyyyyy?"
"Oh, that's really not helping your case."
"Is it because they look scary?" said Isabel. "They won't hurt anyone. Remember? They knelt before me and Edward and Silas and swore to protect us!"
"Yes, they did, but-"
"With their lives!"
"Isabel!" her mother snapped with unexpected force. Isabel shrank back and went wide-eyed. "We have told you our decision, and you will respect it! We said No!"
A silence fell on the room. Even Edward stopped playing with his blocks as if afraid to make a sound. Mara quickly tamped down her anger and prepared to voice an apology; Kelvin put a hand on her thigh.
"Dear?" he said.
"I'm sorry, Momma," said Isabel, her eyes moistening and voice wavering. "I didn't know you'd get so angry. I'm sorry. Please don't be angry!"
"Sweetie; come here," said her mother gently, leaning forward and holding her arms wide. Isabel jumped to her feet and ran over. Edward, not one to miss out on such things, followed her and was swept into their father's arms. When Silas realized he was left out, he whimpered until his father freed up an arm to embrace him, too.
"I'm not angry with you," said Mara, and kissed the top of her daughter's head. "It was wrong for me to raise my voice like that. You've done nothing wrong. I know you're fond of our Jägerkin friends, but... please. You must trust our judgment."
"Yes, Momma."
"I think it's time for a song," said Kelvin. The others quite agreed. He set down Edward to pick up his lute.
"I have one!" said Isabel, pulling away from her mother and smiling as if there had never been tears. "Poppa, you know this:
Mechanicsburg, Mechanicsburg, Welcome to Mechanics-!"
"Nooooo," Kelvin groaned. "Please, we've been hearing that for months!"
"But I like it!"
"Yes, but not everyone shares your sustained enthusiasm for it," he said. "Not that we don't love the city or our dear cousin there. But what other songs do we know?"
Mara perked up. "Itsy Bitsy Spider?"
Isabel scoffed. "That's a kids' song."
"Ah...But-"
"I know another one!" said Isabel. "Poppa, if I sing it, can you figure out the notes to play?"
"As long as you sing clearly, honey," he said.
Isabel smiled, then thought about the words. She moved her hand in tempo while singing.
"Als Büblein klein an der Mutterbrust,
Hop heißa bei Regen und Wiiind
Da war der Sekt schon meine Lust-"
"Isabel," said her mother, "Where did you learn that? I'm fairly certain that's a drinking song!"
"I dunno," she said. "I've just heard people singing it before."
"Well, I don't-"
"But, Momma, there's more! Denn der Regen, der regnet jeglichen Taaaaaaaaaa-" As Isabel held the note, another one somehow issued from her throat, intercepted it, and created a new note from the union. She stopped suddenly and made a face.
"Oh, that was weird," she said.
"It's all right, honey," said her father, who had been strumming along. "Keep going."
"Hold on," said her mother, putting her hand over the lute's strings. "You sound like-Isabel, do you think you could do that again? Make that sound again?"
"I don't know what I did before."
"Well... try," she said. "For me? Just relax and take your time."
"Um... Yes, Momma," she said, and mentally backtracked to the last lyric.
"Regen, der regnet jeglichen Taaaaaaaaaaaaaa-"
The extra note made another appearance. On her mother's encouragement, she held it as long as she could. "Momma, is that what you wanted?"
"I like it!" Edward chimed in. Little Silas was gurgling happily and reaching out to his big sister.
"So do I," said their mother, and smiled.
"Momma," said Isabel, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
She rubbed her daughter's shoulder. "It's just a special thing that some people in the family can do. That is, you... and Cousin Agatha... are the only ones I've heard sing that way."
Isabel widened her eyes and gasped happily.
***********************
The adult Mousehearts met presently so Mara could pass on what she'd heard. The others had read about Dinnunder in school, but only knew the basic "England's criminals shipped away" story. She passed on that New Europa had apparently been attacked by them, and that Agatha was going to track down the source. Without any more information than that, the King and Queen decreed that they would wait for more news. The Prince and Princess, however, knew that there was work to do.
Her Ladyship had not contacted Mara again since earlier in the day. Mara kept the talkbox with her, as always, as she resumed her rounds. She had summoned the four Jäger to accompany her, mostly to keep them out of trouble, but for another reason, too. She brought them to her secret workshop to, as she put it, provide their "expert opinion" on her custom suit. But they were a bit more nonplussed about her technology than she would have preferred.
Dietrich grinned and pointed a thumb at it. "Dese schmott guyz, dey make de fency armor und veapons und klenks, und den ve Jäger make leedle piles uf rubble uf dem. Right, brodders?"
He was too busy trying to elicit chuckles from his companions to notice that the only thing missing from Mara's death glare was steam coming from her ears. Augustus grabbed Dietrich by the shoulders and switched places with him, to the other's mild confusion.
"Prinzess, hyu must forgiff our brodder," said Augustus. "He iz goot Jäger, but iz not alvays... uh, how hyu say...?"
"I get it," she said, and took in a deep, stress-relieving breath. She calmly bade Augustus to step aside so she could look Dietrich up and down for an uncomfortably long time - for them. She nodded to herself and opened up the suit. It was her turn to point a thumb at it.
"Dietrich," she said, "Please step inside, won't you?"
"Prinzess...?"
"Do it," said Augustus.
It was a bit of a squeeze in places, but Dietrich otherwise fit well enough for the suit to be closed, locked, and powered up. Mara addressed the rest of them. "Gentlemen," she said, "Would you mind trying to reduce my fancy armor and weapons into a little pile of rubble? Without harming your companion, of course. I brought you here for this very purpose: pitting my work against the legendary prowess of the Jäger. Are you up to it?"
The unarmored three huddled, and as one, were ready and armed as soon as their huddle broke.
"Hyu got it, Prinzess!" said Piotr. To Mara's horror, the Jäger leaped immediately into a brawl against their companion, smacking at the suit with their weapons. Dietrich at first awkwardly blocked their attacks with his arms. When no damage occurred, he went on the offense, and any equipment, tools, devices, or furniture unfortunate enough to be nearby was reduced to scrap. This took about eight seconds.
"STOP STOP STOP STOOOP!!" she shouted from a safe distance. They were puzzled but still obedient. The brawl ceased, and the group looked back.
"But, Prinzess," said Axel, "Ve iz pitting our prowess, like hyu esked!"
"Not in here!" she grunted. "Good Lord!" She pointed firmly to the door. "Outside! Now! Go on! Spit spot!"
The contrite group tromped upstairs and outside. Mara took a moment to mourn the partial destruction of her workshop. There were undamaged bits and bobs which turned out to be random castings and even tools made of the Guildern steel. She gathered them up and joined the waiting four.
In a field a half-kilometer from populated Guildern, Mara sat in a chair and took notes as the unarmored three did their best to dismantle their armored brother. Prior to their sparring match she had given Dietrich an overview of the suit's workings, along with the very strict command not to activate its cutting beam. She wanted all of their limbs to remain attached. Anything else was fair game.
So far, so bad for them: Dietrich was doing a fine job of keeping all of the parts together. On two occasions Mara had to dodge a flying Jägermonster, who would then pick himself up and leap right back into the fray - after checking on de Prinzess first.
When their usual weapons were smashed, bent, and shattered on the steel, Mara divvied up the bits and bobs she'd brought, including a crowbar, among them. Augustus seized that with a grin. Ten minutes later, he and the others had finally managed to remove sizable chunks of the armor, albeit not from breaking it, but by exploiting gaps and locking mechanisms. A lot of leverage and sweat finally reduced the fancy armor and weapons to a pile of... intact, but disassembled parts.
Mara stood and congratulated the four on their work. Grins and expressions of gratitude followed.
"Gentlemen," she said, "Having given this a vigorous workout, would anything like this be of interest to you?"
"Hoh, yas," said Piotr for the group. "But Prinzess, ve tot hyu kingdom vaz peaceful und borink? No fightink or vars. Vhy make tings like dis?"
"All right," she said with noticeable irritation, "You must all stop referring to Guildern as ‘boring.' We get a lot of repeat visitors, you know. In fact, we're second to Mechanicsburg in income for Her Ladyship's coffers."
"Ah, ve din mean-"
"Var is comink," said Axel. "Ve ken tell dese tings."
Mara was surprised by his words, then became somber and began to fidget. "Yes, I suppose you would have a sense for such things," she said. "I honestly don't know if war is coming, but something is brewing. And... Guildern must be prepared for anything. I must be prepared for anything. Prepared to face my fears and do my duty, for my people and New Europa."
"Fears?" Dietrich scoffed. "Heterodynes gots no fears."
"Vot our brodder iz sayink," said Augustus, "Iz hyu should haff no fear. Ve vill protekt hyu, alvays."
"Ve iz alvays prepared," said Axel.
"Und ve vill not fail hyu, Prinzess," said Piotr. "...Not again."
*****
The next morning Mara was contacted again on her talkbox. Agatha's message was very brief: "I'm coming. Be there as soon as I can." Then she shut off the device before Mara could respond. But it gave the Mousehearts time to alert the Captain of the Guard to be on special lookout for anyone or anything approaching from Mechanicsburg's direction.
In ten minutes a tiny figure was spotted in the air and approaching rapidly. By the time Seamus tightened his grip on one of the Princess' new devices for defense - a rather large cannon - a gleaming figure of white and gold was hovering mere meters away from its dangerous end. The fact that there was a large Heterodyne insignia on the chest told Seamus to remove his hands from the weapon and step back.
"Good morning!" he called out. "Greetings to the emissary of Her Ladyship Most High!"
The flier flipped up his... ah, her faceplate. Her Ladyship Most High now addressed him.
"Where is the royal family?" she asked.
******
Kelvin and Mara raced at top speed through the halls until coming upon Agatha in the foyer. She had the helmet removed and was holding it under one arm. Mara embraced her as well as could be done around the bulky armor.
"How have you been?" asked Mara, knowing it was not her most intelligent question. "Uh... good or ill news?"
Agatha tilted her head and gave a Look. "We need to convene somewhere private. Now."
The private conference room turned out to be the King's and Queen's chambers; Agatha had insisted that all of the adult Mousehearts hear her news. The King lay prone this time; it was too uncomfortable for him to be upright prior to his treatment. Agatha stood next to his bed to give him a better view and hearing.
"We're at war," she said. The Mousehearts' initial reply was silence. "Mara, I don't believe that you heard, but the land of Dinnunder has threatened to destroy everyone in thirty days - or twenty-nine now - if we don't evacuate. All of New Europa." The Mousehearts were still quiet. "That means we have fifteen days to gather our forces and meet them first."
" 'Meet them' how?" said Mara. "Where?"
"There," she said. "In Dinnunder."
"You're going to go there?" said Mara. "If this is the place we think it is, we checked a globe, and it's very far away. Thousands of kilometers! The logistics of--! How do you mean to-? Is this expected to be a surprise attack? Do you-?"
"I understand that you have many questions," she said. "Without getting into detailed strategic discussions, the three of us decided that Tarvek will be the ‘brains,' and Gil and I will be the ‘brawn.' Not that any one of us couldn't be the ‘brain,' of course. But the truth is that Tarvek edges us out for long-term and complex strategies. He's already got reams of plans for this. Gil and I are the ones to make them happen."
"What diplomatic means have been attempted?" asked Kelvin. "These people just... showed up and declared war? What do they want? Why New Europa?"
"We think that they want England," said Agatha. "And they've decided that we're the ones to go through. Not Africa, but us. Set up a base of operations, mostly likely. Unfortunately a lot of this is conjecture until we get solid information. As for diplomacy, it will be attempted, but I would not pin your hopes on it. Even Tarvek gives it a snowball's chance."
"I see," said Mara said, then perked up. "Were you able to track down the source of their message?"
"In a sense," said Agatha. "And it's not just communication, but weaponry. They have something that cut one of Gil's ships in half in seconds. And I'm not sure what to make of what I found. The signal appears to have come from over thirty-six thousand kilometers away. From straight up." She pointed skyward for emphasis.
"That would..." said Mara, "That would put the source well beyond Earth's atmosphere. That's in space!"
"What are you saying?" said Kelvin. "People from space declared war on us?"
"Highly doubtful," said Agatha, then appeared thoughtful. "Then again...?"
The King's condition made his voice a hoarse whisper. "Guildern... must remain at peace."
"That's our goal, your Majesty," said Agatha. "Stopping them where they dwell so that nobody here goes to war. And nobody needs to evacuate. No matter what, we will not flee. We will fight for our lands. We will remove this threat. We will win!" If she noticed the lack of patriotic fervor in the Mousehearts in the wake of her speech, she did not show it. She gripped Mara's shoulders tightly. "Mara," she said, "I need you to be my Techmistress!"
"That... sounds nice," she said. "But what-?"
"As much as I'd love to do all my own work," said Agatha, "I can't run the Heterodyne offensive and sit in a lab, creating weapons. No. No, I need you for that. You, with your quick thinking and clever disguising of your devices. Think of it; the Heterodyne Girls, a team at last!! Nothing will stop us!!"
"Stop it!" said Mara. "Just stop for a moment!"
Agatha did, but quickly became irritated."You're still doing this? Now?"
"No," said Mara. "I'm just trying to pull you from the Madness before you start ranting about ‘showing them all!' "
"Hmph," said Agatha. "You don't know I would have said that."
"Oh, honestly, every Spark does, given enough time," said Mara.
"True," said Agatha. "Even you, of all people."
"I? When?" She turned to Kelvin. "Darling, have I ever ‘showed them all' before?"
"Yes," he said, and scratched his head in thought. "In fact, it was during our first visit to Mechani--Oh, now you've gotten me off track. Agatha, we only wish to know what it is that you expect of us. Of Guildern."
"For starters," she said, "Mara: what's your answer? Will you be my Techmistress?"
Mara looked among her immediate family, then back to her cousin. "You want me to make your weapons."
"Narrow thinking," she said. "I'm not chaining you to a lab to mass-produce death rays and clanks. You'd be a top contributor to our side. In charge of the hard and soft ware. The key designer for our tech. In short, you and I would be partners."
"Partners," said Mara distantly.
"I'm not romanticizing this," said Agatha. "War is not an adventure. But will you stand with me?" She held out a hand.
Kelvin stepped beside his wife. "Uh...Before anyone shakes hands..."
"...You're asking me to go with you," finished Mara. "To Dinnunder. Aren't you?"
"Yes, I am," said Agatha. "For what it's worth, your role will be noncombatant."
"That's the expectation," said Mara.
"Mara, you can't do this," said Kelvin. The Queen, who was generally content to listen, stood and echoed her son's sentiment. The King mustered the strength to add his voice against her leaving. The Mousehearts were unanimous in that, and overlapped their words in a cavalcade of pleas and arguments.
"You are of peace!" "-needed here!" "-pick someone else!" "-Guildern needs you!" "-we need you!" "-love you!" "-think of the children!"
"I am thinking of the children!" Mara said emphatically enough, without overpowering them in volume, to quell the noise. The overlapping eventually died down. "They're all that I'm thinking of," she said in a deceptively calm tone.
"Then you know that you can't leave them!" said Kelvin.
"No," she said. "It's because of them that I have to say Yes."
"That's ridiculous-!"
"It is not!" said Mara. "Dearest husband. Father. Mother Queen. Guildern has never seen war. I have. You know that was my old life. But back then, I fought because it's all I knew. I fought for nothing. For the first time, I have something to fight for."
"No..."
"Yes," she whispered, and embraced Kelvin and the Queen for a full minute, then bent down to hug the King where he lay. It was excruciating for him, but he never showed it. She turned her attention back to Agatha and caught her wiping at her eye.
"Uh..." she said, fumbling to return her glasses, "Lot of dust in the air here. Eye irritants-So. You've accepted my offer?"
"Yes." Mara held out her hand. After a pause, Agatha shook it, just barely suppressing a smile. Kelvin and the others could not watch this scene.
"The clock is ticking," said Agatha. "I know you have scores of questions, and I'll answer the ones that I know. Then in fourteen days, I need you in Mechanicsburg with everything you've got."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Not 'Ma'am,' " said Agatha. "We're partners. We're the Heterodyne Girls!"
Mara looked again to her family, then back to Agatha and nodded once. "That we are," she said.
Part thirteen is here.