Starship Armstrong - Season 2

Part 16 - Sides (VI)

A small scout team Was quickly dispatched to find Gibson and Gul, who should be easily identifiable with their white Exploration Fleet uniforms. For a group that claimed not to believe in rules or authority they sure snapped-to when Oola told them to do something.

Once he had gotten out of his shell Wagner had proved quite skilled and enthusiastic about improving the locals' weapons. In addition to introducing them to elementary rifling he was able to introduce them to percussion caps. He had spent the last two hours experimenting with different gunpowder mixtures.

The locals were highly self-sufficient, and almost all of them knew how to build and maintain their own guns. This made spreading these new upgrades extremely easy.

Wagner presented some of his most enthusiastic students with paper cartridges containing his newest mix. After firing a few rounds they were all very impressed.

"I can't believe the difference!" exclaimed Boo, taking a whiff of the smoke coming from his gun, a true rifle now.

"You need to tell us how to make it!" said Hur.

"It's fairly simple. I mostly used the same ingredients you're already using. It's the ratio that's key."

In addition to the gunmen, Mitzner and Oola had been observing the demonstration from a ways away. Mitzner stepped forward and tapped Wagner's shoulder.

"That's enough for now, Ensign. Coordinator Oola and I are going to have a chat. Don't tell anyone anything about weaponry until I get back. Teach them about irrigation."

"Uh," began Wagner, but Mitzner was already walking back to the Coordinator, who didn't look pleased. The new walked off, whispering.

Boo, Hurr and Veers all turned to look at Wagner expectantly.

"I don't know anything about irrigation," he said, sheepishly.

* * *

"I thought we had a deal," said Oola.

"We do," said Mitzner "I said we'd help improve your weapons and we did. A little rifling is one thing, but before I hand over this gunpowder recipe I have a few questions."

"What would those be?" asked Oola.

"I'm not 100% following Foundation protocol here giving you weapons technology without a formal assessment of the general tech level of this planet," Mitzner admitted "If I'm going to put my thumb on the scale of this conflict any more than I already have I need to know: what's all this about? It's obvious you expect someone to attack this bridge. Who is it and why?"

"You are correct. We expect the Objectivist Alliance to attack the bridge any day now. It is the only way in or out of Liberty Valley except over treacherous mountains. This is the last defensible position between the Alliance and our homes. If this bridge falls, the Libertine Co-Prosperity Sphere falls."

"What does the Alliance want?" asked Mitzner.

"To wipe out our culture," said Oola "For there to never be another Libertine. We're a 'threat', you see, to their 'way of life'. They don't realize that they can't kill an idea. We may die, but Liberty can only sleep. We will live on in the minds of their grandchildren. They will take the bridge, even with your new weapons that is a certainty, but we fight back, and they will sing songs of the glory of our last stand. Our deaths will inspire the next revolution."

"Alright," said Mitzner, smiling "You've convinced me. You can have the gunpowder."

"I appreciate it," said Oola.

"And once my friends are safe, I'm going to stay and fight with you," Mitzner continued "I'm a sucker for lost causes."

"I appreciate the solidarity, but there's no reason for you to die here with us," said Oola, suddenly concerned.

"I didn't say anything about dying," said Mitzner "I may like lost causes but I hate losing. The trick with a lost cause is: to win."

Oola put her hand on Mitzner's shoulder.

"I think you and I will be friends."