Date: Mon, 13 Apr 2015 18:18:02 +0000 (UTC) From: Macout Mann Subject: The Third Empire 13 This story takes place almost two hundred years into the future. Things are quite different. Homosexual sex is a norm. So if you are under age or if explicit "abnormal" sexual activity is abhorrent to you, please read no further. If you do read further, please let me know your reaction to the story. Feedback means a lot. Write me at macoutmann@yahoo.com. Please also remember that these stories come to you through the generosity of those who contribute to nifty.org. Have you made a donation lately...or at all? If you have, thank you. If you haven't, please consider doing so. Copyright 2015 by Macout Mann. All rights reserved. THE THIRD EMPIRE by Macout Mann XIII Three months have passed. Flavius and Lucius are still on board, but all the original interns have left for military training, and except for Kirkus they have not been replaced. Actually, the induction notices for Flavius and Lucius have been held up, because of their value to the project. The second round of teenaged agents has come and gone. The program is working smoothly. The boys' induction notices arrive the same day that Quintus receives a new assignment. He is to become the Governor General of Norway. His wife is overjoyed. She will have even more perks than she did in Suriname. He also is overjoyed. It's quite a feather in his cap to be sent to an important European country. Kirkus will be accompanying him, and a new crop of interns will be assigned. Flavius and Lucius are both to report for basic training in the United Kingdom. It's quite unusual to be sent for training outside of either the province where you reside or your homeland, but the arrangement will allow Flavius to visit his father once they get leave. They report to Elizabeth Barracks at the Army Training Center, Pirbright. About thirty-five miles from London, the barracks was opened in 1875 and has been rebuilt three times. It along with the adjacent Alexander Barracks is now the major boot camp for eighteen-year-old inductees in the British Isles. Thoroughly modern in every respect the training center houses about fifteen hundred trainees at each six month session. In class and through exercises they learn about military discipline and procedures, build confidence, and get into proper physical shape through marches, field training exercises, and maneuvers. And they qualify in the use of weapons. There's also plenty of time for sports, and competence in swimming is a requirement before they can move on. There are only three recruits who are not Brits, Flavius and Lucius and a stunningly handsome blond. "Good morning, I am Olafus Oldenburg," he says, extending his hand. "Flavius Johnson, and this is my good friend, Lucius," Flavius responds. "Żes, your father is to become governor general of my native land." "How'd you know that?" Flavius asks. "I am the Crown Prince of Norway," Olafus answers. In each province the empire from its beginning has tried to keep traditional institutions intact. Hence countries that had had monarchies are allowed to retain the king as ceremonial head of state. Legislative bodies are still allowed to perform, although their law-making powers are restricted mainly to some of the functions that might have been carried out by city councils and state legislatures in the old American republic. The governor has absolute veto power. "Your highness," Flavius bows. "Not here." Olafus counsels. "Here we are all equal. That's why I am not doing my service in Norway. To avoid embarrassment to anyone." "Well it's neat that we happened to both wind up here." "As my father says, in the empire almost nothing is a coincidence," Olafus smilingly responds. The three become instant friends. By now, Lucius can adjust to anything. They are assigned to adjacent bunks, along with a Scottish lad named Scotus McMillan. "Your name's about as odd as mine," Olafus says. "My 'rents sense of humor," Scotus laughs. "I don't know if I was named for part of Ancient Britannia or for the Supreme Court of the American republic." "Olaf was my great-great grandfather. The `u s' is to satisfy the current fashion for Roman names," Olafus responds. (When he becomes king, he will still become Olaf VII). The first day is taken up with being uniformed, assigned shit to do, and the usual orientation, punctuated by the torment of the Drill Sargeant. "Blimey, your fatherfucking, no-good, maggots, do you hear me or are you just listenin' to what your fuckin' dick's saying' about the ass of the fatherfucker standin' next to you?!" As the sergeant knew they would, half the company responded "Yes, Sir," and the other half shouted "No, Sir." After the busy first day they are in the chow hall at dinner, when Olafus asks, "I wonder if there is a protocol for....you know." "Well, it looks like some guys have sort of paired off already," Flavius laughs. "Oh the drill is that switching off with as many mates as possible builds what's called `unit cohesion,'" Scotus explains, "but it's never done by the numbers. You two want to get together? Lucius sort of appeals to me." "Shit, I'm game," Lucius teases. "I'll fuck with anybody, even a Scot." Once the program is underway, between dinner and taps will be study time. Tonight it's a time for the guys to get to know each other. After taps most of them get to know each other even better. Almost half the bunks won't need to be made before morning inspection. One is Flalvius'. They're under the covers in Olafus' bunk even before lights-out. Flavius' hands erotically tour the prince's studly bod and Olaf responds in kind. Olaf isn't really turned on by sex of either kind. Just doesn't find it to be what it's cracked up to be. But like most royals, he does what is expected of him expertly. Down under the cotton sheet and wool blanket he sucks Flavius' sausage until it pops a load of cream down his throat much to Flavius delight. He moans appropriately as Flavius returns the favor. Then they cuddle together listening to similar sounds coming from nearby. After extensive briefings in Washington, Quintus arrives in Oslo. The governor general's residence is Oscarshall, once the summer palace of the king. A century or so ago it was turned into a museum. That is, it was restored much like many famous homes in the former American Republic had been, so visitors could see how the original residents lived. Turning it back into a residence for the governor, then, was not a major undertaking. Quintus' first act is to present his credentials to King Herald VIII at the Royal Palace. He then must be invited to address the Storting, the parliament of Norway, a speech which is very well received. Now he begins the task of governing. Although the governor general's word is law in any province of the empire, in places like Norway he must be very low key. He has his entourage, a ceremonial marine detachment, and Securitas detail, but the administration appears to be indigenous. Quite different from places like Suriname. Kirkus is quite helpful as Quintus gets into his routine. And eight more interns soon arrive, most of whom are European. They are also quite helpful, mostly in soothing the stresses of governing, while gaining useful insights into how governing is accomplished. Quintus and King Herald often play together as well.