{"id":718,"date":"2015-09-06T12:25:13","date_gmt":"2015-09-06T12:25:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=718"},"modified":"2015-09-07T12:21:18","modified_gmt":"2015-09-07T12:21:18","slug":"fortunatus-light-of-dark-part-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=718","title":{"rendered":"Fortunatus Light of Dark &#8211; Part 6"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Disclaimer: \u00a0See Part 1<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #00ffff;\">Fortunatus Light of Dark<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">by AJ Marks<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00ffff;\">Part 6<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Tess made her way to the mess hall. She had taken a bath, which the twins prepared, before donning her armor for her morning workouts with the troops. She looked forward to that as a way to keep her skills up. They also used such time to try new magical techniques, some worked most did not. She knew to keep a good mix of different elements of magic in the same squad. If she only put ice magic in one group then a smaller group of earth mages could eliminate them. A lesson she had learned early on. Each of the four elements had another element which it was strong against and one it was weak against.<\/p>\n<p>When she learned that lesson, she put together groups depending on the enemies\u2019 strength and weaknesses. More than one would group their soldiers together according to magic allowing her an easy victory.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEmpress, I\u2019m so glad I caught you here,\u201d Lycos said walking up to her. Tess frowned but waited patiently for what he had to say. \u201cThe Soulviers are asking to meet with you now. I think they wish to head back today.\u201d<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Tess sighed, knowing that she would have to talk with them but she also had little time. \u201cAll right,\u201d Tess finally said, starting to walk to the meeting room.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEmpress, you\u2019re not going like that?\u201d Lycos said, horrified at the fact Tess still wore her armor.<\/p>\n<p>Tess glanced down and for a second thought about changing but putting on her armor took time she really did not wish to spend. \u201cYep, if they don\u2019t like it, I don\u2019t care.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She watched as Lycos sputtered a bit, but continued towards the room, entering without much of a preamble. She watched the three Soulviers appear slightly surprised. Jarkal seemed taken aback with her choice of outfit to meet with them, but Tess merely walked in and sat down waiting to hear what they would say. To her surprise it was Perlock who spoke up first.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAh, this is the Empress I expected yesterday,\u201d he said, looking a bit more impressed with her. Tess filed that away before turning her attention back to Jarkal.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEh, yes, for a barbarian I guess,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou wanted to meet with me, I was on my way to the training grounds to work with my troops and I saw no reason to change,\u201d Tess replied, honestly looking into Jarkal\u2019s silver eyes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI wished to conclude our meeting so we could head back,\u201d Jarkal said. \u201cIt seems that there is information you gave us about that group of humans on our boarder that our Emperor requires.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy honest opinion, with everything I\u2019ve learned lately, eliminate them,\u201d Tess said honestly, seeing surprise on all three Soulvier\u2019s faces. She knew they were not expecting to hear that from her.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAll of them? Isn\u2019t that a bit hasty?\u201d Perlock said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo, if this group is Gregory then he will use it to awaken this Enokrad,\u201d Tess sad to them.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAh, that, I\u2019m still not convinced about that,\u201d Jarkal said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd you are a fool,\u201d Gallic\u2019s voice said, from the doorway. He hobbled into the room taking a seat and looking at all four of them. \u201cI have told you what is to come, what you do to prevent it, if possible is up to you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Tess knew that where Gregory had set up any move from her army would provoke a response from the Soulvier Empire. She did not want war with them at this time. There were other groups requiring her attention first.<\/p>\n<p>Tess looked at the group. \u201cI can\u2019t tell Bararra what to do, I ask that he give serious consideration to eliminating that group.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are a peaceful race, not violent like you,\u201d Jarkal said finally.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut we will take it under advisement,\u201d Perlock said.<\/p>\n<p>Tess hoped they would, otherwise she knew that the force would head to her Empire and another fight would break out. She bid then good-day and safe travel before heading back out to the training field where Becca waited.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cProblems?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Soulviers are leaving, don\u2019t think they\u2019ll do anything about Gregory\u2019s troops, we need to prepare for an invasion by them,\u201d Tess said. \u201cI don\u2019t want to be surprised at all if they do move against us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo you think they will?\u201d Becca said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhatever Gregory is after is in my empire,\u201d Tess stated looking out at her troops already working hard. She wondered if she would have to call on them to make the ultimate sacrifice for the empire real soon or not. \u201cHave you heard from Carrie yet?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOnly that she reached the border and is organizing her battle-mages,\u201d Becca said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGood, hope she doesn\u2019t do something stupid and rash,\u201d Tess said, knowing the red-head\u2019s ability to act before thinking.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe doesn\u2019t act like that anymore, or at least not as much as she did,\u201d Becca replied.<\/p>\n<p>Tess had to nod in agreement about that. Though she felt a bit concerned, Carrie could still explode under the right conditions. She wished now someone else went with her.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLast thing we need is a war with the Soulviers over something she did,\u201d Tess said. \u201cHow are the preparations to move troops to the border for patrols?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have a squad of men ready to go in the morning,\u201d Becca replied. \u201cThey are getting their gear together today.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGood,\u201d Tess replied, hoping such action might quell the nobles\u2019 attitude. She wanted to get the troops there in case the merchants finally got their act together and requested additional troops to go with them. She sent a message to the two kingdoms nearby whose boarders it would effect.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ll should enough troops there to detour the attacks, hopefully,\u201d Becca said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYeah, otherwise we get more angry arguments with the nobles,\u201d Tess said, not wanting to go through another one. Last time she really wanted to kill Leon. The only reason she did not, was due to the she had barely had any time alone with Ami.<\/p>\n<p>The girl was intoxicating to Tess with her submissive attitude, long blonde hair, cute lips, and nice figure. Tess had yet to send the girl to her room after their activities at night and she had almost become accustom to the girl\u2019s presence in bed.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHello, earth to Tess!\u201d Becca said, waving her hand in front of Tess\u2019 face. \u201cThinking of that girl again?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou mean my little one, yep, she is worth it,\u201d Tess replied, giving Becca a smile<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe is a Zero-Mage, you didn\u2019t mention that to the Soulviers, or the Segic,\u201d Becca said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBecause it wasn\u2019t worth mentioning,\u201d Tess replied, a constant argument between them. Becca and Carrie seemed to think Ami was some sort of spy. Tess had no illusions due to the fact she had learned so much about where Ami came from. Their talking in the mornings, and in the evenings when they ate together, had been most beneficial for them both. Ami had learned a lot about her new home, and Tess finding out things about where she came from. Surprising Ami had picked up the written language rather easily and Tess had the illusion that she could do the same with Ami\u2019s written language.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWell, I don\u2019t know,\u201d Becca said. \u201cThough I also don\u2019t like that a Segic came here, makes me nervous.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat I\u2019ll agree with you over, makes me nervous as well,\u201d Tess replied thinking about the things that Gallic mentioned. He had a lot of things to say and left a lot of things unsaid as well. Tess did not like the lack of information that Gallic gave her. \u201cOnly wish we knew something about this, Enokrad, which I can find nothing about. Though Carrie seemed to know something.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAn old legend,\u201d Becca said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo old and terrible that they destroyed just about any record of it, if it even exists,\u201d Tess said, shaking her head. Why did the not leave something, especially if they failed to kill it.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou don\u2019t think it does?\u201d Becca asked.<\/p>\n<p>Tess took a moment to think about it. \u201cI don\u2019t know, if anyone but a Segic told me about it, no, but now I don\u2019t know,\u201d Tess replied honestly, wondering how long the Segic would stay with them. He had walked out of the room right after the Soulviers had.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLooks like everyone is here,\u201d Becca said, nodding her head towards the training grounds.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRight, let\u2019s line up and go over some basics,\u201d Tess said, heading out to where the men were waiting. She pulled out her wand and it transformed into a sword. She swung it around a few times to loosen up her arm watching as Becca yelled out instructions.<\/p>\n<p>*****<\/p>\n<p>Tess sat down at the table eating a sandwich after a long morning of drills. A week had passed since the surprise appearance of the Soulvier ambassador and the Segic. Carrie had returned the previous day with no word of what the Soulviers were going to do against Gergory. She also had some basic idea of the group\u2019s location, but was wary to do anything else due to the proximity of the Soulvier Empire.<\/p>\n<p>She looked up seeing one of the twins walk into the room. Tess took a moment to watch as Kari went about her work before speaking up. \u201cSo where\u2019s your sister and the little one?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey are in the library, reading some myths that Ami seems to like,\u201d Kari replied.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAh yes, she does love those,\u201d Tess said, recalling all the questions Ami had about such myths. \u201cI\u2019ll have to ask her if she\u2019s come across something called the Enokrad.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe what?\u201d Kari replied, looking up from putting up some clothing.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Enokrad,\u201d Tess said. \u201cI\u2019ve never heard of it either, some ancient evil creature so powerful they froze it and destroyed any evidence of it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOh, if you say so,\u201d Kari replied, her tone sounding unsure if Tess was actually being honest or not.<\/p>\n<p>Tess looked up at the door opening again as Lycos entered the room looking a bit hassled. She had come to hate that look as it always meant something had gone wrong. She watched as he walked right up to her before taking a breath to speak.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEmpress, General Becca requires your presence in the meeting room at once,\u201d he said to her. \u201cThe Grunks have attacked Navatown.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Tess dropped the sandwich, stood upright, and quickly headed out of the room. Grunts had invaded her empire? The implementations were enormous in her mind. Why were they doing such a thing? Sure they were violent and had a bad temper but she had done nothing recently against them.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat\u2019s the situation?\u201d Tess asked, entering the room seeing a lot of people there that normally would not be. Becca and Carrie were both there as were maps and several extra aides.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe received word from Captain Otto that Navatown came under siege early this morning, we don\u2019t know by how many Grunt troops or the reason why,\u201d Becca said, handing Tess a message from the captain in question.<\/p>\n<p>Tess quickly scanned the note seeing that the captain currently defended the town successfully but had low hope for defense without reinforcements. Tess\u2019 blood boiled a bit at the fact she had been attacked without warning.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhere are the troops?\u201d she asked looking at the map.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe 1st Army is scattered here in the capital, it would take a day or two to gather them up,\u201d Becca said. \u201cThe 2nd and 3rd armies are defending the boarder, the 4th is currently in reinforcement to the border near the Shadowlands. The other armies are currently scattered around the Empire.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Tess took all the information in, looking at the map. Her quick reinforcement squads were already deployed leaving her empire a bit weak in that regard.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cInform General Russell to gather his troops and prepare for my arrival in Hollow Valley,\u201d Tess said. \u201cPrepare the Royal Guard to move out today.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEmpress?\u201d Becca asked, a note of slight confusion in her voice.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ll be taking command of this. Carrie, I\u2019m placing you in charge of the boarder along the Shadowlands. Take as many battle-mages as you need. Lycos, prepare a message to the King of the Grunts,\u201d Tess ordered, watching as people stopped standing and started moving. \u201cBecca, you\u2019re in charge of the situation here. Keep me informed if anything happens with the nobles.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey will be worried if you lead the troops,\u201d Becca said. \u201cIsn\u2019t that why you have generals?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRussell is a great defensive commander. Probably the reason Navatown is still in one piece, but he sucks at offensive tactics. We all know this, the Grunts probably know this. However, I like to attack and we all know I don\u2019t like to lose,\u201d Tess said looking at Becca, who finally seemed to understand.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou want them to think you\u2019ll invade them back,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYep, the threat of me coming into their territory should be enough to stop this nonsense, at least after I crush their army at Navatown,\u201d Tess replied.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou think that will work?\u201d Becca asked.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYeah, the Grunts have never had a great military, and they use simple tactics which I can use to my advantage,\u201d Tess said. She had never actually fought against the Grunts but had studied their tactics enough to understand what they would do. She had done the same with each race that shared a border with her empire.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHow long do you expect to be gone?\u201d Becca asked.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA week, maybe longer. Depends on how stubborn the Grunts are,\u201d Tess replied thinking about it. \u201cBring the 1st army together and have them ready to move out.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt shall be done,\u201d Becca said.<\/p>\n<p>Tess walked out with the orders given, she now had to inform her staff. She quickly made her way down the hallway running into Helen who seemed waiting for her.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ll be leaving later today pack up my normal stuff and,\u201d Tess paused for a second thinking about who to take with her. She had a reckless idea and went with it. \u201cHave the little one in charge.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She watched Helen\u2019s face which showed shock for sure before saying anything. \u201cHer, are you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYeah, I want to move quickly and she\u2019ll do well, I have faith in her,\u201d Tess said knowing that despite the girl having no magical abilities she would do fine as others set up things. All Ami had to do was tell others where things went and Tess had a feeling that the girl would prove to be useful.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you think so, but I am against it, take one of the twins instead,\u201d Helen said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo, I\u2019ve made up my mind,\u201d Tess said. \u201cShe\u2019ll do just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs you wish Empress,\u201d Helen said, taking one last look at Tess before heading off to get things done.<\/p>\n<p>*****<\/p>\n<p>Ami glanced up from reading as Helen walked into the library with a strange look on her face.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou need to follow me child, we have a lot of work to do,\u201d Helen said looking right at Ami.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMe?\u201d Ami said confused wondering what might have happened. She felt a bit fearful that Tess had finally gotten tired of her and was sending her away. She looked over at Kira who appeared just as confused as Ami felt.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCome child, we have to move quickly, the Empress will be leaving soon and we have a lot to go over if you are going with her,\u201d Helen said.<\/p>\n<p>Ami quickly stood following Helen out of the room leaving Kira to clean up the mess they had made. Ami quickly walked keeping up with Helen who despite her size moved rather quickly.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUm, where is the Empress going?\u201d Ami asked as they walked quickly down the hallway towards the Empress\u2019 quarters. They reached the room in silence and for a second Ami figured Helen was not going to answer her question.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t know, only that the whole palace is in an uproar. I\u2019ve heard,\u201d she paused, thinking before continuing, \u201cI\u2019ve heard that we\u2019ve been invaded and the Empress is going to war.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>That news stunned Ami. She had not expected such a thing to happen. She also wondered why they were in the Empress\u2019 quarters and not Kari and Kira.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt seems that the Empress wishes you to be her servant while out,\u201d Helen said, her tone saying she disapproved with it, not that Ami did not agree with the tone.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMe, but wouldn\u2019t she do better with the twins?\u201d Ami asked knowing she could not do any magic.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI said the same thing,\u201d Helen said. \u201cHowever once the Empress has something in her head it\u2019s almost impossible to change. We shall have to make this do considering you can\u2019t use magic.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ami watched closely at the things she learned as Helen went over things rather quickly. They were joined rather quickly by both Kari and Kira, who helped in the packing. The twins also packed practical outfits for Ami instead of some of the more sexy outfits she usually wore. Simple skirts and tops were packed instead of the see thru robes.<\/p>\n<p>Ami felt overwhelmed, wondering how she would handle it all. She sat down during a small break trying to process it all. Kari placed a hand on her should causing her to look up.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTake it one step at a time, and be firm in your orders, you represent the Empress when you are setting up and packing up. You carry her mark,\u201d Kari said to her in a soft, gentle voice.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd if you mess up don\u2019t hesitate to inform the Empress. She is much more forgiving if you come forward then if she finds out,\u201d Kira said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI guess I\u2019m nervous about this. I\u2019ve never done anything like this before,\u201d Ami finally replied, looking at the stuff in front of her.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWell, you better get ready, we\u2019re packed and you\u2019ll be heading out shortly,\u201d Helen said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHere, change into this,\u201d Kira said, holding out come clothing for Ami. She took it and went to change into a medium length skirt and an almost normal sleeveless shirt. The outfit covered more of her than just about anything she had worn since arriving at the palace over a month ago.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJust remember to be yourself and you\u2019ll do fine,\u201d Helen said giving her one last word of encouragement.<\/p>\n<p>Ami then followed the three out of the room as other servants came into to take the packages out. Ami looked at it the three bags wondering if that was enough.<\/p>\n<p>She did not dwell on the situation, following Helen out of the room, down a few hallways and stairs before walking outside. She had not been here before, only a garden inside the palace which she visited quite a bit. Now she looked around at the activity going on. People rushing around left and right, but she spotted Tess in the middle directing it all.<\/p>\n<p>Ami watched as Tess spotted her and made her way over to her. The mere presence of the Empress made Ami slightly more comfortable and confident for some reason. \u201cFollow me,\u201d Tess said, then around and walked through the mess of people, Ami found herself standing in front of three men as Tess addressed them. \u201cThis is my personal servant for this trip, you\u2019ll be taking orders for my tent, baths and food from her, understand?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ami watched all three nod their heads and say \u2018yes Empress\u2019. Ami noticed that all three looked similar and wondered if they were siblings. She would find out later on she supposed, but for now followed the Empress as they walked towards what looked like massive vehicles. The closer she got the more it looked like a train without rails. She realized that the despite the fact technology differed, it also had some similarities. They had made it to the moon after all.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe magiport is fueled and ready Empress, only waiting for everything to be loaded,\u201d a person said, walking up to the Empress.<\/p>\n<p>Ami watched Tess acknowledge the person, before looking back down at Ami.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cStick with me for now, it\u2019ll be easier for you until you get used to it,\u201d Tess said.<\/p>\n<p>Ami did not argue with that logic. She made sure to remain by Tess\u2019 side during the entire time watching as people loaded the train looking machine, or magiport as they called it. Tess finally entered the magiport, heading to a room. Ami saw the comfortable chairs and even a sofa in the room.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHere, have a seat,\u201d Tess said. \u201cThe first time riding one of these can be a bit nerve-racking.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ami frowned at that statement wondering what type of transportation this was. Did she need magic to ride it? She rationally dismissed that thought, Tess knew she did not have any magic. What she had to do now was work to keep the Empress happy by doing her latest job.<\/p>\n<p>She sat down close to a window, Tess set down across from her and heard a high pitched whine start up. A few seconds later she felt the entire magiport lift up and then take off. She risked a glance out the window seeing the forest flying by, like a low flying plane.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ll be there in two hours,\u201d Tess stated to her. \u201cUsually these transports are faster but we didn\u2019t have time to fully charge it with magic.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOh, we will make it there without crashing right?\u201d Ami asked, suddenly unsure if it had enough fuel to make its journey.<\/p>\n<p>She looked over at Tess\u2019 chuckle. \u201cYes little one, just not as fast, that\u2019s the key difference. We could go to the moon with this amount of magic but it would take a decade or so to reach it. The faster you want to go the more magic you have to put into it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOh, I guess that makes sense,\u201d Ami said, thinking it sounded like fuel but not quiet.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI guess it didn\u2019t work that way where you came from,\u201d Tess said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNot really, we used fuel, a liquid called gas, but it would determine how far you went, not how fast. Though at some speeds you used it up quicker than at others, it generally went so far and then you needed more.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cStrange,\u201d Tess finally said. Ami had to agree, this new world she still had to get used to. \u201cYou don\u2019t get sick in such vehicles?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat? Motion sickness? Nope, never have,\u201d Ami replied seeing a strange look on Tess\u2019 face.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMotion sickness?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUm, that\u2019s what we called it over there. You get sick due to the motion of a vehicle,\u201d Ami replied. \u201cMost people get it while on boats.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOh, sea-sickness, no we don\u2019t call them the same, only being sick,\u201d Tess stated. \u201cSo you don\u2019t get it then, that\u2019s good, one less person to worry about.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ami settled in to the seat taking a look out the window at the world going by. She had a lot to learn about this world still, though she hoped to one day feel at home here. She glanced over at Tess taking a moment to actually look at her. She was beautiful, black hair, blue eyes, and such a strong presence that capture Ami for some strange reason. She never had anyone capture her attention so much before. Perhaps she actually liked Tess more than just a master servant. She would have to think about that thought a bit more before deciding anything else. First she would have to live through this latest adventure.<\/p>\n<p>End Part 6<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=720\">Go on to Part 7<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Comment below or send to &#65;&#x4a;M&#x61;r&#x6b;s&#x30;1&#x40;a&#111;&#x6c;&#46;&#x63;o&#x6d;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Disclaimer: \u00a0See Part 1 Fortunatus Light of Dark by AJ Marks Part 6 Tess made her way to the mess hall. She had taken a bath, which the twins prepared, before donning her armor for her morning workouts with the troops. She looked forward to that as a way to keep her skills up. They [&hellip;]<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=718\" class=\"more-link\" >Continue reading&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[3,40,38,39,28,5,12],"class_list":["post-718","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-original","tag-aj-marks","tag-dark","tag-fortunatus","tag-light","tag-original","tag-sci-fi","tag-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/718","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=718"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/718\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":727,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/718\/revisions\/727"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=718"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=718"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=718"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}