Free Bad Nerd Rising by D.R. Grady Page A

she had succeeded in her chosen profession, if she could be
convinced to hold the same devotion to her spouse and any children
they might produce.
    The thought enticed and terrified him.
     
    “Your wells are making your people sick?”
Rich O’Riley asked him after they settled a little away from the
women in one of the main living areas.
    Aleksi nodded. “We’re pretty certain it’s
the wells. After the boiling decree went out, not nearly as many
people have grown sick.”
    “But you’re still seeing some?”
    “Yes,” he said and sighed. “The medical
staff suspect that those who are growing ill now haven’t been
boiling their water, or haven’t done so properly.”
    The admiral nodded.
    Aleksi cocked his head as he peered at the
older man. He narrowed his eyes. “Do you have another theory?” The
man was a high ranking military official. He should have thought to
utilize the admiral’s knowledge before now.
    “We’re always on the alert, after 9-11, for
terrorist dealings,” O’Riley said and sipped from the mug in his
hand.
    Something unfriendly
skittered down Aleksi’s back. “We aren’t or perhaps I should say,
we haven’t been on
the terrorists lists.”
    O’Riley’s eye brow lifted. “You’re a wealthy
principality. That’s going to catch their attention.”
    “Of course it will. We produce some of the
world’s finest jewels in the world.”
    “Terrorists need money.”
    “They do. Like I said, in the past we’ve not
had a problem, and from what I can gather, we haven’t been
approached by any factions.”
    “Diamonds aren’t only used as jewelry,” Rich
quietly reminded him.
    “I’ve been hiding under the assumption that
our problem is bacterial and an act of nature,” Aleksi said and
stared at the contents of his mug. He couldn’t hide behind
conjecture because his people would be the first to suffer.
    “We also hid under the assumption that we
were okay.” Rich’s voice was somber, quiet.
    “That one day in September shattered your
innocence.”
    Rich nodded. “We lost so much that day, but
we also gained. We finally understood freedom isn’t free.”
    “Rurikstan’s military is... adequate, but
that’s one thing I’m determined to strengthen. After your lesson, I
realized we couldn’t be complacent.”
    “It could take you years to bring your
military up to par,” O’Riley said.
    Aleksi shook his head. “No.
My father had an old buddy who retired from the military a few
years ago. He has seen several wars. The General knows what it’s
like out there, and he has kindly consented to, what’s the
word? Overhaul our
military.”
    “He’s doing it alone?”
    “Not at all. He has pulled in several of his
colleagues. They have organized our men remarkably well in a short
amount of time.”
    O’Riley offered a silent whistle. “How’d
they manage it?”
    “This is a principality, and I am the
leader. We are far smaller than America, we have no... red tape, is
that the terminology?” He glanced at the admiral who rolled his
eyes and nodded. “Therefore the restructuring was simple. We all
met, talked about what needed done, why, and how to do so, then the
men parted and have implemented everything. So far, we’re all
pleased with our progress. My father would have been proud.”
    “It takes a strong leader to understand what
needs done and then chose the appropriate people to carry out the
appointed tasks.”
    “That was a talent my father possessed in
excess. Everything I know, I learned from him.”
    “He died?” Aleksi appreciated that O’Riley’s
voice was muted, respectful.
    “A year ago. He sank into senility quickly.
We were all surprised. One day he was fine, but within a few weeks,
he couldn’t remember anything, and within the year he was gone.”
Aleksi shoved the pain away, trying forcefully to forget the anger,
despair, and loss they had all experienced at his sire’s unexpected
passing.
    “The doctors couldn’t give you any