The Mullinix Book 1: Ascension Read online

The Mullinix

  Book 1 - Ascension

  Rodney Mountain

  The Mullinix

  Book 1: Ascension

 

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

 

  All Rights Reserved

  Copyright 2003 by Rodney Mountain

 

  Other Titles by Rodney Mountain

   

  Immortal Universe Novels

   

  The Healy Murders

  Durell’s Insurrection

  The Accidental Immortal

  Undercover

  The Killer Strikes

  Anoki's Revenge

  The Immortal Progression

  Corporate Immortality

  Not With a Whisper

  The Mullinix: Redemption

  The Mullinix: Resolution

   

  Other Works

   

  Night Strike (Short Story Anthology)

  The Black Fossil

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to my wife, Jennifer. Without her support and her tolerance none of my books would ever have made it this far.

  Sometimes she complains of being a book widow because I spend so much time writing these things, but I know she wants me to succeed at it and she's done nothing but encourage me along the way.

  So this book, the first of mine that she actually truly liked, is dedicated to her and her alone.

  "Under No Circumstances should anyone who could make themselves the Mullinix be allowed to do the job."

  -- Marcus Mullinix

  The Mullinix Empire at the time of Taliaferro’s Death

 

  Prologue

  The large meeting chamber had been the center of power in the Mullinix Empire for nearly two thousand years, but walking into it you often wonder why they didn’t spend more time or money in trying to fix it up nicer. Instead, it was built from solid stone and mortar construction much like any permanent government building in the empire.

  Unlike the opulent thrones other empire seats usually decorated with, the main receiving chamber was set up with simple furniture. The three Mullinix seats were at the front of the chamber, sitting at floor level with tables to either side. This made it possible for them to be able to lay down files without hiding behind a desk.

  Only two of the three chairs were filled most times, especially for the handling of standard criminal and civil claims. This duty was usually the province of the current Mullinix, often with the assistance or observance with the Mullinix-apprentice. The Elder tended to come and go as he pleased, being semi-retired and only there for his experience.

  No one person ruled the Mullinix Empire. There were always three of them, usually a generation apart, The Mullinix, the Mullinix-Elder and the Mullinix-Apprentice. This ensured a stable government that was able to withstand the ravages of time and transition.

  The three Mullinix are never related by blood or by anything other than service to their nation. The existing Mullinix always recruit the new apprentice from the pools of young people who go every year to begin serving their country. They come from many different races, creeds or sex but share one common trait. They are the last people who ever wanted the job.

  The Mullinix, the one man (or in some cases woman) who holds the final decision making power in the Empire is usually between thirty and sixty years of age, though they had been both younger and older at various times. They sit in the middle seat and have the pressure of the empire squarely on their shoulders.

  Before one can become The Mullinix, however, a person must serve as an apprentice. This is the lowest ranking Mullinix, as the current Mullinix and the Mullinix-Elder conduct the training required to make a young person into a wise and fair ruler for a nation.

  The Mullinix-Elder is the longest serving of the three Mullinix. Upon the death of the previous Elder, the current Mullinix gets to retire from active service and take this position of respect. Their job is usually to teach the apprentice and lend experience and knowledge to the current Mullinix. This is often an active role, but in cases where both the Mullinix and Apprentice have been long serving this often becomes a semi-retirement.

  Whenever a Mullinix dies, be it Elder, Current or Apprentice, The ones below go up a rank. At most times this goes smoothly, with the Elder being the one to go and the other two ascending. If a current Mullinix dies, as has happened in the past, the Apprentice ascends and a new apprentice is chosen. Due to travel restrictions, no more than two Mullinix ever traveled together and there had never been two deaths any closer than six months apart.

  As stated before, they choose the apprentice from the hundreds of youths that begin their three years of service to the Mullinix Empire. These youths are always in their first six-month period of service, where they learn civic duty and responsibility as well as training for the jobs they will fill for the remaining months of civil service.

  Candidates for Mullinix ascension are always identified before going to the service center. This is done with testing while in school and the candidates are observed during this six-month period. This is done regardless of expected death in order to always have a quick transition. In most classes the preparation is fruitless and the candidates never know of the status that they are held in. It is not until the death of a Mullinix that these procedures are used.

  The current Mullinix and Apprentice, both having served in their respective positions for an extremely long time at nearly twenty-five years, were sitting in their respective seats in the chamber, both looking tired and worn down by the constant string of cases they’d heard that day. They were the rulers, men who had the awesome responsibility of running the empire. They were also men who would rather be anywhere else.

  The third chair was empty as of late, as the Mullinix-Elder had fallen ill several days before. The system was getting ready to work again, and as always, a young budding citizen that would rather have nothing to do with ruling will get put in the position of having to do so. It has worked this way for two millennia and it is probably how it will work for many more…