The man dropped his blade and swore, staunchingthe flow of blood with pressure from his good hand as he backed away.The second guard hissed angrily as...he lunged forward. His blade wasblocked and then forced high by Amra's axe. Without pause the rangybarbarian stepped in close to the guard and drove his dagger deep intohis shoulder. The guard grunted in surprise. He winced in pain as theblade was pulled free. He back peddled out of the fight. The remaining trio of guards moved cautiously forward. “Now, can you lean forward?”Elise did so.“No that won’t do, kneel and let them dangle Mummy,” she was told.“What the fu ... what is this about sweetie?” Elise complained.“Can you just pleeeeaase Mummy?” Lily whined. Her mother did as asked, her formidable knockers, knocking together until they settled.“This alright Doctor Lily?” Elise giggled, jiggling her hangers. She’d done the self same thing for that bastard, a few times, but no one else and now here’s her very young daughter requesting her. Never have been. We're a republic with a centralized federal government that can, pretty much at will, override and overrule any subordinate state government. State power kinda went by the way after the Civil War, and it's been declining ever since.Besides, if necessary, I could always put in an appearance at one or more of the gatherings state governors liked to hold several times a year.No, I needed a way to maintain a hold on the federal government, no matter who was President, and no matter. I apologize if I’ve given the impression to anyone that I have taken credit for anything Paul has done.”Defending his mentor, Paul said, “Sue, he’s never taken credit for anything I’ve done.”“Bullshit! Everyone talks about the electronics he installed in that boat. I know better. I watched you install every piece of equipment on it,” Sue said. Her eyes flashed when she turned to Henry and said, “You can’t deny that.”“I don’t deny that,” Henry said.“All I did was put them onto the boat. I did.