Thirty Five
I woke up abruptly, oddly feeling very refreshed, while pain still washed my left side. It hurt, but not nearly as much as it should've. My eyes had hardly registered Amanda and Aleesha sitting next to the bed, before Jeeves was there giving me a pain shot. It was Jeeves too, I could tell. He'd obviously had some work done, but still needed a bit more.
"Welcome back," said Aleesha, after Jeeves had departed.
Amanda had the look of someone either pinging, or emailing.
"What's up Doc?" I said with a giggle. One of my favourite twentieth century cartoon sayings from when I was a kid.
Aleesha gave me a piecing look, as if wondering about my sanity.
"Why the vigil?" I asked her.
They looked like they'd been staked out waiting for me to wake for some time now.
"It's eleven Jon. We weren’t sure when you'd be waking up. The doc said to let you wake naturally."
"Doc?"
"Umm, you've been asleep for forty four hours now."
"What?" The force of my exclamation made her lean back a bit.
"The Doc who came up to look the Queen over, also looked you over. He was shocked at your overall condition. In his opinion, you were malnourished and dehydrated. He put you into a deeper sleep. You had a hydration module on you for about twelve hours."
I suddenly became very aware of my bladder.
"Welcome back sleepy head," said Amanda.
"Help me into the bathroom," I said.
I rolled myself to the side of the bed, and swiveled to bring my legs over the side. Amanda held a hand out, so I grasped it, and she gently pulled me to my feet. My left leg seemed to be able to move properly, and there was no additional pain when I put the foot down.
She helped me hobble into the bathroom, where I shooed her out. Fifteen minutes later, I hobbled out wearing 'slinky red'.
The twins looked me in the eyes with a steady gaze.
"What?"
"We have to make sure you eat a full meal before you do anything else," said Amanda.
"No distractions," added Aleesha.
I waved them out before me, but they were having none of it. They followed me to my Dining Room. I stopped to pat Angel on the way, after coaxing her half way up the kitty castle so I didn't have to bend too far.
Jeeves had Chinese food for four people on the table waiting for us. I sniffed the aromas, and was suddenly very hungry indeed. I loaded up my plate and dug in. The twins followed suit.
"Sitrep," I said between mouthfuls.
"The coup was successfully put down," said Amanda, "but you knew that before you went to sleep."
"George and the others are fine," said Aleesha. "Just stunned."
"I knew that too," I said. "Stop alternating, and one of you tell me the rest."
Did I get up on the wrong side of the bed? Or was finding out I’d lost nearly two days enough to make me crabby? I decided I had good reason to be crabby.
The twins looked at each other. Amanda opened her mouth to continue.
"I know that too," I said before she could say something.
"What?" they asked together.
"You saw my out-of-body experience with me."
"That was weird," said Aleesha. "Time stopped, and yet we saw everything you did."
"The weirdest part was seeing ourselves frozen in time like that," said Amanda.
"Tell me what I don't know."
"They confirmed it was Admiral Abbott you and Jane killed. He's been top of the British sectors' most wanted list for a decade. You can expect a lot of bounty payments for removing him. Someone in the media managed to get aboard Gunbus with the forensics team, and take a vid of him splashed across the wreckage. It made headline news. Apparently he used to be a bigwig here until he went pirate, after which all the admiration for him turned to hatred. The celebrations for his death were unbelievable. Half the planet wasn’t at work the next day because of too much partying."
"Gunbus?"
"I'm sorry Jon. She was too badly damaged to be worth trying to fix. It wasn’t like Custer, where the hull was mainly intact. She had most of the left side missing, and the entire hanger was crushed where she crashed down on the Battleship. It was just as well your Excalibur was on BigMother, or it would have been completely destroyed as well."
I sighed deeply. It was likely I had a new record to add to my list. Shortest life of a capital ship. She'd been less than two months old. Damn, that hurt more than my side did. Belatedly I realized that record went to some Americans, who'd died in Miami, within days of being launched. It didn't help. I'd killed a friend by a second's bad judgement. I shook the feeling off.
"Battleship?"
"At the local shipyard, getting the makeover you told Jane to organize. She's been adjudicated to you already. Oh, and the salvage droids found your scooter and guns floating in space. They're in your Ready Room."
"Jane, send them down please."
"Confirmed."
"You haven't told him the other big news here sis," said Aleesha.
"What big news?"
"It turned out the coup wasn’t organized by the Duke of Norfolk. They found the bodies of him and his family on Norfolk, apparently slain several weeks ago. The family were supposed to be on holiday, while the Duke was attending to matters on London. When the authorities there went looking for evidence of the Duke's treason, the trail led them to the bodies of the whole family. They genetically tested the imposter, and found he'd been surgically altered to impersonate the Duke. No-one understands why the impersonation was done as yet. Unfortunately, the only two who probably knew, died on the Battleship. As yet, they haven’t identified the imposter."
"Eat your dessert, Jon," said Amanda. "You have a meeting at the Place at two."
"Not another medal ceremony I hope."
They laughed.
"No," said Amanda. "We had it yesterday. We all received British medals this time, since you apparently drafted us into the British Fleet."
"Huh? I did no such thing. Annabelle yes, I had to commission her, so she could command the ground troops. She was the only flag officer down there I knew I could trust. But the rest of you were just seconded under contract as far as I knew."
"Well someone obviously didn’t think so," said Aleesha. "We're all on the inactive list of the British Fleet now, with the same ranks we have in Hunter Security, or their equivalent. All except George, who is kicking himself he let himself be ambushed, and spent the whole time out cold. Lacey looked like he wanted to kill someone when he woke up and found out what they missed. Most of the local defense pilots felt the same. Those on the ground, and on the station. I believe the security around pilots is going to be increased as a result of how easy it was to take them all out."
"Actually," added Amanda, "I think we were promoted, since their fourth officer's grade, which is what I understood us to be, is Captain, and we were commissioned as Major's instead."
"Odd. I expected some confusion from my rank system, but not that. I expect you want to be Lieutenant Colonels now?"
"Hell no," they said together.
"Too much responsibility," added Aleesha.
I grinned at them.
We finished our desserts. The three of us had emptied the platters. As we were getting up, Jane came in with my scooter and guns. The scooter didn’t look like it had any damage, but I ran a diagnostic to be sure. Its suit still worked, including the hidey hole I’d built in. I also ran diagnostics on all three guns. Everything working as it should, I had Jane place the guns in the hidey hole, and stepped up onto the scooter. I didn’t technically need it now, but scooting was definitively preferable to hobbling. At least for the next couple of days. No doubt I'd get an earful from a Doc in due course about exercise during the rehabilitation period. I could hardly wait.
Out in the Living Room, Angel was belly up on her kitty castle, so I stopped to tickle her. She purred and carried on, so it turned into a full pat-the-kitten session. At las
t, she lost interest, and went to sleep.
The twins led me out, and down to the Rec Room, where it seemed everyone else was waiting.
I was mobbed.
Thirty Six
The Marshall's Gig arrived at one thirty to take us all down to the Palace. I'd had to tell them all my story, and had heard all of theirs.
I asked why everyone was going, and was told there was a dinner in the evening, but only the one shuttle being provided. It didn't sound right to me, but I held my tongue. Jane was along as well I noticed, but I assumed she was my actual bodyguard while away from the ship.
We landed on the roof, and I scooted down the stairs at the head of group. Marshall Bigglesworth met us at the bottom.
"Dress Uniforms please," he said.
Everyone shifted their suits except me. I looked at him for a good thirty seconds, and he stared me down.
"Oh no," I said. "Not again. No more medals."
"Jon," he said, "I promise you're not getting another medal. Dress uniform please."
I sighed. Something was up, but I wasn’t going to get a straight answer out here.
I shifted to Hunter Dress, since I didn’t have a British Dress uniform. Bigglesworth didn’t comment, even though he would have known I should've been in British Dress. Technically, I was still an active British Admiral.
He led us in. The center section of the ceremony room was laid out with chairs, all empty and waiting for us. The left and right sections were already full of people. General's Harriman and Price were in the front row of the right section, as was Admiral Bentley. Presumably her fleet was in orbit now. The rest of the row were all Generals and Admirals as well, but I knew none of them.
My seat was in the center of the front row. I stepped off my scooter, and sat, left leg only slightly bent, and positioned comfortably in front of me. Jane took the scooter to a corner of the room, came back, and sat next to me. Annabelle was on my other side, with the others positioned by rank.
On the dot of two, a functionary announced the Queen, and we all stood, while she entered, and sat when bid. Rising and sitting were both awkward for me, but I managed.
"Admiral Hunter please," said Bigglesworth from his place beside the Queen. "Front and center."
I glared at him, feeling betrayed. Both he and the Queen were keeping their faces straight, but their eyes were gleaming.
I hauled myself out of the chair once again, and hobbled over to stand before them. Bracing to attention wasn’t an option.
"Admiral," said Bigglesworth, "if you need your scooter or a chair, please let Colonel Jane know, and she'll bring it to you."
I nodded.
"Nice to see you on your feet Jon," Queen Liz whispered to me. "You look a lot better than when I last saw you."
I nodded again, not game to say anything.
"Admiral Hunter," she said in her Queen's voice. "You placed your life and assets on the line, in defense of the Monarchy and me personally, without being asked or ordered to. Your people have been thanked by a grateful Queen, planet, and sector. We are in your debt. How may we reward you?"
For a moment I thought it was just a rhetorical question, but she stood there waiting for an answer.
"Release me from service, so I can go home," I said.
"Done," she said. "Admiral Hunter, you are placed on the inactive list, effective immediately. However this is not enough. Can you kneel?"
"Kneel?" I parroted, feeling confused.
"Kneel," she repeated.
Totally at a loss to understand why, I made an effort to go down on my right knee, trying to keep my left leg extended behind me so it wasn’t bent too much. I couldn’t hold it, and had to bend the left knee half as much as the right to keep from falling over. I wobbled, trying desperately to keep some balance, and had to place my right hand on the floor in front of me to stay upright. My left leg complained about its treatment, but didn’t feel to be taking damage.
I raised my head as much as I could to see in front, but I could no longer see the Queen's face.
There was the noise of metal scraping on metal.
"Jonathon Hunter," she said, "I appoint you Knight Commander of the Order of the British Sector."
Metal touched me on each shoulder, and I saw the end of a very old sword flash though my limited vision range.
Shock took my thoughts away. I desperately wanted to wake up now, as surely this was a bad dream having a go at me.
"You may rise Knight Commander," said Bigglesworth.
I struggled to get up, but found I couldn’t. I pinged Bigglesworth for help. He reached a hand down and pulled me to my feet.
I swayed precariously for a moment, but found some balance. He stepped back and left me standing there.
My eyes opened wide as I saw not a medal, but what could only be called regalia, passed to the Queen, who seemed to cover me in it.
I looked at her, my eyes pleading for this to be over. She grinned at me for just a second, and it was gone behind her Queen-on-duty face.
"Sir Jonathon Hunter, we have one other presentation to make. The Dukedom of Norfolk is vacant, due to the unfortunate circumstances of the past few days. A family line which has faithfully served the Crown for hundreds of years, is ended by murder, treachery, and treason. As you have demonstrated all the traits needed to warrant your selection, we appoint you Duke of Norfolk. Congratulations."
Shock became poleaxed shock. I stood there, unable to move, unable to think, while more regalia was put on me, and the Queen handed me a plaque of patent. She held out her hand, and I reluctantly shook it.
"I present to you," she said to the room in her Queen's voice, "His Grace, Sir Jonathon Hunter, Duke of Norfolk."
The room went crazy around me.
Thirty Seven
"So, how does this work?" I asked a short time later, sitting in the Queen's sitting room.
"How does what work?" she asked in return, apparently playing dumb.
"This Duke thing?"
Those present laughed. The Queen looked towards one of her aides.
"A Dukedom is more of a ceremonial appointment than anything," the aide said. "In the old days, a Duke was Lord of a Duchy, and ruled it as a vassal of the Crown. He taxed those who lived within the borders, and in turn paid tax to the State. As the Monarchy lost its powers, so did the Dukes. Most of them don’t have estates attached now. They represent the Crown for a specific area of influence, as do all titled Lords and Ladies. When the British sector was established, most of the Dukedoms were assigned planets of the same name. So the Duke of Norfolk, your good self, is the highest ranking Noble for the planet Norfolk."
"What duties are involved? I hadn't planned on coming back anytime soon. So I'd rather not have duties requiring me here much, if at all."
"The Dukes advise the Crown about issues to do with their Dukedoms. They play a ceremonial role in the local parliaments. The Duke of Norfolk has always played a role on London as well. We see no problems associated with your not being here. There are other Dukes who will be delighted to take on the roles you aren't here to perform. And on Norfolk, duties can be delegated to the local Earls, who'll also be delighted."
"Sounds like it wasn’t a good decision to appoint me."
"The appointment," said the Queen, "was my decision, and my choice. It has some downsides, but ultimately, the Crown needs loyalty and reliability close to it at the moment. I trust you. So do many others now. You'll be called on periodically, but not for everyday matters which can be handled just as well by others."
"You will be sent information about your role in the British sector," added the aide, "once it's been finalized."
I nodded.
"Besides Jon," said the Queen, "you have title to systems now, and you need to consider how you run them. There are plenty of corporate owned systems, some even owned by individuals, but no-one else owns more than one. And all of them owe allegiance to a sector. Your space is unique. You're already a Duke. If you call your space a
Duchy, and run it as such, you'll find yourself accepted far more readily than as someone setting themselves up as a King, or some sort of Despot. Think about it."
"I will. It's all a complete shock to me."
"I know. We anticipated that. It's who you are."
I waved away what I assumed was a compliment.
"Your Battleship will be completed in the morning Admiral," said Marshall Bigglesworth. "I think you'll find your new title works in your favour as far as calming the fears of those who don’t like seeing real power in the hands of an unknown individual. Mercenaries were the way things went for good reasons at the time, but no-one really likes seeing a Mercenary company capable of being able to hold a planet for ransom, for example. It's how pirates began. Mercenary companies becoming too powerful. If you set up a Duchy, having your own defense force is expected. But a powerful fleet in the hands of an individual, is something to make politicians nervous. Especially having a battle fleet. No-one can fault how you came by your fleet, but everyone will be happy when it has a defensive purpose, and constraints in place."
"To that end Your Grace," said someone new, "we have documents here for you to consider."
"What sort?" I asked.
"Non-aggression pact, and Alliance. Obviously these cannot be signed until your space has a structure, and a name."
I looked at him for a moment, wondering what I’d dropped into now. Diplomacy wasn’t my strong suit. It was looking like I'd need to have a crash course in it. Or find a good diplomat to hire.
"Thank you, I'll look at them on the trip home."
"I'll pulse them to your aide. Once you agree to terms, we can arrange a signing ceremony at a convenient time and place."
"Does the ceremony need to be here?" I asked.
"No Jon," said the Queen. "We seek Alliance with you, so you can specify where the signing takes place."
"No doubt the Australian sector and Sci-Fi sector will also wish the same Alliances," said the official who'd first mentioned them.
"Hmmm. Perhaps we could use my new station once its upgrade has been completed. That will be several months from now, so it gives time for due consideration. I'll think about it and let you know."
Hail the Hero (The Hunter Legacy Book 5) Page 20