Admiral's Gambit (A Spineward Sectors Novel:)

by Luke Sky Wachter

  She shifted and looked down at me, her brow slightly furrowed. Then her features cleared and she leaned into my arm. For a while we just stood there silently. Eventually, she started back into pointing out the city features again.

  “Why is it called Messene Citadel,” I interrupted. “I would have thought town or city, although that’s really too ambitious at this point.”

  Her chin went down and she looked at me. “It's a fairly traditional name here on Tracto,” she said sounding slightly surprised. “Why wouldn’t they call it a citadel?”

  “No reason,” I shrugged. “I was just curious.”

  She smiled down at me happily and I thought that if we were going to do much more of this whole standing together looking at things, I was going to need some taller shoes. Don't get me wrong, it was a good problem to have.

  “What do you know about a place or a people called the Lyconese,” I asked, trying to sound casual.

  She stiffened in my arm. “Why do you ask,” she asked casually. Too casually it seemed.

  I tried to exactly duplicate her apparent ease with the subject. “Oh, no particular reason,” I said airily, “just someone I met in the receiving line. He said the Lyconese were a bunch of tools and causing all kinds of trouble.”

  At her blank look I figured maybe the colloquialism, specifically the word ‘tools’ had thrown her off her game. She was getting better and better with my language, to the point she didn’t need the translator more than half the time, but sometimes a little slang can throw a person.

  “Raiding. He said the Lyconese have been raiding around the horn of the peninsula and wanted to know what I was going to do about it,” I said pointing in the general direction of where I thought the horn of the peninsula was. The natives called Messene an Island, but in reality it was still firmly attached to the main land by a narrow land bridge.

  Akantha was now stiff as a board and I feared maybe I’d ruined a perfectly romantic mood.

  “Look, I don’t know this guy from Adam. I’m just asking because I promised to look into it and take care of it, or punish him if he lied,” I continued, trying to salvage things. This Bones and his infernal problems, if he managed to ruin this perfect moment for me I was going to find some way to return the favor. It might take months or years, but no one holds a grudge like a Montagne. “He could be a crazy person for all I know.”

  “That’s possible but unlikely. This Bones being a crazy person, I mean,” Akantha said, pulling out of my arm. Silently I shook my mental fist and started planning vengeance against Bones. “Far more likely he’s telling the truth and the Lyconese have started causing trouble again,” she said matter-of-factly.

  “Again,” I said unable to keep the exclamation out of my voice. “I mean, blast those Lyconese, they should stay over there where they belong,” I added, trying cover my lapse. The last thing I wanted was her thinking I was being overly critical. I still had visions of salvaging the day, and starting a fight over an unintentional tone of voice wasn’t among those plans.

  “Their line of Hold Mistresses has maintained that they have a valid claim to western Messene, which is not only illogical but also completely wrong,” she said coldly.

  Cold again, I hated it when she sounded cold. “Okay. Those blasted upstarts,” I said, hoping that was the right response. I was dying on the vine here.

  “It's illogical because the eastern side, the side we’re on is the more inhabitable, meaning it would be suicide for them to send a colony effort,” she said hotly.

  “Right,” I said, trying to sound both supportive and like I understood what the blazes she was saying.

  “Wrong, my line can trace our roots back to the last Hold Mistress to successfully hold the entire island, Hold Mistress Hecate. We of Argos are of the direct line, while they of Lyconese are just a daughter line,” she all but sneered, her face twisting into a very unladylike expression. “In addition, the last time they made those claims we defeated their army and drove them back behind their city walls, cowering in fear. They were forced to officially renounce their claims to the island at that time.”

  “I see,” I said, starting to feel like I was getting a handle on the situation now. “They see your success on Messene and are airing out old claims in an attempt to get a piece of the pie.”

  Akantha stiffened and frowned at me severely. “If they are going back on their word, they are oathbreakers and no better than common road bandits.”

  I turned away slightly and then slanted my gaze back in her direction. “Something needs to be done,” I said.

  “You’re right. Something needs to be done, Protector. The Lyconese must be taught a lesson they won’t soon forget,” she said fiercely. “When we’re through with them, blood will flow in the-”

  “Okay there,” I said sharply cutting her off. This conversation had just taken a turn for the bloody and gory, and I knew it was time to nip this in the bud. “Let's not start a blood feud.”

  Akantha started to open her mouth and I could tell nothing good would come of it if I let her speak. So I quickly continued. “Or let these Lyconese ruin my first trip to Messene, or my second trip back home to see your family,” I quickly added, putting on a winning smile and hoping for the best.

  I could tell she wanted to strap into a battle suit and go destroy the Lyconese root and branch but surprisingly, instead of raging at me and demanding blood, she paused and bit her lip.

  “I don’t want to ruin your visit,” she said, sounding surprisingly uncertain for the woman I occasionally thought of as my girl.

  “Then let's not,” I said in a hopeful voice.

  First she scratched her forehead and then rubbed at it, as if she had the beginnings of a headache. “Something has to be done about the situation. If I stand by and do nothing, every Polis within range of Messene Island will sense weakness and become emboldened,” she said sounding irritated and genuinely perplexed.

  “Well, no one said we had to sit by and do nothing,” I trailed off. But since it sounded like there was no way I was going to get away with doing nothing, sending our minions out in our stead might work a trick.

  “You have a plan,” she inquired with a furrowed.

  Boy did I ever. I cracked a shark-like smile. I had a cunning gambit, one I couldn’t wait to test out. Hopefully it would allow me to dodge the bullet and also stay away from personal combat, this time.

  Chapter 34: Queen's Knight to Queen's Rook Four

  “Would you say that the exploits of our Tracto-an Lancers have spread as far and as wide as you would like,” I said narrowing my eyes. “On your home planet, I mean to say.”

  “Why do you ask,” she inquired suspiciously. No doubt she suspected something was up. Probably because with me, it usually was.

  “The Lyconese need to be taught a lesson and, no detriment to our people intended, but I would think our Lancers would like a chance to show their neighbors what they can do,” I said with a smile.

  She nodded her head slightly. “Hearing of deeds done far away in the stars is different from seeing it yourself or speaking with the defeated survivors,” she said slowly.

  “Especially when our people, the victors, speak of their own exploits,” I said shrewdly. “Sounding their own horn, so to speak.”

  Akantha’s eyes flashed and she splayed her fingers.

  “I’ll take that as a 'yes,'” I said.

  “Take it however you want,” she replied. “I still haven’t heard anything like a plan so far today.”

  I frowned at her. “How’s this for a plan? Let's round up a few volunteers and muster say…two companies of Lancers. Then, while you and I continue on our merry way to Argos, they stop over and say 'hi' to the neighbors. From the sounds of it, the Lyconese could use a visit from a few of our men in power armor to help set them straight,” I said.

  Akantha looked torn. Clearly she wanted to be the one to personally beard the Lyconese in the heart of their lair. It was my hope that by sending
some native Lancers in our stead it would both ease her mind and take care of the problem at the same time, all without exposing her or myself to the potentially lethal side effects of another round playing whack-a-mole with more of these genetically engineered, sword-of-superstitious-power-wielding idiots that seemed to pop out of the woodwork every time I set foot on this world.

  This was only the second time I’d set foot on Tracto and already I was trying to avert some kind of war with the neighbors. A war which I'd been all but drafted into playing a starring role.

  “It doesn’t feel right, sending others while we avoid the battle,” she said sounding reluctant. That’s when I knew I had her. If she was even considering the suggestion then the battle was already half won, all I had to do now was produce the final bit of convincing to push her over the edge and allow us to avoid this latest round of local squabbling.

  “There’s no reason to give these Lyconese oathbreakers the satisfaction of our presence,” I smoothly assured her. “Our Lancers are better armed and better trained than anything they could possibly drum up. I have no doubt that they can get to the bottom of the matter and sort things out in appropriate fashion.” I figured that with power armor and advanced weaponry, our guys would tear through these Lyconese like a hot knife through butter and be back in time for breakfast, figuratively speaking. “That should also present the benefit of showcasing the superiority of our warriors and putting the fear of Larry into those raiding scum at the same time, by Saint Murphy’s mighty Wrench!” I finished with a passion I didn’t really feel. I mean, I believed in what I was saying but I wasn’t feeling this situation in the gut, at least not like Akantha was anyway.

  Akantha started to nod or shake her head, I really wasn’t sure which, then stopped. “Larry?” she asked quizzically. “I know 'Saint Murphy' from my time on the Lucky Clover, but this other one, 'Saint Larry,' I have not yet heard.”

  I flushed, embarrassed. “It's just a saying,” I explained, trying to keep the defensiveness out of my voice. “A figure of speech back on my home world. And he’s not a Saint.”

  “Who is this Larry then, that you would put the fear of him into others,” she arched a brow.

  “The uh, Founder of Capria’s Royal dynasty. King Larry One,” I said, still feeling red in the face. I know it was foolish but I couldn’t help it. Saying it would put the fear of Larry into them had been kind of a stupid thing to say in the first place.

  A light went off behind Akantha’s eyes. “Yes,” she nodded, “I should have remembered. He was the first holder of Bandersnatch.”

  “Right,” I said. It was a bit perplexing for a Caprian like myself to realize that for a Tracto-an like Akantha, the previous ownership of a sword made more of an impact than the founding of a world-spanning dynasty that ruled my home world for centuries.

  “It’s good to show respect for those that came before,” she nodded in return.

  “So what do you think,” I asked, trying to move the conversation back to before my embarrassing little verbal misstep.

  Akantha suddenly looked pained. “Who to send to deal with these sorts of problems-” she looked to the side as she spoke, shielding her disappointment, “As Protector and Warlord, such decisions are rightfully yours to make. They are not within my purview as Hold-Mistress.”

  I could tell from her expression that she wasn’t pleased with this state of affairs, which is why I kept my jumps of joy and backflips firmly on the inside where no one could see them.

  “Then let us make it so and continue on with our trip to Argos, My Lady,” I said as gravely as I could manage. I knew that any sign of happiness on my part would be taken the wrong way and then cast in the worst light possible.

  Akantha gave herself a shake. I could see it took an effort, but she somehow managed to produce a smile for me, and hand in hand we turned back to taking in the view from the top of the building that currently passed for the municipal hall.

  Chapter 35: Lyconese Sensation

  Akantha activated the longtalker and waited until it connected to the orbital booster that magically let her talk with people onboard the Lucky Clover.

  “This is Hansel Suffic,” said the man with neatly trimmed gunmetal grey hair that appeared on the window in the little box.

  “Greeting, Lancer Colonel,” she directed a nod at the screen and smiled.

  “My lady Akantha,” he said raising his eyebrows, “this is a surprise, I was under the impression you were in the midst of a homecoming celebration. I hope nothing is amiss.”

  “Things are most definitely amiss, Hansel,” she replied, her smile turning into a frown. At the Colonel’s surprised look she hastened to add, “Oh things here in Messene are well. I couldn’t ask for better, more industrious citizens!” she said her features momentarily brightening as she thought about all the hard work her new people had been up to.

  “Then…?” asked the Colonel drawing the word out and looking slightly perplexed.

  Reminded of the current problem, she clenched her hand into a fist. If only she hadn’t let Jason talk her out of dealing with this situation personally!

  “It's those upstarts in Lyconesia!” she snarled, shaking her fist in the direction of their city state, “those motherless daughters seem to think they can lay claims and send in raiding parties without fear of retribution!”

  The Lancer Colonel leaned back, “Raiders… now that’s a horse of a different color,” he said slowly. “Although, my lady,” he paused to allow the honorific he had just used to sink in, “I must say that I have been in contact with local officials in Messene as recently as today. They’ve said nothing about any raiding parties.”

  “I’m holding in my hands an epistle restating their claims to half the island, Colonel and I’ve seen holo-images of outlaying farms mysteriously burned to the ground,” she said with icy control. “So either the locals haven’t made the connection, or they’re keeping it quiet and planning to use the militia to take care of the matter by themselves.”

  He half shrugged before slowly nodding, “It could be as you say, as I’m not currently as familiar with Tracto internal politics as I’d like.”

  “Listen, Hansel,” she said meeting his eyes, “I don’t have much time before the shuttle takes us to Argos. I need you to take care of this matter, personally. That way I’ll know it gets dealt with correctly. You’re the only one of from the River of Stars who I trust to handle this.”

  He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them and met her eyes. “What do you want done, Lady Akantha,” he said evenly.

  “As the World of Men is my witness, what I want is to see them crushed, their city destroyed and people scattered to the four winds,” she said harshly, “however since that isn’t an option, here’s what you’re to do instead.”

  After she was done explaining what she wanted, Hansel frowned at the screen. “I’m not entirely sure the Admiral would approve this particular operation,” he said doubtfully, “perhaps we should bring him in on this.”

  “No!” exclaimed Akantha, unable to keep the alarm off her face. Then she regained control and stared into the Colonel’s eyes. “You are both a citizen of Messene and the head of the ship’s Lancer Contingent. This is not a matter for the Lucky Clover and its Admiral, this an internal Tracto affair. Which is why, as your Hold-Mistress I am asking for volunteers from among my warrior subjects. If I choose not to involve my Protector in this…” she frowned, “then that is my prerogative as your Hold Mistress and not your place to question,” she finished, treading the line between what was customary and what was technically Hold Law very carefully. This might not be entirely proper, but it was within the Law.

  Hansel’s frown turned thunderous. “Does my Lady particularly care how her desired outcome is achieved, so long as the mission is successfully completed?” he asked cautiously.

  For a moment she felt torn. “No,” she grudged.

  The Lancer Colonel nodded his head curtly. “I think we can do that, H
old Mistress,” Suffic replied before abruptly signing off the screen.

  “Excellent,” she said, a hungry grin creeping over her features which remained until long after the connection had been lost. Then she whipped her face clean before hurrying out the door. She didn’t want to worry her Protector with this side issue, not when they were about to return home to see Mother. 'Best to avoid distracting him,' she thought.

  Chapter 36: Argos in a Nutshell

  The view screen built into the forward wall gave a striking panorama of the countryside passing underneath the shuttle. While I still didn’t want to be sitting in this seat, hurtling along at speeds that made the sound barrier self-conscious, I did have to admit Tracto had a certain wild beauty to it.

  Landing in Argos, we used the same meadow for the landing field as we did during the first visit to the city. Or at least my first and until now only visit.

  When the shuttle set down with a jarring bump, I sat bolt upright and glanced around self-consciously. Akantha looked at me with concern but I did my best to allay her fears with a smile. I could tell it wasn’t the best smile I’d ever produced, so I quickly turned my head to check on the honor guard traveling with us.

  Akantha hadn’t said anything about them, but I was going to be fried in Bug guts and thrown in the reactor to be boiled alive before I risked Argos again without a heavy guard of power-armored Lancers.

  If our Honor Guard was ten times the size it was onboard the ship and a resulting unseemly sight, I didn’t care. I bullishly stuck my jaw out and glared at the wall, silently daring it to say something. Being an inanimate object, the wall failed to say anything about my near-panic attack. Of course, if it had said anything I was prepared to put my power-armored fist through it and blast the remains to pieces.

  Outside the shuttle there was a crowd of cheering natives. Pasting on a winning smile, I raised my battle-armored arm and gave them the patented Royal wave as I walked down the loading ramp and off the ship.