Admiral's Gambit (A Spineward Sectors Novel:)

by Luke Sky Wachter

I gave him a lazy two finger salute, hoping he didn’t take the eye contact as an invitation to come over. My hopes were quickly dashed.

  “Greetings Jason Montagne,” said the overly large warrior in an even voice.

  “Greetings Nikomedes Minos, I see you are in good health,” I said mildly.

  A hint of sneer flitted across the other’s features. Another person might have thought they imagined the expression, but not me.

  “I no longer bear the Minos name, and you’re looking far less ugly than the last time we met,” Nikomedes said sardonically.

  “Our healers are very skilled,” I said casually. In retrospect, it wasn’t really surprising that after losing the sword he’d renamed the Minos Blade, he’d lost the name he’d given to both it and himself.

  His eyes swept over my scars and he shook his head. “I think I’ll trust to the Healers of Argos, they’ve done well by me,” he said looking unimpressed.

  “Your loss,” I shrugged, putting equal parts disdain and dismissal into the gesture. As far as I was concerned, this conversation could be over just about any time now.

  “Let me warn you then, and be gone,” Nikomedes said gruffly.

  I turned back to look at him. “Why should I trust you?” I asked genuinely curious. He was the first man to challenge me for the position as Akantha’s Protector, and for the life of me I couldn’t imagine a scenario where he had my best interests at heart. Especially not after the way I had defeated him and taken the sword currently strapped to my back. The so-called ‘Minos Sword’ had some sort of special cachet in this society. They called it a Dark Sword of Power and apparently most swords like that had something of a history. I would have said all, but then Bandersnatch appeared to be made of the same material as the Minos Sword. Of course, Bandersnatch had its own history, so maybe the distinction was not as accurate as it could have been.

  Nikomedes just shrugged, apparently not caring what I thought of him.

  “Kallistos,” he said pointing to a courtier in gilded half armor who looked to be in his twenties. Both the armor and clothing had been crafted to show off his best features. In any other culture I’d have said the man looked like a dandy. That he was still alive, and carried a sword in this culture, indicated to me that there was more here than meets the eye.

  “Okay,” I said slowly.

  “And Kapaneus,” Nikomedes continued, ignoring me as if I hadn’t spoken. Unable to help myself I once again looked where he indicated. Although both men carried themselves aloof, and moved like dancers, there was something about this second man that set off alarm bells in the back of my head. Perhaps it was the sneer that graced Kapaneus for the half second our eyes crossed, but I was instantly on my guard.

  Whereas Kallistos was dressed in only the local best, Kapaneus' garb was fully functional. Battle scarred armor over serviceable pants and tunic. Whereas Kallistos sword had an elegant hilt with a jewel in it, Kapaneus sword looked like it wouldn’t have been out of place in the hands of a common soldier. The fact that the man and his sword were here in the court of the ruler of Argos argued that whatever he looked like on the surface, this Kapaneus had hidden depths. Whether these were composed of connections or ability, would have to be determined later.

  “What of them,” I asked Nikomedes, deliberately covering my mouth with a hand, as if bored.

  Nikomedes scowled at me for a half second. Then pointed at each man in turn.

  “Both are full of themselves, but for different reasons,” he said, his mouth tightened as soon as he noticed the smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. “Kallistos because he cannot imagine a world in which a female he desired would willingly choose another over him. He imagines himself to be the stuff that women dream of,” Nikomedes scoffed.

  I took another look and shook my head. The man did seem taken with himself, but it was impossible to tell more without speaking to him directly.

  “And Kapaneus?” I asked, intrigued despite myself. “I suppose you are about to elucidate his character flaws for me as well?” That ought to be mocking enough to get under his skin. It was.

  “He’s an arrogant piece of work, believing himself to be better than any other,” Nikomedes growled as he scowled at me. “Swordplay, shield work, riding, jumping, throwing, there is not a manly skill of the field to which Kapaneus does not consider himself the most talented. Few are the individuals he considers his equal.”

  “Is he any good?” I asked curiously. “Or just full of hot air?”

  “If he didn’t have skill with a blade, Kapaneus would be dead by now,” Nikomedes grudged, visibly struggling to give the other man his due.

  When he failed to say anything further I shook my head. “Amazing,” I said sardonically, “I can now consider myself informed on the subject of a pair of Argos court flowers.”

  Nikomedes narrowed his eyes and his nostrils flared. “While I was away, questing for a sword of power to strengthen my suit with the Land Bride, this pair stayed at court and vied for her hand,” he said tightly.

  I felt a sinking sensation. “Yes,” I said, beginning to see why it might be important I know who these men were, but still not understanding Nikomedes angle. “Are you saying these two are likely to be interested in causing trouble now that I’m within easy reach?”

  Nikomedes shrugged. “Kallistos is likely to put great store in the wealth and position of his family, not to mention what he considers his great personal charm. For Kapaneus to overcome the perceived advantages of Kallistos, he would have attempted to gain the good favor of Hypatios Nykator,” he said giving me a meaningful look.

  My stomach sank. “Akantha’s Uncle Hypatios Nykator,” I said, shaking my head at my fortune.

  “Indeed,” Nikomedes gave me another meaningful look.

  My mind raced. Kallistos thought he could gain Akantha directly, using a combination of his position and personal charm to woo her. Nikomedes had obviously thought that accomplishing a heroic deed and gaining a legendary Sword of Power to be the route to my girl’s heart, while Kapaneus on the other hand had become fast friends with the man most likely to be able to force Akantha into a marriage she didn’t desire.

  Cast in this light, if Kallistos was as personally objectionable as he was made out to be, then Nikomedes was probably the most honorable of her former suitors. Kapaneus on the other hand was the worst. Even if the man had a heart of gold, my killing his good friend and/or mentor Hypatios Nykator was likely a big no-no in his eyes. After taking the warrior culture he’d grown up in into account, I suspected he was just itching to take a shot at me. Especially if he believed he was as tough a customer as Nikomedes made him out to be.

  I gave my head a hard shake and shot Nikomedes a penetrating look. “I’ll say again, what’s your angle in all this,” I asked, looking him straight in the eye. “I’m supposed to believe you’re helping me out of the goodness of your heart?”

  Nikomedes looked like a man struggling to keep himself from appearing annoyed and offended. He failed miserably. “I don’t expect you to believe me,” Nikomedes shrugged.

  I looked at him levelly.

  Nikomedes frowned and hesitated. Looking a little embarrassed he relented, “I’ve seen what those armor suits you’re wearing can do, first hand. The tales of your exploits among the River of Stars is farfetched and almost unbelievable. I want in. I want to see the truth with my own eyes,” he said shortly.

  “You want to get your hands on one of my battle suits so you can take another crack at me,” I corrected, a smile on my face and my eyes as cold as space ice.

  “I hear that you are taking warriors into your warband and issuing them Star Armor like the one you and your guards are wearing,” he admitted, and then he shrugged. “Yes, I want to wear one of your suits.”

  Nikomedes looked like a man who didn’t expect a favorable result, but felt the need to try anyway. It didn’t make me like him more, but it gave me pause. Instead of instantly rejecting him like I should have, I hesitated.
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  Despite my better judgment, I replied after considering it for a few moments. “If I survive this latest visit to beautiful Argos, perhaps we’ll talk again,” I said pursing my lips before turning away from Nikomedes. I’d be the worst sort of fool to take the man up on his request. The very last thing I needed was a man who’d already tried to kill me once hanging around Akantha and joining my Lancer force. Then he’d be underneath the protective skin of my Battleship and free to hatch new plans to take Akantha away from me.

  I was surprised at how much the thought of Akantha running off with this Nikomedes hurt. On the other hand, maybe all I was to Akantha was some sort of glorified consort, one with too much off-world power to really put in his place.

  I’d started off with the idea of divorce when the crisis was over or setting her up on the planetary surface in style, maybe seeing her once or twice a year. When had the idea of having her stolen away by one of her former suitors become so painful?

  Perhaps it was better she left sooner than later, if that was her desire. If Gants and the most trusted half of the Armory crew were still with us, I’d have set him to watching Nikomedes. Perhaps the Lancer Colonel, I thought with reluctance. Akantha and the Colonel seemed to get along, and he was nominally loyal to me. If I let him join the Lancer contingent and Nikomedes killed or allowed the Colonel to be killed, Akantha wasn’t likely to forgive him and he’d be smart enough to know that.

  I hadn’t relied on Colonel Suffic for anything critical to my personal wellbeing in the past, mostly because I hadn’t needed to. In the back of my mind I’d been relying on Gants and his team for that kind of support. After Bethany literally stabbed me in the back, Hansel, the Lancer Colonel, had not only failed to finish the job, he’d called for medical support and done his best to help defuse the situation.

  Gants wasn’t around anymore and wasn’t going to be, so perhaps it was time to expand the sphere of people I trusted. Even so, I had to be an idiot to even be considering allowing Nikomedes on my ship. I frowned. Perhaps it was the fact I was somewhat intimidated by a man who was willing to take on someone wearing power armor, when he had nothing more than a top end sword and primitive protection.

  I honestly wasn’t sure if I could take this Nikomedes if it was a straight up fight. I worried my lip between my teeth before steeling myself to the decision. I was Admiral Jason Montagne, slayer of Bugs and Imperial Marine Jacks, not some frightened little boy. If the man didn’t try to kill me during this visit, or found to be part of some conspiracy, Nikomedes was going to be allowed onboard my ship. So long as he was willing to swear to me as his Warlord, of course. But I had to wrap up this family visit first.

  For the next half hour I stayed where I was and watched members of the court circle around me. The men acted like a pack of wolves, the way they looked at me and circled.

  The women were a mix. Some avoided looking at me like I had the plague. Others had a glint in their eyes that bespoke interest. The men sized me up like they were thinking of ways to butcher me, and it was more than a little disconcerting. In the Caprian Court we were less blatant about such thoughts. The women were also sizing me up, but for the most part with an entirely different purpose in mind, which didn't seem to improve the mood of the men.

  No one other than Nikomedes actually came close enough to speak with me and I approached no one. It was odd to be so disconnected from the swirl and whirl of court, even a court as foreign and strange as this one. I was at the center of the spotlight and at the same time, almost completely cut off from everyone else.

  I was used to being on the outskirts, struggling to avoid attention or battling for scraps off the societal table. Being front and center was a new experience, and this time I wasn’t half out of my mind with head trauma.

  The translator picking up fragments of conversation didn’t help either. I could look at people speaking behind their hands or glaring and confronting one another and I couldn’t understand a word they were saying. They were too far and I didn’t know how to focus the translator on their position.

  I was just grateful no one took this opportunity to challenge me to single combat in the circle.

  Chapter 39: Jinx

  The court stirred in a way that put me on edge. It was different from my experience at Capria, to be sure, but the way people appeared alternately agitated or unnaturally still and interested in my position tripped all sorts of internal alarms.

  “Keep a sharp eye out,” I instructed my honor guard of Lancers.

  “Yes, Sir,” the Sergeant muttered in a low voice. He was a Caprian veteran, and the sound of the familiar accent helped more than I would have expected.

  Eventually, Kallistos and Kapaneus pushed through the crowd, followed by a number of other men. I wish I could say this turn of events in some way unsettled or shocked me, but really it was more of a relief. If a few more native blockheads wanted me to tear them apart with my power-armored gauntlets, who was I to rain on their parade?

  The pair stopped a few feet away from me. Kallistos looked at me with his nose in the air, while Kapaneus gave me a once over and sneered. Conversations stopped as other people spotted the confrontation.

  When the pause had grown uncomfortable, I widened my eyes as if just spotting the pair for the first time. “Something I can do for you boys,” I asked with just a hint of condescension and a carefully calculated smirk.

  Kallistos scoffed but Kapaneus flushed, an angry red color creeping across his face.

  Kapaneus stopped and looked at me appraisingly before giving a quick shake of his head as if shrugging off an annoying insect.

  “It has been long since your last visit, too long, Protector,” Kapaneus said, emphasizing the last word, almost as if he was it into a slur. “We of Argos have been waiting for you with anticipation.”

  “And here I am, to ease your anticipation,” I said in a calm and deliberately superior voice. I wasn’t sure how much came through the translator, but I knew he was catching some of it even with the lag from the device.

  “You must think you are so much better than us, man-from-the-stars,” Kapaneus spat, an ugly expression marring his face as he spoke.

  “I didn’t realize the warriors of Argos were mind-readers as well as masters of the blade,” I said keeping my expression even and my voice so mild as to be deliberately insulting. Kapaneus’ face grew darker by the moment.

  “You are brave to insult the warriors of Argos from within your enchanted suit of armor,” Kapaneus said scornfully. “I wonder if you would be equally so if we were just two men with nothing but our weapons.” He spat at my feet.

  It appeared there was at least one blockhead who didn’t want to face me while I was wearing power-armor.

  “I don’t remember seeing you among those arguing how unfair it was for Nykator to challenge a man who’d just been through a challenge circle, and before that was wounded to the point of unconsciousness saving Argos’s very own Land Bride from the Bugs, your very own sky-demons,” I remarked, allowing a look of confusion to sweep my face.

  “Are you accusing me of something,” Kapaneus demanded placing a hand on his sword. “Speak plainly or prepare to perish.”

  “I’m just asking, why the sudden change of heart?” I asked innocently. “Where was this sense of outrage before it was to your personal benefit?” If this thick-thewed idiot thought I was going to conveniently peel out of my power-armor just so he could have the advantage, with his foot of height and the better part of a hundred pounds on me, he was wrong. Dead wrong, if that was a necessary part of the equation.

  As soon as the words translated, several members of the crowd gasped and started relaying the words to those behind them.

  Kapaneus grinned as if he’d scored some kind of major point. It was a savage grin without even a hint of compassion or remorse.

  “You have insulted me and cast doubt and aspersions upon both my honor and my warrior spirit,” he strode forward and punched me in the face.

&nb
sp; Using both hands I pushed forward, and slamming my gauntlets into the chest of the native dunderhead was deeply satisfying. The eight feet he went flying back into the crowd even more so. The fool was just lucky I was feeling restrained.

  I could see from the reaction of the crowd they were surprised at how strong I was in the armor. Well they should be, since the last time I’d been fighting what was probably their biggest, strongest warrior. What they didn't know was that since then, I’d been training every day. I’d improved and Kapaneus, while big and strong, was no Nykator.

  “Stay down you fool, before I knock you into the next world,” I said disdainfully.

  He ignored me, climbing to his feet with a bloody grin. He must have cut the inside of his mouth when he fell because I didn’t touch him anywhere near the face.

  “I challenge you,” Kapaneus cried loudly enough to be heard over the sudden buzz of the crowd. “I call on the great Protector Jason Montagne to face me in the Circle, in Extremis Naturale,” the words were followed by a buzzing sound from the translator indicating an imperfect word equivalent, “face me or let any and all present know you for the cowardly dog you are. Your infamy will spread far and wide until men will be shamed to have had their name associated with yours,” roared the irate warrior.

  I smirked at this bit of hyperbole and glanced over at my honor guard just to make sure they weren’t taking any of this self-serving tirade to heart.

  The Caprian sergeant looked ready to kill Kapaneus as soon as the order was given, but the native members of the body guard had a different look to them. They appeared grim and concerned. It was a look that chilled my sense of satisfaction and caused a sinking sensation in my belly. I might have just made a serious miscalculation.

  Chapter 40: Blow up any Mountains Lately? Nah, just an oversized mole hill.

  “Chief,” yelped a Caprian grease monkey running up to the Turbo-laser turret Bogart was currently ensconced in.