Spineward Sectors 02 Admiral's Gambit by Luke Sky Wachter

Author:Luke Sky Wachter
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2012-09-11T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22: Honing A Razor

Akantha was almost glad these star-river bandits, the ones the Caprian’s liked to call ‘pirates,’ had attacked this system.

She knew in her head that her Protector had obligations to this unappreciative rump-Confederation, whatever that was. He’d explained it to her, but honestly it was hard to differentiate the Empire from the Confederated Empire, or the Confederation or the rump-Confederation.

The weeks away from her Argos, knowing that the system her Protector’s people called Tracto had just been attacked in force, were taking their toll on her ability to think straight.

Everything inside her burned to return home and see with her own eyes that her people still lived. The Sky Demons (or Bugs) were fearsome foes and the certain knowledge that they wanted to eat every last one of her people along with all other living things on her world was galvanizing, but also sickening.

Where was the honor in such actions? But of course, she reminded herself, Sky Demons had no honor. That’s why they were called Demons.

Dressed inside her armor and accompanied by her honor guard, Akantha marched into Lancer territory.

As usual, Lancer Colonel Hansel Suffic was easy to find. He was always yelling about something, you just had to listen for the sound of his voice and follow it back to the source. He was an acceptable leader of men, she thought. He probably wouldn't last a month in Argos, though.

The Lancer Colonel stopped in the middle of his tirade. “Come to wish us a victorious journey,” he said, not sounding optimistic.

“In truth, I am eager to join your victorious journey,” Akantha said pointedly.

The Lancer Colonel closed his eyes and when he opened them he sighed. “I’m through arguing with you,” he said leveling a finger at her. “So go get that suit looked at by a technician before coming back for your shuttle assignment.”

“Make sure to assign me to whichever one will meet the enemy first,” she said with a cold smile.

“Be careful,” he warned, “eventually the Prince will get tired of you running off to get killed. He might replace me with someone more likely to reign in your notions.”

“He is welcome to try,” she said coolly. Then she tried for a gracious smile. “You’re the best Lancer on the ship.”

“I’m the only fully trained Lancer on the ship is what you mean,” he grumbled.

She continued on blithely as if she hadn‘t heard his last few words. “No one can replace you. Who else could teach my people and your other ‘trainees’ the skills needed to master their suits and the fighting techniques taught among the stars,” she finished.

“I don’t have to be in command to train Lancers,” he said harshly. “The Admiral’s known for leading from the front when he sets his mind to it. I don’t know anything more likely to make a man do something foolish, like try to command both the ship and the Lancer contingent all at the same time, than having his wife running around boarding enemy ships.”

She narrowed her eyes and stared him down.

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