Cavalier's Gambit -ch 19- (Patreon)

Wayne looked at the email on his phone again.

It was a simple communication from the Administrator Michael to please see him at his earliest convenience. There was no listed time, or suggested days.

Chewing at his lip, Wayne really didn’t have a better idea or what to do, other than to go visit him immediately.

Though to be fair, this was easier than going to see Natalie and Tink.

After he’d dropped the young woman off with Tink, Wayne had felt awkward and guilty. The idea that Natalie was a woman rather than a man had made him instantly regret his offer to make her his squire.

Doubly so after he had realized she was only a year younger than himself.

The difference in his parents’ ages had been five years, let alone just a single year.

Realistically, Wayne had little defense in the way of women, and he felt awkward around them.

Well, except for captain Chilton.

She was so blessedly direct and obvious that it was almost too easy to deal with her.

While she had her motivations, she actually told me them.

It was really nice to know exactly what the goal was.

Sighing, Wayne lifted his hand and then opened the door to the administration building. He stepped inside and looked to the desk where the receptionist and security would be.

The heavy-set veteran at the security table shot to his feet.

Not far off, the secretary at the counter noticed the motion and looked to the door. Then also got to their feet so fast that they knocked their chair backward.

“Lord Hesh!” croaked out the security agent at the same time the receptionist said his name.

“Yes, good morning. The administrator asked me to drop by,” Wayne explained. “Could you please tell me when the next opening in his calendar is?”

“Yes! Ah-just a moment, Lord Hesh!” the secretary requested, and then hurried off. Moving so quickly that her heels clicked against the tiles.

Opening a door, she slipped inside and closed it behind herself.

“I have no weapons on me of course,” Wayne stated to the security guard, walking up to the man. “I mean, realistically, without my Walker I’m not much of a fighter.”

“I would find that hard to believe, Lord,” argued the veteran.

While looking up at Wayne.

“Hm. It’s true though. Maybe I should hire a few bodyguards for when I don’t have my Walker around,” he mused while looking to the side.

Suddenly he had a thought of hiring people in Exo-Suits as bodyguards. They could keep him safe from problems that didn’t relate to his Walker jobs.

They might be pricey, but it was his health after all.

I could just use that stipend for it, couldn’t it? I can just write that off and consider it the price of doing business as a Walker pilot.

It’s not like I was planning on not doing missions anyways.

This’ll solve more than one issue.

That and maybe it’s finally time to figure out what all this nonsense about Lord Hesh means. I’ve mostly been avoiding it because-well, because I honestly don’t want to know what my responsibilities are.

But… but I guess that’s not really a possibility anymore.

Going to have to be Lord Hesh and have body guards and… a squire and… yeah.

Yeah.

All that.

“Ah, Lord Hesh? The administrator is pleased to see you immediately,” the secretary said a moment after opening the door she’d fled through. Holding it open, she put her back to it and then gestured into the area beyond, which was the Administrator’s office.

Wayne followed quickly and entered. Michael was already seated at the coffee table that was off to one side in one of the five seats.

He was almost as tall as Wayne was, surprisingly, though slightly overweight.

He had dark hair, brown eyes, and the look of a man who didn’t get much in the way of rest.

“Ah, Lord Hesh, I only barely sent that email last night,” Michael said, bouncing out of his seat and gesturing to the one across from him. “I’m genuinely surprised to have you arrive so soon.”

Wayne frowned at that, then took the indicated seat.

“Michael, can I just be horribly blunt with you?” Wayne asked after a pause, wondering how to make sure this went in the right direction for himself.

Michael hesitated then nodded his head, taking the seat directly across from Wayne.

“I’m at best a country bumpkin one generation removed from a hive city,” Wayne deadpanned and shrugged his shoulders. “I barely understand why people are calling me a Lord, what it really entails, or what even my responsibilities are.

“I just ended up on this station given the situation, and stayed here. I’ve taken contracts just because they paid well and I could line my wallet. I have no idea what’s really going on, what my status is socially, or, for frelk’s sake, why people are so terrified of me.”

Michael had listened intently as Wayne spoke. His eyes glued to his face until the last word was said.

Only then did he look away and it was to let his eyes drop to the table between them. He was most certainly chewing his words over, Wayne believed, and thinking about how to respond.

“You’re essentially nobility in the Terran-Confederation. A house unto yourself and beholden to no-one,” Michael started slowly, looking back to Wayne. “Do you know about the nobility?”

“Just that they exist,” Wayne conceded. They might as well have been a foreign country to him back on Faesin.

“Well… you’re a noble house now. The house of Hesh,” Michael continued with a hand wave at his secretary. She left quietly with a smile and went back to the front. “The only nobility in Mirkil lands is the House of Mirkil and Cavalier and similar ranks. No other houses of nobility dwelt within their territories.

“Your title was conferred to you by the House of Mirkil. The second title confirmed through the Terran Confederation itself. This is why you’re now a Lord, instead of a Cavalier.”

Nodding his head, Wayne was immediately grateful to Michael. His insight as an administrator was already providing him a great deal of information.

“In all of House of Mirkil, there’s only six Cavaliers or Lords. Of those, you’re one. The only one made in the last twenty or so standard years,” Michael explained. “It takes more than a simple feat to be awarded such a thing. While maybe they wanted to hang the title around you for a victory of morale, you’re still the only one to receive such a title.

“No one else received one, nor have they in any other border clash that has happened or is still ongoing.

“Doubly so that the second confirmation came down from the Confederation. That’s even more rare.

“You were recognized by a non-military source, the government, for military deeds. Held up as a heroic figure and a beacon to the common people, despite neither the government nor the military being the ones to control you.”

“Okay, so it’s rare,” Wayne shrugged. “Rare and I’m one of a handful of people with the title in the sector.”

Michael shook his head with a chuckle.

“It’s a bit more than just that. As a Lord, you also aren’t subject to quite the same laws. Anything less than a capital offense just… doesn’t apply to you,” acknowledged Michael. “You could take nearly anything from almost anyone on the station and nothing would be done.

“If you harm someone physically, then you might be able to be charged. If you killed someone, then certainly. Otherwise… it just… wouldn’t happen.”

Wayne’s mouth suddenly hung open.

“And that’s if they’re a citizen. If they’re not, well, then-then you could do what you wanted, where normal people would still face legal repercussions,” Michael said and then left the statement there.

Well that’s awful.

I can’t imagine someone harming Tink just because she wasn’t technically a citizen.

Michael laughed, reached across the table, and patted Wayne’s knee.

“That face right there is why I’m so glad you’re here at my station, Wayne. Right there. You didn’t like that statement very much,” pointed out Michael. “So, as you now see, as a Lord, you have a lot of power. Even I would have limited means to trouble you.

“As I just said, I’m very glad you’re the one that’s here. It grants me protection from other Cavaliers and Lords by them having to contend with you, as well as grants the whole station prestige.

“More than a few people have immigrated here based on you being here alone. I’m working to build out my security because of it. As well as building more modules and levels.

“Lots of merchants, stores, and services are coming here as well. Partially due to you, but also due to our location. With Faesin-III captured… we’ve become a hub.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if others come seeking your favor. With gifts, bribes, or otherwise.”

“Right. Okay. Well… fine,” Wayne mumbled, sighed, and nodded his head. “So, what can I do for you? You wanted to speak to me.”

“Yes, yes I did. I wanted to offer you a chance to purchase a permanent garage,” the administrator said with a smile. “I ordered an annex to the station before the war started and it was recently delivered. It’s being bolted onto the station and brought into line today.

“With modular stations, it’s quite easy to add things to this whole facility.

“In this case though, the original person who the garage was going to is gone. I now have a garage that I need to sell. I thought of you first.

“Before you ask, it’s a garage suitable for a full squad of Walkers up to a Dreadnought class. So, four positions at that weight.

“I’d sell it to you outright and I wouldn’t charge you for utilities or rent.”

In other words, he wants me to settle more permanent roots here.

“Uh… can I call Tink?” Wayne asked. “She’d know better than me if it’s something we want.”

Michael smiled widely at that. It seemed as if this wasn’t outside of his expectation.

Wayne pulled his phone out of his pocket and then dialed up Tink. Pressing the phone to his ear he looked to his boots.

“Hello, Wayne!” Tink said on the other end of the line. “G-good morning.”

“Hello, my dear Tink,” Wayne murmured with a grin. “You doing alright? Everything good?”

“Oh yes. Everything is going quite well,” Tink replied with a laugh. “Natalie is a dear. I think she’ll be useful as an attendant for you.

“We’re currently over at the medical ward to get her looked over. Sh-she had some… some difficulties I wanted investigated.”

“Nice. Alright. Thanks for handling that,” Wayne gushed with a laugh. “You’re going full older sister on her, huh?”

“Yeah. Really though. She had some things I wanted looked at. A broken wrist. Some injuries to her knee. Things that could be repaired as a citizen since they’d affect her as a pilot.

“Injuries like that can be fixed really easy. It only takes citizenship and some money.”

“I mean… okay. Do what you feel is best, Tink. I trust you implicitly,” Wayne answered. “The cost is irrelevant if you think it’s worthwhile.”

“You know, I knew that’d be your response, but it’s still good to hear it,” Tink murmured oddly. She somehow sounded relieved and annoyed.

Err… I… oh.

Oh!

She’s hinting about her own problems.

“Probably not the best time to say it given my location, I’m in the Administrator’s office by the way—”

“You’re what!?” Tink asked, her volume going up.

“— and I’m chatting with the administrator himself. But… if you remember our conversation from last night, it’s not like I changed my mind. Still attracted.

“If you wanted to make changes, make changes, but I’ll forever remind you I was interested before you decided to fix whatever it is you’re worrying yourself over. Like your nose. But if it makes you feel better, fix it,” Wayne finished.

All the while, Tink was trying to get him to shut up or tell her what was going on.

When he stopped talking, she blew out a heavy breath.

“Wayne?” she asked.

“Yes, my dearest Tink?”

“You’re-you’re in front of Michael?”

“Yeah.”

“Alright. And… and why did you call me?”

“He wants to sell us a garage. I told him I couldn’t make a decision without consulting you. My dearest Tink.”

Tink groaned, then whined, only to huff.

“I don’t know if I should be mortified or flattered.”

“Both? Why not both. Be flattered that I treasure you, my dearest Tink—”

“Wayne! No! Not with the Administrator there!”

“—sweetest mechanic of mine. A true woman of immeasurable worth and without the ability to have a price tag put upon,” declared Wayne, his mouth pulled up into a sharp smile. All the while ignoring her plea.

Again, Tink groaned into the phone. It sounded as if she were hunched down into herself and trying to hide on the ground.

“Miss Tink? Are you okay? What’s wrong?” Natalie asked in the background.

“No-nothing’s wrong,” Tink moaned. “Wayne is just-just embarrassing me. On purpose. He likes to te-tease me.”

“I’m not teasing you, Tink. I mean it. Now… dearest Tink. My darling mechanic. My armorer. Do we want the garage? If you don’t answer me, I’m going to run over there and crush you in a hug while being loud about it and ask you in person,” Wayne threatened.

He half hoped she wouldn’t answer.

Oddly, he wanted to get his hands on her again.

“I… uhm… what if I-what… ah… that is… what if I answer, which is yes… but-but-but-that—”

Tink’s voice choked off to nothing.

“What if you answer but we pretended you didn’t answer and I rush over there?” Wayne suggested.

Tink squeaked, groaned, then made an odd hiccupping noise.

“Michael, we’ll take the garage. I need to go run down Tink after this though. Was there anything else?” Wayne asked, looking to the administrator.

Who was grinning ear to ear.

“No, no. I don’t have anything else. Though you’ll have a guest arriving today. They’re presenting you with your formal salvage shares and cash award,” Michael warned him. “As well as a guest from the Mirkil family.”

“Okay. Great. Hey, Tink, you’re at the medical plaza, right? Will you be there a while? When you’re done there, are you heading back to the ship?” Wayne asked.

“— are you okay? Why are you on the ground? Is there something wrong? Is he really just teasing you?” Natalie was asking in the background.

“Mmhmm,” whimpered Tink.

“Great. I’ll come get you as soon as I can. Bye for now, dearest Tink,” Wayne said, and then hung up. Then he looked at Michael and smiled. “You know… I never thought I’d find someone that’s so fun to tease and run down that I look forward to it.”

“You remind me of my wife,” Michael admitted with a pained smile. “I somehow now empathize with poor Miss Tink, though it’s somewhat pleasing to see your joy for life.”

“Right? Alright. We’ll take the garage,” Wayne stated.

“Wonderful. I’ll have the bill sent over to your home as well as the connected contract to it,” Michael murmured. “Then we can—”

There was a beep from behind Michael. It sounded as if it were at his desk.

“Well. Anyways. With that said we can—”

The door to the office clacked, then opened.

Entering through the door came three people. An unexpected guest, someone Wayne didn’t know, and the secretary.

“Ah! I-may I present captain Chilton of the TCI and major Halbin of the Mirkil Defense Force?” blurted out the secretary. She’d clearly been trying to keep both women out of the office and had failed to do so.

Wait… TCI? The Terran Confederation Intelligence service?

Captain Chilton had locked eyes with Wayne as soon as she entered and was now grinning at him.

Dressed exactly as she had been last time, she was still a sight for the eyes. Though she did have a sidearm belted at her waist and had a cap under her arm.

“Hey there!” she said, waving at him. “How’s my favorite bumpkin hero?”

“Not too bad. Being a country bumpkin,” Wayne answered with a laugh and got to his feet. He walked over to her and held his hand out to her. “Just bought a garage to do dumb things in. I might try attaching a Walker engine to a station ferry. That could be pretty wild to do lazy donuts in space with.

“How’s my favorite Witty and Attractive Captain?”

“Witty. Attractive. Same ol’ same ol’. A garage? Can I come by later?” the captain answered with a cute frown and a nod of her head while shaking his hand. “And you know what, I’m apparently not as witty or attractive as you led me to believe. You didn’t answer any of my emails.”

“That’s because there’s a couple thousand of them from everyone. Sorry,” Wayne apologized and then shrugged his shoulders.

Then he looked to the major.

She was in her middle twenties he guessed, only a few years older than him at most, and was very pleasant to look at.

With a figure that wasn’t quite right for the military, or the sharp and handsome uniform she filled out incredibly well.

She also wore a sidearm, but also had a sword belted to the other side of her.

Large pale blue eyes were fastened to him, and her short wavy dark brown hair was pulled back from her face with a smattering of hair gel. Under her arm was an officer’s cap.

“Hello major Halbin,” Wayne said, and held his hand out to her.

“Greetings, Lord Hesh. A pleasure to meet you,” she said a bit hesitantly, though she took his hand and shook it firmly. “I didn’t realize you were so… so tall.”

Smiling, he could only shake his head, even as he looked down at the major.

“I mean… I am a country bumpkin,” Wayne put forth with a chuckle.

“Did they just feed you corn all day?” captain Chilton asked with a laugh.

“Ha, you’re funny. I was the awful kind of country bumpkin. Wasn’t even a farmer. Corn was hard to get.

“Anyways… a pleasure to see you, captain. A pleasure to meet you, major,” Wayne said, then gestured to the administrator and stepped off to the side. “I was just leaving. I can leave the administrator in your hands.”

“I’m here for you, specifically, Lord Hesh,” the major quickly interjected, stepping to follow him.

The attractive and well-endowed major moved to stand in front of him and saluted him crisply.

“Major Halbin reporting to you for duty, Lord Hesh,” she said. “I’m here to be your liaison with the Mirkil military, as well as for your personal convenience.

“I’ve also brought a number of personal gifts from the Mirkil household for you and your house.”

Captain Chilton winced, her mouth flattened into a line, and she quickly fell in beside the major. She snapped a salute to Wayne that felt so crisp that it was like a gunshot going off.

“Captain Chilton reporting to you for duty, Lord Hesh,” captain Chilton murmured. “I’m… here to be your liaison with the Terran Confederation. As well as for your personal convenience.

“Additionally, I have several gifts from the command staff for you and your house as well.”

Uh.

Hm.

They brought the gifts and bribes just as Michael said. While they’re part of the “otherwise” he mentioned, aren’t they?

There’s a lot of room for interpretation of what “my convenience” is, but it’s also obvious, considering who they sent.

Well shit.

Sucks to be them.

I got me a Tink.

Earned it all on my own, too.

Somewhat unsure of how to respond, Wayne instead mimicked their salute, then let it fall.

The two women immediately let their own salute fall.

“Per accordance with your rank, Lord Hesh, as a major, you are the ranking officer on the station,” major Halbin remarked. “A major in the Terran Confederation of course outstrips a major of Mirkil, though I find this situation a positive one. I look forward to working underneath you.

“I have no other messages to dispatch to you at this time, and so, I await your orders, Lord Hesh.”

Ahhh, fuck.

She said that on purpose.

Now I can’t get that mental image out of my head.

Damnit.

They sent me two honeypots.

“Likewise, Lord Hesh, first of the House of Hesh. I submit to you. To you and your rank as well as your station. I have no dispatch to give and await your orders for how I may serve you,” captain Chilton said, though there was some hesitancy in her eyes. She didn’t seem to be fond of what the major had said, but she agreed with it enough to confirm it.

So much “otherwise” that I need to make sure I have witnesses around if I’m with either of these two.

Shit.

“Yeah… make yourselves at home. Dismissed?” Wayne tried, then fled. Leaving quickly to try and find Tink.

He wanted her read on the situation.