Chapter 4
Wayne paused in the ‘Cavalier’s Hall’ as it was known anymore.
The station administrator of Steeple had sectioned it off, put in a security door, an airlock with a bulkhead, and increased the security of it by a great deal.
Josephine had also plopped a number of stationary cold turrets for station defenses, all of them floating around Steeple.
Not to mention a small patrol boat group on station at all times.
Watching over station and making sure that nothing can attack the station without warning. Because of the simple fact that Wayne Hesh, husband to the crowned-princess, lived here.
Pulling out his phone after it vibrated, he glanced down to it’s screen.
It was far later then he’d expected it to be. Close to ten at night station time, in fact.
Most of the day had spent doing testing with Diane, Tink, Arsenic, and Sidra.
In the end, it’d given them a great deal more of information, but nothing that didn’t already confirm what they knew.
That when Wayne took an AI, he literally took them.
Whatever system or platform they were on ceased to exist and they were drawn straight into his implant. Leaving behind a lot of the heavy data that they drew upon, but preserving the core of who and what they were.
Which would be an incredible discovery for science if he ever allowed actual scientists to study it.
Wayne wouldn’t ever be allowing that until he was dead, or had Josephine nearby to make sure people weren’t doing stupid things to him. Trusting a scientist to not turn him into a guinea pig wasn’t a risk he was going to take without a lot of deep asurances.
Like being in a MDF facility, with hand picked scientists from Josephine, and being overseen by Tink, Diane, and Miriam holding a gun.
Shaking his head Wayne tapped at his phone and flicked into his inbox.
There were more than a few emails he’d missed it seemed.
Leaning against the corridor wall he opened the first one that looked interesting.
It practically jumped out at him.
Titled ‘Dashi Public Relations Trip’ and was from the MDF directly.
Tapping into it, Wayne quickly read it over, noted the carbon-copied parties, and smiled to himself. The trip was approved, it’d been sent to the entirety of the Hesh House company, and was an open invitation to anyone who wished to go.
Surprisingly, it even included all the Dashi women who worked for Tink. Where all the male Dashi prisoners had gone, he had no idea, but Tink had had no wish to let them work for her.
“Well there it is,” Wayne murmured with a laugh to himself as his eyes flicked to the email directly after that one.
It was from Josephine.
Tapping into it he read it.
I will be there tomorrow. Your mornings and afternoons are mine, my darling man.
Your evenings are of course Tink’s.
During your trip, I expect Cara and Barbie will make their moves. I’m stating this up front now since you didn’t take them on that camping trip.
I regret that you didn’t, I’d rather have that little bit of drama behind me than in front of me.
Though to be fair, I rather like Cara and Barbie. So I suppose it isn’t that bad.
Suddenly I have a small close knit group of friends I can talk to anything about.
Anyways. See you tomorrow morning… hubby!
Nodding his head, the email felt about right for Josephine.
Lady Mirkil was a mask she put on for public and other people.
Josie the woman was very much his wife and was surprisingly quite social with everyone around him. She wasn’t kidding when she ended up inheriting a friend group that she could trust implicitly.
Wayne looked to the next email to see what was next.
“My perfect lord,” growled what was absolutely Cara from his left.
Turning his head, Wayne saw the fiery red-head coming his way. There was a flat look in her eyes that made him feel defensive immediately.
He had no idea what he’d done, but he wanted to turn the tide of battle against her.
Because this was a fight, just one of words.
Or so he found it to be when it came to Cara at times.
“There you are, my perfect Handfast Warrior,” Wayne stated, jumping ahead of any type of anger she might have. His opening salvo had clearly struck hard because Cara blinked, her mouth turned at the corners as she fought a smile, and her head shifted as if she wanted to look away from him. “Or is it my Handfast Woman? Both? I never did look it up, you know. You promised you’d answer me before we went to Dashi.
“And from what I saw in my inbox just an hour ago, my travel plans to Dashi was approved. Has Miriam reached out to you yet?”
“I… it was approved?” Cara asked, sounding somewhat shocked.
“It was. We’ll be leaving in roughly seventy-two hours,” Wayne answered, watching her. Whatever had her worked up had been completely smothered by his counter-charge. He felt like he’d won for once against the women in his life.
In this moment, he felt like he should go for the kill. Because with Dashi, you couldn’t let up.
“I should kick your door in and take my Handfast to the bed until she leaves this world with me,” Wayne added.
Cara spun on her heel, moved away from him, and went straight to her door. Opening it she paused in her doorway, looked back at him, maintained full eye contact with him, then slowly closed the door behind herself.
Only to open it again, her red eyebrows pressed near one another.
“Don’t… don’t kick my door down. I like my door. Don’t break it. I’ll just leave it unlocked,” Cara stated firmly, then moved back into her room and closed the door behind herself with a soft click.
Well, I declared my intent, and now I have to follow through.
Fine.
It’ll make it easier later.
Though Barbie’s going to corner me on the trip to Dashi.
I guess that’s fine.
I do like Barbie.
Moving to Cara’s door, Wayne opened it, and pushed it open.
Before he could step inside, Cara grabbed him around the neck, kissed him, and jerked him into her room.
***
The four week trip to Dashi had been exactly what he’d needed.
No communications, no news, no orders, no missions, no scanning horizons, no watching sensors, no waking up to incoming fire, no listening to communications about incoming enemies, nothing.
Eating, sleeping, spending way too much time with Cara, Barbie, or Wendy when he wasn’t eating, sleeping, or just watching a tv show, had done wonders for his nerves and mind in a very short time.
That and a lot of bed-time with Cara and Barbie which had definitely alleviated his mind and psyche.
He hadn’t really thought about how often the trope of eating, sleeping, and sex, had cured a soldier’s issues if given in large quantities in a safe space.
When they finally did cross into Dashi space, he wasn’t bothered. His political documents were sent over, his accreditation that he was being dispatched as a member of the royal family, a diplomat, and an envoy was accepted without any questioning.
The Blood of Dashi had been notified of his plans and the goal before he’d arrived. Before he had departed for the mission, he’d seen the official response from the Dashi and it’d been energetic.
They seemed to be infinitely excited to receive him and host him for the duration of his visit. An entire agenda was put together by the Dashi and Mirkil for him while he was there, yet also gave him a week just to himself, as well.
Looking out the cockpit window to Dashi Prime, Wayne felt himself getting a touch nervous. It was easier to suggest coming here, than it was to be landing.
The same dropship pilot who had helped him clean off chemicals, picked him up, and generally flew him everywhere, was here in this luxury transport yacht and piloting it.
“If it makes you feel better,” she said, not looking up from her display. She was currently going through all the instructions being given to her, routing them to the AI, and responding. “There’s a large number of defenses they’ve had around us before we even formally crossed into Dashi space. They’ve been circling us like body guards the whole time.
“Haven’t seen a single thing target us in any way. Not even a sensor sweep.”
“It’d be rude to check us out before chatting us up formally,” Barbie added. “But I admit I am guilty of such a thing myself.”
A second after that Wayne felt a hand grabbing at his rear end.
During the trip here, Barbie had gotten exactly what she wanted.
It had seemed to only make her want more and had done nothing at all to calm her.
Cara, thankfully, had mellowed out some. Only after it became apparent to her it wasn’t a one off.
“Cara, we’re being instructed to land at the Dashi Palace. That’s where the Trueblood is, right?” asked Equerry. Wayne knew her name was ‘Dana’ but he just thought of her as Equerry.
“Yes,” Cara replied from what was likely a step or two behind Barbie. “Yes… that’s… yes. We’re-we’re going to meet the Trueblood of Dashi. I don’t know what to do about this. I’m the only one who speaks Dashi.”
“I mean, I understand it perfectly but I don’t speak it,” Wayne offered with a laugh. Then he let out a short breath that was more of a huff. “It’s fine. Arsenic will translate for me. Because if she doesn’t translate for me perfectly, she’ll never get any ‘training’ again.”
He knew for a fact that Arsenic was somewhat addicted to practicing using her in combat. Which she called training or practice interchangeably.
Arsenic would be the best translator in existence, he imagined.
Because he promised her a lot of ‘training’ if she did it well.
Carrot is infinitely more useful than the stick.
Unless you’re Tink.
Who wants to experience both.
Wild thing… she said she’d never say no, I didn’t expect it to be true.
“We’re in the slot and will be landing shortly. Less than a minute,” reported the pilot. “You should probably get ready because that’s a hell of a greeting.”
Leaning forward over the pilot’s shoulder, Wayne saw what she saw.
The entire courtyard that was likely the landing point was packed with people. Shoulder to shoulder. A sea of brown and dark brown heads, though there were a few here and there that looked red.
As well very pale skin as far as he could see in any direction. It was entirely singular in the traits that he could see.
Blood were a loose grouping of individuals that shared genetic traits and markers. From the earliest records that anyone could find, Blood were the Blood, and kin to none other.
Except if you’re a Warrior, I guess.
Shaking his head, Wayne went to the back of the transport yacht and adjusted his House Hesh military uniform. Thankfully he’d put it on at the start of the day.
“Cara, stand at my right, Barbie, left,” Wayne murmured, then sighed. “I really should’ve done some physical combat training or something.”
Cara stepped into the spot he’d asked and adjusted a box she held under her armpit. It was three foot by two foot and somewhat awkward to hold.
“Oh don’t worry, Waaaaayne,” moaned Barbie, followed by a low laugh as she took her position. “I’ll protect that body of yours. I’ve been having way too much fun to let you get hurt now.”
“Many speak Confed, Barbie,” Cara warned and glanced over at Barbie. “It would be good if you were careful with how you speak.”
“It’s only us, Cara, but I get your point,” Barbie answered as the docking lights shifted from blue, to red. All three of them looked to the lights. Then Barbie snickered. “You were so loud this morning, Cara.”
“I did not leave this life, thankfully,” Cara replied after a long pause. Then she laughed. “Nearly so, though.”
“Woke me up,” Wendy chimed in, stepping up behind Wayne.
He glanced over his shoulder and saw the pretty and attractive Wendy Chilton in his House uniform. His emblem on the fabric and a rank suitable to her abilities.
In his uniform the normally attractive Wendy was unfortunately more so.
The light-tan color to her skin haded faded to a paler shade given her medical rehabilitation, though her right green eyes hadn’t faded in the least.
Her dark brown hair had a way of reflecting light that gave it a light and dark contrast in most locations.
She had been rather slim and athletic before her accident.
After it, she’d put on a bit of healthy weight since she couldn’t work out in the same way she used to. Though Wayne had noticed that the extra weight had added a great deal of ‘heft’ to her figure that didn’t hurt as far as he was concerned.
“Is it my turn on the way back? If you’re going to stare at me like that I think I get a turn,” Wendy teased as her cheeks took on a faint blush.
“It’s the boobs,” Barbie provided helpfully. “Much bigger. I think if I put on weight it’d all go to my butt. Lucky shit that you are, Wendy.”
“Genetics, maybe?” suggested Wendy.
“Alright,” Wayne stated as the light went from red to orange. “Formal decorum mode.”
Pulling out his phone, Wayne slipped it into his front breast pocket after calling Arsenic’s phone, which was in his front pants pocket.
“You ready to translate, Arsenic?” Wayne asked quietly.
“Yes, my perfect Lord,” answered Arsenic.
“That was a fun course to plot,” Sidra added. “Dana is very well versed. Can we talk more later, Wayne? You haven’t given me much time to talk with you and I want to learn more.”
“Yes, please, quiet,” hissed Wayne as the light turned yellow and the ramp began sliding downward from the ceiling. “If you cannot follow orders, I will see about how I go about wiping my implant.”
“Yes! Sorry, I’m sorry. I understand,” Sidra promised and then went silent.
He got the impression from Arsenic’s silence she was talking to him privately. She’d said previously that she’d attempted to talk to the other AI, but they were basic programs who couldn’t really respond.
The ramp hit the the ground, the light turned green, and Wayne began marching forward. Keeping himself to a steady set pace and moved down the ramp.
No sooner than he had two boots on Dashi prime then a man in his middle years with pale brown hair and bright blue eyes stepped away from a group of muscled and armed men.
He smiled ear to ear after his eyes flicked over Wayne’s group. Looking rather pleased for some reason.
Walking right up to Wayne he hesitated, then said something in Dashi that was a question. Wayne could already guess he was likely asking if he spoke or understood Dashi.
Technically he did and didn’t at the same time.
Trueblood: “Warrior Hesh! The Prince-Consort himself. You’re large. It is a shame you weren’t born here. Or took a Dashi woman. Do you speak Dashi?”
“I don’t I’m afraid,” Wayne confessed. “I do however have an Dashi-AI named Arsenic that operates as my translator. I took her as a prisoner, then forcibly recruited her into House Hesh during the war.
“As to having a Dashi woman, I do have one. The Dashi next to me is my Handfast blade and woman and is part of my house.”
There was a slow inhale from the Pureblood and his eyes rounded out partially as Wayne spoke.
The man clearly understood Confed, though Cara had made a similar noise.
Arsenic promptly translated into Dashi and the translator AI gave him what she’d said, which was almost verbatim his own statement. Though she’d added ‘Handfast AI’ to her own title.
Once it’d been said aloud in Dashi, and everyone around heard it, no one said anything further.
No one moved either.
Then finally the Pureblood let out a soft laugh.
“Well,” he stated in Confed. “Consider me corrected. You do have a Dashi woman and a Dashi AI woman. I fear I will need to keep my daughters far from you lest you attempt to take more Dashi.”
“I was told I wasn’t allowed anymore by my Handfast,” answered Wayne with a thrown thumb toward Cara. “I did ask. I like the hair and the eyes.
“Thank you for receiving me personally, however, Pureblood. I am honored greatly. I was given this by my wife to present to you. It isn’t anything monetary worthwhile, but after she and I talked about it, this felt fitting.”
Wayne turned and took the box Cara was holding and then presented it to the Pureblood even as Arsenic continued to translate.
“It was recovered, cleaned, and we felt it would be good to return it,” Wayne explained as he handed it off to the Pureblood.
Several of the muscled men with him had clearly wanted to intercede but the Pureblood took it and opened it without preamble.
Wayne knew that inside was the plaque of the flagship of the Dashi.
When they’d investigated it, it’d been stuck to the interior of whichever Dashi flag ship held the name for the last five hundred years. The ship didn’t as much as the plaque and the name.
“Consider it an offering of understanding from Mirkil’s crowned-princess and her husband Warrior Hesh,” Wayne stated, to which Arsenic dutifully translated.
The Pureblood clearly knew what he’d been handed after looking at it for several seconds. Then his eyes flicked up and stuck to Wayne.
“It would seem this meeting is more than I gave it credit for, Warrior Hesh,” the Pureblood declared and then handed the box off to one of his bodyguards. “You’ll come to dinner with me and my family. You will be my personal guest and we’ll discuss things in regard to why you came later. It would be an insult to not treat you as an invited and welcome guest first, an envoy second.”
First step done, then.
That’s definitely a good reception and he’s willing to talk at a personal level.
From what I could get from the databases, paired to Wendy and Cara’s answers, this is great.
This is exactly what we wanted.
Now I have to somehow make this work out in Mirkil’s favor.
Though, this is a lot easier to deal with than front line stuff.
That or just spending weeks with Barbie, Wendy, Cara, and Dana was that much of a decompress.