Birth of a New Legend: Book 3 of the Death Dealer Saga - Death’s Own Daughter. Read online

  Birth of a New Legend

  Book 3 of the Death Dealer Saga - Death’s Own Daughter.

  By Jessie Wolf

  Kindle Edition © 2015 Jessie Wolf

  First Edition: June 1 2015

  Dedication

  To all those who have helped me with this work of fiction. First my editors whose hard work this story would be nothing more than a dream. Donald J. Kaufman SR, and Professor Virginia Whipple. If not for the two of you I know that my writing would be nothing more than the ramblings of a desperate writer. For Paul my loving and very forgiving husband, without whose encouragement I would never have had the courage to even try writing this story or his putting up with stacks and stacks of notes covering his dinner table.

  Author’s Notes

  Censorship Rating (18+).

  About the author

  Jessie Wolf lives in a small seaside town in South Carolina with her husband of 19 years and two very inquisitive cats. In her day to day life Jessie works as a Network Manager and IT guru for the resorts and hotels of her home town. In her spare time she is an avid reader of all forms of the written word, to include science fiction, fiction, fantasy, crime novels, detective stories, and just about anything else she can get her hands on. She is also a former member of her countries military and is a proud US Army veteran.

  Publisher’s Note

  Jessie Wolf is an exciting new author of the Twenty-Teens era. Jesse’s work has an established fan base who regularly comment on her work with great enthusiasm. They eagerly await each chapter as it comes. Jesse’s stories have a descriptive edge that keeps you wanting to read what happens next. The fans are already clamoring for a film of the Death Dealer’s Saga.

  At 97 JJ Owns thought he would take one last trip to pay his respects to fallen comrades. He didn’t see that the fates had other plans.

  Introduction

  For James J. Owens a return trip to the planet of Hades in the Death Gates System was to be his final farewell. At ninety seven, his doctors had told him his chances of surviving the trip were small. This did not deter him in the slightest. It would be his last great adventure and a chance to say goodbye to fallen comrades. What he did not know at the time he left the planet that had been his home for the last thirty years what lay ahead of him.

  Nor did the old Death Dealer know that deep within him lying dormant was an old friend just waiting a signal to reawaken. A wakening that would begin not only a second chance in life, but what would become his greatest, and most rewarding adventure. He will face off against assassins, rogue military units, hostile planetary governments, and an all-out revolt against the Empire he swore to protect. All of these things are nothing compared to his greatest challenge.

  No that pleasure belongs to dealing with first learning how to be a teenage girl, the Head of House for one of the most prominent High Families in the Empire, and having not one but two very different Artificial Intelligence computers in her head. One is the original Death Dealer AI that all Death Dealers have, this was ‘Dee De’ a Mark one Omega/ Assault class Death Dealer AI with a hidden secret. One that will lead to James greatest adventure and second chance in life.

  They say Death Dealers never retreat and never surrender. Their battle cry has been heard on thousands of worlds for over four hundred years. Can one of the most respected and feared of them, the man they called Death walk away? Or will the granddaughter he never had, rise up to claim the name of Death’s own Daughter?

  Chapter 1

  When Dee De calls Vicky a ‘Hello Kitty doll’ I realize where the paint schemes of the Patton’s came from. Each one is painted like one of the Hello Kitty characters. There’s My Melody, Pochacco, and Chococat. If there is something that will make you a target on the battlefield this is it. In great big bold letters. If we step out with these paint jobs everyone and their brother-in-laws will target us. We might as will paint a bull’s-eye on our backs. To say that I’m shocked is the understatement of the year.

  Before I can say or do something, like blow my top, I hear a giggle from Vicky. “Hi, Maiha. What do you think of our plan to get the rebels to come after us?”

  “You asked to be painted like this, Vicky?”

  “Yup, we sure did.”

  “You do realize that all of you just turned yourselves into the biggest, and I mean THE BIGGEST, targets on the battlefield?”

  Giggling like a teenager Vicky proudly says. “We sure do.”

  Face palming I ask. “Can someone please tell me what this crazy plan is? Before I lose what little of my mind I have left.”

  “It’s simple.” Vicky spouts out. “This afternoon your mama is going to send out a wedding invitation to all the High Family Houses, in which they will hear that she plans to marry a ‘lowly’ commoner like the First Sergeant. When they hear about this, they will literally flip their lids. The very thought that the Great Lady Nakatoma Dai Etsu is marrying a commoner will drive them crazy. They’ll have to stop it before it can happen. Well the only way they can even get close enough to the Main House without being seen is by coming over the back ridge of the practice range. Once they are inside of the range we turn on the hologram projectors to confuse their targeting computers. Meanwhile we have all of our House troops, with us in the middle and at the end of it out in the open. We place the Death Dealers and any mercenaries on the outside edges. As they charge us we open fire drawing them in deeper and deeper. When they can’t turn around the Death Dealers and mercenaries open fire from the rear and sides. At that point in time we become the anvil and the rest become the hammer.”

  Thinking about how she laid out the battle plan I could not find fault with it. The more I thought about it I realized it was one of the oldest plans in history. It dated back to one of the bloodiest times in human history. The American Civil War. They say it was one of the bloodiest wars in all of history. What they were proposing was a variation of the Battle of Antietam. Only with us holding the ‘bloody lane’ and the rebels charging into our guns and reinforcements. It will be a blood bath. No House military inside of the kill zone will stand a chance of survival as a unit by the time all is said and done.

  “Um… Vicky dear which one of you came up with this battle plan?”

  “Oh that was Snow Mountain Guardian. He is really into all that ancient history stuff. He’s really smart about that kind of thing. Why?”

  “I want to know which one of you four decided to repeat history is all.”

  “Well, to be truthful he gave us the basics, but we each put in our own little bit. Like it was Harbinger’s idea to put the House troops all in the middle, Dawn suggested that the Death Dealers work on the outside edges with the mercenaries, and Warrior pointed out that the range hologram system could be used to confuse the enemies.”

  “Who suggested the paint jobs?”

  “Oh I don’t know.” From the sounds of her voice I know exactly who.

  “Tell the truth, Vicky. You did it. Didn’t you?”

  “Yes ma’am. I suggested the paint jobs.”

  “Why?”

  “Um… I thought it would be a good way to get the enemy to come straight at us.”

  “AND.”

  “Well…um… well… because it’s cute.” She mumbled the last part.

  “Speak up, please Vicky.”

  “Because it makes us look cute.”

  “That’s what I thought.”

  “Please don’t tell the others. They already make fun of me as is.”

  “Why is that, baby girl?”

 
“They say that I’m the biggest girly-girl in the Universe.” I can hear the whine in her voice. She doesn’t understand why she is the way she is. She can’t understand how they get to be all business like and grown up will she’s stuck with being all girly-girl.

  “Vicky, I think that part of the problem is my fault.”

  “Your fault, how?”

  “When I first linked up to you do you remember how you got smarter the longer and longer I was connected?”

  “Well yes. That was the day I became self-aware.”

  “I think your personality was influenced by me. Trust me baby girl, I’m one of the biggest girly-girls out there.”

  “So, you don’t mind me being so girly?”

  “Not at all. It just caught me off guard when I saw your new look. Say are they going to give you a bow for the top of your ears?” I really wanted to know. “Because if they do you’ll look even cuter.”

  “Do you really think so? Because if they can make me cuter, I want it.”

  “Hold on a minute, and I’ll check.” Looking around for the senior maintenance tech I wave for him to come over.

  “Maiha, you really aren’t going to do this are you? Alice asked me.

  “Yup, if I can get it done. Hopefully they can.” Looking over at her I can’t help but giggle. The look on her face is one of total amazement and shock. “I know, won’t it be too cool.” (Giggle)

  “Oh My God! You’re serious!” looking around for my mama she yells out at the top of her lungs. “Mom! Help! Maiha has lost her mind!”

  Before mama can show up the lead maintenance tech shows up. “Can I help you with something Lady Maiha?”

  “You sure…mmmummmummm.” Before I can say much more Alice has her hand over my mouth.

  “Excuse us for a minute Sergeant.” She asks sweetly. “I think that her Ladyship’s mother needs to see this before going any further.”

  As I start to wiggle out her arms mama shows up. “Allison dear, why are you trying to gag Maiha? Not that don’t feel that way at times and you do have that right as her fiancé.”

  Before I can stop her Alice tells mama what I want to do to Vicky. “My Lady, she wants to put a giant bow on top of Vicky’s head.”

  The chuckle that comes from Top and the giggle from mama just gets us all going. There are something’s that no matter how stupid they sound are just too funny when said out loud. The fact that it was not me, but the woman that I love who said it, made it all the more funny. Of course once I started to giggle so did Alice. The stupidity of the whole idea was priceless.

  Turning around in Alice’s arms I give her a quick kiss. After breaking the kiss I turn back to mama and Top. “Sorry about that, I just wanted to see the look on Alice’s face. However I don’t think that it would be a good idea. Am I right Master Sergeant?” I asked of the maintenance tech that I had called over earlier.

  “No, ma’am. If we were to try that it would interfere with your Suit’s targeting system. Those ‘ears’ are in fact the accusation and targeting sensors. So they have to stay free and clear. Also most of your com-gear is stored up there.” He told us.

  Looking back up at Vicky. “Sorry baby girl; it looks like I can’t put a bow on you.”

  “That’s ok. It would have been nice to have, but I can understand why.” I can hear the disappointment in her voice, but at least she understands. Her next question though caught me off guard. “Are you and Sergeant Pilot Alice Wendell having sex?”

  Now of all the questions that could be asked that one was not one I expected her to ask. “Um… Vicky why did you ask that?”

  “Oh I just wanted to know if I get to have another big sister or is that sister-in-law.”

  Mama and all the others start laughing at the look on my face. There are times, no make that whole weeks that I wish I could go back and start over. Before I can answer her though Alice steps up and says. “Yes Vicky we’re going to get married. So yes, in a way I’ll be your sister-in-law. Will this upset you?”

  “Nope, not at all. In fact I’m happy for you both. Are you going to let Puss-in-Boots get the upgrades like me and the rest of us?”

  “I haven’t thought about that really.”

  “Well why not; are you ashamed of her?”

  “Not at all Vicky. I actually love her, but I don’t own Puss. She belongs to House Nakatoma. I’m just her pilot.” Alice tells Vicky in a sad voice.

  When I hear this I make up my mind right then and there. “Alice if you want her, she’s yours.” The look on her face was priceless.

  “But Puss-in-Boots is worth over forty thousand credits. You just can’t give something like that away.” She tells me in shock. “Wait a minute, that didn’t come out right. What I mean to say is…”

  She doesn’t get the chance to finish as mama interrupts her. “Oh but she can. Allison. As the Head of House Nakatoma and its military commander it is well within her power to do so. Why if she wanted to she could give every one of the House APS’ to their pilots if she wanted to. The only APS that she cannot give away is the Great Sword.”

  What mama just told me was something that I had not thought about. Almost all of the APS’ around here are owned by House Nakatoma. “Mama, just how many APS’ do we own?”

  It takes her a few moments before answering me. “I believe somewhere around eight full lances of every type, except the assault class, of those there are only sixteen in total. Why?”

  “Oh, I believe I know of a way to get every one of our house troops into an APS of their own.” When everyone looks at me I explain my idea. “It’s simple. For every APS that we can capture it becomes the property of House Nakatoma. Then we tell our troops if they want one for their own all they have to do is capture one on the battle field and it is theirs. Then all we have to do is repair it for them and bingo we now have twice the number of APS’. The same will apply to the mercenaries.”

  “Maiha, that’s brilliant. Why if you give every pilot their own APS not only will you gain their undying loyalty, but you will give them what they have always wanted.” At my look of confusion Alice went on to explain what she meant. “Every soldier dreams of being able to pack-up and move on to another House with their own gear. If you’re a pilot with your own APS then you have a better chance at higher paying slots.”

  “If that is true, wouldn’t they just pick up and leave House Nakatoma?”

  “No, baby. Like I told you. Every one of them will be more loyal to this House and Family than ever before. To be able to own your own APS is one of the biggest dreams of every APS pilot that I know. The cost of buying one is what keeps most pilots employed with the High Family Houses.” she tells me.

  The more I thought about it the more I realized how so many of the House’s kept their military under service. It was only the mercenaries that had any true freedom for who they fought. I think it’s time to change things up around here. Turning to a young private “Private I need you to do me a favor. I want you to go find the commanding officers for the Mountain Wolves, Hell Hounds, and the House units. You are to tell them that I want them to meet me for lunch. Do you understand?”

  “Yes ma’am.” And with that he turns and runs off to carry out his orders.

  “Maiha what are you up to?” mama asked me.

  “I’m getting ready to give my fiancé her bridal price, mama.”

  “And just what might that be, child?”

  “Oh I figure if she has her own APS then everyone else should have their own as well.” The gasps of shock that run throughout the hangar were deafening. “What? Did you think I was joking about what I said earlier? Well let me tell you all right here and now. When I say I’m going to do something like that you can bet that I’ll do everything in my power to get it done.”

  “Well, seeing as how you feel that way about it, daughter. I think it is time for your fiancé to get a new APS. The one she has now is just too small to stand with the Storm Dancers. If you’ll follow me Allison.”

 
; Alice interrupts mama. “Excuse me, Lady Dai Etsu, but my name is Alice not Allison.”

  “Child, I know exactly what your birth certificate reads and it is not Alice, but Allison Ann Wendell. Which by the way will be how your letter of patent will read. Now, as I was saying, if you’ll follow me I’ll introduce you to your new and improved Puss-in-Boots.” With that she leads us around Vicky through a door on the other side and into a different hanger. Standing there was a brand new B1-7B Panther. A seventy ton fast attack heavy APS that is painted to look just like her W8-3A Wild Cat. Next to it is her Puss-in-Boots with its cockpit standing wide open and a swarm people climbing all over it.

  “Lady Dai Etsu what are they doing to my APS?”

  “They are transferring the AI out of your old APS and into your new one. This was going to be my surprise to you when we went out for training this afternoon with you as part of the Storm Dancers.”

  “But ma’am I already have a lance that I belong to.”

  Placing my hand on her shoulder I look her in the eye. “Alice, honey, I hate to tell you this, but your old team is no longer a viable unit. Three out of four of its APS’ were destroyed and two of your teammates are dead and one is in the hospital.” Pointing up at the damaged left arm and the backside of her APS “And baby, you and I both know there is no way they can repair that kind of damage without completely rebuilding the top half of your Puss.” When she starts to argue with me I quickly point out how she barely got her home to begin with. I can see the tears starting to form in her eyes. “I know she means a lot to you. That’s why we’re having them put Puss’ AI into a virgin APS. Your new Suit will feel just like your old one.”

  “But it won’t have any of Puss-in-Boots quirks. It won’t feel the same, hell it probably won’t even need me.” she was crying now. She had a full on blubber going. “Why didn’t you ask me before hand?”