All’s Fair in Blood and War (The Kurtherian Endgame Book 4) Read online

  ALL’S FAIR IN BLOOD AND WAR

  THE KURTHERIAN ENDGAME™ BOOK FOUR

  MICHAEL ANDERLE

  All’s Fair In Blood And War (this book) is a work of fiction.

  All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Sometimes both.

  Copyright © 2018 Michael Anderle

  Cover by Andrew Dobell, www.creativeedgestudios.co.uk

  Cover copyright © LMBPN Publishing

  A Michael Anderle Production

  LMBPN Publishing supports the right to free expression and the value of copyright. The purpose of copyright is to encourage writers and artists to produce the creative works that enrich our culture.

  The distribution of this book without permission is a theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like permission to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

  LMBPN Publishing

  PMB 196, 2540 South Maryland Pkwy

  Las Vegas, NV 89109

  First US edition, December 2018

  The Kurtherian Gambit (and what happens within / characters / situations / worlds) are copyright © 2015-2019 by Michael T. Anderle and LMBPN Publishing.

  CONTENTS

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Author Notes - Michael Anderle

  Books By Michael Anderle

  Connect with Michael Anderle

  ALL’S FAIR IN BLOOD AND WAR TEAM

  Thanks to the JIT Readers

  Diane L. Smith

  Kelly O’Donnell

  Jackey Hankard-Brodie

  Jeff Eaton

  Mary Morris

  Jo Owen

  Nicole Emens

  James Caplan

  Angel LaVey

  Misty Roa

  Keith Verret

  Daniel Weigert

  John Ashmore

  Peter Manis

  Larry Omans

  If I’ve missed anyone, please let me know!

  Editor

  Lynne Stiegler

  To Family, Friends and

  Those Who Love

  to Read.

  May We All Enjoy Grace

  to Live the Life We Are

  Called.

  PROLOGUE

  Immersive Training and Recreation Scenario: High Tortuga, Southern Continent, Plains (Eight Months of Real Time/Nine Years of Game Time Later)

  Tabitha woke up at the crack of dawn with a dull ache at the base of her spine. She pushed away the obvious reason for the pain and crawled out of her tent on her hands and knees, grumbling at the thought of trying to do such a simple thing in the real world with what her real body looked like right now.

  She didn’t even want to think about stretchmarks.

  Any longer in here and she would be giving Gabrielle a run for the longest pregnancy in human history. Which seemed like an awesome idea when she expected it to last for five years.

  However, things had gone a tiny bit differently than planned. When the neurological issues that came with adjusting time for long periods inside the game had come to light, it had been too late to just pull the three of them out.

  The only solution had been to extend their time inside the Vid-docs from twelve weeks real time and five years game time to the eight months real time and nine years that Tabitha, Alexis, and Gabriel had experienced so far.

  Tabitha hummed as she placed a few pieces of fire log on the dying embers of the fire and waited for it to catch.

  You’re chipper this morning, Achronyx remarked.

  Yeah, well, my confinement is almost over.

  I still do not understand why you were so happy there was an issue in the first place.

  Because, Tabitha told him, I got to spend my whole pregnancy without any of the restrictions women have to suffer through. Fuck! She doubled over as the cramp that had been building bloomed in her lower abdomen. Shit. I can’t avoid this one, though.

  Braxton-hicks again? Achronyx asked.

  I don’t think so. My boy is impatient to see the world. He's not going to wait much longer. She reached for normality as the universe fell out from under her feet, grabbing a pan, which she put over the fire to heat. I'm pretty sure he'll hang on until after breakfast.

  Achronyx was silent for a moment while he checked her over. You're right. All the indicators are pointing toward an impending shift in your hormonal balance. This looks like early labor. We should return to the base and exit the game as soon as possible.

  Tabitha had come to that conclusion when the cramp hit, but she wasn't in such a hurry that she had to upset the twins. Besides, she'd added maple smoked bacon to their inventory for that morning. You should inform Eve, but I'm not leaving Alexis and Gabriel without telling them where I'm going.

  I already have, and Eve is putting your birth plan into action, Achronyx told her calmly.

  She doesn't hang around. Tabitha tapped on Alexis’ and Gabriel's tent, chuckling at the sleepy protests from within. “Rise and shine, kiddos. It’s a brand new day, and you've still got some fun planned with Addix before you go back to the base.”

  Alexis poked her head out, her dark hair obscuring her face. “That sounds like you're leaving.”

  Tabitha winked. “It's almost time.”

  Alexis squealed at that ear-shattering pitch almost exclusive to teenage girls. “Really?”

  Tabitha nodded. “Yup. Pretty sure I just had a contraction.”

  Gabriel's head appeared next to his sister's. “Does that mean Mom and Dad might let us out of here at last? I miss them.”

  Tabitha did her best not to be amused by the way his voice slid around. “I don't know,” she admitted. “You'll have to ask them.”

  “I'm calling Mom right now.” Alexis pulled her head back inside the tent, causing Gabriel to stumble forward.

  Gabriel rolled his eyes at his sister and crawled all the way out of the tent, enticed by the smell of bacon. “Oh, good. Breakfast.” He wandered over to check the pan.

  Addix emerged from her tent, rubbing her eyes in bewilderment. “It's not like you to be first up.” She read the tension in Tabitha's shoulders despite the rude awakening. “Is everything all right with the children?”

  “Sure, but I'm in labor, so Eve will be getting me out of here soon.” Tabitha put a brave face on, a hand straying to her flat stomach as another cramp began to wind itself up inside her.

  Addix’s mandibles twitched in concern. “I still do not understand why you would choose to endure this or why Eve would allow it.”

  “Trust me,” Tabitha ground out with something between a chuckle and a gasp, “it’s not fun. But this is part of the bonding experience.” She nodded toward the tents. “Do you mind coming up with something to do with Alexis and Gabriel? I could use the time to think while I get their breakfast ready.”

/>   Eve’s avatar appeared beside them. “Breakfast will have to wait. It’s time to go. Everything is waiting for you, just like we planned.”

  Tabitha hesitated. “What about Alexis and Gabriel?”

  “We’re fine with Aunt Addix,” Gabriel called.

  “Yeah,” Alexis chipped in from inside the tent. “Call us when he’s born so we can meet him at last.”

  Tabitha reached for Eve’s outstretched hand for a quick exit.

  1

  High Tortuga, Space Fleet Base, Michael’s Offices, Vid-doc Suites

  The first thing Peter heard when he entered the room was Bethany Anne talking in hushed tones to Alexis on the side monitor. “What do you mean, she’s in labor?”

  “Tabitha’s in labor?” His hands dropped to his sides, releasing the bag holding his quick and dirty dinner without a second thought.

  Eve sighed at the puddle of spilled Coke coming from the dropped bag at his feet. “Yes, Peter. We can’t delay the birth any longer; the baby is on his way. Don’t worry, they're both in good hands.” She wiggled her fingers at him, then went back to typing instructions into Tabitha’s Vid-doc console.

  A moment later a cleaner bot appeared and nudged Peter’s foot gently. He stared blankly at the bot when it bumped him a second time, which Peter thought was a little insistent.

  Bethany Anne left the console and walked over to steer Peter over to the couch. “I know we’d hoped to give them all another month or two, but Baby’s not giving us an option. We’re going to take care of Tabitha, then Alexis and Gabriel.”

  Peter appeared to be paying more attention to the cleaner bot than what Bethany Anne was saying. She looked at him with concern and waved a hand in front of his face, startling him.

  “Peter, you okay?”

  Peter ran a hand over his head. “It’s just sudden, is all. I’m good.”

  “You sure? You zoned out for a moment.” Bethany Anne noted Peter's trembling hands. “Just take a minute. Eve is pulling Tabitha out of the game, and that takes some time.” She reached out to pat Peter's shoulder. “It’s all going to be better than fine. Just wait and see.”

  Eve pushed a gurney over to the side of Tabitha’s Vid-doc. “She’s in the rejuvenation cycle now. Three minutes.”

  Peter straightened his shoulders. “There’s no time for that. We’re about to become parents.”

  High Tortuga, Space Fleet Base, Medical Unit, Corridor

  “My nanocytes had better fix,” she indicated her distended stomach with a hand, “this!” She gritted her teeth against another contraction. “Fuuuuck!”

  Bethany Anne winced when Tabitha grabbed her hand and squeezed hard.

  Tabitha growled at Bethany Anne as the contraction peaked. “Serves you right for not telling me how much this fucking hurtssss!”

  Bethany Anne took the pain of her crushed fingers without complaint. “Um, about that. I had TOM and ADAM dial down most of my labor pain.

  Tabitha glared and squeezed a little bit harder.

  “Twins, Tabitha,” Bethany Anne stated. “Wait until you’ve had one baby and tell me if you want to go through the experience a second time right after.”

  Tabitha turned away, pouting when she realized through the fog that the person on the other side of her moving gurney was Peter—the cause of all her pain.

  She pulled her hand free of Bethany Anne's and pointed a wobbly finger at him. “This is all your fault, you… You…”

  She would finish telling him later. She felt really sleepy, which was weird since she’d technically been asleep for the last eight months.

  Peter waited for the slip into Spanish that told him Tabitha wasn’t really too mad at him. Of course, when she did do it because she was mad, it meant he’d better clear out of the way before Mount Tabbie exploded in his face.

  He didn’t get the chance to find out. Before she got to the cursing him out part, Tabitha’s eyes rolled in her head and she sank back against the pillows. “Tabbie?” She didn’t respond.

  Peter almost lost his shit there and then. “Tabbie!” Somehow, he held on. This was not a situation that could be improved in any way by dropping a terrified Pricolici into the middle of it. He turned to Eve. “Do something!”

  Eve started pushing the gurney a lot faster. “Hold on!”

  Peter grabbed his side of the gurney, and he and Bethany Anne kept it stable while Eve powered her way to Tabitha’s birthing suite.

  They had two rooms on standby. The first was candlelit and had a warm pool and whale music for Tabitha to mock, where Peter would feed her bonbons and fan her while she brought their son into the world.

  Eve directed them toward the second, where the freshly-scrubbed surgical team waited for Tabitha under too-bright lights. The door was opened by a pair of nurses, and another stepped forward to guide Eve into the theater.

  Eve sailed through with the gurney, but Peter found his way barred.

  Peter tried to push past the nurse who blocked his way, frowning at the man whose nametag went unnoticed in Peter’s worry. “What are you doing? Let me in.”

  The nurse, clearly used to dealing with distraught fathers-to-be, raised a hand to ward Peter off. “I’m sorry, Commander. Medical personnel only beyond this point until we know the cause of her collapse.” He pointed to a sign on the wall by an alcove a short way along the corridor. “There’s a waiting area there if you’d like to take a seat and gather yourself. Otherwise, I’ll have to ask security to come down here, and none of us want that.”

  Peter didn’t care if he had to fight his way to Tabitha. She and their baby were vulnerable, and they needed him right now. He growled deep in his chest. “Let me pass. I’m staying with Tabitha.”

  The nurse looked at Bethany Anne as the voice of reason.

  It was only when Bethany Anne moved Peter firmly but forcefully away from the doors to the operating theater that he realized he’d been too close to insisting the nurse let him in or face the painful consequences, and that wouldn’t do at all.

  Peter held up his hands at the nurse who’d blocked his way. “Sorry. You’re right. It’s been a hell of a day, but that’s no excuse. Didn’t mean to make your job harder.” He turned to head for the waiting area to prove he was done being difficult.

  The nurse looked at Peter with understanding. The man was clearly concerned but resolute. “It’s not an easy time, but your wife is in the best hands.” He slipped back behind the door and closed it firmly.

  Peter looked down at his feet while he and Bethany Anne walked over to the waiting area and murmured, “If you find my wife, you’ll have to introduce us.” He smirked for a moment, but it faded just as quickly. That was one of Tabitha’s less cutting lines whenever anyone assumed they were married.

  The thought of how it would feel to never hear Tabitha verbally flay another asshole in response to their ignorance was unthinkable, and yet it kept trying to be a thought.

  He couldn’t bear it if anything happened to Tabitha or their child.

  However, he had to trust Eve and the surgeons to do their best work. He wondered if whatever was wrong was another adverse reaction to spending so long living life on fast-forward.

  He hadn't been affected by the issue, since over the last few months Bethany Anne had wanted him focused on working with the Admiral's wife on integrating the masses of new recruits into the Guardian Marines.

  Coordinating their training and deployment around the various locations Bethany Anne had collected in the years since the acquisition of Devon was a full-time job, so he’d only spent short stints in the game construct during Tabitha’s pregnancy.

  However, for Tabitha and the twins, it was more serious. Once game time began to pick up speed to compensate for the twin’s rapid growth, their visitors started to get severe headaches if they stayed for more than a few hours real-time.

  The side-effect was spotted by TOM after Bethany Anne had stayed with the twins for two months in game time. Her nanos cleared up the headache ju
st fine, but further investigation had revealed potentially life-threatening consequences for anyone living at a different speed for a protracted period of time if the issue wasn't addressed.

  Everybody was quite ready to get out, even though Tabitha had initially been a little too happy with the news that she and the twins would have to remain in the Vid-docs while their time perception was slowly adjusted back to the normal rate.

  Peter was well aware that her snark was just a cover for her fear of being a terrible mom. Their conversation kept coming back to Nickie, and what she saw as her failure to steer her niece straight.

  Peter’s personal opinion was that everyone had done plenty for the girl, especially Tabitha, and she’d still turned out the way she had. It was up to her to sink or swim now.

  That was just how it went sometimes when a kid got everything handed to them. If anyone understood that kind of rebellion, it was him.

  Tabitha didn't want to hear it, but Peter knew that Nickie would return a changed woman when her time was up. In the meantime, being exiled to experience life as the majority lived it could only do her good.

  Bethany Anne's shadow passed over Peter, tearing him from his brooding. “I’m going to find you a hot drink and something to eat. Do not move from that spot.” She raised a finger to be sure he knew she wasn’t kidding. “I’ll be back soon. Understand?”

  Peter nodded and she walked off, leaving him to work out how to live through the agony of the minutes crawling by while he waited for any scrap of news.

  It didn't take long for his thoughts to wander again. Tabitha had nothing to worry about. They were going to be great parents, whether she believed it or not. He decided to focus on that, and what he could do to make Tabitha’s life easier once their son was born.

  They had talked endlessly over the last few months—or years if he looked at it from Tabitha’s perspective—and he had listened to her fears and acknowledged them. That she wasn’t any kind of disciplinarian. That she was going to fuck their child up because she had to have a certain amount of chaos going on to be happy.