Eric Olafson, Captain Black Velvet 04

Chapter 4

The Bowels

It could have been any Maltyrian but I was certain it was Galmy. At the same as I said her name I realized she would not recognize me. She still had these inhuman big eyes and that translucent complexion. Her hair was the same midnight black as I remembered.

She said. “You know me, Captain... ?”

Her eyes scanned over my uniform blouse looking for my name tag. “Captain Olafson ?”

She was out of uniform so I could not see what rank she had attained since I seen her last.

“Yes I know you, Lilliam Dilucca Galmy of Maltyr .”

“There are not that many who know my full name and I know only one person with the name Olafson .”

She stepped back looked me up and down and said. “So you did follow your heart after all, and you made captain already.” She then flung herself at me and gave me a warm hug.

She apologized right away. “This is not very Maltyrian I know, but I could never thank you for saving my life.”

I was a little surprised that she recognized me so easily.

“The last time I saw you, you were carried away by medics, after that bastard Stone shot you. How in the world did you recognize me?”

“As I said, there aren’t many Olafsons knowing my full name and then you look exactly how I thought you might look as a girl and your eyes haven’t changed either. We Maltyrians first identify others by their eyes. Considering the huge ocular organs, nature planted into our skulls this should not be a surprise.”

“You are not surprised to ... well that...”

“Captain Olafson, we Maltyrians developed out of an old Saresii colony, I am a fair telepath and an excellent empath. While I can’t read a thing now, you were an open book for me back then. Remember when we went to Perryton together for our first R&R? While the others went into the Data Head shop, you and I walked through the mall. Your thoughts looking at shops like this were quite strong.”

I blushed. “I think the only one thinking this was a secret was me.”

Shea giggled. “Yes It seems that way.”

I turned and introduced Shea to Galmy and Galmy to Shea. Then we went to a cafe across the store and sat down to catch up a little.

Galmy, so I learned was an Ensign now and had chosen Xeno engineering as a speciality. She told me that she was sent to this secret star base, to help analyze and catalogue the artifacts and tech items, Chimera unitsbrought in, mostly from little known cultures and societies of the Downward sector.

Despite she being a friend I could not tell her what we did exactly, but then she understood. This was a clandestine base after all and that is why she didn’t ask for details. I was almost certain there were elements to her assignment that were as classified as mine.

Just as I started on my second cup of coffee, Elfi appeared smiled at us. “Captain, Shea you need to go into that little boutique over there. Despite the fact that it is in a super secret NAVINT base and far from Union Side, it has a very neat selection of really nice outfits. There is a dress I think would be perfect for you, Captain. The blackest velvet, silver embroidery and a very daring bodice.”

Shea pushed the plate with Andorian cookies she had ordered across the little table so Elfi could reach for one and said.

“I saw it too, and we almost bought it but the Captain ran into a friend.”

I was about to introduce Elfi to Galmi when I saw a walking mountain of packages and shopping bags, it had chrome metal legs.

Shea saw it too and said. “I think we need to get us a bigger ship, Circuit went shopping.”

I had forgotten the strange feeling, I had earlier and completely enjoyed the company. We did shop and it was great fun to try on dresses and things. I almost forgot that we were inside a star and inside a super secret NAVINT base.

The base commander confirmed that the Chimera unit was on schedule and that the Admiral was soon to arrive.

I had delivered my weekly report and decided to enjoy some R&R myself, out of uniform. I even had the opportunity to call home. The base was equipped with much stronger GalNet / GalCom equipment or perhaps used a similar secret communication relay chain.

After talking to Elena and my family back on Nilfeheim not using visuals, as I had not found an explanation I could use to explain Erica to my father. I joined my friends at the marvelous real looking beach. The simulated horizon in the distance where an azure colored ocean met a pastel blue almost cloudless sky made the illusion complete. It really felt as if were at the beach and the shore of a beautiful ocean. They were all there and the scene reminded me of the time aboard the Devi, just before we left for Newport.

With no pressing chore, I had spend a long time in the water. It was of course a tad to warm and all the sophisticated simulation technique could not make me believe I was swimming in a real ocean. But I wasn’t complaining, it still tasted like ocean water. It was about as perfect as an afternoon could be.

After swimming for more than an hour, I joined my friends and crew.

Once more Hans was grilling meat, this time however Mao was helping.

A group of palm trees, one growing in an odd ankle provided some shadow. The Golden was resting in a flimsy looking hammock made of Archa spider silk.

Krabbel who had made the hammock for our newest crew member however did not as usual hang from a thread but actually had his belly turned up and all but one of his legs spread out, wearing his eight lensed plastic sunglasses, enjoying the warmth of the simulated sun. In his last leg he held the rest of an ice cream cone waffle.

I was about to relax when I noticed Narth and Circuit kneeling in the sand and both were working with plastic tools, digging in the sand.

“What in Odin’s name are you doing?” I asked.

Narth directed a floating plastic bucket with water and said. “We are engaged in a beach essential activity called sand castle building. Objective of this human invented recreation activity is to from three dimensional structures using sand that is moistened so it will temporarily retain shape. Circuit suggested that a Narth could not built a sand castle for we lacked the skills. Now we are engaged in recreating the shape of a Nilfeheim Burg. It is a fascinating activity, especially since I am prohibited from using telekinetics, integral part of this challenge is to use my hands and tools.”

I pointed at the floating bucket. “And this?”

“This is peripheral of course.”

Shaka shimmered and gleamed like polished Obsidian as Elfi applied lotion on his back. She said. “If anyone had ever told me I would be part of a group that included a sand castle building Narth, I would called this person insane.

Commander Shadrach arrived at the Bowels, that was the unofficial nickname for a facility far beneath the main segment of the secret NAVINT station, hidden inside a sun. The very existence of the base was technically illegal because it violates the Freespace treaty.

While NAVINT operations were sanctioned by the Assembly and the Security Council had approved this base, what was going on here, just above the massive Gravo anchor that kept the station where it was, defiled every Union law and he was sure if it ever became known everyone involved would be hanged or executed.

The Bowels could only be reached by a secret Inter Station Transport tube, that was camouflaged as an energy conduit on the stations engineering systems and construction records. Not even NAVINT command knew this facility existed.

Shadrach did not know the identities of the beings working down here.

He no longer wore his uniform, but a white lab coat over a gray jumpsuit void of any markings or rank insignia. His face hidden behind a bioflex mask, like he was sure everyone else down here wore.

After he passed through an airlock like chamber that somehow checked and verified his authorization to proceed. He did not know how it was done, he knew however anyone not accepted by that system would never be seen again.

Behind the second door that just opened for him and let him enter stood an older looking Saresii. Silver hair, female appearance and yet in this case, even an uninitiated observer would have seen the male features in that face. Just like him the Saresii was not wearing fleet or NAVINT Uniform, but a plain white scientists coat over a mandarin collared velvet like purple jumpsuit.

The Commander said. “The Tigershark is here and so is Captain Olafson.”

The Sarsii displayed no noticeable emotion. “What do you make of her?”

“It is hard to evaluate her as I met her only once. She seems young for being in such a position, but there is a strange quality to her, I can not put in words.”

“The Tribunal has reason to believe she might be an Immortal. Cherubim was overheard while she was talking to Olafson voicing her suspicion that Olafson is indeed such an entity.He had travelled to Coven, by invitation of Lichfangh herself. Right after his visit the Coven joined the Union.

Not to mention that he is the high representative of the Narth and rumors persist that he is not just human but also Narth. The Narth Supreme himself travelled to Richter base to affect his recovery from a Wurlag sting.”

The commander agreed. “These are indeed strong indicators that this Olafson is more than just a Neo Viking, but could it not simply be explained by his friendship to the first Narth that chose to join the fleet?”

“This is of course a possibility, we know that Egill Skallagrimsson, the representative of his world not only exceeded the average human lifespan by a good 400 years, he did it without any Union med science but by repairing his own cells by psionic means. There are less than maybe five Sarsii in the entire known history of that species that such incredible psionic control.The Leedei know of only one such individual in their history.”

“I never heard of a psionic ability that would allow an individual to halt the aging process and I consider myself an expert in that field.”

“Precisely and this Egill became friends not only with Alegar but with the current Narth delegate to the Assembly. Of course you know of the three wise men?”

“Yes, I think almost everyone in the Union knows of them.”

“The Tribunal does not believe this to be a chain of coincidences, and does not believe Egill who exceeds the Heidelberg Psi Index of any human ever measured, has been born on Nilfeheim. He is also calling Eric his grandson.”

“Eric?”

“Eric is now Erica Olafson, the captain of the Tigershark.His gender change is part of his file.”

The commander walked alongside the Sarsii, who of course disguised like him and perhaps not even Sarsii as they made their way to the laboratory section of this ultra secret facility.

He was digesting what he just heard. “What is the opinion of the Tribunal or what conclusion is drawn?”

They had reached a massive looking door, the Sarsii stopped and said. “There are no viable speculations at this moment, but it is felt that there are forces and powers at work with an agenda that has nothing to do with the Union or any known civilization.”

“But not beyond the Tribunal?”

The massive door opened almost silently revealing just how thick it was. A purple energy screen that secured the now open passage flickered off. They both went in and entered an almost featureless white room.

In its center an examination table and on it a human male. He was completely naked and he appeared to be dead.

The Sarsii answered while approaching the table.”I do not know what or who the Tribunal is and because of this I know as much as you about their capabilities.”

“What are my instructions regarding Olafson?”

“For now there are none. We might add someone to the crew that will be the eyes and ears for the Tribunal.”

The Sarsii pointed to the human body.”I came also to see how far we are on this project?”

“The previous batch is performing above expectations, but this is the latest result and close to the desired result. The most advanced humanoid clone ever created, highly intelligent, utmost loyal and with a programmable personality to fit any mission need.”

“What about psionics?”

“Each clone has a HPI of 1000, their true nature and instructions are not mental based but incorporated in their DNA. There is nothing even a Narth could read in its mind.”

“Perfect.”

Admiral McElligott had arrived and after he had done his inspection, he met with us aboard the Tigershark.

He stopped dead in his tracks as he walked through the access doors and entered the former hangar.

“St.Andrew, sweet mother of god!” He gasped and then grinned. “Pure dead brilliant, lassie that’s what I call a Pirate’s Den.”

He joined us at the big table and I repeated my report on the things we had done and seen so far.

After I was done he said. “Our decision to send you out here, so far seems one of the best we made. You doing a good job so far and now that you ship is fully stocked, mail has been delivered. Go back where you left the Mighty Nine and proceed with your mission.

Oh and I brought you a few more crew members as well.”

I sighed. “I hope I am going to make it to Brhama Port this time.”

He got up “If not, the reason will most likely a good one. Godspeed and good hunting Captain.”

The admiral’s visit was actually quite short and only a few hours later, Har-Hi reported that all new personnel and equipment had been transferred. Departure orders had been received moments ago and the strong tractor projectors of the secret base pushed us past the swirling energies.

My bridge crew needed no detailed orders and knew what to do, so I leaned back and watched.

Har-Hi glanced at me from the side. “This was a nice little diversion and you even met an old friend of yours. Everything went fine. The crew is in exceptional good spirits and yet I have the distinct feeling something is bugging you.”

“There is nothing really. I can’t even articulate the feeling I have, much less see any reason for my mood.”

Yet he was right, I could not help myself thinking that the base was hiding something more sinister than the pirates of Freespace.

He gave me a crooked smile.”Maybe you becoming more female than you realize. They tend to have unexplainable moods.”

Shea cleared her throat and complained. “That had been true a few thousand years ago, maybe because of all the hormonal changes due to our reproductive cycle. But that problem has long been solved, besides the captain has not been changed that deep.”

Elfi also chimed in. “I am sure Cateria can remedy that. And make the change complete.”

Whatever strange feeling or mood I had was fading and replaced by feelings of embarrassment and a little anger. “You guys realize I am the Captain and bridge audio is available to all in the ship?” I pointed to the main viewer. “Do you think we can find the Mighty Nine again?”

Narth answered.”Yes, Captain. It was left drifting before our engagement with the Xandrao. It had no crew and it is not under active propulsion.”

“Let us hope then no one else found it.”

“The mathematical possibility of someone finding a drifting ship in intergalactic space is 4.623 billion to one, Captain. Taking into account we left it powered down, the size of the ship, frequency of traffic...”

“Thank you Mr.Narth.”

I got up and stretched my legs. “Mr. Chitauli get us there as fast as this simulated rustbucket can go.”

Shea smiled and said. “And where are you going, Captain?”

“Taking a swim, that usually does wonders to my mood, just in case I do have one.”

On my way to the ship’s pool facility, I made a mental note to myself regarding the hidden base, the next time I met with Deepa or the Narth Supreme, I would ask them about it.”

BRHAMA PORT

Freespace was a defined sector of the galaxy where none of the four known big powers were allowed to operate.

Brhama Port was officially a miner’s base, but also a well known and often used port facility for the scum, the outlaws and pirates of this region. It also was only sixty light years from the newest Togar Colony. Many around these parts believed that the Shiss star was fading and soon to disappear and the Togar would take their place in that powerful group known as the Big Four. The Togar were still behind in technology, but made it up with an aggressive expansion policy. The powerful cats also spend much resources on research and development of their war technology.

Official wisdom claimed the Togar being still afraid or intimidated by the Karthanians, but those who knew details about local politics were certain that margin was getting thinner by the day.

Togar were itching for a fight.

Dimon Honsu docked his sleek Enroe Attack Cruiser against one of the docking arms. Brahmas Port was a hollowed out Asteroid of approximately five clicks diameter.

On one side of the irregular shaped space rock, a long metal arm stuck almost two clicks into space. It was where the visiting ships docked.

He maintained a residence here, or more precisely Dimon Honsu did. He had friends here and enjoyed the protection of the Bennett family. The Old Bird leading that huge family like a general, knew he had deep ties with the Nul. Of course being a well known Freelancing assassin also meant he had a list of enemies. But that was the nature of the business, nothing personal.

He was respected within that community of solution providers, assassins and known to deliver on his contracts and business dealings.

Dimon was known for many years and that alone was an indicator of his success. The survival rate of people in this line of business was rather low.

However Dimon didn’t really exist, it was a carefully crafted Identity. Like so many he had. Being immune to the decay of age made that easy.

He got up and walked back into his spacious quarters. Before he went inside Brhama Port, he had to become Dimon Honsu first.

He took of the purple robe and his cloak, carefully folded them with care. In all his identities he was a very meticulous man. Then he pressed the micro controls at the back of his neck and disconnected the bionetic connections to his ugly worm mask and took it off as well.

He turned the mask and stared at it for a moment. It was terrifying and part why he had chosen it and partly of course to give the organization a symbolic head figure.

He remembered the Guardian well as that entity explained his task. “You are the worm. The shapeless, soft parasite between the cracks. You are to defend humanity from the unseen and from itself if necessary.”

The Guardian was no more. That self rightgeous, pompous declared warrior of humanity managed to destroy the Guardian.That iron warrior managed to destroy everything. Deep down it was the only being he truly feared. With the demise of the Guardian, there was no need to maintain the direction given. He made that parasite real.

He put his Worm costume away, and took the Dimon Honsu mask.It felt warm but that was so with all Bioflex masks made of live synthetic tissue that would bond with his real facial structures and become undetectable. Dimon Honsu looked a little Asian but had definite Dai Than influence with long jet black hair and pointed ears.

No one really knew what species went into the mix. Human for sure, but anything from Saran, Terran or Saresiiwas possible. He never felt it important to add his biological origin to his cover story. A little mystery went a long way in this type of business after all.

He liked the arrogant cool face and looked forward to look human once more. After he had put on the mask and activated it he dressed in the purple and black leather and armor that could double as space or light battle suit. Complete with fold helmet, wrist guns and shoulder dart launchers. Honsu had the trust of Cam Elf Na, a powerful Dai Lord and through him obtained this truly ancient Mar-Do assassin suit, adding to his legend and mystery.

He smiled, now he was the human and would meet a worm because in a strict biological sense Nul were an annelid life forms that developed over the millennia into a sentient space faring species. Like most known successful technical societies Nul developed manipulators with an opposing appendix and even two leg like extremities. Nul still had the characteristic segmented body of an annelid life form and their brain were not on top of the creature but inside the torso. Early Terran Space travelers compared the look of a Nul with that of the Michelin man, crossed with an Earthworm. Only perhaps a scholar of early Human history specializing in advertisement would still know who the Michelin Man was. He was sure McElligott and Stahl would know, but he also did. He had been there from the beginning.

He had to admit, the old Administrator had truly stepped up his game. He and that cursed new Omnitronic was shifting through data, reports and previous well buried irregularities and many worms were caught, the rest was either terribly nervous or thinking about desertion.

In all that time his organization never managed to recruit very many and stayed on the margins of that juggernaut organization, but it was profitable and made him many friends in other societies. He knew the gravy train times were over; he had to find ways to adjust or end was nearer than predicted.

He shrugged at his own train of thoughts and stepped into the airlock.

After he had traversed the long mooring arm tunnel he entered the actual Miner base.

Here he would discuss a possible meeting between the Kermac and the Nul. If such a meeting could be indeed arranged, it would be an interesting one and he intended to be there.

The Kermac trying to muscle into his business was not good news. His resources were shrinking, while the paper faces remained the biggest player right after the Union.

MOTHERLOAD TAVERN

Two days ago we had indeed found the Mighty Nine, and according to Narth it was only 3123.12 kilometers from where we left it.

So far nothing noteworthy had been detected by our sensors.There only were a few sporadic contacts at the very scanner horizon.

Once again the Thalim nebula was prominently displayed on our main viewer.

A large part of that nebula had recently been claimed by the Union and much of what had been controlled by the Nogoll who had been a Galactic Council member until recently.

It had technically become become Union space only very recently as a result of the Union Nogoll war and the White Nogoll officially becoming a Union member. The whole region was still in turmoil as the final boundaries subject to heated dispute and new friction between Union and Galactic Council. Not to mention the societies, the Nogoll suppressed and controlled on behalf of the Kermac.

Cateria our Chief Medical Officer rarely spend time on the bridge. Today however she stood with her arms crossed next to the Nav Tank which was located in the operations center, and an extension of the bridge. and stared with a brooding gaze at the main viewer, currently showing a spectacular image of the Thalim Nebula.

I still did not know much about her personally. She always appeared cold and seemed not interested in social interaction.

Har-Hi sitting in his seat next to me was doing his best Cateria impression. Also with crossed arms and an even more serious expression than usual starting at the image of the Nebula.

I asked. “I know it is exceptionally beautiful with all the purples and yellows but I would think that you two have seen such sites before. What is it that makes you stare at it like that?”

Har-Hi gestured towards the main viewer and said. “Just a little over four standard years ago, my clan and many others fought a terrible battle on the other side of that nebula. Dai fighting Dai with great anger and an immense Union fleet under the command of Admiral Stahl taking a terrible toll.

It was also my first deployment in a real battle. Not a pirate raid but a full scale war against my own kind. I killed many good fighter pilots that day. Looking at that nebula I was reminded of that and I wondered just how many Dai spirits have been added to these colorful swirls that day. Only now I know our captain was nearby as well, in a civilian yacht no less.”

Shea swiveled her seat. “The probability that five suns go supernova at more or less the same time and so close together is...”

Cateria interrupted her with a hoarse voice. “It was not a natural event. These were five vibrant Seenian Star Systems, with many billions in population.”

She pointed at the screen. “This gaseous cloud of matter and the debris within is where Ataci was, a world as beautiful as Para Para, my mother was born there.

Over there, that purplish swirl is where Palingoi was. The third planet of that sun was my home world.”

She sighed deeply and with more emotion than she ever had displayed so far.

“If there are such things as spirits or souls then the Dai spirits of that battle you speak of have joined billions of my kind.”

“What would it take to snuff five suns just like that?” I wondered

“The warmachines of the Dark Ones, no doubt.” Cateria said. “As you know I was in suspended animation when it happened.”

Mao turned and said. “I don’t think we, as in Union Technology are all too far away from that. I mean we do have Wurgus Solar Bombs, they are huge and need to be towed into place, but a hundred of them or so can turn a Main sequence star into a Supernova.”

As Mao said that, I wondered if a Translocator Cannon could be built large enough to transmit Solar Bombs or if the Bombs could be made smaller.

Narth, shrouded as usual turned and said. “Considering our Captain’s train of thought, it is good we Narth decided to be part of the Union.”

His response made everyone turn and despite his shrouded appearance I was certain he was amused.

Shea asked. “What made you say that?”

“Our Captain thinking like a real Terran and contemplating quite frightening realistic ways of accomplishing the feat of killing suns. The decision of Narth to join the Union and thus be allies instead of potential opponents is therefore a good decision.”

Har-Hi had his arms still crossed high before his chest as he usually did, gave me a glance from the corner of his eyes.

“From everything I know about you Narth, there should be nothing that could harm or threaten you but then knowing our Captain, I tend to agree with you. There is no race or civilization more warlike than those Terran Humans. And there isn’t anything big enough out there, she wouldn’t charge with a sword or an ax.”

I sighed. “Not you too. I heard that accusation several times before. I don’t think it is true. Terrans love peace. Besides I am not a Terran. I am a Norse from Nilfeheim.”

Cateria leaned forward so I could see her and for the first time I actually saw her grin. “Yes, that is much more peaceful society.”

She then looked to the ceiling and said. “SHIP wasn’t it you who told me about Nilfeheim? What is their favorite past time again?”

Even SHIPS voice had an amused tone as she said. “Skull bashing, if I heard the Captain, right.”

Now it was me crossing my arms and pretending to be offended and said. “What a fine crew have, ganging up on me, not even my own SHIP is on my side.”

Shaka raised his Virtu Helmsman helmet and said looking over his shoulder. “They always pick on us poor, defenseless Terrans, but they are sure glad to see us when they picked a fight with someone they can’t beat alone.”

Narth spread his arms. “Our Helmsman reinforced my earlier statement.”

I wasn’t really sure if I should have been proud or ashamed of my heritage and its reputation. This wasn’t the first time I heard non Terrans say this in a similar way.

My musings were interrupted by SHIP. “We are reaching the last waypoint before we drop out of Quasi Space and reach our destination.”

I cleared my throat and said. “Well back to business guys.”

I sat up straight and the Intu-Controls were sliding under my hands. SHIP our AI was getting more and more in tune with me and she was able to read my body language, before I even consciously thinking what I wanted to do.

“Shaka drop us out of Quasi, reduce to drift and keep emissions low. Shea, SHIP and Narth scan the area and get me a tactical on battle view. Mao please launch two KELPIE drones and park them on apex and nadir position above that brown dwarf.”

My bridge crews voices resonated in my audio relay as I raised the seat into the Battle dome position. Even though there were no indications of any hostile contacts. I liked using the battle view to make myself an overall picture of the situation ahead.

We were about to approach a well known Pirates nest. The Battle dome gave me an unobstructed view of space. I could turn and see into any direction with a mere move of my eyes. The displayed images were simulated and computronic enhanced so my limited natural senses I could see what otherwise would be too fast, to far or to dim for me to see on my own. Our sensors picked up several energy sources right away and the system associated a cluster of symbols to each, giving me the analytical results from science and tactical.

The KELPIE drones were part of new special NAVINT equipment we had received at Nebuchadnezzar station. Football sized drones, cloaked with special diffuser fields scrambling their already minute engine trails and loaded with the most advanced scanner and sensor technology our society could engineer. It was the first time I used them, after getting a Neural Upload briefing of their capabilities just a few days ago.

Narth reported first as it was his job as the OPS Officer. “Sixty One artificial energy sources, 38 belong to fixed installations, consistent with Asteroid mining bases of Tech Level 6. Fifteen energy sources are analyzed and belonging to small spacecraft with very limited FTL capabilities.

Five belong to larger signature space ships and the main energy source belongs a central construct consistent with the reported position of Brahma Port.”

Now Hans delivered his report. “We have one of the signatures on file. It belongs to a known pirate ship, the Bloody Mary of Captain Crimson Curse. It is a heavily modified Karthanian war cruiser. The others are not on file.”

Shea said. “While it appears this is simply an old star system and science data suggests natural causes for the collapsed star. There is enough asteroid and planetary matter for about 12 planets. This suggests the planets have been destroyed after the sun cooled down. Maybe something we should look into.”

Even though he was not a senior officer I still blinked at Sobody’s symbol and he immediately responded.

“The System is locally known as Bennett’s Field referring to the large family enterprise running the local operations.”

I lowered the seat and said. “I think I like to check things out. Some sort of low profile before we officially make our entrance.”

Har-Hi said. “We could use the Tullerman Dinghy that came with the Mighty Nine.”

Sobody explained further. “Tullerman Dinghies are very common around these parts, often used by Scavengers. Most likely a small crew of unlucky scavengers crossed the path of the Mighty Nine.”

Chapter 5 »