CHAPTER : REWARDS

Chapter 13: Rewards

When I came around, I was still lying under that purple thing. The armed and fully armor suited men were close now holding their weapons ready pointing them at my friends. The bearded dark skinned man wearing a battle suit of unknown origin argued with Cardwell. “I want you to open those Translocator storages now. We do not have much time.” Cardwell barked back and pointed at me. “I told you that two command codes are needed to open them, the only one able doing that was killed by your idiotic pet.” “Be very careful, Cardwell. Your usefulness has ended.” The Base Commander’s Quasimodo hand snapped around the throat of the bearded Pirate and he hissed. “I am still in the commandant of this base and I am wearing a Quasimodo. Unlike your goons, I know how to use it.” The Pirate struggled and coughed.” You are nothing, now unhand me. Do you think I trusted you while you put on that suit? I put an Eugeletrian Sneegal in it while it was still open and it might just crawl to the base of your neck. Not even your Auto Doc can prevent the effects of those little suckers, poison.” Caldwell dropped the man and opened his helmet, which was my chance. No one paid any attention to me and I fired, my last round, the bullet hit Caldwell right under the chin and the effect of the heavy lead projectile was quite gruesome. My friends didn’t need more distraction to react. Wetmouth’s strange sword sliced one of the men from shoulder to hip battle suit and all. Hans hammered both of his fists and all his might on the helmeted head of the third. The rest tried to use their weapons but they did not work. Circuit said. ”Nanites are so useful.” The Armor of the next simply fell in pieces all around him and he stood there as naked as on the day of his birth. Narth’s eyes glowed no longer yellow but deep red and his voice was no longer recognizable. “You have harmed my friend. Now you shall  learn that Narth has learned the meaning of rage.” Twenty pirates slowly rose from the floor and with sudden popping sounds the inside of their helmets where splashed with dark red matter and they all dropped lifeless to the ground. Several strands of Spider silk hit the bearded man, he was pulled with force close to Krabbel who turned him with dizzying speed between his hind legs and the pirate was turned into a cocoon, battle suit and all and in less than a few seconds. Wetmouth came over and sliced his helmet off. I raised my hand and said as loud as I could. “Circuit, go activate the Cerberus, do not let anything distract you.” Circuit was a certified Translocator technician. A fact that was not mentioned in the non classified section of his personnel file and had Blue-Blue-Blue clearance, I held out my code key and said.”Day code is Strawberry.” Circuit ran with machine speed and out of my sight. Hans lifted the purple thing of me and Wetmouth dropped to her knees examining me. She looked up to the others and said. “The Wurlag has stunned him.” I wanted to get up but I could not feel my legs at all. “Weird, I can’t get up. Is something still pinning me down?” I saw tears in Wetmouth’s eyes.“No Eric, that’s the poison of the Wurlag.” With the weight of the animal gone I could still prop myself up and there I saw a beautiful sight. The massive warehouse doors exploded into atomic dust glittering in the air and Cerberus IX marched out in perfect robotic movements It was a display of Union Military might, like few other. Each of them exactly three hundred and fifty centimeters tall with four Myomylar-Syntho muscled arms, nearly indestructible, with the fire power equivalent to an entire platoon of fully equipped Marines, the very pinnacle of Terran Military engineering. The lead robot scanned the room and approached me. With its deep modulated voice the robot said. “ID Verification Scan complete. Highest Command Authority recognized. Your Orders Sir?” I said with a relieved grin. “The base is infiltrated by criminals and foreign intruders. There is an alien ship with stolen Mil Tech. Secure the base by all means necessary and prevent the ship from leaving.” The robot responded. “Instructions received and understood.” The robot battalion activated their flying capability and swarmed like gigantic angry hornets in every direction. The bearded pirate laughed. “You still lost, the Wurlag poison will destroy every neural path in your body and there is nothing anyone can do in time. I do have the anti dote on my ship all you have to do is let me go and it is yours.” I still was able to shake my head. “Sorry Scum, I cannot be bought.” He cursed and said. “You fool. I have an even bigger ship in orbit and it will turn this place to slag.” Har-Hi said. “You have no idea what Cerberus robots can do.” Through a view port we saw Cerberus robots by the dozen shoot like rockets upward into the grey sky. From behind I heard running boots, but by now I could not even turn my head. Marines and finally Admiral Stahl came into my view. Wetmouth cried.“He was stung by a Wurlag, Sir.” To hear real concern in the voice of the eternal soldier was not something I wanted to hear in my situation but he said. “Oh shit. Get that man into Stasis at once.”

--""--

I woke and found myself in a med station diagnostic bed and said more to myself than anyone else.“Say is it always me, who loses consciousness around here?” Wetmouth immediately came into view and she said with excitement in her voice. “He is awake. Eric is awake.” She simply hugged me and I could feel her tender lips from behind her mask kissing me on the nose on the cheeks and then on my lips. Then a warm deep voice said. “It pleases me greatly to see you are well. ”Narth came into view. Circuit stood by the foot end and said. “No you’re not the only one. I was the one hit by Tech Stop, remember?” Now a Med Tech with an MD Snake on her collar scanned me and she was obviously pleased with the results and said. “Welcome to the land of the living, Ensign Olafson, you now officially the first living being ever to survive a Wurlag sting, congratulations.” I sat up and said. “Can someone please tell me what a Wurlag is in the first place?” Narth motioned to Wetmouth and it seemed they came to a working agreement. She said. “It is a genetically altered life form that originally had been stolen from Green Hell about 200 years ago. It has been bred and changed so it can be held as an attack and guard animal. It’s stingers are laced with one of the most complex Bio toxins known to science.” The Med Tech said. “You have amazing friends, Mr. Olafson. The Sojonit worked tirelessly for five days to develop an antidote and this morning she succeeded, but then another Narth shows up and all the neural damage caused by the poison is reverted in an eye blink.” As I turned I noticed another Narth and he came closer to the bed. I immediately knew who he was, even though he looked exactly the same as all the Narth I had met before. He put his hand on my shoulder and I could feel something like electricity pass through me, but it was not painful or unpleasant. On the contrary it felt uplifting and energizing and he said. “One could not let the one who shared the Hugavh pass into the beyond. One had to obtain the knowledge of your neural system before we could travel here and aid you in your recuperation. I am the one known as the Narth Supreme and you Eric are a child of Narth. Your well being is important to Narth. I came as soon as I was able, but your friend Wetmouth was indeed able to synthesize the antidote. Her Intellect and its practical application is most noteworthy.”

I could not help but feel deeply in awe, my skin crawled with goose bumps. Only once had I felt this way, only once but I could not remember when or where. Something white and huge floated at the edge of my consciousness and I simply could not concentrate enough to focus and assumed it was an after effect of my poisoning.

I said. “I am deeply honored by your presence, Narth Supreme. Can you make me hear Narth again?”

He kept his hand on my shoulder and slowly nodded. “Your will is the key, Child of Narth and your will has done as you wished. One is pleased that Narth has such a friend as you. The concept of friendship has been understood and its deep value has been revealed through you two and in doing so opened the door to other concepts such as honor, love and affection.

All that is Narth is deeply thankful. Now one must go on and return to Narth Prime. Narth Prime that is now your home as well and one day you will come home and Narth will no longer be alien and strange to you.”

From one heart beat to the next the Narth Supreme was gone, but I could feel his touch a little longer.

I realized that no one around had noticed or heard what just happened, except of course for my friend and once more could I feel his thoughts and heard his words in my mind and as far as it concerned me, the world was alright again.

His voice and presence in me filled a void I knew was there the entire time since that time in the Crawler cat.

He said. “Time as you and I perceive it on this plane has little meaning for the one who is the Narth Supreme.”

I answered him in the same way. “I am sure glad he fixed that Psi shield of mine, I missed your presence.”

“He did not fix it Eric; it was you who made your shield transparent to me.”

Wetmouth not knowing I was talking to Narth said. “A week, I slaved a week in the lab and your Narth friend comes and fixes you in an eye-blink.”

She took my hand in a shy gesture and added. “Not that I mind, I am so glad you are alive.”

I blinked and said. “A week, I was out an entire week?”

The Eternal Warrior approached my bed and he said. “Nine days to be exact, Son. That amazing Sojonit friend of yours has not slept the entire time.”

With him was the Admiral of the Fleet, McElligott and a tall blonde with a truly angelic face, I had not seen or met before.

I suddenly realized, I was still an Ensign and there were two Admirals in the room, my Academy training kicked in and I jumped out of the bed and wanted to salute, realizing half out I wasn’t wearing anything and went right back.

“Sorry Sir, it appears I misplaced my uniform somewhere.”

I blushed as I noticed the snickering of my friends and the smiles of the Admirals.

Stahl looked over to McElligott and said. “I think we do not need to insist on formal greetings, not in a medical ward anyway.” Actually glancing at my medical chart read out he said.

“Even though you are technically fine and fit for duty, stay in bed a little while longer so we can fill you in.”

While I tugged the cover higher to make sure I was completely covered I said. “Sir that would be greatly appreciated. I had no time to check on the Order chip, Captain Harris has given me.”

Stahl simply acknowledged with a nod, and said. “We were pretty sure Cardwell was one of Dent’s planted agents but we wanted to catch whoever was in contact with him as well. If we had arrived with a big team or the Devi, we might have gotten Cardwell but none of his contacts. So my esteemed colleague Admiral McElligott decided to send you, as the proverbial monkey wrench so to speak to Richter Station. Where you would hopefully discover whatever went on and report to us so we can move in. That was pretty much what was on the Order chip by the way and the Devi was never far away.”

I could not help being sarcastic even in the presence of these two immortals.

“Great idea sending a bunch of expendable Midshipmen, in a situation that cost ten officers their lives before, there are plenty more where they came from.”

Stahl eyed his old colleague from the side.

“I told you he was going to say something cynical.”

McElligott said to me. “You are Officers and if you want to be one then you must realize that you will get orders that put you in dangerous situations, which is the path you have chosen. Now I have not found it necessary to explain my reasons for an order in a very long time, but I will make an exception.”

He pulled up a chair sat down and arranged the folds of his kilt over his stubby looking knees and fished for his pipe. His old grumpy looking face changed into a grin.

“You know this is the second time I find myself sitting in a hospital room before your bed to try to explain something to you.”

He looked for something and Har-Hi handed him his cigar lighter.

“Sir would you like to use mine?”

McElligott looked up to Har-Hi, took the lighter and said. “Ah you are the Dai. Never thought you lads smoked or carried a real old Dunhill lighter.”

Har-Hi raised one of his eyebrows and said. “Yes Sir, I am the Dai. It was an Ult that brought me to smoking cigars and the lighter was a gift I received from Admiral Stahl, Sir.”

McElligott started puffing his pipe and handed the lighter back. “You are the Dai I heard so much about. There is a certain Commander Cotton who sent me about 2000 requests for your transfer, recommending you to Fighter School, seeing your name pass that often across my desk makes you in my eyes ‘that Dai’.” To Stahl he complained.

“Where did you get this bunch? Now I am explaining myself to another Ensign and he made me do it by just raising an eyebrow.”

Stahl actually wiped on his feet while he had his arms crossed behind his back.“If I knew the answer to that, I’d get me a bunch more.”

McElligott puffed once more and then said to me. “You and your friends are not the average cadets and midshipmen and I can’t say if it is a particularly good or bad thing, but you are on my radar so to speak for quite a whyile now.

Since you were instrumental in exposing a Thauran connection to the Worm and later helped to shut down Newport I thought about you when the Richter 4 thing came over my desk again. Now there is another reason you are here, but I will come to that later. For now you have a day of R&R and then you will graduate and be assigned to your new postings.”

---

It turned out I was still on Richter base and not aboard the Devastator, but the giant ship had landed and occupied an entire landing field. On one of the other fields was the USS Shetland and especially on the ground where the eye had clear reference points the difference in size was mind boggling. Seeing a 3500 meter Arsenal ship, the pinnacle of Union technology against that gigantic ship of alien origin reduced to a toy, brought home once again how incredibly big the Devastator was. The Shetland look small and insignificant.

The base was now busy with personnel off the Devi. There were engineers and technicians still repairing the damage from our battle.

Har-Hi said.“We thought we’d celebrate your return to the land of the living with a dinner. Mao found  Tyranno Fin in the stasis freezer of the Hilton hotel.”

Wetmouth said. “But until then I am going to sleep. I am dead on my feet.”

I held her back and while it was not really regulations. I hugged her and said. “Thank you.”

She returned the hug and once again I could not help thinking how nice it felt to hold her.

Krabbel of course could not hold himself back and hugged us both. “It’s the second time I thought we lost you. If it happens a third time, I am going to get white leg hairs like an old spider. There is only so much a poor Arachnoid can take, you know.”

---

Krabbel managed to convince Narth and Mao to go back to the amusement park for a few more rides. This time I felt Narth and how much he enjoyed the company of my other friends and his growing affection for them.

Elfi, Shaka and Hans insisted on preparing the dinner this time. I saw Har-Hi in a deep conversation with the Admiral of the Fleet and from the gestures I knew he was talking about fighter craft.

The medical department of the base had the size of a major hospital. Exiting the Intensive care unit I came out on a fourth tier walk way. Leaning against the railing I had a great view of the main concourse below. Almost exactly across was the Fleet Housing building and I saw robots and technicians working on the damaged Ultronit security door.

To the left was the space port passenger facilities and right below me on ground level the entrance to the Space port mall and Arthur’s Swine and Dine.

A group of Officers and technicians stood by the Tunnel entrance towards the Technical area and the warehouses and even from here I could tell they were puzzled about the fact the massive doors could have been cut open like this.

I planned to ask Wetmouth about her sword as soon as I had a chance. The only thing tougher than molecule compacted Ultronit was Neutronium as far as I knew and there were rumors that R&D experimented with Neutronium based materials. But a sword made of Neutronium would weigh thousands of tons and no being could possibly wield it.

While I was leaning there and looking over the now busy concourse, I noticed men and women dispersed among the workers and fleet personnel trying hard to look inconspicuous and natural. I was almost certain those were NAVINT spooks.

The tall blond with the angelic face, I had seen with McElligott and Stahl leaned next to me on the railing and like me gazed over the lively scenery below.

She then turned her head and looked at me, her face halfway obscured by her hair.

“I have heard quite a bit about you and I think it is time I introduce myself, I am Cherubim.”

She wore a black dress that ended a hand width over her knees. It was belted at her hip with a broad shiny leather belt. It was a nice outfit but not a uniform. At least none I recognized if it was one after all.

I said to her. “Nice to meet you Ma’am and since you heard lots about me and you have been present with the Admirals you must be someone important.”

A fine smile curled her lips. “Do I detect an edge in your voice? You know who I am then?”

I shrugged. “Since you were with the Immortals I am sure you are a very important person, but I have not the slightest idea. There is no edge in my voice Ma’am, just whenever someone tells me they know all about me I end up in some kind of situation. ”

She said. “I can understand that and I think given your past track record you will sooner or later be in another situation.

I am one of them, you know one of those Immortals, selected to protect and guide Earth.”

I turned to look at her not just from the side and said.

“Please don’t get this wrong Ms. Cherubim, but somehow it seems I am attracting the attention of you Immortals more than anyone I know, this can’t be coincidence.”

“Eric, there are trillions of beings in our Union and more in the galaxies around us. Some have life spans of a few years, others live to see centuries but they all have a limited time, but there are those who do not age and have the potential to see the end of time. It is a very small society if you will and while we are not all friends, we tend to know each other.” She paused looked away and said. “Eric, you are most likely one of us.”

I felt dizzy as she said that and protested. “Ma’am, I am going to turn 21 I am not an Immortal. My parents are Neo Vikings and we age and die, you must have the wrong guy.”

Even as I said that, I wasn’t so sure myself. Could she be right? Even in our small society on Nilfeheim I met two and was distantly related to one of them.

She left me time before she answered. ”Narth Supreme calls you his Child and the Narth have made you one of them. It might take centuries or millennia before you become a Narth, but you are on your way, if you manage to stay alive of course, none of the Immortals I know, not even the Narth are truly invulnerable and can be killed, but time and age I am certain will have little meaning to you as it has to the rest of us.” She pointed towards the hospital.

“You know why the Pirates and even your friends paid no attention to you after you were jumped by the Wurlag?”

I shook my head.

She said. “Because they all thought you were dead, not even a Petharian would have lasted as long as you have. You are changing, slowly perhaps but eventually you will be one of us.”

I tried to ignore what she said, tell myself that it was all wrong but I knew she was right and then I said. “Immortals always have some sort of task or destiny right? What is mine?”

Cherubim now smiled again. “Only the ones who were chosen by the Guardian of Earth received tasks and special gifts to perform them. Neither you, the Narth or your friends of the Coven have been chosen that way. Now we all have destinies, mortal or immortal but I guess we all have a say in how we shape it.”

I returned to lean on the railing and said.

“So if McElligott is the Administrator and Admiral Stahl is the Warrior, who are you?”

“I am the Hunter.”

“What does that mean? I see where McElligott is called the Administrator because that is what he does and everyone knows why Stahl is the Warrior.”

“I find the trails of those who want to harm our Union track them and hunt them down. I don’t do it with fleets and soldiers as the enemies I seek are often unreachable or to small and too slick to be fought with battle ships and marines. You should know more than a little about that part already.”

“More than I ever wanted to be honest. And you should hunt that Purple Worm and while you are at it that crook calling himself the Red Dragon.”

“That is exactly why I am here on Richter Base.“

She turned from the hand railing and slowly walked away. She waved her hand and said. “We will run into each other again, Eric.”

I watched her enter an IBT and disappear.

How long I remained standing there I could not say as so much was going through my head. The worst part was that I knew there was something I should remember but I could not.”

I was pulled out of all this by a warm presence that came into my mind and Narth said to me telepathically.

“One should not dwell on such matters, even the Admiral lives day by day and doesn’t think all too much about how many years or millennia he has lived or is still going to experience.”

Narth’s words of wisdom chased the gloomy thoughts away. I was just a Neo Viking and all this talk about Immortality, destinies and tasks was for Semi-gods and eternal Admirals and not for an Ensign at the beginning of his career.

I decided to find Narth, Krabbel and Mao after all and join them.

--""--

We had our formal dinner at the same top floor restaurant as before and this time there was no moving dishes but instead real, genuine Tyranno Fin steaks and I had roasted them myself on a portable table grill.

Tasting the first fork was pure bliss. I closed my eyes and let the taste of home melt on my tongue.

After I was finally done I actually had to loosen the snaps on my Uniform blouse, I doubted I had ever eaten so much.

Har-Hi also had a second portion and said. “I never been much of a fish eater, but this is really good.

Circuit sighed. “What would I give for a stomach and taste butts, It looks I am missing so much.”

Narth said. “All that is Narth missed out for millennia, as eating and tasting can be such an experience. I wish I could share my experience with you, Circuit as I do share it with all that is Narth.”

The X101 sighed again. “I am so going for that upgrade.”

Wetmouth said. “I think I should be able to install it. I have studied much about X101 technology and physiology thanks to the first aid and emergency procedures Mother Machine has sent me.”

Circuit took her hand and said. “Maybe I can’t taste the food yet but if there is a better way to spend an evening than with your best friends then I sure did not know it. I am a blessed machine.”

It warmed my heart to hear him say that as I felt the same way and it pleased me to see that Narth fit right in and the others accepted him like he was there from the start.

As the dinner was near the end it was Narth who against his usual reserved ways stood and spoke a toast.

“In human terms, Eric is something like a brother to me, only much closer.

Through his eyes I knew of you before we met but in recent weeks I was fortunate to get to know you all in person.

We Narth are unlike any other species and we have lost and forgotten so much what corporal beings know and do, but through Eric and now through you our minds are opened to values we had lost and were so much poorer without them.

Here in this circle, the value and meaning of true friendship becomes apparent and I am now able to say the meaning of pride is no longer alien to me, pride knowing you all.”

There was silence then Elfi got up and simply hugged Narth. “That was so beautiful.”

Hans put his hand on Narth shoulder.“You’re alright, Narth and not just because you saved my life.”

Only Wetmouth appeared sad, despite her mask I could tell.

I asked her. “Is something wrong?”

She nodded. “I just realized this might be our last evening together.”

Everyone became quiet and looked at her.

It was Shaka who said. “Now that she mentions it, the Admiral said we graduate today and after that happens we all be sent to various postings.”

Mao sighed. ”I wish it wasn’t so but I know from Lt. Merkus that there are at least 60 posting requests for Shaka, as he is not only a Virtu Helmsman but one of the best.”

Krabbel who just had hugged Narth balled himself together on his chair instead of hanging from the ceiling as usual said. “I don’t want to go somewhere else and they call me the monster and the Arachnid again and when they say it always sounds like they fear me or find me disgusting. Here I am Krabbel and I can be myself and no one finds me repulsive.”

Har-Hi played with his wine glass “It is a Commission you know. We could reject the commission and go private. I’d rather haul iron ore in an old Scow from Planet A to B and be with you than being the Commandant of a Battle Cruiser.”

Elfi looked up. “I am sure my Mom would let us have a nice ship. We simply could go exploring or something.”

I too recalled the words of the Admiral and I wondered what would be more important to me, becoming a Starship captain or go private with my friends and I knew the answer. I would not go private. I made a commitment and I wanted to do my part so little Holdians, Commander or not could be safe and hunt scum like the Red Dragon to the gates of hell. I wanted to help to clean this Navy from the curse that was the Worm. I wanted to be a Starship captain; even serving apart we could be friends. I knew I was arguing with myself, these friends were more than family to me.

The Elevator hummed and the three Immortals appeared and all three were dressed for the occasion, the Admirals in their dress uniforms and the woman in a daring black dress.

Before anyone could jump up, Stahl said.“As you were.”

McElligott said. “I was told about your fine little tradition and we wanted to join your festivities, but all I see are sad and long faces and it is deadly quiet.”

Stahl also looked surprised. “I would say it is us, but somehow I think there is another reason for the gloom.”

I stood and my friends did the same. I said. “Please join us and forgive our manners.”

We offered chairs for the high ranking guests and after everyone sat and the wait bot took their drink orders, Elfi simply said it. “It is not you, Sirs and Ma’am. We just realized that we are going to graduate.”

McElligott thanked Krabbel as he served the guests a plate of fish each and then said

“I was always under the impression graduation was an occasion to celebrate and all the Midshipmen and Cadets I knew always looked forward to this day.”

Wetmouth said. “We realized we will be separated as you said. We will receive our new postings and that could be all across three galaxies and a few star clusters. So this might be our last night all being together. This is a big Navy and the possibility for us all to have time and the opportunity to meet again is zero point eight percent taking into account the number of beings, the possible number of postings, the various times for leave of absence and the possible dangerous nature of our business.”

Narth put his head sideways, and then nodded. “I concur with this estimate.”

McElligott said. “That is how the Navy usually works I agree. Now I think it makes no sense to postpone things much further so we can start right away. With all these gloomy faces, I wouldn’t like the food even if it was a Burns supper complete with Haggis and Scotch.”

He glanced to Stahl and said. “I am still theoretically the boss of this outfit, even if I lately feel myself compelled to explain myself to Cadets. So don’t give me that look of yours.”

Stahl shrugged, had the same stoic face as always, but his eyes could not hide his amusement.

The Admiral of the Fleet got up from his place after taking a good swallow of the wine and made a waving gesture with his hand and said.

“Midshipmen get over there on the dance floor and get to attention, for what I am about to do it is simply tradition to stand in attention.”

We all scrambled to the empty spot between the tables and made a neat row and stood to attention.

McElligott flanked by Stahl and Cherubim slowly walked down the row and stopped, turned and faced us.

“I celebrate you on this important day, as you join these traditions and vow to support and defend the United Stars Constitution. The freedoms we enjoy depend vitally on the service you and your forebears have undertaken in our behalf. Indeed, I wish that there were more of you. You have jumped to planet surfaces, challenged your bodies and your brains and become mentally and physically prepared for service. You have our respect for your choices, our admiration for your commitment, and our deep gratitude for your willingness to confront dangers on our Union behalf in the months and years to come.”

He stepped before Har-Hi: ”I hereby commission you  to full Lieutenant of the United Stars Navy with all the commensurate responsibilities and privileges of that rank.”

That was unexpected.

He did the same to everyone down the line. It was a surprise that he promoted everyone not just Ensign, or Junior Grade but to Full Lieutenants.

Now he promoted Wetmouth and graduated her, I was the last standing next to her, but he stopped and did not promote me. As much as it surprised me, somehow I expected it. They marked my absence against me or something like that.

The Admiral said. “At ease Lieutenants."

I remained in attention.

Wetmouth was the first saying. “Sir, have you by any chance forgotten to promote Eric? He deserves it at least as much as we.”

The old Admiral said. “No Lieutenant Wetmouth, I promoted everyone I wanted to promote at this point. Ensign Olafson you may stand at ease as well.”

Har-Hi stepped forward.“Sir, as I understand this is a commission and one of those rights you spoke off, is to reject it and give it back, right?”

McElligott gasped and said.“You want to reject your commission?”

Now they all stepped forward and as if out of one mouth they said:“Yes.”

Narth said.“I remember very vividly the injustice done to Eric, very recently and it was you who promised him improvement and fairness. You made this promises to keep Narth in the Union. What has he done this time to deserve...?”

I held up my hand.“Friends, you worked hard for this, don’t throw it away. You won the Reagan trophy because you knew I would have wanted it. Now I want you to be good officers. That I have failed to achieve their recognition has their reasons I am sure. They are Admirals and Immortals after all.”

Cherubim’s face did not change, but her eyes glittered as she looked at the Old Admiral.

“Maybe some of us are a little out of touch with their humanity.”

Admiral Stahl’s face was as unreadable as always.

Something beeped and the Old Admiral looked at his wrist com. “She is here just on time, if everyone would follow me now?”

Stahl winked at me as we turned and walked to the Elevator.

As spacious as the elevator cabin was, it would not hold us all. So Wetmouth, Krabbel, Stahl and I waited for the second car.

Wetmouth asked. ”Do you know why Eric wasn’t promoted, Sir?”

He looked at her and said. “Indeed I do.”

I shrugged.“Doesn’t matter anyhow, this duality of standards that hold true for some and not for others is a theme that follows me since I joined.”

Stahl sighed. ”Eric I know. But this time it is really different. My old friend is a bit peculiar about how he does things. He was an old man before he became an immortal and he has forgotten how it is to be young. Do you trust me?”

“Yes Sir I do.”

“Then just wait a few more hours.”

After the elevator ride we joined the others in the main concourse of the Richter 4 space port.

And we all followed the kilt wearing Admiral onto a Slide belt.

A black skinned Captain, who was even taller than Shaka, but otherwise could have been a brother joined us on the belt and introduced himself as Captain Bangizwe. He greeted Shaka and said while bowing deeply. “I did not expect to meet the son of Chacka Chitauli. What an honor.”

Wetmouth whispered to me.” That means Important Leader, who tells us the law.”

Shaka returned the greeting and said. “It prides me to see a man of our tribe so far from home.”

The slide belt we travelled on changed directions at a belt junction and passed through a tunnel onto an alley between two of the petal shaped landing fields. One of the frequent sand storms pelted the transparent tunnel that protected us from the planet’s atmosphere and weather conditions. There on the landing field next to the Shetland stood another modern Ultra Battle ship. The black captain said to Shaka.

“Your highness that is my ship, the USS Atlantis. One day you might helm one of these if you get a rating high enough.”

McElligott laughed. “Captain, do you know how many posting requests exist for that young man? You would be lucky to get him. This Helmsman has a Fleet Helm position efficiency rating of 812!”

The tall Captain made a wiping motion with his hand and said. “That is impossible, only Virtu Helmsmen who have the gift could possibly get a rating like this and we all know Virtu Helmsmen with the Special talent and a rating of over 340 are barely able to talk and usually turn completely crazy after only a few years.”

As we were carried past the Battle ship Shaka responded angrier than I had ever seen him before. “You would not have greeted me as the son of Chacka Chitauli if you had seen me a few years ago, but ignored me as they all do. My father the King at first rejected me and only because the Navy puts so much value on persons suffering from this form of Autism he considers me useful. But the Navy isn’t any better because the Fleet treats Virtu helm talents like idiots, good for one thing only.

Autism is useful to the Navy but it is still a burden to those who suffer it. I managed with great difficulty to get into a regular Midshipman program for my third year and that made all the difference. Would it surprise you if I tell you that none of my friends are below a Helm rating of 300?”

The Battle ship captain looked at us surprised and McElligott said to him, most amazing is the fact that Lieutenant Shaka Chitauli has excellent fighting skills, is a Blaster marksman, knows tactical and is an excellent engineer.”

Wetmouth put her hand on Shaka’s shoulder. “Not to mention that he currently works on his biotronic science PhD.”

Captain Bangizwe gasped. “How is this possible?”

Shaka’s tone was still sharp as he answered.“Because my friends never make me feel sick or special. I was always integrated in everything and they helped me and were there for me when I fought the nightmares of my so called gift. My therapist says I am almost completely cured, without any psycho surgery and still I am a good helmsman and can use the gift. I say treat helmsmen like people and not like special outsiders.”

McElligott looked to Shaka and said. “Your critique has not fallen on deaf ears. I want you to help me write new guidelines and we will change how Virtu Helmsmen are trained and treated.”

While this discussion went on the slide belt had carried us way past the landing field now and moved across the dust and dirt plain towards the mountains. The old Fleet Admiral explained. “It might come to a surprise to you, but Richter Base was not built by accident or as a forgotten base project, as some bureaucrats green lighted. All this was a carefully planted story.”

He snickered. “You see, there is one thing we Immortals do better than others and that is long term planning. We set things in motion that bear fruit, decades or even centuries later.”

He looked straight at me as he said. “Some think of me as an old fool and perhaps in some ways I am, but ever since the Freespace Treaty was signed, I wanted a base as close to it as possible, yet no one really paying any attention to it.

Yes a base has to be manned and Cardwell and his cronies turned out to be criminals, but I made certain from the start that he had no access to the really important things and their days were numbered. Maybe he had told you that there was still construction going on.”

I simply nodded as he was still looking at me.

The slide belt tunnel merged with the base of the mountains and went underground.

Stahl wrinkled his forehead and crossed his arms. “You scheming son of a gun, I think I need to pay a little more attention to the little side things you do.”

The kilt wearing Admiral grinned like a Neo Viking in an Ax store and said.

“All this is part of Project Fish and now the project has turned into Operation Fish and those of you present will learn what this Operation is all about.”

The slide belt carried us moments later back into the open and onto the surface.

McElligott said.“Richter Base has more than one landing field and more than one space port.” He made a sweeping gesture over the mountain surrounded Duro-Crete landing field.

“This is Richter Port II"

A space ship was resting on its landing gear in the center of the field. I had never seen a ship like this. It had clear Terran lines, but there were no ISAH pods. Its bow looked much like the head of a Rock Shark, a broad round chisel shape that flowed into a streamlined flattened cylinder that softly increased to a massive aft. I estimated the ship to be between   800 and 900 meters long. At its stern it was perhaps  four hundred meters across, slowly narrowing to that chisel shaped bow. It was not navy gray, but shimmered in an onyx gray titanium color and instead of armor plating I noticed a fine pattern of hexagonal shapes all across its skin.

It stood on four wide landing pads and an IST shaft was lowered to the ground, underneath and near its rear end. On the high end it featured the Union flag. There was no name stenciled on its hull as far as I could see.

I noticed my mouth going dry. The ship looked aggressive, elegant, fast and dangerous at the same time.

The black Captain spoke first. “What in the world is that?”

McElligott said with pride in his voice.“This is Project Fish. It is the ship that does not exist. The very first and so far only of its class and type, Ladies and Gentlemen, behold the USS Tigershark.”

His words must have been heard by someone or something as now the name appeared across its hull near the bow.

Elfi said. “It looks sleek and fast. It will be almost a shame when it is done and they add ISAH Pods.”

Circuit spoke without taking his eyes off the ship.“If I am right, this ship does not need any.”

McElligott patted his metallic shoulders. “You are quite right indeed.”

Now I noticed the almost invisible purplish shimmering force field bubble extending around the ship, the slide belt carried us past that shield and ended thirty meters off the IST shaft.

Since McElligott stepped through the force field curtain at the end of the slide belt tunnel, it was apparent that there was a breathable atmosphere inside that ship encasing bubble.

The lowered IST shaft was guarded by two Marines and two battle robots that only remotely looked like Cerberus bots.

As we went closer I could see the blue diamond shaped insignia with the white skull and cross bones over the red rendering of the number one. I was not close enough to read the small words that were also part of that insignia, but I knew them of course as they were the motto of the Marine First Recon Battalion: Swift, silent, deadly. The most elite of all Marine Units, nicknamed the Deadly Ghosts.

There were rumors and stories about them but no one I knew had ever seen members of that Unit,

McElligott explained. “The Marines are wearing the first prototypes of a brand new Battle suit design codenamed Gilgamesh-MBS. These new main battle suits are the first fully cloakable suits unlike the adaptive camouflage of the Quasimodos. The Marines and the fleet will eventually in three or four years see the first Gilgamesh suits that will then replace the Quasimodos. These suits are completely Psi-neutral and incorporate Micro Translocator Cannons, TKU Gatlings and Intelligent AM warhead drones which are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of offensive capabilities.”

Stahl whistled. “I need to get me one of these.”

McElligott was not done as he walked over to the robot and said and these are ”SII’s newest development the still top secret FENRIR Type I Battle robots. I seen some battle tests and even I was scared seeing what they can do, and no you can’t have any, Richard. Only 60 exist so far and they are part of this ship.

The Marines saluted and Stahl returned the greeting said to them” Ooorah and Semper Fi, boys.”

The two Marines lost their stoic facial expressions and brimmed with visible pride. “Sir I shall die a happy man now, meeting the First Marine in person. Semper Fi, Sir!”

McElligott rolled his eyes. “He simply can’t pass any Marine guard without doing this schpiel. You’ve been a Marine, what 15 years and you’re an Admiral now for 3000?”

Stahl grinned. “I have been, was and will be a Marine first. You should talk, still wearing a kilt 4560 light years away from Scotland.”

Despite all the incredible technology presented to us, I could not help but find this friendly banter between those two Immortals amazing. It made them, despite their titles and reputation, very human. The prospect that I might indeed become one of them seemed a little less frightening as I realized this.

McElligott ignored the last squib of Stahl’s and said to us. “The IST is the first functional Trans Sonic Inter Ship Transport system in existence and travel time to any deck is less than a second. During Battle Stations, the doors will open and close in less than a second. So you basically run in and without stopping you will come out running at any deck you chose. It’s almost as fast as teleportation.”

He added that the IST is limited to three standard persons, or one Saturnian. So who will go first?”

I was completely caught off guard as Stahl simply pushed me in and followed.

The door closed faster than an eye blink and opened again and we were already at the command deck.

That’s what a screen displaying a pictogram told me projected onto the corridor wall across the IST. The cross section of this corridor had the same contour as a wide based egg, smooth and round except for the floor of course. Corridors on regular Union ships were rectangular or octagonal. The ship smelled as all brand new machines always did, it was a scent that could not really be described but everyone instantly recognized it. The soft curved walls were about 5 meters apart and the corridor was perhaps 7 meters tall at its apex. Like in all Union ships the walls were white, but the floor did not have the usual mustard yellow carpet, but a black surface that felt like walking over an inch of rubber matting. I barely had time to look around when the others were all here.

Like a boy with his new toy, McElligott took the lead again and we followed him through that oval shaped Corridor. At intervals of ten meters were black and yellow striped sections. After we had passed three of these we passed a double robot guard and onto the bridge.

It had the usual horseshoe arrangement of the duty stations around a raised central command chair. The entire front was currently transparent and gave a great view over the sloping bow section, the landing field and the mountains around it.

A man that almost looked like a brother to Stahl stood up from the command chair. He too was tall and had an athletic figure. His hair was cut just maybe a hint longer as that of the Eternal Soldier but that’s where the similarities ended. His eyes had an almost yellow shade and a distinctive black thin circle around his outer iris. They were more disturbing than the reptile eyes of a Shiss. I was sure I had never seen colder, more piercing eyes than those. There also was a hint of a brutal and cruel line around his mouth. He wore an expensive looking business suit and said to McElligott.“This is the first time I ever delivered a ship myself, but I am certain I have never flown anything as fast.”

“I doubt your Raven or the Black Sirius is much slower than this one, Rex.”

The man addressed as Rex said. “Trust me, compared to this fish the Raven is a distant second.” He then touched the hand rest of the Command seat and said. “Ship, recognize Rex Schwartz.”

The ships Computronic responded with a well modulated female voice. “Recognized.”

“Transfer of all Command Codes to Fleet Admiral McElligott.”

“All Command Codes have been transferred.”

The man in the business suit said to McElligott. ”Schwartz Industries hearby completes the delivery of Small Container Courier Craft SCCC 56."

McElligott shook the man’s hand. “Thank you.”

I thought that if this was indeed Rex Schwartz, and everything pointed to the fact that he was, then this was the richest, most controversial and perhaps most powerful man in this Galaxy and he had personally delivered this ship.

He then brushed past the Admiral and to everyone’s and my surprise he took Wetmouth in his arms and lifted the Sojonit of her feet and his cold voice suddenly had a warm undertone and rang with affection. “I didn’t know you would be here. If I knew I would have brought you something. You could have called you know.”

Wetmouth had her arms around the neck of the man and said. “Dad, I had no idea I would be here until only moments ago. All this is very hush, hush and secret and I did call you just before we left the Devi. Besides the only gift you needed to bring was you.”

Everyone stared while he let her down and said. ”I see you made Lieutenant already, but I knew my girl would make it. Now if you have had enough of all this, could you come with me, Linda is missing you and so am I.”

McElligott said with big eyes. “Lt. Wetmouth is your daughter?”

Wetmouth said. “Sir, this is the man who helped me to become a citizen and he adopted me and yes I consider him the father I never had.”

McElligott glared at Stahl. “Of course you knew about this.”

“Naturally, Rex called me the day she joined to keep an eye on her. So a Sojo could join unrestricted by her chosen religion.”

To the Mega Tycoon, Wetmouth said. “Dad, these are my friends and this is Eric. I have told you about him.”

The man took my hand and said. “Nice to meet you Mr. Olafson.”

Then he greeted the others by name.

To Wetmouth he said after he was done. “Well you know where home is, whenever you want to come home.”

“I do, Dad and I will come home as soon as I can.”

After this unexpected development Mr. Schwartz boxed the black Captain in the side and said. “Do you think I can hitch a ride in that metal mountain of yours?”

Captain Bangizwe showed his white teeth in a deep grin.

“I might be able to squeeze you somewhere in an equipment locker or something.”

Mr. Schwartz laughed. “All fine with me as long as you make Gazelle Burgers.”

“I’ll only do that if you play chess with me and let me win just once.”

“It’s a deal.”

The ultra rich tycoon had his arm over Bangizwe’s shoulder and the two left laughing and talking.

McElligott shook his gray head.“He could buy any delicacy in the universe and for the last seventeen days he talks about nothing else but the burnt meat things Bangizwe fabricates. Ever since I told him it would be the Atlantis that takes him back.”

Stahl still was staring into the direction of the bridge access door where the two had left. “Rex and M’butu have been close friends for a long time and besides Captain Bangizwe is a great cook and those burgers are delicious.”

McElligott sighed and then looked straight at me.“So Mr. Olafson, what do you think of her so far?”

“Sir, about whom?”

“The ship of course, Mr. Olafson.”

“Sir, I am certain this is a fine ship and all, but what would the opinion of a Midshipman matter to you, Sir?”

McElligott changed his gaze to Stahl. “He does this sarcastic thing almost as good as you.”

Back addressing me he said. “You’d better have an opinion; this is going to be your ship.”

Stahl grinned all over his entire face and I was speechless.

Now the mysterious blonde spoke for the first time since all this developed and Cherubim said. ”Obrock you forgot something.”

McElligott touched his forehead.“Of course, maybe I am getting old after all.”

He stepped a few steps back and said.“Attention on Deck.”

It was actually weird to see even Stahl snap to attention, but we all followed suit in less than second.

The kilt wearing Admiral centered himself before me and said. “I, Admiral of the Fleet, Obrock McElligott and in accordance of our laws and sacred traditions commission you Eric Olafson to the rank of Captain of the United Stars of the Galaxies Space Navy on this day the 23rd of October 5018 and give you command of this vessel, the USS Tigershark, with all the commensurate responsibilities and privileges of this rank.”

My friends cheered but I gave them a sign and they quieted down and then I said. “Sir it honors in the highest order, that you deem me to be worthy. To reach this position was and is the declared goal of my life. However as I would be responsible for the lives of everyone aboard and to fulfill this duty and the tasks you will give this ship in such a manner and utmost compliance with the high standards of this Navy, I must decline this commission as I do not have the experience and the wisdom that is required.”

It was deadly quiet after the words I had said and McElligott put his hand on my shoulder. “You may never know how much you just have risen in my opinion of you. I happen to know how badly you want this and to show me that you are willing to decline it, due to a grasp and understanding what this post means, erases the objections I had.”

Stahl said. “Know this Eric, it was I who recommended you and I have confidence in your abilities. You must also know that this rank is of course temporary and after you have completed the mission we have for you, you will be a Lieutenant like the others and I will send you to Command school and if you graduate there your rank will be made permanent.”

He too put his hand on my other shoulder and added. “I trusted you with the Devastator and all the lives on board, including mine.”

Narth, even though he was technically in attention said. “I trust you and I will take your orders no matter to what end.”

Har-Hi also spoke while still standing in attention. “I will follow you to the Demon infested Bad lands and back.”

I tried to swallow and said. “Sir, I reconsider and accept the commission.”

McElligott pinned the eagle shaped pins on each side of my shoulders and shook my hand. “May God or the deity you worship give you wisdom, Captain Olafson. For all intent and purposes you are a Captain and the acting part is a technicality that has no place in communications or address.”

He stepped back and both Admirals and my friends saluted me.

Then McElligott said. “Ship recognize McElligott, Obrock Admiral.”

“Recognized.”

“Transfer all Command codes to Olafson, Eric Captain.”

“All Command codes have been transferred. Ship systems now recognize Captain Olafson.”

The Blonde woman said. “I give you two hours to celebrate, Captain Olafson and as a Captain of a newly comissioned ship you can go through all fleet personnel records and pick and request your senior staff. Maybe you might even chose one or the other from the personnel present on Richter base, that would speed up the transfer and might even solve the problem you had earlier while mulling at the dinner table. After those 120 minutes we all must meet in your Conference room and discuss your part in Operation Fish.”

Why she was giving orders I could not say as she had no apparent rank but since both Stahl and the Admiral of the Fleet were present there was no doubt she was authorized to do so. The three immortals left the bridge without much further ado.

It had just begun to sink in, I was standing on my bridge. This was my ship, I had made it.”

I turned to my still at attention standing friends. “Circuit would you like to be my Chief Engineer?”

He made a strange whistling sound and “Eric, I mean Captain. I already feared you would not ask me. Of course I will be your Engineer.”

It filled me with a sense of joy as I said. “We do have at least 116 minutes. Instead of celebrating you might want to check your engines?

He whispered and what he said sounded like a payer. “My engines.” Then he went to the bridge door and I think he made the 12 meters distance in less than three jumps and just before he disappeared he yelled. “My Engines.”

I turned to Mao. ”Mr. Mao Mao Vouza, I need a tactical Officer and I was hoping you had no other plans.”

Mao smiled from one ear to the other saying. “No Sir, I have no other plans.” He rubbed his hands and said. “I still have 114 minutes to check out what this baby has got.” And with that he sat behind the Tactical console.

Krabbel whipped on his legs up and down.“Eric, please, please let me have Navigation. You know I am good at that.” He then added:“I mean Captain.”

“I could not ask for a better Navigator, Mr. Krabbel.”

To Elfi I said.”Ms. Petetis, I am not sure what your plans after graduation were, but I could use a Communications Officer.”

She gave me a long look past her long lashes and then smiled.“My plans are to stick with my friends and be your Comm. Officer, Captain.”

Hans crossed his big arms and looked at me. “Don’t even ask Eric. You know the answer.”

I nodded. “Alright Mr. Neugruber, go check your Security Section, Armory and brig.”

With an excited holler that made the deck plates vibrate he stomped past me and yelled happy before he left.“It all worked out. We’re together. Eric has his ship and I get my own Security department, with Fenris Robots. Have you seen those?” Then he was out the door and gone.

Wetmouth approached me and kissed me tenderly and said shyly.“I am sorry, but I had to that before you are officially my Captain. Now make me your Science Officer, or else.”

I said.“Of course, I would like you as my Science officer.”

Shaka looked as he was suffering.

So I said.”Mr. Chitauli a ship goes nowhere without a Helmsman. I know you have many offers, but if you like you can be the Helmsman of this ship.”

He sighed.“I knew you would not forget me but still I could hardly wait. I can check out the Helm systems, right?”

I nodded. “They are your systems.”

He took my hand and squeezed it. “Thank you Eric, thank you for everything. Thank you Captain.”

Now I said to Narth. “Are you with us or must you go again? A ship without OPS is not very effective.”

“Not even Narth supreme could convince me to be somewhere else. I shall do my utmost to be the best Operations Officer to you I can be.”

Finally I put my right hand on Har-Hi’s shoulder. I need someone to keep me in check and has more space traveling experience than any of us. I really need you to be my XO.”

Har-Hi simply nodded, looked even more serious than usual and his yellow eyes sparkled with pride. He then said.“Thank you.”

I had a ship and senior officers that also were my friends. I slowly approached the Command Chair and after a moment of reflection I slowly lowered myself into the seat

Those still on the bridge applauded and said as if with one voice. “Captain Olafson.”

Sitting here in that seat, my doubts were gone.

I knew who I was, it didn’t matter if I was Eric or Freya; it didn’t matter if I indeed would be an Immortal or would die tomorrow. I had no idea what the future held for me. I had a ship, my ship and I was with the best friends anyone could have ever asked for. Maybe someone else would say I was a self important fool, but I was the Captain of a starship.