Version 2006 - Ch 30

Olafson's Gang ________________________________________

Har-HI and I returned to our dorm and Mao greeted us." Have you two decided to kill each other at a later time?" "Yes we decided to postpone that." Har-Hi answered. "That is good! Because we are complete now and I am tired to be behind in everything." I said." We are complete what? And where are you behind?" "First things first." Mao replied." You got to meet the rest, just in case so you don't bust furniture across someone else's back." Mao stepped into the middle of the dorm room." You know me and Krabbel. You know Cirruit the X101 and you have met Hans." Krabbel was hanging from the ceiling and waved at me with two of his arms. Hans got up from his reinforced bed and Cirruit made a gesture of acknowledgement and turned in his bed. Mao said." Over there is Elfiatra but you haven't met Wetmouth and Muhammad. One of the beds privacy screen clicked off and a human with the blackest skin looked at us. He didn't say a word and his face had a melancholic and sad expression. Mao explained. "Muhammad is from Terra and he is an Intu-Helmsman and almost autistic freak when not under the Virtu helmet of his post. From the bath room came a woman. She had pink hair of shoulder length and she wore a stiff face mask of a beautiful woman's face with open lips. I could see her eyes and real lips behind the mask. She said." I am Wetmouth and I am a Sojonit Sister. Please don't make any remarks or advances; I am wearing the veil of abstinence. I know what you are thinking seeing as Sojonit!" I shrugged." Well I guess you must be a telepath then and as you can see in my mind I have no idea what a Sojonit is or where you come from." She seemed surprised." You don't?" Mao grinned." She isn't a telepath but she is rated to have empathic talents." "I am sorry Wetmouth, but I really don't know what a Sojonit is." "Sojonites are the best and most expensive prostitutes in the Galaxy." Har-Hi said." They come from Sin 4 and have a temple there. It's an ancient religious order that teaches the art of love making to its priestesses with techniques so rumor has it driving any man or woman of any species to sexual ecstasy." She nodded." Yes that is what I am, but I joined the Navy and I became a Citizen. I honor my culture but I wear the veil of abstinence. I cannot be hired for services." Mao added." Sojonites are not allowed to show their faces to anyone, so they appear to everyone alike and no one can fall in love with one in particular. At least that's how I understand the tradition." Wetmouth sat down at the table and said." That is the reason." Mao pounded his fist on the table. "Hans, Muhammad and Cirruit get your butts out of bed and come here we have a dorm meeting and an important one!" They all came and Cirruit most reluctantly." How can a machine find any rest with all this noise?" Mao said." With Eric here we are complete now. We need to vote for a Dorm eldest and we need to find a name for our gang. I am sick and tired of being last and the laughing stock of Suppor and the Devastator Knights, or the Flagship Dragons." What he said made no sense to me." What are you talking about?" Cirruit yawned and said:" There are 12 Midshipman groups, each has 9 members. Each group competes as a whole against the others. Individual scores are combined to the group's score. It is tradition that the groups have a leader or Dorm eldest and they choose a flashy name and a logo. Because we were the only dorm with 8 and not nine we weren't complete and our scores not counted, so we are at the bottom of the score list. The higher the score the more free time and bonuses and so forth." Mao added." You met Merkus; he is a stickler but fair if you do your stuff he is cool. But our main instructor, the one giving out assignments and such Lt. Clusen is the most annoying asshole you ever going to meet and he favors Suppor. Suppor's group, the Devastator Knights are at the first rank in everything." "I will pretend I have not heard the last sentence, and won't be such a stickler." Said Lieutenant Merkus coming in. "Officer on deck!" Mao yelled. "So Olaf son's Gang is finally complete. Normally we have a surprise drill tonight. But I exempt you. I know you did not have time yet do so like the others." With those words he left. I was quite surprised at that and Mao grinned."Told you, he's a stickler but fair!" Har-Hi said." I want Eric to be our leader. I respect you all but I feel better if he is the one, besides if Stahl thinks he is good enough to command the Devastator, he bound to be good enough for us." Krabbel said." Hands or legs up! I count 8 Eric, you're it!" "Hold it I don't know anything about those things you talked about yet. How can I lead you? I don't even know you." "Too late, you're it!" Cirruit said." Next point. We need a name." "I don't want anything like "Flagship's best" or "Devastator Dragons". That is so cheesy!" Elfiatra objected." I bet a thousand Midshipman groups before us had the same names." "I want to go back to bed!" Cirruit complained." So make a few suggestions." Muhammad rolled his eyes and said." Me too! Lt. Merkus calls us Olaf son's Gang. Mao calls us gang all the time, Suppor calls us gang and Clusen calls us Olaf son's gang. So what's wrong with that?" "What kind of group spirit is that if you use my last name?" I objected. "Olaf son's gang it is! I vote for it." Cirruit almost cut me off. Krabbel counted hands (and his leg) and said." That was not so bad. We are complete have a name and all we need is a logo." I said with determination." Not my face!" Hans volunteered." I am going to design one tonight. I like designing and drawing things." "Alright then, meeting adjourned." Mao pounded the table and Cirruit was back in his bunk before Mao's fist hit the table a second time. ---'''--- Clusen was human and most likely from one of the many colony worlds. He clearly was of mixed stock and it seemed as if he had Saran roots. He had blue eyes but the characteristic dark almost olive colored skin tone humans from Saran had and also black hair, he wore in a page boy style cut, most popular among Sarans of both sexes. All Midshipmen where assembled in a briefing room with semi circular benches arranged in theater style before a raised podium and lectern. Now I understood what the others tried to explain to me the previous night, the Midshipmen sat in groups and to nine and they had different color arm bands with a logo in the center. Clusen arrived at exactly 0801 and we all got up and stood in attention. He looked the class over and then he focused on us and particular at me." Ah who have we here? Mr. Olafson decided to leave ship commanding business to those who are really qualified." Suppor and his knights chuckled. "Now since your group is now complete, have you thought of a name for it as it is tradition and who is going to be your senior? Why don't you answer me that one Mr. Har-Hi?" "Sir we are the Olafson Gang and Eric Olafson is our leader. We picked black as our group color and Mr. Kleinschmitt designed a logo for us, Sir!" "Olaf son's gang? That simply does not have the same ring as Devastator Knights, Or Flagship's Best, but Olaf son's gang it is. Black is usually not used since your uniforms are black, but I will allow it because the good colors have been taken anyway." Again there was suppressed laughter from other groups. He made a face as if he felt sorry for us. "You couldn't find a better artistic talent in your group than a Saturnian? Well let me see what it is supposed to be." Hans stood clenched his titanic fists in suppressed anger. "Sir I choose a stylized rendering of an old steel chain with nine links symbolizing our group." "You may wear it. It is very simple but then you did it and that is probably the best a Saturnian can come up with." I wondered what Clusen had against us in particular; he insulted us constantly and in a very unprofessional manner. I had my multi com switched and recorded the audio. He made a gesture for all to sit down and then he activated a field screen that came to life floating behind him. "Computronic update senior class roster. Dorm 12 is now complete and the group will be known as Olaf son's gang." The view screen showed a list with the group names and behind each group name a tally of the accumulated score. Our name appeared on the bottom of the list. Much to the amusement of the others, especially the Knights who where on top. "There have to be losers in any competition and it looks like Olaf son's Gang has taken that particular honor." Clusen said with an unveiled grin. He then commanded the system:" Computronic daily update of all scores." Now something happened Clusen did obviously not expect. Our name jumped all the way to the top with a score total that made the Knights a distant second. Close's chin dropped to his chest and he said with a louder voice." Computronic double check the results. Actualize from current personnel files." "Check complete, all files are updated." Nothing changed on the read out. "Computronic explain the clearly incorrect and improbable high score of the Olaf son's Gang." "The Group Olaf son's gang is complete and their combined score is the value displayed. There is no error. Citations earned by the members of that group count for 81% of the score value. This includes the Medal of Honor, the Silver Star and Purple Heart accredited to group member Olafson. Medal of Honor valued at 1000 points. Group members Olafson and Har-Hi have received a citation for Gallantry and completing a salvage and rescue mission from Captain Harris at 0500. Science score obtained by group member Wetmouth is the highest score recorded since…" "Enough! I order you to reset the score board as it was with the Olafson gang at the bottom!" "Unable to comply, score system is a Fleet Headquarters program and altering of input values or program can only be made by Fleet Headquarter authorized personnel. This system has forwarded your error report and reset request to the appropriate address." Clusen was getting angry." Computronic, never mind. Disregard my last command. No altering is necessary." "No altering has been done, score system is a…" He turned the screen off and faced us. Suppor protested." Lt. Clusen, I demand you do something about that! I do not accept second place." "Mr. Suppor sit down. You will address me properly and with respect." Clusen then said." I will investigate those obviously false citations. No Midshipman has the Medal of Honor, if this was done by altering records, I will see that you are spaced, Mr. Olafson! "In the mean time the Olafson gang has an appointment at environmental, cleaning tanks. All others will report to the weapon range." On our way we ran into Lt .Merkus." "Where do you think you are going?" he asked. I answered." Sir we are to report to Environmental and clean tanks." "Why? What have you done this time?" "Lt. Clusen takes offense that I was rewarded the Medal of Honor Sir. He accused me of altering records." Just then Clusen came around the corner and stopped in his tracks. Merkus said." Lt. Clusen?" "They tampered with the Score system, Sir. I am on my way to Personnel to find proof. Olafson here has the audacity to claim he has the Medal of Honor!" "I checked and verified Mr. Olaf son's citations. He was indeed so decorated. I was on my way to apologize for not saluting this morning. Tampering with service files is a very serious charge and if you are certain it happened we must alert security!" "I want them in environmental! I do not explain myself to you in front of them!" "Very well." Merkus agreed and turned to us." Report to environmental for now." We just reached the lowest deck when we were called back. No explanation was given but we joined the others at the Weapon range. Here a Marine Lt instructed us in the use of various weapons. During a break I asked him." Sir are you familiar with antique fire arms?" "Oh yes they are a hobby of mine. How antique?" "I don't know for sure but it is pre astro Terra." "Can I see it?" "Yes Sir it is in my locker." "Get it!" When I returned with it his eyes became wide and he said." Good lord this is a 1911 Colt 45. It seems to be genuine!" "It is Sir." "That logo on the handle is the old United States Marine emblem! Where did you get it?" "Admiral Stahl gave it to me, Sir" "The Old Man himself? So it is true what rumors say he was a Marine before the ascent!" "Can you teach me to use it?" "I would be honored Midshipman! Let's get some Ammo replicated!" The old gun had no target optics and could not be tied into a battle-tronic. It made a loud bang when it fired and shattered plastic discs, the Marine had put down range. It took me a while to get the hang of it before I managed to hit the targets, but it was great fun. "You ought to wear it. It is a badge of honor the Admiral himself gave to you!" he said. "Would that be allowed?" "The display of cultural objects that do not hinder you from performing your duties and does not obstruct rank insignia is allowed if an officer approves it. I approve it." So it came I wore the shoulder holster with the old gun where ever I went and I visited the range and the Marine instructor very frequently for training and practice. Har Hi came along and showed me his incredible marksman ship and the use of traditional Dai Weapons and he in turn found great delight in using my old guns and the awesome antiques the Marine had in his collection." Dai-Thaan so I learned put great focus on knifes and blades and he always carried several knifes and daggers on his uniform. And each had a specific function and purpose. One of the blades he explained was meant to commit suicide. Clusen pretty much ignored us for the next 4 weeks. He gave us, like all the others regular assignments but did go out of his way to give us the hardest challenges and tasks. But no one could reach Hans level in weapon marksman ship or fighting abilities even not considering the fact that he was the strongest around. Har-Hi was a close second. Muhammad who barley ever spoke one day sighed." I have the lowest score in combat training of anyone. I hope they don't fail me for that!" Hans said." But your helm score is the highest and mine is in the basement!" I listened and added." We should train each other in our spare time. I am not too fresh on science either!" So we began to train each other and it also made us to get to know each other much better. Wetmouth I learned had six PhD already and was rated Sci-4 the highest rating any scientist could attain in the science corps of the Navy. Usually a scientist focused on one particular field and when he or she was very good he was recognized and eventually reached the Sci-4 level. Wetmouth was rated Sci-4 in 14 science fields and her IQ was recorded at 450. Mao told me that and he also said that there were only about 200 known individuals with such an IQ. Wetmouth was cold and unapproachable at first, the mask she always wore didn't help either but she slowly changed. Muhammad also changed and he talked more about himself, about a region called Africa on Earth where he was born. Modern science allowed an individual to be directly linked to a space ship. Thus helm commands could be executed at the speed of thought and this gave such equipped ships an enormous advantage over any other Helm system, even those with experimental AI Helms. However only a relative few individuals could do it. Being attached to a ship meant virtually losing your body and become the ship and it caused severe mental problems, some individuals became addicted to the feeling of power and where no longer responsive to mere human commands, others became insane not able to differentiate between realities. But there were those like Muhammad who had a special gift, it was so I had been educated a form of an old mental disease called autism that allowed them to function without suffering the ill effects. Those helms men where called Virtu-Helms and treasured like gemstones by the Navy. Muhammad had a rating of 800 and was among the very best, but he was almost unable to interact with other human beings when he didn't wear the Virtu Helmet that connected him to a ship. But over the weeks he began to show interest in other things and even laughed at jokes Krabbel or Mao made." Elfiatra, we called her Elfi now was the daughter of some high noble house on Saran. She never went into details, but Saran was still a Monarchy and had a class of nobles. Her true identity came to light one morning, Lt. Clusen and Subbor discussed nobility and each tried to impress the other and it was a mutual admiration thing going on before the entire class. Subbor later said during lunch:" It looks like Lt. Clusen is the only one here of noble birth and it clearly shows!" Elfi waved." Oh be quiet! Lt. Clusen is a bastard son of a baroness of lowest rank. He has no claims to nobility. And you are of the Nabomhar Clan who long lost its importance on Thauran. Is it not true the Nabohmar clan fell in disfavor with Emperor Soron the third almost 200 years ago and was stripped of most of its possessions, and even lost the right to be at court? I heard your father had to borrow against your last holdings to pay for the gambling debts of your brother. What noble house you are from indeed!" Subbor forgot to chew, some other Midshipmen around us started to laugh, and they too were simply tired of the constant bragging. He spat." Who are you?" Another Saran midshipman a table away rose to her feet." You are in the presence of Elfiatra the Precious, Princess to the Saran Empire ,second daughter to her Majesty the Queen Cleotrix the second. Commandrix of the Saran Honor Legion, Holder of the sacred ankh. High priestess of Ra. If her Majesty wanted to brag about royalty and nobility she could have done so with every right!" The Saran woman bowed deeply towards Elfi." I am deeply sorry for revealing your true nature, but I too was tired of this." There was silence and everyone looked at Elfi and she sat down with a frown." I guess it would come out sometimes anyway, but please don't treat me any differently. That is why I choose to keep it quiet and join the Navy to be respected for my person not my titles or birth." "Treat you differently?" Krabbel mocked her." Naa won't happen. I am used to be with a prince and such all the time. You see Mao here is the son of the Tribal chief of New Samoa and that makes him a prince. Har-Hi is the son of the Clan Eldest and he is nobility in Dai Terms. Muhammad is perhaps the most noble of all. He is the son of a King. Zulu nation on Terra!" Mao grinned sheepishly." Oh shut up Krabbel, you would call any ice cream vendor King for an extra scoop of Vanilla ice cream!" "No I wouldn't. He had to add whipped cream before I go that far!" Elfi giggled relieved and Wetmouth looking up from her ever present E Pad. "According to the Encyclopedia Galactica the Nahomar Clan was excluded from the last Who's who for failing the minimum requirements of Nobility to be included." Subbor however did not mention his noble birth anymore and that was a good thing. ________________________________________