CH 10: Zorgo Cave

CH 10: Zorgo Cave

I missed the Battle Armor greatly as I followed Nestor through the twilight of the coming night. The air was putrid and stank, almost as bad as the Enviro Tanks. I wore my black leather outfit, a tight leather mask and a cloak with hood. the Leather was lined with micro mesh, no animal or bladed weapon could do me harm. The personal force field generator on my belt was the last line of defense, it was currently off, not wanting to put all my cards on the table. Narth monitored my mind and could teleport me out of danger, so I was as safe as one could be in a situation like that. I still didn’t feel too good, especially after Nestor warned me what kind of surprises could hide between the trash. The Village, he told me, was a Skaakh settlement in the middle of Trash Island, made of old shipping containers and crates. The Village Skaakh had organized armed patrols and guards to fend off the bigger, more aggressive vermin that made trash island such a dangerous place. Narth had dropped us off about half a click from that village, so we could reach the Village unobserved. I was sure there were eyes on the Tigershark ever since the Togar had broadcast their demands all over the system. While I made sure we broadcasted back on the same channels, I was sure there could be some who didn’t hear all of it or didn’t believe my story. I knew I was walking on thin ice in regards of our mission and that exposure could lead to serious repercussions, all the way to open war. I kept my hand on my blaster under the cape and wished I had added a breathing mask to my disguise. Nestor knew his way around and avoided nests of curling tentacles, well hidden at first and exploding to life if something came near. The air was filled with insects of various sizes. I held the hood closed with one hand while Nestor was almost unmolested. Before we went he had had held up a dirty tub and explained.“The Stik make this ointment and it keeps most of the nasty stingers away, not all of them but most. I politely refused the smelly paste he had lathered all over his exposed skin. We finally made it, and after one more turn around mound of rotting plants and paper there was the village. I had rarely seen something more depressing. About twenty large shipping crates with plastic film roofs and dirty curtains stood in a rough circle around a large Standard freight container with an added lean-on out of wood and plastic planks. About a dozen fires burned and two meager, dirty looking men, one human the other some humanoid species I did not recognize, stood by the closest fire holding those primitive one shot projectile rifles. They grabbed those weapons but recognized Nestor and made surprised faces as they saw me. He exchanged a few words with them and simply pointed at the large container and they nodded. We went into the lean on through a plastic curtain. Nestor took a spray bottle from a shelf and sprayed it all around us. “It’s to keep the bugs out as much as possible. Gothar doesn’t like us dragging them in.” After that decontamination procedure we entered the actual container, there was artificial light from Lumi-Plates, shelves with knives and a dozen crude made rifles on one side. Barrels and boxes filled with metal pieces lined the other side. There was a crate with damaged ArtiGrav Coils next to a open sack filled to the brim with little metal disc, a tightly wound bundle of plastic film and a barrel full of E Boards, all damaged and worn. But right there were four tetragon shaped boxes with the same alien writing, filled with dark red fist size glass like spheres. There was a counter in the back that was a steel plank thrown over two barrels. Behind it sat a bird like, featherless creature with a large yellowish beak and small staring eyes. The creature was about man size and what went for wings had turned into arm like limbs with three fingered hands. He eyed us, especially me, with suspicious stares and then he said with a croaking voice. “Nestor, Nestor my old friend, are you coming to settle your account? You still owe me six Copper Flops or merchandise of same value.” Nestor pointed at me and said. “This woman I met on the Mainland wanted to talk to you. I told her you have plenty of ArtiGrav Units.” The yellowish beak looked sharp and a little black tongue flickered between the half moon shaped beak halves. He said with an unfriendly accusatory tone. “You had enough coppers to get a ride to the mainland and did not pay me first? Well we need to talk about that later.” The little speaker in my ear whispered. It was Har-Hi. “The Old Merchant is back. He is now seeing what you see and will give you advice.” I was connected via a safe Transdim link to the ship and the tiny camera built into my mask transmitted sound and image. Gothar the scrap dealer now turned to me and said. ”I usually don’t do business with folks I don’t know. It’s a habit that has kept me in business for a long time.” Hearing Sobody’s voice in my ear, I simply repeated what he said. “I am sure Ms. Polo Coin will do for a name right now and this is a name that should be familiar to you.” I parted my cloak, took out a little plastic bag and placed it with a heavy thud on the counter. It was filled with hundred Polonium Full-weights. His little button eyes blinked and the small round tongue flickered across the beak. “I believe we know each other. What can I do for you?” Again I was simply repeating Sobody’s words in my ear saying. “I have a customer who is in the market for ArtiGrav Coils. It just so happens I have room in my freight bay and I am going that way anyway, so I would take them off your hands for a fair price.” I had his undivided attention now. “All of them? I got ten more boxes like that.” I made a sweeping gesture and said. “Yes, all of them.” He said with a whiny voice. “I would gladly sell them to you but they are already promised to Warktur and he is my best customer.” Sobody’s knowledge was truly invaluable and he had me say. “Warktur never pays you more than five Polos per box on a good day. I give you twelve full weights right here and now.” His voice and demeanor relaxed somewhat and he said. “You know the scrap business, I can tell.” He raised one of his wings and produced a little Hand laser he casually played with and continued to say. “Let us imagine and for arguments sake, I shoot you, take all your money and dump your body out there somewhere?” I flipped the coat and he saw my hand on the Nul Graviton and I said with a relaxed voice “What if for arguments sake, I introduce you to my friends?” He did not even try to blink because TheOther, had appeared right behind him with one of his terrifying Y’all combat swords and poking it into the dealers back, growling. ”Did you just threaten our Captain or was this just a joke?” Gothar dropped the little laser, despite him being from a species I knew nothing about, it was obvious he was utterly terrified and he croaked. “A joke. It was a joke.” Har-Hi parted the plastic curtain with a sword swipe."Captain, do you want me to slice that avian offense?" I said. “Not yet, Dai! You both can leave me alone with Mr. Gothar. I am sure we will come to an agreement now.” TheOther acknowledged and stomped past him, making the container shake with every step and left through the entrance.Har-Hi right behind him. How the Y'All managed to get in, without making a sound despite his cloak was a mystery even to me. But not for long as I noticed Narth behind the dealer waving at me and disapearing into nothingness. I crossed my arms and said. “Now how about those coils. I am still willing to deal fair, but don’t test me again.” He raised his three fingered hands. “Of course. I think my friend Warktur must find salvage coils elsewhere, your offer is good business.” I made my voice sound pleased and said. “Splendid. Why don’t you give me a good price on those bundles of Polymers and that sack of Boron discs too?” He actually rubbed his hands together and straightened his position behind the counter.“Of course, it all makes sense. You are dealing with the Dai, they are always in the market for raw materials and recyclables. Good customers if they let you live after a deal. He pulled a greasy PDD with a busted case and tapped on the screen.. “140 Polo for all of it, is that acceptable?” I pointed at the boxes. “I say 135 if you throw in those red bulb things, and you got a deal.” He looked at the boxes and clacked with his beak.“Frankly lady I don’t know what those are. I tried to melt a few but they simply crack. But I am glad to get them out of here. You can have them all for 150.” I actually enjoyed this haggling a little and said. “Now you talk sense. Let’s say 145 and we shake hands.” He extended his claw like hand and I shook it. He croaked.“You are a good business woman. I like your style. How do you want this delivered and where?” “Get it to my ship by tomorrow and I’ll throw in two Full weights more.” “No problem Lady. I have a bunch of lazy hands out there and will have it loaded and delivered in five or six hours.” I gave him directions and said. “The Silver Streak at Gorotolah Spaceport. It’s the Karthanian at the end of the field, not too far from a recent crater.” "Oh I heard about poor Hythagh idiot Hegor. He was always a shrewd one. Why he invited the worst cut throats into his ship and turned off the shields, only Niplkiar knows. Well he and the Tight Squeeze weren't customers of mine, but he did occasionally take a load of Wartkur to the Karthanians. Ah well he was never smart enough to come to me, like you. Hope to see you again."

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We had returned to the ship without any incidents. Yeoman O’Connell handed me the daily order sheet and situation report.Lieutenant Senhadjii, the new crew member that had left the ship, and I had almost forgotten about was mentioned in the report. True to my promise, I read the report this time and informed myself about this new officer, I haven't really met so far. Mehdi Senhadjii was attached to our S-2 department. That was the official fleet designation of the Security and Intelligence department headed by Hans Neugruber. Mehedi, so I learned, came from one of the oldest Colonial worlds of former United Earth called Vande Mataram. Mehedi specialization was infiltration. According to Har-Hi’s evaluation he spoke many languages on a truly native level, was a master of disguise and an expert in Observative Combat Psychology. A little known branch of the secretive NAVINT service. The term unlocked information in my brain that was part of my neural upload I received at Pauli Station. COMPSY, was not related to psionics , but was a special field of applied psychology and sociology that took detailed observations of individuals and groups to scary levels. According to Har-Hi our new officer could watch someone and give you a detailed analysis of their character and intentions. This was impressive even if you could only do that on humans. Meghi could apply this to many non-human species as well. He had left the Tigershark and carried the same micro fiber communication equipment we had used on Brahma Port. Currently he was in the role of a Freelancing Ill-goods merchant, dealing with any kind of product that was illegal in the influence areas of one of the Big Four. Meghi had contacted Elfi moments ago and she told me that we could hear and see what he did right on the main viewer. It was fascinating and a little scary. Especially since the technology used was very advanced but not impossible for any technological society and I thought to myself how scary and morally wrong Intel work really was. Mehedi had contacted us because he had recognized the Half-Dai Dimon Honshu and had followed the man inside a Zorgo-Cave. Mehedi, spoke to us via a wet-link interface, so his brain speech impulses could be transferred directly into transmitted speech without making a sound. It was the next best thing to actual telepathy, and unlike telepathy, it could not be detected by a telepath. It was easily transmitted via GalNet Nano Bursts.. I didn’t know what a Zorgo-Cave was but didn’t want to distract him with unnecessary questions. I leaned forward in my seat and watched our man go inside a darkened half spherical room with hammock like cocoons hanging on silvery threads from the ceiling. Mehedi talked to the first fat Spindlar I had ever seen and said. “Two trips to the pink Ocean.” The Spindlar took five Full weights of Mehedi and handed him a coat hanger like metal piece with a hook in the middle of a boomerang shaped metal bar. Our infiltration expert passed the Spindlar who sat on a green force field bubble and placed the metal contraption into a slot made, some adjustments to a control panel, and a white sheet unfolded. He grabbed the hanger and swung himself onto the sheet that immediately wrapped him tight but left arms and head free. Then he was pulled to the ceiling joining the other cocoons that hung there. Now I could see a skin colored maggot like creature was sliding down the thin thread. Mehedi squeezed something out of a small plastic tube and smeared it around the thread that was holding his cocoon. The maggot approached but did not pass the spot with the smeared substance. From up there Mehedi had a great view, especially with his enhanced cybernetic micro fiber periscope. Narth explained to me, “Those are Zorgos, a semi sentient lifeform of Kermac origin that is bred and sold everywhere in Freespace. They lure their prey into submission by inducing lucid and pleasurable dream states. This ability has been somewhat enhanced and its mandibles and sucking mouth have been removed. They starve to death after three or four weeks and are replaced by a new one. Those cocoons simulate how they store their victims.” I shuddered. “Why would anyone have this done freely and even pay for it?” He transmitted his answer. “Why corporal species do things and what motivates them is still largely a mystery to me, but I assume it is some form of escapism. Zorgo-Caves are even legal in the Union but many individual members prohibit them on their planets.” I was still thinking about that when our agent focused his surveillance equipment on the Half Dai Honsu, who hung a few meters away in another cocoon. Narth said, using Mehedi as a psionic relay and this Honshu person opening his shields to allow the Zorgo to transmit the dreams .I can get past his mental shields without him noticing as I use the same opening he made to allow the Zorgo dreams.” “Your psionic abilities are scarier than I imagined, my hooded friend. Not that I really understood any of the details.” “And you still refuse to accept the fact that you too have such abilities.” While Mehedi monitored the man, Narth sat back and begun to describe the thoughts of the man: Dimon Honshu relaxed as the colorful unsubstantial dream colors soothed his mind. He liked the Zorgo caves. Here he could relax and these mindless creatures had no need for his secrets. As he was a good telepath, he knew many Zorgos and that the many dreams they produced and transmitted would confuse the best Saresii or Kermac spy. He had landed on Sin 4 and noticed the large number of pirate ships already there. Of course it would be Pirate Market soon and the worst cut throats, killers and deep space scum started to congregate and descend onto Sin 4. He had seen the market a few times before and he had to admit  that some of the things offered were indeed rare treasures. A man with a good nose could make a killing. He knew most of the ships and the was familiar with the more famous or infamous pirates, privateers and corsairs. Every time the market commenced one of them did not show up because he got caught by officials, bit into a victim that knew how to fight back or met an early demise by one of his or her esteemed colleagues. Pirates never had a big problem raiding other pirate ships if the opportunity was there. But then there always was a newcomer that took their place. The Worm operated and supported three pirate ships in Freespace but only the Throat-Cutter was currently present. He had landed at the smaller Winkthr port. Captain Ivok of the Throat-Cutter did not know him as Dimon Honshu as he had never met the Captain in this disguise persona. Of course the Worm sponsored captains had also never met the Purple Worm in person either. The  Bloody Mary owned  by Crimson Curse, one of the oldest and most experienced Pirates, was about to land on the big port. Being in this business and surviving in this dangerous business for many decades was not easy and spoke volumes of the experience of this particular and well known pirate. Crimson, so he had heard, never bit more off than he could chew, was not excessively brutal to his victims and usually stayed away from Drugs and Slaves. Maybe that was the secret of his success. Along with the Bloody Mary he was informed an old Saran Destroyer that was heavily modified and modernized had just touched down. Captain Meateater who owned that ship was not a man to be trifled with. He killed first and never asked any questions. The large Karthanian Armed Merchant somewhat separated at the far end he had briefly seen at Brahma Port before he left, not far from where the Hythagh and the Tight Squeeze left a nice little crater in the surface belonged to that mysterious privateer who called herself Black Velvet. He knew there had been a ship and Captain with the same names about 400 years ago and she made a name for herself back then, before she vanished. Now she appeared and lived up to her legend. He had seen her in action at Brhama Port and there was no doubt in his mind, it was her who dealt with the DE turret and the Port Rats She was also on the Union Top Wanted list. He decided to keep an eye on her and maybe approach and recruit her for the Worm. He decided to stick around on Sin 4. First of all he waited for an audience with Duke Donheer. All his information indicated that the Duke had the Gray Nul in his possession and then he wanted to visit the Pirate’s market to see if that Red Dragon would show up. He was a thorn in the Worm’s side, because the Red Dragon had started to create and operate his own criminal organization, known as the Sinister Alliance. Normally this would not necessarily be a bad thing, but the Sinister Alliance was growing fast and he did not like Competition he knew little about. Especially now that Union ground was getting hotter by the day. The Red Dragon operated a ship that he could not identify, but rumors claimed he was closely associated to the First Hull Builders guild of the Karthanians. That in itself was a remarkable fact,if it panned out to be true. The Karthanians were xenophobic to the extreme and never associated themselves with a Non Karthanian, at least not on a mutual level. His mind wandered back to the Silver Streak. To examine that Black Velvet person a little closer. She was something else for sure and besides it never hurt to know a little more about a pirate. Her ship didn’t look like much at first glance to the laymen, but to expert eyes it was a different story. The ship had large ISAH thrusters probably making it quite fast, but he doubted it was very maneuverable. He was especially impressed with her weaponry. He considered himself a Nul technology expert and that ship over there sported impressive Nul fire power. Either she had a connection to the Nul or, what would not be any less impressive, had raided Nul Ships. If she had connections maybe she was here for the same reason, looking for the Nul Prince. Or maybe she was the one who abducted the Nul in the first place. In any case a worthwhile lead to follow. But first he would hire himself a Sojonit and then check out a few contacts and see if they heard anything about a Nul slave. Mehdi Senhadjii interrupted Narth’s narration on the thoughts of the man and reported, “He is moving and it looks like he is not finishing a full dream session. I better get ready to follow him.” Narth severed his mental  connection. “Even in this state, this Dimon  was very alert and well shielded I could not go deeper without him noticing, but it is not a Shiss or Dai mind. I am certain it is Human." We all had listened to this fascinating insight into another being’s thoughts and I said. “He seems to be a very high figure in the Worm organization as it appears he knows the Purple Worm himself. To our S-2 man I added. "Mr. Sehadjii, stay on his tracks if you can, but do not risk to much.” Mehedi lowered himself to the ground and said. “I’ll try my best, Captain.”

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NEW SIAM

The recent purge of Thauran nobles and the arrest and trial of the Azure Emperor himself, Emperor Soron, the Fifth which ended in a very satisfying image, the Thauran emperor hanging and twitching a little before he died. Much had happened since he and his brothers had been to the Diamond ball and met with the arrogant emperor and First Minister Voluur. Voluur had evaded Union Police by a fraction and was on the run somewhere in Freespace, with a nice bounty on his head. Kingdom business went well and Union police was there to make sure the Thauran reformation went smoothly. He, Chula Chakrabongse had never been much for politics. He was young very rich and in his opinion the very best warrior in the universe. He had served his twenty two month and then an extended tour with the  Union Army. Now he and a large group of his friends, mostly there helping him spending his money on parties and similar venues. Now he was on his way to Sin 4, in a well armed and shielded surplus destroyer. Heavily modified to accommodate his creature comforts. There he planned to see a live Death fight and maybe even challenge whatever champion there was. He was simply the best.

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Donheer Syndicate Complex

Duke Donheer stood by the window and looked outside over the ocean towards the mainland. The Duke was humanoid but he had no terran human DNA. He was part Shiss, part Kermac and even had some Saresii in him. He did not have any Psionic abilities but inherited the natural arrogance of his Kermac heritage. He was big as he liked eating and eating a lot of the best things, but he surprised many with his agility and strength. It was important to him that his scalp appeared polished and he bleached his fine scaled skin to a light shade to show that he was related to the White Throat caste. Duke Donheer was the unopposed ruler of his empire and one fourth of all business on Sin 4 went through his organization, but he wanted more. Unlike his father and the Donheers before him who were content with being part of the cartel and having one fourth, Duke wanted it all. He knew there were bigger powers out there and only if Sin 4 was under one ruling hand, his hand would become the true power controlling this world. He dreamt about colonizing the south Continent and putting a new spaceport on the larger moon. He remembered the Stik and wanted to get rid of them completely. The other three families had to be eliminated and then he could take over business at Temple island. Instead of getting a share of the Sojonit whore business, he wanted it all. The contract and agreement his forefathers made with the Sojonits was just a piece of paper, once he was undisputed king of Sin 4 contracts and agreements became null and void and all that mattered was his will and word alone. The Donheers already made more profit than the other families. One of the reasons for it was his crown jewel, the Fight Coliseum, he had pushed it to new heights and a source of great profit. Union GalNet sports channels transmitted the weekly fights all over Union space and the income from that and the advertisement brought in more money than any of his other businesses. He thought about the Loki torpedoes in his basement, these terrible weapons of Union origin could be used to blow up the fortress islands of the other families and sell the rest along with the P Bombs to the Kermac who already signaled great interest. If he played his cards right he would leave his son a real empire. The Kermac, Nul and the Union already considered the Shiss no longer a real part of the Big Four, but he knew better, because he was a personal friend of the First Nestling and managed to capture an important Nul for his lizard friends. The Nul was scheduled o die in the Arena. After the Nul died a hopefully gruesome death fighting, the Duke had plans to accuse the Union of selling him the captured the Nul. Hearing about the seriousness the Nul considered this matter it was most likely start a war. That the Union win this conflict, there was no doubt. But at an enormous cost in life and resources. The Shiss mortal enemies to the Nul no longer wasting time and efforts on the Nul,once more strong and able to mop up the pieces. then he would announce Sin 4 to be under Shiss control and the first Nestling promised him dominion over the entire quadrant. The other families then had no choice but bow to him. Before his inner eye he saw himself already ordering the execution of the other family patriarchs and taking over their treasures and possessions. No longer just lord over a fourth, but having it all. He smiled at his own reflection in the window and walked back to his desk for the business at hand. His sources reported that an Agent of the Nul Empire had arrived. Dimon Honshu the assassin and privateer had been hired by the Nul to find the Gray Nul. The half Dai had a great reputation in terms of being connected and having access to many groups. He was more than friendly with that grumpy primitive,Ludor Baro. He even let the half dai land on his enclave. It was through cartel channels a meeting was arranged. Donheer was certain Honshu had no idea that the Duke knew about the meeting that took place at Brhama Port. The half Dai was on his way to meet the Duke, no doubt to make an offer to obtain the captured Nul. One of his aides and bodyguards announced the Assassin and let him in. Dimon appeared to hav indeed Dai heritage that he saw at once, that explained his great reputation as Assassin. Right away the Duke wondered how this Dimon would do in the arena against a real Dai. A great fight for sure. Honsu bowed and said.” I am thankful for your time. I am Dimon Honsu .” Duke waved impatiently. ”I know who you are, the large gift of Polo coins was well received and the reason I agreed to meet you. Anyone spending a Million Polos for an audience with me has my attention. No one spends this kind of money without a motive, you want something from me.” “You are as keen and straightforward as they say you are.” “If only half is true you heard about me, you also know that I am not a fool and a busy man, so come to the point.” “I am certain you know who I am and what I do to spend my time. I was hired by a client to find an abducted Nul, some believe has been brought to Sin 4. Now  I heard you bought the Nul and plan to fight him in the Arena tonight. Would it be possible to see those fight slaves before the fight and perhaps purchase one if the one I am looking for, is among them?” “No that would be quite impossible,I already advertise the fight but if you fight tonight in the arena, before the main event against a full Dai, I let you pick any serving fighter including the Nul you are interested in.” “I can’t agree to that, but I ask you to reconsider. I am willing to make a substantial offer.” “And you do not have a choice.I like fights more than money. Either you agree to my deal or you won’t be very welcome on Sin 4 anymore. I doubt even you would make it alive from this world with a Cartel price on your head.I doubt your Simian friend Ludor Baro will protect you." Dimon became angry.“You do not realize who you are dealing with.” “Oh I know. You were hired by the Nul to find that Gray Nul. I believe you don’t know who you are dealing with. This is Sin 4 and my will is supreme. This conversation ends now. Now be a good assassin and strip all your hidden weapons or I have my guys take you apart.” Dimon felt like an amateur walking into a trap. “Since you know I was hired by the Nul then it will come to no surprise to you, that they are informed about my whereabouts and expect my reports regular intervals. Not even you want to become an open enemy to the Nul Empire. Abducting Nul and have them fight in your arena will just do that.” "Exactly, this is exactly what I want, angry Nul. I told you the terms of my deal. You can walk out and try to leave Sin 4 alive or you fight in the Arena and complete your mission the Nul have paid you for.” Damon swore to himself he would make this man pay. He had other resources but one thing was true. If he won in the Arena he could pick the Nul prince and complete his mission. He had killed many times before and fighting a Dai was dangerous but nothing he could not handle. “Alright I agree to your deal. I fight in the Arena tonight and I hold you to your end of the bargain. I win and leave with the Nul of my choice.” “I always keep my word when it comes to the Arena, always. Now my associates will provide you with a nice apartment where you can prepare for your fight tonight.” Donheer watched as his bodyguards escorted the man out. He then leaned back, things were looking up. He had the Nul agent under control, and a nice fight before the main event. Now all he needed is to find a Dai warrior. The undefeated Champion and perhaps greatest star of the arena, the incredible Terror Hammer had returned and he promoted that everywhere. He would have the Champion fight the Nul tonight and throw in a Stomper and an Insectosaurus he had bought from a Lifeform Smuggler. They came from the famous Union world Green Hell and were as vicious and deadly as any monster he had ever seen. He called Wintsun. While this Sunflorian  was not family, he knew how to get things done and Donheer trusted him more than most. The man appeared as always making no noises as he moved. The green skinned man used to be a Union Officer and they trained their personnel well. The man knew no scruples and killed and bullied his way up the ladder and now was in charge of Intelligence and he got results. “Wintsun, I need a Dai Warrior tonight for the arena.” “There aren’t any in the slave pens. I heard there might be one for sale at Alvor's, I am sure I can get him here but even the fastest ship won’t make it for tonight.” Wintsun was thinking. ”I think that new pirate has one in her crew. It must be a renegade or outcast.” “What new pirate?” ” The Silver Streak and Captain Velvet I told you about. She leveled the DE towers of the Gorotolah Spaceport Protection Agency.” “Ah yes I remember you telling me about her. She is sort of an enigma, named after a pirate that was active some 400 years ago, right?” “Not much is known about her, but she is on the top ten wanted list in the Union, the Goldens claim she raided several ships of theirs and her old ship is modified and carries modern Nul weaponry. Stuff you can’t really buy, like Nul-Froth Casters and six pods with Nul-Nul Gravitation Torpedo tubes. All this and a military grad FTL projector probably Kermac, also not very easy to get.” “That ship would be a nice prize. Now about that Dai?” ”I was informed that she purchased scrap from Gothar, you know that little dirty bird dealing with Skaakh and Stiks on Trash island. She paid wit Polo’s and bought a few tons of scrap and I think she bought it for a Dai clan. They always need resources like that.” Wintsun checked something on his PDD. “One of our guys has seen the Dai with a Golden earlier today near the Coliseum.” “Get him for me.” “For that I need that P 4 Paralysator you got. Going against a fully armed Dai and capture him alive is otherwise not possible.” “Take what you need.”

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Circuit stood by the huge pile of scrap Gothar had just delivered and said: “What in the world would you want with that?” I shrugged. “Don’t ask me. I did only what the Merchant told me.” The merchant heard us talk about him and came over. “It was actually good business. Do you know how many million of tons of scrap and secondhand materials are bought and sold every day and then shipped all over the galaxy?” Again I had to confess ignorance and said “No not really.” He pointed at the open boxes. “These Arti Coils contain valuable materials and are very expensive when new. There are companies in Freespace, and I know of several on Union side as well who do nothing but recycle or rebuilt them and sell them for much less than new ones. We can easily make 6,000 Creds profit on those alone, right here on the Pirate Market. If we bring those things to my Bazaar, I guarantee a profit of 12 to 14,000 Creds.” Narth pointed to the cases with the alien spheres and said. “Not to mention a treasure that can hardly be evaluated in Credits.” Sobody rubbed his bald head. “I would not go that far. I am sure we can get a billion credits for those easy. It looks like most of the Data spheres are broken but some are intact and there is nothing more valuable than rare artefacts from long gone civilizations.Ithomarian relics are in high demand.” Narth bowed slightly and I knew he was smiling behind his hood. “To some the collected knowledge of a long gone civilization might be beyond monetary values but I am still learning and now thanks to you I can actually revise my estimate of priceless with a more accurate figure.” Sobody looked at Narth and his eyes sparked. “We might not be around as long as you Narth, but we Goldens have travelled across this Universe much further than even you, who hardly ever left the Upward Sector as far as I know. We built our society on the fact that almost any species we ever encountered has need for some sort of money and almost all spacefaring societies understand the value and benefits of trade. Trade is a wonderful tool of understanding and making profit is one of the few universally common concepts.” Narth bowed again. “I yield to this quite correct statement, my Golden Friend.” TheOther stood quietly to the side and I asked him. “I do not know you well enough yet but I think something is bothering you. I am your Captain but my offer that my door is open also includes you.” He said with a sad tone in his voice. “It is the Stik. I almost killed him and caused him serious pain and harm and that right after I told you that I abhor unnecessary violence. I hope the Lord forgives me.” I put my hand on his side as I could not reach his shoulders and said. “It was an accident and not done on purpose. I believe it is the suit that augments your already incredible strength to truly astronomic levels. I think we should ask Circuit if he can’t adjust that a little down with the help of a Computronic routine. He straightened out and sounded less depressed. “This is true. I didn't do it on purpose and the suit is magnifying my strength, thank God.” I was curious and asked. “What religion do Y’All have?” He answered saying. “Y’All battle drones do not have any religion or even the concept of faith.” He now lowered his voice again. “I told you that I changed and questioned our ways. I didn’t do that out of the blue but because of something that happened while we were destroying a human colony. It truly affected me. A man stepped fearless and unarmed before me and just held out a little symbol and held a book. I’ll never forget his words. He informed me I was trashing a House of God and that it was a sanctuary for peace. Even though we were not allowed to communicate, we still understood human languages. I am deeply ashamed that I killed that man. Why I kept his book could not say. With the help of our Computronics I translated it and begun to read it.” He pulled a silver chain from inside his uniform and on it a little cross and he continued: “It suddenly made sense to me, the teachings of that great master changed my life and made me realize I too have a soul and would be held accountable for what I did.” I was quite floored by that. I knew of the ancient Christian faith he was talking about and it was one of the reasons my ancestors left Earth so they could freely worship Odin and the Aesir. I knew many especially human Union Captains had a copy of the Bible on their shelves where I had a copy of the Edda. To learn that a member of the fiercest and most brutal enemy the Galaxy ever faced had become a believer in that faith was quite touching and made me think even more differently about the Y’All and him in particular. I said to him. “I suggest you get together with Circuit now and see what can be done about your battle suit.” He said. “Aye Captain,” and stomped away. Sobody was talking to his Holdian friend and as he saw me he hastily came over and said: “Captain with all that Trash Island business I almost forgot to tell you that Hans and I followed a lead Mehedi send us and we found a weapons dealer in the Uppers controlled by the Donheer Clan. There are two dealers claiming to have access to Union Mil Tech and one of them assures me he can get his hands on a stockpile of Loki Torpedoes and even a P Bomb.” This was serious Union Hardware and a P Bomb in the wrong hands could mean the end of a Planet. While the technology of these weapons was not as tightly guarded as the secret of the Translocator it was still highly classified and Kermac, Shiss and Nul would be eager to get their hands on these. I said to Sobody. “Do you know where they keep them or when they plan to sell these items?” Sobody shook his head and said. ”Sorry, Captain I don’t, but since we are talking about a deal that could reach a billion Polos, I am sure the Duke himself is tightly involved and it would only be him who knows where they are kept.” “Is there a way we can find out?” “Hans was received like a king and they have scheduled a Championship match to celebrate the return of the Terror Hammer. This is one of the occasions for which the patriarch himself will leave his island fortress to attend the spectacle in person. It might be the best chance to catch and interrogate him and find out where the weapons are. We would surely blow our cover if we have to attack his compound openly. These Cartel islands are well defended and shielded. Of course I have also signaled Golden interest in the weapons. I made our interest known in the right circles.” I digested the information and then nodded. “Alright, do you think you can get some sort of plan of that Coliseum without putting yourself in too much danger?” Har-Hi said. “I can go along and make sure he is safe. No worries. Dai Than are not uncommon on Sin 4 as we are pirates too and occasionally do business here. Maybe Narth can keep a psionic eye on us.” Narth nodded too and said. “I could also keep my actual eyes on you by coming along. My abilities might prove useful and it would further satisfy my curiosity to see Sin 4 and participate in a clandestine operation.” I didn’t object. Har-Hi was as experienced as one could be, Sobody seemed to know the ins and outs and I doubted there was anyone on Sin 4 who could stop a Narth. So I agreed to their plan and said. “Just be careful to make sure they do not recognize you as a Narth.” Narth managed to sound excited. “I shall obscure my nature by utilizing a costume.” I watched them leave and went to my own quarters to put on the Sojonit Costume and go with Shea to the Temple to visit the Mother Superior. I was looking forward to seeing her again as I had grown to like the old Saresii woman. Shea was already in our quaters and wore her old Sojonit outfit, but had not yet put on the wig or the mask. As I opened the package she had brought back from her visit to the temple and it revealed a black outfit. She said with big eyes. “I wonder why she sent you the outfit for an Avenging Angel? That is a very secretive special group within our order. This one even has a mask registered to the name of Nightshade.” I didn’t want to lie to Shea but I was under strict orders to keep the details of this for myself so I said. “I am sure she had a reason and maybe she will tell us why.” She nodded and accepted my answer, but she was way too intelligent and I felt she suspected I knew more. I asked her. “How do you know it is a genuine mask?” She said. “Put on your mask and if you focus your eyes just above the eye slits you can see two little eye blink switches. Look at the left one and blink twice.” I did and Computronic information was displayed right before my eyes. I could scroll through the menu by simply moving my eyes and as I looked at her I could read. “Genuine Sojonit Sister, registered mask name: Wetmouth. Status: retired.” She said:” You can even activate the weapons and the shield that way. Those masks are way more than just disguises.” “Weapons too?” “Yes, the basic equipment are Neuro Ripper, Micro Needler and Lip Poison. I am sure the ones for the Avenging Angels have even more options.And I know you know much more about that, but I also think you can't say more. It is a secret group after all.” The Pink Mercedes came and picked us up. After an eventless flight we reached the Temple Island and were brought right to the Private Offices of the Mother Superior. She greeted us and said. “Sister Wetmouth already told me the happy news and I wholeheartedly agree and wish you the best of times together.” After we thanked her she said to Wetmouth. “Please go to the temple stores and get your new retired outfit. You will like it as it has a closed mouth like mine.” Wetmouth bowed and left. Despite her mask I knew she was not completely happy to be sent away. After Shea was gone, Mother Superior said. “You can tell her everything in due time, but right now it is not a good thing. Emotions and secrets do not go together.” I had to agree to this basic wisdom, but I wondered and asked her. “Shea is in control of her emotions and she is way more than a friend. I am going to marry her and share the rest of my life with her.” She took off her mask and looked at me with a soft smile but sad eyes and shook her head. “No my dear, you won’t. If everything goes well she will spend her life with you, but she will fade away and you will go on. I am certain now you are one of us, one of those where age and time means little. However you are young and what I say now will fade in the background until many years have passed. I hope you both will be truly happy as you deserve it.” She said it with a tone of certainty in her voice that made me believe her, so I said. “A woman named Cherubim said the same thing. What has changed from when we met last time? What made you certain?” “Listen into yourself and you will know it too, we all do and we recognize each other.” I knew she was right, even though the idea, the very concept of immortality, was incomprehensible. Why would a Neo Viking of no special purpose become immortal? I had not met a guardian. I did not find a rainbow palace nor had I psionic powers to slow down my cell decay. Heck I was barely adult and yet I somehow knew beyond all doubt that she was right. She smiled a very soft motherly smile. "Yes you met quite a few guardians, my Soja. You met the Narth Supreme, of whom I know is one of that elusive group of cosmic entities called guardians or perhaps even Elders of the Universe. Both of us know you did speak to the goddess. While I am not sure how much she has revealed to you or how much you are able to remember, but she too is an entity of great aage and power. My lovely Soja you have a long path ahead if you manage to stay alive that is." I sighed deeply as it was a heavy load of questions that pestered me and there were no answers in sight. “Yes I somehow know it is true and I am sure you know more than you let on.” She put her hand on my cheek and said. “Yes Eric, I know more. We immortals all have a task; some sort of purpose the Universe needs. Some of us know the task right away and others will only become aware of it after thousands of years. I don’t know your task Eric, your true purpose, and I don’t want to influence your decisions with theories and opinions of my own.” “You are already influencing me and I don’t mind it. I feel you have good intentions.I know you are a positive influence.” She nodded. “I do, Eric. I have good intentions and I really like you very much, but immortals are not always friends. They can be the terrible enemies and I hope one day when you know who you really are, you will see me as a friend and not an enemy.” I stared at her in disbelief. “I might be one of you immortals, but I will not become something else. I am Eric of Nilfeheim and I will never turn my back on my friends. I trust my feelings. I do think you have your own agenda,something that goes beyond all this but I know you are a friend.” “Are you really the same Eric Olafson that left Nilfeheim? You live day in day out as a female now and the world perceives you that way. You are not a young cadet but a Starship captain. Yes very young but do you think Stahl and McElligott would have given command over such an important mission to a child? No Eric you are changing and developing, and who knows what comes out at the end.” Again she removed all the patina and revealed the truth to me. I could not even use my first name anymore and yet as she said it I knew the female part of me was only a phase as well, it would not be the end of my transformation. Maybe I really was slowly turning into a Narth, but deep down I knew I would never be a Narth." She held up my mask and said. “This will be your friend, Eric. It helps us disguise our emotions, hide our true nature to those who do not understand us, allow our friends to see us and not fear us and eventually allows you to become someone else while fading from the memory of others. We all wear them, the true immortals I mean.” "Admiral Stahl and McElligott too?" "McElligott has much more faces than most realize." She laughed."No, not Richard.He is who he is, but then there are not all that many who see him on a daily basis, and to many he is the Immortal Warrior, not really a person." I shivered and said. “Will you be my guide? I am new to this Immortal business and it frightens me more than anything ever before. I need someone I can talk to you about all this.” She declined her head. “Yes Eric, I will be your guide as long as you let me and as far as I can. Richard will be there as well and the Coven. Of course the Narth Supreme will eventually supplant us all and he will be the guide you need.” She got up and said with an open smile that now reached her eyes and she said. “How do you feel anyway in your new life and role?” “Much has changed and I find myself more and more content with my new role. I have not really missed my old body much.” “That is good to hear. Being content in oneself is a big part of true happiness. Now let us talk a little business and after that we will go into the basement.” From her table she took a small PDD, looked at it and said. “I have Intel you might find useful. The Red Dragon will be here soon. He has left Alvor’s Cove and is on his way. Also a mercenary and assassin named Dimon Honsu arrived recently and asked many questions about the Silver Streak and Black Velvet. TSI believes he is an Agent for the Nul-Nul or has close ties to the Triangle that is the Nul Intelligence Service. He was seen talking to two Nul Agents. He visited with one of us, and I can tell you he is not Half Dai, he is all human and wears a Bioflex mask. My network thinks he is very high in the Worm organization.You might want to keep an eye on him." She handed me a data chip."That is all we have on him,including his real DNA." I wanted to ask her where she got it, but then I remembered what Sojonits did, blushed and swallowed my question. Instead I updated her on what I had on that and she raised her shapely eyebrows and said. “It seems the training you received and your marvellous crew dug up some serious Intel here. I think it was a great idea to go to Brahma Port first in disguise and with surveillance equipment.” She was right again. I would not have even considered something like that before and perhaps all that clandestine spy stuff I had learned really changed my approach to things. She seemed to know what I was thinking and said. “You are not flying a battleship into open combat my dear. You are a clandestine operative. Now let us go downstairs and call a mutual friend of ours who is eager to hear your report.”

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In the secret Intel outpost deep below the actual temple and in the briefing room that was already familiar to me, she activated a secure link and McElligott appeared right away. “You are Captain Olafson, right?” I forgot I wore the Sojonit mask again and took it off. “Yes Sir.” Mother Superior laughed. “Who else would it be. I am here too.” “Mother Superior, I never get used to the fact that I have never seen your real face. Now dealing with your two masked doll faces is just too creepy for me. I want to see facial expressions.” “You deal with Immortals long enough to know the real reasons we like to wear disguises. You are one of us after all, but alright old Man when this is over I just might come to Earth and show you. But the Captain wants to give her report and go back to the ship.” McElligott waved his hand. “I am always eager to hear these reports, but what could there to be to report? That pirate has not arrived yet and I read the report you filed with Admiral Stahl just the other day.”

I delivered my report about the Tight Squeeze, the potential weapon deal including Lokis and a P-Bomb. weapons and the Stiks. The Itomarian staff and the boxes, about Fusionbeam and the Psionic girl. I closed my report with saying. “That’s all, Sir. I wanted to wait till tomorrow after we had tried to recover the Union mil tech weapons and had more on this Honsu guy.” The Sojonit leader laughed out loud and said. “What could there be to report? Indeed, you forget who you are talking to.” McElligott had his face buried in his hands then looked up. “Alright Captain. I am sending the Minerva. That is a privateer ship that like the others is one of our secret units. By the time this is over, you know all our secret assets. ” He sighed. “As it may be, you are to transfer the Itomarian relics, that are indeed about as important as can be. Remember the spheres at the Cave of Things?" "Yes, Sir and I was reminded of the spheres there." "With that staff we can access them and gain insights on a TL 10 society that existed a billion years ago. Including a potential clue on the true identity of the Dark Ones and the origin of the Y'All." I mentally agreed with Shea and Narth now, seeing the potential importance. The Admiral looked at a PDD of his own and then continued." Also transfer the  stik delegation to the Minerva. Preferably in stasis, so they can't spill the beans about the Minerva. We will bring the Stik to Pluribus and as soon as the Stik have made their case and we confirmed their claim, we will inform the other three members of the Big Four that Sin 4 is now a Union World and move in and clean-up that cesspool. If you can determine the whereabouts of those Terran Weapons and maybe find out how they get there that would be a priority.” I acknowledged his orders and the masked woman added. “I bet Richard will want to come with the Devi. We have had the Sin 4 problem now for quite some time and all we had to do is send in the Olafson Gang.” He sighed and said. “Remind me to sit down and have a drink before you deliver your next report.” “Sir, I am not sure what I should have done differently.” “It is all good, Captain, continue just as you have done before. I trust in your abilities and judgements, as Deepa, Richard and Cherubim do. One thing is for sure Mr Olafson; your reports aren’t boring to say the least. Carry on.” With these words he cut the transmission. Now Mother Superior removed her mask and said. “You and Richard are the only ones outside this post who have seen my face and know my true identity. While I trust the Old Administrator, experience of a very long lifetime has shown me it is always good to keep the numbers of those who know all about you to a minimum.” “I don’t completely understand this need for secrecy on these levels, but then you know more about this than probably anyone. On a more emotional level I however begin to understand.” “Richard Stahl is integrity personified, he won’t sell out to anyone and nothing. He would not hesitate to lose everything including his life to stand for his principles. Admiral McElligott is a good man too, but I have seen him put agendas before convictions and accept policies.” She sat down and motioned me to do the same and continued. “Consider this a first lesson as I tell you about a time when a Kermac controlled political party gained control over the Assembly and enforced the Pacifist Movement. The 3rd Galactic War had just ended, the enemy came close to winning and the final victory had been costly in lives and properties. The Union was a fraction of the size it is now and the citizens were war weary. The Pacifist Party accused Richard Stahl of being a warmonger and questioned why Immortals were still in positions of power. It escalated into false accusations and Richard Stahl was placed on trial for war crimes against the Kermac and found guilty. The argument was that he and most of the old Admirals and senior officers prolonged, even caused the war with their aggressiveness and that peaceful negotiations would have been a much better alternative than war. Many had forgotten the real reasons for the outbreak of the 3rd Galactic War and most citizens did not believe that Immortals really existed or should be in positions of power. They were after all originally from Earth and did not represent anyone else. They actually arrested Stahl and send him to a Penal colony until he could be handed over to the Galactic Council for trial and execution. Stahl managed to flee with about 200 loyal friends and Marines and disappeared. Maybe you heard there were once two hundred immortals. Many of the known ones back then were rounded up by a self rightgeous mob of Kermac influences officials and executed or exiled All known Immortals were evicted from their posts. Only after Aaron Mendelsohn and a certain Saresii woman you know exposed the Pacifist Party and their use of Kermac Mind control on the Assembly did they lose power.” I listened to her story. I had heard about Stahl’s exile but never any details. It was not taught in school and no classes were held on this at the Academy that I could remember. She nodded as she saw me thinking and said. “Yes, it was a shameful period and those Assembly members freed from the mind control realized what they had done. Of course the Kermac operated very delicately and managed to do it slowly and without controlling anyone who would have noticed the Psionic influence, but all they had to do was control a small portion of opinion makers and key figures. Do you know that there was one Immortal who kept his post and position throughout the entire time?” I whispered. “McElligott?” “Yes, no one called him a warmonger and no one could find any incidence where he got involved in atrocities of any kind.That he was or is an immortal never seemed to come up. For one you could say that is exactly what he is supposed to do and you would be right. In this regard he is as steady as Stahl, but on the other hand one could say he rather goes with the stream than against it. So you see, while I work with McElligott to a certain degree, I would never reveal all my secrets to him.” I was thinking about that for a moment and said. “I have the feeling that he sometimes envies Admiral Stahl for his reputation.” “Your feeling is not so wrong on that one, my Soja. The reputation of the Eternal Soldier has slowly seeped into the consciousness of our Union as a whole and while some don’t even think he is real, they trust him and his name. His legend is told in countless stories from one end of the Galaxy to the other, while no one really talks or remembers McElligott unless you happen to be in the Fleet.” “What about Cherubim?” “She is an enigma even to me, but I don't trust her at all. For her Earth comes first and the Union second. She probably told you she is the Hunter, but she has more often than not also been the Executioner. One thing I have learned, she has no moral limitations to achieve her goals.” A Sojnit in the black and gray outfit of an Avenging Angel served us coffee and after she thanked the Angel she continued. “There are others like you and me, some have kept their existence well concealed but as I said, beings with such long lives always have a mission and a purpose that transcends the plans and goals of those who only share this reality with us for a limited time.” “What does all this mean to me then?” “This, my Soja is for you to find out. Make your own observations and come to your own conclusions. What I see with my eyes might not look the same when you look at it. Just keep your eyes and mind open and realize that nothing in this universe has only one side." She then laughed silently. “Except perhaps Richard Stahl.” The Avenging Angel, her name was Silent Shadow placed a pair of heeled boots on the table."We heard you put the variform heels and your skills to good use already. We adjusted these boots to your Black Velvet outfit as they incorporate our latest developments. Including Arti Grav adjusters, Terran All Terrain technology. We also replaced your plain leather whip with a more modern version." I thanked her and had to tell Mother Superior about Brhama port. When I mentioned the white fur Togar, she said."I used my network to spread the rumor that she was seen in the company of Captain Bloom and that he was heading for Trontigmakader space. Neither the Togar nor the Karthanians like to play past the space controlled by the Trontigmakader." "I never even heard of the Trontigmakader." "Our galaxy alone is still full of wonders and mysteries even for the mighty Union my Soja."

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I had returned to the ship and changed back into my usual black leather outfit. Deepa, aka Mother Superior, had talked to Shea alone. I was just slinging my weapon belt around my hips when the door announced her. She too had changed and now wore off duty clothing; a Saresii type midnight blue velvet one piece suit that modelled her gorgeous curves without creases and like a second skin. She hugged me and said. “Mother Superior told me a few things and I know you have been accepted as a member to the Order and since you do belong to the Avenging Angels are subject to stringent secrecy rules. She said that one day we both will be able to share all our secrets.” I held her and her warm body and the incredibly soft velvet made an especially pleasurable experience that stimulated glands and animalistic instincts that did not fit my outer appearance or the wish to be female at all. “I would like that very much, if we can work out our relationship while we are serving on the same ship. I am sure we will be able overcome every obstacle in civilian life later.” She grabbed me by the hair and pulled my face into hers and we kissed passionately. I was not sure where this would have led us but SHIP interrupted and our AI said. “I am so sorry Captain but I have to disturb you, there is an urgent and serious development that needs your attention.” I let her go with a fleeting kiss on her nose and we both rushed to the bridge. Elfi had the Conn and she said. “Captain, the patriarch of the Donheer Clan wants to talk to you. He is standing by on a channel. It’s about Har-Hi I think.” Shea handed me my mask and I said while I was still putting it on. “Get him on.” A fat Humano Shiss hybrid sitting behind a massive desk appeared on the screen. ”Ah the mysterious Captain Black Velvet. Let me welcome you to Sin 4 and discuss a little business proposal I have for you.” “And you are?” “Oh forgive me. I am Duke Donheer and I run much of this planet. I was told you have a Dai Than in your crew. It just happened that I captured one, along with a little Golden and a Human. Should you miss those three then I have a proposal for you.” All blood left my face and my stomach cramped.”There are others that I can hire to replace those, but out of curiosity what kind of proposal would that be?” “You accompany me tonight to the fight arena. You will be my guest and after the fights we discuss how you can exchange money against those three. A skimmer will pick you up at Three Hour tonight, and do dress nice. You just might appear on GalNet. I like your no nonsense approach to things. I think we are quite alike that way, so just in case those three aren’t that important to you I let you know that two Loki torpedoes are aimed at your ship and I don’t give a hoot if half the town goes with it. Dare not to show up and see if I am bluffing or not."

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