GC 32 Vol 6 Eric Olafson, Captain Black Velvet

When I read story offerings, I justify format them; set to Times New Roman 12 pitch, line spacing to 12pt before & 0pt after the line. All this to help my tired old eyes to read them better.

As I go through them I “edit or proof read” them to fix typing, grammatical & spelling errors that often occur because the author can get so caught up in the writing that they can miss words that the mind has put there, also wrong letters can be added by accident. I have done this.

All that being said; if you find a story with these problems don’t bitch about them, do something. But also read the story for what it is – the content. This why I do my proofing, not only for myself, but also for some writers who have asked for another set of eyes to pick up things. They can then adjust the story for themselves.

The Rev.

This is my take on this story for Vanessa's consideration.

Eric Olafson, Captain Black Velvet

by Vanessa Ravencroft

Copyright© 2018 by Vanessa Ravencroft

Foreword
The Year is 5021 (Old Terran Time). The Milky Way Galaxy is teeming with life and sentient species. Earth is now known as Terra and part of the United Stars of the Galaxies, a multi-cultural mega civilization that by now stretches across two quarters of the Milky Way Galaxy and has a foothold in the Andromeda Galaxy. There are over 5030 distinctive member civilizations calling themselves members of the Union. The United Stars Space fleet protects this mega civilization against external threats.

Eric Olafson, born on a cold world called Nilfeheim raised under harsh conditions of a very traditional inward looking society of Neo Vikings left his planet to fulfill his dream to become a Starship captain.

He had reached that goal much sooner than he expected and is now the commanding officer of a unique Star ship, the USS Tigershark. The ship is state of the art and incorporates the finest technologies of the most advanced civilizations of the Union.

Together with his truly unusual crew he is sent into Freespace to hunt Pirates and Criminals.

In order to hunt Eric and the Crew of the Tigershark pose as Pirates themselves.

Eric used to be 198 cm tall and weigh almost exactly 90 kilos. He still has gray eyes and some say he moves with the same purpose and grace as a Tiger or Nubhir Wolf.

Like everyone from Nilfeheim he has a greater tolerance to freezing temperatures and is able to stay submerged under water for a very long time because of gills and eyes that are adapted to see well under water thanks to a second set of clear eyelids. His muscles are denser than that of a standard human, allowing him to swim longer and deeper. Due to that he has great endurance and is much stronger than he looks.

He loves fish, has a very clear sense of honor and hates unfair situations. Even though he doesn’t like to admit it, he carries the same short temper of his father and is more often than not ready to face a challenge with his fists or weapons.

But much has changed. Eric now lives as Black Velvet, a female pirate captain of mysterious background and feared by merchants and other pirates alike.

Currently he appears to be a gorgeous female with beautiful long blonde hair and a killer body. His greatest wish fulfilled and his secret desire no longer a secret, still he isn’t so sure anymore what or who he is.

That he now looks like the fairer sex has done little to change his general approach to problems, head-on.

He is still oblivious to the fact that he is destined to play a central role in an ancient conflict of cosmic proportions, but something is stirring...

Prologue
Freespace was not a natural region, it existed only on maps, in Nav-Tanks and Computronic files.

Its boundaries had been defined by diplomats and delegates during the last Armistice Conference on the planet of Intergalactic peace.

The Big Four, the Blue and about seventy independent space faring civilizations discussed, argued and finally agreed on this region.

This mutually agreed upon region of space was to act as a buffer zone between United Stars, Galactic Council, Shiss space and the Nul, aka the Big Four.

Thus give those who did not want to ally themselves with one of the big powers a peaceful place to exist and develop after their own fashion. On the very core of this treaty was the agreement that no official ships or parties of any of the Big Four were allowed to enter Freespace, including Military ships, law enforcement or even science expeditions.

Freespace was meant to be a free trade zone for civilian commerce and traffic. With trade and travel so it was hoped, came understanding and thus lasting peace.

Freespace did not turn out to be the region of peace where free commerce and civil exchange of culture would erode the differences as the dreamers, diplomats and Utopians hoped it would; instead it became a breeding ground of pirates and a destination of the lawless from every corner of the Galaxy. Planets like Sin 4, Alvor’s Cove, Kalimant, Drogs and N’ger gained notoriety as places where law and order meant nothing and for the right price everything was for sale.

Most of the seventy societies that signed the Treaty to remain independent regretted their decision as their worlds became the target of pirate attacks and Slave raids.

The biggest independents were the Togar, the Karthanians and the Shattered Empire of the Oghr.

The Karthanians hated the Togar and the Togar disliked everyone, except for dinner.

The former ancient Oghr Empire, shattered into Nine Kingdoms were constantly fighting among each other, didn’t get along with the Togar and considered the Karthanians hostile competition and agitators. To this volatile mix came all the freelancing pirates and the Shiss raiders. Openly condemned by the Shiss but everyone knew they were sponsored by the First Nestling of Shiss-Ta.

Of course the Kermac and the Galactic Council using all sorts of clandestine schemes to increase their influence, to gain new Thrall species and agitate against the Union.

Truth to be told the Union did not exactly stick to the conditions agreed upon in the Freespace Treaty and also operated undercover ships, secret bases and conducted all sorts of intel operations.

Of the so called Big Four, this is what the dominant societies in this region of the galaxy were called; only the Nul seemed to actually honor the treaty and showed little interest in Freespace affairs and politics.

In other words, Freespace was dangerous, completely lawless and far from peaceful.

After encountering a living mountain, floating rocks, a Kermac scheme to move an entire moon and finding a ship full of human body parts, the USS Tigershark was now making her way to Brhama port, a well-known pirate port.

Xandrao
Terrans called this spiral shaped star island the Milky Way Galaxy, The Saresii called it Nsorothee and like everything Saresii it sounded refined and melodic but literally translated it meant Giants Sneeze.

Every star faring civilization had their own way to describe this incredibly beautiful spiral wheel. Stars were born and stars died. Black holes slowly rotated through it all, devouring energy and matter alike. It was a seemingly eternal process and yet there was a beginning and an end to everything. In cosmic terms this was a young Universe and this Galaxy had only completed about sixty rotations.

For most living beings it was simply impossible to really comprehend the time of just one such rotation; 225 Million Years was simply a number, something abstract and beyond any understanding.

Compared to that what significance were the 3000 years the Union existed?

Long ago the Uni and the Pree rose and disappeared within one single rotation. And they too were preceded by star empires and galaxy spanning civilizations, their names and their achievements forgotten.

Such time spans meant little to the beings in the shiny cone shaped spaceship that just dropped out of Quasi Space here at the edge of one of the spiral arms. Inaudible to living ears electronic feelers stretched out in all directions testing and scanning the surroundings.

The crew of that pointed metal object measured time in days and hours and the muscular, dashingly dressed shipmaster was not concerned with galactic time spans, he was more concerned about the here and now. If everything went to plan they would soon enter what the Kermac called secure space of the Galactic Council.

They had travelled further across this star isle than ever before and had reached space none of his kind has ever entered.

The ship was the pride of the Xandrao Empire, bristling with weapons and crewed with the finest and best space warriors the Xandrao star academies could produce. There should have been no reason for concern, yet he was a seasoned shipmaster and like many who were in such a position, regardless of species had developed a sixth sense for conditions that weren’t quite right.

He felt that insubstantial, unexplainable tingling down his spine that told him despite all assurances of sensors and scanners; there was something out there that threatened his ship and mission.

He paced nervously behind the row of the twelve scanner and sensor operators. Each was a highly trained individual from the royal academy and they did their jobs well. Xandrao scanners were incredibly complex systems and required constant calibration.

Behind these scanner technicians sat the correlator who typed the sensor reports into the situation calculator.

It was a very demanding position and required much concentration.

That this was an unnecessarily complicated way of doing things, especially on a spaceship was not entirely lost to the shipmaster but this was the way it had been done on Xandrao ships for a long time and no one really ever called the Xandrao a very practical race.

With a sigh he noticed Prince Albra step through the access doors and come up to the command center area.

The prince was a favorite son of the emperor and thus it was him who was sent on this perhaps most important mission in Xandrao history.

The prince was no fool and quite intelligent, despite the centuries of inbreeding among the noble houses and approached shipmaster Noldra Dorrx.

Compared to the gold and silver glitter laden uniform of the prince the shipmaster’s red and gold trimmed uniform appeared quite plain and subdued.

Albra masterfully swirled his cape and in a theatrical gesture and said with his high tenor voice. “I missed you at the table and had to entertain the Kermac envoys all on my own.”

The shipmaster bowed dutiful as it was required but despite the presence of the prince, he kept his eyes on the readouts of the threat and situation calculator. Without making the necessary respectful gesture he said.

“My presence would have not been noticed with you in the room. All eyes are on you, all ears are on you and all attention is given to you alone when you are present.”

The prince looked down at himself and nodded.

“Yes of course and I do look rather dashing tonight if I may say so. The Kermac envoy gifted me this cape. Don’t you think it is fabulous?”

“It will be the envy of all the Beauty Boys at court no doubt.”

Noldra hoped the prince would get bored and leave the Command Center.

However instead of the prince leaving, one of the Kermac envoys followed by two of his Dolbarian servants also decided to visit the command center of the ship.

Noldra could not suppress the annoyed snort that passed his nostrils. He didn’t like anyone strolling on his command center without having business there but there was not much he could do or say. The prince was in command now and the Kermac were important guests of state and the representatives of a mighty galactic power.

The Kermac who had just arrived was much smaller than even the smallest Xandrao. Unlike the Xandrao he had no fur or hair at all and the Kermac’s skin was snow white.

Noldra was covered with a coarse short brown fur from his head to his hoofs. Two massive horns protruded from his forehead just above his fur covered ears. His arms and legs were bulging with rolling muscles. Compared to him, the Kermac looked weak and sickly and that envoy did not even have a tail. Again a snort of disdain escaped his flared nostrils. The shipmaster was certain the Kermac’s manhood was just a small as the being itself, there was certainly no room for a Xandrao sized penis underneath that flimsy robe.

Everything was small and weak about the Kermac, but he knew they were an old species and if you believed their claims they were the undisputed and technically most advanced species in the Universe. That Kermac also demonstrated that he was able to somehow sense the thoughts of others.

The Kermac made a sweeping gesture towards the view screen.

“Why are we not trans-light, what is the meaning of this delay?”

Noldra flared his wide nostrils and curled his lips.

“We just crossed the void between the spiral arms and it taxed our engines to the very limits. We must pause to service them.”

The Kermac somehow managed to look down at the much taller Xandrao and said.

“I forgot how childish primitive your technology is.”

The prince said. “Yet your ships seem to be unable to reach Xandr as you came to us aboard a Dolbarian ship and from what I have seen, theirs are not superior to our technology. I know our emperor and my beloved prince brother thinks much of you but frankly so far we only seen visuals and recordings about Kermac supreme technology.”

The Kermac’s smooth face was moved by an emotion of anger.

“Yours is a childish race and you are but a servant tasked with providing conveyance. No explanation should be given to you, but we cannot travel in our magnificent ships as this is Freespace, a region where Kermac ships cannot go. I explained that to you, but you soon will see Kermac might and splendor and you will beg to become a serving member like so many.”

The prince standing behind his shipmaster was used to speak his mind from birth and so he said.

“Then explain to me again why the mighty Kermac cannot travel here. Who would dare to deny you?”

The shipmaster noticed the thinly veiled and growing anger in the Kermac’s face and the clenching fists.

The white creature hissed. “No one. Kermac are supreme. No explanations are needed, now get this ship moving so I can show you Kermac might indeed.”

With these words the Kermac left but the Dolbarians remained. The prince actually sat down on the command seat, technically reserved for Noldra only, but if it kept the emperor’s son out of his way it was a good thing.

The shipmaster crossed his massive arms and stared through the viewport in the eternal night of interstellar space. As far as Noldra knew, the Kermac were the masters of a huge star empire with many member species that served them and in return received the benefit of protection and wise guidance.

The Xandrao themselves conquered and ruled over a mighty twenty star system empire. Their fleet was feared and respected by the Furze, the Dawn and their immediate Galactic neighbors the Yotenen even conceded a disputed star system to them, without fighting as they knew how dangerous it was to raise Xandrao anger.

Yet he had travelled more than most of his kind and he had seen the ships of the Togar and the Jooltar and he knew just how aggressive the Togar cats could be and how incredibly advance their technology was.

That the Xandrao weren’t the most powerful or most advanced sentient species was a fact that was not lost to the emperor himself, and so when the Kermac envoys showed up, he agreed to send this mighty war ship and his favorite son to establish closer contacts with the Kermac.

If it was true what the Kermac had told about an association of many sentient species called the Galactic Council, it was a foregone conclusion the Emperor would decide to join that Galactic Council

Just like the emperor, Noldra as a high ranking member of the military has seen the intelligence reports on the expansionist Togar and if the reports were correct they ruled over a region of more than a hundred sixty star systems and appeared to have technology even more advanced than the Down.

The Xandrao would fall if the Togar decided to expand and this was the real reason the emperor considered the Kermac proposal.

He moved his spoon shaped ears and they twitched just as the ears of his far distant ancestors did to shake of the flies that had troubled his kind for so long that it had become a genetic habit.

He said to his engine maintainer chief who appeared on a viewer screen.

“Don’t give me excuses; tell me when will we be able to resume trans light?”

The technician down in the engine room had his horns cut to short nobs as every Xandrao of the working class was required to do, knew about his value and position and said without lowering his head.

“I am not making any excuses, shipmaster. I am informing you that our engines were strained to the very limit and that I recommend we land at a suitable planet so I can exchange the main core with the spare we have along.”

“Your recommendation is noted and dismissed. Will you be able to service them so we can reach Kermac Prime?”

“It is hard to predict, but I assume we should make it.”

“I have your man pieces cut off and make you a field tilling Grox if we don’t. Now tell me how long until we can resume acceleration?”

“If the main core fails before we reach that destination, shipmaster. None of us will have enough pieces left for anything. To answer your question, we should be ready in three hours.”

Noldra cut the transmission knowing that this was actually a very good time, switching injectors and replacing mag shields was a big job and usually took half a day, doing it while in space and in five hours was a testament just how good his engine maintainer was.

The prince on his command seat had fallen asleep and started to snore, one of the pressed cakes of the finest herb infused grass, the prince liked so much, had rolled out of his hand and across the floor.

He looked at the Dolbarians, neither of the two small beings had said much during the entire visit and now they simply stood there, only their bushy tails twitching.

Noldra had to admit to himself he didn’t like the Kermac much and he found these Dolbarians laughable small, but they had fur and they had tails and those were redeeming qualities in Noldra’s opinion of things.

Dolbarian tails were not anything like the thick rope tails with a paint brush tip all Xandrao had. Dolbarian tails were fluffy but it was a tail and to him it was easy to decipher the tail language and knew the two were nervous. So he decided to ask and said.

Why are you agitated?”

One of the Dolbarians gestured towards the viewer.

“We arrived in Freespace, big shipmaster. If we read your charts right we are in a region called the Devil’s Playground.”

“Your masters have not really explained what this Freespace is and why is this called the Devil’s Playground?”

The Dolbarian looked surprised. “You do not know about the Big Four and Freespace?”

The other Dolbarian said. “You Nift, they are from Downward and there is little contact. We are not supposed to tell them about the Big Four or the Union.”

“You are the Nift, as you just did.” snapped the other back.

“You are guests on my ship and guests of my Liege. I cannot order you but if you know anything I should know about this region of space then tell me. It is your life too that could be in danger.”

One of the Dolbarians looked towards the door and said. “We are lucky that our Kermac masters are not of the highest order and their Psionics are mediocre at best.”

The other spread his arms and said.

“This Area is called the Devil’s playground because it is pirate infested.”

Noldra started to laugh and then he said. “Pirates? Did you just say pirates? You Dolbarian must be a very meek species indeed. This is the largest most powerful Xandrao ship, we eat Pirates for breakfast.”

The two Dolbarian looked at each other and one of them chirped. “The Xandrao do not know...”

Noldra said. “I can understand if you are small like that, pirates might be frightening, but they do not attack war ships, only helpless merchants.”

One of the Dolbarian put his small fur covered finger on the map display and said.

“Over here in this region are the Karthanians, more advanced than the Togar you fear, but far less numerous.”

His little hand moved the map display and then he pointed out another region. “Here are the Nine Shattered Kingdoms of the Oghr and their Orkh-Oghr could easily eat you for breakfast so to speak, they fear neither the Togar nor the Karthanians.”

His little paw moved to another spot and moved in a circle that included at least a thousand light years.

“Here are the Nul, a species of brutish warriors that make you look small. They are also very advanced. Not even the Kermac and all their Thrall species would ever want to anger them.”

Again his hand encircled a large area.

“This is the space of the Shiss, mortal enemies of the Nul and fighting them for over 3000 years and they are not losing. They too are frightful warriors.”

The other Dolbarian leaned over the map display and pointed with a small needle sharp claw on a single star. “That is where the Holdians are, our distant cousins.”

Again the other Dolbarian scolded the other. “You are the greatest Nift I have ever met. I am trying to tell the ignorant Bovine about the Big Four before our taskmaster decides to come back and prevent any further education of the ignorant and you tell him about the Holdians, they are insignificant.”

He chirped something sounding very angry, Noldra did not understand and then the Dolbarian used his claw to draw an area that more or less included a quarter of the entire galaxy and then he added a sizeable area of another quadrant and said.

“This, you ignorant Xandrao fool, is the space the Union controls, it is them the Kermac fear like nothing else. The Kermac lost three wars against them. Not the Nul, not the Shiss, not the Togar and all I have mentioned together could hope to prevail in a war against the Union. Oh Xandrao shipmaster heed my warning and never anger the Union, they are slow to anger but if they do and Terrans go to war, you will learn that anything you knew before about this most terrible of all exercises is a child’s dream.”

The other Dolbarian said. “The Union, the Kermac, the Shiss and the Nul are the Big Four and they have signed a treaty that defines a region called Freespace.”

Noldra snorted.

“I don’t believe you. No empire could be that big. It would take years to travel from one end to the other. Messages would travel for ages, it would be impossible to govern.”

The other Dolbarian was still pointing at the Holdian home system and had paid little attention. “They are not insignificant, they are Union now.”

“I must concur and revise my statement indeed about the Holdians and you shipmaster of the Xandrao, it matters little what you believe now. You will remember our words the first time you face a Union Battle Ship.”

Noldra no longer paid attention to the wild phantasies of these furry aliens as the scanner operators reported.

“Unknown ship contact approaching.”

FREESPACE
The Tigershark had its Janus masking system active. This unique device conceived by Narth Engineers and Mothermachine manipulated materials, energies and conditions in such a way that it allowed the USS Tigershark to appear as something else.

This was no mere projection but a physical change that withstood the probing of any known sensor and scanning method, including of course sight and touch. The most advanced ship of the Union appeared to the outside world as a heavy modified old Karthanian armed trader.

An old ship with crudely added ISAH pods and Nul weaponry. The simulated hull featured a sloppy paint job, had welded armor plates patching battle damage. Some of that apparent repair patch work was added in a seemingly uncaring and hasty way. Some of the hull damage patches even showed signs of genuine rust. The sides of this simulated ship were decorated with a stylized silver lightning bolt and the name Silver Streak was painted by hand across its bow. The Silver Streak was known to be the pirate ship of the notorious and mysterious render captain Black Velvet.

Behind this disguise was the USS Tigershark. It was the pinnacle of Union Technology and had been in the works under the Codename “Project Fish” for centuries.

Since no Union Ship was allowed to operate in Freespace my ship was masked as Pirate ship and my crew posed as pirates, commanded by me Captain Black Velvet, a mysterious female Pirate of obscure origin.

Our mission was to hunt pirates, gather Intelligence on Union Mil Tech trade, find pirate hide outs and suppress the Slave and Drug trade. Specifically we were to find out more about the Sinister Alliance and eliminate a Pirate Captain called Red Dragon.

Har-Hi the Dai was sitting in the Command Chair of the Tigershark as he had the Con during second dog watch. It was another hour to midnight OTT and the end of his shift. The USS Tigershark perhaps the most unusual ship in the Union fleet, with the most diverse crew ever assembled was on her way to a place called Brhama Port. This was an independent mining outpost in a shattered star system and also a notorious pirate port.

At the Nav station sat a 12,000 year old Golden who had been the leader of his kind. It was his first time on this posting. Krabbel the Archa spider and Senior Navigation Officer was off duty, but was present anyway sitting right beside the Golden to supervise the Old Merchant handling this post. Since he was here anyway he had volunteered to take Helm. While Krabbel was the ship’s Chief Navigator, he had a sufficient Helm rating to steer the Tigershark.

An Attikan Marine Officer named Pure manned Tactical. That a Marine manned a Bridge console was about as unusual as the ship and while it was not against regulations, it was unheard off. But then aboard the Tigershark there were quite a few things stretched to the very limit of standard Navy regulations and procedures. Har-Hi was certain there was no other Union vessel with a genuine Y’All warrior manning the Communications Console.

The Tigershark had its Janus Mask active and looked like a Karthanian Armed Trader and pretended to be the pirate ship Silver Streak.

Har-Hi turned a little to face the Engineering Officer. On duty was a small rodent like furry Holdian and said. “Everything alright with the tractors?”

He asked because they were towing a Pirate ship.

The little Holdian answered.

“Yes Sir, once the mass is in motion it takes very little to keep it going. The material stress and shear forces are well within expected tolerances.”

Har-Hi said. “We once towed a full size Hospital ship with a Barracuda destroyer. Back then we were beyond any tolerance.”

The Golden said without taking his eyes of his read outs.

“I really want to hear all the adventures you and the Captain had. It seems there weren’t many dull moments.”

Har-Hi was both relaxed and highly alert and the tall Dai-Than turned to look towards the Ready room door. “Indeed, Mr. Sobody there weren’t many dull moments since I met our Captain.”

Narth sitting at OPS added to the conversation.

“I have not yet managed to understand what the exact definition of a moment is. Is it more than a minute, less than 30 seconds. The expression of taking a moment or waiting a moment is quite confusing. Yet I too agree with our XO, the time we have shared...”

He interrupted himself and said. “Sensor contacts, at 7.9 degrees due course, distance 4.1. Hostile activity possible. It appears quite similar to our other encounter.”

Har-Hi said. “Drop us out of Quasi and cut thrust Mr. Krabbel. SHIP go to Yellow and be so kind and inform the Captain. She said everything that crosses our bow is fair game.”

The voice of the ship AI responded.

“She is on her way.”

Yellow Alert and SHIP’s voice caught me on Deck R just as I was climbing out of the ship’s swimming pool.

“Captain we have three contacts on scanner horizon. First situation assessment suggests two pirates and a third ship of unknown configuration.”

“Nothing for days, but each time I decide to take a swim, there is something.” I sighed and said. “All stop, maintain yellow alert and I am on my way.”

SHIP of course had her audio sensors open and since she wasn’t like any other Ship AI I knew, she said.

“It was you who wanted to be informed about any scanner contact. We could make a big swing around it, never appear on their scanners and you go back swimming.”

I gave the shimmering inviting water a last look and said.

“I can swim anytime, this isn’t a leisure cruise and I am the Captain and must set an example. Why I am even explaining such things to you? You know we can’t leave things unchecked. It’s part of our mission.”

“Because I am your SHIP and I like to have things explained to me.”

I jumped into the auto dresser and dialed for my usual pirate outfit. Of course I could have stayed and finished my swim and let Har-Hi handle the whole situation, but this would have been highly inappropriate out of a number of reasons. I was the Captain and it was my responsibility. We had standing orders to investigate any ship contact during our mission here in Freespace and besides this was what I lived for, I could swim anytime.

While the Auto Dresser assembled the leather outfit around my recently altered body, I once more remembered Captain K’Tngnk while he let me steer his Pounder Class Battleship. Encounters in deep space were usually extremely rare and most situations developed in or near star systems, the usual destination of space ships.

However this was Freespace and the region we traversed right now was called the Devil’s Playground for a reason.

Our current course more or less followed the outer rim of the Scutum Centaurus arm of our galaxy, somewhere in this region was Brhama Port our first destination to make my first official appearance as Black Velvet and introduce the Silver Streak to local eyes and establish ourselves as major player in this lawless region of space.

A few days ago we intervened as we witnessed a Pirate attack on what seemed at first a harmless civilian freighter. The Civilian freighter belonged to a Union Company but it was everything but harmless and after we captured and boarded the freighter, we found a horror freight consisting of human body parts and human captives intended to be sold on the Togar Meat markets.

The freighter, the pirate crew and the human freight was on its way back to Union Space and we were towing the Pirate ship sans its crew behind us, with the intent to sell it at Brahma Port.

My ship, the USS Tigershark was currently disguised as a Karthanian armed Trader named Silver Streak. To disguise an entire Starship we utilized by a marvelous device called the Janus System. I was quite certain that the Tigershark was the most unique ship not only within the Union fleet but perhaps in the entire Galaxy. It represented the very pinnacle of Union Technology and had been in development under the Codename “Project Fish” for centuries.

We operated not under regular Union Fleet authority but were part of the secretive X Fleet and under Command of NAVINT.

Our disguise and our undercover approach was necessary due to the Freespace treaty. This contract between the Big Four and about 70 independent civilizations made it a war causing offense if any of the Big Four operated ships inside Freespace territory. No space ship operating under Union Authority was allowed to cross the treaty defined boundaries of this buffer region between the Big Four. This fact was used by pirates and criminals to escape pursuit and prosecution. So my ship looked like a heavily modified Karthanian trader and was known as the Silver Streak and I had taken on the disguise and identity of a female pirate Captain called Black Velvet. A female pirate of that name had raided ships and colonies four hundred years ago and then had vanished under mysterious circumstances. No one outside a very exclusive circle of individuals knew that the Black Velvet and the Silver Streak from back then also had been a NAVINT cover operation.

Our mission was it to hunt pirates and neutralize as many of that murdering scum as possible; to gather Intelligence on Union Mil Tech trade, find pirate hideouts and suppress the Slave and Drug trade. Specifically we were also to find out more about the Sinister Alliance and eliminate a Pirate.

The region we were traversing was close to what the Dai called the Thalim Nebula. A region of space where five suns simultaneous went supernova.

Part of that Nebula had been claimed by the Union and much of what had been Galactic Council space in that area was now also considered Union Space, claimed after the recent events following the war against the Nogoll. The region was still in turmoil and the final boundaries subject to heated dispute and new friction between the Union and the Kermac led Galactic Council.

We now were clear on the other side of the Thalim Nebula.

I reached the bridge simultaneous with Shea, Mao and Shaka. Like a dance move practiced a million times, Har-Hi got up in a fluent move and so did everyone else, switching and occupying their stations.

I sank into the leather of my command seat and as always all doubts, all uncertain feelings left me. This is where I belonged.

“Engineering, disengage tractor and set the Mighty Nine to drift. Tactical give me a full 360 ship, battle view.”

While Cirruit confirmed Tractor projectors deactivated, my Command seat was pushed up and my surroundings changed. I now had an unobstructed view of space, a simulated computronic enhanced view of course, bridge stations reduced to icons floating just at the edge of my field of view.

At 11 degrees of our intended course and at 3.9 light years distance were three bright signals.

Har-Hi spoke after he collected the different department reports.

“The contacts I am marking now red are known pirate ships. The 340 meter Anarka and the 360 meter Meronka, operated by the Terrible Twins. Hans is receiving detailed intel as we speak. Both pirate ships are heavily customized DeNoir Baltic class Corvettes, legally sold surplus from almost 700 years ago. Shea’s Power distribution scan confirms Mao’s armament estimate.

They both have very good Shimmer Shields in Union standard triple layer configuration and both are armed with real Nul Froth casters. Both ships would pose a serious opponent to the Silver Streak, together they would be more than a match to the ship we are supposed to be. Intel also reports, these two know how to fight together and thus well-coordinated.”

Shea took over without even a second delay. “Their opponent is a massive 1000 meter ship of unknown configuration, but energy signature suggests Tech Level 5. Detailed weapon or material scans are not possible with the scanners and sensors we are simulating. The shields of the unknown ship appear to be standard energy and matter repulsers, no para or transdim signatures present. Situation analysis suggests they are about to engage in hostile activities.”

“Alright then let us welcome the strangers and reduced the number of pirates in these region by two. All hands battlestations.

Raise shields.

Krabbel take us to the outermost range of our Snipers. If at all possible I like to stay out of the range of those Froth Casters.

Mao, clip their claws before we get any closer, prepare for Micro TL and see if you can time your fire whenever the alien ship fires.”

Har-Hi said. “That’s not a bad idea at all, they never suspect us but think it was the Alien.”

THE XANDRAO
Shipmaster Noldra was actually glad the uncertainty was over and his gut feeling had once more proven to be more accurate than the scanners. Two ships of unknown configuration were approaching.

The Kermac had returned to the bridge and the Prince woke from his nap. Albra blinked with his big brown eyes. “What is the matter, how can anyone find some rest with all this commotion?”

Noldra fumed. “Your excellency do you want to lead our vessel into combat against two unknown hostiles and remove me from command?”

“No of course not, I have full confidence in...”

Noldra was close to physically drag the Prince out of his Command stool.

“Then get out of my seat, now and take that pale piece of Alien offense of my bridge, your Majesty.”

The prince got up with a hurt expression and Noldra sat down.

“Raise our Energy fences at once and prepare to launch Revenge Bringers. Operator see if those aliens can be raised on the Etherwaver.”

The Kermac did not leave and neither did the prince, but the Command crew around Albra functioned and did their duty. The white skinned ambassador of the Kermac pointed at the visual viewer.

“Don’t waste your time talking to them. Commence all resources to propulsion and continue to approach Kermac space. That space rabble will not dare to follow.”

“Kermac, you return to your quarters and remain there or by the First Emperor’s Holy Manhood I’ll have you dragged there. We can’t go trans light until we have serviced the engines.”

The Kermac was outraged but knew when it was a good time to remain silent.

The Operator of the Ether set turned.

“We made contact to them and they demand our surrender. They will spare our lives if we hand over all valuables. They have not identified themselves.”

“Then our answer will be clear. Let us hand out something valuable indeed. Launch Revenge Bringers one through twenty...”

Xandrao ship to ship missiles were very fast and able to reach near light speed very fast and shut down their space cutting infra fields moments before impact, bringing 500 kilos of relativistic mass to bear traveling at 99 percent of light. They were equipped with the best computers Xandrao engineering could come up with and had the ability to split into multiple attack vector warheads.

The ship shuddered at enemy weapon impact. Lights flickered and seat restraints activated as ship gravitation was lost.

One of the analysts reported. “Enemy is using a Gravitation based weapon and it collapsed shields.

The enemy ships intercepted several Revenge Bringer missiles, but a good number impacted on their shields wearing them down.

One of the Scanner operators reported. “Ship Master, our Revenge Bringers have disabled both ships. For some reason we can’t yet explain our warheads must have penetrated the enemy shields and armor and destroyed some vulnerable spot. The enemy ships lost propulsion and weapons as it appears.

“Finish them off!” Yelled the floating Kermac.

Noldra wanted to finish off the Kermac but he said. “Reload the Missile tubes and fire a second volley.”

“Ship Master Noldra we are being called from a third ship that just appeared on our scanners.”

Mao grinned proudly. He had just disabled both pirate ships with micro TL loads. Timing them with the impacts of the primitive missiles

“The problem these pirate sisters had that they are using old Union DeNoirs, and we knew exactly where their computronic cores were. No Computronic ... nothing works.”

“Let’s make sure they don’t find time to activate some sort of back up.” I said.

To my Helmsman I added. “Shaka get us closer. Elfi see if you can hail the unknown and establish communications.”

Narth said. “The newcomers are from Downward and it appears they are here for the first time indeed, but they are not here for exploration reasons. I sense two Kermac among them.”

I slapped my hand on my arm rest.

“And here I was wanting to spare newcomers the fate to be victims of a pirate attack, and all we find is yet another GC thrall species. Not that they should be here with a warship like that in the first place.”

Elfi said. “I have made contact, Captain. They are using a simple audio only Tachyon Radio I send greeting in all common languages and they responded to Kermac right away.”

“Put me on.”

“Comm Link open Captain.”

“This is Captain Black Velvet of the Silver Streak. To avoid any confusion. I am a Pirate and we are here to make a profit. Initially I wanted to assist you and keep you unharmed, but since you speak Kermac you are violating the Freespace Treaty, you are to surrender and shut down all Energy consuming devices.”

Shea said. “Captain, they are about to release another volley of their missiles.”

“Can we prevent that without blowing them to pieces?”

Mao said. “The missiles are released individually, but we could blow their force field generator and then Tech Stop the whole ship.”

“Alright do it.”

Mao’s approach worked but not before the strangers released six of their missiles. One of the pirate ships was the target and without shields it was defenseless and the Anarka exploded before Mao’s tech stop shut down everything on both remaining ships.

“Hans take a team and scour the remaining pirate. Neutralize any resistance, stasis survivors, see if you can secure their data and find something Sobody might want to keep for our treasure.”

Hans bellowed an Aye, Ma’am and stomped to the IST.

Chapter 2
Two hours later I too had boarded the alien ship had reached what must have been the bridge. Our tech stop and paralysators have worked like a charm this time, everyone was asleep and none of the alien ships equipment worked.

Har-Hi stood beside me and said. “Don’t you think they look like Terran cattle?” He pushed a sleeping alien aside who was still floating, as there was no artificial gravitation either.”

Now as he said it I had to agree, and I remembered the large feedlots on Wichita Planet and the endless herds of cows.

“Yes, there is a resemblance.”

Shea pointing at a large alien strapped to the command chair. He was wearing some sort of colorful harness with lots of gold and a cape like mantle. Otherwise he was his furry self and she said.

“At least we can be certain he is male.”

I gave her a side look and said. “And you noticed that huge thing right away.”

“A pure scientific observation and conclusion of evaluating a visual examination.”

“Yes I would have put it exactly the same way. I think they haven’t invented pants or modesty.”

Narth appeared next to me and also looked at the being in the central chair and then at Shea. “How can you determine he is male by visual inspection alone? This being is not registered on GalNet.”

Shea pointed at the being. “They appear to be carbon based lifeforms, and have physiological similarities to other mammalian species. The appendix like organic feature so dominantly featured between the beings legs, make me very confident that he is indeed male.”

Har-Hi had a strange grin on his face as he said. “You identify as a male Narth right? Don’t you have something like that under that shroud of yours as well?”

I held up my hands. “Here we are on the bridge of an alien species we just boarded, and what is it my senior staff discussing?”

I shook my head in an over acting theatrical manner then said.

“Mr. Narth make sure we contain all Kermac before they have a chance to come around. Mr. Hi coordinate with our marines and confine and secure the crew of this vessel; and you Ms Schwartz. I like to read a detailed assessment on their technology.”

They confirmed my orders, but I had a hard time to keep my amusement out of my voice as I saw Narth look down on himself saying.

“Yes I was supposed to emulate a human male and accessing physiological data I just realized that the corporal shell I was given, is faulty and inadequate equipped.”

Har-Hi put his hand on Narth’s shoulder as they walked out. “Next time you go to your Narth place, that is something they need to fix.”

Sadly I missed Narth’s reply as Cirruit who was working on the ships systems turned and said. “Sorry Captain their tech is very primitive, simple binary Circuits, digital stuff and not well shielded. Our Tech stop melted most of it.”

“Can we hook up something of ours? If life support does not come back on soon, they won’t survive.” I said to him and pulled a floating Kermac on his foot down so I could examine him closer.”

“I am replicating nanites as fast as I can, so we can restore basic life support. In terms of Computronics they are not Tech Level seven, more like five at most. Quite interesting solutions but...”

“Do we have to evacuate them before life support conditions deteriorate and become life threatening to them?”

Cirruit shrugged his shoulders. “Hard to say, but we have maybe three to four hours, before temperatures drop too far. Their hull has a sufficient layer of lead to reduce radiation, but not completely opaque to ionizing radiation like Union hulls.”

“Well it gives me a little time to think what I should do with them.”

Ak Pure, the Attikan and my friend appeared from one of the access doors and floated agile with the skill and grace of a real Union Marine in his heavy camouflaged battle suit across the deck.

“Captain, Lt. Neugruber and the Golden have completed the survey of the remaining pirate ship. We secured nineteen survivors including Juka Yi Shogi, one of the Terrible Twins. Goshi Tmakay did not survive the explosion of her ship. We secured the survivors in Stasis boxes and a few boxes of loot.”

Elfi who had begged to be part of the pirate ship raiding party was right behind the Attikan with an amused face behind her helmet faceplate. “Now there are ladies that wear even skimpier outfits doing the pirate thing than you.”

I gave her a withering look and tried to ignore her and Shea giggling. To the marine I said.

“Thank you, Lt. Fectiv. Now please get every available hand over here and help Mr. Narth and Mr. Hi and fine tooth comb this ship. I want every Kermac in PSI shielded zero stasis with Marine guards and robots watching them, if they are so much as twitch, you have the authority to eliminate. I really don’t trust them.”

Pure nodded inside his suit. “We don’t have much exposure to the Kermac at the LMC, but I went to Union school of course and I never heard much good about them.”

I held up my hand showing two fingers. “I like Shiss, Pertharians, Klack and even Y’All. I am the most unbiased Norse ever to step of Nilfeheim. I have Elly friends, got squiggled by Garbinis, get hugs from Archa and trust our Shail. I even did the spooky thing with a Narth, but there are two species my spotted friend I do not trust: Kermac and Thaurans. We are deep in Freespace and what do we find? Kermac’s agitating a species of cows and very large squirrels. They have no business here in Freespace in the first place.”

Shea looked up and smirked.

“Well technically we don’t either, but I agree with you on the rest.”

With an elegant move Warner the Holdian pushed himself off a panel he was working at and floated before me.

“Those are not squirrels, Captain. I don’t know who those big things are but what you call squirrels are Dolbarians. They have evolved from a lost Diobane colony and had the distinct fortune that their three planets and two star system expanse were too close to the Galactic Council during the last treaty conference. They had no choice in the Kermac decision to make them part of the GC.”

“I stand corrected then Mr. Warner. I must confess I am not an expert, as we don’t have any Squirrels on Nilfeheim, but I remember seeing a similar kind in the forests of Green Eden, but how are we doing on this ship’s systems?

If we can get their life support going, or we may have to move the entire crew of this big ship.”

The little Holdian sighed. “As Lt. Cirruit said before, our tech stop fried whatever electronic systems they had and having a micro load of AM detonate in their computer core made a real mess of their mainframe.” The little Holdian re-enacted the explosion with a big gesture and was quite successful. “Give us three weeks and the original construction manuals and we might get them working again.”

I sighed with a smile. “Then I better not keep you from your work.”

He chirped something and moved back to the open panel.

Shea said. “I think we need another Paralysator sweep, I can detect their neural activity picking up.”

I blinked at my Comm link symbol. “Har-Hi how far along are we containing the crew?”

“This bucket they call a space ship had more than 600 crew members, thankfully our biosensors have no problem finding them. Narth thinks we got them all except for the ones on the bridge, confined in a cargo hold. We also found 85 terminal casualties.”

“All right then, now all that is left to do is talk to them and figure out what to do.”

To Shea I said. “Let them come around, I need more information so I can decide.”

It didn’t take long and what I assumed was the leader of the aliens recovered from the Paralysator effect. He was still strapped into his command chair. His first impulse was to reach for a weapon as he saw us, but he stopped as he stared into four TKU muzzles at the same time. I am sure however it wasn’t the guns but TheOther holding them that made him think otherwise and freeze in his move. He said something with a loud voluminous voice I did not understand. Shea spoke to him in Kermac and he nodded but said something in a language I did not understand.

She begun with First Contact procedures and her PDD projected simple dots. First one then two then three.

The bovine looking alien understood and responded with guttural sounds. She made fast progress. He made a snorting surprised and somewhat frightened sound as Narth appeared next to me and I felt sorry for the Alien leader. He had his ship invaded saw a real Y’All with guns and now a shrouded Narth appear from thin air. Narth spoke to me on our silent mental connection. “The Kermac are stripped of all devices and sleep in Zero Stasis and the being before you is a Xandrao. They know of the Togar and the Jooltar but have never heard of the Union, the Shiss or the Nul. From what I gather they are on their way to visit Kermac Prime to discuss Galactic Council membership.”

“Why aren’t they using their usual Psi tricks on them?”

“I do not know for certain, but since I had to probe quite forcefully to get into the Xandrao mind, a certain natural resistance to Psionics might be the reason.”

Shea said. “He understands some Kermac, but they used translators of their now defunct shipboard systems. I started Language analysis but SHIP was faster, she downloaded the language data from one of the Kermac Beards. You should now be able to talk to them.”

I turned to address the alien leader. “I am Captain Black Velvet of the Silver Streak, we are an independent group of beings seeking opportunities. Your ship was severely damaged in the altercation and lost all electronics. While my Chief Engineer tries to patch rudimentary life support functions, we still might have to evacuate your vessel. Your crew is for the moment secured but relatively safe.”

He listened to me and I was sure he understood so I continued. “I wanted to spare you newcomers to this side of the galaxy, but once learned you are sympathizers and thralls of the cursed Kermac, I am no longer so inclined. From you I want to know what your plans were and what kind of scheme you and the Kermac have cooked up to cause mischief and mayhem.”

The Xandrao snorted angrily but tried to keep his dignity and said with his loud booming voice.

“I am Shipmaster Noldra Dorrx and this is the First Ship of the Emperor. We are on a mission of diplomatic importance. I will not declare anything else to a stinking pirate, who from the looks of it seems to be a disgusting female. Not that your race seems to have much redeeming features.

Go away female and find me a male and I might talk to him.”

I got closer and put my finger on his wide snout. “You talk to me, or you talk to no one ever again.”

He snorted and made a sound like I heard Fangsnappers make, then he added:

“You are only tough because I am restrained and you hide behind the guns of your four armed terror. You would never stand a chance against a Xandrao male, no one does. Not even that four armed beast.”

Just then artificial gravitation came back on and some of the ship’s own lights came on.

“Go ahead Xandrao, chose the weapons. Right here and now!”

“You are a weak female, hiding in armor and behind muscle of your male slaves. You are a cowardly pirate. Go ahead tell your males to kill me.”

Har-Hi sighed loudly. “Captain, this is not...”

But I had already given the suit the Emergency release command and the Battlesuit disintegrated into assembly parts and basically spit me out.

The Xandrao slapped on the restrain release that now worked again and lunged forward. He was almost as big as Hans and had his hands immediately on me. Instead of evading him, I grabbed him by the wrist and tried to execute an Aikido move that served me so well against the lumbering Y’All. It did not work as I hoped, the Xandrao was I had to realize, a trained fighter and not a brawler. His other fist grabbed me by the throat. And yes once again I was in trouble and it was trouble I could have easily avoided, I certainly did not act like a Union Captain should act, and this was not how first Contact was made.

He was squeezing the very life out of me and yet I found enough air to gargle.

“Stay where you are!” To Har Hi.

I got angry, not so much about the Xandrao but about myself, but the bovine like alien was really starting to piss me off. He had lifted me of the ground; I was holding to his massive arm with one hand and stabbed my fingers into his right eye. He screamed in pain and as I attempted a second stab against his other he instinctively raised his arms to deflect, to do that he had to let me go and I dropped, ignoring the throbbing pain of my squeezed neck and kicked upward as hard as I could and kicked him at exactly that exposed feature of his anatomy we had talked about earlier. He was as it appeared quite sensitive and groaned in an ear shattering volume, He swiped his big arm through the air, a powerful swing, but far fof target. An axe handle blow of mine across his wide snout however found its target.

All my attacks had been done with all my strength, but had done little more than perhaps dazzle the alien.

He lowered his head and swiped his sharp horns through the air, a perfectly natural move if you had horns like that, but unexpected for me. I managed to avoid his grabbing arms and the head swing that brought his horns into play, by perhaps a hairs width. In all this I could have ended it easily. Narth was here and so was Har Hi, not to mention TheOther all would have taken was a call for help.

A blow of my fist against his forehead, made me realize just how hard his skull was. It felt like punching a battle ship hull.

Yet I had to end this somehow on my own.

The head swung the other side while the Xandrao drove me backwards as I tried to avoid his horn attacks and his fast grabbing attempts. He was fast, fast enough to prevent me from really getting away. He was mad and full of frustration and it was apparent that his kind trained hand to hand combat, perhaps almost as religiously as the Union Marines did. There was not much room left to back up, the head swung again ... his big hands swinging with powerful blows. The only thing saving me was the wonderful agility my altered body seemed to have. Then I acted on an instinct, grabbed the swinging horns just as his neck was at the outmost swing and I added all my body weight to twist it further. I heard a crunching sound and the big alien groaned, even the big Xandrao had to follow physics and his big body had to follow the momentum and he crashed hard on the deck plating almost burying me, I let go and rolled away in the last moment.

The big alien was making strange gurgling sounds and did not try to get up. I came shaking to my feet and with a coarse, laboring voice I rasped.

“Get up!”

Har-Hi rushed by.

“Captain, let it be, you broke the Xandrao’s neck. He is dying.”

I wiped the sweat of my brow and tried to straighten myself into a more dignified position.

“Call Cateria...”

Only now I noticed the bleeding cut along my left arm.”

Har Hi shook his head.

“Narth get the Captain to sickbay.”

I did not remember the teleportation and realized I must have passed out. The next thing I remembered was seeing the face of my CMO and she wasn’t pleased at all.

“That was a close one, Captain. I don’t even know how you kept fighting with a severely bruised larynx, the subsequent swelling caused asphyxia and Lt. Narth brought you in with not much time to spare.”

I did not feel proud and as I sat up I saw Har Hi, Shea and Narth standing there.

Har-Hi had his arms crossed and said.

“Captain I say it right out and in front of everyone, this isn’t working. You are the Captain and for the most part you doing a great job, but picking fights like that is anything but smart. You almost died and in a situation that was not even remotely necessary.” He spread his arms. “You know we follow you to hell and back, but I am the XO and I must say this.”

I lowered my head and felt a shameful frown creep into my face.

“I know, I can’t even say anything to defend myself. That was extremely foolish.”

“Captain, the warrior in me is full of awe of your fighting skills and I still can’t believe you almost killed that Xandrao, despite an almost lethal injury, but I am not just a Dai-Than warrior anymore but an Union Officer and you are no longer just a Nilfeheim viking, but our Commanding Officer. I know we do things differently than on other ships. Your instincts and your style is usually head on...”

He stopped looked at Narth for help then continued.

“I love you like a brother and I don’t really know how to say it or what to say. Just be a little more careful.”

Narth said, not using his mental voice but speaking aloud. “I tend to agree with Har-Hi, but once again these impulsive actions, guided by emotions and instinct all Narth find harder to fathom than the secrets of creation itself, have yielded surprising results.”

I got up after Cateria nodded and I said. “All I can say I know I acted wrong and I am sorry. I am aware that my actions were inappropriate and unnecessary.”

Har-Hi said. “The problem is your action was not as unnecessary as we would like it to be, so we could use it to persuade you to take a different approach next time. The Xandrao survived thanks to Shea putting him in stasis and Cateria saving his life. He hasn’t stopped talking about you and swears undying allegiance to you.”

I took his hand. “I promise I will listen to you and try to be less impulsive.”

He grinned.

“Well it would help if you stop picking fights with the wildest, biggest opponents you can find.”

I noticed I was wearing just underwear and cleared my throat. “Enough of this unprofessional behavior and that includes first and foremost me and let us get back to the business at hand.”

A few moments later and back in my usual outfit I was still turning Har-Hi’s words in my head, knowing he was more than just right. I had reached the command chair of a Union ship much earlier than I could ever hope for. Men like Stahl and McElligott trusted me and more so my crew trusted me. I acted like a dumb Flicker fish. I could almost hear Egill’s dry voice in my head. I sighed and entered the Marine guarded room, where the Xandrian ship master was recuperating.

He sat on a vari-matic chair, as I entered he dropped to his knees.

“I apologize, Captain Black Velvet, you have earned my deepest respect and I pledge my services to you. An apparent weaker female of an apparent weaker race has bested me, almost killed me without any weapons. You are indeed a mighty warrior. I will without reservation answer your questions and accept any fate you have decided upon me.”

“There is no need to kneel. Ship Master Dorrx. I acted out of proportion. I am not out to learn your secrets, but what business do you have with the Kermac?”

“They are not the unchallenged masters as they claim to be. I laughed at the Dolbarians just hours ago as they told me about the Big Four. I could not believe that there are star empires as big as the Dolbarians claim the Nul, the Shiss or these Unions control. We had a hard time to really comprehend what the Kermac claimed about the Galactic Council.”

“The Kermac are an old species and they made deception and controlling others to do their bidding into an art form. They do control a sizeable region, but they are far from being the unchallenged masters. They let others fight, work and provide for them.”

“I begin to understand but we are a proud people, we see there are others who are stronger and who control technology superior to ours. We have reason to believe the Togar are preparing to conquer us. I have seen reports and know these cats love hunting and eating Xandrao. Our Emperor thinks that we could make it a costly endeavor for the Togar Queen, but we would still fall. We are in need of an ally who is strong enough to make the Togar reconsider.”

He spread his big arms, the ones who had almost crushed me to death.

“Captain Black Velvet, I am aware of our boisterous nature and officially we like to see ourselves as strong and unbeatable. I do not know if you have already talked to the prince, but do not heed him. He is a good prince but will never be an Emperor.

Our liege is not as naïve as the Kermac thinks he is and neither am I, but we considered serving the Kermac as it would be better than losing it all and end up on Togar menus.”

“I am a fugitive, a criminal and a pirate bound to Freespace, but you might find a viable alternative to proceed to the Union. There you would not need to be servants, but could be equal partners. Of course Union membership must be applied for and new members must accept to uphold Union Laws. However it would be better if you and your prince see for yourself and then provide your people and your emperor with the information you have gathered.”

“I was informed about the status of my ship. It is not able to return or move ahead. Even if your magnificent robot engineer will be able to patch things. If our encounter is any indication what this region holds for us, without weapons and energy fence covers we will fall prey to the next pirate that is less honorable than you.”

“I’ll find a solution.”

“Another one?”

McElligott said as I finished my report.

“Not that I am complaining that you most likely prevented the Kermac gaining another Thrall species, but fighting a three meter Minotaur so he would change his mind and contemplate alternatives is not exactly the smartest way of doing things.”

“I know, my XO already made this very clear, Sir.”

The old Admiral rubbed his chin.

“You are at the edge of GalCom range and pretty far from Union space. I can’t send any Chimera unit to pick those Centaurs up, as they need to remain unknown and can’t escort a potential new member species to Union space.”

The old Admiral suddenly chuckled.

“I guess my last sentence was only funny to me. Chimeras and Centaurs ... ah well let me think.”

The Admiral spoke with me over a 2D connection and the image was projected on a field screen. Due to the fact that we were at the very edge of GalCom reach and already beyond GalNet he could no longer establish an Avatar. “I also would love to get my hands on those Kermac.”

He rubbed his chin. “See if your Engineer can’t patch that Alien ship up, just good enough so it can limp to Auriga Xi and escort him until you know they are safe. We got regular Union Assets there and they can’t go after you as long as you stay in Freespace. Then I arrange a rendezvous with a Chimera unit to take the Kermac off your hands.”

Cirruit was sure he and his engineering team could get the Xandrao ship patched up enough to make it, if he Xandrao remained in one room and he did not have to patch the entire ship’s electronics, but he needed at least a day.

I briefed the Xandrao Ship Master and he agreed with this course of action.

I had our Gazelle out and fly a cloaked search pattern, to make sure no one else interrupted.

Three days passed without incident. The Xandrao ship would be able to limp to Translight speed and make it to Auriga Xi in five days.

Back on the Xandrao ship I shook the hand of the big alien and he said.

“I have learned a lot in a short time, Captain Velvet. I learned that there are females that have courage and that there are trustworthy pirates. I learned that our galaxy is even more dangerous than we thought it would be and that your robot engineer is not a robot, but a true magician and a genius. However I also learned that my gut feeling about the Kermac was true. I am glad there is an alternative we can present to our Emperor.”

“Fare well then Shipmaster Dorrx maybe our paths cross again under better conditions. I will escort your vessel as close to that new Union system as I dare and then you are on your own, but I am sure you find the United Stars a helpful place and they will restore your vessel so you can return safely.”

“I have much to thank you for. I am not sure if we ever meet again, my prince will still be quite sore about the fact that he is tied up in the freight bay and he will of course blame you.”

“You can release your crew and the prince, but remember there isn’t any life support to most decks.”

“Oh no Captain Velvet, I like to keep him in there as long as possible. I have more peace that way and can blame you the pirates for his misery.”

“I am not sure what this means, but I think I have an idea.” I bade him farewell and went to the next airlock.

Specialist Warner scurried alongside. “Captain, we got all our tools and equipment back and Lt. Cirruit is down in the engine room putting final touches to these crude nuclear generators. He should be done within the next ten minutes.”

“Very well then, let us return to our ship. Maybe after the third attempt we make it to that pirate port.”

“What about the Dolbarians, Captain?”

“What about them, Mr. Warner. Did you not say they are Galactic Council?”

“Can we not take them along? I mean they aren’t very happy GC members and what will happen to these two?”

“We can’t take them along. They are GC and we only pretend to be Pirates remember?

“Of course I know that Captain. I mean that we are pirates, but we could keep them in a room. They won’t eat much.”

“When the Xandrao reach the Union system, I am sure Command finds a way to get them back to their home. It’s not that we are at war against the Dolbarians.”

“Captain, you said we can always talk to you and this is an unfair situation. These two will be interrogated and tortured.”

I stopped.

“Mr. Warner of course you can talk to me any time, but we, I mean the Union won’t torture them I promise.”

“Captain, not us, the Kermac of course. These two and the others were sent to escort two Kermac envoys to the Xandrao and what do you think will happen if they return from somewhere Union side? The entire Dolbarian species is under Kermac control, but not in the nice way where they are mentally controlled but in the demeaning, slave you do what I say way. The Kermac will torture them to find out what happened to their envoys and then kill them for not preventing the Xandrao to get to Union side.”

I had to admit he made sense.

“I sure don’t want them to be tortured, but if we take them we would have to keep them in Zero stasis for a very long time.”

“Could we not fly to their home world, take a delegation of Dolbarians to Pluribus? I am sure the Dolbarian want to be Union and free of Kermac tyranny.”

I knelt down to be on his level and said.

“Mr. Warner we have a mission, we are supposed to be pirates. We can’t simply fly into GC space, land on a Kermac controlled planet. Contact their government and take them to Pluribus.”

“I know it seems impossible, but you are our Captain and you’ll find a way, besides it doesn’t have to be now. Maybe after our mission and when you think about something.”

The Holdian specialist was nowhere near as cute as the little Holdian commander I once knew, but he too had these big black button eyes, a pointed black snout that shimmered wet. His whiskers hung down and his round ears had a somehow sad looking position. He sighed and kneaded his tiny fur covered hand.

“But of course you are right, Captain. What can we, what could you possibly do? I am sorry I bothered you with that.”

“You drive a harder bargain than that Golden friend of yours. We really can’t do much about the Dolbarian situation, but we can do something about those we got here. Go ahead and contact Mr. Neugruber and confine those two, we might indeed have to put them in stasis for a while.”

His whiskers snapped up and his ears turned into a happier position.

“Thank you Captain.”

I then walked away, but I kept thinking about that. I could not simply put these Dolbarians into stasis and keep them there. They did nothing wrong and weren’t declared enemies.

But I also was certain, the Dolbarians would face exactly the fate, my little engineer painted for them.

There was no way, the Kermac would not question them and I knew Kermac punished failure, even on their own kind. I had shared a slave cage with a wizard no less, after all.

I blinked on my Comm. symbol. “Har-Hi, have the senior staff meet me at the Den in ten.”

“Aye captain.”

I held up my hand as Narth appeared to take me to the Tigershark and turned to the Xandrao shipmaster. “Actually I could use your help, shipmaster. It’s about the Dolbarian, you see...”

INTERLUDE: SIN 4
The new and reborn First Son was not happy at all. His previous self had spent considerable amount of money and resources to capture the Narth friend. He followed the attempts of the Purple worm and the Kermac. He had spent large amounts of money and betrayed both the Kermac and the Worm to get his hands on the Narth Friend. He searched as long as he could but he had not found the Midshipman. He had found the Shiss-Human dead near the ship, but no trace of the Neo Viking. Sin 4 was a deadly place and the Narth friend most likely ended up on someone’s menu. He even arranged getting his wife abducted and brought to Perryton. Even this simple mission ended up in disaster. The woman escaped and now as he had read the reports, he learned that the Narth and the Saresii representative were involved. A dozen of followers and servants had been killed in a brutal fashion, but instead of prosecuting the Nilfeheim woman, Union Police had turned the very temple within Union space inside out.

To his great dismay, he was told that a Bellebee was going over the case and they did find his involvement. None of the facades he has put up worked. He was now a wanted man and had to relocate to SIN 4.

The cloning equipment lost, destroyed by his own hand to erase all traces.

The new son of darkness had found the notes of his former self and the travel arrangements trying to reach Koken. Did he ever succeed, did he make it to Koken. Was it there where he died?

Why there was no doubt that his former self was dead; Union officials were still looking for him. Meaning they had no report of him being dead. So how did he die?

The time was near, the Shadow of the Brotherhood would be able to transcend the dimensional barriers and speak to him. He needed to go to Netlor.

But now he was about to attend another meeting.

The place was carefully chosen and the Kermac delegation of four was told only the very last minute where it would happen.

The place was a cave somewhere on Trash Island on the southern hemisphere of the planet.

The cave was lit by a few portable spotlights and the floor had been leveled with a layer of poured concrete. The four Kermac stood and waited.

The new First Son of Darkness was there. It was him who arranged it once again.

After about two minutes waiting in a light circle and out of the back of the cave out of the darkness came a man wearing a deep purple leather and steel combination, very much like a Dai-Than Battle dress in style. The figure was humanoid and tall, but its head was anything but human. It also was deep purple in color shimmered moist and looked very much like the head of a large worm, with a small ring mouth. There were no visible eyes, no antenna or feelers.

“I am the Purple Worm and you paid much to meet me once again. I agreed to arrange a meeting with the Nul, but such things take time.”

The speaker of the Kermac group said. “It was deemed necessary by the Supreme Wizard to meet with you again, and we paid that human to make the arrangements.”

One of his colleagues looked him down from half closed eyes. “I applaud you for this theatrical entry and appearance. While the Kermac you met felt impressed and puzzled at your true nature. We do not; your appearance is nothing but a careful maintained facade. A disguise nothing more.”

“My true nature is unimportant. I am the Worm and that is all I am.”

“Then let us come to the reason we wanted to see you.”

“That would be appreciated. Even though I do have a good idea what this is all about.”

“Our previous cooperation was marred with failure. Considerable resources were spent to obtain the Narth friend.

We spend more resources to obtain Union military secrets via a disgraced Admiral. This also failed and we were lied to by you the Worm. We obtained information Swybar did not die. We know this new pirate and Swybar are one and the same.”

The Purple Worm of course did not show any readable emotion. “I am careful as to whom I share certain information. But I too have no control over that rouge Admiral. He disposed of my and the Dark Son’s agent as well and is on his own.”

“We are not interested in a former Union officer that by now lost all access to the secrets we deem important. We do not want to deal with messengers and second rate agents but with the source itself.” The First Son of Darkness took offense. “I am neither second rate nor am I an agent of the Worm. I represent my very own agenda and goals.”

“Silence Saresii, you have played both sides and we are weary. Do not think of us as fools, we are the Kermac and we are neither impotent nor blind. We know what you seek.”

The Purple worm agreed. “Neither should I be taken lightly, I have not built this organization overnight and have access to resources you could not understand. Without your betrayal Dark Son, without your interference I could have delivered the Narth friend to the Kermac. Don’t deny it was you who equipped the port rats with a landing tank and told them what to look for.”

The Kermac delegation leader said. “You made this meeting possible and you have been paid. You may leave. Further communication will be without your assistance.”

He felt like a child sent to his room after being chastised. “You underestimate me and you will pay with more than polonium for these insults.”

He left. He would show it to them. Neither the Worm nor the Kermac mattered when the Dark One returned.

The Kermac watched the black dressed priest leave then they said. “You are the Purple Worm indeed, we monitored this fool for a long time.

We came to tell you that from this day forward, the Worm will be a Kermac asset. You will receive your orders and you will execute them.

In return we will provide you with enormous resources and of course allow you to live and perhaps even have a slave existence in the Kermac Galactic Hegemony.

Now for your first orders, we want a list of all your operatives and how they are contacted. Then we expect a detailed report on all your assets. Ships, Bases and weaponry. Of course we want you to assist us obtaining the production secrets for all Terran and Union technology.”

“Are you through?”

“No of course not, this is but a beginning of your cooperation with us.

“A child could have guessed the reason why you wanted this meeting.”

“And like a child you came anyway for the lure of money in from of polonium!”

“Not exactly. You do not build an organization like mine if you are stupid or gullible. Your collective arrogance, the famous Kermac arrogance makes you even more predictable than a Califerm Addict.

You are not the only ones with Psionic technology. A neat Saresii device called a PSI Seeker, a device deemed lost and destroyed by the Gray Cats. Is not only in my possession, it blocks your psionic abilities and allows me to to refuse your offer.”

“You impress us, Worm. However we don’t want to waste this opportunity to broker a different agreement between the Worm and Kermac.”

“Then speak and I expect you to play with open cards and we shall see if your idea of an agreement is worth exploring more.”

The lead Kermac slumped his shoulders. “We the Kermac hegemony, controlling the Galactic Council ruled over much of this galaxy but ever since the ascent of the Terrans and the birth of the dreadful Union we lost influence, territory and lost three wars against the Union. Yet we know another war against the Union will be unavoidable and it will happen sooner or later. The aggression of the Terrans knows no limit.”

“It is true that these Terrans are perhaps the most aggressive species ever to ascend, but they did not start the hostilities and in all three instances it was you who started the previous wars. If it wasn’t for your distant relatives, the Blue brokering the last cease fire agreement, the Kermac would already be cosmic history and a fading memory.”

The Kermac lead envoy pressed his teeth together and clenched his small fists. Underneath all their arrogance every Kermac in power knew that this was true.

“We are not to be trifled with. We have access to powers unimaginable by you.”

“It is an open secret, that you found ways to control and perhaps call the Y’All. Your agents mentioned even something more dangerous. But the Union added the Narth and the recently the Coven to their strength.”

“Then do you know why the Narth have abandoned their age old policy of Isolation? This is the very reason for this meeting, we must act. If the Terrans and the Union get access to Narth technology then there is nothing that can stop them.”

“I do not know why the Narth have done so. The Son of Darkness as he calls himself, the man just leaving was the only being in close contact with the Narth until recently, but he never was able to obtain any information and exiled from Narth.”

“You might be a powerful Organization but we know that even the Worm failed to place an operative among the PSI corps or NAVINT, not to mention the elusive TSI. We know you lose operatives almost daily and that the Worm’s influence is shrinking. The Worm’s days are over forever if the Narth get involved. And involved they are! All Saresii combined with the entire PSI corps is nothing compared to what one Narth can do! It was one Narth who shielded their entire system against the onslaught of the Y’All! It was one Narth ship that chased the Y’All out of the Galaxy and destroyed many of Y’All ships with the power of their minds alone! It is said the Narth succeeded against the Dark One, where even the Celtest failed.”

The Worm nodded. “You fail to mention the Leedei who are as powerful as the Saresii, but with far advanced PSI tech, so I cannot argue against your assessment.”

“Then go, make arrangements for that meeting with the Nul. Now let us make arrangements so we can contact each other without the need of a third party.

DOLBARIAN
They all looked at me with a mixture of anticipation and thinly veiled surprise.

Har-Hi was the last approaching our big table in the den. “We are all set, captain. We can leave for Auriga Xi. We are at the very horizon of GalNet and GalCom, but we detecting much Union chatter from there. I am sure Union assets are there so the Xandrao can do their official first contact.”

“Thank you Har-Hi, but we are not done with the Xandrao or the Dolbarian.”

“We can’t take credit for that First Contact, Captain. The Xandrao don’t know we are Union.”

I grimaced at my XO. “I know that, Mr. Hi. Do you really think I am that vain?”

He shook his head. “No, but what are we still doing here? I thought we are on our way to Brhama. The Demons of the Badlands know we tried to do that two or three times now.”

“Maybe we get us a few cows as crew?” Mao speculated.

“No guys.” I said and told them more or less what Warner told me. Then I added. “We are out here to make a difference and setting things right. I cannot close my eyes to the injustice and unfair situation of one person or an entire species.

Those Dolbarians face torture and death if we let them go with the Xandrao. Keeping them in stasis is like punishment. They didn’t do anything and frankly I have the plea of a crew member. Especially if we can do something about it.”

Shea leaned forward. “We are behind you captain, but what can we do to free an entire planet? This seems out of our league.”

I sighed with a smile. “I know, but I have an idea. It’s a variation on the Trojan Horse and I need all of you to make it more than that.”

“You know, we should be glad we aren’t really pirates. You have a very devious mind, and it seems it got even more so since you decided to be Erica.” Har-Hi said and I was not sure if he complimented me or voiced his concerns and critique.

“Say it, Har-Hi. You think this wrong?”

He grinned widely. “Oh no Captain, I am just tempted sometimes to be pirates for real. It is in my nature. It is a Dai thing. Once you made a decision I am behind you. Besides I think doing things like that are well within our mission parameters.”

Elfi opened the bio replicator’s lid. A cloud of steam rolled past the lid and to the ceiling of our disguise lab.

Cateria helped Elfi taking the hairy mess out of the machine. “I think they knew, why else would we have all this NAVINT and Gray Cat spy equipment?”

Narth popped out of thin air. “Shea and I finished programming the new Janus mask. I think we succeeded.”

I made a few test moves. “I am sure you have, but why don’t I get the impression I asked for something more difficult than you let on?”

It is a very complex, matter and energy manipulation. The masks we have on file were created by teams of engineers over weeks, relying on Narth level scans and Nelson type omnitroncis. But we have Shea and SHIP so we succeeded; the Tigershark now looks like a Xandrao ship.”

“Thank you.”

I closed the seams of the bio-flex skin over the stripped down Quasimodo frame. Then pulled the attached head up and over my own. “The ship looks Xandrao. How about me, Har-Hi and Hans?”

Narth stepped back. “I am sure any non Narth will be fooled thinking you are a Xandrao.”

“Let’s hope they don’t have any Narth then.”

“I can reassure you with confidence, they do not.”

Har-Hi also closed his costume. “Well I am getting the plan so far. Ship Xandrao, we are Xandrao. Warner dressed and costumed. But what will we do again once we are on Dolbra?”

“That is the ‘play it by ear’ part of my plan.”

“I was afraid you would say that.”

“Well we do have a real Xandrao who will do anything for me, all we need is to make sure he isn’t stopped.

Chapter 3
DOLBRA

Ninohfiv, the guarantor of Kermac protection and guardianship to the Dolbarian society stepped out on the balcony of his residential tower overlooking the sprawling capital city of the numerous and industrious Dolbarians. Those perpetual nervous and laughable weak mammalians had the great fortune to be of interest and use to the Kermac.

Ninohfiv longed for a real Kermac world, and despised these rodents. They were hairy and small; their technology rudimentary at best and their cultural achievements as chaotic, loud and nervous just as the Dolbarians themselves.

The only real reason for the Will Bender satellites in orbit, and thus Kermac influence was the fact Dolbarians had a good foothold in Freespace and no one really took them serious. Many Kermac schemes and missions were launched from Dolbarian planets.

As he looked to the east and down to the city center, he wondered about the large crowd of Dolbarians gathering there in the Wisnka Park.

Gatherings of this kind were forbidden, but then the Dolbarians always needed a reminder. The will benders alone did not have the same effect on these unruly rodents as they had on other species.

He was about to call the chief of the public safety department to have the crowd dispersed. When one of his close aides came out onto the balcony with an alarmed face.

“The expedition we sent to the Xandrao has returned and a spaceship of that species is in orbit.”

Ninohfiv was annoyed already, seeing yet another Dolbarian protest turned and snapped at the lower circle Kermac. “I don’t know any Xandra mission but those annoying subjects of ours have once again found enough of their own will to gather and protest.”

“Exalted wizard, it is not Xandra but Xandrao and the mission was ordered a year ago by the Wizard tower. To find a suitable species that could take the place of the Nogoll.”

Ninohfiv wanted to dismiss the aide’s response with a sharp rebuke and focus on the developing situation, but he did remember. A brutish species of similar physiology had been discovered just a few lumin distances beyond Togar space. Because of its location, it was decided to send Dolbarian ships instead of Kermac cruisers. The species, he recalled were the Xandrao.”

“Why are they here and not Kermac Prime?” He asked.

“The expedition started out from here, there was an element of Dolbarians sent as servants and aides to our envoys.”

“Who hailed us?”

“The Xandrao and they requesting an immediate audience with the Kermac leadership.”

“Did they mention our envoys?”

“No.”

A new enforcer species was badly needed, the loss of the loyal Nogoll had a serious weakening effect on the Galactic Council. The Grand Wizard would never forgive him, if he botched this.

Finding a new thrall was not easy. Once a new species was considered to be integrated, detailed studies had to be made and the will bender technology adjusted to the mental base line of the new species. Some were more receptacive and some were less, like these always nervous and almost useless Dolbarians.

It was a dedicated process of many months to find the right suppressive method. The more external force had to be used to bend the Thrall species under Kermac control, the more innovation, initiative and creativity were suppressed.

A good enforcer species, like the Nogoll needed very little external control and served freely and eagerly.

He went inside planning to put on a fresh robe and some more skin white. “Give them landing permission and welcome them. There will be a reception.”

He was almost in his chambers, when he turned. “And do send control units to the park. They are at it again.”

“They are not protesting, they celebrating the arrival of the Xandrao.”

ABOARD THE TIGERSHARK
Narth stared at the devices and the set up as he had walked through the door and was greeted by Ensign Fivecheer. “One must admit it is a failure of mine, not to come here before.”

The Leedei bowed slightly. “Narth are gifted with such potent Psionics, they hardly consider other societies humble achievements.”

“To point out a valid observation on Narth haughtiness, in such a polite fashion is the hallmark of a highly civilized person. I am not only Narth, I am a young Narth. I was conceived to be a pathfinder, an explorer into the corporal condition. But being the first young Narth in our history came with no previous experience to draw upon poses challenges that have not been foreseen. I am Narth and yet I am not like any Narth.

I learned to identify myself as a true individual, using the terms ‘I’ and ‘me’ with the full understanding of these concepts.”

The Leedei listened intently.

The Narth stepped to a console that operated much of the Psionic equipment of the Tigershark. “I also shared my Hugavh with a human being and this has not only affected Erica, but me a well. We Narth are aware of you Leedei, and it is true all that is Narth considered Leedei use of technology to harness psionics rather pointless and primitive.”

The young Narth kept on examining the equipment. “But when the Narth Supreme decided to get Narth more involved, he allowed the concept of individualism to become a bigger factor. Narth individuals became Psi Corps agents, representatives and in the case of constructing and equipping this ship even engineers.

We opened the knowledge crystal where we stored all our knowledge of the physical universe, before we even became the Narth. We recreated technology of ours for this ship alone.”

The Leedei nodded. “So did the Leedei, we did not limit our commitment and provided systems that no non Leedei has ever seen or heard of. “The Leedei gestured to a vault like closet. “Including the only handheld Gorrontha Devices in existence.”

The young Narth looked at it, while his mind retrieved all information from the Leedei mind and said. “Narth conception of Leedei technology has been reversed.”

Fivecheer now bowed. “It is a privilege to meet you then, Lt. Narth.”

“I am Narth, but a Union Citizen above all. Thus it is my privilege to serve the Union including the Leedei. I am Narth, but I am an Union officer also. So the privilege to meet you is of equal value.”

The Leedei extended his hand. Leedei only liked to make physical contact with friends because their hands were so sensitive.

Narth took the offered hand and they exchanged this human gesture of greeting.

Fivecheer smiled under his semi-transparent head cover skin and raised the illumination of the PSI lab. “We are technically under the auspice of the Science Department, but Fleet Command is going to implement a new independent PSION department on all Union ships and installations soon.”

Narth nodded. “Fleet command might incorporate Nether-energy manipulation and Trans Dim application in this new department as well.”

The Leedei made an inviting gesture. “I heard of this but it is a subject I have little knowledge, but the Tigershark is also a testbed and prototype in pretty much everything. I was sure you would come here eventually, I also hope the Captain might find his way to this department.”

“She will, I promise. Eventually she will acknowledge that her HPI is changing and increasing by the day and need our guidance. But I am certain Captain Olafson will get to know all of her crew.”

The sliding door opened and six individuals entered.

Fivecheer said. “I have summoned the entire PSI team. The Captain having access to a Narth made our department a quiet one so far. We are all eager to meet you.”

“The Captain made it quite clear that everyone can come to her, and we do have our Pirate’s Den” “We are manning bridge positions when you and the Captain are not.” “Please introduce me to your team. Then we must discuss the Captain’s ideas.”

The Kermac guarantor of Kermac protection wearing his finest white robe stood next to the three Kermac that represented his administration and watched the Xandrian shuttle land. Their arti grav being crude making landfall for their main ship impossible.

Ninohfiv leaned closer to the one to his right. “Send message to Kermac Prime so help can be sent.”

“I tried to do that before I even came here, exalted Wizard, but the two Long Range Telepaths we have are not able to convey anything to Kermac Prime. One fell into the catatonic state, something LRT sometimes do unfortunately and the other appears to suffer from receiving overload information. His handler told me, the LRT received such a massive load of telepathic messages, he overloaded and may never recover.”

“Both LRTs are out at the same time?”

“Yes, but I send a Myon message ordering new ones. I am sure Kermac Prime will send us replacements in a few weeks.”

Ninohfiv himself experienced a rather painful headache. “Let us get this over with. I need to consult a physician.”

Three massive Xundraon males emerged, as well as four Dolbarians. The four were greeted with a massive cheer from the on-looking crowds.

Ninohfiv suddenly detected the mind of the Kermac next to him. Sevevienul, his right hand assistant and confidant. Suddenly revealed as an officer for the MOC, while he openly claimed to be with the Ministry of Thrall affairs. Sevevienul suspecting him to have staged the Xandrao thing to show the Supreme Wizard how important he was.

At the same time, Sevevienul suddenly read the mind of his superior. Ninohfiv becoming aware of his cover and true purpose. He clearly noticed the emotion of violence in his superiors mind. With panic he checked his mind shield projector in his false beard. The device was deactivated.

“It is not what you think, honorable Wizard.” Sevenvienul hastily explained. Ignoring the Xandrao coming closer.

The lead wizard had a hard time concentrating on the aliens approaching to be greeted and questioned. His supposedly trustworthy aide was a MOC spy and considered him subversive!

This sudden ability to read others was not limited to Sevenvienul or Ninohfiv, but to the other two behind them. Sechfunzwe right behind the lead wizard was suddenly exposed to be the most dangerous individual of them all. He not only was the planets security officer, but he was a genuine member of the Mind Police. Sent here to make sure Kermac remained true to the Kermac doctrine. The Kermac to his side, Achsechdre was the only genuine assistant and he became almost sick with fear as the true identities and positions of his colleagues were revealed. He tried to remember if he ever had a subversive thought and by doing so not only revealed them all, but also his genuine hatred towards the Mind Police.

“A well-adjusted and true Kermac would never fear but welcome Mind Police. For we are the guarantors of Kermac supremacy. I see your thoughts have not been as supportive as it should have been.”

Completely ignoring the foreign dignitaries or his immediate superiors, Achsechdre lashed out, first with words. “I am not going to be mind wiped by a self-important Mind Policeman whose thoughts are not as pure as they should be. You cheated on the entry exam.” Secondly with more substantive action. He activated the Neuro Ripper in his beard and showered the mind policeman with painful neurostimulation.

The lead Xandrao said. “Our presence is not important to you, Kermac? You ignore us and squabble among yourself?”

Distracted by the sudden revelations and the violence right behind him, the lead wizard snarled. “Silence you stupid bovine slave. You will be dealt with when we have the time.”

His right hand man snarled with loud accusation. “I see! You wanted to sabotage the Xandrao admission to make the Ministry of Control look bad! Who paid you? Was it that obnoxious Wizard of Intelligence who has an eye on the central seat?” Sevenvienul spat in an open display of outrage. “Xandrao do not heed his words. The Grand Wizard himself will welcome you.”

The chaos on the raised Kermac platform could not been greater. Kermac security troops emerged wanting to arrest the aide who just had felled and apparently killed a member of the Thought Police, but were stopped by the lead wizard who wanted them to arrest the other aide.

ABOARD THE USS LITTLE ROCK
When five suns simultaneously turned supernova, the event did not only create the Thalim nebula, a scientific mystery but also a large number of black objects. Dark moons, planet fragments and asteroids. All tumbling across interstellar space.

Not associated to a star, these objects were hard to find. Spaceships travelled superluminal from star to star and only on the rare occasion really stopped in deep space. And only then if in reasonably close distance, such objects were discovered.

To many civilizations they were useless and even if discovered, forgotten the next moment.

To others they were priceless places for a base or hidden port. Prized by freelancers and pirates first and foremost, but also by smugglers and intelligence services.

Of course there was the Union and its now famous ‘A Union Citizen on Every Rock’ program. If the dark object was big enough to put a boot on, and within Union space, it was utilized. Refueling stations, travel stops, traffic monitoring and whatever a rock could be utilized for. Unfortunately for the rock it might also be mined.

The rugged oblong shaped asteroid, looking just like any other rock of the Thalim space pebble field was about 900 meters long.

Scientists believed that the Thalim Pebble field was created when two large objects collided while being expelled from a destroyed star system. This intergalactic asteroid field travelled at an unchanging speed and trajectory towards the Downward rim of the M-0 galaxy.

But this 900 meter rock wasn’t there when the field was formed.

The independent mining station on a larger rock not too far removed wasn’t so independent after all.

A rugged banged up miner tug originating from that mining station, just slipped past well camouflaged doors at the bottom of an impact crater. One of many such craters that riddled the surface of that rock.

Inside in a bright lit, modern locking sparkling clean docking bay, the old asteroid tug looked completely out of place. Two high ranking officers in black uniforms approached the tug and from its airlock the highest ranking officer of them all emerged. Easily recognizable by the kilt in the tartan pattern of the McElligott clan.

Neither one of the officers greeting the Admiral of the Fleet was humanoid. One was Attikan and the other Oromal. The Attikan wore Captain’s Gold on his sleeves and he greeted the Admiral first, before the Oromal commander and XO did the same.

After the formulaic greeting the Admiral said. “So this is the USS Little Rock?”

“Yes Admiral, the finest shielding technology makes sure an accidental observer don’t expect anything but a space rock. Not that we want to be observed and usually high tail it when we have anything artificial on the scanners.”

The Admiral followed the two and passed through heavy armor doors into a typical Union spaceship corridor. The Old Admiral said. “I am looking forward to this tour for quite a while. I am working on this project now for almost 1500 years you know.”

The Attikan captain held open the door to an IST and said. “It is often hard to realize that you and a few others lead this fleet for such a long time.”

The IST transported them to the command deck. Admiral McElligott was about to tour Freespace and inspect several hidden bases and meet with X Fleet ships and crews. Now that Nelson II was officially online and the strengthened PSI Corps was systematically checking all fleet personnel, a drastic increase of deserters was to be expected. His latest and most unusual asset, dealt with the renegade destroyer.

He had to admit it, that boy/girl captain and that unusual crew was working out much better than expected. Not only did they find the Barracuda in time and stopped a fully armed Union destroyer, they discovered a race of highly advanced Miniature Terrans, helped adding one of the richest societies to the Union, discovered the religious origin of the Takkians and foiled a Kermac scheme which was still analyzed by his experts. And all that before they even reached their first target.

A human lieutenant intercepted them right as they stepped out of the Inter ship transport. “Admiral, Sir. I have the mission lead of project Sciuridae on secure channel, he urgently requests instructions.”

Sciuridae was the code name for a project on Dolbra, to slowly and unnoticed wrestle the Dolbarians away from Kermac control.

He got a cold feeling. If the project was uncovered by the Kermac, it could potentially lead to war. The old Admiral rushed after the lieutenant into the semi dark communications operation room of the Little Rock.

He seated himself behind a comm console, pointed out for him. “McElligott here, authenticity protocol initiated.”

“It took a few moments for both parties to identify themselves in a satisfactory way. The transmission was routed via GalCom Nano burst scramble and thus audio only. The being on the other side was a genuine Dolbarian, who had been carefully nursed into the position he was in. He was leading the clandestine efforts and managed to immunize the Dolbarian society against Kermac Will Benders, every year just a little more and support many of the local resistance groups in very subtle untraceable ways. According to the last report he estimated Dolbarians to be free of Kermac influence in two or three years, while similar subtle propaganda steered the Dolbarian towards the Union.

“Sir, so good to reach you. The local conditions have evolved into chaos.”

“Scunner! I was so certain the Dolbarian situation was well under control. Are you exposed?”

“No, Sir. But I think our operation needs serious re-evaluation.”

“Give me the details.”

“A Kermac expedition to add a new Thrall species returned, without the Kermac but with the Dolbarians and a new species. The Dolbarians celebrate the returning members of theirs as heroes. The Xandrao, that’s how those newcomers call themselves want to ally themselves with the Dolbarian.”

“Did you day Xandrao, huge guys looking like cows?”

“Yes Sir, I never heard of them before.”

“What are the Kermac doing?”

“That is the craziest thing, they arresting each other and they all accusing each other for all kinds of thought crimes.”

McElligott face palmed himself. “Stay low, and keep me informed. I will call you back very shortly.”

The old admiral made another connection, this one was high quality as he and Richter base were well within GalCom reach. The direct and secure connection was to Richter Base. It took him a moment to get Cherubim on. The ANA director activated her visual pick up and revealed she was in her office. “Good evening O’Brock. I am monitoring a rather unusual gathering on Sin 4, but You would not call if it would not be important. Let me have it.”

“Captain Olafson and his crew, didn’t they run into a ship of the Xandrao?”

“Yes, we both heard her report. I, or rather NAVINT knew about the existence of the Xandrao, but in general terms they are virtually unknown. It seems the Kermac tried to make them into a thrall species.”

“Yes, yes. We did get the same report and I really want to interrogate those white faces to find out what they had planned in detail, but since we didn’t have any other X Fleet unit in the vicinity, at least none I wanted to reveal to Olafson. I told her to send the Xandrao to Auriga Xi as we have a nice little fleet built up, complete with pissed monitors of the Big Four treaty.”

Cherubim nodded. “Yes, that is the last info I have as well.”

“A Xandrao ship is currently in orbit of Dolbra. Xandraos are on the ground and there are very odd things going on among the Kermac.”

“Could not be the Tigershark. They have no Xandrao mask for their Janus device. It would take weeks of dedicated specialists and MATA HARI to create a new mask.”

“Just out of curiosity let us hail them. If they are on their way to Brhama, they are beyond regular GalCom. If they are anywhere near Dolbra, they are well within range of our hidden NAVINT repeaters.”

USS TIGERSHARK
Elfi called me over a Nano burst channel. “Captain, McElligott is calling for you.”

I separated myself from the celebrating crowd and stepped behind a column. That way I could keep an eye on things and still take the call. “Pipe him down and advise him I am unable to establish visuals.”

Seconds later, the image of the Admiral and the ANA director were displayed directly on my retina. “Good evening Ma’am. Good evening Sir. Please excuse my inability to establish visuals, I am on a planet surface and in costume.”

The Admiral coughed. “Costume? Just out of curiosity, you would not look like a Xandrao right now?”

“I must say, I am impressed Sir. But then you immortals have all this experience. What can I do for you, Sir?”

Cherubim, the secret service director interrupted. “You are on Dolbra? The Xandrao ship in orbit is the Tigershark?”

“Yes, director. But we used a genuine Xandrao shuttle to come down here. We are almost done anyway and we will be on our way to Brhama with just a week or two delay.”

McElligott coughed again. “Almost done with what? Give me a report.”

I told him about the Dolbarian dilemma and my idea to use the Xandrao as a way to fix the situation. “... and Narth neutralized the LRTs by sending them an entire season of ‘When the Robot watches’.” I could not help myself and unsuccessfully suppressed a giggle. “They going to be the best Roxy Scrub customers in the Galaxy. Anyhow, the Dolbarians are celebrating their freedom as we speak. There are about twenty thousand of them right here at their government complex.”

Har-Hi also disguised as a red pelted Xandrao stepped next to me and flashed his report into my retina display as well. We neutralized the Will Benders, but it turned out the locals were almost immune anyway.”

McElligott whispered with a hoarse voice. “Where are the Kermac?”

The ones that survived, have been packed like sardines in a Dolbarian ship and allowed to leave.”

Cherubim snapped. “They will return with reinforcements, new Will Benders. The Dolbarians are not able to defend themselves, the real Xandrao are technological far behind the Togar and don’t even know about this. The Kermac will investigate.”

McElligott almost yelled. “And if the Kermac find out that there weren’t any real Xandrao they will blame us of an act of war.”

“Sir, the Xandrao will confirm, the real Xandrao and a delegation of Dolbarians are already on their way to Outpost 17 to make their official joint membership application. Thanks to heroic Dolbarian action, the Xandrao ship was saved from certain doom after a pirate attack. The Kermac envoys were captured by the pirates and must be feared sold as slaves or perhaps dead.”

I was not sure how to read the reaction of the Admiral. “Sir, I fail to understand your apparent displeasure. Is this not our prime agenda? The Dolbarians did not choose Kermac rule and besides the Kermac don’t let a day go by without a scheme directed against the Union.

“I am with the fleet only a very little time, yet I have a Y’All warrior in my crew, was abducted from under your nose at a Naval academy on behalf of the Kermac, so they can gain access to a Narth It should be us asking the Kermac for explanations and consider war!”

Cherubim snickered openly. “She has a point old man, and she is brave enough to tell you. She sounds just like her mentor, you know.”

McElligott’s stare was lost as Cherubim was not physically at the same location. “I told her to walk the thin line the first time I met Olafson. Long before she ran into Stahl. I just weren’t prepared...” He wiped his mouth. “Captain Olafson, I expect a very detailed report. I want you to take your collective behinds off that planet as soon as possible and proceed to SIM 67469, an orange star 290 light years from your current position. We will meet there. I’ll take the captured pirates and the Kermac of your hands. Until we meet, please try not to change galactic history too much.”

Cherubim added. “We had an operation on Dolbra and the associated planets already. This is why the Dolbarians becoming immune to the Will Benders by the way. Our local assets will get in contact with you and take over. But how did you manage to come by a Xandrao disguise?”

“Elfi and Cateria made those using the Saresii mask maker. Cirruit stripped a Quasimodo to the walk frame.”

“I mean the Janus device.”

“Oh, Narth, Shea and SHIP made one. We had plenty of reference material from the Xandrao.”

McElligott said. “It would take weeks of dedicated specialists and MATA HARI to create a new mask, yeah right...”

ORANGE SHERBET
We dropped out of quasi into the almost empty star system, that the transmitted orders designated, just as Shaka promised three days later.

Shea said. “It is a rather unremarkable M4Ve type, 10 Billion Years old. No planets but a thin asteroid belt and a dense dust ring around the star.”

Krabbel said. “Captain we are the first Union ship to enter this star system as it is still unnamed in the Catalogs. As you know it is part of my duty to update Star catalogs with survey data and it is tradition to name new star systems.”

Yeoman O’Connell silently approached next to me handed me a cup of coffee and said. “Legally we could claim it too, the Freespace treaty clearly allows individuals to claim a star system that is not occupied or claimed by anyone else.” I smiled at her.

“Well you forget that Black Velvet is not a real person in legal terms, besides it is just an empty star system. We would need to remain and defend our claim too. Besides if we name it, our names will appear in the registry that is open to all, even non-Union. How would we explain a Union ship here in Freespace?”

Sobody said. “I could claim it, we Golden are not signatory to the Treaty and we are not members just yet.”

I smiled.

“Okay Krabbel you name it and Sobody will claim it. Knowing him he finds something valuable even here.”

“Asteroids and dust rings are technically not without value.” The Golden immediately said

Shaka chuckled. “There is already a planet called Ice Cream and I think even a star.”

Krabbel made a disappointed sound and said. “Never mind then.”

I looked to Elfi but she shook her head. “We are a little early for the meeting. Captain, the USS Little Rock has not hailed us yet.”

I acknowledged and then said to Krabbel.

“You aren’t serious right? You didn’t give me all this ‘Schpiel’, just so you can name a star Ice cream?”

The big spider raised four of his legs, but it was Mao who answered. “That was his plan indeed, Captain.”

“Why don’t you name it after an Ice Cream flavor, isn’t there one that is orange maybe?”

Krabbel shrieked happy. “What a good idea. He punched open the official Astrographical catalog. “The star will be entered as Orange Sherbet.”

“What is Sherbet?”

Krabbel sounded all school masterly as he said.

“Sherbet typically designates a fruity flavored frozen dairy product with a butterfat content between 1% and 2%. It’s a less creamy ice cream.”

Shea smiled.

“Captain, our Archa Navigator is quite an expert in frozen desserts. Do you think we can use the time to closer examine the system, make a detailed survey? I would love to send a probe into the star, collect some of the dust and perhaps detail scan and survey some of the asteroids. I bet all those Chimera units do a lot of clandestine work but no one is doing what we should and what is the prime charter of our Fleet.”

I held up my hand and addressed our communications officer. “Elfi can you hail the Little Rock and ask them when they will be here?”

Our beautiful Saran Officer said, after working on my request.

“Captain they are already here. I am receiving Priority Order from Fleet Command.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Shea, why is the ship not showing on our sensors?”

Narth pointed at the main viewer, before she could answer. “We are not the only ship pretending to be something else.” He made an adjustment to the viewer and one of the asteroids suddenly moved and changed course.

Shea added. “We did not use our real sensors, only the simulated ones and that camouflaged ship has no active transponder and seems very well shielded in terms of energy emissions. Do you want me to activate our actual sensor suite?”

Elfi interrupted. “We are being hailed, Captain. Alpha priority from Fleet Command. They request that you identify to Blue Blue Red Protocol and Day Cypher.”

I began the long winded process, put my key in a special indentation of Ship AI Master control at my seat and said. “Day Code is Flyswatter”

Elfi turned. “Signal protocol verified Captain. Regulations require that you need to take this in a secure location.”

“Put them on. This is my bridge and it is the most secure location.”

It was an acoustic message only, delivered by a rather harsh male voice. “NAVINT command, Code Sequence Verified, USS Tigershark you are to switch off your Janus Device and go under full shields. You are to approach the sun from the Nadir level and wait for orbit vector and docking guide pulse.”

“You heard them. Narth turn off the Janus Mask, Mao go full shields and Shaka take us to Orange Sherbet.”

I leaned back and watched us approach and I said. “Something is hiding in that star.”

Narth said. “Actually to be expected. Terrans have thousand years’ experience with star based stations, ever since they established Sol Castle. The Union can now freely make use of Wurgus solar engineering and we got a city on Bright Star, the home of the Non Corps.”

He turned and looked at us with his glowing eye slits. “No other society known to the Narth has ever occupied, colonized or utilized the very stars like the Union does.

I moved to the edge of my seat.

“I remember a team of Water Polo players from Sol Castle and ever since my first days at the Academy I consider Three-Four one of my best friends. I know he told me about Bright Light, but are you sure our shields will hold? I know orange suns are not as hot but it is still a sun.”

Narth turned to looked at his readouts and said. “Our real shields have never been tested to answer your question without any margin of error, but we have far more advanced shields than Bright Star Station or Sol Castle. I am confident my calculations are correct. We should be able to dive past the Corona and even past the Chromosphere, but there are conflicting opinions if the ISAH drive would work inside and if we could develop sufficient thrust to escape the gravitational pull.”

Cirruit must have listened to the bridge audio as he chimed in from engineering. “My shields will hold, but I share Narth’s concern. We might not be able to establish ISAH.

Inside I was not as relaxed as I pretended to be.

“Well they are in there and Elfi confirmed receiving guiding information. The star was already filling our entire view screen, even on zero magnification.

Mao said. “Our real shields are fantastic, Captain, we are not even at two percent shield capacity and we are bombarded by radiation and thermal energies that could melt an unprotected battleship in seconds.”

Shaka’s voice had a slight edge of concern. “But we are at 45 percent of thrust, just to keep us approaching slowly.”

Then a green circle appeared and pushed the red swirling energy masses away and created something like a wide tunnel.

Elfi relayed a new message.

“USS Tigershark, this is Station Nebuchadnezzar. You are fighting not just the gravitation but our tunnel tractor. Turn of your engines.”

Elfi confirmed. “Codes verified. It is a Union installation”

“Shaka cut thrust. Cirruit engines on standby.”

Our ship was caught by an almost invisible greenish tractor beam and we were pulled past the turbulent and truly frightening swirling energies of a real sun. After passing almost half a million miles through this hellish nuclear inferno there close to what Shea called the convection layer, hung a Gigamon station, almost invisible behind bright glowing purple shields.

Moments later we were inside the shields and pulled into a Hangar.

We were hailed again and a human male in black Fleet Uniform and NAVINT patch on his sleeve smiled at us from the main screen.

“This is X Fleet Forward Recon Station Nebuchadnezzar, I am Commander Daniel Shadrach, welcome Tigershark.”

I said. “Thank you, Commander.”

He nodded and said. “Please stand by for Senior Command Transmission.”

Elfi confirmed. “Captain it is the Admiral of the Fleet.”

The Commander on the screen was replaced by the face of Admiral McElligott who started to speak without much of a greeting and said.

“Initially we did not want to reveal Nebuchadnezzar to you. Simply we didn’t want you to know all our secrets, but with you this is seems more or less impossible. I am on my way to Station Nebuchadnezzar and I am aboard a chimera unit and will arrive shortly.

Take the opportunity for some R&R for your crew. The USS Little Rock will take the Kermac and whatever else you want to send Union side off your hands.”

“Aye Sir.”

“I am bringing the accumulated mail for your crew and a sizable container of packages for your chief Engineer.”

While most of my crew was enjoying their first shore leave and the recreation facilities of a full Gigamon station, Har-Hi, Shea, Narth and I were greeted in the office of the Base Commandant.

He sat with his back to a big viewport that showed the filtered images of swirling energies. The Commandant was Human Terran so it seemed and he had his black hair slicked back in a very Dai-Than looking style.

He greeted us friendly and said.

“Captain Olafson, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, General Cherubim and the Old Man have briefed me, of course and as usual in our business without much detail.

I heard of course of the Red Dragon affair and I am briefed on the Xandrao situation.”

I was wearing regular Union Uniform. I could not deny the feeling of pride seeing Captain’s gold on my sleeve cuffs. To the Commander I said.

“We are in space for a little while, yet to me it feels we haven’t really started our actual mission and for every step forward we take two back, but my crew can use a few days of R&R and I thank you for making these facilities available.”

He steepled his fingers and leaned back.

“We take great pride in our Core Park it simulates the environment of Para-Para, with five acres of sandy beaches and twenty acres of a simulated ocean.”

“I hope I find the time to check it out myself. Before you dismiss us Commander, you have been briefed about me, yet I know nothing at all about this place. Can you tell me something about it, or is it classified?”

He made a wide gesture. “Your security clearances are higher than mine, Captain Olafson. All you have to do is ask, but let me give you a short run down.”

He called up a holo projection of the star and the base inside.

“This is Station Nebuchadnezzar, as advanced it may appear to you, it is just a matter of strong force fields and most of our tech is based on time tested systems. This Station is based on the same design as Sol Castle and Sol is much hotter and more active than this old...”

He paused and looked at a readout on his desk. His face changed into a disbelieving expression. “Orange Sherbet?”

He looked up. “You named a star system we wanted to keep as much quiet and unimportant as possible, Orange Sherbet?”

He pointed at his screen with an accusatory look in his face. “The Union Catalogs have just been updated.”

“I am sorry, Commander we did not know it was occupied and we simply followed procedures. My navigator named the System, but I approved it and take responsibility if it causes problems.”

The Commander gave me a forced smile and sighed.

“I doubt no one will come here just because the name has changed in the official catalogs. I guess I was just surprised to see a name change and technically it makes us, what?”

Narth raised his finger.

“Orange Sherbets?”

He grimaced then shuddered and sighed. He continued gesturing once again towards the projection.

“NAVINT has a few secret bases in Freespace and this is one of them. As remote and lonely as it is in terms of system traffic, it is only 60 light years from Togar Space. Our main task is to monitor Togar traffic and communications and support intel missions in this region.

We like to keep the traffic as minimal as possible of course, but we are occasionally provide logistics to Chimera Units of the X Fleet.”

Shea said. “Now I can understand why they call this base Nebuchadnezzar, but your name simply can’t be coincidence, Sir?”

He raised an eyebrow. “My name, Lieutenant?”

“King Nebuchadnezzar had three men thrown in the furnace for not bowing to a golden idol. One of the men was Shadrach. It is all in the book of Daniel.”

He looked at her as confused as I was and he said. “I never heard of King Nebuchadnezzar. There aren’t any Golden Idols aboard either.”

Then he got up, “Well as it might be, I do have a station to run and then there is the imminent visit of the Admiral of the Fleet.” He grinned weakly.

“He was never here before and I want everything in tip top shape before his inspection.”

The station was a full sized Gigamon. We learned that almost forty percent of the base was geared towards shield generators and gravitation management, but even then it was a big place with an all military intelligence community.

We found ourselves at a table right outside a Bistro located in the main concourse a little later and sat a large simulated window across the wide corridor displaying a beautiful mountain scene with meadows and snow-capped mountains.

Shea tried to explain to us what she meant with her comments about Nebuchadnezzar and the Commandant.

He might not know the significance of his name, but I am sure he was picked for this station partially of it. Admiral McElligott likes these things.” She then told us the story that was part of an old religious book from earth, called the Bible.

A server came to our table and pointed at our drinks and my empty glass,

“Captain Olafson, would you like another Holsteiner?”

I smiled. “Yes I’d like another.”

Then I glanced to Narth who nursed a glass of water. “You would not want to try again?”

“Oh no, I made quite a spectacle out of me, the last time I was intoxicated.”

Har-Hi quaffed a swill of beer in his glass and said. “Narth was drunk?”

We had to tell them about the incident in the officer’s lounge at Camp Idyllic. Shea and Har-Hi where laughing and tears were streaming down my Dai friends face.

This simple gathering was perhaps one of the finest moments of this trip so far.

Here in the company of my best friends. Beings I considered closer than family I felt right as rain and all the problems and challenges on the horizon appeared insignificant.

Of course I considered the others close friends too. Krabbel and Mao, Elfi and the rest, beings I would not hesitate to lay down my life, but these three: Narth, Shea and Har-Hi trans descended friendship by magnitudes that could not be described or put in words and I realized just how deeply I loved these three.

Har-Hi and Narth decided to return to the ship so Elfi and Mao who had stayed behind, could go. Regulations required that the Con of a Union ship was occupied regardless of the ship’s location.

The ship could only be completely abandoned if it was decommissioned.

So with no particular goal and no hurry to be anywhere, I strolled with Shea down the main concourse. I did not notice at first that we were holding hands.

This was not Richter Base with a crooked base commander, but an efficient, secret Union Outpost with an efficient Commander.

We noticed even here was a small civilian population, most likely family members of service personnel and shopkeepers.

A group of kids chasing each other on Hover bikes. Sky Tumbler birds had gathered before a four meter tall menacing looking Vvolti, who was sitting under a tree feeding breadcrumbs to the birds.

Not far from this green spot island a gang of S-14 pushing floor and wall cleaning equipment.

We walked past a Project-A-Sign that hung over a row of concourse facing windows and a sliding doors. The sign read : ‘Union School Neb 2’ and through the windows we saw Klack, Ult, Spindlars, two Blue, several Humans and a Takkian sitting in neat rows before a Shail on a hover-sled facing that class.

Shea said. “Even here far from Union side, deep in hostile space and underneath the surface of a sun there is orderly Union life. I think this is might just be the real secret behind Union success.”

“I know what you mean, I only glimpsed Non Union societies but I experienced the filth of Sin 4, the misery on Alvor’s Cove and the shoddy Togar maintenance on Kaliment. So yes, I think so too.”

Now I consciously noticed her hand in mine and I loved how it felt.

She looked at me. “I would have loved to go to a school like that, the Sojos and especially Mother Superior did the best they could, but that seems such a nice way to learn.”

“School was a wonderful escape for me, to get away from the Burg.”

We went on and slowed down at the window of a fashion store, displaying dresses and other fashion items. She pointed at a dress and said. “You know we could go in, this time you don’t have to hide anything.”

She wanted to say something else, but she stopped and then she looked at me.

“Something bothering you? Your eyes usually would light up seeing things like that.”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, to be honest. Everything seems perfect. There is a Union School, shops, Officers’ club. Our crew is enjoying their first shore leave and we are safe inside a Union station. The Admiral of the Fleet himself is on his way...”

She said nothing and kept looking at me waiting for me to say more

I sighed. “I can’t put it in words. It is like something just outside my field of view. I guess it is nothing really. I can’t put my finger at it but we have an old saying on Nilfeheim. ‘There is something rotten in the state of Denmark.”

I looked past her down the corridor. “Something just doesn’t feel right.”

“Well the entire station is against Assembly approved treaties. I am not so sure the Assembly really knows the extent of Project Fish either. At first there was supposed to be nothing of Union fleet origin in Freespace. I mean nothing before us and Project Fish. We were supposed to operate alone and without any support, yet it turns out there is an entire fleet of undercover ships, even fully staffed bases.”

Her face and tone was quite serious. “While I understand the need of all this, especially since the Kermac and most likely the others have no qualms to break that treaty. Even trying to move an entire moon, but technically and by Union law all this is illegal.”

I sighed. “That our shiny Union has a dirty underbelly became clear to me during my first year. There was much more to the clandestine drug operations of a retired Commander than they let on. Where did the P Bomb come from, they wanted to drop on Nilfeheim? But then there is Stahl and the Narth Supreme and they must know of so much more.”

Shea sighed. “I don’t think there is anything perfect out there, but our Union is the closest thing. Crooks like the Red Dragon, entities like the Purple Worm cannot be hunted with battleships. I think our Eternal Warrior is aware of his limitations in this regard, but I bet he has no clue this station exists. I know this setup is far beyond Union law, but perhaps it is necessary, making this station and what we do necessary.”

I squeezed her hand. “You are right of course and I heard your explanation from more than just one person.”

I emptied my coffee cup. “As for my gloomy feeling, it is probably nothing. Yes let’s go in and buy that dress. It will look lovely on you.”

“Is it because we are in a Sun? As unusual it might be, it is not the only construct the Union operates near or on the surface of a star. Sol Castle exists for nearly 1000 years now and Bright Star City is there almost as long.

Besides I saw four Wurgus Engineers just a few moments. That means they most likely worked on the design and keep it all running, there is no species with more experience in such things.”

“No, that is not it.”

“Do you have doubts again because of your gender?”

“No, I am quite content right now and I haven’t even thought about it recently.” I looked down the concourse once more that circled all around the equator of the station and for many kilometers. There were trees, isles with grass and benches. People of various species strolling like us. Others sitting on the grass or on chairs before Cafes. “It’s nothing.”

Just as we entered the small fashion boutique, I noticed twenty men in black uniforms marching in perfect military precision down the main corridor. Again there should have been nothing unusual about a group of soldiers or navy personnel aboard a secret military base, but they were all human and all appeared to be of the same height. Their bodies in peak physical condition, they all had short almost white blonde hair and they all looked very much alike. Their faces had a stoic stare, bare of any emotion quality. Just a troop of soldiers or navy personnel I told myself, yet for some reason the hair of my back stood on end.

I tried to ignore it and we went in the store. We weren’t the only shoppers; three women, one of them a Stellaris the other two human were also there and a fourth, very fragile looking woman with very large eyes just stepped around a clothing rack. I stopped in my tracks. “Galmy?”

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

She said. “You know me, Captain... ?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shea giggled. “Yes it seems that way.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“This is peripheral of course.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Eric?”

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

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

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

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

“But not beyond the Tribunal?”

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

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

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

“What are my instructions regarding Olafson?”

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

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

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

“What about psionics?”

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

“Perfect.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Thank you Mr. Narth.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Togar were itching for a fight.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shea asked. “What made you say that?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chapter 5
The Tavern was called the Mother Lode and had been chiseled and burned directly into the rock of the asteroid. The floor was made of metal grating placed in metal frames over more rough rock, Something small skittered between the pieces of waste and garbage that had fallen through the slots in the floor.

The bar of the tavern occupied much of the left side of the tavern while a viewport with a good view at one of the Asteroid bases’ mooring arms was on the other side. The shabby looking Tullerman brand 25 meter Dinghy we had used to come here was now moored there next to two much bigger ships and two ugly banged up looking miner tugs. The tavern was filled about to half its capacity with the roughest looking bunch of humans and non-humans I had ever seen.

The air was putrid not just because of the strong and alien drinks served and consumed but also of rancid body odors of unwashed and unkempt individuals of a dozen species or more.

As per Har-Hi’s suggestion we had taken the Tullerman ahead of the disguised Tigershark to get a feel of the situation before I made our official entrance.

This would be the first official appearance of Black Velvet and her crew after all. I wanted to see and feel how other Pirate captains talked and acted.

For this Har-Hi and I had disguised ourselves as Freespace Scavengers, a disguise suggested by Sobody. Scavengers were mostly ignored and at the bottom of the feeding order of the galactic space faring community and so it was we were pretty much ignored here on Brhama Port. We had settled down on a quiet table in a corner and nursed our drinks while keeping our eyes and ears open.

Shea and Elfi had done a great job as Har-Hi looked now like a dark red furred Jooltar, a canine species believed to be distantly related to the Attikans.

Unlike the Attikans however they did not live in the Large Magellanic Cloud, but were a small independent species that made their home somewhere in a small sphere of influence beyond the Karthanian Conglomerate. The Jooltar were only briefly mentioned in Xeno Class but as I understood it was generally accepted knowledge that they have stolen most of their technology instead of inventing it. To complete his fur covered body costume complete with an animated bioflex mask, he also wore an outfit that was diced together from several questionable sources and none of the armor and clothing pieces looked new or in good repair. That the costume he chose had to be red was something he insisted upon.

I was made up to look like a black Nogoll wearing a similar set of clothing and equipment pieces over the black fur that covered me from head to toe. Since Nogoll space was not far from here and the black Nogoll had not fared too well in the still very recent Union/Nogoll conflict; Sobody said it was a good choice for a costume, as encountering a black Nogoll in Freespace wasn’t unusual.

Har-Hi had dropped a few small Polo coins into a slot next to the table and selected a simple battle strategy game that was now displayed on the table surface. We played it and apparently paid no attention to the surroundings, but we both carried Nano fiber periscope optics and directional microphones. My Nogoll horns carried the optics and the large Nogoll ears the directional audio sensors. Har-Hi was similar equipped and that allowed us to focus in on any conversation and watch without appearing to watch at all. The barkeeper was a three armed Pertharian.

Either his business was not very good or he had other problems saving money for a cybernetic replacement or a re-grow therapy but he tried his best to keep at least the glasses and the bar counter reasonably clean, as he kept polishing glasses whenever he did not serve drinks.

Two more Pertharians came in and sat down at the other end of the tavern’s guest room. I was around those giants long enough to notice the barkeep was not too pleased to see them and he didn’t speak to them. The atmosphere of the taverns was not very cheerful or very lively, everyone kept to their business and while there was a constant din of voices, no conversation was held loud enough to carry far. On a table not far from us were three Oghr, I was not sure of what subspecies, playing a game with dice. They appeared to be miners from one of the asteroid mines in the system.

It wasn’t long after the arrival of the Pertharians when a man with distinctive Dai features appeared. He even wore Dai armor, however his was not red but black and adorned with purple panels. His harness did not carry a clan glyph. He looked around and went straight to the table of the Pertharians. I zoomed in on that table using a sub dermal sensor track on the side of my index finger and rubbing my thumb over it. The other Horn of my bio flex mask contained the latest in NAVINT communication technology, a picto-burst GalCom transmitter and with it I was connected with the Tigershark. So they could see and hear what we did. The images were directly sent to my visual nerve.

Har-Hi whispered and said without moving the jaws of his fierce canine predator mask. “That is an ancient assassins armor suit, the long extinct Mar-Do tribe was famous for those. He wears it in a way that I am certain he knows how to use it, but he is no pure blood Dai from the looks of it.”

Through the crisp optics I saw him placing a complicated folded small piece of paper on the table and one of the Pertharians produced one that matched it.

Hans, who was of course watching the scene back on the Tigershark said to me. “This is a Narly Angularity. The Nul are known to use these complicated three dimensional shapes to identify themselves as members of their intelligence services.”

While I silently acknowledged the half Dai spoke and I could hear every word.

He said to the two giants. “It is quite foolish to dress up like Pertharians. There is hardly a more loyal species to the Union and only a handful ever went astray. There is already one tending the bar and he carries the price of his betrayal openly. His family most likely ripped out that arm and he has enough honor left not to replace it, seeing you with all four arms is not sitting well with him I can tell.”

As it turned out we weren’t the only ones pretending to be someone else. I mused and wondered if there were even more like us and them in this room.

One of the giants spoke. “We are aware of this but our size restricts us to few species we can portray. It is however pleasant to meet you once again, Dimon Honsu. We would not agree to meet anyone else.”

So the Half Dai had a name.

Shea flashed a message over my retina display and it read. “Intel report on Dimon Honsu is very sparse, but biometric analysis suggests he is half Dai and half Asian Human. According to our files. He is a Freelancer and occasional assassin. He supposedly has good connections to the Nul.”

I whispered back. “That he has those connections can be confirmed, I’d say.”

Shea agreed and added. “SHIP is certain to 98.99 percent that the voice is created and not natural. Chances are he is not what he appears either. Lt. Senhadjii is analyzing his body language as we speak. Visual Data Analysis on the false Pertharians is more revealing and we are certain these are Nul Agents.”

I acknowledged her report with a blink and focused on the dialog on that table that turned out to be much more than a chance meeting of pirates or freelancers.

The man named Honsu said. “This is Brhama Port, Guys. You could be all yourself, two Nul will be less suspicious than two Pertharians. No one around here is a particular fan of the Union and Pertharians are as Union as Terrans.

We could have met in a far nicer venue. Only want to be professionals, amateurs and agents in the cheap Holo novels met in dark bars on some remote Miner Asteroid. Well Brhama is a Miner’s port, but it has much nicer restaurants and lounges.

“Let us not dwell on our choice of disguise or meeting venue, Mr. Honsu. We are certain you are not always Dimon Honsu to the world either. You do business with us long enough to know that we are no fools.”

The Half Dai sat down, folded his hands on the table and said. “Indeed I know and I am glad you have agreed to meet with me.”

“Because you have been a valuable and quite reliable asset, especially for Union intel, we heeded your invitation and agreed to meet as we too have an agenda we must discuss with you, but for now tell us why you wanted to meet us.”

“I am here to see what the chances are for you to meet with my Kermac contacts.”

The same disguised Nul answered. “We are not interested in meeting the Kermac. For it disgusts us to deal with these squealing, self-important, meddling dwarfs. It is true we don’t like the Union but we much prefer them over the Kermac and if the Union ever decides to move against them, we won’t stop them.”

Now the second disguised Nul spoke for the first time. “However there are two recent developments of great concern to us and believe you can help us with the first and we might consider information exchange with the Kermac regarding the other event.”

I had to remind myself to move my piece and keep pretending to play as the conversation went on.

Honsu said. “Can you be more specific?”

The second Nul answered. “The First Gray born Nul in decades has disappeared. Grays, you must know are of tremendous importance to us. Decades can pass without one being born, and sometimes even centuries. Whenever a Gray is born an important event is about to take place, it always has been so. Sixteen Nul cycles ago a Gray One was born and not just to any family pod but he was the first offspring come to the plane of life from the loins and line of our Wise Leader. This event was hailed as tremendous omen. The Gray One was to be our next leader and he was trained in all things. The Gray One exceeded all expectations. He was stronger and easily learned all that was put before him and all Nul rejoiced as he would be our second ruler in all Nul history that is an All Gray.

The other Nul chimed in and explained further. “We are a very violent race and made ourselves almost extinct in seven great wars. Seven wars that destroyed our civilization and reduced our home world to a lifeless planet covered in ashes. Out of these ashes rose the first Gray one, the greatest leader and ruler. He prevented us from doing that again. Now a new one is born to us and all Nul-Nul knows there will be a great chance and challenge for us on the horizon.”

The other disguised Nul grunted in agreement. “The path to Nul leadership has many stations and elements. The most important one is the Purification Bath in the Holy Ashes of Narl Gatu, the ashes of our first Civilization. To do so, the Gray prince entered the purification sleep and was sent aboard the Narl Tompe Barge on his way to Narl Gatu. The prince never arrived.”

The first Nul spoke with agitation in his voice.

“The Nul Realm left no trace unchecked and we came to the conclusion he had been abducted, captured by pirates or freelancers daring enough to infiltrate Nul space. We know he is still alive and somewhere in Freespace and we will pay you whatever price you demand if you find our Prince. You have six month to find him. After that we will search for him and no planet and no asteroid will be spared in our search. Of course that would mean the end of the Freespace treaty and war.”

I held my breath under the warm fur mask and for a moment forgot to play the game. There was the potential of Intergalactic war discussed on a shabby table inside a low class tavern somewhere deep in Freespace.

The man in the dark Dai armor said. “I will do my best to find him. If he is alive and in Freespace I am sure I can find him. Captured Nul are always news.”

The Half Dai played with the folded paper thing and added. “Could he not been taken by the Shiss or the Union?”

“The possibility that it was the Shiss is still considered and if we find evidence it is so, then we will increase our efforts to unprecedented levels to annihilate all that is Shiss.”

Again the second Nul participated in the conversation saying: “While it is not completely impossible that it had been done by the Union, it is not how they operate usually. As they much rather test our resolve with entire fleets and probing our strength by provoking large scale skirmishes. The Union respects us, we know. They however do not fear us. Agitating us by abducting the prince is simply not their style.”

“I will keep my eyes and ears open, if there is a Nul warrior kept prisoner or sold in Freespace I should be able to hear about it. Can I ask how you know he is still alive and in Freespace?”

“It must be so. The Seer of Narl Gatu said we have six month before our Prince, who according to the Seer is in a strange land will transform forever. The seer was brought to the last position we knew the prince was and the Seer pointed towards Freespace”

Now the first Nul spoke again. “Our leader believes that the Prince is transformed from being alive to being dead.”

The Half-Dai snorted and made an amused facial expression as he said. “I thought your investigation was done with sensors and tracing engine trails. You place too much trust in a Seer. I know a thing or two about Psionics and no Psionic gift can predict the future. Maybe he simply went off course and burnt up exiting Quasi Space too close to a sun?”

The first Nul in his disguise said raising his voice. “The Seer of Narl Gatu is not a Psionic user. We Nul have no talent or use for Psionics. But the Seer is no mere Nul and he has been with us since we Nul rose from the Ashes of Narl Gatu. The Seer has always been correct, always!”

If the Nul was correct, then this Seer was among the oldest living beings, perhaps older than even Deepa.

Honsu did not respond to that but waved to the Barkeeper and ordered Thill. I knew Thill was a watery, weak beer like drink and I moved a game piece not even knowing if it was my turn and kept listening.

The Half Dai said to the disguised Nul agents. “Let us talk about the second event then. The one you mentioned could make you consider a meeting with the Kermac.”

“We like to make it clear that we only agree to an information exchange, nothing more. I personally would rather join the Union than deal with these meddlers.”

Honsu shrugged and said. “I am only the enabler, I make the connection. The Kermac have asked me to make contact with the Eye of Narl. What you then discuss or agree upon concerns me not.”

The first Nul said. “The Golden are no longer neutral. As small as this civilization appears to be, they have considerable technology, immense knowledge and contacts to species and civilizations none of us have heard off. Their resources might even equal those of any of the Big Four.”

Honsu put down the mug he had just received and waved his hand. “Are you sure this is correct information? The Golden are synonymous with neutrality and have been so for eons. Have they decided to join and side with the Kermac?”

“We are surprised you have not heard of it, Damon Honsu. The Golden have applied for Union membership and it has been granted just a few days ago much faster than this process usually takes, they are full members of the Union. We just received a message from our envoys at Pluribus the message traveled per GalNet to Bokta World a Union outpost where we maintain a trading post and was then transmitted via Myon Corresponder to Natu Tothour throne world. Since we do not have the benefit of instantaneous messaging as the cursed Union all this it happened about four to five weeks ago.”

The voice of the Half-Dai was no longer sounding as certain as he had before as he said. “Could it be a trick, propaganda or false information? Sobody the First Merchant would never agree to something like that.”

“Would we be here and consider a meeting with the Kermac if it was a trick? Sobody the First Merchant never made a secret of his admiration for the Terrans and according to our source he has retired. A delegation of Golden Elders is still on Pluribus. We try to gather more details, but we know the entire Golden fleet has already been turned over to Union Fleet control and we know from reliable sources that the first Golden Spheres have been seen on their way to Ross 128 to be fitted with Translocator Cannons, no doubt.”

Honsu cursed. “Violent gravitons, Gantoor’s ghost be damned, Golden Spheres are not far behind their battleships and Golden sensors are second to none.”

“This is not just a one planet society joining the Union. This is as historic as the Klack making that decision.”

The second Nul spread his upper arm pair. “Not to mention that we have information that the Narth are now active Union members and even sharing some of their technology. With all this they might listen to their Warrior Admiral and attack and be done with all Kermac and perhaps all that is Nul once and for all.”

Honsu leaned back. “It is true, the Narth are suddenly an active member. They have strengthened that cursed PSI Corps, and no spy, mole or traitor is safe from their powers.”

The first Nul sounded just as concerned as his partner. “With the Union that strong, and getting stronger by the day, all it takes is a spark of an incident and their Assembly will call for war. I have been a diplomatic guest during their last Union Week celebrations and I have seen their parade. It takes a lot to frighten a Nul, but I won’t forget the sight of Union battle groups and there were Dai Mothers filled with Dai Fighters in Union gray”

The first agreed with his colleague and said. “Find our prince and if he is alive and returned to us we will agree to meet the Kermac and discuss what options we might have to address these developments. If he is not found, Nul will go to war and all diplomacy and subterfuge will end. The Nul will perish we know but until that day, the Galaxy will be a place of death and destruction never seen since the days of the Dark Ones, that is the word of our First Nul.”

The Half Dai got up and said. “I will search for your prince with all haste and all efforts. Such a war must be prevented.”

With these words he left. I wished I could follow him and find out more about this character, but something else happened and prevented me even contemplating how to do accomplish that. The Barkeep stomped from behind his bar to the table of the two disguised Nul and pointed all three of his arms at them and said with a loud voice.

“I don’t like anyone mocking me or my species. I paid the price of looking to the Arcane Order and I live here in exile but you are not Pertharian; you are something else in disguise. Now why would anyone come to this station pretending to be Pertharians? I think you are spies of some sort!”

Now everyone in the Tavern was paying attention and almost everyone was pulling weapons. Both disguised Nul got up, toppling the table doing it and the first raised his hands. “We are not Union. And we know nothing of an Arcane Order.”

The Barkeeper growled with anger saying “You are also not Pertharian! Every Pertharian knows the Arcane Order, every single one!”

“We are Nul. We had no intention to insult you, but we will not be threatened.”

“This is Freespace and since there are no Nul merchants, no Nul travelers or Nul Freelancers, you are Government Spies.

No real Pertharian would ever sit in a bar where a Tark like me serves drinks.”

“I am Pertharian and I just threatened you, Nul. I kill you both!”

Before the situation escalated, three men in Karthanian Battle suits stomped in, they looked exactly how I imagined half Kermac half Shiss would look.

Their leader holding a genuine SII Fafnir, enough firepower to roast everyone in the tavern and said. “We are the Bassetts and we welcome everyone on our rock, except spies of any kind. Be it Nul, Union, Kermac or from wherever else.

We also don’t allow fights with power weapons, so we want you to leave now and don’t you ever come back.”

The Pertharian eyed the Fafnir and was obviously contemplating to vent his rage anyway, while the Nul scrambled to the Tavern exit.

I had the strong feeling that this was a staged show, pre-arranged in case the Nul would be discovered. The Barkeep grunted and seemed to calm down. He yelled. “You come back and I personally start a war against the Nul!”

He was satisfied and so were the patrons. This comotion however also served the Half Dai to slip away.

I gave Narth the mental signal to approach officially with the Tigershark.

It didn’t take long and one of the station’s owners, a male humanoid with distinctive Shiss features walked over to a big central located table where two beings sat and drank.

One of the men at that table was revealed as Captain Swift while he turned to the Shiss bastard. I recognized his face well from the recordings of the Danny Houston.

My audio pick up overheard the Half Kermac say. “It might be of interest to you, we just received the docking request of a ship called the Silver Streak, commanded by Black Velvet and she is towing in the Mighty Nine as a prize to sell.”

Captain Swift was human no doubt, but I believed he too had some non-human genetics in his DNA as he appeared unusually tall, even sitting down and his skin had yellowish waxen hue. He looked up and said with surprise in his voice.

“Are you sure it is the ship of that cut throat Volting?”

An Oghar with elaborate decorated lower jar tusks and rough scaled skin sharing that big round table with Swift, touched one of his gold and jewel encrusted teeth and said.

“I have heard much rumors and stories about Black Velvet, but nothing really substantial. No one has really seen her, no one knows if she is the same one that supposed to be active 500 years ago, or just someone using the same name.”

Swift shrugged. “I haven’t met her so far either, but I know she is on the top ten wanted list of the Union and that takes some serious crime and they don’t put ghosts on that list.”

Shea informed me silently.

“The Oghar is Crimson Curse and his ship is the Bloody Mary. He is one of the most successful and experienced pirates of Freespace as he is in business for over 40 years.”

Now my disguised ship became visible in the bright flood lights of the mooring arm and despite the crudely added oversized ISAH pods and the shoddy welded armor plates around its nose cone, it looked quite dangerous. I loved the modern sleek and foreboding look of its true form as it was my ship, but even in its disguise as Silver Streak it looked very dangerous and like a ship that had been at least twice from one end of the Galaxy to the other.

Right behind her the Mighty Nine slipped onto another mooring point. Hans and Mao were aboard the captured pirate ship and maneuvered it into the parking position. Everyone in the Tavern was watching and the Oghar said.

“It is the Mighty Nine alright, looks like she’s missing one drive pod and someone clipped her claws real good, two turrets gone and the third damaged, but leaving everything essential intact, looks like the Silver Streak has an excellent gunner.”

The Captain of the Swift pointed at my ship and said.

“That old Karthanian has some serious fire power. Look at the size of those Nul froth casters. Those aren’t easy to come by and even harder to install.”

The Oghar kept fiddling with his tusks and grunted.

“Them ISAH pods look like the old Three-Ninety B series. State of the art 500 years ago and I bet my left tusk they are Type XI and with four of those I think she is likely to make 350 to 400 klicks to the square second.”

“I’d take genuine old ISAH Pods over that new Karthanian Scrap I got anytime. “Swift added.

Har-Hi and I used the distraction to silently leave our table and enter the ghastly washroom of the Tavern.

Har-Hi covered the false muzzle of his mask and said. “By the lords, this stinks worse than the Enviro tanks we had to clean.”

We watched a burly Oghr leave one of the open stalls, trailing a gagging cloud of stench and I said while trying to keep it down. “Can you imagine the Enviro Tank on an Oghr ship?”

Narth popped out of thin air after we were certain we were alone, touched us both and teleported us back to the ship.

Shea who was dressed in my usual Black Velvet leather outfit to pose as me for the initial contact with Brhama Port greeted us on the bridge and said.

“There were no problems at all, they granted us mooring permit, but requested that we pay a mooring fee of 500 Polo each ship.”

I pulled the Nogoll mask and she waved her hand before her nose. “Say was the costume not enough, did you have to adapt the smell too?”

I glared at her. “You should have seen or smelled what they called a washroom.”

Har-Hi was already halfway to the Elevators and I followed him adding. “After Har-Hi and I change we will make our official entrance and then stay as long as the Swift Profit. That ship will be our next target.”

Dimon made sure the Nul were safely back aboard the Jooltar freelancer who provided them with transport before he went back to the lower levels of this asteroid base. It didn’t take him long to find the sales stall of a Bitllor. This particular one, named Korko-Ju-Olpat had been here for many decades buying and selling the more uncommon ore types, gems and crystals.

Dimon was not really in the market for gems or Lithium ore, but Korko had his ears everywhere and a handful beings knew he was a Kermac spy. Simply here to keep an eye on things for the MOI.

Dimon did pick a particular beautiful fist sized Smaragd of the main sales display.

The somewhat humanoid proportioned Bitllor came around his sales counter. “Ah good Honsu, after meeting with the Nul, you find your way to me. I can let you have that green rock for five Full weights. I take Kerms, Union Credits, Kathris and Crwals too.”

“It is actually quite a fair price, this rock is particular nice. You would not know what this gem would bring on a Golden Bazaar?”

“I doubt they will accept Kerms now. Someone there might offer you a thousand Union credits.”

“So it is true? The Golden did apply for Union membership?”

“It’s the biggest news from here to the other side of the Scutum arm. The Golden have applied and have been accepted in record time. This I might add makes a lot of people quite nervous, including of course your big friends. What did the Bennetts charge you for that little charade?”

“Those fools decided to wear disguises, pretending to be Pertharians of all species. Not knowing a Tark tended the bar. The Bennetts made a nice little profit stomping around for a moment and enjoying their latest gifts of mine, including a genuine SII-Fafnir.”

“For a gift like that I would don lots of things. The move of the Golden is old news my friend. The fact that the Takkians discovered their god is real and occupies a moon in the Auriga Xi system is the latest. Some say the Kermac lost control over one of their most ambitious projects. Making the wizards of the Tower quite upset.”

Behind his mask and the Honsu identity he cursed himself for taking too much time as Purple Worm trying to limit the damage, Nelson II and the PSI Corps is doing. He had apparently missed quite a few important developments. “Will they do something about it?”

“I am not privileged to things that are discussed in the Tower of Wizards on Kermac Prime, but one would be a fool to think they ignore it. The very recent debacle with the Dolbarians added to the woes.”

Dimon had to think for a moment. “Dolbarians, small rodent like. Related to the Union’s Holdians?”

“Indeed, in itself perhaps a less important species but their location is anything but unimportant. A faulty mind shield is blamed, as it exposed the true nature of apparent assistants and aides. But no one can explain why the psionic abilities of these Kermac suddenly increased by substantial margins.” The Bitllor merchant released air through his face folds in a whistling manner. “The Dolbarians and a previously unknown species, the Xandraons applied jointly for Union membership, just very recently.”

Dimon placed a Union Credit box on the sales counter, displaying 50,000 credits. “This little thing is yours, but if you know anything about a captured Nul, I add another one.”

“I know of only one Nul, a gray one and he is on its way to Sin 4.”

BRHAMA PORT
The Half Kermac sitting behind his desk eyed us suspiciously as I placed a heavy plastic bag with the 1000 Polo Coins before him. He had the same paper white skin and the characteristic small nose and mouth of a Kermac, but unlike them, he did have black hair and eyebrows. His eyes, I noticed, were neither Kermac nor Human and looked more like the reptilian eyes of a Shiss.

He took the coins without counting and placed them in a drawer behind him, and then he said: “You have never been here, Captain Velvet, but you have a reputation that precedes you. The rules here are simple. We like the business your kind brings, but not the trouble. Fighting is allowed but not with any energy weapons or similar destructive devices. I don’t think you are interested in mining, but I tell this to all newcomers to Brhama Port. Don’t raid mining camps or ships around here and don’t start rouge mining on your own. If you need fuel we sell that for 140 Polo Full weights per standard 1023 Nogto Bulb. That is about 500 Nul Roos or 992 Union Kilos.” He spread his arms. “That is about all there is, welcome to the Shattered Star System of the Bassett family.”

Har-Hi, Shea and Narth were with me, and all three stood behind me with crossed arms. Narth actually wore a black leather and steel armor over his shroud and even carried a Nul Gravitor long gun over his back. His face and head hidden, behind a black helmet with mirrored face plate, he had borrowed from Three-Four. Har-Hi wore his red Dai Leather with all the knives, weapons and swords in place. He had covered the Glyph of his Clan.

Shea wore a shoulder free bodice of white leather, matching over knee boots and a fur cape that looked much like my old Fangsnapper coat. She had her hair tied in a ponytail and wore a white half mask up to her nose. Beside the long Attikan Sniper Blaster she carried her mysterious sword. In my opinion she looked dangerous and very sexy at the same time.

That there was plenty of human DNA left in the Half Kermac was evident as he had a hard time making eye contact with me and shifted his eyes to my chest.

I said to him: “Indeed I am not interested in mining but I have a spare ship I would like to sell and was told it could be done here.”

He nodded. “To be truthful, you will not get the same price you would get at Kaliment or Sin 4, but I am sending my brother Kooornt, and he will check the ship. I will contact you later today with the price we are willing to pay.”

I agreed that this would be acceptable and left the Asteroid Manager’s office.

The man currently known as Dimon Honsu entered the office of the Asteroid manager. He and Mooornt knew each other for some time now. While neither trusted the other after a certain point, they had developed a professional and friendly relationship. The men respected each other and when it served their interests they often helped each other out.

Mooornt was the oldest son of Bruuunt and the grandson of the Old Bird herself. He managed the asteroid for the family.

Mooornt had just filled himself a glass with chilled Kermiliq and he turned to the Half Dai. “Go right ahead, fill a glass for yourself. It’s the genuine kind, made with Laboduu milk.”

Dimon took a glass from the rack and held it under the dispenser and selected his Kermiliq with Golh fruit flavor, his favorite.

“I came to thank you helping me out with the Nul. Those fools came disguised as Pertharians of all species and decided to meet in a tavern that is operated by a Tark of all things.”

“I would have assisted even without your plea. Having the Nul agitated against us is not a wise thing under any circumstances. But those purple brutes appear to be even more aggressive and aggravated than usual. Something seemed to have happened to the Nul and they are on the brink of sweeping across Freespace, if my sources are correct.”

Dimon nodded. “Shockingly true. I have similar information and when they do, the big war is on.”

The asteroid manager sat down behind his desk. “Having agitated Nul fleets duking it out with Union battle groups isn’t something I like to see happening.”

“You are not concerned about the news that the remaining Dai have united under one leader?”

“Not as much. We have very strong ties to the Togar, and I doubt your friend Cam Elf-Na wants to agitate the Queen too much.”

Dimon sat in one of the comfortable visitor chairs. “Well the Nul are off the station. That shrewd Jooltar who brought them here, is experienced as they come and should be able to take them back form where ever they came from.”

Mooornt pointed with his almost empty glass towards the door. “One party gone, a new one arrived. You just missed Captain Black Velvet and some of her crew.”

Dimon leaned forward. “I heard quite a bit of her, but never actually met her. What are you thinking?”

“She is no nonsense, for sure. Didn’t haggle about the mooring fee and she did bring in the Mighty Nine for sale I might add.”

“She tackled with the Volting?”

“My brother Kooomt is checking her out as we speak.” Mooornt also leaned forward and snickered. “I am supposed to be sixty percent Shiss, thirty percent Kermac as my father claims, but there is supposed to be ten percent human in my genetic make-up. I tell you, looking at that masked lady in skintight leather made me wish I would be one hundred percent human. Not to mention some of her senior officers.”

A comm device activated and a voice said. “The Roughnir has just docked, Dentar Bloom wants to discuss the possibility of putting the mooring fee on credit.”

AT THE TAVERN ONCE MORE
We went once more to the Tavern, this time however openly to make our entrance as the pirate crew we pretended to be.

The barkeeper eyed us with interest for about five seconds, took our orders and lost interest after we paid him. We found ourselves a table and sat down.

I had no clear plan what we should do next and at this point I decided to just stir the pot a little and wait to see what would happen.

One point on my agenda was to put the Bennett family out of business permanently. If I could manage to somehow destroy this asteroid base it would take away a pirate base and safe haven for all sorts of space faring scum.

The fewer bases and posts they had to hide at the better, and these so called ‘miners’ aided and enabled these crooks by providing these services.

However I could not do it openly as Black Velvet, but perhaps a few well-placed timed charges going off a day or two after we left would do the trick. However there weren’t many options. To destroy a huge object like this asteroid required serious fire power; more than even the Tigershark had. Of course a few well-placed Translocator shots into environmental engineering would make this place quite inhospitable. Another option was to set off a P Bomb, but that was like leaving a Union tech calling card. But then there were quite a few things in our arsenal, I haven’t really checked out yet.

Shea leaned forward giving me a very nice view down her cleavage, while she said in a quiet tone.

“I can smell that wash room even out here.”

Har-Hi pointed with his chin to a handful of miners sitting at a table next to us. “It’s not the bathroom, it’s them.”

She produced a little atomizer, and sprayed some of its content before her. A fresh flowery scent suddenly tried to mask the sour, musky scent that wafted almost visibly into our direction.

“Next time I select a filter mask, don’t they bathe?”

Har-Hi shook his head.

“Water is very expensive out here and even more at their mining camps, it has to be bought from ice miners and water merchants. Washing isn’t a big priority to them.”

Narth enjoyed himself greatly; to him it was all a part of his still new corporal experience outside the Narth Collective.

His voice came into my mind.

“You do begin to understand Narth, it pleases me. I too contemplate how a destruction of this base could be accomplished without revealing our true origin. We have quite a few options available to us. As you so correctly identified, our collective societies went all out to provide us with very lethal and destructive options, but I must also be a voice of warning as it would be against our license and charter.”

“Our what?”

“We are here in Freespace clearly violating a treaty signed by representatives of our Union. Now it is true that the Assembly has given us license via the Security Council to eliminate piracy, hunt known criminals and suppress arms and slave trade. However neither the owners of this asteroid nor the many miners living here appear on any wanted list or are known to have committed crimes against the Union.”

“Did Cherubim not say that eliminating pirate bases was one of our tasks?”

“Brhama port is not a pirate base per say.”

He was right of course. We were already walking a very thin line and I was certain Admiral McElligott had twisted and bent more than just one rule to make our mission possible.

However Stahl also knew about it and for his trust in me alone, I had to heed Narth objection and think of another way to take this Pirate base out of business.

Aloud he said. “Can I ask you a question that puzzles me greatly.”

“Of course, you never asked permission before.”

“Why did you find pleasure in looking at Shea’s breasts? You do have now almost identical ones, do they differ in some other way than size that affects you in this way? I stared at both sets and compared them and could not detect any emotional effects.”

Har-Hi coughed and the Thill beer shot out of his nose. Shea started to giggle and I was glad for my mask, as I must have turned cherry red.

“Ah ... well because I am still getting used to them.”

Har-Hi wiped his nose. “Narth, with you around I have a real hard time remaining a stern, always serious Dai Warrior.”

The Oghar pirate and the Captain of the Swift Profit were still here and it was not hard to tell that we were the subject of their conversation.

Before Narth could say something else.

Captain Swift got up and walked over, made a theatrical bow and tipping his forehead. “I am Curtis Swift, Captain of the Swift Profit and I think you are the famous and mysterious Black Velvet. I also assume we might be in the same line of business, so I thought I introduce myself.”

I eyed him up and down and said. “And what line of business would that be?”

“Doing what we please and taking advantage of opportunities that might present themselves, a little of this and a little of that and not particularly caring about anyone else and their rules.”

He pointed at the big table across the room.

“This is called the Captain’s table and I am sure Crimson Curse would like to get to know you, as much as I do. He is the big and ugly Oghar over there.”

Before I could respond, everyone turned to the sudden locomotion and noise at the tavern’s entrance. A rowdy looking crew entered, led by a flashy dressed human with blue skin. He was without a doubt a Thauran.

I cursed silently and wondered how far I had to go, so I would not meet someone of these blue skinned bastards. I always had been tolerant and blind to another beings form, shape or color but those blue Thaurans started to get to me.

He was accompanied by two muscular Oghr and according to the information I received from Narth those were Orkh-Oghr, the strongest and biggest sub species of the Oghr race.

Narth instantly corrected my thoughts, by saying in a low voice.

“No, the Orkh-Oghr are the physically strongest sub species belonging to the remaining Nine Kingdoms. The Ogrwho are nearly three times as big and much stronger in physical terms are Union members for 403 years. The Oromals who are also of the same group of species, are just as big and also Union members for 394 years.

I raised my hands. “Could they not come up with less confusing names? I mean Oghr, Ogar, Ogr it appears the only difference is a vowel here and there.”

Har-Hi chimed in. “After the Oghar Empire fell apart into separate Kingdoms they fought each other in bitter wars over many centuries about such naming issues.”

While Narth and Har-Hi educated me about the Oghr, I observed the new comers who were still standing at the open entrance area that separated the tavern from the rest of the asteroid’s main cavern.

Trailing the group were three, mangy looking Jooltar warriors.

The newly arrived group was now joined by four more Thaurans, one of them female and all gaudily and colorfully dressed. If it weren’t for the fact that the group was armed to the teeth one could have mistaken them for a traveling circus troupe.

It was the five Thaurans that to me explained the noise and the air of self-importance they displayed. I wondered why the Thauran did not join the Kermac, they could hold competitions of self-importance and arrogance, and my money wasn’t on the Kermac as who would win such a contest.

Narth said in my mind.

“I doubt the Kermac would want a thrall species that was equally as good as they in the only field the Kermac really excel.”

I formed an answer and expressed my surprise.

“Never did I think you would say something like this. Not that I mind, but sarcasm wasn’t something I associate with a Narth.”

His thoughts felt slightly amused as his answer resonated in my mind. “One might point out that we shared the Hugavh and that means I also adapt to your ways of thinking. It is us Narth who observed many civilizations for a very long time, and the Kermac are very good at being arrogant and self-important. They have inherited this haughtiness and superciliousness from the UNI very long ago. Of course only with our new gained knowledge and understanding of emotions are we able to quantify our observations in such terms”

His thoughts paused for a moment and then his mental voice said to me. “This arrogant self-importance is of course not completely alien to humans, especially those who consider themselves of Noble origin. Now this is a concept I have spent much time analyzing and have yet to come to a satisfactory conclusion.”

I answered Narth silently and on our shared mental level.

“It is also part of my heritage, being of an Old Clan on Nilfeheim is something very similar. My clan is considered very important only due to the fact that we carry an old name. I also don’t think all nobility is bad. Look at our Princess, she can switch it on and off just like that, and then there is Shaka. He never makes a big deal out of it but I met his father, the Zulu King at the Diamond Ball and he radiates authority in a way I can only describe as noble.”

Narth didn’t respond this time but I knew he was contemplating what I just had said and put it through his incomprehensible way of analyzing things.

Now he did respond. “My way of analyzing things is not completely incomprehensible, Shea understands it well.”

I wanted to tell him, that not everyone had an IQ of 400 but my silent conversation with Narth was interrupted as Captain Swift, still standing close to our table also watching the newcomers, rolled his eyes said to me.

“That is Captain Dentar Bloom of the Roughnir. Even among our colorful society of space-faring professionals he is not the most pleasant individual to deal with, but then he is Thauran. Never really met one I liked.”

Strangely I found that Swift and I had actually something in common.

The Thauran pointed out to me as Dentar Bloom yelled to the barkeeper. “Bottles of Solik, Big bowls of Tambark Broth and for me your finest Brohmir Sweat and bring plenty you three armed cretin!”

They sat down at a table not far from us and the red and yellow dressed captain looked around with a disapproving expression in his face and then waved at Crimson. “Of all the ugly sights in the Galaxy, you my dear Crimson appear to be the ugliest. Be so kind and switch chairs so I don’t have to look at you!”

The Barkeeper came to our table and asked if we wanted more drinks and the loudmouth complained.

“I ordered and expect to be served first. Don’t waste time with the riff raff over there.”

The Barkeeper turned and said with an edge in his voice.

“First pay the tab you left the last time, eight Full weights!”

Bloom put his hand on his boarding saber, but not pulling it.

“The cosmic winds did not blow much in terms of prey across our path and the Blessed Blue Virgin was not with us the past few months. Nothing that carried Polos came our way. However we managed to liberate a collection of nice things that bring a hefty profit once I am able to reach the markets on Sin 4. We had to stop here to get some fuel.”

“Save your excuses and tell them to someone that cares. Eight Full weights or there won’t be any drinks.”

Dentar Bloom made a jovial gesture.

“I pay you double I owe you the next time I come by. Now I think you extend my credit, I anger easily.”

The Barkeep pointed with one of his arms to the ceiling and to a set of remote controlled Neuro Rippers.

“You don’t scare me Captain Bloom, I am Pertharian. Pay up or leave. This establishment is for paying customers only. Make any kind of trouble and I might settle for what the scavengers pay me for your carcass.”

This obviously didn’t sit well with the flashy dressed Thauran. He talked to one of his officers and the Oghar left.

Bloom then climbed on his chair and spread his arms.

“It looks like well-heeled Captain Swift is here and so is the famous Crimson Curse. One likes to eat and the other likes to rape. So I am thinking I hold a little auction right here and now.”

It didn’t take long and the Oghr came back dragging a beautiful white Togar female on a chain behind him.

She wore a metal collar and both her hands were attached to it with short chains, making her choke and at every move. The cruel metal band had rubbed her neck raw and there was crusted blood all around the collar. Her legs kept apart with a steel rod that had cuffs on each end, allowing her to move only with small circling steps. She had cuts and bruises all over her otherwise completely white fur.

I didn’t like Togar and only a short time ago I wanted to kill them all. However seeing this poor female treated like that made me wish I could twist the head of that blue skinned bastard’s neck.

Her eyes were big and green, and she had a pink nose, that reminded me of the little Holdian Commander. The Togar female could not talk as she was muzzled with several layers of memory tape around her short snout.

The three armed Pertharian bar keeper protested loudly.

“Are you insane, Bloom? The Togar Empire isn’t far from here and they will send warships if they hear a female Togar was sold here. Those cats don’t kid around when it comes to their females.”

With a dismissive gesture, Bloom said. “Don’t you worry about the Togar. They have other things on their mind right now, besides she is a wanted criminal in the realm of the Togar. I could get good money for her from any Togar male. She might be good in the Death Fight arenas but I am far from Sin 4 and need fuel, and you all know how nice a Togar female can be to human males, if she is properly restrained of course.”

His last comment was answered by nodding heads and rough laughter, coming from Miners and Pirates.

The Thauran obviously enjoyed being in the center of attention and said. “Now I know your appetite Captain Swift, but there are many lonely miners here, so the opening bid is 100 Polos.”

As disgusting as the sale was the lusting gaze in Swift’s face and the dirty jokes and openly described fantasies of the miners present was even more revolting.

It was one of the Miners who said.

“I give you the 100 Polos.”

Swift immediately countered with a bid of 150.

I had forgotten my own drink and my hand was reaching for the butt of my gun, when Har-Hi put his hand on my arm and shook his head almost unnoticeable. He was right of course and I would not jeopardize our mission by starting a fight underneath looming Neuro Rippers, especially not for a Togar, I didn’t like in the first place.

The price was at 600 Polos now and it looked one of the miners, a fat unkempt fellow, apparently human had the deeper pockets, as Swift was not raising his hand again.

There was a moment of silence and it seemed the Miner would take the pitiful looking Togar Female and then do all the things he said he would do to her.

I said. “1000 Polos”

I almost surprised myself but I couldn’t let her be sold into a fate so cruel. Maybe we could keep her in stasis and let her go somewhere convenient and close to wherever she called home.

My bid put all eyes on me and the Thauran captain noticed me, saying. “Who are you? I sell to anyone but you have to have the cash.”

“I got the Polo’s anything else is unimportant.”

Swift introduced me saying. “That delectable package in skintight leather is none other than the famous and mysterious Black Velvet.”

The Thauran made a mocking bow and said. “Thousand Polos, Full-weight have been called for this wild, soft furred promise of pleasure. Do I hear any other bids?”

Narth voice in my head said. “I informed the ship. Hans and the Golden are on their way with the money. What do you want done with the Togar female?”

“Have Cateria check her out and then I guess put her in Stasis till we can let her go somewhere. Maybe we can find out where she belongs and see if we can get her as close as possible.”

“This might prove difficult, as she isn’t what the Thauran claimed she is.”

“She isn’t Togar?”

“She is, but I think we might have purchased what you would call big trouble.”

I didn’t like what I was hearing and silently responded.

“Can you be more specific than that?”

“The Togar are hunting her for some reason. From what I can gather she is more than a criminal. I shall accompany her to the ship and probe deeper and then let you know.”

Moments later Hans stomped in and his massive appearance silenced the crowd. He looked frightening indeed in his version of a pirate costume. He wore a harness similar to the one Har-Hi had, across his enormous and otherwise bare chest, but his was not made of leather but of heavy looking links of Ultronit steel chain. Pants of thick leather, stitched together with steel rivets. A full sized Nul Gravitor Cannon across his back and a pair of Y’All boarding swords was his weapons of choice. To all this he had on knee high boots, reinforced with armor plating and he had the appearance as if he could kick a battle robot to scrap. The knuckles of his gauntlet style gloves sported metal spikes, gleaming razor sharp. To finish his look he wore a skull tight leather mask that left his chin and mouth open. The mask had a crest of needle sharp looking metal spikes. He looked like a nightmare version of a dungeon torturer right out of the horror visuals Mao loved to watch.

No one dared to speak and there was open fear in quite a few of the rough faces.

He carried an Ultronit band reinforced Strong box over his left shoulder and with his right he swiped one of the Oghr out of his way, with about as much effort as if swatting an insect. The Oghr hurled several metes, crashed between tables and chairs and instead of getting up he crawled further out of Hans’ way.

Sobody walking next to Hans was almost unnoticed. He looked the same as always but his bald head sported a ghastly cross shaped scar. From my adventure on Alvor’s cove I knew it meant he was an outcast of the Golden society.

The metal grating of the floor was vibrating with every step Hans made; glasses on the tables danced as he came to my table and placed the heavy chest before me.

Sobody unlocked it with a flair of importance and an electronic key he wore around his neck and bowed before me. “Captain, as requested your purse.”

I was still sitting and said. “Pay that Thauran 1000 Polos.”

Captain Swift whistled through his teeth as Sobody opened the chest that was filled to the brim with Polo Coins packed in clear plastic bags and handed the speechless Thauran two of them, saying “Two bags of 500 each.”

Narth got up whispered to Hans.

My terrifying looking Security chief nodded and took the struggling and horrified Togar cat like a toy doll over his shoulder and along with Narth he left.

Into the prevailing silence Bloom said looking at the two bags of money he held.

“By the blessed Blue Virgin, that I call no nonsense business. You seem to run a tight ship and gathered a capable crew, respect, respect.”

The three armed Pertharian held out two of his hands.

“Now that you have money, I think you need to pay your tab.”

Since the Barkeeper also held the remote control of the Neuro ripper in his third hand and the projector heads on the ceiling moved with an audible hum, targeting the Thauran; the blue skinned Captain obliged, but he didn’t like it one bit as it was evident by his facial expression.

Bloom came closer to our table with his crew close behind him. He eyed the heavy chest and said to me.

“You would not be in the market for 80 tons of fine Togar merchandise?”

I sipped at my Dai Beer and said.

“No I am not.”

“You see, I have a hold full of that stuff, and it will sell on Sin 4 or on Kaliment for good money. The trouble is, I am a tad short on fuel and these tight arse Basset bastards don’t give credit.”

I raised my head and looked at him.

“And why are you boring me with that. I am sure the miners over there have always needs for cheap laborers and after a year or two you might have enough money to buy fuel, I suppose.”

He sucked in air and said pointing his finger at me.

“I don’t think you understand, female. I eat the likes of you for breakfast. I am going to take that chest now and if you try to stop us my men will do the same to you what we did to the Togar female.

Har-Hi said. “Touch that chest and you touch nothing ever again with your own hands.”

His men drew weapons and he said.

“Do the math, Dai, ten against three. Your leather clad monster isn’t here.”

The Barkeep yelled.

“I don’t care what business you have among each other, but no Energy weapons. If you want to brawl with swords and knifes be my guest, but you pay for the damage.”

Now Crimson Curse got up, smashing his fist onto the metal table so hard, it left a sizable dent. “Enough of this! Freespace is shrinking by the day and the places our kind can rest and trade are not as common as they used to be. It is you trouble makers that spoil it for the rest of us. If you have quarrels duke it out Captain versus captain as it always has been the custom.”

Bloom raised his arms.

“Well so be it then. I fight the female and get the Polos, what a splendid suggestion Ugly Crimson!”

Har-Hi shook his head. “That is a bad idea, Bloom. Reconsider and fight me instead.”

Bloom laughed. “If she wants to play pirate and fly with the big boys then she needs to fight herself. I have no problem spanking her into submission.”

I got up so fast, my chair flew and crashed against the wall somewhere in the back, while I was flanking myself over the table, and raked both of my boot heels across his throat and face. My training with Master Alameda and the Academy instructors; the instructions of Sigfrieda, Richard the Outcast and mental uploads I received from the Sojonit sisters merged into an instinctive, distinct style all of my own and I was at a point where I was able to act almost faster than I could think. My reaction was fueled by the old familiar Olafson rage and my growing dislike of Thaurans.

Still in motion I hit the floor and spin kicked the Oghar right next to Bloom for good measure. The Ultronit heels of my boots, now razor sharp were terrible weapons at close quarter.

Bloom staggered backward, his hands trying to stop the blood spraying from his throat wound.

My Colt roared and the heavy lead slug tore into the head of the recovering Oghr, proving once again what a deadly weapon this old gun really was.

Bloom had dropped to his knees, there was an expression of pain and the certain knowledge of impending death on his face as he reached out with his other hand. There was no mercy and no feeling of remorse as I pointed the muzzle of the antique colt at his forehead and ended his misery with a gory explosion of blood and brain.

Har-Hi had been right behind me, both swords drawn decapitating two of Bloom’s men in a dazzling lightning fast move. A third stared stared at his arm stump, his right hands fallen on the floor still clutching a blaster.

Our constant cross training showed that Shea was no longer just a science geek but a force to be reckoned with, as she had her strange sword at the throat of the second Oghar, cutting pieces out of his armor with little flicks of her wrist.

Even our Golden turned out to be much more than just an old man of a dwarf like species. He moved his hand and arm in a strange motion almost as if he threw something and then pulled at an imaginary string; the effect of his pantomimic moves however was deadly and gruesome. One of the Thauran crew members fell to the floor cut in half.

Sobody glared at the remaining men and said. “He should have thought twice before pulling a dagger on my Captain while I am around.”

I looked around and said. “Anyone else thinking, I can’t play with the boys. Step on up!”

All this had happened so fast, Crimson was still standing. Swift whistled again. “Holy shit!”

Har-Hi carefully cleaned his blades with a piece of silk he always carried and said as he put the swords away. “I did warn him, I might just have clipped an ear of his.”

Crimson sat back down and said. “Good riddance to Bloom, maybe we can drink in peace now. You Captain Velvet, of course are welcome to join us here at the Captain’s table.”

One of the surviving crew members of Bloom’s group said. “What of us now, are we to report to your ship?”

I nodded. “That’s right. Go get everyone of your crew and report to the Silver Streak.”

Har-Hi got up “I make sure they are properly accommodated.”

Har-Hi proved just how strong he was as he shouldered the heavy money chest and he and Shea left followed by Bloom’s men. Just as I was sitting down at the Captain’s table, a representative of the Bassett family approached and said.

“I am Kooornt Bassett and I can make you an offer if you want for both ships.”

I pointed to the Golden and said. “My Quartermaster will take care of that.”

Sobody grinned from ear to ear and went with the man to a different table.

Swift said. “You certainly live up to your legend and then some.”

He touched his throat and then glanced at the body of Bloom.

Crimson quaffed another tankard of Oghar brew and ordered a plate of Lum-Lum Chews. Then he said with his deep growling voice. “It is a good thing you dealt with that Thauran. Otherwise I would have. He is the kind, just like that cursed Red Dragon and his Sinister Alliance stirring things up too much.”

He looked around and leaned forward. “The Dragon keeps poking the Union like he did recently with his stunt attacking a Union Outpost and they might start listening to the Eternal Warrior and roll in giving a hoot about treaties and Freespace, and then our days will be counted,”

Swift said. “Well the Shiss, the Kermac and the Nul will have a word in that as well, I doubt the Union will risk a war over pirates.”

Crimson made a wiping gesture with his big hands. “They can’t stop the Union. I tell you Red Dragon and his Sinister Alliance are bad news.”

Swift shrugged. “I was considering flying to Itheamh and finding out where their secret meeting place is and joining the Sinister Alliance. There are rumors they plan for something big.”

Crimson took one of the Lum-Lums that had just been served, but did not eat, instead he said. “What use do we have for alliances? Is it not the very reason we do what we do to be free of other men’s rules and laws? What good did his last big raid do him?”

I shrugged and played the uninformed. “I played in another region of the Galaxy and haven’t been in touch with the news lately. Did they not attack a Union outpost or something like that?”

Crimson chewed with his massive jaws and gave Swift a side look from his small yellow eyes and said after he swallowed.

“Aye he did, Outpost 96. Huge Pirate fleet, and a decoy fleet full of ground troops to boot, filled with every gun wielding scum he could hire on Sin 4 and Itheamh. Lightly defended he claimed it would be and yet he got his arse kicked, by a bunch of Wolfcraft fighters. He was the only one escaping with nothing in his holds but air and a hole as big as a planet in his ship. If he has some personal vendetta against the Union, let him do it on his own. I rather be dead than fly with his Sinister Alliance.”

He grabbed another Lum-Lum and bit in it with resolve. Then he pushed the plate over and invited Swift and me to take one as well.

Swift declined and sipped on a glass with a greenish thick liquid that smelled strongly of fermented fruits and said.

“Maybe you are right, you’re in this business longer than most.”

The Bassett brother came to me and sighed, pointing at Sobody who looked as pleased as a Nubhir wolf that got the big bone, and said. “Smart move, Captain Velvet to have a Golden do business for you. If we had continued haggling I would have been lucky walking out of here with my pants still mine.”

Sobody also got up and came over as well. “I am going with my new friend Kooornt and make sure we get paid.”

I said. “You did well, I assume?”

“Considering the location and the small market, yes Captain.”

After they left Crimson finished a sixth Lum-Lum and said.

“Well I am off and go back to business and I suggest you both do the same.” He leaned forward once again and lowered his voice as much as he could. “This region isn’t going to be safe much longer.”

Swift made a surprised face. “Why are you saying this? This is still Freespace!”

Crimson touched his jeweled encrusted gold encased tusk.

“I have it on good authority that the Dai Lord Cam Elf-Na united over 2000 clans under his leadership into one massive mega clan. It is said he is out for revenge. Anyone guilty of dealing with Dai artifacts will feel their wraith. The Bassetts made a killing on Dai scrap, as you know. The big fight between Union and Dai happened not far from here.

Cam Elf-Na will need lots of raw materials for the Dai factory ships when he attacks the Union, which I am certain is his next move.”

Swift waved his hand. “I actually heard the same rumor on Itheamh, but the Bassetts have a defense alliance with the Togar and they aren’t far from here and the Togar do keep their contracts, their queen is known for it.”

Crimson placed a few coins on the table and said.

“I care not what you believe, but the Queen would need more than two thirds of the Togar fleet, to defeat 2000 Dai Clans and I doubt the Queen will make such an effort to defend an unimportant partner as the Bassetts. I think Cam Elf-Na has the power to take on almost anyone in Freespace now. No one is really safe. Not Sin 4, not Itheamh, not the Karthanians.

It would take the reunification of all Oghar Kingdoms to stop him and that won’t happen even if the Galaxy turns its spin; and if he moves across into Union space he will cut a swath of destruction before the Union can stop him. In any case this area of space is soon too hot for any individual space ship.”

With those words the Oghar captain left.

Swift said. “I am heading for Sin 4 and two ships are safer than one, if you heading that direction Velvet, we could fly together.”

I nodded. “As a matter of fact, I am going that way too. So yes it might be a good idea. I am leaving early in the morning as well.”

That suited me just fine and if everything went according to plan, he would arrive on Sin 4 inside my Cargo bay and inside a Null-time stasis box.

The Pertharian cleaned the table of empty mugs and plates and pointed at the dead pirates. “Do you want them or can I clean up?”

“No I have no need for bodies, what do I owe you for the clean-up.”

“I sell their bodies and gear. This and whatever change they have on them will do for payment.”

Swift stretched his arms. “Well I am hungry too, but the stench of death soured my appetite. This asteroid has a few decent restaurants in the upper tier. This is where I am headed.”

He gestured towards the Pertharian who loaded the dead onto a sturdy hover cart. “Besides the next batch of Lum-Lums might be A-la Thauran. Care to join me for dinner?”

“Maybe some other time. I have a ship to attend to, and I prefer the fare served in my galley anyway,”

He laughed. “You are lucky then. We take turns preparing meals on the Swift Profit and none of us is a gifted chef. This is the main reason I come here, to eat something that isn’t raw or burned. What would I give for a decent food printer, an automated galley or a robo chef.” He got up. “Well if you change your mind, I will be at the Harpir’s Lion top tier. If not we will talk tomorrow when we leave for Sin 4.”

He rapped his knuckles against the table, got up and left.

Mikesh
I suddenly found myself sitting pretty much alone in the dimly lit tavern.

I got up too and decided to check out the Asteroid base a little more. I still contemplated ways to put them somehow out of business, since destroying it was off the table.

The tavern was not the only business on this level. There was a ship parts dealer, a merchant selling water and food items in bulk to replenish ship stores.

Next to it a place that sold mining tools and supplies.

There I observed a big human miner in a smudgy yellowish coverall or maybe some sort of utility space suit standing before the supply store, he was half way surrounded by a group of four unsavory looking characters. A Jooltar, a being that looked like a smaller sized Shiss with two arms only and two humans. They wore space and battle suit pieces and they were armed.

At first I paid no real attention and wanted to go on and explore more of the base, or maybe go back to the Tigershark and see about the Togar female but the way the four beings crowded onto the miner told me that there was trouble brewing. The corridor was technically wide enough for me to pass by unnoticed.

I could hear the Jooltar say. “Didn’t we tell you not to come to the big roid anymore? It is simply not safe for you.”

“I have a right to be here, just as you. Tell him that I will not sell my claim.”

“That is the problem. If you let us have your claim all problems disappear. You struck it rich didn’t you?”

“What is it to you? I am digging for forty years now...”

The lizard being raised a club to strike the man. “I think you need a lesson and then we will walk to the Claims office.”

The four started to beat the man, who tried to shield his face with his arms. They were merciless and brutal.

I shouldered myself past the four and said. “Would you mind clearing the entrance, no one can get in that store with you crowding the door like that.”

For a short moment they all were so surprised about my sudden appearance in their midst that they forgot what they were doing.

The Jooltar muttered. “She is right you know we are blocking...”

One of the humans whacked the Jooltar. “You stupid mutt, of course we are.”

The same human grabbed me by the arm. “Dame, you beat it and disappear very fast, or you join this stubborn Roid digger in the infirmary.”

“I was in the market to buy one of these things with the yellow handle over there, not that I know what it is but I needed exactly one of those. Now there is two things I hate. Unfair situations and being touched unasked.”

They started to laugh, “You are quite cheeky...”

I grabbed his hand that still was on my shoulder, right by the wrist and gave it a powerful twist and buried my knee between his legs,

The Jooltar was the fastest, reacting while I still dealt with the human, but slow enough for me to stomp on his foot. My heel digging deep into his boot.

They weren’t a real challenge and a few moments later they littered the ground and didn’t move.

Now I should scold myself, killing Bloom earlier on was not really necessary, and fighting four brawlers about a local affair that didn’t mean a thing to our mission was even more foolish.

This was not how a Union Officer behaved, not even undercover but I could not help myself, I never could.

The miner came staggering to his feet and stood there unsteady and wobbling.

I said to him. “Well mister, they won’t bother you for a while. Why don’t you find that infirmary they talked about and have yourself fixed up?”

He pulled a ghastly looking rag from a belt pouch and pressed it on a bleeding cut over his right eye. “I am going to be alright, Captain Velvet. Thanks to you.”

“Well seems you know who I am and since the situation appears to be under control. I am on my way.”

“Please wait, Ma’am. Let me make it up to you. You saved my life.”

“No worries about that. It was on the house. I don’t like unfair situations; it’s sort of a hobby of mine, not a very sensible hobby mind you.”

“Please, it would mean a great deal to me if you come to my rock. I think I have something you might be interested in, something of great value to a pirate like you. No one ever stood up for me like that and I want to thank you.”

“You just told those thugs you worked for what you have and I certainly don’t want to take any valuables from you. I am not hurting for money or loot.”

He gestured towards the still unconscious brawlers. “All a miner has to do is buy a license from the Bassetts, and sell minerals and ore to the family and he is reasonably safe and protected.”

He sighed with sagging shoulders. “That of course does not hold true for family. I am a Bassett and so is the crooked good for nothing greedy son of a bitch who sent these bruisers after me.”

That made me stop, as I was already on the move. “You are a Bassett, aren’t you guys running this place?”

He gathered the supplies he had dropped. “This family has over 1000 members, Black Velvet and not all are blood. Have you ever heard of any big family without a feud?”

Coming from Nilfeheim with big clans and families and family feuds that lasted centuries I almost immediately understood. “No I haven’t.”

I took a bag of his and said. “Alright I am game, show me that valuable whatever it is.”

“You are an enigma Black Velvet and I don’t mean that because you wear a mask and all the stories they tell of you, being 400 years old and turned into a demon by the monsters of the Igras expanse.”

“I had no idea that was rumor, I mean the demon part.”

He gestured to a simple hover sled and put the boxes he carried on the flat cargo area.

“There isn’t all that much in terms of entertainment around here. Everyone loves the stories told by the travelers, pirates and transients passing through. They say you escaped Union hunters by entering the Igras Expanse. Now you are back 400 years later. Not even the scoopers at the fringes of the expanse dare to venture deeper and there always have been legends of space born demons.”

I put the bag I was carrying for him into the cargo bed. “Space is so vast and the Igras expanse is far from here. I never knew there were rumors and legends that would travel so far.”

“There are many legends and stories and this place is visited by many travelers from all over the galaxy. Nothing travels faster than stories and myths, Velvet. Many of us miners come here to the big roid to hear those stories told. The Wafnuk make it a living doing nothing but.”

“The Wafnuk?”

“Nomadic travelers, Velvet. Going from place to place and tell stories and myths. I like them better than a holo show.”

“And they tell stuff about me?”

“About you and other pirates, about all the things that happen and have happened. Not all of it is very accurate and some of the legends and stories are told over many centuries in many variations, but that is not why I love their tales.”

He sighed and smiled and then he pointed down the corridor. “My ship is all at the end of mooring arm two.”

I climbed onto the equally simple passenger seat, while he sat behind the two lever controls. The sled was accelerating to a breathtaking speed of perhaps 30 kilometers an hour at most. He said. “That Igras soup they say is so thick that no ship can cross it, and there are many old stories of fiery demons and winged monsters appearing to scoopers, pirates and the occasional traveler.”

“Do you think I am a demon?”

He nodded. “You just might be one. I saw that huge monster that brought your Polos. I’ve saw what you did to the Thauran back in the Tavern. I also witnessed what you did to Ilkesh’s bruisers. But then you help a dirty no name like me.”

I changed the subject asking. “So are you the black sheep of the family?”

“I do not know what a black sheep is. I only know of Black Nogoll, but I think I know what you mean. Neither one of us are very high in the Family hierarchy and we are only a little above non related miners and visitors. We must pay for almost everything just as them, except that in case of an emergency we are also supposed to fight for the family. I am digging through these rocks for more than forty years, Black Velvet; a few weeks ago I stumbled across a rich deposit of Kalimun. Every scoop worth more than all the metal ore I manage to scrape together in the last four decades, and I estimate there are a few million scoops in that roid of mine.”

“Kalimun?” I stopped myself in the last moment remembering what Deepa had told me while we were on Kalimant.

He nodded and steered the sled up a long steep inclining corridor that was actually the interior one of the mooring arms. The gravitational directional pull changed as we passed inside the corridor. It now appeared level and the area behind us was in a steep incline.

“Yes Kalimun and I am no longer just a face among many. I am rich, very rich and that means I am moving up in the family ladder. However a family member that used to be rich is sitting on that spot where I am going to move and he is trying to get my claim to keep his spot and deny me mine.”

He stopped the sled at the last air lock door.

“To be honest Ms. Velvet, after forty years of digging, I realized there isn’t really much else I want to do. I have my peace when I dig and if truth to be told I would simply give him all that Kalimun. I don’t care much about family politics, have little need for much of anything and I rather be dead than kissing the arses of the sons of the Mother.”

“But since that Ilkesh used strong arm tactics instead of simply asking for it, you’d rather take a beating even if they kill you than give or sell it to him, right?”

He climbed of the sled. “You aren’t Bassett under that mask? You understand me exactly.”

I helped him unload the supplies into the airlock. “No I am not Bassett, but I am from a place with large families and similar stories.”

He wiped his hands on his pants and held it out. “I am Mikesh Bassett.”

“Black Velvet, but then you knew that already” I took his hand.

“I never thought to get to know a real pirate captain. They usually never give us miners the time of day.”

His ship was smaller than the Tullerman and not much cleaner than his suit. The smell immediately took me back to the USS Rosinante, I had captured from scooper raiders.

“I know it is not up to par, Ms. Velvet, but it is a short trip and what I want to give you will make it worth your while.”

“If it is Kalimun, I don’t really need any.”

“I would not drag you out to my rock for Kalimun, but if you want to fill your freight bays with a few hundred tons, I throw that in as well.”

He steered the small boat away from the Asteroid and accelerated in my estimate only marginally better than his hover sled.

I called Har-Hi and told him quietly what I was doing and where I was.

Har-Hi cleared his throat. “That explains the call we got from local security about two dead and two very seriously injured local thugs, not that this was a very big mystery to us.” “Two of them are dead?” “Crushed larynx did one of them in and having a yellow handled pneumatic rock hammer buried in your chest reduces your chances of surviving a brawl drastically. Any specific orders while you do the local sight-seeing tour?”

“Keep an eye on our friend, just in case he decides to leave earlier. Other than that stand by I should be back soon.” I swallowed dryly. “At least I know now what these yellow things are.”

Ha-Hi deactivated his wrist PDD with an almost angry tap.

Elfi who stood next to him on the bridge of the Tigershark said. “Be careful with your IRTC module. They say it is sturdy enough for Saturnians to use, but I doubt they designed it with agitated Dai in mind.”

They were both on duty aboard a Union ship and Elfi should have addressed Har-Hi by rank, as he was the XO of the ship, but in this regard no one aboard really acted in accordance with the rules.

He gave her a stern look. “If Hans can’t break it, what chance would I have? Wasn’t it you briefing me on these Intelligence Recon Tactical Communicators? I recall you said they work in any environment and are nearly indestructible.”

Before Elfi could respond, Hans who stood at his security post pulled a mangled piece from out of a pocket. “Sorry Sir, they are not indestructible and most certainly not sturdy enough for Saturnians.” He made an apologetic face and grinned weakly towards Elfi

Shea actually patted Har-Hi’s shoulder. “The Captain will be fine, it’s a harmless trip to an Asteroid mine.” She was also standing close to Har-Hi when Erica called.

The Dai XO of the Tigershark sat down in the Command seat. “Do you recall one single trip our Captain took anywhere without running in some kind of situation?” He threw his arms in the air. “It took the Captain less than ten minutes and just walking out the Tavern to run into local thugs and kill two of them.”

Everyone on the bridge and the entire ship knew that Har-Hi was not disrespectful of the Captain but vented his concerns. Har-Hi loved the Captain like a brother.

Narth popped out of thin air and said as if he had listened to the entire conversation. “There are no conditions known to all Narth, that could quantify such concepts as luck or fate, but I personally begin to question that knowledge and come to the conclusion our Captain has some sort of unexplained talent in that regard.”

He then sat down behind the OPS station, and carefully arranged the folds of his shrouds. “I sense no danger, or distress. The Captain appears to be in no danger.”

Har-Hi leaned back. “Well since we are all here, I like a situation report. The Captain might want to know when he comes back.”

“She. The captain is now a she, Sir.” Krabbel corrected the Dai while lingering behind the Command seat and next to the Nav Tank.

Har-Hi turned to face the Archa Spider. “Of course, I still getting used to this change. Now let us begin with you Mr. Krabbel, report please.”

“I analyzed all the NAV data we recovered from the pirate ships we recently acquired and created a new info map of Freespace and regions beyond. With the intel data and pirate incident reports from Hans I co-related it all.”

Har-Hi noticed the red haired Yeoman standing next to the spider holding a PDD and said. “And Yeoman O’Connell is using it to prepare legal documents so the individuals we have in Zero stasis custody can be charged in court later, I assume?”

She nodded. “Yes, Sir. I am preparing dossiers on all our guests.”

Elfi was next and said. “I am monitoring the local channels. They are all abuzz about Captain Black Velvet and the Silver Streak. I say we made quite an impression. I also like to commend TheOther who is becoming a real asset to my department. He is currently in the Comm Lab and diligently sorting through the transcripts, preparing a signal intel report for Fleet Command.”

“So noted Ms. Petetis. I will place your recommendation into the log and have the Captain sign it.”

Shea pointed to her science console. “I am mapping the orbits of the asteroids in this system, using our Kelpie data. My department also works on a solar profile, analyzing the DNA micro matter I collected in the Bassett office.”

Shaka lifted his helmet. “While we are idle I am running simulations with Mao and SHIP,”

Har-Hi suddenly felt a little proud of the ship and its crew and he had to admit the pride he felt was for the Union way of doing things. Even here attached to a mooring arm of a pirate base, the crew of the Tigershark continued their work with initiative and efficiency.

“Good work you two, I expect a full department report on my desk by 0900 tomorrow, Mr. Narth.”

He then motioned towards Hans. “Mr. Neugruber you are not off the hook. After I heard your security report, I want you to explain to Ms. Petetis how you managed to utterly destroy Fleet equipment worth hundreds of credits.”

The titanic Saturnian, who just recently frightened the toughest cut throat pirates and spacers somehow managed to look a little smaller and a little intimidated as he addressed the XO.

“Sir, all prisoners are safely secured. We received 68 individuals from the Roughnir. They all have been molecular scanned, stripped of all belongings and placed inside Prisoner Control suits and in Zero Stasis boxes. The Togar female is currently still in Sickbay under the care of our CMO. Two Marines standing guard.”

Hans tried to look apologetic as he handed Elfi the mangled communicator.

“It dropped as I changed into my Pirate outfit and TheOther accidentally stepped on it and was surprised it survived, and I sort of accidentally stepped on it too.” His face lit up. “It still sort of works.”

Elfi took the thing and glared at him. “That the emergency power light still blinks does not mean it still works, Mr. Neugruber.”

To Har-Hi she said.

“These are prototypes and we are the first to receive them. Each of these simple looking devices are fully operational military PDDs with picto burst GalCom and a range of five light years. They are also the smallest Avatar enabled devices, can self-destruct fully, can launch a remote controlled spy drone, the size of a pinhead and have a three shot micro rocket launcher, not to mention the capability to engulf the wearer into a contour Para Dim shield for ten minutes.”

Narth added in his detached completely emotion free voice. “The development budget of the first 500 units, of which we have received 490 exceeds the estimated GDP of your entire tribe by 67 percent, Lt. Hi. So your estimate of a few hundred credits per unit is perhaps not entirely correct.”

Har-Hi looked at his own wrist com. “It has rockets you say?”

Elfi handed Hans a new one and said. “The use and activation of the unit’s offensive capabilities are described in section eight of the User manual.”

Har-Hi didn’t want to admit he never read past the first page and said to Narth. “How would you know the GDP of my tribe?”

“Your father met with the Finance and Commerce committee of the Assembly, four years ago. Financial and Commerce advice and assessment is part of the process to integrate new members into the Union. The GDP assessment of all Union members is public record and...”

Har-Hi groaned. “And you of course know that, probably of all Union members.”

Narth voice had the tiniest hint of amusement as he said. “Naturally, Sir.”

Har-Hi listened to the rest of the reports. The ship was in perfect condition and nothing indicated any imminent problems. “Is the Tullerman still there?”

Hans answered. “Yes it is still moored where you have left it, you and the Captain returned with Narth.”

“I think I’ll change into my Jooltar costume once more, take a look around the base and take that thing out. Shea you have the Conn.”

“Sir, may I ask why are you doing that and where are you taking that contraption?” Shea asked.

“I want to be out there, just in case. Besides it needs to leave.”

“Sir what help could you give in the Tullerman? We do have a Specter Class Gazelle. It is not as well armed as a Wolfcraft, but still a terrible Union war machine and faster than anything within a thousand light years.”

“You are a very smart girl, Shea, but how would you explain to the Captain that we blew our cover by opening a hangar and launching a craft that screams union? The Gazelle can only cloak once outside.”

“Sorry, sir. I just think you are worried about the Captain and we should do something.”

“The Captain is fine, he ... I mean she called. Narth says she is fine.” Har-Hi turned to Narth. “She is, right?”

“I feel no emotions other than boredom”

Har-Hi got up and motioned to Elfi. “Can you assist me with the costume again? This Saresii Auto Dresser is not like our regular units.”

“Of course, do you mind me tagging along, Sir? I will look just as convincing as the Captain in the Black Nogoll costume.”

He agreed. “Yes that is a good idea. No one really noticed us, but someone might and it is good if they see us leave together.”

The two men wearing brown cloaks sitting in a dark corner of the Mother Lode Tavern watched the leather clad pirate captain leave. The Tavern was now almost empty, only a few miners remained. A pair of Oghr miners had resumed their game of Grensex and tossed the eight sided dice onto the table surface.

The Pertharian stood next to the hover cart with the dead pirates and talked to Oneu, the meat and body scavenger and haggled for a good price.

Oneu, an Izonar was sometimes sneered at by others as a ghoul, but no one doubted he made a good living. There was always a market for meat, body parts, blood and other things. The dead Thaurans might not travel far and end up on someone’s menu.

But neither man paid much attention to that, they both still stared towards the exit. Dimon had a dry throat as he said. “What a woman.”

“A rich one too. She just sold us two space ships and thanks to her shrewd Golden, with a much better profit margin than we usually grant.”

Honsu got up. “I must make my way to Sin 4 now, but I am sure I will hear from her again.”

He bade his farewell and went to his ship. Deep down he knew it already, he was deeply and madly in love with that brutal, mysterious woman.

HAR-HI
Once more looking like a mangy Jooltar and in the company of a Black Nogoll. They slipped into the mooring arm corridor after Narth teleported them to an unobserved corner.

They both were about to enter the Tullerman, when Har-Hi suddenly got weak knees and an intense sensation of burning pain engulfed his entire body. He and Elfi collapsed right before the Airlock.

Har-Hi could see two beings, that had been hiding inside the Airlock, one of the shapes was holding a Kermac Neuro Ripper. “Let’s get them inside before anyone sees them.”

Everything went dark after that.

ERICA
We finally reached a sizable Asteroid, I estimated to be at least six light hours from the pirate base. My new friend had told me much about the Bassett family and the details of a roid miners life.

I had learned that the Bassetts did not build the Asteroid base.

It was so he told me originally built by an unknown alien civilization and discovered by the Togar. The cats of Togr refurbished it and used it as a mining base and outpost. Why the Togar abandoned it about 600 years ago was not known to him. He claimed that the ghosts of the original aliens had chased the Togar away, at least that was a popular legend and horror story, the Roid Miners loved to tell each other.

Mikesh hadn’t really shut up since we left and some of it was mildly interesting, most of it however almost put me to sleep.

However I listened more actively as he begun to tell me more about the Bassetts. “You know where we Bassetts come from?”

“No, but I do wonder why some appear to have Kermac and Shiss features. Those species are not exactly compatible.”

“The details are kept secret, by the inner circle and I am sure only the Old Bird herself really still knows the real story, but the tale goes like this. The Kermac Ministry of Information needs spies that could infiltrate other societies. Now in the case of the Union it is relative easy, but neither the Shiss nor the Nul are a multi species society. So the MOI simply took Kermac and started experimenting with plastic surgery and DNA tailoring to create Kermac that look like other beings, including Shiss and Nul. It is said that a batch of clones were a failed experiment and managed to flee before the Kermac could destroy them.

The legend also claims that these clones made their escape by the tiniest margin, their escape ship damaged and more a wreck than anything. They ended up here where they met a pirate or some other type of crook, he came from the Union and his name was Bassett. The old bird, that is the female leader of the Kermac clones and that human somehow formed an alliance.”

He steered the small ship past the opening iris type doors, set right into the surface of the Asteroid. “Now you know.”

“So this Old Bird is still alive?”

“Yes, the Bassetts occupy that Roid for about 400 years now, and female leader, aka the Old Bird has been there from the beginning. The Terran guy, Tom Bassett aged almost 210 years before he died.” Mikesh powered down his ship and got up. “But no one expects her to live much longer, but living past 500 years should be no mystery to you, right?”

“Who knows, I just wondered.” I planned to have Hans check on that name and I was sure that it more or less was exactly how it happened. “Well, Mikesh now there is a mystery less for me in the universe.”

“I know you are a busy Pirate and all this might not be the usual pace of things you are accustomed to, but to me it is amazing to have your company for a little while ... When I meet the other miners and tell them famous Black Velvet has been here, they will call me a liar and all that; and will give me something to talk about for years to come.”

The ship had docked and he was opening the airlock door. “I was not kidding, Black Velvet. I found something in this rock of mine. I am sure it is from the same beings that originally built the base, could even be Celtest.”

I followed him and was no longer just mildly interested. “Celtest you say?”

HAR-HI
Har-Hi still felt groggy as he came around. He found himself wrapped in plastic tape. A strong looking green skinned Oghr of one or the other subspecies before him, holding the Jooltar mask in one hand and a Kermac Neuro Ripper in the other. “Since you awake, you can hear me Dai. I want answers.”

Now that his head began to clear he saw Elfi, still unconscious, also unmasked and to his great dismay a Kermac, who stood behind the Oghr. This Kermac was more gray than white and he did not wear an artificial beard, still he was certain that evil grinning hairless man was a Kermac.

They were still in the Tullerman from the looks of it.

The Oghr wore some kind of space suit, from the looks of it, quite old and repaired and patched several times. The Kermac wore something quite similar.

The Oghr held the Jooltar mask before Har-Hi’s face. “I don’t know if I can make a Dai talk, even with a Neuro Ripper, so I might revert to old fashioned torture and rip you and your companion in small pieces. Before I discovered that you are not at all what you pretended to be I wanted to know is why a mangy looking Jooltar and a Black Nogoll came into the possession of the Yukitri.”

He waved his weapon. “You see we hoped to run into you ever since you appeared at the port.”

The Kermac spoke for the first time. “They were good friends of ours, Vaokk and Fundr. Scavengers like us, and missing for many month and now you show up in their Tullerman. We knew right away you weren’t scavengers and now what do we find?”

The Oghr shook the mask. “A Dai and a human woman disguised in fancy costumes. Tell me Dai, who are you and why did you come to Brahma Port like that?”

The Kermac hissed. “Just like the Nul, disguised spies you are, Union or perhaps eyes and ears for Cam elf-Na most likely!”

Har-Hi was angry at himself; he had been way too relaxed about his surroundings, way too preoccupied about the Captain than to pay attention. In his own Dai Suit he would have had a dozen ways to escape his current situation, kill the two and return to the ship. But right now he was as helpless as a Dai woman during her first bedding. He growled at them. “You let us go and I won’t kill you.”

“Letting you go? A real life Dai? Even if you don’t talk and survive my questioning you bring a pretty profit at Dyne. Someone will buy you and take you to Sin 4 or Alvor’s Cove.”

The Kermac shook his head. “I can’t read him. He is well shielded and the woman is still unconscious, but I am sure she’s Saran.”

A beeping sound from the ships control deck interrupted them and the Kermac said. “We leave you to think about it.”

They both left and Har-Hi could hear the Isah Pods of the Tullerman whine louder, and then the tone changed to a deep vibrating hum. He was certain they just went Translight.

Elfi opened her eyes, showing that she wasn’t unconscious after all. “I think this time it isn’t the Captain who’s in trouble, Sir.”

Har-Hi successfully managed to shift his position so he could see the door and said. “Are you hurt?”

“Yes, the effects of that cursed Neuro Ripper is fading fast.”

Har-Hi looked around to see if there was anything he could use to free himself; to his dismay the small cargo hold was completely empty.

ERICA
Mikesh and I drove in a wheeled contraption down a long winding corridor carved into the rock of the asteroid. This vehicle was basically a frame with six wheels, a cargo bed and two seats. It apparently had its own Arti Grav, because the natural gravitation of that roid was almost nothing.

Mikesh drove the thing at considerable speed and I was sure we covered at least ten kilometers or more, before the corridor widened into a big cavern and a dead end. Here he stopped.

A big tough looking machine on tracks with an articulated arm and a saw tooth covered ball shaped drilling tool at the end stood there, bathed in floodlights glued to the cavern walls. He said with a proud grin. “This is a truly ancient SII – Tunnel Borer, almost 500 years old and it never let me down. I know you and me don’t like the Union much, but they sure build the nicest things.”

“I have to agree with you on that, Mikesh.” I climbed out of the vehicle and looked around. “I guess that deep brown strata is the Kalimun, right?”

I was anxious to see what he had found so I could return to the ship, but I had to admit this so far pretty eventless trip was quite interesting and I learned how a Roid Mine looked from the inside.”

He chuckled. “Keen eyes you have behind that spooky mask of yours. Yes that is the Kalimun, but this is not what I wanted you to see.”

He walked up to the wall where his machine had dug or drilled as it appeared only recently. I followed him and now I could see; the machine had uncovered a door frame of sorts. Made of a gray metal. Mikesh went right past the frame and disappeared inside.

I was right behind him.

The room was perhaps twenty meters in diameter, and it appeared to me that it once had to be part of a building, or basement. Much of it was empty and it all had the feel of great age.

In the middle sat a coffin sized box of the same dark metal.

The tools he used to pry it open still scattered around.

Inside the box was a machine like contraption. It looked truly alien, but had button like controls and several spherical discs that glowed with a dark blue light.

There was writing as well.

Mikesh said almost whispering. “I don’t know what it is, but if you touch it, it talks.”

“What does it say?”

“It says it is the Key to the Universe. If I understand it right, it can create some sort of gates and that might be useful to a pirate.”

“Where did you touch it?”

He pointed at the central light, a bluish glowing disk of about 20 centimeters across. I reached out against all better knowledge and touched the disk with my gloved fingers.

The voice was loud and not psionic. “I am the Key to the Universe. Many thousand gates can be opened with me. The Gates and I have been created to unite many to defeat you, Dark Lord and those who come in thy name.”

“I am not a Dark Lord. I am Captain Black Velvet.

While I was touching the thing, I suddenly remembered my ring. Why was I always forgetting the blasted thing only to remember it in the weirdest moments?

“I am the Key to the Universe, there are many like me. The Traveler came to this Star Island and made gates here. I was given to the Dominants so the gates may be used.”

“What kind of gates?”

“I am the Key to the Universe and when I am near a Gate I can open it. Travelers may pass through to reach other Star Islands. What is unreachable becomes reachable.”

“Can you show me the way to these gates?”

“I am the Key...”

“Yes, yes you are the Key and whoever created you wasn’t able to give you a little more sense. Well maybe Cirruit or Shea can make more out of it all.”

I removed my hand.

Mikesh said. “Whatever it is, I don’t want it on my rock, but if it can make some sort of gates, maybe it will be useful to a pirate?”

“You are a good man. Mikesh. I learned a lot today and this is most certainly a priceless gift.”

I returned to a standing position and looked around. The chamber we were in wasn’t a cavern but a created room with smooth walls. Another doorway was blocked with rubble. There was not much in terms of anything else, but something that looked like a control console of sorts.

“Well Black Velvet. You can have it and I give you the most beautiful Kalimun Crystal on top of it, if you pose with me next to my Digger, for a still visual. So I have a piece of evidence, you really been with me here.”

“Of course I can do that. Did you find anything else like that?”

“No, this is it. If I ever dig out more, I set it aside and it will give you a reason to come back one day.”

I had made a few visuals with Mikesh and his digger. Then he used a material handler to load the entire coffin sized box on his vehicle.

Now two hours later we were back in his little ship and while he was busy getting us underway, I slipped into the small galley and called my ship.

Shea responded. “Captain, good to hear from you. We were almost a little worried, Sir.”

“I told you I am in no danger whatsoever. I found something ancient and alien and it might be Seenian or something like that. It talks and calls itself the Key to the Universe.”

I send her my recordings and she said. “Narth is looking at them too, and we are both convinced it is neither Seenian nor Pree or Uni. I am all excited to examine it and we should return to that asteroid and examine that place in more detail.”

“That is what I wanted you to do while I am with Mikesh. Got to that asteroid and examine that chamber. Maybe that command console I saw is of significance too.”

“Aye captain, but how?”

“The Gilgamesh suits can cloak and there deep space propulsion packs. I sent you the coordinates of that asteroid, it is only three light hours from the port. Now please give me Har-Hi.”

“Har-Hi is not aboard, Captain.”

“He is not? Where is he then?”

“Sir, he and Elfi went disguised to take the Tullerman out, just in case...”

I frowned. “Of course, I get the picture. Now please connect me with him.”

There was a pause

“Shea?”

“Sir I am unable to raise either one.”

“Narth, connect to the Kelpies and locate the Tullerman.”

Again a pause and then Narth said. “Captain the Tullerman went trans light sixteen minutes ago.”

HAR-HI
“What a mess.” Elfi said.

“Don’t worry, Princess I am getting us out of here. I am much more worried how to explain that to the captain.”

She had to smile. “That is what I meant.”

“I wonder why Narth didn’t notice our predicament.”

“Because he is not a long range Telepath and most likely wasn’t focused on us. I know he can sense thoughts at about 50 kilometers, he can only sense Erica no matter the distance because they shared their souls or spirits or something like that.”

The Kermac appeared in the door frame. “A friend of ours at Dyne offered a nice sum of polos for both of you. So relax and enjoy the trip.”

He left and closed the door.

Elfi tried to get closer to Har-Hi. “Maybe you can reach my bonds.”

“Would not do much good, princess. They used memory tape. I am not strong enough.”

“No but you still have Jooltar claws, they are simulated and sharp as knives.”

Like an inch worm he moved towards Elfi. “You are brilliant!”

The Kermac came in again. “Now you are going to tell me who you are. My friend wants to rip you apart, but I think the Saran girl will talk after a dose of...”

Har-Hi, due to his inch worm approach was more or less kneeling, and like a steel spring he pushed himself up, and hit the Kermac square against the chin with his head.

The Kermac fell back.

Still bound by tape, but agile as a snake, Har Hi was over the dazed Kermac and bit in his throat. Blood gushed, the Kermac gargled a suffocating scream.

Elfi was not a damsel in distress, she barrel rolled as fast as she could retrieved the Neuro Ripper weapon the Kermac had dropped with her hands still tied to her back, and immediately fired from that awkward position as the Oghar came through the door.

First he only shrugged and growled agonized but kept on stomping forward.

Elfi thanked Isis for the weapon training they had received aboard the Devi, her fingers found the power dial. With two finger tips she dialed it to max, just as the Oghr pulled his weapon.

The Oghr fell in agonizing convulsions as every nerve in his body was overloaded with pain impulses. He died of Neural shock moments later.

It did take them another fifteen minutes or so, to find a knife on the Oghr and free themselves.

Har- Hi wiped the blood of his chin. “Maybe we make it in time before the Captain even knows we are gone.”

They both went to the tiny command deck, and found the Tullerman was still in Quasi and on an automated course towards a destination. Unfortunately the Tullerman did not have a great range and was near the end of its fuel reserves.

Har Hi checked Navigations and said. “Looks like we heading for that G-type star.” He pointed at the 3D screen of the tiny Nav Tank.”

Elfi looking over the read outs said with disappointment. “We won’t be able to turn around, we only got enough fuel to reach that star and whatever planetary destination.”

Elfi cursed very un-princess like. “We are well past the GalCom range of our equipment and this primitive bucket only features an old Tachyon radio. I am sending a coded message and TheOther or SHIP should be able to decode it, but it will take a few days before they get it.”

Har-Hi steeled himself and said with a somber tone. “Looks like we have little alternatives and find out what Dyne is after all.”

ERICA
After an antagonizing slow ride back to Brhama Port aboard the miner scull, I made it back aboard my own ship.

“Cirruit button her up. Shaka as soon as the board shows green. Get us going. That Tullerman doesn’t have a terribly long range, Krabbel check for the nearest possible destination.” I said in a calm voice as I came onto the bridge.

While I was worried about Har-Hi and Elfi and I knew they did not leave the system on their own free will, I was the Captain and had to be confident and assuring.

I also contemplated that probably that our cover has been compromised as I did not know who or what abducted my friends, Their disguises were good but would not hold up to close scrutiny.

“TheOther, do you pick up any unusual comm activity, maybe talking about a Dai and a Saran?”

“No, Captain and I am monitor every channel we know and SHIP is helping.”

“All Green, Captain.” Cirruit reported.

“Shaka, nice and smooth and with no apparent haste.”

“Aye Captain,”

“Depending on the fuel reserves there are only three destinations the Tullerman could reach. Two Togar outposts and a G type star with several planets, but there is nothing about it in our catalogs.” Krabbel reported.

“Sodoby, would you know where the Tullerman could have gone too?”

“I think it might be Dyne. Marginal garden world that has or may be used to have a native civilization. They had so many pirate raids that nothing remained. I am not sure what is there now.”

He pointed to that G type star. “Dyne is the second planet of that star.”

TheOther said. “I am listening to local chatter for a while now and the place is mentioned occasionally, It is total anarchy and unlike Sin 4, no cities and no syndicates. Just low life gangs fighting each other and infested with every sort of space vermin. At least from what I heard no halfway successful pirates will go there anymore.”

“Well that is where we are going. If they aren’t there we check the Togar outposts.”

Shea sighed. “Let us hope, it isn’t the Togars. They might identify our friends for what they are, Union spies.”

Time seemed to crawl as we accelerated well within the limits of a Karthanian and our simulated old Isahs.

HAR-HI
Har-Hi knew their ordeal was just starting, as a Jooltar Brute approached fast and demanded them to cut their engines. A Jooltar brute was serious opponent to any similar sized vessel of the same tech level.

Elfi looked at him. “This is bad, right?”

“Very much so, that Jooltar Brute would be a serious opponent to the Silver Streak. We don’t have enough fuel to even try to outrun it.

The rough sounding voice that came over Myon channels, repeated. “Tullerman cut your engines and prepare to be boarded. This is our last transmission before we open fire.”

Har-Hi pushed the engine level to standby.

“Quick let us get rid of the costumes!” Har-Hi commanded.

They both stripped out of the bio flex skin and put the costumes along with the dead bodies into the air lock, hoping that these small objects would not be noticed when they jettisoned the whole load into space.

It didn’t take long after that when the Jooltar brute was close enough. A tractor beam caught the Dingy and pulled it inside a cargo hold.

Without any further demands or communication, the outer airlock door was cut out its frame. Two beings roughly humanoid in shape wearing battle armor of unknown origin stepping back, turning off their plasma cutters, while the door clanged to the cargo deck floor. Four more similarly equipped beings aiming blaster weapons at the opening. The same gruff voice, amplified for certain barked. “You two, get out. We know one of you is Dai, so leave your hardware behind, all of it.”

Whoever was behind all this was no nonsense and Har-Hi knew escape would not be easy. He said to Elfi. “Let us play along until we see an opportunity to escape.”

She nodded. “I am with you Har-Hi, to whatever end.”

They both stepped onto the sun bright lit cargo deck, the armed beings reduced to dark shapes.

The harsh voice had an amused and surprised tone. “A Dai and a Saran! Union no doubt, welcome aboard.”

We had left the shattered system behind and I had us drift before committing to Quasi space. Giving Narth and my science officer a chance to make a detail sensor analysis, hoping we might pick up a trace of the Tullerman. I was just about to order them to light up our real sensors, when the Swift Profit dropped into real space and hailed us. “I thought we had a deal and we go together to Sin 4?”

“We never had a deal and I tend to change my mind.”

“Well I did too, my dear, you see you have a mighty nice chest. I don’t mean that delectable rack you got there under thin leather, but the one full of Polos and I want it. So before we start shooting and all that, please pay attention to your scanners and you will notice four fighters approaching fast. You see Ilkesh Bassett was very upset that you killed two of his men and helped his rival. It was very easy to convince him to assist me. Your Karthanian trader stands no chance against us. These are genuine surplus Dai Fighters and the jocks know how to use them.”

I cut the transmission. Mao as soon as they are in range for sniper loads take them out, and then place a micro load in Swift’s engineering section.”

“Marines prepare for boarding action.”

Har-Hi and Elfi were treated very rough and stripped naked. A Jooltar scanned them with a hand held device and growled. “Their clean, nothing artificial on them.”

Just as Har-Hi was pushed inside a holding tank, the entire ship shuddered and alarm sounds vibrated all across the alien ship.

Har-Hi took his chance and attacked the Togar warrior that had pushed him, with a round house kick to the head. He followed up with swift powerful fist blows to the stumbling cat. He thought his captors why Dai were considered to be among the most dangerous life forms. In a bestial display of gory violence he had stomped on the Togar’s head and cracked the cat warrior’s skull. The Jooltar guarding Elfi was only now reacting, because the Dai was so fast. Elfi not letting the distraction go to waste, kicked the Jooltar between the legs. Har-Hi wrapped his strong arms around the neck of the Jooltar bending forward in pain and twisted his entire body, breaking the neck of the second guard.

Again the ship shook. Someone at least the equal to a Jooltar Brute was attacking. Har-Hi took the blaster of the dead Togar, while Elfi armed herself with the energy weapon of the similarly dead Jooltar. They didn’t waste time or energy on conversation. Neither really knew what was going on, but both were determined to find out and better their situation.

It was not really a fight, out here I did not have to worry about our cover, as I did not intend to leave witnesses behind and my marines had no problem either.

I stood by the airlock as TheOther carried Swift under one of his arms, like a rag doll.

The pirate was still conscious and cursed. “You managed to steal a Union Translocator! No other weapon could do that.”

“Well I decided to have one, they come in very handy.”

He looked around and I saw the truth dawned on him. “You are Union.”

“Yes Mr. Swift, we are and the survivors of the Danny Houston will have a front row seat at your execution. I love to remain and chat but I am in awful hurry.”

He lowered his head and then said. “On my trial I will expose you and this illegal Union action in free space.”

“Mr. Swift we are quite legal. The only law we follow is the will of the Assembly, and you have been already trialed in absence. When you come out of stasis is the day when they take you to the gallows. Mr. TheOther take him away.”

I tried to appear calm and collected, two of my best friends were in life threatening danger. That they could be wounded or dead was something I refused to even think about.

I knew my crew worked as fast as they could, securing the surviving pirates. I was in too much of a hurry to bother with the Swift Profit and blew it to atomic dust with a full kilo charge of AM.

On my way to the bridge, I said. “SHIP any luck on our scans for the Tullerman?”

“No Captain, the engine signature and its resulting particle trail are just too weak.”

I stepped on my bridge and said to Krabbel even before sitting down. “Lay in a course for Dyne.”

“Aye Captain.”

“Shaka get us going, as fast as we can.”

“As fast as the Silver Streak or as fast as the Tigershark?”

“Narth anyone close that could detect us?”

“Nothing on the scanner horizon.”

“Shaka, as fast as we can!”

Dyne
The Tigershark was fast, very fast and without being restrains imposed on us by our disguise as a Karthanian armed trader, we made it to Dyne in under two minutes. The Tigershark’s safe Translight speed was 68,921 times the speed of light. Our ship could accelerate to Quasi Space in 2.8 seconds.

Shaka, despite the seriousness of the situation sounded happy. We are here Captain. System Dorsi, out most orbit one light hour ahead.”

Narth reported. “I have a larger contact on the scanner horizon. Apparently on his way to Dyne. Shea did not take her eyes of her readouts. “That contact appears to be a Jooltar Brute. No other artificial contacts within sensor range, but I am detecting seven energy contacts on the surface of that third planet that could belong to Tullerman sized crafts. Four are on standby, two of them appear to in the process of landing or leaving the planet.”

I slid to the edge of my seat and said. “Nothing leaves that dirt ball until we know Har-Hi and Elfi were brought here.”

TheOther said. “Captain, I am receiving a coded Myon message. It is from Elfi, I mean Lt. Elfiatra.”

“What does it say? “I urged him to forget formalities and tell us what our friends were transmitting.”

“Lt Hi and I abducted by friends of the scavengers that originally owned the Tullerman. Disguise blown, Har-Hi and I killed the abductors. Not much fuel left, heading for yellow star, the destination of these scavengers.”

“Shaka get us to that planet, maybe Narth can pick something up.”

“I do not want to pick anything up Captain. From all indications and Sodoby’s description. That planet is rather unsavory.”

“I mean the minds of Har-Hi or Elfi.”

“Oh ... I am not a good long range telepath, but I doubt either one of them are on Dyne. Their vessel is much slower. I am certain we arrived here well before them. The Tullerman only reaches a speed of 1024 times the speed of light.”

I didn’t need Shea or Narth for that calculation and said. “So the Tullerman needs two days to get here?”

Shea failed to stop Narth in time. The shrouded OPS officer raised his finger. “No, Captain it takes that craft 2.1401 standard days in a more precise estimate.”

Mao interrupted. “That Jooltar warship has detected us, they are on a straight intercept course and under max acceleration. Shields raised weapons armed and extended.”

“As a Karthaninan armed trader we won’t be able to get away.” Shea said.

“And that Brute will be more than an equal opponent to the Silver Streak.”

“I guess the subtle way is out, well maybe they have seen a Tullerman.” I said and added. “All hands battle stations. SHIP sound General quarters.”

The penetrating siren sound and SHIP’s no nonsense voice repeating. “General Quarters, General Quarters all hands man your battle stations.” Echoed through the ship.

I had no time to play around. Two of my friends were out there, but I could not go all Union on the aggressor. I had risked much getting here under real engine power, finding out not even necessary. We were too close to an occupied planet, without knowing what eyes might be on us by now. Dropping out of Quasi gave no indication how fast we had been.

“We have no data on that particular ship. “Hans reported.

“The other ship opened...” Mao could not finish his sentence, when the shield indicators flared up. “... fire, Captain.”

“Kermac Line Cannon, direct hit. Simulated shields at 80 percent.” Narth said.

“Mao, tit for tat. Paint that bastards bow with our FTL DEs and I understand you can mask our Quark-Gluon Plasma casters. Just so the feel it for sure.”

Mao complied and said. “We got their attention, their bow shields are gone.”

A Leedei literally stormed on the bridge. “Captain, Sir. Our missing officers are aboard the attacking ship. Our officers are well shielded, but there are people over there thinking about a Dai and Saran woman.”

HAR-HI
Har-Hi had to give it to Elfi, she was no damsel in distress, but a true warrior princess. She had burned and killed her share of the alien vessel’s crew right behind him. Both of them were almost naked, but now well armed. Both of them were filthy, had blood and grime all over them, not to mention a few burn wounds of blaster fire that came close, thankfully not too close. Another jolt made the lights flicker.

They were both stuck in a corridor. It took them precious time to cut and burn through one of them already.

Elfi wiped the back of her hand over her mouth and grinned. “We might not make it, but it seems they picked a fight with someone that has bigger guns.”

“Never give up, Princess. Doesn’t look too promising I admit, but so far they haven’t really concentrated on us with real confinement measures. So they might be too busy to know we are out.”

The security door before them suddenly opened very fast and both the Dai and the princess were overwhelmed by a flood of panicking beings in all sorts of space and battle suits. He blasted one, Elfi fired at another, but it was clear the dozen or so spacers did not come to fight them but were fleeing something else. He heard the panicked voices. Someone yelled. “Y’All!”

Then Har-Hi saw the most frightening and wonderful sight at the same time. In the corridor beyond the security door approached a four armed whirlwind of doom. Ripping beings in full battle suits apart like tissue paper. Blood, gore and armor piece like a shower around that horrifying nightmare. A second monster of about the same size, with only two arms but arms like pistons of a planet mining machine hammering armored fist of tremendous size onto the cranium shell of a Karthanian battle robot. The blow was of such tremendous power, it literally shattered the bot. Twisted and bent pieces around its enormous feet. That immense titan then swatted a full size Bootnar warrior against the bulk head where the Bootnar left a smear of blood and armor pieces. Then the Y’All fired a Nul gravitor cannon, ripping more enemies and material apart in oscillating graviton pulses.

Elfi yelled. “Har-Hi look!”

The Dai turned and from the other end of the corridor, a tall woman in an all-black combat suit slicing a Jooltar from head to toe with an axe. A completely shrouded being on her side made two of the spacers close to Elfi float and with a stomach sickening sound, their heads were twisted off by an unseen force.

Har-Hi laughed elated. “Captain!”

There they were, looking terrible but I almost rushed and hugged them, they were alive. I managed to keep my captain dignity and then I saw all the crusted blood over Har-Hi’s face and chest.

“Odin’s beard what happened to your face. Narth get him to Cateria stat.”

“I am not wounded, Captain, but...”

Narth handed him his swords. “I assume you might want to accompany us to the command center of this vessel.”

Now it was Har-Hi who almost hugged Narth. “Yes I want to find out who that light blending gruff voice bastard is before I dice him.”

I listened to the reports coming from my ear piece. “Cirruit and Three-Four have secured engineering, Fectiv and Pure leading our marines call the ship secure. And since Hans just ripped the Control center door out its socket, you should be able to do just that.”

Har-Hi stormed the rest of the way past a terrible swath of destruction. Neither Hans nor TheOther had held back.

I said. “I think I was not the only one a little upset, hearing you guys being abducted. They were almost fighting each other as to who could come to help rescue you.”

“Hans and TheOther?” “Everyone, down to Warner and our Elly Chef.”

The Dai said running. “I never expected so many well-armed beings aboard a pirate ship. Narth who floated effortless next to both of us said. “Because this is the ship of Steen Tirkov, he is a Mercenary and these are his troops.”

Just as he said that, we entered the bridge of the Jooltar Brute. Steen Tirkov, was held by TheOther. Hans had just flattened an Orkh hammering his fist on the green beings head, apparently Hans’ signature move.

From something like an equipment locker, his right hand, the cybernetic enhanced woman jumped right at me, and remained stuck floating in the air. It was now apparent she didn’t volunteer coming out of that hide out.

Narth had his hands behind his back and examined her. “Your ocular laser would not have been operational. I severed the control nerve. I noticed your presence for six minutes already.”

Steen groaned and laughed. “I tried to hunt you down, Black Velvet. I guess you got tougher shields than a Karthanian supposed to have, tougher than mine. And you got genuine Y’All warriors. I bet the Union would have paid me well for one of those as well.”

“You were after me?”

“Are you surprised? Twenty Million credits bounty isn’t small change. I heard you were on Brhama Port. Little did I know you had business on Dyne and coming this way. When I saw that Karthanian on our scanners, I was praising my luck. Well maybe a little to premature.”

Har-Hi aimed his sword at the mercenary. “Why did you capture us?”

“The scavenger blasting his find of a Dai warrior and a Saran woman all over Myon. Disguised as scavengers themselves. You are Union spies for sure and I bet Kermac would have paid me very well for you two. He pointed at the body of a Kermac. “I made good friends with one of them.”

I sighed under my mask, because I actually knew the Kermac and of course I knew Tirkov.

Narth spoke in my mind. “He is actually a Union Citizen and he appears not to be wanted. Mercenary units and bounty hunting is not illegal.”

Aloud I said. “Put all survivors in stasis.”

Tirkov yelled. “Selling me to a Slaver? I prefer Sin 4 and a Death Arena.”

Whatever else he wanted to say was interrupted by Hans hosing the bridge with paralysator rays, while the first marine came in unfolding a stasis box.

We returned to the Tigershark. Behind Narth and Two-Three, Har-Hi and Elfi came aboard. I collapsed my helmet and took off my mask, looking at my XO.

“Har-Hi are you sure you are okay? There is a lot of blood.”

“I am not wounded or hurt.”

“He took a bite out of a Kermac, Captain.” Elfi said.

Har Hi straightened. “Captain, I am taking full responsibility, It was...”

“It was an Erica Olafson situation so it seems. I know. Well at least for once it wasn’t me this time. I am glad you are back unharmed. I do however like to hear a full report. I also think you and Elfi need to visit Cateria.”

“We are not hurt, Captain. All we need is getting cleaned up.”

“You have been exposed to Neuro Ripper rays, who knows what side effects might linger. Besides you took a bite out of one of your captors and I assume neither one seemed to be too clean. And those burns I can see on both of you aren’t that small. Once she has you declared fit for duty get cleaned up and join me in the Den. We need to figure out what to do with Tirkov and his surviving crew. Then we have dinner. Unless you ruined your appetite snacking on Kermac.”

The disguised Tigershark had made landfall on Dyne after all. There was no space port or anything like that. Just an open field, occupied mostly by small craft, the size of that Tullerman.

Steen and his surviving crew were all standing or sitting naked on that open field. Fifty eight of his original crew of ninety had survived. Most of them were just coming around.

None of the locals had made their presence known. The Silver Streak of course was the reason, there was nothing even remotely that could challenge her in terms of fire power.

Steen blinked as he too came around after the paralysator effect was wearing off. His face expressed the utter confusion he felt.

“What? What is this?”

“You are on Dyne, your ship the Hard Eight is right where we left it adrift somewhere between the sixth and seventh orbit. I don’t like being hunted but I am not killing for the fun of it. There are locals with space crafts and maybe you can make a deal with them. If not there might be local careers available. If I ever hear you are on my trail again, Steen, I sell you personally to the Togar meat market, in pieces!”

“We are unarmed, the locals will sell us for slaves!”

“You asking me for a break?”

“Yes, I must. There is no one else I can ask. I rather die than end up as a slave again!”

I could not tell him how well I understood.

“There is a crate with all your personal belongings. I assume weapons too.”

I stepped inside the airlock. “SHIP retract the ramp and close the door. Shaka get us of this dirt ball.”

An hour later I sat in my ready room and made a call to Command. The ship was drifting in space, as we were at the very outermost limit we still could call and receive. GalCom was no longer able to establish visuals and had to be reduced to simple audio and two dee.

I finished my report saying.

“I have the crews of the Swift Profit and the rest of Bloom’s crew all in security stasis. I had no problem taking the Swift Profit, and we destroyed the ship after stripping most of its valuables. I am pretty sure Tirkov will make it of that planet. The Hard Eight is still space worthy, but we clipped her claws.”

McElligott leaned back in his chair and in doing so allowed the visual sensors of his terminal to pick up more of his office. It was just another office, nothing elaborate or something you would expect the office of the Admiral of the Fleet to be. There were a few shelves with real books. There was a strange triangular brass object on his desk and a few PDDs strewn around. He noticed me looking at it and said.

“This is a Sextant; it is a nautical instrument I had to learn to use when I was a Midshipman in His Majesty’s Navy. King George the seventh that is, may he rest in peace. Completely useless once you leave Earth.”

He then tapped one of his PDD.

“I am pleased to hear you let the merc live and I like your solution. If you sent him back to us, I could not do much with him. Your Narth is right, he isn’t wanted for any crimes. What he does is always outside Union jurisdiction.” He actually snickered. “I think you ruined a perfectly good Dai. Your XO is now getting in the same sort of situations.”

“He is painfully aware of that, Sir.”

Seamlessly the Admiral changed subject.

“The information on Cam Elf-Na confirms a few other reports we have and we are moving assets in the area to respond quickly if he decides to do that.

The good thing is such a massive Dai fleet is hard to hide. The bad part is; it is a huge fleet by any standard. We will be talking to Har-Hi’s father right after we are done to see what he thinks we can do to prepare.”

“I am sure Har-Hi will be glad to hear his father is consulted by you.”

McElligott smiled. “Tar Kar-Hi is more than an adviser to me. He is becoming a friend and his advice is sound and tempered with wisdom and experience.

The advice of our other friend I am sure you can guess.”

“I would not be able to guess the tactical and strategic decisions, Admiral Stahl might make, Sir.”

“Tell me what you would do if you were the Admiral and faced with a possible Dai Incursion?”

I shrugged.

“I am barely getting used to be in command of a ship, Sir.”

“Just humor me.”

“Well I would issue a sector alert, move ten or fifteen battle groups in the area and hide them in nearby star systems. Then I triple Gazelle and Specter patrols all along the border. Maybe have the Space Bees beef up our outposts and every floating rock with Exo Load Cannons and as much Loki Batteries as possible. I’d make sure the Devi and the first fleet is in the region as well. Certainly a group of Attikan Fast Battleships to run first response would be a good idea.

I’d let them come, close the back door and make sure there won’t be any left to have similar ideas in the future.”

The old man actually giggled and said.

“Well other than the fact that he is a few thousand years older than you and that you now look quite delectable, there isn’t all that much difference in you two when it comes to such things. What you just said with just a few details missing is exactly what he wants to do.

“I was certain I had grown a few centimeters in my seat with the deep pride that filled my chest.

“Sir this is a great compliment indeed. I would not dream or dare to compare myself with Admiral Stahl, but if you see similarities then I am on the right track.”

The Eternal Warrior walked into the visual pick up. “You certainly are, Son. I am also very proud of your conduct so far. Now transmit your position and stop all engines and wait. The USS Shadowrunner will rendezvous with you and take that alien control device from you, also those prisoners and bring you some supplies and an addition to your crew.”

“Done, we are stopping right now and coordinates are transmitted.”

McElligott blinked and said.

“Say, Captain Olafson would you not have to notify your helmsman and your navigator?”

“Sir, Narth has the Con and I relayed my orders directly to him.”

Stahl pointed at a readout in front of him.

“Coordinates received.”

McElligott poured himself a glass of whiskey and snorted.

“I should have known.”

Stahl helped himself to a glass as well and said.

“The Intel you gathered on the Nul situation is more serious and we are still analyzing it. Cooperation between Nul and Kermac would not be a good thing, but knowing about it is half the battle. We’ll keep you posted if we get any additional information on that and of course do the same if you run across anything as usual.”

“Yes, Sir of course.”

Stahl put the whiskey down. “If you can, find out what it is that the Red Dragon and the Sinister Alliance are planning and if you can, find out the location of their secret meeting place.”

“I am heading for Sin 4 maybe I can pick up some Intel there.”

“Yes that is where I would go too. Once you neutralized the Red Dragon, I think we can give you guys a break and you can come home to Richter Base and take that vacation we promised.”

TIRKOV
The tall muscular man stared after the Silver Streak as the pirate ship climbed into space. “She is something, isn’t she?”

Lagda, the cybernetic enhanced woman came to his side. “I hate her already! We better get our things before it gets dark and then let’s see if Rulli can be enticed to give us a ride home. I don’t like to be out here in the open. The Manka start hunting the second it gets dark.”

Tirkov agreed and barked orders to his groggy crew. Then he looked up again, the Silver Streak getting smaller by the moment. “I sure would like to know where she’s been all these years. Coming back with genuine Y’Al in her crew and with Shimmer shields shrugging of Union FTLs like that.”

Someone handed Lagda her coverall and weapons. “Not to mention some skinny guy with tremendous psionic powers.”

“They need to up the bounty on that pirate for sure. Twenty million isn’t coming close.”

Lagda cursed. “Stinking lizard shit, I seen you only once like that. Don’t tell me Tirk, please say it isn’t so.”

“Sorry Lagda Phoenix, but I think I am in love. She has spunk and class.”

White Fur
The USS Shadowrunner was another Chimera unit, a disguised ship. On the outside, a fairly old Oghar Ulmgar cruiser operated by an independent privateer named Kekotraa and on the inside, a state of the art Union ship. Kekotraa was a genuine Diechsen. A 350 centimeter tall Reptloid of the Sauro kind. Warm blooded, fast and strong, a former GC species.

Just like a regular Ulmgar, this Oghar cruiser was well armed and shielded but had bigger cargo holds. Captain Kekotraa explained that he was mostly resupplying Chimera units and secret NAVINT stations in and beyond Freespace.

We transferred the pirate crews and much of the loot of the Swift Profit, as we hoped it could be returned to the families of the victims.

As we wanted to transfer the alien key device, the Captain of the Shadowrunner refused to take it. “Command changed their mind on that one. The Admiral wanted me to inform you, that the Golden made an identical device available to Union science and the one you discovered might become useful to you, detecting secret gates.”

He handed me code verified orders as well.

We transferred what needed to go Union side. In return we received our first real Wolfcraft fighter, not another Gazelle. It was the first and so far only one equipped with a smaller version of the Janus Device.

Along with the Wolfcraft came a few containers of fresh food supplies.

Not that we were anywhere near running out. We weren’t gone all that long and just restocked pretty much everything at the secret NAVINT base. Of course we also had Molecular reconstitution systems that recycled 99.99% of our waste, but it was nice to have fresh things and a larger variety.

I was in our main Cargo hold where I had been talking to the Captain of the Shadowrunner who was, so I learned from Holstein planet, despite being Diechsen.

Holstein was in the same neighborhood as Nilfeheim and it was nice to exchange some non-important local gossip. He had sent over a crate of Holstein Pilsner, my favorite beer, and to the delight of our chef, a supply of Holstein butter.

While I was standing there, a large battle robot, bigger than a Fenris and more massive than a Cerberus, came over the freight tunnel that connected our ships and stomped towards me. The machine saluted and remained in that position.

Then a hatch on its chest opened and three hand sized men appeared, and they saluted again. I noticed they wore Union Black and I recognized them as Mini Terrans.

A magnifying field screen established between me and one of the men said.

“Lieutenant Charles Bergdorf and two specialist of the New World Commonwealth reporting for duty, Ma’am. Admiral Rutherford personally sends this Terror Mech. He thinks you might be able to use it and us.”

“Welcome aboard then. I am delighted to have you. Your machine looks impressive.”

“Yes Ma’am it is the pinnacle of NWC technology and rivals one of our battleship’s fire power. It was conceived to answer possible invasions by large enemies and the Terror-Machine-Suit series is the latest. We have been briefed about the Tigershark’s true mission and volunteered.”

Har-Hi walked around the towering machine and said. “If this thing equals the fire power of one of these spheres, then it exceeds a regular Cerberus for sure.”

Lt. Bergdorf said. “It is also a full functioning space ship, capable of reaching destinations of over 1500 light years. It maneuvers almost as good as a Wolfcraft and can operate in full robotic mode, but when I am connected to it, it can move like a human, picking up feathers, or crush steel.”

I said. “I think you will be a nice addition to our Marine detachment and Lt. Pure will get you situated.”

Pure came running, as SHIP had heard me and summoned him. I filled him in and the three Mini Terrans returned inside their machine and followed the Attikan Marine.

While I watched the battle robot thing stomp away I noticed Sobody talking to Har-Hi and he repeated that strange move he had done in the Tavern killing one of the pirates.

I could tell my Dai friend was deeply impressed.

I joined them and asked. “How did you actually cut that Thauran?”

Sobody pushed back the sleeve of his robe and revealed a metal wrist band with a little hump and said. “This is a Monofilament whip. It shoots a strand of a metal wire only a few molecules thick and invisible to the naked eye. The thing is highly flexible and there is a little weight ball at the end. It is so thin it cuts through nearly everything and it can be electrified or heated to 4000 degrees if the cutting alone doesn’t do the trick. It isn’t useful against a fully armored person in a Union Battlesuit, or against shields, but in close quarter or hand to hand situations it is deadly. It takes quite a bit of practice as it can be very dangerous to the user. It’s a very old Golden weapon and I have this one now for a very long time and it turned out I am still good with it, I haven’t used it in anger in almost 500 years, you know.”

Har-Hi said. “Can you get me one of those? I think I could fit one above my dart launcher and below the bomb pellet dispenser.”

Sobody smiled proudly. “This is a great compliment coming from a Dai. I have a spare one for sure and I’ll show you how to use it, too.”

I said: “Above the dart launcher and below the bomb pellet dispenser. Are we talking about the arsenal you carry on just one arm?”

Har-Hi shook his head. “No, only what I carry between wrist and elbow, I’ve got a bigger list if we talk about the whole arm.”

I rolled my eyes and said: “Thor’s Hammer, I had to ask!”

The Captain of the Shadowrunner handed me a PDD in clipboard mode. “I think that is all. I got the sleeping beauties and the loot and you got the walking dollhouse complete with real life action figures.”

I checked the list just flying over it with my eyes just because it was nice to do something that was fleet routine. Something normal captains would do every day. I loved our current mission, but once in a while I wished we could be a Union ship openly. I stopped and read over the list more carefully and then said to Har-Hi who was still next to me and said: “Say the Togar female isn’t on this list. Aren’t we transferring her too?”

“She is still at sick bay. Cateria hasn’t released her.”

I thanked the captain and wished him a good trip home. After our ships had separated and we were back on course to Sin 4, I went to our sickbay.

I found it strange that the Togar female was still here; she didn’t look that badly wounded and as far as I knew, Togar were biologically similar to many mammalian species. I also remembered Narth’s ominous thoughts and wondered why he hadn’t come back to me about it.

Out of thin air, Narth appeared next to me as I turned into the corridor of sickbay and he said. “Apologies, Captain. I have not updated you as I am still missing certain information I am not sure how to obtain.”

I stopped and said. “What do you mean by that?”

“I mean I am morally hampered to proceed. It has partially to do with your sense of fairness and as I said the Hugavh share goes both ways.”

“Narth, I am not complaining or expecting you to have all the answers for me all the time. I just think we are not the right environment for these human flesh eaters, and sending her along with the Shadowrunner would have been a good idea. However I am curious what my sense of fairness has to do with all of this.”

“You bought her, acting out of that very sense, and I must tell you that the Togar female was tortured and raped in the most horrible ways aboard that Pirate ship. Her psychological condition is fragile and very difficult and Cateria is trying her best with old fashioned counseling and medication to help her. She didn’t think having her treated like an enemy by uncaring Union authorities would be good.”

What he said touched me somewhere deep. I remembered as Egill had transferred me somehow into the body of a female to teach me what hell could mean, and I had almost been raped by Harkun. I had not thought about this for a long time but now it returned as a vivid memory.

Narth nodded. “You see, all your past experiences have formed your personality and we shared this with the Hugavh. Now the Togar female has a mental shield, preventing me from probing deeper and finding out more details. I could easily break it of course, but I would basically commit the same crime on her again as these men did,” He lowered his head. “With my increased understanding of human emotions, my own approach to things changes. I would have broken her shield without hesitation only a year ago. I will of course proceed if you order me to do so.”

“Narth, this is not a bad thing, it is what we call a conscience, and it tells us what is right and what is wrong above any laws or any rules. We humans can differentiate between good and evil, and this opens a whole can of worms on such subjects as ethics and religion.”

“I am still at the beginning trying to understand all this, but I fail to see why opening a can of worms is of any significance to this discussion? I am certain we have no can of worms in our freight manifest.”

“Go ask Shea about that one later. Let us check on the Togar and see if we can get her home somehow.”

“That is the problem I mentioned earlier.”

I went through the double doors of our sickbay. It had the symbol of Aesculapius over a six pointed star etched into semi-transparent material. The lobby behind was white and blue and everything looked brand new and sparkling clean. Cateria wore a light blue coat over white pants. Her usually short cropped hair was now a little longer and gave her a more feminine appearance. Her slight smile also helped.

“Hello Captain, what can I do for you? Is it an inspection, or are my services required? Back issues perhaps, walking day in and out in these murderous heels or carrying that rack you decided to have must do a number on your back.”

“No Cateria, my back is fine and I am not here for an inspection either. I am here to inquire about the Togar female.”

Cateria lost her smile and said. “Her name is Jolaj Grotha and physically she is as good as new. She comes from a matriarchal society and has been raped not once but many times and not by members of her own kind but by aliens to her, which makes it even worse. She is young, barely adult in her society, and she is also perhaps the most wanted person in the Togar Empire.”

Narth said. “That is what I meant, if the Togar Empire becomes aware that she is alive and aboard our ship, they will try to capture us and kill her.”

I said gloomily: “I didn’t make a big secret out of buying her either. In a Tavern of all places. Chances are the Togar already know we have her. What has she done?”

Narth said. “That is the information I was unable to obtain.”

Cateria said. “All I know about the Togar society is what I could find on GalNet. I am trying to win her trust so she opens up on her own. Captain I simply could not release her. What would they have done to her on Union side? She doesn’t belong there, they know as much about the Togar as I do, and she belongs to a society that eats humans. I asked Narth and the others not to mention her and I hoped you would forget her for a while.”

She looked at me intensely. “I know why you bought her. To impregnate her with a virus or something and make her the instrument of her own species demise, and half the ship agrees with your idea. The Seenian in me applauds you, but I am a physician and I just recently swore the Union physician’s oath, with full understanding of every word.”

“I said what I said as I stood in a cargo hold with thousands of dead humans, slaughtered and butchered like Fangsnappers. I saw humans herded and separated in slave pens destined for the spits of Togar grills while I was in a slave pen on Alvor’s Cove myself. So my general opinion of the Togar society isn’t very favorable, but I don’t buy sentient beings for any purpose whatsoever. I bought her to get her out of the situation she was in. I wonder what kind of monster you think I am?”

“I don’t know you as well as the others do. I know you are fair and straightforward. I know I can trust you with my life and I am here because you showed me mercy, but I also remember how it is to be your enemy.”

I didn’t have any real response to that and said. “Well I am not going to kill her or kick her out, but I’d still like to know what we are going to do with her. She isn’t a prisoner. Can I talk to her?”

Cateria shrugged. “I am not the best psychiatric expert and know next to nothing about Togar, so I guess you can.”

I followed her into a well-lit room with a bed with curtains on a window that simulated the view onto a green sun drenched meadow. There was a desk and a chair as well. The white Togar female was on the bed and she was restrained.

Cateria answered my unspoken question. “Partially to prevent her from harming herself and partially because she is a Togar with very sharp claws and teeth. Neither I nor my staff have the desire to become patients in our own sickbay.”

The Togar was really pretty, looking almost like a human woman with a skintight white fur suit, if it wasn’t for the four toed, claw like feet, the catlike face, pointed triangular ears and the long tail. I wondered if the Pree or the UNI who supposedly seeded human life all across the galaxy also seeded the Togar. She looked straight at the ceiling and did not move or react as we came in.

I said to Cateria. “Deactivate her restraints.”

“You think that is wise Captain?”

“Deactivate her restraints and leave me alone with her. I don’t think I am in danger.”

She did and the restraints holding the Togar disappeared into the bed frame.

“Hi Jolaj, I am Erica and I am the Captain of this ship.”

She did not move or look at me as she said.

“You bought me!”

“Only to get you out of the situation you were in. We are on our way to Sin 4. I can even make a little side trip to Kaliment and you are free to go. You are not my property and you are not a prisoner.”

“You can kill me if you want and you can use me.”

“I killed the man named Bloom and his men are all going to be hanged for acts of Piracy.”

She moved her head for the first time and looked at me.

“You do not show your face, yet you are not pirates. The ship is old on the outside but inside it is like no ship I ever knew. So bright and new. Why should I believe you?”

“You do not have to believe me. I am sorry for what happened to you, but I have a mission and the ship that comes first. I will instruct my Ship’s surgeon to do Psycho Surgery on you. Afterward you will remember nothing. My ship’s secret is safe, you will not remember any of the bad things and we let you go on Kaliment where you can reach the Togar side easily.”

“Then you are a coward and let others do your killing for you. Why not kill me right away? Any Togar that helps me is automatically sentenced to death. Any Togar that kills me will gain great fortune with the Queen.”

“What could you have done that is so terrible?”

She turned her head away and said. “I was born.”

“I can understand that you don’t trust me or anyone for that matter and frankly, I don’t trust you. I don’t particularly like Togars, and I am not too fond of any species that buys and hunts my kind for food. But I hate unfair situations and yours is very unfair. So I am asking you, what is it you want?”

“Kill me, please, simply kill me and all the problems are gone. The pain I feel, the trouble I cause everything will be gone and you are rid of me as well.”

Why I sat down and touched her hand. I was not sure, but her pain and sorrow I could almost physically feel. “Death comes to us all sooner or later; there is no need to seek it out.”

She turned her head and I could see the pain and the shame she felt in her big green cat eyes. Her whiskers quivered and I saw the fine fur underneath her big eyes was wet.

“Just kill me, please.”

I touched her cheeks and said. “No worries Jolaj, I give you my word I will find a solution and, while this is a ship of war and we will be in dangerous situations, I promise you no one will ever hurt you again while you aboard this ship and under my care.” I took her paw like hand in mine and squeezed it saying: “Do you believe that?”

Tears rolled down her cheeks and she nodded. “Yes, I believe you.”

Again I was surprised by my own actions as I pulled the dangerous alien cat close and hugged her and she started sobbing in a strange mix of animalistic and human noises.

“I am sorry for everything. I didn’t ask to be born you know. I didn’t ask for white fur, I am sorry for being Togar and that I have eaten human. I am sorry for being female and making them...”

Her fur was at least as soft as that of the little Holdian commander. I did not understand everything she said as she switched between native Togar and Frees-zone Squawk. Many of her words were swallowed between deep sobs, but I could feel her pain and hopelessness while I was holding her. I was once again reminded of Egill and could almost see him nodding with approval. I was certain I heard another voice say: “As long as he can feel compassion so strongly through the female persona I have given him, all hope is not lost.”

For a brief moment I wondered about my own imagination but then was distracted by the white furred Togar I was still holding. She was crying in strange meowing sounds softer now and I patted her back. I don’t know how long I sat there holding the alien female, but then I noticed she had fallen asleep and I let her down, covered her and quietly left.

Cateria and Narth were there outside the door, it was the Seenian CMO that spoke first: “She hasn’t been able to sleep without sedation ... I’m sorry for having misjudged you, Captain.”

“Don’t restrain her anymore and if she wants to get up and wander around, let her. SHIP will keep an eye on her so she isn’t wandering in restricted areas, right SHIP?”

“Of course captain.”

Cateria looked back through the door window and said: “I’ll see to it, Captain.”

Narth said: “I will attempt to learn more about the Togar and maybe I can find out why white fur would be of significance.”

Dimon landed on a private island, the enclave of the Rico syndicate. The old Baro syndicate was in business because of the worm and received a coded message from the Purple Worm himself, to accommodate the half Dai, Dimon Honsu.

The Baro syndicate was one of the four big players that more or less controlled Sin 4. The leader and undisputed boss of the outfit, Ludor Baro was waiting for him right at the boarding ramp as he stepped on the landing field. Ludor did look very much like a human sized, strong looking chimpanzee. But his face was anything but dull or animalistic. There was a persistent rumor that Ludor was a Level 7 intellect. Two levels above the average and on the same level as Dimon. The man pretending to be Dimon had no doubt the rumor was true. He had dealt with the old Baro before.

Ludor placed his long arms on each sides of his hips. “Don’t be surprised to find me out here, greeting you in person, but our mutual friend made it quite clear how important your visit is.”

Dimon greeted the Simian. “Good afternoon, mighty Ludor. Yes I have important business, Freespace and peace hinge on me being successful, but I do have a crate of Union Marine Issue SITKUs and twenty H&K missile carbines, plus crates of missile canisters and Power-mags for the SITKUs. Just in case you might want to update the personal hardware of your guards.”

The grim face of Ludor changed for a short moment and displayed a toothy grin. “I hate the Union with a passion, especially Terrans as you know, but I love Union Mil Tech. It is going to be very hard getting hands on the genuine stuff. I am sure you know of the increasing troubles of our friend the worm.”

Dimon nodded and waved a few of Ludor’s stooges so they could unload the gifts. “Yes there won’t be any big stuff anymore for sure, but unless the cursed Admiral McElligott finds a cure for greed and opportunism there always will be some stuff coming this way.”

Dimon knew, the hatred towards Union and Earth was strong and deep in the syndicate boss. It had to with the fact that he was a direct descendant of one of the Chimpanzees sent into space by human scientists long before Earth ascended. If the story was true, one of the monkeys were rescued by an alien society and eventually brought to Dyne, where they developed. Dimon did not know if the sentient part was genetically engineered or developed on its own, but Ludor was technically a Terran or at least had roots to that planet.

Ludor and Dimon walked side by side into the main building of the immense villa. Dimon didn’t want to waste time and said. “Did you hear about a captured Nul being sold on Sin 4?”

“There is only one Nul on Sin 4 right now. A Gray one no less, abducted by Shiss raiders and given to Duke Donheer, the syndicate boss of the Donheer clan and proprietor of the Death Arenas. I am sure this is where the Nul will end up.”

“The Nul is important to the Nul and they will go to war if I can’t manage to get him back.”

“Good luck with that one, but then the Duke can be bought if the price is right.”

“I will make him an offer. Any other news that I should know about?”

“The Togar apparently also lost one of their own. In their case it seems to be a criminal or terrorist of sorts.”

“A Togar female by any chance?”

“Yes, there is a significant reward from the Queen herself anyone capturing and turning over a Togar female with all white fur.”

“She was sold by Dentar Bloom at Brhama port to a mysterious female pirate called Black Velvet.”

“I never seen the Togar as serious and determined about anything like that before, but then there is a legend about an All White Togar who is the daughter of their highest god.”

The Half Dai nodded. “The Togar are still very religious and superstitious. Doesn’t that religious legend say that this white fur Togar replaces the Queen and the High priestess and brings justice to all Togar, male and female?”

“Exactly, now can you imagine what the Queen and the High Priestess will do if there is indeed an All White Fur?”

“She makes them obsolete and that’s the reason for all that. I saw the female, she is indeed all white, but that should not be that rare. Albinos exist in all species.”

“I am neither an expert on Togar furs nor genetics. I do know the Togar Queen declared the All White an impostor and put a big bounty on her head, preferably dead by the way.”

“She has the potential to rip apart the Togar Empire, just as they are aiming to become a big player.”

“You squandered a big chance at getting very rich and on the good side of the Togar queen.”

Dimon sighed. “I realize that too. Well maybe that Black Velvet pirate makes it to Sin 4 and I can buy the Togar.”

Sin 4
We had reached the Sin system and as always, I had us drop out of Quasi-space in the outmost regions of the star system. I said: “Maintain course to Sin 4, and steady as she goes. Mr. Shaka.”

“Aye Captain, keeping it all well within the limits for a Karthanian.”

“Elfi keep your ears open and record all comm traffic. SHIP, help her please.”

“Already on it, Captain, search patterns for pirate name activity and transmissions that offer Union Mil tech are in effect. There is an awful lot about the White Fur Togar”

I sighed and acknowledged with a nod and said. “Narth and Shea, make sure you don’t use any active scanner beams we are not supposed to have.”

“We adjusted our active Sensors to match our Disguise.”

Har-Hi handed me a PDD in clipboard mode and said: “Arrival at Sin 4 or not, it is 0900 Union time and that means you got to sign the daily order sheet, moi Captain. Only with your signature can I process them.”

“Where is Ms. O’Connell’s? Is that not her duty?”

“Her duty yes, but since you decided to pull two shifts and throw my carefully arranged shift schedule in chaos, I have to do it. She is sleeping most likely.”

I blinked guilty and said: “I just wanted to be on the bridge myself when we arrived. I somehow hoped never to set foot on Sin 4 again and yet here we are.”

“And when you are on the bridge, so is your senior staff.” Narth added.

“I should pay more attention to that, I suppose.”

Har-Hi watched me read the general order for the day. “No worries, Captain. No one’s complaining.”

Shea sighed at that and said: “About Sin 4, I can’t help but think the same way, and this dirt ball is supposed to be my home.”

I said. “Your home is where you make it and not where fate put you when you were born. At least we arrive in a nice ship this time, and I am not bound and can go to the bathroom anytime I want.”

Everyone looked at me and I added. “Well the first time I arrived here I was tied up and I needed to go to the bathroom real bad. It’s not a story I should tell you all, but not being able to go can be real painful.”

Har-Hi said: “No one is laughing, Captain. This makes your accomplishment to escape barefoot and without any resources even more amazing. We just went to a similar ordeal ourselves and it only lasted a few hours. You didn’t go into great details when you told us how you escaped your tormentor, but I can imagine it was much more difficult than you let on.”

“Maybe I’ll tell you one day. Right now we’ve got a job to do and, as we are the first federation ship, at least as far as we know, entering this system, we might as well collect some data and upgrade our catalogs and information on this system.”

The Golden One came onto the bridge and SHIP said to me: “I asked Sobody to the bridge to help Elfi with the Comm traffic analysis.”

“It’s all good SHIP. I think we have thrown regulation 563.43 B out the window quite a while ago regarding proper bridge conduct. Besides you are not just the AI. You do carry rank and you are an Officer.”

Har-Hi could not help himself. “That regulation with many of the other regulations. Not that I am complaining or anything.”

Sobody looked over to the busy science console and said: “Captain, we are supposed to be pirates. Pirates don’t survey, measure and explore.”

I smiled, answering: “Not to worry, Ancient Merchant. We won’t launch any probes or send survey teams to the other planets.”

Har Hi, who stood with crossed arms next to my seat, instead of sitting in his designated chair, also watching the science crew do their job, turned to the Golden and said: “Even a Golden with your excellent scanner tech might be surprised at the data we can collect just with our sensors. I doubt there is another species that elevated scientific sensor analysis to such a level as the Union.”

Sobody agreed saying. “This is one of the reasons I am such a fan of the Terrans and the Union, Mr. Hi. I can’t wait what Terrans do with Golden tech.”

Har-Hi coughed. “I bet they find a way to weaponize your cash registers.”

That earned him a stern gaze of mine.

Shea looked at her readouts and reported. “None of the other planets are used or occupied as far as I can tell; there are no energy signatures or material concentrations that would suggest artificial manipulation or presence. Yet it appears that there are several candidates with promising mineral and metal riches.”

Har-Hi said. “Crooks don’t mine and those who do want to mine have the fruits of their labor stolen or taken away. So I guess that is the reason no one is mining out here,”

She nodded and returned to looking at her readouts. I knew her well enough that I could tell by her body language she found something, so I asked. “Lt. Schwartz is there anything I should know about?”

“No Capitan it is not anything that would affect us or the mission in any way. The Sun is a Spectral Type O2 and...” She stopped in mid-sentence and kept looking at her readouts. She turned: “It is my home system Captain but I never had the chance to scan our sun before. This star is unstable and I am running a simulation through SHIP right now, and a Nova eruption is likely to occur within the next two or three hundred thousand years, mere moments in a star’s life. I am certain by natural causes.”

I responded saying. “It won’t affect our mission then because I hope we all will be somewhere else by then. Maybe the situation will have changed by then and the Wurgus Solar Engineers could stabilize that sun, but you could consult Three-Four.”

The Non-Corp appeared on a Comm-screen and said. “She already did, Captain. I am going over the star data as we speak.”

Narth was also busy on his console and said: “Captain, there is a lot of traffic in this system, and I am detecting weapon fire at nine different locations within the system. Mao analyzed the conflicts and concluded that none of the fights are connected.”

Mao did not take his eyes off his readouts and confirmed what Narth had said: “Narth sent me the scanner data but I can’t see any correlation between any of these shoot outs. It also appears no capital ships are involved. Weapon energies exchanged are consistent with armed system shuttles and the like.”

Shea said. “That is normal. There is only one law here, the law of the stronger. There are always quarrels and fights anywhere on or around Sin 4”

I leaned back. “Har Hi sound battle stations anyway. I like to be ready.”

“Aye Captain. General Quarters!”

We reached the planet without any incidents and Shaka took us into a standard orbit around the garden world that was known as SIN 4.

It had only two continents and several large islands. The rest was ocean. Even from space the upper continent didn’t look very inviting. Most of it seemed gray and looked dirty. There was visible pollution oozing from one of the large islands in a gray smear across the greenish oceans.

“So how do we land?” I asked. “Did anyone hail us?” This question I directed to Elfi.

The beautiful Saran woman answered: “There is lots of activity on all channels, but no one is taking any interest in us, Sir.”

Narth checked his scanners and said: “No one has even noticed us. There isn’t anything in terms of scanner arrays.”

Shea said. “We simply land. There are a few spaceports but there is no active landing control. I suggest we land at the Gorotolah. It is the largest spaceport on the southernmost edge of the Continent.”

She waved her hands over the main viewer and magnified a section of the planet below and pointed at an area. I was certain it was the same spaceport I had been before, as it had the Ocean close by.

Shaka was under his Virtu Helmet but unlike most other Virtu Helmsmen he always paid attention to what happened on the bridge and participated in our conversations.

He said: “I am on Ship vision and can see it and there are other ships as well.”

I smiled at Shea and then said. “Shaka, take us down there and put us as far away from the other ships as possible. Mao, keep our shields active and Narth, double check the Janus system.”

We landed on the same cracked and crumbling, Duro-Crete field I had been on before. I recognized the tall Duro-crete wall in the distance, but most of the skeleton hand spider infested terminal was gone, and there was still a crater where the SII ship had blasted one of the Spaceports turrets away.

To my utter surprise I recognized the now completely salvaged and butchered hulk of the Karthanian courier ship that I had arrived with on Sin 4 not so long ago. It was nothing more than a twisted wreck, but I recognized its hull shape.

Nothing much had changed; there were the same garbage fires, piles of waste and filth.

Shaka took off his helmet and shook his head looking at the main viewer saying. “Good lord, what a dump. If this is such a lawless place, who actually build this spaceport? It looks it had been a well-planned facility once.”

I looked into the direction of our geek squad and said: “Good question.”

It was Sobody who had the answer, as neither Shea nor Narth seemed to know.

He said: “It is a little known side note of galactic history. After the first signing of the Accord for Universal peace, the Poho who hosted the conference and were known as the most peaceful and neutral society did not want to have any more meetings on their world. The Poho homeworld had become known as the Planet of Universal Peace and had been the meeting place of choice even long before the rise of the Union.

So without having a meeting place anyone could agree on, the Big Four looked for another place.

This world was considered and the Karthanian, smelling the opportunity to do business with the Big Four, built this space port, the terminal and the original city. It never happened. The Poho changed their mind and openly invited everyone to use their world for such purposes again.

The Karthanian abandoned the world and since it was now in Freespace and had a city and space port for the taking, it didn’t take long for pirates and similar vermin to find this place. Syndicate Families developed and it all turned into the Sin 4 we all know today.”

Shea said. “Not that anyone had the right to take this world, as it has a sentient native population.”

Elfi signaled me and interrupted. “Someone did notice us and we are being hailed.”

I settled back down in my seat and put on my mask then said. “I am ready, put it on.”

The being appeared to have features of both the Oghar and the Shiss like and looked quite frightening. “We are calling the Silver Streak.”

“That is an original Oghr by the way.” Har-Hi whispered.

I acknowledged Har-Hi with a nod and said aloud. “Looks like you got our attention. Speak up, what is it you want?”

“We know who you are, Captain Velvet, your reputation travels faster than your ship.”

“This is indeed Captain Black Velvet of the Silver Streak. Whom do I have the dubious honor to talk with?”

The answer came right away. His voice sounded rough and somewhat high pitched and I could hear other voices in the background. “Captain Velvet, you are talking to the Gorotolah Spaceport Protection Agency. We heard of you and your ship and we know you are a successful pirate. We are very happy you choose to land on our port. However this is a dangerous place and we can only guarantee your safety for 20,000 Polo coins, or goods of similar value. If you decide not to pay or to leave we are forced to use our big DE guns on you. We have two large DE turrets aimed directly at you. You have exactly 20 minutes to comply. A group of our associates will approach in a floater and expect payment to be transferred.”

Mao manipulated the main viewer and magnified a set of buildings across the landing field. Indeed there was a bunker like building with a force field surrounding it and a set of DE turrets on top aiming at us. Mao said. “Captain, those pea shooters won’t even dent our armor without shields. They don’t have anything big enough to put us in any real danger.”

Har Hi agreed. “They are bluffing and hope we don’t know, but there aren’t any weapons big enough that can be used on a planet and seriously harm a ship of our size, even if we really were a Karthanian Freighter with original shields. Any weapon big enough to crack our shields would seriously damage a huge area around us. Not to mention the possible loss of contamination to the Anti matter part of our fuel. Half the continent would be liquefied. This isn’t a Poodle.”

I nodded. “Elfi can you pinpoint the location of the transmission?”

She moved her hands over her console and responded. “Yes Captain I have localized it to that transmitter array over there.”

I pointed at the turrets and said: “Mao, fire our simulated Froth Caster and place a 5 gram TL bomb right where that transmission originates. That should do as payment.”

From the outside it looked as if our Nul turret fired, the Translocator load was invisible and undetectable.

The result was more than I expected. The 5 gram antimatter exploded and obliterated not only the bunker and the building with the transmitter but the entire building complex with a tremendous fire cloud.

Har-Hi coughed into his fist and rubbed his fingernails on his jacket. “I don’t think this is what they had in mind when they asked for goods of similar value, Captain.”

Shea shrugged. “I doubt anyone will care and I expect others will take their place and try a similar scam in a few months.”

I got up from the seat, and said: “Let’s have a conference in the Den to figure out what we need to do and how we are going to do it.”

Har-Hi once again standing rather than sitting like most of us said: “There are three reasons why we came here. Number one is to find the Terran weapons dealer and shut him down. Number two is to find out where the Sinister Alliance is meeting and what they are planning and number three on our list of things to do is to identify all pirates and freelancers that are on the wanted list of Union Police, with special focus on the Red Dragon.”

“To accomplish this I would like to deploy one of our Intel specialist, if that is permitted. He was added to our crew while we were at the NAVINT sun base. His skills and abilities are especially suited for this.”

“I guess I should read your daily reports more closely. Who is it?”

“Lieutenant Senhadjii. He is attached to our S-2 department and yes it might be a good thing if you read my reports in more detail.”

“I will do that in the future and since I trust your judgement, I approve the deployment of this specialist. Keep me informed please. And I do remember his name, wasn’t he looking into the body language of that half Dai?”

Har-Hi nodded. “Indeed.”

I turned to the big Saturnian. “Mr. Neugruber you wanted to be next.”

Hans expanded the size of high resolution pictures “These are the ships that share the landing area with us right now. All three are operated by notorious outlaws and pirates. I prepared dossiers on each of them from the data we have available. As for the Mil-Tech dealer I would like to go into the city and gather some intel on that.”

Hans managed to look embarrassed and said. “I am not on Sin 4 for the first time either and I have some contacts and a reputation here, even though I am supposed to be dead.”

I said. “Not that I want to sound nosy or anything like that, but could you be a tad more specific?”

He looked down on the table surface and said. “Before I joined the Fleet I was fighting for money in one of the big arenas here. Nothing to be proud of, but back then I was a young punk with no brain and an expensive taste.”

“You?” Was all I could say. Hans was always so correct and straight.

He grinned sheepishly. “Yeah, me, I was known as the Terror Hammer and fought in the top league. I still have some connections here. Golden said he would come along as well.”

“I can’t simply allow you go outside Mr. Merchant. It is very dangerous out there and how would they react to the Merchant of Merchants being here?”

He smiled and said: “You worry too much, Captain, Cateria will do some plastic surgery again and add the ugly branding of the Expelled on my head and besides even we Golden have a hard time to tell us apart. To any stranger we look very much alike.” He then looked up to Hans and said: “I think I could help out there more than I can here. Sin 4 is a rotten place but it runs on money and business and that’s what I know best.”

I sighed. “You know how to make a point but be careful and stay with Hans.”

Shea said. “I would like to go to the temple and get a few things.”

“How will you get there safely?”

“I’ll call the temple and have them pick me up.”

Elfi was next. “SHIP and I decoded a message sent from one of the pirate ships out there. The ship identified as the Merchants Sorrow, commanded by Sodex the Wild. He was contacted by the Red Dragon. The message tells Sodex that the Red Dragon will be here in seven days to participate in the semi-annual Pirates market.”

I acknowledged her report and said to Hans and Sobody. “Well we are here for at least that long, so you may go and do your intel-gathering, but keep in touch and report as often as you can.”

Sobody and Hans agreed to do that.

Now it was Narth who got up and I said to him. “Don’t tell me you, too, have been on Sin 4 before as well.”

He shook his shrouded head. “Not in a corporeal sense, no, but I did share some of your experiences while you were here. I changed from a sitting position to a sanding one got up as it seems that is what the others do when reporting.”

“All right then, what is it you want to report, Mr. Narth?”

I am addressing you in my capacity as OPS officer and it is part of my duty and my department to allocate resources and delegate projects. The OPS department is often called the XO’s...”

I interrupted him. “Not that I mind a refresher course about what OPS is but I am sure you had another reason for getting up, right?”

“Oh yes, of course. I have a request from Ensign Dien Tallow.”

I actually remembered the name from some list I signed or maybe it was someone I greeted, so I said. “I think I heard the name and I believe it is someone in our science department. Is he from Sin 4?”

“No Captain, but as you correctly remembered, he is a member of our science department. He is quite a brilliant and talented scientist with particular interests in sociology, Xeno archeology and biology. While microbiology and Xeno entomology are his main fields of expertise. He had an interesting proposal and suggestion.”

Narth waved the man over. He was human and one of those who would not stand out in a crowd of one. He looked older than most ensigns but then he had gone the science corps route and they often tended to be older. He saluted me and he managed to make a military greeting look shy and weak. I told him that no one had to salute here in the Pirate’s Den and encouraged him to simply tell us his suggestion.”

He said. “Captain, we are the first Union ship on Sin 4 and I heard we might have a few days’ time, so I would like to propose we survey the planet. I am aware of our mission but I think we can do it while disguised and not be obvious. The southern continent and some of the islands, and especially Trash Island, are of particular interest to me.”

Yeoman O’Connell had appeared behind me in her usual quiet way and held a mug of coffee before me. I was so getting used to her punctuality that I grabbed the mug before I even acknowledged and thanked her.

To the scientist I said. “I am not opposed to your idea, but we do have a cover to maintain.”

He pointed to Cirruit and said. “Ma’am, the Chief Engineer and his team has already modified one of our Armadillos to make it look old and non-Union. I studied as much about Sin 4 as I could find since it was a possibility that we would come here. Visiting Trash Island would be a highlight in my scientific career, Ma’am.”

I sipped at my coffee, giving Gwen a thankful smile and asked. “Why is this island of such interest to you?”

“Unrestricted transfer of goods and life forms for almost 1500 years from all regions of our galaxy must have created a very unique environment, especially in terms of vermin.”

Shea agreed: “It sure would be an interesting expedition and no one but Skaakh and Stiks live on Trash Island.”

I sipped at my coffee and said. “Alright, I approve it, but I better go along to make sure our science crew isn’t overdoing things. But first I like to hear proposals how to sabotage and if possible take those landed ships out. While I think we need to leave the Merchants Sorrow alone for now, the other two should never leave this place again.”

One of the Mini Terrans standing on the table said. ”Lt. Bergdorf here, Captain. This is our specialty. Edwin and Gerd, I mean Ensign Sahlhof and Ensign Helle. We are not just Mech pilots but trained in clandestine demolition and sabotage.”

I leaned forward. “So what could you do?”

“Carry a load of Lt. Cirruit’s nanites inside for one, set very small demolition charges that ruin their Computronic or their AM mix ratio.”

One of his colleagues, introduced himself as Edwin Sahlhof actually giggled. Captain, changing the AM mix ratio is always a favorite.”

A Leedei ensign I had seen a few times before and who had shown his talent by sensing the minds of the mercs almost a light hour distant apparently encouraged by Narth to speak said. “Captain, you do know we have a PSI lab and all kinds of Leedei tech? Leedei even decided to make several Gorrontha devices available to this ship and project.”

“Yes I know we do. Weren’t we using one of those things to mess with the Kermac on Doab? But I guess it is a good time you guys tell me what those devices do.”

The Leedei explained. “It agitates and stimulates what we Leedei call the PSI Organ. It can increase or decrease the ability to channel. Even store psionic energies. It works on almost any life form and could increase the HPI by up to 500 percent. The device has been improved ever since and became the core of Leedei might.

The Gorrontha Device was first used in anger over 6,000 years ago to create something we call a Psi Blast and it was instrumental in winning the conflict. It has officially been outlawed, but we did continue to develop it. We have a big Gorrontha projector, the one we actually used to temporarily increase the abilities of the Kermac. And we have several hand held projectors.”

Narth in my mind said. “It is forbidden technology because it is perhaps dangerous to a Narth.”

The Leedei did not know Narth was sending his thoughts said. “It can be used the other way too, you know. Lowering the cognitive intelligence of a being even.”

To my friend I was thinking back. “This is very concerning indeed, and I wonder if there are other Union ships with that device.”

“No there is not, the Leedei leadership only made it available upon the Narth Supreme asking them to add it to this ship’s equipment.”

I acknowledged and said to the Minis. “An anti-matter explosion might be a tad too much, but other than that, let me see what you can do.” I looked at the images Hans had provided. “Take care of that Oghr Combat freighter over there. Hans’ info identifies the ship as the Brazen Business of a Privateer and smuggler named Turdin Masab.”

I then turned to the Leedei. “And you do your thing to the Tight Squeeze, that Karthanian copy of a Union destroyer. But most of all stay as safe as possible and if at all possible do it stealthy. Don’t expose us.”

Trash Island
Cirruit had done a terrific job, gluing and welding armor plates over the sleek form of a Landing Tank. Rusty steel chain curtains covered the wide Ultronit Tracks and the whole thing looked like an old, many times repaired, all terrain crawler with an ArtiGrav. The main cannon was still there but looked like an old artillery piece and not like the High energy QGP it was.

The Mission Pod module on this tank had been changed from combat to surface survey and science. Instead of more weapons, advanced shields and a troop compartment, this module was equipped with external manipulators, mini lab equipment and a science sensor suit.

Shea had left to go to the temple, being torn between going there and coming with us. Hans and the Golden had left as well.

Cirruit stood next to the modified tank and said:

“Do you mind if I pull a Level Two on our Energy Tap system?”

“Is there something wrong with it?”

His face was unchanged as ever and I could not say or pinpoint how I was able to sense his moods and emotions, but to me he sounded somewhat concerned.

“As you know it is experimental technology and we are the first ship really using it, other than test platforms. The maintenance manuals and documentation is very rudimentary. It was Three-Four who first saw a minute energy leak. Basically it is a small hole if you will bleeding a previous unknown form of transdim energy past the chandeliers, but it is inside the system and very small.”

“What are you trying to tell me? Is the ship in danger? Are we able to leave if we have to?”

“The ship is not in danger and we always have the conventional back up. I am also certain I can fix it, but I need about six hours. Neither the shields nor the Janus System will be affected.”

“You’re my Chief Engineer and I trust your judgment, just keep me informed.”

Cirruit promised and left.

I contemplated to stay but then decided to trust my crew and a few moments later we left the Tigershark and flew due south. It was true; no one cared about us and after a few minutes we were simply another armed skimmer in the skies. Krabbel sat at the controls and Dien Tallow sat next to him in the Mission command seat. Narth went along out of scientific curiosity, TheOther manned the turret and there were four other crew members in the crawler as well, all from the science department, and I was simply a passenger, more or less.

Tallow directed us South away from the city and air traffic became less, consisting almost entirely of dirty open freight skimmers loaded to the brim with waste. Most of them were just wooden contraptions with fitted ArtiGrav lifters and simple propellers for locomotion.

One of the scientists sat next to me. She was maybe a dress size two and if it wasn’t for her older looking face, she could easily be taken for a teenager. She brushed a lock of her chestnut brown hair out of her face. She had long thin fingers and a doll like appearance. She was excited and said to me:

“Thank you Captain for making this opportunity available to us. You see, every type of vermin you could think of has been brought here to SIN 4, either by accident or on purpose. There are no hygiene or import rules. And for over five hundred years they have been dumping trash and waste on this island along with life forms from all across the Galaxy. I can’t wait to see how Terran rats have adapted to this environment.”

I shivered, involuntarily remembering the white tentacle thing in the sewers, and said: “To each its own. I guess everyone needs a hobby.”

She smiled. “Captain, I am a Xenobiologist and to me such things are quite fascinating. About sixty years ago there was a Galactic Geographic expedition to Sin 4 and they focused on Trash Island and found some of the strangest life forms there. It was never done again, because two expedition members got killed, most of the gear stolen and two abducted for ransom. So I look forward to see what has changed and what is still there.”

“I am always amazed what scientists find fascinating.”

“You have seen the landing field? It is cracked and large patches are corroded and disintegrated into to dust.”

I nodded. “I have.”

“It was leveled and installed by Karthanian civil engineers about 1500 years ago in the hopes to get this planet chosen as a neutral meeting place.

The material used is very similar to our Duro-Crete and should have lasted thousands of years. But someone imported probably by accident, a mineral eating microbe and it mated with another perhaps local microorganism and a new life form emerged that finds the polymer compounds used in that Karthanian concrete especially delicious. The result is crumbling and cracking concrete.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Now that is actually interesting, if that microbe could be altered and delivered by bombs. It could turn an entire Spaceport to dust.”

Krabbel laughed.

“Our Captain really is Terran, no sense denying it. The first thing they always think of is how something could be used as a weapon.”

I shrugged. “It was a logical conclusion was it not?”

Narth raised his head.

“Indeed especially logical to Terrans.”

The chestnut haired Xenobiologist said. “Also, we can devise materials immune to these effects. These microbes are just one example. There is a common weed on Terra called Dandelion. It too found its way to Sin 4 and it has developed a symbiosis with a flesh eating plant. Now the little seed pods that look so lovely on Earth carry tiny flesh eating pods that instantly burrow into unprotected skin and cause serious infections.”

Dien Tallow turned in his seat to add his expertise and he said. “The standard hygiene procedures developed for all Union ships are based on such research. Did you know that the Tigershark and all Union ships, for example, have special anti-contamination systems fitted to our landing gear wells. Every time landing gear is retracted, it is sterilized.

“Our decontamination field at the air locks, we hardly notice. The harmful aerosol scan procedures that are strictly observed by your environmental engineers, our bio form transfer laws were all developed using research like that.”

I raised my hand.

“You made a point. Maybe I was not entirely fair in my assessment and I know we are supposed to hunt Pirates, that is our primary goal, but the pursuit of knowledge is also important, and this is why even a ship like the Tigershark has extensive lab facilities. I am not against scientific exploration and I would love to simply go on an exploring mission without masking as pirates. That is why I agreed to this and I am sure it is time well spent. We just need to be careful, pirates don’t explore much and we can’t risk our cover.”

TheOther did not take his eyes of his targeting and scanning oculars but he said:

“I feel very blessed to be here and on a mission that adds to the body of knowledge. Y’All do not explore at least not as far as I know. This thirst for knowledge is what makes the Union and you humans truly superior to us.”

Krabbel said. “I hate to interrupt this conversation, but we are here. Trash Island is below us.

I asked. “TheOther, are we followed?”

“No Ma’am. All I have noticed are garbage scow floaters and none of the ones within range has any scanning hardware.”

I looked out the view port on my side and if there was a hell in the Universe, I was sure we had found it. The water around the Trash Island was a dark brown soup with floating spots of shimmering oil and solid waste. How the island once might have looked I could not say, all I saw were mountains and more mountains of trash, waste and rotting garbage. Smoldering heaps belching black smoke into the air that even made the sky over this island look dirty and somewhat greenish. Krabbel landed in a valley between two mountains and engaged the tracks. In the distance we saw one floater dumping trash and I could clearly see the form of two human bodies falling down as well, the two man crew of the floater had bare bodies and used simple shovels to clear the cargo bed. They paid no attention to us at all.

It was Narth who pointed out the viewport. “Please stop. I believe I see an Itomarian Vision Staff.”

Krabbel stopped and Dien became excited. “I believe you are correct. It indeed looks that way. What an eye.”

Before I could ask, Narth’s voice answered as usual in my mind. “A long disappeared species of space travelers, believed to be active even before the UNI and the Pree. They had a large empire long before the Seenians. There is scholastic evidence suggesting they belonged to the First League, the one the Conck mentioned. We had little contact with them as we Narth isolated ourselves as much as possible from other species. However their technology was highly developed and very unique.”

We cycled through the small airlock, wearing our new Atlas Battle Suits, altered in such a way that they did not look like Union technology. Even Narth choose to put a battle suit on. Krabbel remained and kept an eye on the scanners.

I sank to my knees into the mass of moist waste before the suit adjusted and lowered the gravimetric ground pressure so I could walk on top of it. Something like a centipede with many segments and as long as my arm had coiled itself around my left leg and tried to bury sharp looking mandibles into the material of my suit.

The Xenobiologist, Rebecca Dunns, made her Atlas suit look petite, grabbed the trashing thing and placed it, not without difficulties in an unfolding stasis box. “Could be an Amel originally from Troga, but six times the original size.”

TheOther stomped past me and he truly looked terrifying in that battle suit as his had four arms. “What amazing technology these new suits are! I was always at awe at the Quasimodos and I remember well how Union Marines fought us wearing them. Now I am wearing one that is so much advanced I believe I could hold an entire Y’All landing force off all by myself with it.”

I laughed: “You terrified the crew of an entire ship, that’s for sure, ripping Airlocks out of their sockets like paper.”

“Ah, yes, true, but it was a battle and I had little time thinking just how marvelous these Atlas suits are.”

Narth and Dien uncovered an elaborately decorated three meter long object from the dirt. It had a dull metallic color and roughly looked like a giant ear cleaner with round ends on each side. A red crystal like object was embedded on one side. The coloring and the shape reminded me of the round spheres, I had found in the Cave of Things. This reddish crystal sphere however had the appearance of being damaged.

I watched my small landing party dig through the trash and kept looking over the depressing landscape, with one eye on the battle sensors and said to the big creature next to me: “Do you think the Y’All will return?”

He raised his upper arm pair and said. “I was what we called a battle drone, Captain. I was not given much information. I was grown in a vat along with ten thousand exactly like me and came to this Galaxy aboard a Hatching Ship. I know less about the true motives of my kind than you. My purpose, and only purpose, was to destroy and kill. I had no other reason to exist. When I questioned that existence and wanted to know more I was declared damaged and malfunctioning and my section command put me in Stasis for further evaluation. I was scheduled to be disassembled along with the other Y’All you found.

He made a very human sigh and continued. “I found killing and destroying without reason very disturbing. Be assured I will defend you and the ship and my friends, but I would have a hard time following an order to kill without a very good reason.”

I watched Narth and Dien poke through the trash obviously searching for more artifacts and then saw the petite Xenobiologist transferring something struggling and slimy with lot of legs into another Specimen container. While I observed them having fun I said to the Y’All.

“I think this is a good philosophy and I promise you I won’t order you to kill without a reason, but our mission requires that we terminate individuals.”

He turned his entire body to look at me directly “It will have a reason though. We are defending the way of life of the Union, a place where even one like me receives mercy and a chance. With you I am an individual and the very concept of having friends is a very good reason to fight.”

I wanted to say something but my sensors picked up a human shaped heat source hiding underneath a crate not too far from Narth. I did not read any energy sources indicating weapons or shields so went towards that crate to see who was hiding there, something hit my suit, at the chest area. The suit computronic switched to battle mode and said.

“Chemical projectile weapon impact, threat level zero.”

The sensors homed in on an extremely dirty man crouching behind a wall of trash aiming a weapon at us, next to him a Stik native armed with a spear.

TheOther turned into a lighting fast running battering ram and plowed through the dirt and trash like a cannonball, trash and pieces flying everywhere, and grabbed both the human with one hand and with another hand a gangly, tall and somewhat thin human alien.

The crate before me flew to the side and a meager, dirty girl was exposed and it floated into the air, held by Narth’s telekinetic powers, but I sensed Narth having trouble at first. I lowered my gun to shoot her.

Narth’s voice said.

“No Eric please do not shoot. I have full control now.”

TheOther carried the struggling man; he wore only rags and was barefoot. The tall Alien was in no better shape, almost completely naked, dirty and wounded. The weapon, some kind of rifle, was bent into a pretzel in one of TheOther’s other hands.

The man screamed in perfect Union Lingu. “Let her go you bastards, let her go. She means no harm. Let her go!”

Narth just looked in my direction and I nodded. Narth said. “We mean you no harm as well. It was you who shot at us and I know you only did it to protect that female.”

The man stopped struggling and TheOther let him go. I said to the dirty man. “No matter how fast you try to run, we are faster. So stay until we are done talking to you.”

The native being did not move; it simply hung in the huge fist, like dead.

The dirty man did not relax and eyed us with open mistrust. “You must be Union: No other society in the Universe would poke through trash with million credit equipment and collect vermin.”

I said. “You appear human and you don’t speak Freezone Squawk, are you a Union Citizen?”

His head sank. “Not anymore, I did some bad things a few decades ago and fled to Sin 4.” Now he lowered his hands in a resigning gesture. “I’d say take me. I would give up. I’d rather face charges at home as to spend another day in this hell, but I can’t, I must protect her and stay with my friends here.”

Narth said. “Captain, this girl has tremendous psionic powers, almost on par with mine and she is in great danger to harm herself as she had no training at all.”

Our tiny Xeno scientist held out a Ration Bar to the girl. “Are you hungry?”

Narth examined the tall thin Stik:

“This individual is seriously injured.”

The girl was incredibly filthy and her hair resembled the dirtiest mop in Midril’s broom closet. Somehow she reminded me of Exa, but compared to this one, Exa was sparkling clean the first time I saw her. This girl was also very thin and meager, and looked malnourished. She had big blue and incredibly sad eyes.

She nodded at Specialist Dunn’s question but didn’t take the bar; instead she looked over to the man.

He said. “Go ahead Alice take it, these are real Union Soldiers like I told you so often about.”

She took the bar and ripped it open and wolfed it down like an animal. I noticed the longing eyes of the man, so I opened my emergency ration compartment and handed him a bar as well. At first he tried to maintain some dignity but his hunger won and he too tore it open and literally inhaled the bar in two or three bites. They both got two more and finally he chewed slower and his eyes glowed with bliss. He said still chewing:

“Oh God in heaven, I never thought a RICE bar would taste so good.”

I was certain he was Union, perhaps even with military background as he knew the acronym for these Ration Individual Combat Emergency bars.

I said. “I think it is better we take you all to the ship, have our med officer check you out and get you a real meal. That Stik friend of yours really needs medical attention. I give you my word that if you want to leave you can. You are not under arrest.”

He nodded. “The word of a Union captain is enough for me. I know you are fleet even though you try to hide it, especially with the others calling you Captain and you having RICE bars with your equipment.”

I frowned and said. “Let’s make sure no one else comes to this conclusion. Let’s go back to the ship before someone else does pay attention to us.”

Narth asked the man holding up the artifact. “Have you ever seen any artifacts that look like this stick?”

The man looked at it and then nodded. “Yes Gothar the dealer has four cases with the same markings standing in his store. There are little round crystal balls in them just like the busted one in that staff.”

Narth said to me. “We must return here, Captain. We must recover those cases. If I am right, then we have discovered a find perhaps more important than hunting pirates.”

This was a strong statement coming from my friend and I knew he never exaggerated. I nodded. “Then return we will.”

We returned without further incident to the ship. While we thoroughly decontaminated the landing tank, the suits and ourselves, I thought about the words of the Xenobiologist concerning the decontamination process that previously was so routine I barely noticed, and it now become much more significant to me.

Cateria and her staff were ready and waiting. They transferred our three latest guests on Med Bot stretchers and began their work while on their way to Sickbay.

Narth went with them.

Shea came into the landing bay and watched as the scientists unloaded the specimen containers and other finds. She still wore her Sojonit Outfit but took off her mask and said. “I have the blessings of the Mother Superior for our union and she has retired my name.”

I smiled, looked around to make sure no one was watching, and kissed her.

She then handed me a sealed package and said with slight surprise in her voice. “This comes from the Mother Superior. The package contains a real Sojonit costume and she hopes you find time to visit her at the temple tomorrow.”

I took the package and said. “Then I will make the time if at all possible and we go and visit her.”

I checked in on the bridge and was briefed by Mao about the ship status and Elfi reported more communication intercepts between the Merchants Sorrow and the Red Dragon and the arrival of that ship was confirmed.

Then I went to Engineering and found Cirruit in the Main Engine room at a towering machine that had all the looks of Union tech but at the same time looked quite alien. A robotic arm had removed a large section of its cover and held it in place hanging from the ceiling and allowing me to see inside this contraption. Eight tubes of about one meter in diameter stuck out from a hexagonal shaped cube. The cube looked as if it was made of glass or some other transparent material and it looked as if bright red glowing liquid syrup was mixed and swirled with a milky, yellowish, thick liquid that also glowed. I saw a bushy tail sticking out from one of the tubes.

Cirruit handed me a pair of dark goggles and said.

“Better put them on Captain, Three-Four is out of his containment suit and he is brighter than a blue star.”

I pointed at the cube thing and said after putting on the goggles:

“How are things going?”

“We got the leak fixed and we are running at 99.9998 percent efficiency and conversion rate.”

He pointed at the Cube. “This actually is the chamber where we tap into the higher dimension and the swirling colors are what our senses make of what is actually there. Only Narth and Three-Four can actually sense what it really looks like. We are pulling the purest form of energy from that dimension and to use it we must convert it into all the different energy forms we need. We have never used it in its raw form in the Nose cone spine cannon and its use there has not been entirely tested either.”

Even with the dark glasses I was almost blinded as a bright ball of intense white light emerged from one of the tubes and slipped into the Uniform containment suit lying on the floor. It looked as if someone pumped air into the flat suit and Three Four the Non-Corp got up and saluted me.

“Hi Captain, everything is working fine now. The leak is patched and we now know why it happened in the first place.”

Cirruit pointed at the bushy tail. “Captain, I recommend specialist Warner for a service medal. That little Holdian is working like a machine, and I mean that as a compliment.”

“I’ll have Har-Hi draw up the necessary documents and I will decorate him accordingly.”

Cirruit made a gesture to the open hatch. “We should be done in about 20 minutes, but I would love to run the system one hour above red line.”

I patted his shoulder. “You deserve a medal too my friend, and maybe after we have slain that Red Dragon we can cast off our disguise for a while and take our ship to the edge of what she can do.”

Like always I knew his mood and he was deeply satisfied saying. “These engines are all the medals I need, that and your pat on my shoulders that is.”

THE TIGHT SQUEEZE
Hegor was known to be a smart person. He managed to stay alive and in business in a very rough business where competition had no qualms to kill. Hegor was one of the many pirates and privateers that infested Free and open space. Now Hegor was not the most prominent pirate, but he didn’t mind not being on the top of the list. He himself did not really consider himself a pirate, more like an opportunist and he didn’t mind smuggling, abducting, selling slaves and drugs. Just as long as it kept him a decent profit and his fifteen crew fed and paid.

He had come to Sin 4 so he could convert the loot he had in his cargo hold into Polo Chips, get some fuel and supplies.

He found it particular odd that his first mate, a strong Oghr sat on the floor of the ship’s command center and played with his blaster, examining the weapon like he had never seen one.

Moments later a guttural laugh escaped the Hythagh ship master as a bright bolt burned half the Oghr’s head to ashes. Looking into a blaster while playing with the trigger was not a smart thing to do.

Hegor scratched his bald head with his long fingers. “He was hungry and confused.”

It was unclear who opened the boarding ramp to the Karthanian destroyer, but the engineer might have been the culprit after pushing and operating every control, especially the beautiful red ones.

It didn’t take long and the first scavengers and space port rats noticed the open ramp.

Later that day, I went to the Den wearing my Captain’s Uniform. Har Hi followed holding the little box.

In the Den I asked Specialist Warner to stand on the table, so I could look him in the face. He too wore his Uniform and stood at attention, except his tail had other ideas and twitched back and forth.

I said to him. “Mr. Warner, I was told by your supervising officer that you perform your tasks above and beyond expectations. In recognition of your work and performance I am hereby awarding you the Service Medal of Engineering Excellence and in lieu of the shore leave rights I am unable to grant at the moment, you have a full day use of the Virtu Chamber, and you will be the guest of honor at our next formal dinner.”

Har Hi handed me the medal chip and I swiped it over his ribbon display and handed him the actual medal.

“Well done Mr. Warner.”

If he would have been a balloon I was certain he was near bursting and so I nodded to Har-Hi who called everyone present to be at ease and dismissed.

The little Holdian shrieked in excitement and shook my hand with both his paws.

“Thank you Captain, thank you. I am so proud.”

He then jumped off the table and showed his medal to the Golden and Cirruit.

From the curtains that hung before the main door to the converted hangar bay emerged Cateria and with her came the man and the small girl we had picked up.

Both looked much more human now. The man wore a standard duty uniform without any insignia. He appeared to be in his late sixties and had silver gray hair that matched his now well-groomed beard that framed his mouth and chin. He had hollow cheeks and looked very thin. The girl had long black hair that was parted in the middle. Her skin was not as white as that of a Kermac but still appeared very pale. She reminded me of Galmy who was from Maltyr one of my first year academy mates, but unlike Galmy the girl did not have black eyes, but large blue ones. She appeared almost like a precious little porcelain doll, like the one my mother had sitting on her vanity dresser. The girl now wore a black dress with white lace collar and I wondered why a little girl would want to look as somber like that. Her face had an expression of sadness.

Cateria held up a PDD and said while looking at it. “I am surprised that these two are still alive. I have never removed so many parasites from only three individuals. The man suffered from gastritis and from advanced lung cancer. Not to mention several festering, infected sores. I was able to treat all three and these two are as good as new.

The girl is an enigma, she had only a few cuts and bruises and a nasty fungus infection on her scalp, but her immune system is exceptionally well developed. She carries human DNA, but also DNA patterns of a species unknown to the Computronic databanks. Her Heidelberg Psi Index is at approximately 14,000, considerably lower than Narth who exceeds the 35,000 mark but far more than any Saresii, Kermac or Human ever measured. To put that in relation, the average Kermac or Saresii talent hovers about 250-300. Alycia Lichfangh who is considered one of the most powerful is at around 9,000. She is not telepathic and according to Narth her entire Psionic power manifests in telekinetic abilities.

The strain of fighting Narth had caused severe cerebral bleeding and she was on the brink of death. She, too, is out of danger, but using her talent now before she has completely recovered will kill her as certainly as a blaster shot to the head. I have her momentarily on a psionic blocking drug.”

Both of them are severely undernourished.

The Stik is also on his way to making a complete recovery. I doubt it happened on purpose, but the powerful hands of our Y’All friend augmented by the suit crushed his backbone to an unsolvable puzzle, so I am printing him a new one as we speak. He will be in the Re-Gen tank for at least another two hours.” She lowered her PDD.

The man bowed before me and said. “I thank you for your hospitality and for saving our lives. I knew I had cancer, I was quite sure of it and hoped I would survive long enough to see Alice grow and be safe.”

Elfi stepped in and handed me a printout.

“Ms. O’Connell ran his data through main CID at Pluribus and he is identified as Nestor Faller, born on Tillsquare Planet 78 years ago. He had a good education at Pluri-Tech University and became a very successful thief, cat-burglar and computronic manipulator and for a long time was only known as Fusionbeam.

His alter ego, Fusionbeam, gained quite some notoriety when he stole the Tear of Blood, the largest natural ruby in the known Galaxy, right from under the noses of Schwartz Security. It was said he could infiltrate any system and steal whatever he wanted.”

The man listened to what Elfi said and nodded. “Yes that is me. I was Fusionbeam. I never killed anyone or stole from anyone who could not afford it, but then my own wife, that snake Lisa, double crossed me and made my identity known. Those bastards at Schwartz security hunted everyone down associated with me. They didn’t turn them over to the law, they killed everyone; my family, my friends and that long after I had given back the ruby. That wasn’t enough for them, so I faked my own death and fled to Sin 4. But even here I found out I was not safe. So I became a Skaakh and completely vanished.”

He put his hand on the head of the girl and fatherly love glowed in his eyes and he continued. “Seventeen years ago I found her, dumped from a garbage flyer, a tiny baby girl wounded and barely alive. I did what I could to nurse her back to health and help her grow. If it wasn’t for my friend, the Stik, we would both never made it that long.”

Shea said: “I am certain I can arrange for Schwartz security to cease all prosecution and have all charges dropped, expunge the files even and leave you alone.”

My redheaded Yeoman said, clutching her PDD before her chest as usual, when she didn’t carry coffee. “I checked into his case and since he was never convicted or stood before a court of law. I don’t see why he should not be able to return home. His Citizen rights can be restored, I am certain.”

Tears rolled down the man’s face as he said. “There isn’t a night I don’t dream of going back and being free and clean once again. Eat real food and sleep in a real bed, but my home is here now. The Stik are the true owners of this world and they are oppressed, slaughtered and enslaved while the Off-Worlders rape their planet, destroy everything and pollute it to death. They have never abandoned me and I will fight for them and live with them until I die.”

He then pushed the girl gently forward.

“However if you could take care of her I would be eternally grateful to you all. She has no future here and I know her talent can kill her. You could teach her and make her grow in a clean, healthy environment. She could go to Union school and then have a galaxy of opportunities; here I doubt she will see another year.”

The girl cried. “I don’t want to leave you Dad.”

He knelt down to her and said with a choking voice said. “Alice, I love you like my own daughter, but I am an old man on the dirtiest world in the Universe. Don’t you remember all the stories about the Union I told you? They are all true. You will never be cold, sick, hungry or thirsty again. Here you don’t have to fear anyone and the man in the black robe is a real Narth that can make your headaches go away and you will never have nose bleeds again. Alice if you love me you must go with them.”

She sobbed but nodded: “I love you Daddy.”

And as she said it blood trickled from her nose.

Cateria jumped up and Narth caught her collapsing body, saying with urgency in his usually so calm voice: “We must get her back in sickbay or she will cease to live.”

I nodded and he disappeared along with Cateria in a loud pop as the air rushed into the void he had just occupied.

Nestor looked helpless at the spot she had just been: “Will she be okay?”

I put my hand on the man’s shoulder. “She is in very good care and my friend Narth will teach her and make sure she will no longer hurt herself.”

“He really is a Narth?”

“Yes he is.”

“If only half of the legends are true of them then I have hope.”

I had everyone sit down and had coffee served. After about an hour Narth came in and said to the man. “She will fully recuperate, but she is in a deep sleep right now. Our CMO has done a marvelous job in cauterizing the hemorrhages and I will teach her in small steps how to control her enormous potential.”

The mood improved after that and I had dinner served. Just as Nanjo Eeeryt served the main course, Elfi, who had the Con at the moment called and said.

“Captain, I am sorry to interrupt dinner but three Togar warships just entered the system and intercepted comm traffic confirms they are searching for us.”

Thanks to our fast IST it took me little time to reach the command deck. I stopped by my quarters and changed into my leather outfit and then stepped on the bridge. Har-Hi was right behind me and Elfi vacated the Command seat.

“Three Monglar Class Togar Attack Cruisers dropped out of Quasi-space about eight minutes ago and are broadcasting a description of our ship and offering a reward of 5,000,000 Polos for anyone knowing where we are.”

“Sound General Quarters and open a channel to them.”

The rest of my senior officers arrived and took their seats, just as the klaxons blared through the ship and called everyone to their positions.

Elfi said. “I have a connection to the lead ship.”

After a hand sign of mine she put me on and a brown furred female Togar cat flanked by two male warriors of her species appeared on the screen.

“I am Captain Black Velvet of the Silver Streak. Why would the Togar Empire have a bounty on us?”

The female growled. “We are aware you are harboring a fugitive of our kind and we demand that you hand her over.”

“I am not in the business of harboring anyone.”

“Liar, we know you purchased a female Togar at a place known as Brahma Port.”

“Oh that one, sorry I don’t have her anymore. Captain Swift purchased her from me and I am not sure where he went, but if there is a reward. I will keep an eye open for him and the Swift Profit, his ship.”

One of the male Togar said to her. “She could speak the truth, she has been seen leaving Brahma Port with said individual and we know of his appetites.”

“Human you will give us the exact coordinates where you saw this Swift last and tell us if you know where he went.”

“Is there a reward out for that fugitive of yours?”

“You can collect it at the Throne world if your information leads to the capture of that individual.”

“I think he went to Kaliment, if my memory serves right.”

She turned to her associate and said: “Lay course to Kaliment.”

To me she said. “If you come across this Swift before we do, make sure you tell him there is a substantial reward for that Togar female.”

With those words she cut the transmission.

Narth sitting behind his console said. “The Togar ships are changing course and accelerating out of the system.”

Har-Hi got up and looked over Narth’s shoulder and said to me. “That was quick thinking, sending them to chase a pirate ship that doesn’t exist anymore, but I really wonder what our white furred guest did to justify such efforts. You know Sin 4 is sort of neutral ground and the Karthanians, the Oghr kingdoms and a few other players in the region certainly noticed the Togar war ships here.”

I shrugged. “She will tell us when she is ready. I gave her my word she will be safe aboard my ship, and I tend to keep my word.”

I got up, and said.

“Well that went better than expected, stand down from General quarters and keep me posted. I think I will finish my dinner. If I am right, Nanjo made fish soup.”

As I wanted to leave the bridge, I noticed TheOther and Elfi by the comm console and both listened or watched something intensely.

I asked. “The Togar didn’t come back right?”

“No but we are watching the most peculiar activities over by the Karthanian Destroyer.”

“Throw it on the main viewer. I have a suspicion.”

The Karthanian destroyer was the focus of a large crowd of beings. It came to no surprise to me, that the crowd was split in several armed and opposing parties. At first I didn’t see anything particular interesting and thought that Elfi and TheOther never seen Sin 4 antics, but then I saw it too. Several beings wearing combat space suits and outfits typical for fighting spacers, sitting on the crumbled Tarmac playing with rocks and dirt. A huge Oghr pushing a box with a Togar sitting inside, pretending it was some sort of vehicle.

As I watched someone started shooting and fighting chaos ensued. A rugged looking armored floater fired into the drive pods of the destroyer.

“SHIP, add Para Dim to the shield umbrella. I am sure there is some Anti Matter stored in the drive pods.”

Just as I said it, one of the Karthanian drive pots exploded, reducing the fighting crowd, many tons of debris and the entire rear half of the Karthanian to molecular ashes.”

Elfi turned and said. “Whatever our Leedei did to them sure worked!”

Ensign Fivecheer, obviously summoned to the bridge by SHIP came from the IST. Despite the traditional Leedei face cover, I could tell he was not certain if he should be proud or concerned. He came straight towards me, stopped himself from saluting and said. “I apologize, I only lowered the cognitive factor of the crowd by about ten percent.”

Har-Hi looking at the shallow crater and the rest of the Karthanian destroyer. “I guess it was enough, no sane person shoots a landing tank cannon into the drive pots of a landed ship. There is usually enough AM left for a fast lift off.”

I also looked at the result of our handiwork and said. “They fired into the drive pots of the courier ship I came in the last time and there was no Leedei influence.”

I turned. “Ensign Fivecheer, I am deeply impressed. Could we not do that to all pirate ships and the Kermac in general?”

“Unfortunately not, Captain. The Kermac on Dolbra were not prepared, but their major planets and ships are not only shielded, they can detect Psion sources and thus the origin. It would work on any species or ship of TL 6 for sure and all TL 7 without psi talents or Psi tech.”

“Thankfully they only had a few grams left in their propulsion system and the rest wasn’t mixed yet. So all in all I am very pleased, Ensign. Why don’t you take the honor and report the destruction and elimination of the Tight Squeeze and pirate Hegor the Merciless officially into the log, I’ll sign it.” I then motioned to the IST. “Why not join me for dinner, Mr. Fivecheer. Tell me a bit about Leedei culture and such. I remember Specialist Yda from when I was evaluated.”

“That is one of my parentlings, Yda and the Tribunal are the reasons I am on this ship, Captain.”

Chapter 10
Fivecheer and I arrived moments later at our Den. I was just sitting back down at the table as our little Holdian Engineer jumped out of his seat with a panicked shriek. I turned to see what had spooked him.

It was Cateria and the white furred Togar standing in the door. The Togar had her hands demurely folded before her and she looked to the floor. She was wearing one of the white dresses female Med-techs liked to wear and she looked strangely alluring and quite attractive.

Warner pointed at her. “If there is one thing Togar like more than eating humans, it’s chasing and eating Holdians.”

She whispered. “I wish not to cause any harm or trouble to anyone. It would be best if you let me leave the ship, or kill me.”

“You are not a prisoner, and if you want to leave no one will stop you, but we are on Sin 4 and three Togar battleships broadcasted a big reward for you over all channels. It would be suicide to go out there. I think you should sit with us and have dinner.”

The Holdian was moving close to TheOther and said. “Don’t invite her Captain, she might take you up on it and eat me.”

TheOther placed two of his huge arm pairs like a barrier around the Holdian and this gesture of protection was calming our little engineer down considerably.

I said. “No worries Mr. Warner, I am sure there is no danger at all.”

I got up and made an inviting gesture.

“Please sit and eat. We do not have human or Holdians on the menu, but I remember a Togar friend of mine and she said she prefers bacon and I am sure we have some of that.”

She raised her head a little and her green eyes sparkled. “You know a Togar and call her friend?”

“I must admit, I have almost forgotten about her, but through your presence I was reminded of the lessons of an old teacher of mine. There is a very small community of Togars living as free citizens in the Union and one of them is the Captain of a civilian ship.”

She moved with grace and elegance and sat down at the edge of one of the big chairs and she said to Warner. “Dear Mr. Holdian please be assured I mean no one any harm and I have never harmed, slain or eaten a Holdian and will never do so.”

The little engineer jumped over the arm barrier and walked with twitching tail back to his booster seat and said. “I am not afraid anyhow, I am a Fleet Engineer and we are afraid of nothing really, and I was merely acting, of course.”

Our Elly cook came in with a plate and placed it before her. “The Captain mentioned bacon. Mr. Narth teleports me into my kitchen before I even know it and SHIP already has the bacon out of the stasis freezer, so here we go, the fastest ever fried bacon.”

She whispered “Thank you, but I am not hungry.”

Her pink triangular nose over the cleft lips began to shiver and she timidly took a little piece and nibbled. Right after that she ate a whole slice and said. “Intha, intha, this is like god food.”

I motioned everyone to eat and the ice seemed to be broken as the good food pacified everyone.

The Togar female almost reacted like the Holdian as Krabbel came in and announced. “My shift is over and it looks like I am just in time for dessert.”

While our Archa pleaded with the Cook to change the planned pudding dessert to ice cream, I said to the Togar. “This is Lt. Krabbel, my Navigator and he is from Archa. There is hardly a kinder soul aboard this ship and of all beings you need not to fear him least.”

The Togar female said whispering. “This wonderful harmony on this table, all these different beings and they all have a home and a purpose. I think I am ready to leave now.”

She nodded and her eyes shimmered wet and Shea whispered. “Say something to her, she’s crying.”

I said to her. “Why don’t you tell us who you are, before you go?”

“I am Jolaj of Grotha. I was born to a priestess of the temple.

It is forbidden for those who serve the 431 Spirits of the Grotha to have children, except when the spirits manifest themselves through birth which had last happened many thousands of years ago. I was born on the feast day of Malmoru the Lightray Spirit and, because I have white fur, they elevated me and gave me the name Jolaj, calling me the one who saves the Togar from the wrath of the darkest spirit, the one that shall not be named and comes from a cold dark place. I am to unite all Togar, including the forgotten tribes that have left Togr so long ago.”

She raised her head. “My people are very proud and fierce and we are told not to like other species. We are ruled as much by our Queen as by our faith and religion.”

I noticed Shaka who sat at her other side, looking at her with great attention and his hand touching her fingertips and he said with a gentle tone in his voice. “It sounds like you are a living god among your people and should be exalted and celebrated.”

She turned to face him and said. “It was so at the beginning and I was schooled and educated and learned much about the outside worlds. I know of the Dai-Than, the Kermac, the Nogoll, the Karthanian and I was told about the Union. But then two cycles ago at my feast day, the Queen came to the temple to be justified by the spirits for another cycle and to question the holy smokes of the glowing pit about the future. The spirits prophesied her reign would see the coming of the Darkest Spirit and that this dark spirit would even disguise himself and shape itself as a Togar female. The Darkest Spirit would also kill her and all of her dynasty and great darkness would descend upon the Togar and the very light of the Galaxy’s center would be dimmed.”

Shaka took her hand into his and I was certain he was not even aware doing it and he said. “Sorry but that sounds like every other prophecy uttered by a thousand prophets on a thousand different planets. It is always the Darkness and evil this and doom and gloom that. I am sorry but I think this is how these religions stay in business. What I don’t understand why you are being hunted.”

“My old teacher warned me and I didn’t believe her. She said the High Priestess and the conference of priestesses hated me, because if I came of age I would make them obsolete. So when the Queen asked for an interpretation of the prophecy and how she could recognize the false Togar, they said that it was not Malmoru, who sired me, but a mangy Togar male possessed by the Dark Spirit that lay with my mother and that evil was masked in the fur of innocence. A widely broadcast trial declared me guilty of impersonating a goddess, planning to kill the Queen and conspiracy against the realm. I was sentenced to death, but in the dungeons my old teacher came to visit me and helped me dye my fur. I was herded out with the other prisoners to work the Happy Mines on the Neverwarm planet.

Our ship got attacked by the ones that sold me to you, and that is how I ended up here. I am the most wanted criminal in my society and you are all in danger. Because most of Togr would revolt if the truth came out. To all the Togar I am a Goddess. This is why the Queen fears me more than anything and must be destroyed.”

The big Y’All spread his arms and said. “Let them come, you are safe with us.”

Har-Hi said. “Our Captain will never yield even if the entire Universe wanted to get you. I also pledge to defend you and so will everyone on this ship. If we return you can become a Union citizen and that means the entire might of our civilization will be your shield. So, you pretty Togar Cat, cheer up and we find some things for you to do around here.”

Shea whispered. “I think our quiet Helmsman and our XO are quite smitten by the kitten and she is very beautiful in her exotic way.”

“I noticed, too.”

My gorgeous science officer turned to Nestor, who was eating like there was no tomorrow, pointed at the Itomarian Vision staff on the table. “Please let us talk about this for a moment. I heard you would know where other artifacts like this one can be found.”

He nodded chewing, holding a chicken drumstick in his right hand and a biscuit in the other hand. “Yes I do. Gothar the Dealer has four cases with writing like that and red spheres like that inside.”

To me Shea said. “Narth and I are quite certain, that this is indeed of Itomarian origin. This staff is a sort of a library access device and those spheres hold knowledge and records of that long gone, barely known and yet once very highly developed civilization. If even one of these spheres is still undamaged it could provide us with important information and advance our technology. A Saresii legend tells that the Itomarian knew the secrets of the Y’All invasions and how to end them once and for all. Some scholars believe they are the ones who made the Y’all in the first place. The Narth knew of them even before the rise of the Pree and the UNI.”

I turned to our eating guest. “Who is this Gothar?”

Nestor used a napkin to wipe the grease of his cheeks and looked quite satisfied. “He is a Lipsiar, non-Union species from somewhere in the Coreward sector. He lives at the Village and buys the scavenged materials from the Skaakh and Stik; things such as Valuable Metals, plastics and everything else that might still have value. We can buy knives, chem-guns, food and such from him. Once a month or so he takes his freight skimmer to the Commodity Market and sells what we collected.”

The door to the hangar opened once more and Cateria returned, accompanied by the tall native. He too was clean now. His skin a pale yellow and he somehow looked as if his skin had been stretched over an elongated human skeleton with a pointed skull. He was at least three meters tall and his arms almost reached to the ground, he reminded me of a Spindlar, only that a Spindlar looked fat compared to him. He bowed before me and said: “You are the Chief of this flying Village?”

“Yes I am.”

“I am Camael Sincenine. I am the Chief of the Um tribe and Chief of Chief in the meeting of Elders of all People. I am good friend to Nestor.”

“I am glad you are better, Chief.” I knew I could not let him go back before Narth had wiped his memory or placed a hypnotic block.

“Nestor has told us so many things about the Union. Is it all true?

“I do not know what he told you but I am sure it is more or less so.”

“Nestor told us that we are the true owners of our World and that the Union law would say so.”

“Yes the sentient native life form of a planet is by Union law the rightful owner of their home world. However this is not Union Space and our laws mean little. We must be here in secret.”

“No it is not true. Nestor says that everyone can become Union and then planet becomes Union and Union comes and kicks off all Mighty Ones and we are free people again.”

Har-Hi whistled. “You know, he is right. If the Stik would officially ask for membership, then the Freespace status of Sin 4 no longer applies. Any Civilization, including the ones in Freespace, have the right to associate themselves with any of the Big four. That is so stipulated in the Freespace Treaty. No one can argue that the Stik are the rightful owners of this world.”

Nestor nodded. “That’s why the Cartel tried to murder all Stik. Stik are not allowed to speak in public, cannot use flyers and are not allowed to leave on space ships. The old Cartel bosses have seen that danger and wanted to eradicate them all, but the new generations don’t even see the Stik anymore and pay no attention to them. I studied the treaty, and I knew this would be the solution one day. I never dreamed it would happen in my lifetime.”

I played with my braids as I always did when I was thinking and said. “This presents a problem. I need to call Fleet HQ about it. But first I need to ask you, Nestor, for a favor. I need to find and talk to this Gothar and I best do it incognito. Could you lead me to him?”

“Yes Captain Velvet, I will.”

Har- Hi agreed. “It would not be out of character for a pirate to look for spare parts there either, or to buy a load of stuff to pay for a trip instead of flying with empty cargo holds.”

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 a 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 an 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 disappearing 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 Warktur to the Karthanians. Ah well he was never smart enough to come to me, like you. Hope to see you again.”

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.

Mehdi, so I learned, came from one of the oldest Colonial worlds of former United Earth called Vande Mataram.

Mehdi 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.

Mehdi 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.

Mehdi 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.

Mehdi had contacted us because he had recognized the Half-Dai Dimon Honshu and had followed the man inside a Zorgo-Cave.

Mehdi, 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.

Mehdi talked to the first fat Spindlar I had ever seen and said. “Two trips to the pink Ocean.”

The Spindlar took five Full weights off Mehdi 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.

Mehdi 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 Mehdi 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 Mehdi 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 Mehdi 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 he 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. Senhadjii, stay on his tracks if you can, but do not risk too much.”

Mehdi lowered himself to the ground and said. “I’ll try my best, Captain.”

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.

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 Sojonites 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 to 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 wins 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 have 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 advertised 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 at 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 with 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 P4 Paralysator you got. Going against a fully armed Dai and capture him alive is otherwise not possible.”

“Take what you need.”

Cirruit 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 millions 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 rebuild 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. Itomarian 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 Cirruit 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 Cirruit 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 Mehdi sent 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 quarters 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 age 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 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 Sojonites 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 marvelous 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.”

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 Lokies 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’ll 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-righteous mob of Kermac influenced 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 Sojonit 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.”

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.”

Death Fight Arena
I was sitting in my chair feeling stunned by what I just heard, thinking hard what I could do to save my friends. How did they manage to capture a Narth? Did I deal with the Kermac and the Worm?

That there were groups out there on Sin 4 wanting to capture a Narth, I knew from the time I had been here before.

I somehow knew he was still alive but I could not feel anything else and that was more than disturbing.

TheOther who held the security post came over and said with a low voice.

“Captain we now have an asset inside the Donheer compound and we should be able to make contact any time now.”

I turned and looked at the Y’All. “An asset?”

“Yes Ma’am. Lt. Neugruber authorized additional personnel for the Mehdi Senhadjii mission and two of the NWC officers volunteered. Mehdi managed to trace the weapon deal to the Donheers and our tiny friends managed to follow one of the suspected Mil Tech dealers onto the Donheer Compound Island.”

I could not completely keep my anger out of my voice as I said. “While I appreciate initiative I sure would like to be informed who is sent outside on a place like this. I was under the impression our NWC friends were still working to neutralize that other pirate ship, the Brazen Business?”

“Sorry captain, they are long done with that one.”

I put my hand on his arm and added. “Thank you Mr. TheOther. How soon can we make contact?”

Elfi said. “They are calling now, Captain.”

The main screen changed and we looked at an office from underneath a desk. We saw feet and the support projector for an old system hover chair. A voice spoke. “Lt. Bergdorf reporting, Captain. I managed to infiltrate the actual office of Duke Donheer. My associate Ensign Sahlhof is on his way to the security center of the island for detail assessment. We believe a Union fleet officer or perhaps a former one is the source of the stolen mil tech and he seems to be in the employment of this syndicate leader.”

I could not help myself and said. “Be careful, you are not small enough to be invisible.”

“Your concern is duly noted Captain. However we are wearing Atlas Battle Suits and we are both fully cloaked and thus invisible to almost all sensors, certainly to all of TL 7.”

He stepped from under a desk he was currently hiding and flew to a shelf unit with art objects and sports trophies. There due to his size and perspective between gigantic looking trophies he looked down into the room and I saw the fat white man behind his desk.

Shea said. “I got the scan data from the DNA residue Mr. Bergdorf gathered under the chair of Donheer.

He looks almost human but it is to be Kermac, Saresii and artificial Shiss DNA crafts. It looks like he is related to our friends at Brahma port as some of the markers match with the samples we collected there.”

I looked at the man who sat behind his desk and operated a communications device. He had white, finely scaled skin. His head was hairless and he had reptilian Shiss eyes above a small nose with flaring nostrils over a wide mouth that was filled with small, needle sharp looking fish like teeth.

While I served on the Hyperion and under a Shiss captain, Captain Zezz managed to show warmth and compassion in his completely alien reptilian face, there was not a hint of friendliness in this face.

I wondered if this is how things were going to be. Instead of chasing through space and using the ship and all its amazing technology we once more saw what a spy of ours observed. My best friends were caught by this bastard and he was blackmailing me. I had a good mind to simply take my marines and raid his place, right through the front door. Of course he had captured Narth, Har-Hi and the Golden, so a frontal assault could endanger my friends lives. I could not rely on the old Eric and jump in the middle of things. The main problem of it all this was that I had a ship and it had to come first, even before my best friends. We had a mission that also came before the personal safety of my crew.

Something happened on the screen, an old man came into the study and he looked much like Donheer did; only the Kermac features were much stronger and he said.

“Are you dreaming again about expanding our empire? You know the other families are getting nervous and a Syndicate war is never a good thing, son. The old Simian called and wanted to know what happened to the Half Dai.”

Donheer got up and said. “It is my empire, old man. Mine! You are old and weak. You were content with a quarter of a dirty planet. I care not what that stinking primate wants. I captured that Nul spy and he too will die in the Arena tonight.”

“We guaranteed free passage; you even accepted the million polos! We Donheer keep our word!”

“I keep my word when it suits me. I am almost strong enough to take them on, all of them and then will I wipe them out. That’s a word I gave to myself. Those I tend to keep.”

The old man who seemed to be the father of Duke Donheer replied. “You are part Shiss, part Kermac and your grandmother was a Saresii slave woman but you inherited none of their wisdom or their psionic powers, but you certainly know how to be arrogant and self-inflated. The old Baro is no roll over and his outfit is not far behind us. You couldn’t even deal with Rillo after he busted up your party.”

The old man pointed with disgust at a platter of food. “You like eating of the finest things yet you have no class. The balance of the four families has served us well and made you rich. Maintain what we have and expand slowly and into areas that we know.”

The Duke slammed his fist on the table and pointed with his other hand towards the window behind him. “Sin 4 is a speck, an unimportant speck. There are bigger powers out there and I intend to play a part in the big games. I want all casinos under my control. I want that arrogant Sinister Sports and only allow SII do business here if I feel like it. I don’t want a miniscule share of the Sojonit business. I want to control that entire whorehouse temple business and all the profits.”

“You are insane! Have you seen what SII did? They have more of these big ships!”

“And I want bigger ones! I am going to destroy the other cartels and then we build a new spaceport on the southern continent, mine the riches of our moons. Once I have put this system under my control, I will announce that we are part of the Shiss Empire. The White Nestling himself has told me that there could even be a position for me in the Royal Nest.”

The old man wrung his hands. “The Death fight arena is our crown jewel; we make more money with the advertisement deals and the merchandising than with all the casinos and business. Leave those world conquering dreams, this is not what we do. Your plan with the Nul is madness. You speak of powers out there and try to play on their level and yet you do not comprehend.”

“Silence old man. The White Nestling will give much control and I will be an important part of a galaxy spanning empire, not just a measly planet and the plan is perfect. The Shiss have abducted the Nul who is very important to the Nul Empire. He will fight in the Arena tonight and die. I will claim I purchased it from Black Velvet, a notorious pirate. I’ll have her confess that she worked under direct orders of the Union and that will hopefully start a war between the Union and the Nul.

Of course the Union will win but at a high cost. I am almost certain the Kermac will not let an opportunity like that pass and will attack a weakened Union perhaps join the Nul in the fight.

No matter who wins, the Kermac, the Nul or the Union, one of them will be gone and the others weaker than ever before and the galaxy is ripe for the taking by the Shiss. We will have a front row seat and riches and power beyond anyone’s wildest dreams.”

The old man sighed. “You are a fool, these things aren’t as simple as dealing with other cartel families, and these things are way out of your league.”

“Be silent and be careful old man. I just might have you thrown in the arena for monster bait. I have a great show lined up for tonight.”

The old man walked out and slammed the door behind him.

Chapter 12
I was losing time watching this. I needed to find my friends; nothing so far had told me how he managed to capture them and where he kept them. I was about to get up and call for a conference to hatch a plan when something happened on the screen that shocked me deeply. The next man that walked through the door was my former friend Wintsun.

Our tiny spy still invisible in the room said. “This is the Union officer we followed.”

Donheer greeted the green skinned man saying. “You have been successful in capturing the Dai Warrior and I appreciate men who get me results, but then you used to be a Union officer and they do train their people well.”

Wintsun was the same and yet he had changed. He seemed much older than he was and his face had a lost all of the openness it had before. What was he doing here on Sin 4? Did he recognize Har-Hi?

Wintsun said. “That is why I was able to use the P4 Paralysator to get that Dai. He had his Clan glyph removed so he is most likely an Okthi you know a renegade and not associated with any clan anymore.”

“Wonderful, we have a nice full program for tonight. The Terror Hammer will make his great come back tonight and die heroically as I must punish him for deceiving me and running off, playing dead for so long.”

Wintsun grinned. “I think he is a Saturnian. I never liked these brutes anyway.”

Donheer leaned back in his wide seat. “You will enjoy the big fight tonight and I see a great future for you Wintsun. You have risen fast in my organization since you came here.”

Wintsun sat down and said. “I am your man Mr. Donheer.”

“Have you activated the Loki torpedoes?”

“Yes I have, and they are the full size Type IV, one will be more than enough to destroy that pirate ship and level most of the city as well.

“Are they that powerful?”

“Four of them will buckle the shields of a Union battleship and the sixteen you got would be enough to take on anything short of the Devi. What we lack are propper launchers, but our engineers managed to create a nice launch rack. No matter how fast she tries to leave, those torpedoes are faster.”

“Splendid, the Kermac are very interested in those and made a generous offer and since you activated them and made them useful, I think I will give you a nice bonus as well.”

I didn’t hear what Wintsun said as just then I felt Narth’s presence in my mind.

“Eric I am alright, but we were surprised by a paralysator shot over a distance. Since there are so many minds out there I must have missed them. The person who captured us for the Duke is Wintsun.”

I felt a wave of relief and responded. “I know; I am watching that bastard right now. Where are you?”

“We are held in a prison underneath the Donheer fight Coliseum. It is a state of the art containment facility to hold all kinds of life forms. Unfortunately there is a very strong Kermac psi screen, efFectivly neutralizing most of my Psionic abilities.”

“Do they know you are a Narth?”

“No they did not recognize us or me. I am not even scheduled to fight. They think I am a weak scholar and I am scheduled to be sold as a slave.”

I was deeply relieved to hear my friends were not harmed and then I called my senior officers to a conference in the den and said. “Here is my plan...”

Shea was brushing my hair out and said. “I am not sure if anyone has told you that, but you are very beautiful, and tonight you look quite stunning.”

Her comment touched the vanity of my female persona as I looked at myself in the reflection field. The long blonde hair had the same color as that of my mother and suddenly I was reminded of her and I felt guilty for no longer having nightmares or thinking much about that event, but now I saw her, right there in the mirror. Not that my mother would have worn something like this. I wore a low cut clingy gown of thin black Saresii silk and black velvet I had purchased during our visit at the secret NAVINT base.It was hanging on thin straps from my shoulders. To it I added a shiny black fur stole, gloves and a tiny purse. Shea was finally done with the hair and Elfi handed me a feather domino with veil. I sighed, “Maybe I should simply wear an Atlas Battle Suit and we storm the place.”

Shea gave me a look from underneath her long lashes. Sojonits have an old saying. “Lace underwear felled more warriors then the sharpest swords. In some instances a dress like this can be just as effectiv as a battle suit.”

Elfi added. “We can still change the whole thing. It is your plan after all.”

I pulled on the gloves and said: “No we better stick to the plan. I want this to be over with so we can concentrate on the Red Dragon and our mission. I want to leave this world. It really gets to me.”

Shea said. “If everything goes well then we will have done our part to change this world and to me that makes it all worthwhile if there are no longer Skaakh girls seeing their mother torn apart by scavengers and no one else dies of hunger.”

Looking at it all this way made me feel much different and I said: “You are right, we do make a difference and that is what counts. I just pictured my first mission as a Starship captain completely different, more uniforms and less silken underwear.”

Elfi blushed: “I am not wired that way but even I thought you looked extremely hot in your undies. Besides you enjoy every moment, so quit whining, Captain.”

I was split in my opinion inside as always. While part of me extremely enjoyed the feel and the look, the other found it exposing, impractical and not what a Starship Captain should look like. Would I ever find true peace inside?

At the agreed time, a luxury skimmer approached and I left the ship via the ramp and not by the IST. I found out it was anything but easy to walk down a declining metal surface in stiletto heel pumps without falling.

An Oghar and a Togar stepped out from the drive compartment and held big blaster weapons looking nervously around.

I was glad I wore a mask as I saw Wintsun getting out of the skimmer as well. I felt nothing but contempt towards this traitor. I wondered what had turned him so completely, or maybe it was always there and I was just too blind and naïve back then to see the signs. It was he who shot Narth while I was unconscious in the Crawler Cat. For that alone he needed to pay, not to mention that he was a traitor and now responsible for the capture of my friends. He had a crooked smile on his lips as he undressed me with his eyes and he said: “My, my what a scrumptious sight. I had no idea pirates could look that hot. Now I need to make sure you don’t have any hidden weapons other than the obvious ones hidden under that thin dress of yours.”

I said. “Touch me and you are dead.”

He laughed dirty and said. “Be civil, pirate whore. We have the better cards. Your crew mates die if you don’t comply and we blow your rust bucket sky high. Now let me scan you or I’ll have the Togar perform a manual search.”

He did use a handheld scanner and his hands were sliding up and down my dress and legs, around my breasts and down my thighs. He as breathing harder and I had never felt so angry and violated. How much worse must it have been for Jolai.

I felt very vulnerable and cursed the thin dress that was such a great idea just a while ago. He finally stepped back and said. “What a nice firm body you got, I think we will have some fun later. You and I after the Duke is done with you. Now get in the Acron-Lux skimmer, we do not want to make the Duke wait.”

Elfi’s voice came on over my tiny inner ear receiver. It was made almost completely out of organic components and was of the finest Saresii spy technology from the first Saresii Empire and beyond anything the crooks on Sin 4 or pretty much anyone else could possibly scan for.

She said. “Teams are in position. Cirruit is almost there and the Marine Team is on its way too. We have you clear on the surveillance equipment.”

The Coliseum was a huge ring shaped building bathed in multi colored lights. Hundreds of heavily armed skimmers patrolled the sky around it.

While we were underway Wintsun put his hand on my knee and said. “No worries pirate whore I’ll be gentle the first time.”

I did not know where I got the strength to remain calm and say. “You should worry scum face. The time you wish you had not done that is soon at hand.”

He laughed. “It’s over, you lost. Playing as a girl in a man’s universe has its dangers. So accept it and you might get an enjoyable ride out of it, or two.”

We approached a landing platform high above the ground and the fat Duke was standing there flanked by two Togar male warriors armed with Kermac Line blaster guns.

He greeted me with what I could only describe as a slimy smile on his thin lips, revealing his needle like teeth. “Oh how lovely and mysterious. Well I am sure you will share your identity and show me what you have hidden behind those feathers and veil. You see I always get what I want.”

I said. “Why this interest in me?”

“Friends of mine on Brhama port told me what a strong woman you are and I love breaking beautiful, arrogant women.”

“Is it because you were rejected by one and couldn’t get her? Or did you mommy spank you a little too much?”

He pointed his finger at me, almost touching my nose and I knew I had touched a raw nerve as I he hissed. “You will beg for my mercy. I promise you!”

I smiled under my veil and said. “The night is still young and might hold a few surprises for us all.”

“Now that you are here I think we can come to a business agreement where I get your ship and I let you live. It’s a real good offer, I assure you. I am not always that generous.”

I said. “I thought I was here to discuss a price for my crew members’ release.”

He raised his shoulders and said. “I lied, I always do that and I’ve got you now. I am sure I can persuade you to give me all the necessary access codes.”

“I’ll have my ship blown up before I give it to you.”

His grin returned and he said. “Our little pirate lady thinks she still has choices.”

His face became hard and the smile vanished. “Pirate, I do not know who you are and frankly I don’t care. Let me make it perfectly clear to you. You will die tonight in a most unpleasant manner if you don’t do exactly as I tell you.”

One of the Togar extended his claws and growled.” Follow him or I will make you.”

So we went into the VIP box with the best view over the fight arena. I estimated at least 80,000 beings in the bleachers around the arena. There was a GalNet Team complete with a group of flying Robo Cams.

An ocean of flags, project-a-signs and every surface that could hold advertisement was used to promote well known Union products.

He offered me a seat right next to him and said. “Until I kill you I will be civil and you can enjoy your evening as it will be the last you have in such freedom. How about some Terran Champagne or something else perhaps?”

I declined and sat down.

The lights went out and a single spotlight caught us, the fat Duke and me. He got up and said to me: “Get up and cling to my arm or I kill you right here.”

Pure rage was building up and as always I felt it first in my stomach, and only because I used a mental calming exercise I had learned from Narth was I able to do as he asked.

He held up his arms and his voice was magnified to thunderous levels. “Ladies and Gentle Beings from all over our pretty Galaxy, I Duke Donheer, welcome you all, here in person and via GalNet, Shiss-cpjt and all the other broadcasters that are here tonight. Welcome to another Fight to the Death night, here at the Donheer Coliseum, the home of the genuine Ultra Gore Kill League.”

He made a pause to accept the applause and the cheers and then said. “I appreciate you all and because you have been great fans I have prepared great fights for you tonight. As usual bets can be placed until the Fight siren signals the start of a contest. Merchandise and Souvenirs can be purchased at the GalNet Donheer Site. Get them now because these will be collector items soon!”

The spotlight turned off and the lights came back on. An unseen promoter now spoke.

“Tonight you will get your money’s worth of blood splattering excitement. Men, women and beasts will die in the eternal sands of the arena to satisfy you. And what a spectacle our Duke himself has lined up for you. A Dai Warrior just captured from the most vicious Dai-Clan sold to us by the Kermac who declared all Dai must be eradicated. A Half Dai Assassin from a far off world with a long list of skills. Will this sneaky dagger wielding coward have a chance in open combat?

Into the mix and smuggled from the deadliest planet in the Universe, three monstrosities from Green Hell, a real Stomper and two Insectosaurus’.”

The crowd cheers thundered. The speaker waited till the noise ebbed away somewhat and said speaking over a drum solo. “Our friends of the Union Fleet supplied us with a ghastly but powerful grey Nul warrior and to top this Royal Rumble to the Death we announce the return of greatest of all fighting champions this Arena had ever seen. The destroyer of life, the Terror from a far and unknown Galaxy, The one and only Terror Hammer has returned!”

A sea of blue and yellow flags and streamers appeared, held by fans who chanted rhythmically “Terror Hammer!”

Duke Donheer said more to himself than to me or anyone. “It is a shame to kill him, the crowd loves him, but no one defies me and makes a fool of me!”

The round arena was now lit and cages lowered from above. I saw Har-Hi in one and Hans in another. A third held a huge grey Nul. I had never actually seen a Nul in reality and I had to admit that being looked more frightening than a Y’All.

Of course truth to be told, ever since I knew TheOther I got used to the looks of the Y’All. The announcer presented six more ferocious looking beings: A Saurian, two Yellow Throat Shiss, a Togar fight champion and two Pertharian Union citizens who had been captured and were forced to participate in this spectacle.

What galled me most was that this arena spectacle included Union citizens kidnapped and forced to fight and die and according to Donheer, he had billions of viewers and lucrative advertisement contracts with Union companies.

Every advertisement director that Okayed this should be held accountable for treason, every Union citizen considering this entertainment and supporting it declared to be enabling criminals and stripped of all citizen privileges.

The Duke said.” Kiss me.”

“Not in your lifetime.”

He gave the Togar that stood behind me a sign and said. “Defying me has consequences. Maybe that will make your Dai fight even more. There is nothing the crowd loves more than a Damsel in distress and monsters with slimy tentacles. The Togar aimed his weapon at me and snarled. “Get up, Pirate.”

The Duke said. “On your knees and beg for mercy, or I’ll have you tossed into the arena.

Not waiting for the Togar, making me comply, I vaulted over the railing of his floating VIP box and landed in the coarse sand about five meters below, rolling over my shoulder to lessen the drop impact.

The Duke’s voice spoke loud addressing the crowd. “Captured by myself during a tremendous space fight. One of the Union’s most wanted Criminals. The lady pirate known as Black Velvet. Special bets can be made by whom this slender weak human female is killed first.”

Elfi spoke in my earpiece. “Team Aqua has breached the outer defences unnoticed and is in the process of neutralizing everything in sight.”

That meant my Marines had successfully landed on the Duke’s Island and had begun searching for the Loki torpedoes.

Elfi then said. “Team Blackout is also progressing towards their objective.”

Narth said into my mind. “I have recuperated well enough. I am certain I can teleport.”

“Can you take the Golden along?”

The answer came immediately. “Yes.”

I was sending him my mental instructions. “Narth take the Golden home.”

The cages holding the fighters and monsters clapped open and a pile of swords, spears and sabres was uncovered in the center of the arena. The stomper a terrifying monster with eight legs with a mass of long tentacles on one end screamed and went straight for me. Hans was immediately attacked by one of the huge Insectos.Looking like a cross between a praying mantis, scorpion and dinosaur it had sharp looking scissor claws and a stinger oozing with greenish slime on a long flexible tail while it scurried fast through the sand on its six insect like segmented legs.

The grey Nul, as big as Hans, was wearing a slave collar. It blinked and I knew someone was causing the Nul pain, perhaps controlling him via remote controlled shocks or something of that kind and they had glued something over his only eye, making him blind.

The huge Nul staggered through the sand while he tried to get rid of the gooey sticky mess over his eye.

I kicked the nice open toed heels of my feet, and ran as fast as I could towards the pile of weapons. Barely escaping the Stompers attack I came close to the Perthanian and said. “If you want to see Union side again make your way to the spaceport and find the Silver Streak as soon as the lights go out.”

I didn’t wait to see if he understood and in my ear I could hear Elfi say: “The Golden has just popped out of thin air and now Narth is here as well.”

I asked “Is Cirruit ready?”

“Almost, he needs five more minutes to hack into the power grid, because it is more primitive than he thought.”

The Stomper collided with the Nul and grabbed him with his tentacles. I never liked the Nul but even he wasn’t here on his own free will. I threw a Vibrosword as hard as I could into my XO’s direction and Har-Hi jumped and elegantly took it by the handle out of mid-air and swung it immediately against the Insecto severing its right claw arm right off.

Hans had just shown what he could really do, grabbed the tail just behind the dangerously sharp stinger of the other Insecto and with a groan ripped it right out of the poor animal and used the tail like an oversized club beating the wounded animal with it.

The spectators exploded in a frenzied uproar and chanted his name even louder. I threw a sword to the half Dai who was just as agile catching it as Har-Hi and attacked the Sauron.

With a grim satisfaction I took a long handled battle axe with two sharp looking blades and swung it around. The weapon was not high tech. I did not have any Vibro or other function but it was made of a tough metal and had a razor sharp edge as I found out after slicing it through the upper thigh of the attacking Togar. The majestic looking cat warrior screamed and his shiny brown fur was dulled by his own dark blood.

I was no longer Erica or female. I was a child of Nilfeheim, Neo Viking by blood, savage warrior by heritage and all layers of my complicated personality peeled back as I put every ounce of my strength and anger into the second blow decapitating the Togar and sending his head flying.

Har-Hi was fighting the Insectosaurus and he clearly had the upper hand but the yellow throat Shiss, who wore a costume much like Hans, appeared to be an experienced Arena fighter and sneaked up on my friend, was about to attack him from behind. Normally I would not have thought twice, in my opinion Har-Hi could clean the whole arena by himself, but he most likely was still fighting the effects of the Paralysator shot, and I knew out of my own experience how that felt. To all this he could not rely on his own swords and weapons. With two leaps I was close and brought down the ax along the spine of the first four armed lizard that effectivly took this Shiss out of the game and tried to reach Har-Hi’s attacker in time. The costumed Shiss turned and almost decapitated me, but Har-Hi had evaded the Insecto so skilfully that the sharp stinger of the beast hammered into the side of the Shiss head, there was no doubt this was a calculated move.

There was no need to help Har-Hi. I looked around and saw the Nul, still unable to see clearly, being tossed through the air by the stomper and he would certainly die during the next attack. The Stomper uncoiled his tentacles and one of them snatched the Nul. He struggled against the pull of the tentacles. Any lesser being would have long ago died between the maws of the Stomper. I ran towards the Nul and yelled. “Nul Warrior lean as far back as you can to put more tension on these tentacles, I’ll cut you lose.”

I ducked at the last moment as one of the barbed tentacles whipped towards me.

The axe was a primitive weapon indeed, but I would not have wanted anything else at that moment. I drove it through the first tentacle; it proved to be razor sharp. Stinking ooze sprayed over me as I hacked through more tentacles like a maniac. The Stomper had forgotten about the Nul and now focused on me. I had to duck, jump and slice with the heavy blade, sticky with the rancid smelling blood of the Stomper.

I knew the Sojonit body changing process had changed my outer appearance but in order to pack my male frame into a female shape, the additional mass was compacted and the result were denser muscles, I never felt as strong even though I had thinner arms and I marvelled at the agility of the female body that allowed fight moves a male body could simply not match.

Somewhere in the back I heard the crowd but I had to focus now, one false step and I was toast.

I was a warrior once more, unrestrained by rules and limitations of civility. Much more reacting to my instincts than to my concicous thoughts, letting my senses guide my muscles even before they reached my mind. The skin of the Stomper was hard as a rock and it took heavy blows to make it even splinter, but there was a thin yellow line of skin between the top and bottom armour where the legs moved, that wasn’t covered by the crystalline armour and the ax blade cut deep into it with each blow I managed to land.

Something scratched my back and I was certain the barbed tail of the stomper had not completely missed its target. I was bleeding from several cuts, but then I was close and with three strong chops I severed one of the stomper’s legs.

The sand was trenched with the stomper’s blood and it stuck to my feet. The beast was now screaming and each blow with the ax cut deeper into the side, cutting chunks of flesh out of an ever deeper gouged wound. The last tentacle severed and another leg useless, the Stomper now groaned and his remaining legs buckled. It was finished. I jumped on the still breathing stomper and split his skull open after hitting it several times, ending the poor creature’s misery. Only now I paused for a moment, covered in sweat and blood, not all of it from the stomper. Almost out of breath with a heaving chest I raised the axe in the air, praised Thor for giving me this victory and loocking for my next oponent. I could suddenly hear the crowd chanting my name in frenzy. “Black Velvet, Black Velvet...”

Elfi’s voice sounded concerned. “Captain Can you hear me?”

“Yes I can hear you.”

“Captain, I was trying to reach you for almost five minutes but you did not answer. Are you alright?”

I jumped of the Stomper and said. “I think so. How far are we?”

“Everything is ready.”

“Do it.”

The lights went out again. I felt Narth’s presence and the faint pulling sensation of Translocation. As the lights came back on I stood in the Sky Box of the Duke. Four Special Forces marines disguised as Pirates were led by TheOther wearing what looked like a genuine Y’All battle suit. With terrifying weapons in each of his fists, the unnaturally twisted body of a badly mangled looking Togar lay before the feet of the giant and the bloody remains of the other guard not far away. One of my marines held Wintsun, while the Duke was still sitting in its chair but all his flair of power and self-importance was gone.

The fat man’s face showed panic.

A glance down to the arena showed me only the dead monsters. Hans and Har-Hi were gone and so were the Pertharians, the Nul and the man named Honsu.

I still held the bloody axe and I could not even imagine how I looked, I stepped forward and he cringed back.

I snarled at him as he raised his arms. “Oh no I won’t make it that easy for you.”

He held up a little device and said with a weak voice. “One push and the torpedoes will launch.”

I swung the axe and his hand along with the device flew in spray of blood. “Push your button now, if you can.”

DEATH FIGHT ARENA
Chula Chakrabongse was still there, he stared down in the now lifeless arena. He pointed at the dead stomper.”Did you see that? Did any of you really see what I saw?”

Only two of his entourage remained, the rest had fled. One of them said. “Yes your highness I saw it too. Those fighters are so beyond your league, we can be glad it ended like this and you did not challenge the Terror Hammer or that woman for a fight.”

“Oh you are weak, Anh Dung. I am the best. And I have seen my future wife. Only she will do! I shall court her.”

Unknown to Chula, another man was pondering the events of the arena while he made his way out the arena. While he was still angry as can be towards that lying bastard, and he would take steps to clip the wings of that self entitled duke. He was no closer to his actual assignment. The gray Nul was somewhere out there and he need to find him, but he simply could not focus on the next steps. His mind went back to the arena. That pirate woman was all he could think off. Such a graceful beauty, reduced to a raw female fighting spirit ... he had seen nothing quite like it in all his long life. Oh yes he knew it, he was deeply in love.

We had returned to the ship, our disguised landing tank was attacked twice, the hits not even registering on the tanks strong shields. Our attackers however were exploding in mid-air as I had ordered to return with maximum fire on anything that even appeared threatening. I felt sore, dirty and exhausted and my back started to hurt real bad.

I visited sickbay and Cateria shook her head as she saw me. “In Gorhum’s wisdom, Captain you look awful.”

“I feel awful too, and why is the ship moving?”

A med bot caught me and placed me on one of the diagnostic tables. Cateria begun to work on me and she said. “Stompers, like all creatures of Green Hell are poisonous and only because you somehow survived the sting of a Wurgus you are still on your legs and among the living. A little longer though and we would have a Dai for a captain.”

I was mildly amazed to see that she was assisted by the white furred Togar, she still wore the white dress but this time with the logo patches of the med team.

While she derma patched my back, I said. “Looks like you found something to do after all.”

Jolaj nodded. “I am not a very technical person; my schooling was limited to theory, literature and arts but this way of healing appeals to me.”

After that I had a long shower and felt much better and called for a meeting in the Pirate’s Den.

I motioned to Mao first and asked. “You, Fectiv and Pure led the Aqua Team, how did it go?”

Mao pointed to the two small Terrans who stood on the table before him and said. “Thanks to Lt. Bergdorf we managed to neutralize the sensor grid so we could dive underneath the Donheer Compound shields.

We found the Loki torpedoes along with the P Bomb and a whole cache of other Union Tech hardware. We destroyed everything safely and then detonated one Loki torpedo. The Donheer Island compound is completely destroyed and Sin 4 has one less island.

I should also mention that our gentle Krabbel was very good at convincing one of Donheer’s deputies to tell us all we wanted to know and finally we set off a much smaller charge in the city to destroy the HQ of the Donheer Syndicate with all the hand weapons and other things Wintsun may have stolen.”

I was very pleased with that and said. “That went well then and I do appreciate the help of our New World Commonwealth crew members.”

I looked towards Hans and continued. “But I like to be kept in the loop who is sent outside. If we have to leave in a flash I do not want to leave anyone behind.”

Hans face was unreadable but then he nodded. “Yes Captain, I understand, I should have asked for permission.”

“Hans we are friends and I rely on all of you to be innovative and spontaneous, we managed to get out of this situation so well because of it. So I should commend you and as a friend I do, but as the Captain I need to know those things. This is not a reprimand or anything like that, but next time it happens it will be.”

His face now showed relief and he nodded in his unique neck less way and said. “Yes Captain, thank you.”

I smiled in his direction and then looked over to Har-Hi, Narth and the Golden. “You almost made my heart stop when I heard you were abducted.”

Narth said. “I didn’t know I could be affected by Paralysator rays. It severely impaired my abilities for hours but it won’t happen again. I changed my physiology in that regard.”

Har-Hi shrugged. “There isn’t much we could have done. That bastard used a F4 Paralysator, and stunned an entire City block. But I am sore having lost all my weapons and my suit.”

Narth shook his head. “I retrieved your equipment. The guards made me take off my mask and cloak and were unable to remain among the living. I took this moment to secure what was taken.It is in a subspace pocket under my cloak.”

Har-Hi sighed a deep relieve. “Thank you.”

I added a thankful thought directed at Narth and said aloud. “I am not blaming you for anything either of course. I am however trying to express how glad I am you are back and safe.”

Har-Hi placed his hand on mine. “When I said I follow you to the Badlands I meant that. I know you don’t like to send us in harm’s way but you will have to do it again I am sure and you simply can’t do everything by yourself. That you are concerned about our safety, be assured we know that, but that must take second place to our mission and your position being the Captain.”

The Golden added. “We never were in much danger, Captain. Narth recovered fast and told us your plan and Hans was there as well. They did not know we knew him. He could have freed us anytime.”

Hans nodded. “They never considered the Golden or Narth in his disguise as material for the Arena and wanted to sell them.”

Then he spread his mighty arms and said. “Sorry Captain I have to say it. I never have seen anything like you attacking that Stomper. You were the only standard human in that arena and yet you were the most dangerous creature of us all.”

Har-Hi looked at me. “I keep saying that, and not just a Stomper, a Togar and a Shiss and doing it all while barefoot and in a dress.”

I tried to ignore them as I wondered about that myself. Of course I knew of the Norse legends telling of warriors going berserk, but some believed it to be legend only or somehow drug induced.It was almost like a drunken euphoria while fighting that Stomper I felt an animalistic satisfaction, that was actually a little disturbing.

I said. “You should talk, Mr. Terror Hammer, ripping the tail out of an Insectosaurus.”

He smiled and wanted to say something but I gave him a scolding look and he swallowed whatever he wanted to say. Then I looked down at my feet. “I liked those slingback pumps and I ruined a perfectly good dress as well, no wonder I was a little agitated.”

They all laughed at that. After a moment I returned to be serious. “We need to interrogate our prisoners and learn where they got these weapons and if there are any more hidden on this world.”

Har-Hi said. “What about Wintsun, will we go by the book?”

I dreaded my own answer and said. “Yes we will. He was a friend, but he killed and is a traitor.”

Cateria got up. “I think it will be best we perform a brain dump on them and let SHIP shift through all their memories.”

I agreed with her and then dismissed them. “Let us hope that the Red Dragon shows up on time tomorrow so we can and wrap this part of our mission up. I really want to get some vacuum under our keel.”

Yeoman O’Connell approached with coffee. “Our chef wants to know if he should serve breakfast, lunch or dinner?”

“Why is this a question?”

“According to Ship and Union time it is lunch, according to local time it is very late dinner or very early breakfast and since most of you were outside he doesn’t know what you want.”

I smiled.”We will have lunch of course. This is a Union ship no matter what.”

While the redheaded Yeoman relayed my orders to the galley and placed the coffee mug in my hands, I asked. “Say Mr.Bergdorf I hate to ask details, but did you not want to take the Brazen Business out of business?”

“Oh we have Captain, not as spectacular as our Leedei, but the moment he leaves the planet you’ll see.”

The Duke
Duke Donheer found himself in a featureless white and brightly lit room. He had not imagined things, there stood a Y’All at the door with both his arm pairs crossed before his chest. He tried to move but found himself fixed to a diagnostic chair. A helmet like thing hovered over his head and he was certain he recognized the design of this alien contraption for what it was, a Saresii Mind extractor.

Every single memory and every secret stored in his brain could be downloaded into a file to be analysed. It was the most efficient interrogation method ever invented, and only the Old Saresii ever perfected it and made it work. Only a handful of these machines survived from that time so long ago, and officially did not even exist but he had heard rumors that the Saresii Secret Service known as the Grey Cat Society still had a few of them. He would have given half of his empire for one of these. He knew the Union had developed special techniques and implants to prevent a mind dump and it was said they equipped their Starship captains and senior officers with such, but they were as impossible to get as these machines.

To see a real live Y’All was even more amazing to him, even in his current situation he wondered how one of these beasts would fare in his arena.

He still felt dizzy and a little numb, perhaps the machine had already done its job.

Only now he realized the Y’All there at the door wore a black Union uniform. Could it be? Could the Y’All secretly be Union members?

Everyone believed it was the Kermac who had something to do with the Y’All, but maybe it was the Union after all?

A sliding door opened and another no less massive figure came in making the floor vibrate. It was the Terror Hammer, but he also wore the uniform of a Union officer and sported Lieutenant rank bars on his collar. A woman with short hair and cold features followed close behind him holding a file chip. No one paid any attention to him, something his ego could not stand so he said. “Hey I am awake, what is going on here?”

They still paid no attention so he added. “You are Union and have no business here on Sin 4.”

A female voice behind him said. “Dealing with Union Mil tech and killing Union citizens in your arena makes you our business.”

The woman who had answered him had to have been in the room all along came into view from a place somewhere behind the chair he was fixed on. She wore a Sojonit Mask and the typical pink hair wig of that sect of prostitutes; she too wore Fleet black and a Lieutenant bar on her collar and took the data chip from the other woman.

Then she said. “Your empire is destroyed and we recovered or destroyed all the weapons you illegally obtained. We have got everything you ever knew on file now and it will take our computronic very little time to shift through all of it. You are welcome to make a statement but it is not necessary.”

His mind became clearer and with it emotions of fear. “What are you going to do with me?”

She said. “You know the penalty of dealing with Union Mil Tech.”

He protested weakly. “I am not Union and never was. You can’t do that.”

She patted his cheek. “Our Assembly decreed that anyone obtaining classified Union technology must be neutralized. As you see by analysing your situation, we could do just that, but our Captain had a better idea.”

The woman with the short hair said. “Making our Captain angry is a very bad idea, there have been many before you, I was one of them after all who made this mistake and you did a marvellous job of outdoing everyone before you.”

Donheer swallowed and licked his dry lips. “What is it you will do, kill me?”

The Sojonit said. “No, the Captain decided to release you to the local authorities.”

He started to laugh and said. “That’s more like it and I am the local authority around here.”

But as he saw three Stik come into the room, all three of them clean and in full feather and leather regalia his laugh became a choking sound and he swallowed hard, saying. “You can’t be serious. That scum is lower than dirt and has no authority whatsoever.”

We were back on Trash Island in a valley between stinking mountains of waste about fifty kilometres away from the Skaakh village and I stood next to Har-Hi and Nestor Faller as we watched the Stik drag Duke Donheer, the once powerful patriarch of the Donheer family syndicate to a crater like hole. He no longer insulted the Stik and I heard him say. “Can we not come to an agreement? I can have food flown out to you every day and I even get you all the feathers you want.”

An old Stik standing there said. “You have killed thousands of us. You and your kind came to our world, taking away everything, and dirtied the Waters and lands. Your kind brought horrors to our world we had never seen or known. You will die now devoured by one of your gifts to our world.”

He was pushed and fell into the pit and Donheer screamed at the top of his lungs as tentacles exploded out of the bottom of the hole. The Stik did not look away as he screamed while the monstrous life form tore him to pieces.

Chapter 13
After we had witnessed the end of Duke Donheer and had returned to the ship, I had one more grave and sad duty to perform.

I tugged at my completely black uniform jacket after I stepped out of the Auto Dresser. This uniform had no patches, no ribbons and did not have the white lining, only three golden rings around the cuffs of my sleeve. I did not look forward to what I had to do, but he was one of our own and it was a good and old tradition to take care of our own. The good and the bad. It was my duty alone and it would be on my consciousness alone. I straightened my posture and walked into the empty Hangar bay.

The entire crew except those who had to keep the most essential duty posts were assembled.

At my sign, two Marines brought in Wintsun. He had been dressed in a Midshipman uniform but all rank insignia had been removed.

He looked around and then he recognized Krabbel and I was sure he now realized that the Saturnian without his flashy helmet and arena armour was Hans. His green face paled as he saw Narth. Then his eyes found me and he spat on the floor. “I have nothing to do with your fleet anymore. I quit and I am going my own way. This is Freespace and your jurisdiction ended 1300 light years from here.”

I said. “Wintsun can you explain to me why you have changed so much, Limbur, Galmy, Olia, Narth and I were your friends. What made you go this way?”

He squinted his eyes. “I don’t remember ever seeing you before. Who are you?”

I answered him. “You knew me as Eric Olafson and we were friends.”

He looked me up and down and said. “I thought we sent you to the Kermac? What’s with the chick outfit? Did the Kermac turn your mind or something?”

I sighed. “The plan of Dent and his cronies did not pan out as they thought it would. They have all paid for their crimes and for their treason. I have your Mind Dump file and could check it, but I want to hear it from you.”

He shrugged. “I never liked that creepy Narth, you and him becoming buddies and all that, but it started on Perryton during our first leave right in the Data Head shop. That arrogant chick Galmy showing us all how rich she was and making me feel small by paying for my data head equipment. Then a guy approached me and asked if I would be interested to become rich on my own by doing a few favors for the Worm. In turn he promised me a prestigious spot at the Newport academy, fast promotion and lots of credits. Looking back at it, it might have been a bad decision, but it was fun for the most part.”

I didn’t really know what to say to that but I did say.”Galmy did that, not to put you down, but to show you her friendship.”

He rolled his eyes. “I spit on you all’s friendship. I wanted Olia but no, she only had only eyes for that brute Limbur and he was supposed to be my best friend. I spit on them and I spit on you,”

Then he made a disgusted face and said while looking at me. “I guess you posed as Black Velvet and that means I almost raped my own academy buddy, and a transvestite at that, what a hoot.”

I straightened my stance and said. “And now you will pay for all your deeds according to our laws and traditions.”

Wintsun shrugged. “So what? I know my rights, we are in Freespace. You have no jurisdiction to arrest me here or even be here with a warship and be in uniforms on Union business.”

I noticed the steel edge in my voice as I said. “You are a deserter. You have been found guilty in absence of treason and murder by a Military Court. You escaped Newport stealing a military transport, murdering two officers and four enlisted and selling Union Military Technology. In your short criminal career you really out did some who do that their entire life.You are board a vessel fully commissioned by the United Stars of the Galaxies and thus Union ground.”

I held up his memory chip. “I know it was you who whipped me at the post. I promised you then justice will prevail and now it has.”

He laughed. “Yes it was me and I enjoyed it. It took me a little but you cried and squealed like the pig you are at the end!”

I took my gloves from my belt and put them on. “Everything that needs to be said has been said and you show no remorse and therefore I deny you the mercy I could give.”

With a gesture I signalled the crew and everyone put on their hoods and I said. “No hand shall be soiled by the task of exterminating you from our society and no face will show sorrow for you. By the laws and traditions set forth in this our United Stars of the Galaxies Navy, you are a traitor to your society and it has been judged that you shall hang by the neck until you are dead.”

Wintsun stopped laughing as the Marines started the drum roll and he was dragged to the raised platform that was actually a Landing tank elevator. I followed and said to the Marine Sergeant, echoing Stahl’s words: “You may stand back, Sarge. I must do my own dirty work.”

“Aye Captain!”

Wintsun now saw the noose hanging down and his facial expression changed. His hateful expression left and now he looked just like I saw him the very first time. “Please, don’t do it. You always knew a solution to a problem. Can we not talk about it?”

I answered. “I would have tried to find another way but not now, since I know it was you who shot Narth. I gave you a chance to show remorse moments ago. The time to talk has passed. You are now paying for your crimes according to our laws.”

He struggled but the Marines manhandled him without problems and I said. “Do you want a blindfold?”

He nodded with tearful eyes and I placed a black hood over his head and then the rope. His breath was moving the fabric of the hood. I knew this image would follow me for the rest of my life. “May whatever God you worship have mercy on you.”

I stepped of the elevator platform and pressed the control that lowered it away from his feet. He kicked a few times and then hung still.

Gray Nul
I could not even think about sleep after executing a living being. This was completely different than a combat kill. So I went to the pool and took a long swim. The clear cold water, as always did wonders to my state of mind. While I was submerged I wondered if there was something like an immortal soul and if that was so, did I add to my eternal damnation by executing Wintsun? I certainly hoped the visions I glimpsed on Coven were not the hell of sinners after all. If such a place existed, Hel might have already prepared a very special place for me. I was about to close my eyes a little and simply drift when SHIP’s voice reached me. “Sorry Captain, but you are needed.”

So I surfaced and Har-Hi stood by the pool holding a towel.

He said. “There is a situation outside the ship; I thought you’d want to know about it.”

I climbed out of the pool and dried myself and said. “SHIP give me a field screen, please.”

My Dai friend explained while the view screen established itself before me. “There is a grey Nul outside our force field and it looks like he is badly wounded. As you can see there is a gang of other beings hunting him.”

I saw the Nul, his left arm hung from his body and he was oozing yellowish blood from several wounds. He threw rocks and pieces of Duro Crete towards a horde of twenty beings mocking him and taking pot shots.

I jumped into the Auto Dresser and dialed for my Pirate Outfit.

Seconds later Har-Hi was running beside me to the next IST and said. “He is a Nul, Captain. They are our enemies. They have never shown any mercy. Remember Lt. Voglgard? I thought you wanted to see him die.”

I turned my head as we stepped into the IST. “Yes I remember the two Wolfcraft pilots and I know Voglgard was killed while he was in space. I was there, but that does not mean we have to be the same way. Let’s see what he wants. He did come here for a reason.You would not have come to the pool if you think the situation was as simple as you now make it sound.”

The IST shaft extended to the ground and released us below my ship. I ran towards the force field border where the Nul stood.

Below my ship and without a slide belt or other transportation I realized just how big the Tigershark really was. So I increased my running speed, of course Har-Hi had no problem keeping up and he said with grin on his face to me: “It is an unfair situation the Nul is in and that’s why you fought for him at the arena as well.”

He could not see my grin as I said. “I guess I am predictable after all.”

Har-Hi responded. “You are one of the biggest mysteries I came across in my life, but yes in certain situations I think I know what motivates you.”

We had almost reached the edge but there was time for me to say. “That is a strange thing to say. I thought we were getting to know each other pretty good by now.”

He chuckled and said. “True enough, but for one I can’t figure out how you manage to run in heels like that, I would break my neck and I know you didn’t have a lifetime of practice like Shea. And then there is this whole female part of you. I knew you as Eric and we served many months together and now you are a woman. You are still my best friend and I accept you like that just as I have before, but I don’t understand it.”

I slowed down as we were almost there and said. “I don’t think about the heels, I almost tripped as you mentioned them and for the other part, I can’t even answer that to myself. I feel guilty somehow every time I talk to Admiral Stahl.”

I stopped less than a meter from the Nul, all that separated us was the insubstantial, barely visible barrier of the shields. “SHIP can you make the shields transparent for sound where I am?”

She responded right away saying: “Yes Captain, you can talk to the Nul now.”

Before I could say something to the huge alien, a blaster shot hammered into the shield right before me, perhaps even aimed at me but only a few centimeters away from the Nul, his grey skin discolored from the intense heat to a scarred black.

I said into the same audio pick up I had addressed SHIP and said: “Tactical, fire a warning shot at those goons and I don’t mind if you singe a few of these cowards.”

Mao responded with a crisp Aye and an eye blink later, an arm thick bright white beam of energy pulsed from somewhere above us and converted a long trench of liquefied Concrete and trash into white hot glowing magma. Whoever was left of the now considerable smaller mob scrambled to find cover.

Having the pause I needed, I addressed the Nul. “What do you want here?”

He looked horrible, not because he was a Nul, but because he was injured all over his body and was barely able to stand. He said with a voice that was inhumanly deep but sounded weak. “I know you are human and we are enemies...” The Nul stumbled and it appeared he kept on his feet by sheer will power. “I have no place to go; the entire planet’s population appears to hunt me because I am Nul. You are an enemy but you are a warrior born as I have seen you fight and heard what you said to the Pertharians. I do not want to die by the hands of rabble and scum, so I am here to challenge you to a fight. I will die by the hands of an enemy that has honor.”

His pillar like legs buckled, and he groaned as he pushed himself back up.

I said. “SHIP, Med Bots to my position, stat. Also, alert two Marines in full Battle Armor and make me a structural gap where I am.”

Har Hi drew a sword and a blaster at the same time as SHIP responded to my orders. I stepped through the hole in our shield and said to the Nul. “I accept your challenge but there is no honor to fight you in this condition. My Med Staff is on the way and we will treat you.”

He groaned something I did not understand and then collapsed. The Med Bots arrived along with the Marines and to them I said. “Bots take the Nul to sick bay and you marines do not let him out of your sight. If he shows any hostile intentions, constrain or terminate him.”

DIMON
He finally got a break and came across a small crowd standing by several mangled bodies of various beings. He heard the word Nul and an Oghr pointed in the direction of the space port. “That Nul isn’t too fresh anymore. I think that monster went in circles before it decided to go towards the port.”

Dimon had to kill twice, as it was not a good idea to be on foot at Sin 4 at any time of the day.

He didn’t dare to go to his ship or some other resource to properly equip himself for the fear he might lose the trail.

This was the reason he didn’t hire a Taxi either, he had to follow the Nul on foot and hoped he would reach him in time. Sin 4 was a deadly place no matter what race you belonged to.

The Nul did first turn north and away from the port, but why was he running to the port? Maybe trying to commandeer a spaceship.

Nul were neither common nor much liked by anyone, and the chances someone opened fire just to kill was very likely.

In all this he had to agree with his Nul contact. The Seer of Narl Gatu was right, the Nul was alive and in Freespace, but the chances he remained that way were very slim.

Dimon feared intergalactic war and the death of the Gray Nul on Sin 4 would almost guarantee it.

He also knew that he was far too self-confident. He could have not bested that Dai, not with any weapon. That Dai was no mere Dai-Than but had the training and even more the skills of a Juth-Ni. That Dai could have cleared the arena on his own, against them all. That this Dai-Than warrior god followed her, was even more alluring to him.

A badly aimed pot shot burned a hole in the wall of a building only a handswith away from his head.

He had to concentrate on the situation at hand and tried to put his thoughts about the pirate lady into the back of his head. Dimon returned fire with a Kermac line blaster he had taken of an Arena guard.

His shots were equally poorly aimed, as he did not even see who had fired at him. He just returned a few blasts into the same direction, while he ran across the street and up the stairs that led to the shallow crater rim, where the Gorotolah space port terminal used to be, most of it had been turned to ashes by a Union corporate security ship. Dimon wasn’t here but he had heard the story. Fools with a DE turret actually opened fire on a Schwartz security ship.

Dimon was only an identity, he really was the Purple worm. He was a criminal and he knew that, but compared to the secret, hidden evil of the SII Corporation, the Worm was a club of saints. Rex Schwartz was much more of a criminal than he ever was.

He was on the right track as he came across two badly mangled bodies.One a Lapdir Oghr and the other looked like a Jooltar both clearly victims of a close combat attack of something much stronger.

The Jooltar gargled and showed that he was still alive. That the Lapdir was dead, there was no question. A heavy piece of duro-crete had rendered most of his head into a gorey mess.

“End it for me.” The Jooltar pleaded with a weak cough.

“The Nul?”

“No two Pertharians. The Nul was in no shape to do much, I am sure you’ll find him dead too.”

Dimon did the mercy killing and went on, rushing from cover to cover. Some half molten support beams and larger rubble pieces. He had completely forgotten about the Pertharians. If they caught up with the Nul, they had no problem killing the wounded prince.

In the distance a sudden bright flash illuminated a Karthanian Armed Trader, the ship had fired some kind of Thermo plasma weapon. He could hear the loud crack and the screams of those close to be singed but too far from being killed.

Moments later, a wild mob of scavengers and low scum came running and limping. Some of them covered with blisters and nasty burn wounds. He grabbed a Fendrian, who was looking over his shoulder noticing the Half Dai too late. “Have you seen a Nul?”

“We chased that brute all the way to that pirate ship and then it opened fire. The Nul and many others are ashes. Let me go!”

Dimon did let the pelted Fendrian go and he too turned. He had lost, the Gray Nul was dead. Killed by Thermo blasts from the Silver Streak. Their crew probably still waiting for their feisty captain to return, nervous and trigger happy. Shooting at anything that seemed threatening. A Nul appearing running over the landing field certainly presented such a target.

Dimon wondered where the Gray Nul wanted to go, but then tracing his erratic escape path, he was most likely just running without knowing where to go.

Now Dimon faced the difficult task to inform the Nul that their promised new leader was dead.

The Nul was not the only visitor that night; the two Petharians arrived at our shield base minutes later. They too were wounded, but not seriously as far as I could tell. One of them said to me through the shield: “We are here, pirate woman, you said to us to come here if we want to see the Union again. We are Union Citizens and do not want to be taken as slaves again, but even Pertharians have little options on this cursed world.”

I responded. “On my word I will not enslave you and I meant what I said in the arena.”

Narth spoke into my mind. “Those are first year academy cadets, very young and despite being Pertharians, quite frightened.”

With this information I had ship open the shield and I said to them. “Cadets, get in here on the double!”

They responded before they even realized what they were doing. One of them asked. “How do you know we are Cadets?”

Only after SHIP had the shields opaque to sound I said. “I am Captain Olafson and this is the USS Tigershark. I don’t know how soon we can get you home and back to the academy, but for now you are safe.This is a Union ship and we are Union officers.”

They both saluted and snapped into attention and one snarled. “Officer on deck.”

I sighed with a smile on my lips. “Don’t do the saluting out here, let’s get you inside.”

As they stepped out of the IST and into the main corridor of Deck 5 they saw two Marines waiting for them, one being a Pertharian, too.

The slightly bigger one said. “The center be praised, this is a Union ship! Captain, Ma’am, I am Cadet Clubb and that is Cadet Dorth and we were abducted on Planet Perryton just as we went for our first R&R. Dorth and I followed a phony Master Chief who promised us a good time in an Orglatron. Instead we were paralyzed and sold here to the Arena.”

I said. “Sergeant Lemrr here will take you to sick bay, where our MD will check you out. Then you will report to Lt. Neugruber and give him a detailed report and a description so we can send CID to Perryton.”

Even though both of them were inhuman Pertharians, I could almost physically feel their relief as they followed the Marines. Remembering my first adventure on this cursed planet I knew how they felt.

I ended the day with a late dinner at the Den and then I did find some sleep after all.

Shipmaster Turdin Masab had watched some of the action on the landing field. He saw the bright plasma bolt that dug a deep trench of liquified concrete, rubble and at least a dozen Sin 4 scavengers. He had missed the reason why they were there, but he had seen the results of the last altercation. He didn’t know exactly what happened to the Hegor and the Tight Squeeze, but it involved agitated scavengers and surface pirate scum. He decided that the Gorotolah was becoming too dangerous for his taste, Sin 4 had other places to land. Although not as big or as convenient close to the upcoming market, but a good distance from the Donheer district.

He figured that the explosion that leveled the Donheer compound might had to do with all the comotion. The small landing field to the east, completely controlled by the Rillo syndicate might be a little more expensive, they did charge a landing fee, and had ways to collect it too. But they had much less of a scum and scavenger problem.

Turdin was an Armosian and didn’t like other species much, mostly because like all Armosian he was jealous about other species success, tech and everything else.

While Turdin Masab was quite a successful smuggler and pirate all things considered, he carried the same collective shame. The Armosians were rejected by the Kermac as a Thrall species for being useless, unreliable and unimportant. This was felt as the greatest insult and the Armosians hated everything Kermac. The Armosians also waited to this day for an invitation to the Assembly and being made Union members. That the Union never invited anyone but waited for applications was an important fact the Armosians overlooked and so they hated everything associated with the Union as well.

Turdin had an all Armosian crew and gave the orders to lift of under Arti Grav, to change landing ports.

At first everything went fine and it was total routine. Even though the Brazen Business had an engineer and several helpers, the engineer didn’t feel getting out of his bunk for a simple Arti grav hop.

As the Brazen Business reached about one thousand meters, dozens of tiny demolition charges went off, cutting energy to all ArtiCoils. The little charges went almost unnoticed, only an engineering helper wondered about the popping sounds behind the wall panels. But he had no chance of investigating or asking someone. A spaceship losing ArtiGrav at this height became basically a big stone and it dropped, reached terminal velocity just before it impacted with the cracked Duro-Crete surface, just a few hundred meters from where it lifted off. An experienced engineer could have activated the ship’s main engines and prevented that devastating impact, but that engineer never left his bunk.

At the time of impact it made no difference where everyone was, the Brazen Business was instantly reduced to scrap, some of it was neatly spread across much of the space port after a hefty explosion. Not that anyone was alive at that point, but the fire that followed the explosion and engulved whatever was left dashed the hopes of even the most optimistic onlooker to find anyone alive.

That the ArtiGrav failed aboard a sturdy Oghr Combat freighter actually surprised no one and jokes were made about Armosian engineering.

When I woke I realized I had missed the Forenoon watch and said to SHIP as I got up: “SHIP, why didn’t you wake me at 0730 hours?”

She responded. “You gave no specific orders to be woken, Captain and the XO said to let you sleep if you didn’t give specific orders.”

With a mild accusatory tone in my voice I said to her. “You shaded the viewports and dimmed the lights all on your own, so I would not wake on my own and you knew I scheduled myself for Forenoon watch. One of these days, you mother me before the crew.”

She actually managed to make her voice sound a little offended. “Captain, your wellbeing is important to the crew and mission. Sleep is important to humans. You know I follow any order you give and would never be disrespectful.”

I dressed myself instead of using the Auto dresser, since I wore the same outfit day in and day out. I did like to select what I was wearing underneath and while I knew it was a mild form of narcissism, I liked the way lace looked on this body. I said to SHIP. “I know you were motivated by good intentions and I appreciate that.”

She sounded happy. “Thank you Captain, besides nothing happened that needed your attention while you slept.Other than that the Brazen Business fell out of the sky after lifting of. No one locally was surprised about that and blames it on Armosian engineering.”

I finished brushing my hair. “It fell out of the air?”

“One thousand and five meters. ArtiGrav mysteriously failed and it dropped onto the landing field surface. Five metal pieces impacted my shields, but did not cause any shield strain.”

“I decided to leave the hair like that instead of making braids.”You know ships falling out of the sky technically would require my attention, but then it was an expected event and its cause no real mystery to the crew and this SHIP.”

“Indeed Captain.”

I went to the bridge.

Har Hi got up from the Con wished me a good morning and then pointed to the main viewer. “More Pirate ships have arrived. The Red Dragon has just arrived in the system and should make planet fall within the next hours.”

“But one fell out of the sky last night, so I heard.”

Har-Hi grinned.”Everyone knows about the shotty Armosian maintenance...”

“Uh yes. Actually quite scary how we neutralized two ships, without firing any shots.”

“It will not be that easy all the time.”

I acknowledged him and gave Narth a nod.

Narth turned back to his console. “I’ve got the Red Dragon on our sensors, Captain. The ship’s original signature has changed from the four ISAH pod configuration we had on file. It now has only two ISAH pods and two Karthanian engine blocks. It appears he could not replace the one you destroyed with the genuine kind.”

I acknowledged the reports and sat down on my seat. The Golden was sitting next to Elfi at Communications and he said. “The city is even more chaotic than usual, as the three remaining Cartel families now fight with each other over the void that the sudden decline of the Donheer Cartel has created.”

Shea also had a report and said. “Our Nul guest is out of surgery and Cateria hopes she did enough to help him.”

Hans stomped down from his security station at the back of the bridge and said to me. “I sent the statement of the two Pertharian kids to CID and they are investigating. Results are pending and via Cherubim on Richter we informed the Academy and the family of the Pertharian brothers that they are alive and safe without revealing where they are. General Cherubim said she will take care of a cover story.”

Yeoman O’Connell handed me the morning report and daily order sheet to sign and handed me my coffee with her usual shy smile. I looked around my bridge and said. “You all have been busy so it seems while a certain Computronic I know let me sleep in.”

Har Hi grinned broadly. “To her defense, Captain, she did ask me and I agreed with her decision to let you sleep in.”

SHIP chimed in. “See Captain it wasn’t just me.”

I also smiled and said. “A fine crew I got, ganging up on me and making me look lazy.”

Har Hi said. “Well it’s not every day we share the bridge with a genuine GalNet celebrity. You made quite a splash, Captain and recordings of your fight went viral. It’s virtually on every blog, news channel and in hundreds of talk shows.”

Krabbel said. “Cirruit and I ordered the Black Velvet Action figure with Axe chopping action complete with animated Stomper. Will you autograph mine when we get our mail on Richter?”

With a sour face I said. “Splendid indeed, how am I going to explain that to the Admiral when I deliver my next report and who would have an action figure so fast after the fight?”

The Golden tried to make an innocent face and spread his arms. “Sorry Captain, that was an opportunity too good to miss. I am going to make a killing on those.”

Mao interrupted and said. “The Red Dragon entered the atmosphere and should become visible any moment now. Mao adjusted the tactical screens. “Here she comes.”

More out of instinct I leaned forward as the red colored ship descended and settled about a klick to our port side closer towards the actual city. “I still have no idea what kind of ship that is; does anyone of you have more information?”

Shea answered. “Yes, there is a highly classified file in the orders we got from Cherubim and the Red Dragon could be a unique prototype that was made for a purpose not unlike the Tigershark but almost 500 years ago. It was never finished and the hull was transferred to a bone yard. From there it was stolen with a shipload of other forgotten tech almost two years ago.”

There is no information about who did the actual theft...” Her voice trailed off.

I turned to look at her and asked. “Something the matter?”

She looked puzzled. “I am not sure, but it looks as if part of that file was deleted after it was placed in our order file. The timestamp of the deletion is the day the Tigershark was delivered to Richter Base.”

SHIP established her Avatar, walked over to Shea and looked over my science officer’s shoulder and said. “I can see down to the memory level and the deletion was made with the authority code of the Admiral of the Fleet, Admiral McElligott.”

He was the highest command authority and he of course had the right to delete information. There were a million legitimate and logical reasons why he did not want us to see whatever had been erased, but I also remembered what Deepa had told me. I decided to keep this in mind and talk to her about that as soon as I could. I wanted to hear her advice before I asked Stahl. I trusted Stahl but I didn’t want to come to him with just a hunch that could be completely wrong.

Aloud I said. “He is the Admiral who gave us these orders. I am sure he had a reason for doing it, was wrong info or something we are not supposed to know. Well, the Red Dragon is here and so are we. Let us fill in the blanks ourselves.”

Cirruit came on the bridge, joined SHIP and Shea, and after a few moments said. “The Red Dragon’s hull is made of Compacted Ultronit, the same as our battleship’s armor. It is standard now, but back then it was state of the art. The main hull is 545 meters long and shows distinctive Saran Battle Cruiser lines. I think they recycled the frame of one from the looks of it. The remaining ISAH pods are of recent design, only about three or four year old Type IX, but he would need four to be fast. With the Karthanian replacements I doubt he can accelerate over 350 klicks.”

Mao added his expertise. “The main battery on top held a Translocator at one point but it from the looks of it, replaced with a double set of powerful Dai-Than sputter cannons.”

He turned to face me and explained. “It is believed the Dai attempt to create Translocator cannons. They do fire fusion bombs but only near light and not TransDim like the real thing and even their mothers don’t have anything bigger than Mega Loads.”

Har-Hi sighed at that and said. “We are good Engineers, but we have not figured out how to maintain containment in an Antimatter charge while the casing is accelerated. The Union Translocator cannons do not have this problem as they transmit an explosion via another dimension.”

Cirruit turned to Har-Hi. “I didn’t mean to put down Dai technology.”

Har Hi responded. “I know the feeling; I catch myself doing it because I am working day in and day out with Union tech.”

Mao said. “Technically Translocator cannons are not Union tech either, but Seenian.”

Shea disagreed by saying. “Our Translocator technology is based on Seenian technology but in the last 1500 years we have greatly improved on it. Translocator Gatlings, Sniper cannons and the reliability is at 99.99 per cent.”

I let them banter a little but then said. “Can we go back to the Red Dragon out there?”

They all returned to their readouts and scanners and then Shea said. “He has an array of other weapons; Shiss, Karthanian and Kermac tech including four Loki torpedo starters.” She paused again and then said. “I am not completely sure but it appears the Red Dragon has a Seenian technology weapon as a main spine core weapon, unknown design, but the materials conform to Seenian tech. It also conforms to the same sleeping energy readings I made from the ship Cateria attacked us with.”

I called Cateria to the bridge.

She looked very tired as she appeared six minutes later. “Sorry for the delay Captain, I was sleeping. That Nul patient of ours was more than a challenge.”

I made an apologizing gesture and said. “It is I who needs to apologize, Doc and I am sorry for disturbing you, but would you go over the Scanner data from Shea and see if you can confirm that?”

She went over to Shea’s console and worked with her. Finally she turned and said. “That is indeed a Zero Point Canon of a much bigger size than the one I had in my courier. He also has a Seenian shield generator. I know Terran weapon engineers are working on Zero Point cannons based on your tech scans of my ship, but the one over there is definite Seenian.”

I still looked at the red ship and could clearly see the repairs on the aft, where the red color looked different and the material did not have the same hexagonal pattern of Ultronit.

I said.”That explains why he could destroy the Glorystar so easily and shrug of Loki torpedoes without being completely destroyed.”

Cateria covered her mouth and yawned. “Initial scanner data shows he has neither Seenian energy providers nor the advance sensors needed to use this weapon. That means he cannot operate his shields or the ZPC at full capacity. If I interpret his power level readout correctly they can fire that ZPC once every twenty minutes at perhaps ten percent of its capacity at most and the same holds true for the shields.”

I gave my CMO a thankful look and said. “Go back to bed Cateria, I hope I can let you sleep but I might have to call you again, since he seems to have access to Seenian tech.”

She gave me a smile which was rare for her and she said. “It is all good Captain, I needed to get up anyway and check on the Nul. He should come around in an hour or so.Not that I ever have been a real weapon or tech expert anyway.”

I said to her “I hope you find some rest later then, you have already proven beyond any doubts that you are the best CMO a ship could have and I think even Seenians can get sick if they don’t sleep enough.”

She smiled even wider. “You should talk, even SHIP notices that you don’t sleep as much as you should. Besides I slept a million years. I got a lot to catch up on and I am more content with my new life than I ever was even back in my time. The crew is as healthy as can be, I have a very competent staff and the equipment is less primitive than I originally thought and I have a real purpose. There isn’t much more I need in life. I get real interesting cases. Togars, PSI talented girls with the strangest DNA and now a Nul. This is what I always wanted to do, thank you for having me.”

I smiled back at her as she went to the IST and I said: “Call me when the Nul is coming around.”

She said, just before she disappeared: “I will, Captain”

I returned my attention to the main screen and said: “I guess the best thing is we go to that Pirate market as well.”

I turned to look for the Golden and saw him with the little Holdian standing by the Navigation tank, which was right behind my seat in the back area of the bridge. They both were talking quietly, as the merchant saw me said. “I am sorry Captain, did you address me? I was just showing my roommate where the Depository is, the most secret planet of the Golden.”

I still smiled and said. “Your roommate? Do you share your VIP quarters with Mr.Warner?”

He looked at his furry friend and then at me and said. “I am a regular crew member and therefore don’t want any special treatment. Lt. Hi had me assigned to regular crew quarters and it is much better to share small quarters with your best friend than have big ones alone.”

His statement warmed my heart and said. “So you became friends I see.”

The Holdian blinked with his black button eyes and nodded. “Oh yes Captain. I am teaching Sobi how to fix stuff and he teaches me all kinds of Merchant secrets.”

The Golden put his hand on the head of the Holdian and said. “The friendships I’ve made on this ship make me a richer man than I ever was before, Captain. The only regret I have is that I did not think of this much earlier in my life, and yes I am particularly fond of this quite smart Holdian engineer.”

I changed the subject and said to him. “We need to go to the Pirates Market and you know most about it.”

He came down the ramp and into the main area of the bridge and said. “It is as much a market as it is a fair and social event. Pirates, privateers, Scavengers and the lot leading a solitary life. The Pirate Market of Sin 4 and the Free traders Festival on N’ger are the few social events they have to meet, share stories, trade wares and buy things they need. Show is everything, and I suggest we go with a large group, heavily armed and in our finest armor. I would even take TheOther along, that we have a Y’All in the crew will impress like nothing else and no one will dare to ask where he is from. We should take lots of money and buy expensive stuff as that will show we are successful. Maybe we can set up shop; we do have a few very nice items in our treasury.”

I grinned and said. “That we even have a treasury is thanks to you. So I guess the best thing is to put you in charge of this project as well, but at least one senior officer must remain aboard.”

Cirruit said. “I stay. I am working on a new generation of Spy Nanites and am hoping to finish them and have them dispatched to the Pirate Ships out there. Besides, it would be hard to explain an X101 that turned Pirate

Shaka said. “I stay too. I can take the Con. I don’t mind dirt side but I’d rather be aboard and I am helping Cirruit anyway.”

My Chief Engineer patted Shaka’s shoulder. “He is getting to be quite the Nanite expert.”

Before I could say something, Cateria called and said. “The Nul is awake.”

I got up. “Mr Sobody, prepare our excursion to the market. I will be with you all shortly.”

The Grey Nul was one ugly and threatening looking life from, almost as massive and big as Hans. His entire body looked like it was made of coils of various sized ropes. He had a dome shaped head without a neck and only one eye as big as Dinner Plate but with two independent pupils. Underneath that truly alien eye was a vertical split mouth with rows and rows of needle sharp teeth. There was no distinguishable nose or anything remotely similar. A set of two fork like mandibles perhaps designed to hold whatever prey the Nul decided to devour stuck out from either side of that terrifying mouth. He had two arms without any visible joints, more like flexible hoses or tentacles, with claw like hands. He was standing inside a Holding Cell within an active force field and two Marines in full Battle suits aiming their weapons at him. A Fenris Robot in one corner seemed inactive, except for a dark red light in its Visual Sensor array. It was not too much security, if only half was true that I had heard about Nul.”

He still wore bandage patches all over his body. Cateria stepped next to me as I entered the high security detention ward and said. “Captain, I never worked on a Nul before and there was frightening little in our medical Data banks. There is no similar life form on file. There are no Nul on Union side, like the small Togar community or the Purple Throat Shiss colonies. He has an Endo and Exoskeleton, very tough armor like skin and an open circulation with organs more or less floating around. I would love to contact Nul and get some information how to help him better.”

The Nul’s single eye followed me and he spoke: “You are the Captain of this vessel?”

I looked at the Nul through the force field and said. “Yes.”

His voice was deeper than anything I ever heard and it no longer sounded as weak as it did before. “You were the one who fought for me in the Arena, a weak human enemy fighting in my behalf a very dangerous life form with nothing but a cutting tool.”

I shrugged at that and said. “Let me be frank with you. You are correct in saying that we are enemies. War between our species always looms just around the proverbial corner. Nul do not really communicate with us and they refuse any diplomatic contact, but all this does not mean I hate Nul.”

He growled with his deep voice saying. “But why have you fought for me? You risked your life for mine. I need to know.”

How could I explain my often impulsive and reckless behavior? I said. “I hate unfair situations. You having your eye glued and wearing that collar was a very unfair situation and I wanted to give you a fighting chance.”

He said very slowly. “Unfair...” he repeated it again and then he listened as SHIP chimed in and explained something to him in a different language. He then looked at me again and said. “This is a most intriguing concept. It is simply another way of defining one’s personal honor. You show to have honor and act like a warrior born.”

He raised his arms and immediately my Marines did the same with their weapons but all he did was talk and he said. “I had no place to go. I wanted to die from the hand of a worthy enemy, yet you saved me again. You have much honor and so have the beings among your crew that I met so far. Your CMO set aside all her fear and worked on me with great skill. She has, without doubt, also saved my life. You must let me communicate with Nul or there will be war. I am no mere Nul; I am the first Grey of the King. All Nul will go to war to find me. The announcer lied when he said the Union captured me. But if I cannot clear that up, there will be war.”

I suspected as much, as I remembered the conversation on Brahma Port quite well. To him I said. “It will be impossible for a while but I will find a way to get you home eventually.”

He made a gesture towards the walls. “I know this is a Union ship and we are not as stupid as the Union thinks we Nuls are. You are not a Pirate; you are here undercover on a clandestine mission. I am almost certain of that. No Pirate has such a well-trained crew and such an advanced sick bay. I will not compromise you or say anything to reveal your mission, but I need to prevent war while I can. I give you my word.”

I looked at him actually contemplating if I had to kill him but then I said. “Alright, I accept your word. How do you want to contact your king?”

He said. “While we do not have the same marvelous instantaneous communications as you do, I can use your GalNet technology to contact an agent of ours on Bokta World. That is a Union Planet very close to Nul-Nul, our realm. This agent then will use our communication systems to contact the King directly.”

I said to him. “If I let you out of this high security containment cell so you can make your call, must I fear for my crew and my life?”

He spread his arms in a universal understandable gesture of non-aggression and said. “Your honorable conduct is more effectiv than any technical means of restrain. Your words and the conduct of your crew make me also realize that we must change our policy and begin diplomatic contacts with the Union after all. Captain Velvet. I give you my word.”

I looked to the ceiling and said: “SHIP, deactivate the security fields and get me a GalNet connection on this security panel down here.”

I could not help but feel nervous and secretly question my own decision as the force field collapsed. I knew the Nul could change the molecular structure of their bodies at will and become almost unstoppable fighting machines. I was certain the collar he wore in the Arena was some device that prevented him from doing it there.

I waved to the Marines and said.” Sergeant take the robot with you and stand guard outside.”

The marine, a Pertharian hesitated for a second but then followed my order and ordered his partner and the Robot outside. Now alone with the Nul I said. “You know how to use a GalNet terminal?”

He bent his entire body forward and said. “Yes I do.”

I went to the door and said. “Tell the Marines outside when you are done.”

His voice sounded surprised as he said. “You will not remain to monitor my actions?”

I was at the door and said. “I will give you privacy to make this call. You gave me your word so why should I need to monitor it?”

He gestured to the terminal and said. “Please stay then, Captain. I would like you to hear what I have to say.”

He made a connection to Bokta World and called a Saurian Merchant there.

After the Saurian appeared on the screen, the Grey Nul said. “This is the one bound to travel to Holy Ashes of Narl Gatu, the First Grey One born to Orth Gatu na Gatu. I am Xon Gatu na Gatu. I have urgent news that needs to be conveyed to the One that leads us all.”

The Saurian bowed. “My days are blessed for seeing you, most adored of the House Gatu. We thought you lost, honorable Xon and the Nul are preparing for war. The seer of Narl Gatu said we have only a short time left before our Prince who is in strange lands transforms forever.”

The Grey Nul spoke. “The Seer was right as always. I am in strange lands and I am transforming as we speak.”

The Saurian bowed again. “The One that leads us will send fleets to scour the skies and descend upon those who did the foul deed, I am certain of it. The events that transpired on Sin 4 have been received.”

The Nul said with a loud voice. “Silence and do not assume. I was abducted but not by the Union or agents of that power, it was the Shiss who took me while I was in the purifying sleep. I am safe and shall return when I finish my journey. Tell him who gave life to me to abandon preparations for war against the Union and honor the Freespace treaty. Tell him Asla Nu Da Venfi and haste with your efforts to inform him!”

“I shall do as you command. My eyes are pained as they see you wounded, Grey One.”

The Nul made a swiping gesture. “If my wounds would be of significance I would have mentioned that. Now convey that message and prevent that war or I will come to Bokta World and assure you that you will not fail again.”

The Sauron bowed a third time and assured the Nul he would act with urgency.

The transmission ended and the Nul said to me. “Now I will be your prisoner.”

I said. “That is a dilemma, while we consider Nul hostile, there is no war between our nations but if I leave you unguarded I assume you will seek ways to escape and return home.”

He asked. “What will you do with me?”

“As soon as I can return to Union space, I will have to do what my superiors tell me to do, but that might still be a while, since I have a mission here I must complete.”

He bowed before me. “I will be your prisoner and will not seek to harm you or anyone aboard this ship as long as you are in Command. The moment you transfer me to others I must try to escape. On this you also have my word of honor.”

I sighed and opened the door. “I will have guest quarters assigned to you but there will be areas that are restricted to you.”

He was still bowing and said. “Your conduct is nothing I expected and more than I could have hoped for. I will show you that Nul are not the mindless brutes your propaganda makes us to be but that we value honesty and truthfulness beyond all else.”

STEEN
The Hard Eight had made planet fall. Tirkov got up from his seat. “Well we made it. I hate flying across Freespace without so much as a cutting laser for offensive weaponry.”

Lagda Phoenix his First mate. “She’ll might be here you know. We should make her pay for what she did to us.”

“She let us live, let us keep the Hard Eight. We are not hunting her anymore. We are here to buy new teeth for our ride, hire and replace fighting crew and go back to business.”

The cybernetic woman touched her cyber implants. “I need to go to a body smith too and you are right, a nice little local war, with us hired by the winning side’ll be nice indeed.”

CHULA
The New Siam prince did not sleep much, even though he occupied the top suite of the most expensive hotel, complete with a small army of Togar and Oghr keeping the place safe. He had spent most of the night watching reruns of the Death Arena fight. He did hear about the complete destruction of the Donheer Island and the city headquarters of that syndicate.

He was also told not to use the suite’s balcony or top pool, as the planet was even more violent than usual. The three remaining Syndicates fought tooth and nail over the bits and pieces the Donheer syndicate had left behind.

Chula Chakrabongse had no interest in local affairs. He did hear that the female pirate had not left. One of his friends explained that Black Velvet would most likely attend the pirate’s market.

“We need to go there then!” The prince demanded.

The aid apologized. “I am sorry your highness, you are a Union citizen and not a pirate. You will end up as hostage in the custody of a pirate.”

“Who would dare to stand against me?”

“Someone with a blaster weapon, your highness. I was urged by your father to keep you safe.”

“Then this is what we do. We become pirates ourselves. My yacht is a genuine Union destroyer. We can arm it and then hunt that Black Velvet.”

DIMON
It had taken the disguised man quite some efforts to get back to the Baro enclave. Sin 4 had truly gone mad, while it always was a dangerous place; it was a controlled place with unwritten but nevertheless observed rules. Now the Cartel appeared to be dissolved and any previous alliances and agreements meant nothing.

He had finally made it, the Baro enclave was bristling with weapons and he had almost been shot down in a Taxi flier that did not sport the Baro logo.

The grizzled face of the old Simian looked concerned after he greeted Dimon in his study. “I am sorry for what happened to you, the Donheers guaranteed your safety. That this cursed Duke wasn’t keeping his word was not foreseen, even though not completely unexpected. I did warn you.”

Dimon sighed and sat down.”You did, Ludor. You did and I felt like an amateur walking into a trap. It was all for nothing though. The Gray One died on the surface of the spaceport of all things. Sin 4 is a mad house, like never before.”

The old syndicate leader, sat down and lit a smoke stick. “It was much like this during the last Purge War in 4923, when the four big syndicates emerged and formed the Cartel. Who do you think decapitated the Donheer syndicate so completely?”

“I can’t say for sure, but I think it was that pirate Black Velvet. Donheer captured her and a few of her crew. He made her fight in the Arena, and Siktar be cursed, she fought like a demon let loose.”

Ludor got up and went to his bar filling two tumblers with Bromhir Sweat and while he was doing this he said. “After you mentioned her, I did ask a few people about her. You know there is the rumor that she became a demon herself while she was fleeing inside the Igras expanse. No ship could have survived that.”

“I would say that is all superstition, but I saw her fight and chances are she was the one clipping the Donheer syndicate. The entire island is gone.”

“There is still much out there that not even the Narth can explain.” Ludor said. “Of course there is a very strong rumor out there, I tend to believe more. The Duke obtained Loki torpedoes and someone not knowing what to do, messed with them. Those Union Terran weapons are awful powerful.”

Ludor handed Dimon one of the glasses.”It is more likely than a pirate taking on one of the most powerful syndicates on the planet. After all, short of mythical demon magic, how could she have done it? I mean she was fighting for her life in the same arena as you. Albeit very impressive, I think it was the fumbling of a self proclaimed weapon expert that had no idea how dangerous Union weapons really are that did them in.”

Dimon had to agree, that sounded very plausible, especially since he knew the Duke did have Union weapons. But Dimon knew how powerful Loki torpedoes were, and there was the talk of a genuine P-Bomb. They would not sit here and talk if one of those went off. Besides there were two explosions, a second one leveled the Donheer mainland HQ. He also knew the Duke was at the arena and not at his compound.

This smacked much more like clandestine operations of NAVINT, Union Mil Tech up for auction. Maybe SII who had an operation on SIN 4 told NAVINT or did something about for NAVINT. He was not just Dimon, but the Worm himself and he knew just how irate the Union became when someone else poked into their military secrets.

He took a sip of the Brohmir Sweat, knowing well of its addictive properties. Thankfully such things did not affect immortals. Ludor was similarly careful and diluted his with water.

Dimon voiced some of his thoughts. “Burt how do you explain two explosions and where is the Duke?”

Ludor shrugged and lit another one of his smoke sticks. “I can only speculate. After the compound got leveled, a fight broke out in the continent HQ. I am sure there was more ordinance and it was used. Or perhaps Union Terrans got wind of the upcoming auction. You can’t hold an auction without advertising; even the most selective advertising might be overheard by someone with ears and eyes for the Union. Their intel services are very good after all.”

He looked at his glass.”That’s why I never touched Union Mil Tech ... too dangerous.”

“So what will happen next?”

Ludor sighed. “There will be war. It is very likely that the Nul received the broadcast from yesterday by now. There are fringe colonies with GalNet and Nul have their ears on them. You know the Nul better than me.”

“Bad news for everyone. Sin 4, Freespace, the Dai and every independent society from here to the Shattered Kingdoms.”

“I am going to head for N’Ger. Right now there are only few knowing about the Nul, the Pirate market will calm things down here, the rest of Donheer’s empire will be carved up.”

Dimon agreed with the wisdom of the old syndicate leader.”I think you are correct indeed.”

“See me at N’Ger if you survive the coming storm.”

The Pirate market was not far from the space port, located on a cleared field of perhaps six thousand square meters completely surrounded by a ten meter high wall with several gates in each side.

The event was sponsored by the local syndicates and was still being held despite the recent turmoil in their ranks.

Mostly because a virtual who is who and a small space fleet of pirates and similar crooks had descended on Sin 4 and every possible landing field.

Even the big Gorotolah space port was now filled with ships of all sizes, types and tech levels. A very big Oghr combat cruiser had landed in the water right at the shore and set up a mobile refinery, selling fuel. That he was doing his business undisturbed was guaranteed by an entire company of armed Orc-Oghrs. Two Karthaninan landing tanks with the logo of the Ke’Bere syndicate were visual confirmation as to who received a share of the Oghr business.

A small city of tents, and other temporary buildings had sprung up inside the walls. Not only pirates set up shop, but also weapon dealers, scavengers, scrap and second hand commodities buyers. The sad tents and pens of Slave dealers as well as exotic live form merchants and ship part sellers intermingled with bar tents and food stalls where the guests and visitors to this market could drink and eat.

The Sojonites had placed one of their pink tents at a prominent location near the main entrance and most likely did brisk business. Other establishments of similar business were represented in every flavor imaginable. There were tents of mercenary outfits offering their services as well as places where the Assassin guilds and similar organizations recruited and offered their services.

Wares and Slaves from all corners of the Galaxy were displayed on carpets, pallets and platforms.

The tents were decorated and advertised with an ocean of colorful flags, signs and banners. Beings of every known world and quite a few unknown worlds mingled in the aisles between. There was an air of commerce and a din of busy noise everywhere and the scents, smells and odors that wafted over the place formed a cloud of indescribable stench that was overwhelming.

Even though the diversity of beings here could not have been greater, our arrival caused a stir with many stares and whispered comments.

Looking over my crew I had to admit we were quite a unique collection of individuals. Krabbel, Hans, TheOther, four Pertharians, a Quadiped, the Togar female who had her fur dyed black. Mao with naked upper body full of tattoos, Har Hi in Dai Armor bristling with knives and weapons. Sodoby in a shiny golden robe looked regal despite the x shaped branding that was of course only simulated. Elfi in an outfit that consisted mostly of semi-transparent veils that highly contrasted to the H&K Missile rifle she carried like an afterthought over her shoulder. Cirruit had come along after all, since he realized we went to a market where we could shop had disguised himself like Narth in a Non-Corp suit with mirrored face plates. The NWC Battle walker manned by the three Mini Terrans stomped at the end of our group, looking particular menacing with an added Missile launcher pack on its back.

Specialist Warner, the little rodent, was riding on Hans shoulder and thus was able to tower over almost everyone. It was obvious he enjoyed both the view and the safety his big ride provided.

Most of us were dressed in black leather and armor. The eight human marines that also accompanied us had beards and wore black bandanas. Everyone was armed to the teeth with blasters, boarding axes, swords and other weapons. TheOther carried a full size H&K Chain cannon with missile ammo container that was normally carried in the field by Battle Robots, easily weighing a full ton. Hans held a Nuc-Flamer, an almost forgotten weapon of the Piostla war, able to project the heat of a nuclear explosion in a devastating beam of fire. This size was usually mounted to landing tanks

Shea wearing her bathing suit like bodice with thigh high boots, was armed with her mysterious sword.

As I saw her with it I remembered I wanted to ask her about it and again she promised to tell me the story how she got it later.

There was our Leedei, also disguised of course.

Sobody had put a black leather vest over his golden costume and smirked: “Ah what an entrance. I wish we could be here for real business. We made quite an impact already.Captain we could be the most successful pirate outfit ever.”

“You are the undisputed leader of the Golden; you make more profit in one day than all pirates in the Universe.”

“Captain, those are mere numbers on a balance sheet. This is real and oh so much fun. Besides I am retired.”

The crowds parted before us as we walked through the aisles.

Sobody could not be stopped, he made a deal for the Arti Coils right there and gleamed with pride as he reported. “Told you captain. We made quite a nice profit, that dealer over there pays us 7,000 Polos fullweight for the lot. Polymers, Boron Discs and Arti Coils. You paid 135 plus a 2 coin delivery bonus.

That is 51.09 times your investment. Quite a nice profit indeed!”

I knew he could not see my smile as I looked at him with realized fondness. “I have completely reversed my initial objections towards you, Mr. Sobody. I don’t think we could manage this assignment without you and I really mean it.” He glared proudly. “Mr. Warner helped me make that deal. I think Holdians could sell worthless dirt to the most shrewd Golden. I mean who could refuse them?”

A melancholic smile creeped over my masked face, remembering the small Holdian Commandant. “Indeed who could, Mr. Sobody? And yet the Holdians had to fight many wars just because others thought of them as cute and soft.”

He nodded. “I know Captain.”

We stopped here and there and inspected the wares put out for sale and slowly approached the center of the market that way.

TIRKOV
Negul, one of the old hands and the designated engineer of Steen’s merc outfit poked his leader. Tirkov was just haggling with a Togar weapon merchant over a genuine Kermac large caliber Line Cannon and six Togar missile launchers and grudginly realized he could not haggle that sly cat any lower. “Alright, you greedy sack of Togar lice. 1,500 Fullweights for the Line cannon and 800 each for the launchers but you do throw in the 100 missiles as promised!”

The Mercenary sighed deeply as he just spent almost half a million credits. He was truly scraping the bottom of his war chest. The Togar merchant however rubbed his paws and agreed to deliver the merchandise and the missiles by the end of the day.

Negul poked his leader again and this time Tirkov turned irritated and snarled annoyed. “No you cannot have new Engine cores, we need new walkers and surface cannons, first.”

But Negul wasn’t asking for equipment, he pointed down the center row of the Pirate’s market. A large group of mostly black dressed beings made their way past the sales stands. They all were armed with the finest hardware and their outfits were worn but in perfect repair and excellent condition. The group included the biggest bruisers this galaxy had to offer. Well perhaps even beyond. There were Pertharians, all with the signet of the Arcane order. Finding a Pertharian not loyal to the Union was like finding a Terran who could resist touching a weapon. She had found four of them, there was a nightmarish dressed giant, most likely a Saturnian. Then there was the Y’All. No one had seen one alive in almost 1500 years but that this four armed monster was genuine Y’All, there was no doubt. Tirkov had seen it rip out the bridge security door, as if the five ton door was made of cardboard.

But that was not the extent of this spectacular group. A disgraced Golden, a genuine Dai and a towering battle robot or battle walker of unknown design, but it looked as if it could go toe to toe with a Cerberus and there was nothing in this galaxy as far as the mercenary knew that could equal a fully equipped and enabled Cerberus.

At the very head of that group, wearing soft shimmering black leather from head to toe, the infamous pirate captain, Black Velvet. While she did hide her face behind a decorated face mask, her blonde hair moved in the warm breeze and her body filled out that skin tight leather in a very sensual way. That she was much more than a fashion doll and knew how to use the weapons she carried, he knew.

She was flanked by the Dai and a man in a brown dust cloak, black leather harness and H&K Sniper rifle. Right behind her three more human females. A petite one with flaming red hair, a statuesque blonde and one wearing something made of black veils and leather. Like the rest they were armed and had their faces hidden. It was a surprising effectiv way to add mystery and professionalism to that crew of pirates.

The Dai warrior drew one of his blades so fast, not even his enhanced senses could distinguish more than a blur. A Stegnar pick pocket, perfectly camouflaged and almost invisible on top of a tent canopy stared at his arm stumps. Its spidery hands on the dirty ground below.

The group did not even react to that and simply kept on coming slowly closer.

Tirkov wasn’t sure what to do. Should he try to run and hide, ignore them and hope they ignored his group or greet her?”

The pirate market was technically neutral ground and there was a generally accepted truth even between the worst enemies, but she was new and most likely ignored such unwritten rules just as she ignored the written ones. So he decided to take the edge of a potential situation and stepped before the weapon dealer’s tent.”

Har-Hi still cleaning his sword after he cut the tentacle like hands of a well concealed being hiding on a tent roof. “You know there is that merc. The one you left alive at Dyne, the crook that captured me.”

“I see him. What do you want to do, kill him? Go right ahead my friend, but make sure he draws something first.”

Har-Hi sighed. “I wish I could, but I am not just a Dai, I am Union and a fleet officer...”

Narth who apparently had a great time said. “That individual is openly impressed and secretly terrified to his core. He hopes we let him live. Oh, and he finds our Captain quite attractive, his glands are stimulated. Not that I could understand why.”

Elfi in her veil and leather outfit giggled behind her veil. “That’s why Cherubim insisted on tight leather and heels. Good old Testosterone still rules the brains of many humanoids.”

While Shea quietly tried to explain that to my confused friend.

Tirkov bowed slightly. “Greetings, Black Velvet. Thanks to you I had to spend half million credits worth of polos to replace some of the teeth you pulled out of my ship.”

“Thanks to me you are still alive, Mercenary and you still have a ship.You are welcome to complain some more, but then I will rectify what I should have done.”

He spread both his arms. “Of course not. I decided that 20 million credits are not even close enough to make it worth angering you. I am no longer hunting you.”

“Well it wasn’t much of a hunt.”

I let him stand there and moved on.

Narth confirmed that Tirkov had indeed changed his mind and was thanking his fate, that he was still alive.

A sales stand kept in a red and golden theme, with an open half tent and a big standard shipping container caught my eye.

A row of genuine S 10 Robots stood in a split open shipping crate. A large stack of passenger luggage, bales of Saresii Silk and cases of Terran Liquors on one side. A sturdy, sad cage with about twenty Humans and four Klack was behind that collection of wares. On the other side, the big closed shipping container that caught my eye in the first place. In the middle of this sales stand, a raised podium with a throne like chair shaded by a red fabric roof held up by flag tipped poles on each side. On this throne like chair sat a red and gold dressed individual. He wore a deep red uniform richly adorned with golden embroidery drawing swirling patterns all over the shiny fabric. He had well defined muscles, broad shoulders and even sitting appeared to be tall. The man wore a wide brimmed hat of the same color as his uniform.

Like me, he did not show his real face to the world, but wore a disturbing looking skull mask with black eye sockets and a lipless grin made out of the exposed teeth.

He was flanked by a rowdy looking crew. I counted nine humans, five Togar two of them female, seven Karthanian, three black furred Nogol, three Oghar, and two Insectoid beings looking like man sized mosquitoes with silvery wings on their backs. Narth as usual filled the gap in my knowledge and said: “These are Frudians.”

I acknowledged and then noticed a beardless Kermac in the crew of the Red Dragon.

The man in the frightening mask got up and stepped in my way, made an elaborate curtsey and held his hat before his chest.

“If your face is only half as lovely as your body then I am sure you are among the most beautiful women this side of the Orion arm. You must be the Black Velvet that I have heard so much about.”

I put my hand on the heavy blaster that Har-Hi was raising and said. “And you must be either very brave or perhaps insane to step in my way, whoever you are.”

He put his head back on. The jaws of the Skull masked moved only a little while he talked. “You must surely have heard of me, I am the bane of the Union, the living nightmare of merchant captains and the new incarnation of the Dark One himself. I am the Red Dragon.”

I made an airy gesture and said. “I don’t keep up with gossip all that much and I don’t subscribe to the newsletter of the self-help group for delusionally challenged egos, but I am sure this is what you are. Now that does not explain why you found it necessary to interrupt my business.”

He put his hand on his chest. “Oh my, you are as cold and arrogant as they say you are. I love that in a woman. Besides I am in a good mood so I will overlook the insult for now. Our community of freelancing entrepreneurs is a small one and new players are scrutinized, especially one that operates under the identity of a five hundred year old Pirate that suddenly reappears.”

I looked him up and down and said. “So you decided to scrutinize me? I don’t particular care what you do in your spare time, Red Dragon, but it can be very unhealthy to stick one’s nose too deep into my business.”

His voice lost all friendliness and he said. “I am very impressed by your display of fighting skills in the arena and I am certain it was you who clipped the fat Dukes wings. Rumors have it that you stole his Loki torpedoes too, but make no mistake. I am not a little planet bound gangster. I am the Red Dragon and I command the Sinister Alliance.”

I also put more edge in my voice. “Then it comes to no surprise to you that I am not impressed by alliances and groups. Duke Donheer wasn’t so little just yesterday. I wonder if you would have said the same thing three days ago. Now come to the point why you stopped me or make way. I intend to do business here.”

He held up his hands. “Maybe this is going into the wrong direction. Come and see what I have to offer. I see four lovely ladies and I do have loads of Union fashion.”

I looked over his offerings and said. “I don’t wear second hand cast offs, but I might be interested in these rolls of Saresii silk I see over there and perhaps the slaves.”

He walked over to the silk and said. “You have a fine eye, this comes from the Gahabee Looms of Sares-Four and would bring enough credits to buy a new ship if one had access to an Union Xchange. The slaves are all healthy. I got rid of the rubble at Alvor’s Cove, those only good for the stew pots of Togr. The liquor, the robots and most of the rest are finest Union wares.”

I waved to Sobody and said. “I’ll have my associate check your offerings if you don’t mind so I have a clearer understanding of the actual value.”

He nodded and gave Sobody access.

While my golden Friend checked the wares with obvious expertise the skull masked pirate said. “Having a Golden in the crew for such business matters must be a great boon.”

I watched Sobody as he looked at labels and said. “He is my quartermaster and has proven his worth many times.”

He looked over his shoulder. “Even I have not seen a crew like yours. Is that a real Y’All?”

I waved at Sobody and said. “Let’s go, the proprietors of this business are a little too nosy for my taste.”

To the Red Dragon I said. “It is no one’s business to question the origins of anyone in my crew. If you really want to know, go ask him. I doubt you’ve brought enough men or weapons to survive the answer.”

He spread his arms. “Captain Velvet, I am sorry. I admit I am a bit curious and I see you are as no nonsense as they say you are. Now let’s do business and I promise I won’t ask any more questions.”

I nodded and Sobody haggled with the man and at the end we agreed to purchase the Liquor, the Slaves and the silk. Sobody said. “The Robots you can keep. Without the proper Factory registration and activation codes, they are as useless as scrap metal.”

The Red Dragon sighed. “He is quite correct. I guess I have to find another fool to get rid of those.”

Even with his mask he could not hide his feelings as Sobody did his key routine and opened the Polo chest, carried by the NWC Battle suit. “Business must have been good for you Black Velvet and I wonder where you do business. I have never seen such a magnificent fighting robot outside of Union tech. This machine looks as if it could go toe to toe with a Union Cerberus and come out on top, yet I can’t identify the society that might have produced it.”

Before I could say something he said. “It was a rhetorical question. I don’t expect an answer.”

One of his Oghar took the 20 bags of Polo coins and said after scanning them. “It is all there Red Dragon. The money is genuine to the last coin.”

He still eyed the chest and said. “I heard how you dealt with Dentar Bloom and I know you sold the Mighty Nine. The Volting commanding her was an associate of mine. All this and your decisive action against the Duke show me you are not to be trifled with. Maybe you are the perfect addition to my plans. This peddling with second hand merchandise is not what you and I are about. You delegate it to a Golden and I do it out of necessity but I have bigger goals.”

I said with a slight amused tone. “Ah right, I think I did hear of that one. Attacking a Union outpost, from what they said at Brahma Port it wasn’t exactly a very lucrative venture and very costly to those who decided to partake.”

He almost hissed like a snake as he answered. “Yet I managed to do it. I attacked a Union Outpost and got away. I dared what no one dreamed to attempt. This was not an undefended colony and we managed to land troops. The prize would have been Translocator cannons, shiploads of Union tech and thousands of slaves. Yet I am no longer interested in Union tech, I found something much better and the day I will be able to fly openly all the way to Arsenal or any other planet in the Union and lay waste to their fleets is not so far away.”

As delusional as he sounded there was something in the way he said it, that I almost believed him. I said. “What makes you think you could challenge the cursed Union in a way not even the combined forces of Kermac, Nul and Shiss could?”

He laughed silently. “By doing the same thing as the eternal soldier did. Going somewhere and gathering technology beyond anything they have.”

I gestured to the robots. “Sounds like the phantasies of a mad man who has to sell scrap metal to pay his crew. No one knows where Stahl got the Devastator or the Translocator tech.”

The Red Dragon cursed under his breath and then said. “Maybe you are five hundred years old, but you know nothing of the Union and the Devastator. It is a Celtest ship and the Translocators are Celtest technology. The entire Union military might is centered on a single weapon system. Imagine what would happen if an enemy shows up that is immune to that weapon? If that enemy had shields that neutralizes the TransDim abilities of that cannon? The entire Union fleet has suddenly no teeth and even Stahl could do nothing but run in his big ship.”

He stepped towards the closed shipping container and said. “Come Black Velvet, I will show you something that will change your mind about me.”

He opened a secure door by touching a biometric lock.

Of course it was not the brightest idea to follow an obviously mad pirate with a violent temper inside a metal box alone, but I was well armed and my friends were outside so I followed him

It was dark inside the container, and it was empty except for a single transparent show case, illuminated by a single spotlight. Inside the showcase was a dark grey one piece coverall like garment. It was like a cat suit with shoes, gloves and a tight fitting hood that would leave only the face uncovered if worn. It hung in an ArtiGrav field and looked pretty unspectacular. I said after he remained silent. “Okay, so you like to display your underwear in a fancy manner. I fail to see the point.”

He snickered and said. “Very funny but if I tell you that this is a Celtest battle suit, a product of a Tech Level 11 civilization and the equivalent of a Union Quasimodo. It has more firepower than a shipload of Nul, better shielding than anything the Union has. It is deep space worthy and you can travel vast distances with greater speeds than a Wolfcraft. Its shields are completely immune to Translocator fire.”

I knew of the powers of a Seenian battle suit first hand and while he somewhat exaggerated the abilities of the suit. I was very concerned if he had access to this technology. He was right; an enemy with Seenian technology would be more than just a serious threat to the Union. I said to him. “If this is all true, why are you not wearing it?”

He opened the seams of his uniform blouse and said with pride in his voice. “But I am. I am wearing a similar suit. This is but one of many pieces of Celtest technology I have. Not broken artifacts, but fully functional and well maintained.”

I tried to keep the distress I felt about this information out of my voice and asked. “Why peddle scrap metal and petty things if you have Celtest artifacts worth billions?”

He said. “Because I am going to use it. These things will be my sword of vengeance and my tools to true power. I was not joking when I said I will be the reincarnation of the Dark One. I will march right to Pluribus and give them a choice. Proclaim me sole ruler of the Union or be utterly destroyed. He raised both hands to the ceiling. “I know the location of a Seenian War depot. An entire planet full of automated Seenian factories, continent sized warehouses full of ships, robots, weapons and more. Technology to gain true immortality and I will use it all and become the ruler of this Galaxy. Those, Black Velvet, are worthy goals and I’ll soon have all the means of making them a reality! I will be the Power Supreme.”

I said to him. “Why are you telling me all this?”

“So you know on which side to be. To show you how unwise it is to make me your enemy. Perhaps there might even be a place for you in all this. The Celtest Depot is far from here, almost 50,000 light years deep in the unexplored regions of our Galaxy. An almost impossible trip for one space ship alone. Fuel stops have to be made, engines repaired and overhauled and all this without any known places to stop and get spare parts. But a small fleet, a convoy if you will, of eight or ten well equipped ships can make it and return in two years with a fleet of unstoppable Celtest ships loaded with the finest tech the Galaxy has not seen in a million years. Only I know where it is.”

“Are you asking me to participate in this expedition?”

“I will be here on Sin 4 for a few more days as I expect the arrival of another pirate I want to talk to. Then I am off to Itheamh. Meet me there, and if you come and I haven’t changed my mind about you, I might make such an offer.”

After we had finished our business at the Pirate’s market we returned to the Tigershark. I went straight to my office and contacted Cherubim. I was connected to her right away and after I started my report she asked me to hold on as she wanted McElligott to hear what I had to say as well and made a conference connection. So I repeated and finished my report to both of them.

McElligott said. “I just come out of a staff conference of the highest level as our sources confirmed your initial Intel report. The Nul were preparing for war. Only two days ago we received the first official communiqué from the Nul-Nul Empire in which they accused us of having committed an unforgivable act of war by abducting their prince and selling him to the arenas of Sin 4. Just as we were about to end the conference and call for open preparation for war, we were contacted again, this time the Nul apologized for the misunderstanding, and offered to open diplomatic relations between our nations.

While all this went on I had no time to check on you but I should have, since it turns out you were in the middle of it again.”

Cherubim said. “Wait till you see the visuals of our female captain fighting in that arena. She managed to make the name Black Velvet a household name.”

I cringed and said. “Maybe we could skip over that part?”

It was too late. Cherubim had obviously made the visuals available to him and I watched them watching the recordings of the arena fight. While I could not see what they did and I could not see Cherubim’s facial expressions. I clearly saw those of the Old Admiral.

He finally turned off the visuals and looked at me and then slowly shook his head. “You look so nice, so pretty just like a girl should and yet underneath it all you are still a real Neo Viking.”

“Sir I am sorry if I acted in any way you disapprove.”

He waved his hand. “Don’t mind me, I am just an old Highlander that still needs to get used to the fact that you and your crew are out there. So far Project Fish has exceeded beyond the wildest expectations on my side and that is a compliment to you, Captain Olafson.”

“Thank you Sir.”

Cherubim said. “That the Red Dragon has access to Seenian technology is disturbing news to say the least. If he can equip his Sinister Alliance with Seenian technology he will indeed become a serious threat.”

I hoped I did the right thing but I had to ask and said. “We noticed that the file on the Red Dragon is incomplete and details have been deleted. Can I ask why?”

McElligott folded his hands and said. “That was me, Captain. Because we think we know who the Red Dragon might be. However there is no evidence to that fact, just assumptions. These assumptions were presented as facts in that report and I deleted them. I did not want you to have information that could cloud your judgment if it wasn’t absolutely true.”

Cherubim said to him. “I don’t understand why Captain Olafson should not have this information. I know the circumstances of the theft of the Red Dragon ship are somewhat embarrassing and the fact that he managed to escape from under the nose of the flagship might not sit well with you, but Captain Olafson sits at the front line and earned our trust many times over.”

McElligott said. “The fact that he is part of this conference call and that I let you scold me before the Captain should show how much I trust him. It has nothing to do with embarrassment. You Cherubim know a lot and usually more than anyone, but in this case you do not. There is a chance that the Red Dragon is former logistics Admiral Swybar. He and Eric Olafson have a history together.”

I could not stop myself as I raised my voice and said. “I was there when he was sentenced, he should be dead.”

McElligott nodded. “That was what I thought as well, Captain, but he was rescued by the Worm or Kermac Agents or perhaps by them working together.

We know he survived the execution and we know he had foreseen his eventual exposure long before you arrived on the scene. As the head of logistics his department also supervises the Bone yard facilities we have and he used his influence and position to finish the Red Dragon project and equip the ship with technology we don’t even knew we had.

Now there is evidence that he was responsible for taking the ship from the Bone Yard after we thought he was dead. However I have evidence that suggests he was killed by his associates as his usefulness ended and whoever is the Captain of the Red Dragon now is not the same man. I deleted that information not to deceive you but to make sure you are not clouded by personal feelings and the possibility that it is not Swybar.” He gave Cherubim a side-glance and said. “I promised Eric Olafson justice and as far as I knew it had been done.”

I said. “That the Worm is an enemy with vast resources I have learned myself and that they were capable of faking an execution does not surprise me as they have faked my death to mask my abduction. I am not the same angry cadet anymore, Sir. I have learned that there are many shades between white and black and I know that you do your best to keep the balance on the white side.”

He looked at me for a while not saying anything and then he said with a softer voice. “You have indeed grown up since then. To fight the Worm and all this scum is the very reason for Project Fish and why you out there.”

Cherubim said. “And you manage to teach me a lesson every now and then Old Man and it is received”

He got up and fetched himself a bottle from a shelf behind him. “To hear that from you Cherubim calls for a drink. I also suggest we return to the business at hand.

I asked. “Could he found that Seenian equipment on one of these boneyards?”

“Highly unlikely but unfortunately not impossible. We are currently undergoing a very detailed inventory and transfering some of the things to a new special warehouse of sorts. We found some very disturbing things indeed, but nothing Seenian.”

Cherubim added. “The Minerva will arrive in a few days. Transfer the freed slaves, the Stik delegation and the Nul Prince. The Minerva will also bring you mail and some additional supplies.”

The Old Admiral had poured himself a glass and said. “Good job dealing with that Duke and his weapons. After we are done with this meeting, I’d like to talk to the Nul Prince myself. Call me direct as soon as you can have the call arranged.”

“Yes Sir.”

Cherubim finished her part in the conversation by saying. “Stay on the tracks of the Red Dragon, him having Seenian technology and even knowing how to use it is bad news indeed. If discovering the Seenian depot means that we have to send you on a long trip like that was not planned but can’t be helped. The existence of such a depot is a serious threat to the safety of the Union and we must make sure that no one, not he or anyone else can make use of it.”

I nodded and said. “I agree I have seen what a little courier ship could do. I will address my crew on that and prepare them for the possibility that we might have to postpone our vacation plans for two years or so.”

Cherubim thanked me and terminated the call on her end.

The Old Admiral said. “Play it by ear, girl and make your decisions based on what happens. I trust your judgment and now get me that royal Nul on the horn.”

I went down to the Deck where the Nul had his quarters. The Marine Guard at his door saluted. “Captain, our guest is well behaved.”

I pressed the chime and was asked to come in. The Nul stood in the corner of the room. The bed untouched and the lights of the room dimmed to minimum. He looked quite terrifying with his slightly glowing eye standing there in a dark corner.

I asked him motioning to the bed. “Are the quarters not to your liking?”

His voice sounded like as if he was sitting at the bottom of a deep well as he said: “The accommodations are more than adequate. I expected a security cell, not this, but we Nul do not rest like you in the horizontal.”

I touched the controls of the bed and said. “These are vari-matic. Our Union is made of many species. I am sure SHIP can help you adjusted it to your physiology.”

“You are very kind Captain, but I am not tired. I passed the time conversing with your truly magnificent SHIP AI. I learned so much from her.”

She came on right away and said. “I did not give away anything classified, just general, openly available info on the Union and such.”

I looked towards the ceiling as I always did when I talked to her and said. “I trust you, no worries, SHIP.”

“I know you do, Captain. I was just making sure you know the nature of our conversation.”

The Nul said. “We have Ship AIs as well but I never thought one could have such a pleasurable and personal conversation with one. The way you talk to your system is truly amazing.”

I said. “I think we are giving you wrong impressions. SHIP is unique in this regard and much more than just an AI.”

The Nul said. “Captain Olafson, I decided not to accept your challenge. I do not wish to fight you to the death. Even though I am nearly well and I feel I have a fair chance, but the result would be the death of one of us. In the last few hours I was able to observe your crew a little. I conversed with a Golden, a Seenian CMO, a Togar, a Dai and a Y’All and they all have told me about you and why they are dedicated to you. They also told me that your looks and size are deceiving and fighting you would not necessarily mean I would be the victor. I have witnessed you fight and I agree; besides I owe you my life.”

I swallowed and said. “I am glad you decided against that, the idea of being torn limb from limb by a Nul Warrior is certainly not on top of my activity list. However the reason I have come is another altogether, my superior, the highest military authority in our Navy, would like to talk to you, if you agree.”

He said with urgency. “We are at war with the Union?

“No, I believe your message was received just in time and it appears as if war was prevented.”

“I am ready to talk to your Admiral.”

“SHIP, have Elfi pipe the Admiral’s Call down here.”

The Old Admiral appeared as a Holo Avatar. “Your majesty, I am Admiral of the Fleet McElligott. My government has authorized me to talk to you in their behalf as I had to keep your whereabouts a secret.”

The Nul said. “I understand Human Admiral.”

“To ease faster communication we have sent a ship with long range GalNet equipment to your home world. This historic mission was approved by your supreme leader. As soon as the ship arrives you will be able to converse directly with your government. Also, one of our ships will arrive on Sin 4 in three or four days. It will take you to Union space and from there we will provide transport to any destination you request. Be assured you will be treated according to your position as a highly welcome guest of state and not as a prisoner.”

The Nul bowed and said. “Thank you Admiral of the Union. However this is not necessary as I would like to evoke the conditions set forth in fleet regulation 4563-554-b.”

The projected avatar of the admiral was obviously baffled and said: “Your majesty. I am not familiar with that regulation at the moment. What are you trying to say?”

The Nul surprised me as well as he said. “This regulation was used to conscript the Golden, and it states the right of the Captain of a Union ship to conscript any being willing and able to perform all duties and swear allegiance to the Union, if said Captain is operating outside Union space.

He made only a very short pause and then said. “I hereby request to be conscripted as I am willing to swear allegiance to the Union. This Captain has saved my life. The crew of this ship has not made me feel like an enemy and has treated me with respect. I want to learn about the Union and your fleet. I want to do it right here aboard this ship as it also gives me a chance to repay my debt. He who rules is in good health will be the Supreme Leader for many decades to come before I will climb upon the Rock of Gatu and take on the responsibilities as ruler of my people.”

McElligott coughed. “Your highness, this is a very unusual request and I...”

The Nul said with a firm voice before the Admiral could finish his objection. “It is not unusual; it has been used for Sobody’s request. He is or was the factual ruler of his kind. In order for me as the future ruler of all Nul-Nul to make the right decisions, I want to learn about the Union and its fleet. We Nul have trusted the Seenians and were paid with destruction. We have trusted the Galactic Council and were left alone. We trusted the Shiss and were betrayed. We have decided to trust no one that is not Nul and that is the reason we have resisted any contact. This time, however, I want us, the Nul, to ask someone else to trust us. I want to learn the truth and the depths of your society, not from records and diplomats, but at the source. I believe, if I understood the Golden and SHIP’s explanation correctly, this would also make me an Union Citizen, and thus improve our relationship more than words or contracts. I am sure you understand that I can only ask my people to trust and accept the Union beings as worthy allies and partners if I really believe it is so.”

McElligott wrung his hands and said. “Your Majesty, with all due respect, you are aboard the strangest ship in our fleet and they are in the middle of a dangerous mission. I could not guarantee your safety other than by ordering that ship home. Could you not do your fact finding tour on this nice big battle ship. I could arrange you to do this even on the Devastator.”

The Nul said. “Do not recall this ship on my behalf. I am certain their mission is vital and important. What message would that send to a society like mine, if I choose safety over honor? I know my life giving Leader will eagerly agree with my decision, and if battle on this ship claims my life, it will not end relationships but cement Nul commitment. I hope you too will learn more about Nul in the future, Admiral of the Fleet, and then you will see how important honor and acting accordingly is for us Nul. I spoke to Sobody the Golden, he too is the leader of his society and he was granted this privilege.”

McElligott threw his arms in the air. “Why not, one more totally unique crew member that fits perfectly in this collection won’t make all that much difference, but I must insist on your Leader’s decision, to make it official.”

“I accept this condition.”

“This ship of yours, Captain, seems to have some sort of magnet built in that attracts all the strays and outcasts. Your Majesty, I approver your conscription under condition I mentioned and give you the rank of an acting Ensign. That means however that your diplomatic status means little and that you are subject to all the Navy regulations you are so good at quoting, even the less pleasurable ones, like accepting orders.”

The Nul said. “I am aware of this and I am intellectually capable of understanding all the consequences of my request. I am a warrior born and from a space faring society that is very little behind yours in terms of technology and advancements. The Seer of Narl Gatu has been right as always as he foresaw my transformation. We distrusted others for a long time as we paid dearly when we did trust others. But this time it is not others to ask us for trust, but we ask yours. I hope we can normalize relations between our societies and end thousands of years of mistrust and hostilities.”

McElligott rubbed his chin. “This is actually quite an historic event. Lasting peace, perhaps, even cooperation between the Nul and the Union will be received like thunder on a sunny afternoon. It will shake the Galaxy and could very well lead to panic decisions by the Shiss and the Kermac.”

“The Shiss have abducted me and I am certain my Life Giver will not let this pass unpunished. However, whatever foes or enemies will emerge, we will meet them as allies. I have completed a message to my Life Giver; would you transmit it as soon as possible?”

The Admiral acknowledged when he received the file and then sighed: “Carry on Captain, the good thing out of all this is that you could not possible top that. So I should be good receiving your next report, McElligott out.”

As the Avatar blinked out of existence, I glared at the Nul. “You could have warned me and asked me about your intentions.”

He actually sounded apologetic and said. “I am sorry Captain, but SHIP recommended that this would be a logical course of action, so I could remain aboard a little while longer. I assure you; I am aware of military hierarchy and shall perform and execute all duty and orders you give. I intend to show you that Nul can be trusted. Besides, I learned that I am not the only royal being serving under you and they all willingly accept your rule. I am very capable, having been trained since early childhood in all matters of space warfare.”

I glanced towards the ceiling and said. “I think I need to have a word with SHIP about collaborating with the enemy. Now I know why she responded right away after you told me you talked to her. You Mr Natu are to report to the XO for quarters and duty assignment. After you get your uniform, I will swear you in and all that.”

SHIP responded with a hurt tone in her voice. “Captain, all questions he asked were nonclassified. I also asked Lt. Narth for his opinion and he said answering these questions would not be against regulations. I would never collaborate with the enemy.”

“SHIP, you know exactly what I am talking about. You might be the most advanced Synaptronic in the known universe, but you are not a very good actor. You can barely keep your amusement and satisfaction out of your voice.”

“One is amazed how well you know your SHIP.”

“That is what I do; I am the Captain after all.”

Chapter 15
The Minerva was an impressive, shiny golden water drop shaped, heavy armed ancient Ult freighter in excellent repair and with genuine ISAH pods of recent manufacture. Despite its apparent bulk this freighter was most likely the fastest thing within a few light years.

It landed right next to us and I welcomed her captain in our pirate den. He was a Karthanian. Like all Karthanians he was not even remotely humanoid, having many similarities to a Terran Seahorse. External Bone structure, round always open mouth with a flickering tongue, stalk eyes and short, fern like antenna on each side of his head. He did have two arm-like appendixes with very long fingers that started at what would be the elbow of a human arm.

The Karthanian looked around and said. “Permission to come aboard? I am Sposhtrah, Shipmaster of the Minerva.”

He then identified himself with the Blue-Blue-Red protocol and I did the same. Only then did he take off his bejewelled jacket revealing a Union uniform.

“I have a load of Translocator bombs to restock you, two more modified Wolfcrafts one Spectre configuration and the Narth components for your shields that are still missing.”

I offered him a seat at our table and our chef brought refreshments, showing that he knew even Karthanian cuisine as the Captain of the Minerva praised the brownish liquid he called Qugamt Slobber served in a long thin glass that accommodated his long thin tongue, to be exceptionally good.

To the captain I said. “I am thankful for the supplies and I know the Stik delegation is eager to get started with their application, but is it wise that we meet so openly?”

He waved with his long fingers and said. “No worries Captain, I am known as one of worst Slave dealers in the Galaxy. I do business with pirates and the other scum all the time. I am here on Sin 4 at least five times a year. This way we are able to return at least some of the captured Union citizens back home. Of course not even the freed slaves know that and for me to remain effectiv it must remain that way.”

“Before all this I had no idea slavery is such a widespread problem.”

He put down the glass he just was sucking at and said. “Compared to the size of the Union and its population it is not a very big problem. However especially fringe colonies that are not officially colonized through the Bureau are vulnerable to pirate and slave raids.You know anyone with a spaceship can go out there and colonize whatever they want if it isn’t occupied already. There are always dreamers and fringe groups that think they do not need the OOCA. Oh beleive me I would love for it to end as I seen more misery than I care to see. I estimate between 25,000 and 30,000 Union citizens are abducted that way each year. As far as I know there is currently only one other undercover unit like the Minerva doing what I do as it is very difficult to build up a reputation and do this secretly.”

I toasted him and said. “I am glad to know that something is being done about it and I thank you for doing it. I had the ill fortune to see what it is like to be a slave, thankfully only for a short time.”

He returned the toast and said. “Thanks to you we might see the end of Sin 4 soon and that is a good thing. I often wish I could do something about the other slaves as well, the ones that are not Union, I mean. The practice and the demand is still big in Freespace and the whole region is so damn large. My own kind is doing a big part for keeping the demand up. Karthanian smelter moons and mines always have a large appetite for slaves.”

“At least one Karthanian is doing something about it.”

“Because this Karthanian was sent to the Smelter moons and was rescued by an undercover Union ship during a slave transfer.”

We finished our drinks and then he said. “Let’s get the transfer started. I heard you got a few slaves freed.”

“Yes, I purchased all available slaves at the Pirates Market. I think there are about sixty of them and they’re all in Stasis.”

A conveyor bridge was placed between our ships and shields extended and synchronized. I stood next to the open freight door and watched the stream of cargo-tainers.

An incredibly thin and beautiful female being floated more than walked towards me. She wore Union black and saluted. “Specialist Brana Noleii, reporting Captain.” She held out her orderchip.

She was as tall as me, appeared as if someone had successfully mixed a very beautiful female with an exquisite flower; threw in vispy veils and almost insubstantial wings. I had heard of Delicates but never seen one before.

“Welcome aboard Specialist Noleii, what are you specialist in, if I may ask?”

“I am the weapon specialist for your Bio Chemical weapons. I am also a psionic talent and assigned to your PSI team as well.”

“Welcome indeed Specialist. As you can see we are receiving material and I guess additional personnel as well. I am not sure my XO has the time to show you to your quarters right away, but if you don’t mind waiting a little I show you myself.”

SHIP’s avatar popped up and she said.”Captain I can show her, luckily I can be at more than one place at the same time.”

“Perfect, Specialist Noleii, this is our SHIP’s AI but she is also a crew member. I am sure she can explain you the details while she shows you around. Later I like to see you at the Den for dinner and get to know more of you.”

She blinked with her inhumanly big eyes and smiled. “Thank you, Captain.”

The new addition to my crew left and I kept watching.

I could not help but smile to see TheOther and the newly conscripted Nul compete with Hans and our cargo handlers to see who could lift the bigger boxes. The Golden who took his job as Quartermaster very seriously held a PDD in his hands and was directing the flow of cargo to the right destinations.

Krabbel hung from a thin thread over the Cargo door and waited eagerly for the mail container as he had ordered a new flavor of ice cream that he hoped it would be part of the delivery. To the side in the back of the cargo hold stood Cirruit next to an open crate with technical parts. He had his fists stemmed into his side and I could see a bushy tail moving inside the packing material, next to it Shea and Three-Four had already begun assembling some strange looking device. Now I also saw Narth, who held a big piece using his telekinetics, floating above them while he was reading a PDD most likely with assembly instructions.

A deep voice next to me said. “I could stand here all day long and watch your amazing crew work together.”

I turned and looked into the face of Admiral Stahl.

He said. “Permission to come aboard Captain?”

To see him was a great surprise and I said. “Of course, permission granted, Sir. Where did you come from?”

He pointed at an open Cargo box and said. “The Devi is standing by in Union space with the entire first fleet to clean up Sin 4 as soon as the Stiks officially made their plea. I simply hitched a ride with the Minerva to see how things are with you.”

“I think everything is going well, Sir. I addressed my crew a little earlier today about the possibility that we might postpone shore leave and vacations for two years and instead of being angry they cheered instead of voicing disagreement and I think it was a genuine cheer at that.”

“I wish we could give you all the breaks and vacation you deserve, but if there is a Seenian depot we need to know where it is located. Maybe the opportunity will present itself and you can capture the Red Dragon and get the info that way. But if he really is Admiral Swybar then he received the Union shields and implants to make him immune to brain dumps and psionic interrogations.”

“I don’t mind flying this ship to the end of the Universe, but I hope I can give my crew some R&R soon. Not that they actually want it.”

He nodded towards the grey Nul and said. “So you really have the Nul prince aboard. I have seen your fight on GalNet and I saw the Nul too. Somehow I had a feeling he would end up with you.”

I looked away as he said that and mumbled. “I hoped you would not see that.”

“Why not? I am not really a fan of death matches, but the ancient adage of panem et circenses holds true still today. Bread and games is what the masses love and I can’t say I didn’t like what I saw.”

He grinned widely. “Seeing a gorgeous blonde, half naked tear into a big monster with nothing but an axe certainly has some entertaining value even for me I must say. I guess the body shaping Saresii machine missed the inner Neo Viking. Besides, your action was the foundation of the Nul’s decision to come to you. Just as it did when you decided to wrestle a Xundraon and go rodeo on him. They too are still on Pluribus and I wager the PUMA process will be over soon than later and they too join our big family.”

He shook his head. “The Nul on our side, who would have imagined.”

“If he is serious I think there might be really peace between Nul and the Union.”

Stahl nodded. “Yes, we have every indication he is serious. We’ve got real diplomatic relations for the first time. It will of course make the others very nervous, but with the Nul and the Golden now on the Union side, I doubt they will try anything anytime soon. It might even give pause to the Dai assembling under Cam Elf-Na. The Dai respect few others, but the Nul are certainly one civilization even the most vicious Dai don’t like to anger. The integration of the Golden is a huge operation and keeps everyone busy but it is progressing smoothly. The data we are receiving will keep our analysts happy for centuries. Their ships are more advanced than we thought.”

Stahl pointed to Sobody. “I never thought I would ever see the First Merchant actually working with load handlers aboard a Union ship.”

I too watched Sobody and said. “He has become quite an asset to my crew and doesn’t mind working at all. He shares quarters with a Holdian and follows fleet protocol more seriously than a first year Cadet.”

Stahl said as he watched Har Hi talk to the little Yeoman standing by the door. “Cam Elf-Na has visited Brahma Port and killed a few Scavengers, but a very large Togar fleet made him and his clans turn away. From the reports we have, the number of Clans he controls is vastly overstated. It is still an impressive force, perhaps in the neighborhood of twenty or thirty clans, but not 2000. Nothing our now beefed up border forces could not handle.”

While I was talking with the Admiral we watched as one of our Pertharians kicked a spherical container, most likely an empty Bomb container and Hans kicked it back. TheOther caught it and threw it with force towards the Nul, who in turn boxed it with a crashing sound back to Hans who actually head-butted it. Moments later there was a tournament going, with Crewmembers in Load Handler suits joining in as well. The cargo deck was vibrating as the now heavily dented metal case was kicked and tossed between two impromptu goals. Stahl held up a little device and said.” I need to record that. McElligott won’t believe me otherwise.”

I heard the elated laughter of the Y’All as he managed to score a goal, getting a high five from Hans. Only moments later the Nul managed to head butt the container over into the other goal and he in turn laughed and got celebrated by the Pertharians and cargo specialists in their cargo handling suits.

The Admiral sighed. “You know I am so tempted to put on a load handler suit and join them. It looks like lots of fun.”

I raised my voice. “SHIP, get me two load handler suits. I think we have a Steel Container kick match to join.”

How the match ended I could not say as I was called by Elfi who said: “Captain, the Red Dragon is calling and wants to talk to you as soon as you can.”

As I stopped playing the entire gang stopped.

I said. “Captain’s business, you can go on.”

But then the spell was broken and they started to finish the cargo transfer.

Stahl shook my hand. “I have to go back with the Minerva. But there is a big part of that wants to actually come along with you and this crew. I think it would be like old times before I was an Admiral.”

“I would love that, Sir.”

He sighed and then said.”Good luck with your mission. Be assured I trust your abilities and I can tell you have become a real starship Captain, one I am very proud of.”

I felt elated his approval meant more to me than any medal. “Thank you Sir. I would not be here without your help.”

“Eric, I meant to say Erica. I actually doubt that. You would have become a starship Captain regardless if you had met me or not.”

“But not of the Tigershark.”

He laughed and left.

RED DRAGON
On the landing field of the desolate spaceport of Sin 4 and not too far from the heavily modified Karthanian Trader, known as the Silver Streak, sat the Red Dragon. Inside the stolen Union prototype and in its command deck conference room sat the former Union admiral who now bore the same name as his ship and five other pirate captains.

Red Dragon had his chair swiveled towards the viewport and watched as the well known slave merchant ship, the Minerva climbed into the sky.

“That explains why she bought every slave there was on the market. She is doing business with Sposhtrah.”

“Making a killing doing it.” Said a strong looking Oghar sitting to the right of the Red Dragon, also staring out the window.

Captain Sodex of the Merchant’s Sorrow sitting across the table, curled his chaps in disgust. He was a Jooltar and growled. “This is the dirtiest business of them all. I stay away from it, no matter the profit. One of these days the Union will disregard all treaties and start hunting slavers and those are involved in this business. One more colony raid report with Union citizens captured for slaves and their Assembly will vote to end it.”

The former Admiral had been a Union citizen for most of his life actually nodded. “There is not much more that riles them.”

He was deeply concerned about the latest developments. The news that the Golden had abandoned their millenia old policy of neutrality and joined the Union had just recently shocked pretty much everyone. The Kermac openly furious and secretly afraid of their cousins. First the Blue with all their fine technology and now the Golden, they knew too well that neither one had forgotten the atrocities the Ker had committed so long ago.

The Shiss seeing their star slowly but steady fading, were very concerned about the Union growth. And now while everyone was expecting war between the Nul and the Union, news came from Pluribus of a new chapter of Nul and Union cooperation. The Nul All ruler himself was reported to be on his way to Pluribus aboard the Union flagship no less. That made everyone nervous, as impossible it seemed only a week ago. Nul and Union no longer enemies, maybe even working together was bad news indeed.

The Shiss knew their end was near if the Nul could now focus on them alone, without worrying about the Union. Worse if the Nul were able to call upon Union resources.

The Kermac feared worse, they saw the Nul already as potential new Union members.

With the Big Four suddenly reduced to three sides, with one side stronger than the rest. A spark was enough to irritate that juggernaut and Freespace was no more. Admiral Stahl finally able to complete what he wanting to do since it all started. Wiping out the Kermac and the GC once and for all.

Cam Elf-Na, the leader of the Dai-Than was not much less concerned. Without Freespace, Union fleets could follow every Dai Tribe reported anywhere. With Union Dai knowing almost all of the safe havens and hide outs of the Tribes.

The Togar most certainly no longer were certain, eating Union citizens and brag about it was such a good idea.

He clenched his fist. “No matter, I will be the one cutting that giant down.”

He turned back to face the table again.

Besides Sodex and the Oghar known as Captain Meateater there were Captain Ivok of the Bone Crusher, a humanoid quite possibly of Human Terran descent and a former Union citizen as well.

Red Dragon suspected him to be a spy of the Worm. On the left to Red Dragon a yellowish skinned Wartook with sickle shaped oiled hair, long pig like snout and tusks even bigger than those of the Oghar, he was only known as the Cruel One and his ship was the ugly, but powerful Scarlet Tormentor. He liked to spill the blood of others. A reputation he liked to advertise by vicious acts of violence.

The biggest being in terms of size was Crimson Curse, another member of the Oghar species. He was well groomed and his outfit and weapons were well maintained and clean. He was pirate longer than any of the others and Red Dragon did not think he would join them, but if he did his experience and knowledge of the Coreward sector would be of tremendous help.

The last one was Shuhpuz Brathering, a Puup, a Kermac vassal species. While the Puup had virtually no contact to the Union, as they originated from a planet all across the Galactic Council sphere of influence, deep in the Spinward sector. Shupuz was a known pirate in Freespace and some said he looked like the nightmare version of a Teddy bear, furry big head, four eyes and a big maw full of teeth. It was known he liked human flesh especially fresh and raw.

His ship the Akulook was perhaps the most advanced besides the Red Dragon’s ship of Union origin. It was the best armed for certain as it was a genuine Kermac T Class destroyer, a real warship and not an armed and modified civilian ship.

Red Dragon folded his hands before him. “You heard my plan. It will take a while to get ready, but this will be our goal.So what do you say, are you with me?”

Shupuz spoke first.” I am with you. I am no Celtest expert but the evidence looks convincing to me and if only half of it comes true, we will be unstoppable with Celtest equipment or at least very rich. It is a long trip however and I need to get me a NuGas refinery and engine spare parts and that will take a little while”

Meateater was next. “I have been with Red ever since he appeared. He is a damn cutthroat but if he says something it usually is so. I never faired wrong, but I doubt my Intruder will make the entire trip unless I get me a new ship or make some serious repairs to mine complete with brand new thruster pods.”

Crimson got up.

“That’s a tad too far for me. I stick to space I know, count me out. I rather be less rich and less powerful and alive, than spend almost two years on a what if scenario.”

Red Dragon made a gesture to the door.

“No one is forcing you, but don’t come back and want a share. When we meet again we meet as enemies.”

Crimson shrugged. “I managed so far and if we meet as enemies, so be it.”

Without further ado he left.

It was now Ivok’s turn. “I got to check with my business associates but I am certain I will come along. Celtest Equipment is always of great interest to me.”

“Go and call the Worm. I know who you are dealing with, but don’t hesitate to long. I will not wait or offer it again.”

The Cruel One got up as well. “I don’t want new enemies, I got enough already. Your offer is good and I would love to tag along, but I can’t afford it. Such a trip will cost a million polos or more, in fuel, spare parts and I would have to pay my crew a special bonus to stay for such a long trip.”

Red Dragon waved at the door.”You can go too, but we are not talking to take this trip very soon or unprepared. Just save your funds and when we are close we might be able to pool some funds.”

The Red Dragon leaned forward after the Wartook had left. “Now my Oghar friend, you need a new ship. It happens there is a Karthanian Armed Merchant not far from here. Has oversized ISAH thrusters and unlike the rest of the ship they look new. Not to mention the finest Nul weaponry.”

Meateater played with the gold tipped ends of his tusks. “I thought you contemplated to offer her the same thing as you offered us?”

“Maybe I do, but I rather have you than her. I know you; I don’t know a thing about her.”

“She got teeth. She leveled those DE towers and I am sure it was her who blew the well shielded island to bits. If it was her she might have the Loki torpedoes and what else the Duke was supposed to have.”

Ivok added. “She is rich too. She dealt with the Minerva and bought lots of stuff at the Market. Paid with Polos and Iridi Chips. Her crew is well armed and nothing looks cheap.”

“Rumors have it, she bought lots of scrap, the kind Dai love to buy. There is a Dai in her crew, maybe not a renegade at all. If you have a connection to these vicious devils, you can make a hefty profit. They don’t haggle and they are rich.”

Sodex gestured to the window. “I bet she made a pretty profit with that old Slave trader.”

Red Dragon grinned. “All the better for us. I got this Celtest suit and once inside her ship there is nothing that will stop me.”

Elfi’s voice came on over Intership and caught me on my way to the Den.”Captain, the Red Dragon is calling us and he wants to talk to you.”

I took the call in our Den after Narth had popped up next to me, handing me my mask. The Red Dragon looked at me after the connection was made and the field screen was activated.

“Ah mysterious Black Velvet. Good Captain we had just a little get together and I was wondering if you would be interested in meeting a few colleagues of ours, perhaps over some food and drink so we can discuss a very profitable little excursion. You see the associate I am waiting for is a little delayed and won’t be here for a while. Since there is no sense in wasting too much time on this boring dirt ball, we thought we might invite you to a very promising little hunt. Of course such things are better discussed in person and since you are the new kid on the block so to speak, even if you might be around for half a millennium as some rumors claim. It was suggested that you do us the honors.”

I glanced at my gloved fingers and said.

“I too have some unfinished business here on Sin 4, but it could wait a little longer. I am never opposed to hear about something that could improve my bottom line. I am not opposed to such a meeting.”

He sounded pleased. “Maybe there is a future with us doing business together, Black Velvet. So do you say, Five hour at your ship, or are you too ashamed to have guests?”

“My Silver Streak might not be able to provide you with all the creature comforts you are accustomed to, but I think we should be able to scare up some food and drink to entertain our guests. So I expect you and your associates at the mentioned time?”

“We will be there and I will bring some wine.”

Har-Hi stood next to me as usual and as the transmission ended he said. “So he wants to come over and discuss business and bring along a few friends. Why do I get the feeling he isn’t coming for a friendly barter at all?”

Narth shrugged his shoulders and said.

“If he is a former Admiral or not I can’t say, but his psionic shielding is most certainly finest Union technology, the kind Command Officers get. I am not even certain I could break it, but if I try he would notice, no doubt.”

“Let us go slowly. If he suspects a psionic attack he might have a failsafe that deletes the information he has, or he might suspect us to be more than just pirates. Since his Seenian equipment is genuine there is no reason to doubt he knows the location of a Seenian depot. Finding and securing it for the Union is vital. If he found it, someone else could. Seenian technology in the hands of the Kermac, the Shiss or anyone else would be bad indeed.”

Har-Hi propped his hands on our massive table and said. “The Admiral was quite clear; we need to find his source of Seenian equipment and even his arrest and neutralization is secondary to that. So our goal should be to gain his trust and play along for awhile. Maybe we can find out where the Sinister Alliance has its headquarters as a bonus to all this, but if he wears a Seenian Battle suit what would keep him from running amok inside our ship?”

Cateria pointed at a PDD she was holding and said. “The scans you made inside that container confirm that he is indeed wearing a Seenian battle suit, but it is certainly not fully activated. I am convinced it is damaged, because it is a command version and it would otherwise never accept a non Seenian.”

I asked. “We are assuming he is Admiral Swybar, but McElligott said that this is not entirely certain. Could we not perhaps be dealing with a genuine member of your species? Maybe you are not the only one who survived all this time in suspended animation.”

She shrugged. “That would certainly explain how they managed to install Seenian shields and the ZP Cannon. Since I exist it is not completely out of the question. If we can obtain some genetic material, I can find out of course.”

Mehdi who was sitting on the table as well, looking quite regal wearing an orange colored turban to his uniform. “It is doubtful, a genuine Seenian would have more than just a few pieces of this technology. His overall behavior and actions I analyzed, suggests that he is indeed the former Admiral. There is clearly a pattern of hate and revenge motivated actions and statements he made suggesting that. Also his gait, gesture pattern and way of expressing himself matches the recordings I obtained from said former Admiral.”

“His gait?” I asked

“Yes Captain, masks and disguises are not very effectiv tools to hide someone’s true identity, especially if there are recordings and samples of the unmasked person on file. Every being that uses legs or similar appendixes develops a very distinctive individual movement pattern that is as individual as one’s brainwave pattern.”

I touched my mask lying on the table. “So you say this method you guys developed makes masks and disguises obsolete?”

“The method was developed on Earth long before the Ascent and was called biometric analysis. It was seemed obsolete and was forgotten by most, with the ability to compare brainwave patterns as a way to identify a person.” He smiled. “TSI however has never forgotten it and it became a very intensive field of research at PSICOM for a very long time. Including the analysis of biometrics of all known species.”

“This is fascinating.”

Har-Hi was also intrigued. “You can do this for every being?”

“Within limits yes. Narth for example all move exactly alike, have the same height, form and voice. However I can distinguish our Mr. Narth from other Narth, as he has developed his own way of moving and uses a different speech and expression pattern than any other Narth we observed. However in your case, Captain it would be impossible to match you with any biometric patterns of your previous identity. Your female identity has changed your gait and way of moving. Only someone with intimate knowledge of you would recognize that your approach to situations and expressions have changed little.”

Shea laughed. “That is quite true, Captain. He seems to have that intimate knowledge. This field of Biometrics intrigues me and I will make it a point to read up on it.”

His handsome dark brown face fell. “And making me obsolete Lt. Schwartz. I have no doubt you will become best PSICOM specialist. However I would be honored to instruct you.”

I looked at him. “Mr. Mehdi no one in this crew will ever become obsolete, while I have something to say about that. You impressed me deeply with your abilities, but it always has been a doctrine of mine to cross train as much as possible, so we all learn and benefit from each other. I am going to make you part of the bridge crew if you like that and you too will rotate through the departments and hold the Con when it is your turn. I too want to learn from you, not that I ever hope to understand even ten percent of it, it is a very valuable skill to have.”

His face lit up and he revealed a set of perfect white teeth. “That always has been a dream of mine. Will you let me learn Helm, too?”

Shaka sitting next to him gave me a look, I nodded with a smile and our Zulu prince said. “Report to me tomorrow, we get you steer the ship in no time.”

After this exchange I steered the conversation back to the original subject. “No matter who he is under that disguise. He does wear that suit and I remember how hard it was to stop Cateria. So Har-Hi’s question becomes even more valid. We had a hard time stopping you with ship sized weapons. What can we do to if he attacks?”

Cateria answered. “I wasn’t even wearing a command battle suit like he seems to have, just a standard model, but ever since I came aboard, Cirruit and I are working on a few ideas. Not that we expected to run into a pirate with Seenian tech but we managed to incorporate some Seenian ideas into his latest generation of battle Nanites. Besides this is not a Barracuda, but the Tigershark.”

As usual when we sat in the Pirate’s Den there were other Crewmembers present and the Garbini Engineer turned Medtech raised one of his tentacles.

“Captain?”

I turned to look at the Garbini and said. “Yes, Specialist?”

“My roommate is Shail, Ma’am. Even though he is pursuing an Engineering career now, he is still Shail and there aren’t any better poison experts in the Galaxy. Suits protect only from the outside and the Shail have poisons that defy our best Auto Docs.”

I grinned. “What a splendid idea. Let us prepare for that dinner and make it a memorable occasion...”

Sobody rubbed his small hands.

“Can I be in charge of that, Captain?”

To him I said. “It would not be memorable if you didn’t plan it. So of course you are in charge.”

ASSEMBLY DOME, PLURIBUS UNUM
The leader of all Nul could not help but being deeply impressed by the giant sphere. It was more than an architectural masterpiece of tremendous size, it was a symbol of power.

He had just arrived after a very fast flight from the Nul new core world aboard the newest and fastest Arsenal ship, the USS Major Knt’she. A 4,800 meter behemoth that dwarved everything of the Nul fleet.

But he was not treated as a mere guest, but with the greatest respect and courtesy.

The Vanguard had replaced the USS Shetland as the Union flag ship and was the ship designated for Admiral McElligott. While the Admiral of the Fleet was not aboard, he had been talking to the Admiral via Avatar technology.

Now he had arrived at the very center of Union might. He stood there at the very center of the sphere, aptly named the Focus Point. He slowly looked around unable to count the many alcoves. Not far from him, hovered a small ball shaped object and on it stood the Speaker of the Assembly, a six limbed large being of a truly terrifying appearance, even to the Nul. The frightful looking being growled at him. “Your Highness are you sure you want to address the Assembly from the Focus Point. I gladly make my speaker alcove available to you.”

“No, I had to see this and I want to address the Union as it is propperly done.”

“Whenever you are ready, Your Highness. Simply tell me.”

“I have never seen a species like you, Speaker. What kind of being are you?”

“I am a Morthim, I come from the Andromeda galaxy. I’ll gladly show you to our Culture Pavilion after this.”

“I am ready.”

The Morthim opened his acoustic pick up. The volume was only slightly raised, but all representatives and of course the billions watching heard the speaker clearly.

“This is docket number one on this Five Day of Red Week in the 3rd Annual Division of the Year 5020. Before us today is His Highness the All Leader of the Nul Xor. He has expressed his wish to address us all to clear up the confusion and talk of war of the past days.”

The Morthim made an inviting gesture.”Your Highness...”

The Nul was an impressive being and he spread his big arms in a universally understood gesture. “Assembly of the Union, Citizens of the Union. I am Xor and I am the leader of all that is Nul-Nul. We are known to be war like and refuse communication. This has almost led to war, let me tell you what occured.”

The Nu leader told the Assembly how their next leader was abducted, sold to the Death Fight arena on Sin 4 and how Duke Donheer under the direction of the Shiss was casting the Union as the culprit.

The Nul ended his speech saying. “To be frank, we knew the Union liked to test our resolve, but in open battle engagements, not by collaborating with a pirate.

It was not that pirate but the Shiss. Now I can not go in detail about the events that followed, but our prince, my offspring is safe.

These events that almost led to war showed us Nul that we must open dialog with you, the Union. We already see evidence that you are indeed trustworthy. We Nul paid dearly everytime we were asked to trust another entity. This time however we asked others to trust us. As of today Nul no longer consider the Union our enemy but our ally and I hereby ask for open relations and offer unlimited cooperation.”

The speech was received by cheers and standing ovation. The Nul added after the Assembly had quieted down. “I know there are ears and eyes of hostile and unfriendly parties upon this proceedings, to you I say. Nul will stand on Union side.”

The Nul leader was then led on a tour of the Assembly and met with many representatives. He visited the culture pavilion of the Morthim and was deeply impressed. Morthim appeared to be bred and engineered to kill Pertharians and as savage and alien they were, they were welcomed. He learned about the Camogi, the Non-Corps. Was utterly amazeed by the Bellebees, the Hotzies. He conversed with the Avatar representation of a Bandrupo, a Lyrharm and what appeared to be a huge spaceborn entity named Eduk.

He then spoke to the representative of the Narth.

Xor was nearly four meters all, could alter the density of his outer shell and was a trained Nul warrior, yet he could not help but feel small in the presence of the Narth.

The Nul had been around for much longer than many other societies. Seven times did the Nul bomb themselves to stone age conditions before they were united by the first gray Nul.

Yet their originial homeworld still existed, Narl Gatu. Xor knew that the Nul met with Narth over a billion years ago. The Narth where enigmatic and utterly powerful even back then.

The Narth bowed slightly. “It pleases Narth that the Nul have ended their isolation. It is also fortunate that your offspring was on Sin 4 at that very time.”

Xor did not want to question the Narth, but he did it anyway. “Xon was almost killed, he escaped wounded and partially disabled, how could this be fortunate?”

“The offspring of Your Highness was on Sin 4 while the nephew of my dear friend was there. Your first born, despite his formidable skills and power had only a 0.3 percent chance to leave this death fight event alive on his own.”

Xor had to agree that this was true. He had seen the recordings of the fight and he had spoken to Xon. “The details are highly classified and I agreed to honor your Admiral’s wishes.”

The Saresii delegate that stood close said. “Not to worry, your highness. My friends and I hold the highest security classifications and are briefed on the details and where your son ended up.”

Xor made the Nul gesture of relief. “It is true, Xon was saved by a female Union captain acting undercover in Freespace. Not too long ago we Nul would have gone to war learning that you operate a ship there despite the Freespace treaty conditions, but now Xon is part of the crew of that very ship.”

The Saresii pointed at the third man.”This is Egill Skallagrímsson, he is directly related to Captain Olafson.”

That broke the ice and all four started to share stories.

TIGERSHARK
It was eight in the evening or Five hour as this time was supposedly called after the Union Time keeping reform act, when the Red Dragon, four of his officers and four Pirate Captains arrived in a Shiss Landing tank. I had them enter over an extended Ramp into the Pirate’s Den, so they would not see the rest of the ship or ride the IST

The Golden, his rodent shadow and my Elly Chef went all out to provide an impressive meal.

From where the massive open grill had came from, I had no idea, but I was instantly reminded of Uncle Hogun and I almost expected him to be there. The grill had a shimmering force field chimney and most of the smoke was funneled away into the ship’s atmospheric recycling systems, but the savory smell of freshly seared meat was spreading all over the former Hangar bay. I was not sure what kind of animal was slowly turning on the spit but it was huge. I was assured it was safe for humans to eat.

As the eight men stepped through the hangar door they stopped in their tracks. One of them was an Oghar Captain and he could not take his eyes of the stacks of boxes overflowing with Polo Coins, the stacked Polo Cubes in the back and the several meter tall pile of Iridium ingots right next to it that not even I had noticed before.

Our eclectic collection of strange art and curiosities had grown as well, prominent displayed a charred piece of armor plate with the words Mighty Nine stenciled on it. The bloody hand of the Duke still holding that remote control encased in crystal clear material. I silently cursed whoever decided to put a life action doll of Black Velvet fighting a stomper right next to it.

The gothic shaped braziers were lit and flickered with dark red flames.

The immense chandelier above our big table provided a warm light that made the polished precious metals glow and sparkle.

Our big round table was laid out with the finest china, crystal drink ware, bowls and plates of massive gold and platinum grouped around a three tiered center piece overflowing with fruits and fresh vegetables. It too was made of platinum and gold and was big enough to serve an entire family of starving Saturnians.

I was wearing a black velvet body hugging gown and a matching eye mask with a wispy veil. I greeted them saying.

“Welcome to the Silver Streak. Have a seat, eat, drink and be merry. We do not have guests all that often but according to time honored traditions, enemies and friends alike shall find peace and hospitality while at my table.”

The Red Dragon who was wearing the same red outfit and that he had worn before said:

“One should never judge the book by its cover. One would never suspect to see such splendor inside what appears to be such a rust bucket from the outside.”

I spread my gloved arms and said. “There might be some rust here and there, but the Silver Streak has served me well and I would not exchange it even for the formidable Red Dragon you command.”

He introduced his associates and bumped the Oghar next to him, who finally managed to take his eyes of the Polonium chests and looked at me.

“This big fellow goes by the name of Captain Meateater and he commands the Intruder, the silent Togar to my right is Captain Carrhrh of the Celestial Nightmare. The third Captain, here is a member of the Puup. He has a solid reputation as Privateer all over this region of space. To introduce him as gentleman is pushing the envelope of course, but he does go by the name of Captain Brathering of the Uhuin.”

He pointed to the Jooltar. This is Captain Sodex. You should have heard of him.

The Warthok probably forgot his real name, but they call him the Cruel One, a reputation well earned I assure you”

The Red Dragon came to the last. “And finally this gentleman here, one of my more recent acquaintances, Captain Ivok.”

The Oghar grunted. “This is a fine treasure you got there. I also noticed your Nul weaponry. Nothing to be trifled with.”

I shrugged. “I find it necessary to have certain devices handy to reinforce my arguments. Such arguments do occur quite regularly in this kind of business as you surely know.”

He grunted something I did not understand and they all sat down. Food was served and I noticed that the Red Dragon only ate after I did and he selected the same food choices. His mask I noticed now allowed him to eat without the need to take it off. The Oghar and the rest however ate like starving Tyrannos.

The conversation during the main course was just small talk, but as the Elly served dessert and fine liquors I leaned back and said. “Maybe it is time you come to the real reason you have invited yourself. I am eager to get some vacuum under my keel and leave dirt side soon.”

Red Dragon held up the glass he was using and looked at the golden liquid.

“You certainly know how to treat your guests. This is the finest Blue Blood Chardonnay I have tasted in ages. If I am not mistaken it is from the Sapphire Winery that supplies the Court of the Thauran Emperor itself.

I truly appreciate your hospitality and it almost pains me to do what I have to do next. You see my associate Captain Meateater has a ship that isn’t up to par and barely made it to Sin 4. Suitable ships are rare to come by and since he likes the Silver Streak I think it will serve him well.”

He put the glass down. “Be a good girl and give him all the command codes now and without any fuss, I might even let you live and offer you a nice bedroom aboard my ship so you can serve me when I have the need for female attention.”

At his words the pirate Captains pulled their weapons and pointed them at me.

The Red Dragon said. “Now before you get all upset and shooting starts. Let me tell you that I am wearing one of my Celtest Battle suits and there is nothing you can do that will stop me to do whatever I please. Now get started, the Command codes now or I start killing every one of your crew and rape you until I have what I need. “He looked around and added “It looks like there are enough treasures to buy a brand new ship with all the trimmings even if you die before I have the codes.”

I had let him speak, dabbing my mouth with measured moves with a napkin under the veil of my mask and said. “You know dear Dragon, I did not come this far to trust anyone and I would not have invited you inside my ship without taking some precautions. If you would pay real attention and look to your side you will notice a Shail. Now I am not sure if you are aware of the Shail reputation and their particular skill and knowledge of very complex poisons, but you all swallowed enough quite lethal Shail bio toxins to kill half of Sin 4. As the glasses were laced with it, you did too. The final outcome is of course lethal but it will take a little time to take full effect. I think you might feel the first effects already, the only antidote is well hidden and only I know where.”

Captain Meateater grabbed his throat with his left while he pointed his big Flamer gun directly at me.

“The Antidote now or you die.”

“It is very unwise to threaten the only person with the antidote. I might just decide to die before I give in on your demands, so I suggest you press that trigger.”

He actually did, but nothing happened. His weapon inactive.

Now my friends pulled their weapons. Krabbel zipped from the ceiling with six heavy old style TKUs in each of his legs. Hans, the Gray Nul and TheOther came from behind the curtains, their massive weapons pointed at the now frightened looking pirates. Marines disguised as pirates completed the half circle around me and then Har-Hi pulled both his swords with a slow metallic sound that was as threatening as it looked.

Red Dragon pointed his finger at me and screamed. “There is enough energy in my finger blaster to render you all to ashes, while my shields will protect me from everything you have.

But his hand turned, quite obviously against his will and he stared at his own finger.

I was the only one still sitting and I poured myself a cup of coffee and carefully spooned some sugar in it. “The weapons of your associates have been rendered inoperative. I used some Black Velvet magic if you will. And the weapon in your finger would need to go through your skull first before it can harm anyone else.”

He groaned. “You think psionic tricks will save you? My shields will take care of that.”

Shea got up holding her sword and sliced his uniform open and cut away the Seenian weapon belt from his waist. Her wondrous blade sliced right through the supposedly indestructible material of his suit.

I sipped at my coffee and said. “I wonder why you are not doing just that.”

Brathering groaned. “Do something; you said your suit is unstoppable. I can feel the poison working. I don’t feel well.”

Red Dragon yelped in pain as his own finger started to poke him in his right eye.

I said “What a cruel fate, poked to death by your own finger. Now I wonder if that is the death the ruler of the Galaxy thought he would suffer?”

His finger now poked his nose and he yelped. “Cut that out. It was all just a joke, a test of course. I wasn’t serious.”

I got up walked slowly around the big table and watched him being poked again, this time in the other eye. Shea had sliced almost half of his suit of his body and the blade that had no trouble cutting through the supposedly indestructible Seenian material was now only a fraction of a hairs width away from his throat.

I got close to him. “I don’t buy lies my dear Dragon. Now I could easily take your lives and your ships and whatever else I please. Your associates are already turning into nice shades of green, a wonderful side effect of the poison. I am certain you don’t feel so fresh either.”

I turned to walk away but then faced him again. “Oh wait, you wanted to rape me. I think I know a better place for that finger.”

His hand now twisting in a painful manner as his arm lowered towards his behind. His suit was in tatters, sliced in ribbons by Shea.

Cateria who had joined us moments ago, picked up a piece of the suit from the floor. “Looks like the command module. I am certain his suit is now completely inoperative.”

He groaned and actually jumped as his finger touched a rather unsavory region of his body and said with pain but little conviction in his voice.

“You would not dare.”

I pointed at his groin and Shea’s blade followed my gesture and I said.

“You wanted to rape me and now you think I would not dare to cut you into ribbons and sell your carcass to the Skaakh kitchens? But I’ll tell you what, I’ll let you go. You tire me. You may return in one hour with one million in Polo Full weights for each of you. I will then give you the Anti-dote. If you decide not to do it, that is your choice and your funeral.”

Hans, TheOther and the Gray Nul grabbed the helpless Pirates and simply threw them out the main door. They landed hard on the ramp and limped down the rest scrambling to their waiting Landing tank but they never reached it, their tank was lifted into the air and forcefully slammed into the ground, a dozen times till it was a twisted smoking pile of metal. Whoever was inside had no chance.

I turned to Narth.

“Seeing your telekinetic abilities turning a seventy ton tank into scarp was actually quite scary.”

Narth said. “That wasn’t me.”

He pointed at the young girl with the big eyes stepping from behind him.

She has been awake since this morning and I promised her she could help.”

I looked at her and said:

“That was a great job Alice.”

She lost her sad expression for a moment as a smile hushed over her thin lips.

I knelt down. “Is there anything that would cheer you up more permanently? And should you not have left with your father. I am surprised you are still here.”

She shook her head.

Cateria said. “She was in intensive care when the Minerva was here, now she is under Narth’s care and I am certain there is no better help for her, as she trusts him.”

The girl said. “No Captain Olafson. I am content right here. My dad is safe and can help our friends the Stik and Narth is a very good teacher. He made the headache go away and knows how I can use the invisible hands without hurting myself. I am very glad to be here and will help when I can.”

I sighed. “Now we running a nursery on top of it all, but as soon as you are well enough and we have our next contact, you can go and join your father. The Union has great specialists too.”

She nodded.

“So it was you poking the guy in the eyes? It was a bit out of character for Narth I must admit.”

She nodded and smiled a moment longer. “I watched him from behind the curtain. He wasn’t very nice.”

Narth looked at me with his glowing eyes.

“I must admit I liked the idea and helped a bit.”

I rolled my eyes. “I am not sure this Universe is ready for a Narth with a mischievous streak”

Then we watched our guests run across the landing field to their ships.

I mused aloud. “I wonder if we revealed too many of our aces or if Mehdi’s psycho analysis is correct and they do come back and offer us a spot in that expedition.

Cirruit appeared in the hangar door and said. “If not, they all taking a load of Nanites into their ships. We should be able to hack into their systems and get that info without chasing them half across the galaxy.

The cold night wind brushed over my naked shoulders and, while I always liked the cold, I actually wished for a jacket or something and said:

“Your new Nanites?”

He nodded and said: “Yes the ones I based on Cateria’s designs I think in eight to ten months I might be able to replicate them to be just as good as the Seenian ones.”

Cateria, her hands on the shoulders of the girl, said: “In some aspects they are already as good. We should be glad however that he was not able to activate his suit fully or even know of its capabilities. He did have a full Casern with him.”

I turned to look at her and said. “Something bad, right?”

She frowned and responded. “Very bad, a subspace pocket with 100 Seenian Battle droids.”

“Where is it now?”

“Safely away with Narth, also in some sort of Subspace pocket he has under his shroud. Until we can get the proper codes, it is suicide to open it.”

I pointed in the distance towards the Red Dragon.

“So he isn’t Seenian?”

She shook her head and held up her PDD.

“No, we have a sample of his DNA now. Lt. Senhadjii was correct, he is Thauran alright and we are pretty sure he is the disgraced Admiral Swybar.”

“It’s not just a load of nanites, Shea said. Our newest crewmember, Specialist Noleii assisted Petty Officer Torbux with the biological component of your plan.”

I blinked surprised. “She assisted with what?”

Shea smiled wickedly.”She did not just arrive empty handed, she brought along a nice little arsenal of bio based weapons and organisms. Such as a weaponized, genetic altered Cimex lectularius. Our guests are crawling with those.”

“Cimex lectul ... what?”

“Terran bed bugs, Captain.”

“I still don’t understand what they are.”

“Bloodsucking, biting insects of a very small size. They leave itching welts and these modified ones are able to carry a varietey of bio toxins and inject them.”

“Uh that is nasty.”

“It is, Captain.”

I shivered and walked back in and gestured over the dinner table. “Alright, let’s get everyone off duty down here to eat, it would be a shame to have all this wonderful food go to waste.”

ABOARD THE RED DRAGON
The mood was different than before. The Oghar scratched the little bumps he was getting all over his skin and saw the others weren’t any better off. Red Dragon had taken off the remnants of his torn and cut battle suit that was not repairing itself as he hoped it would.

He scratched himself all over as well.

The Oghar asked. “What are we going to do know? I don’t have a million Polos, after paying for the spare parts I needed, half a million maybe but that’s all I got.”

Shupuz had already scratched himself bloody on several spots and growled.

“I have a good mind and kill you before I go. No one can stop me once I am inside, you said. She toyed with us the entire time.”

“I can’t understand why my suit failed. It should have protected me, even from her Psionic talent or the PSI user she seems to have in her crew.”

The Oghar glared at the Red Dragon. “Maybe because you are no Celtest and don’t know how to use the suit or it is broken and you didn’t know that because you are no Celtest. It is nothing more than scrap now. Cut by a simple sword. Not that advanced or indestructible if you ask me.”

Ivok also kept scratching asked with a miserable tone in his voice.” Will you pay for my antidote? I can’t get a million fullweights.”

Despite all his misery Meateater sighed and said. “Have you seen that table? It alone could buy me a new ship with the finest equipment. I could not begin to guess how many Polo’s were in those chests. Who could have known she has a Shail in her crew?”

The Puup raised his claw. “She is a female. Females like to kill with poison.”

The Wartook tore on his shirt so he could scratch a spot he could not get to fast enough. “She played with us, she has a Y’All and a Nul in her crew. Something tells me she might be doing pirate business for all those 400 years they say she does. There are lots of legends and stories about real demons inside the Igrass Expanse. I am convinced she used demon magic to overcome your suit and turn the tank to scrap.”

Red Dragon slammed his fist on the table. “Nonsense. That you are superstitious and believe all this supernatural garbage the miners and scoopers tell, is well known. It was psionics I am sure, maybe she is Saresii.” He scratched his arms vigorously.”None of you have a good medic aboard?”

The Oghar sighed. “No mine is drunk most of the time and I don’t bother much with wounded.”

Ivok said.” I have a decent Sickbay but no medic or Med Bot, the real good ones are Union and impossible to pay for, but I know Crimson Curse has a good Medic and a decent Sick Bay.”

Shupuz nodded. “I sold most of my med gear to Crimson. It was good Kermac tech but I had no one able to use it. How about you?”

Red Dragon now ripped his Bioflex mask of revealing his Thauran face and two bloodshot eyes, above several welts on his cheeks and chin.

“I am going to kill her. If it is the last thing I do. We are on Sin 4 there must be a Med Facility somewhere.”

Shupuz shook his wide head. “One that comes up with an antidote against a Shail poison? I doubt it.”

“We can crawl back with every Polo we have or we go to Crimson and hope his medic is good enough.”

Oghar pointed to the viewport. “Crimson is no longer an option he is just lifing off.” They all watched the Crimson Hunter climb into the night sky.

Elfi called me in the Pirate’s Den after the dinner as I helped to clean the table.

“Captain, the Red Dragon is calling. Do you want to take it?”

The Golden simply took the stack of plates I was holding and I said, giving him a thankful nod: “Yes, Elfi, pipe it down but let them wait three minutes.”

Shea put the tray down she had used to gather the silverware, brought me my mask and tugged it in place. Ship activated a field screen and the Red Dragon became visible. He was wearing a loose cloth mask and kept scratching his arms. To the side behind him the Puup who was also scratching himself.

I said without greeting him. “I don’t accept any transferable currencies, only cash in the form of Polo full weights or Iridium Chips.”

He sounded tired as he said. “Let us end this, Captain Velvet. You have showed us you can play in the big league and we lost the gamble. It also showed me you are very resourceful and that is what counts for my planned endeavor. I have tied up all my cash resources in that project and don’t have seven million in Fullweights, but I’ll let you have the other suit. It is Celtest and worth way more than that.”

I leaned back.

“You are right, the Celtest suit is worth that. Have it brought over. You’ve got about twelve more minutes by my calculation, but I could be off a few.”

He sighed and said. “It is already sitting in a crate before your shields. I give you my word, no tricks.”

I cut him off, nodded to Cateria and Cirruit and said:

“Check it out first. Make sure there are no surprises hidden.”

A few moments later Cateria’s voice came over the Comm.

“It is the suit. It is undamaged and there is nothing else, no Nanites, no microbes nothing remote controlled.”

“Alright, secure it and put it away safely.”

I waited another two minutes and opened the channel again.

“Alright Red Dragon, here is the anti-dote. Take a bath using soap and water, that will take care of the outer symptoms. As for the internal symptoms, they should subside about now.”

At first he cursed. But then he laughed.

“You know I like your style, stick around for five or six more days and I’ll make your wait worthwhile.”

The next morning, I came onto the bridge at 0600.

Three-Four holding the con and got up “Good morning Captain”.

“Good morning Lieutenant.” I also acknowledged the rest of the morning watch and sat down in the Command Chair.

“Should I call the Senior Officers to the Bridge?” He asked.

“No not yet, let them sleep.”

Of course I knew the names of all my officers, but with the exception of Three-Four and TheOther manning Communications I knew little about them. As I turned to see who was at the engineering console, I could not completely stop the smile that crept into my face. “Mr. Warner, are you pulling double shifts? Haven’t I seen you on First Dog watch too?”

“I wasn’t on duty then, Captain. Sobody was.”

“I see. Well Mr, Warner since you are the engineer on duty, any engineering issues?”

“No Captain, the TransDim tap is online again. All systems are fully operational.”

Sitting at Shaka’s station was a very tall Andorian. According to his personal file he had completed his Midshipman year just six month prior to us on the USS Boney Hoo. Unlike Shaka he was not able to use the Virtu Helm system, but had a high Helm rating of 503. Other than that he was more or less just a face to me.

“Mr. Rohmor while we are dirt side, please run space battle simulations 45 and 46. Coordinate with tactical.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

TheOther was sitting behind the Communications station.

“Day Code and union fleet brief received at 0001 hours, Captain. Sealed command portion available in your message box, Captain.”

“Very good, Mr. TheOther.”

I opened the classified portion and memorized the day code. The daily fleet brief was a standard message that was transmitted to all Union ships and Navy posts. It contained the state of the Union, a list of hostile and potentially hostile situations and societies and an abridged report on all Assembly decisions that could affect the Navy. Such as new members accepted or societies applying for membership...

A new member had been welcomed yesterday, the Osirians. A species native to Andromeda.

The speech of the Nul leader was on top of the news as well.

“Say Mr. TheOther, I always wondered why we have GalNet contact, we technically further away from Union space then Brhama Port?”

There is a relay chain, that is how the Death games got transmitted. I think there are a few Union corporations doing business here as well.”

“I was suspecting that, thank you.”

The being at the Science Console was the Leedei, Ensign Fichier. His file mentioned that he had served with the Science Corps for five years before he decided to join the Fleet. I blinked his file up while I said.

“Ensign Fichier anything to report?”

“All our science labs are busy. We are currently conducting research on the specimen we collected at Trash Island. A team is working on the Duro-crete eating microbes, they are trying to realize your idea in creating a bio based weapon. Others work on a detailed atmosphere analysis. There is an ongoing anthropology study on the Stik and...”

I interrupted him and said. “Seems you are quite busy down there. I look forward to read the science department summary report for the log book. Anything on the ship of this Brathering?”

“Yes Ma’am. Cirruit and Mao are working on a detailed report as we speak. The Uhuim is a genuine Kermac T Cruiser and as pirate ships go, perhaps with the exception of the Red Dragon the most powerful pirate ship out there. This is not a customized civilian ship, but a purpose built war ship. We only conducted visual and passive scans so far but it appears the ship is fully armed with six big Kermac Line Blaster Cannons and the latest Kermac shimmer shields. We think she can reach 500 klicks to the second. I can read 271 life forms.”

“How did we come to this number? I thought life form scans require active sensors?”

“Sir, I am not Narth, but I am still Leedei and without trying to brag, I am one of the most gifted of my kind. I register 18000 on the HPI. My psionics are solely telepathic. I can read them easy.

“I should mention that we also have a Leedei Tele Psi device as part of our sensor equipment. We are the first ship in the Union fleet that carries the latest and most advanced Leedei tech as you know; we made use of it twice now. Even Narth is impressed by it.”

“I am too, Mr. Fichier. Not only do I learn something new about my ship, almost every day. I also learn much about its marvelous crew. I am also impressed by you, Ensign.”

I never been around Leedei much, but I could tell he was both pleased and a little embarassed. “Thank you, Captain. This is the best posting!”

A voice said. “Indeed and one fact is that you have a SHIP that orders breakfast for her captain.” Our Elly chef had appeared next to me, uncovering a platter with bacon filled bread. “SHIP told me that this is a traditional Neo Viking breakfast. I didn’t have Fangsnapper bacon, so I used traditional one, but the bread is baked after instructions downloaded from Nilfeheim radio.”

I wanted to correct Mr. Eeeryt and SHIP that this was not a traditional breakfast, but the mouthwatering smell filling the bridge was simply too tempting.

“Mr. Eeeryt, that was very thoughtful of you and I guess I could indulge myself this morning. Having a breakfast like this every morning though, and I look like a butterfly without wings in that suit of mine.”

He was visibly proud as I lauded his creation after taking a bite. It was about as good as food could possibly be. I had him pass the platter around so everyone that wanted could try.

“SHIP, I forgot to say thank you. I doubt even CENTRON does this for Stahl”

“I have it on good authority, CENTRON personally supervises the Devi’s onboard brewery to make sure Stahl’s beer meets the Admiral’s expectations and CENTRON selects Stahl’s music and...”

“And you know that how?”

“I asked CENTRON for advice on how to be a good AI.”

“You don’t need advice on that. I am very proud of my SHIP. But one thing is clear; we are not a pirate ship or a proper Union vessel. Let’s hope they never publish our log book.”

I got up, “Seems everything is under control. Mr. Three-Four you have the Con. I am having a cup of coffee in the Den.”

I actually contemplated to return to bed, as I walked past my quarters. But I was already up and had been an early riser all my life. I decided against sleeping but was not in a particular hurry.

I was relaxed but still noticed a crew member, down the corridor changing direction very fast as I approached.

Now it could have been coincidence, but I somehow had the distinct feeling, that crew member didn’t want to run into the Captain.

Instead of taking the IST, I followed the corridor further. There wasn’t much more here on the command deck. Har-Hi’s quarters, a second conference room, the upper Armory filled with the latest Union weaponry, most of it still prototypes or test units. There were twelve so called VIP quarters behind that, finally there was the senior officer’s mess and officer’s lounge. We had never used any of these facilities; I just knew they were there.

Command deck was the smallest deck and all the way on top of the ship. Most civilizations built their bridge or command center deep within the bowels of a ship, to protect this vital part, but Union planners always had Translocator cannons in mind and to these weapons it mattered little where the bridge or engineering was. While no known adversary of the Union had Translocator technology, it was always considered that this secret could be stolen or some unknown species used something similar.

In case of an emergency the entire Command Deck could be separated from the Tigershark and turn into an independent spacecraft with FTL engines. It was called the Captain’s Yacht.

One of these days I planned to run a drill of separation and re-uniting the Yacht, but that would have to wait until we could be ourselves.

While I was thinking all this I went down the slightly curved corridor to catch up with that captain avoiding crew member. Initially I had not noticed more than a movement, but now almost caught up coming around the corridor bent, I saw a human female with blue skin and shiny coppery hair slip past the doors of the Officer’s mess.

A Thauran aboard my ship and from the looks of it, up to no good.

I was just about to call for security when I stopped myself. I had to make sure before I made a fool of myself.

The Tigershark wasn’t the Devi, but still a big ship and I hardly knew all of my crew. Sure I had seen them all assembled when I gave my initial speech or taking part at the meals in the Den but there could of course be a Thauran crew member, they were unfortunately Union members after all.

I rushed in the completely deserted Officers mess. Eight tables and chairs and a serving counter, closed with a steel shutter. Everything looked brand new and had the distinct feel of a place that has never been used, everything was brand new, some of it even still wrapped in plastic film.

It had of course the same mustard yellow carpet and the walls were covered with warm wood paneling. Polished old fashioned looking brass lights gave the place a luxurious, elegant feel.

Only now I noticed a woman standing by a large view port.

She stood close to the curtains that framed that viewport almost as if she wanted to hide behind them. She was quite obviously terrified, and she was Thauran there was no doubt.

She snapped into attention as I came closer. She wore standard fleet issue uniform and had the rank pins of an ensign on her collar and shoulders.

“At ease Ensign. I was ... well I am curious what you are doing here?”

“Ma’am. I was eating here. I didn’t want to...”

“You are not in any trouble or anything. I just noticed you turning as I approached and that made follow. Frankly I had never been here.”

“No one ever comes here, Ma’am. Ever since we have the Pirate’s Den not even the main mess hall is used,”

“Then why do you?”

“Because I am Thauran, Ma’am and there is this rumor that ... well it was suggested that I stay out of your sight as much as possible.”

I suddenly felt very guilty. I had not been very subtle with my comments expressing my dislike for Thaurans. I even contaminated my best friend Narth with prejudgemental thoughts. How terrible must she feel, thinking her own Captain hated her, just for what she was. Making her eat alone and try to hide from me, even fear me.

“Ensign, I confess I am guilty of the one thing I truly dislike and yet I have done exactly that without even realizing. I also was told never to apologize, but in this case I simply have to.” Her name, was Dybur as her name tag identified her, “Ms. Dybur, I really want to apologize if I have by word, action or deeds offended you; made you feel unwelcome and even afraid. Upon reflection I am certain I have done just that.”

She just stood there.

“Ensign forget that I am the Captain for a moment. There is an old man, one of my mentors and teachers and he called me a fool quite often and right now I can hear his voice calling me that again.”

“Captain, you are not a fool and the crew really respects you. I am sorry for being a Thauran. I know of our reputation oh too well. I am of a high house and have been guilty of our ways myself. It’s not just you, Captain. There are many who dislike Thaurans. We don’t make friends easily and...”

I put my hand on her shoulder.

“Well maybe we can try to remedy that. It is true that my past experience with individuals of your kind colored my perception, but it is no excuse for judging and even hating a race or a species. Come Ensign let us have breakfast and in the Den together and you tell me more about you and I tell you about Chief Sodar, a Thauran Weapons Engineer aboard the Devi and about a certain Egill Skallagrimsson who made me clean his tower.”

She suddenly smiled.

“Thank you Captain, I would like that.”

I raised my voice a notch and said. SHIP please put me on ship wide.”

“Ship wide active, Captain.”

“This is Captain Olafson and I want to everyone to know that I have reprimanded myself and will record this in our official log. I have in word and deed offended and discriminated against members of our crew and members of the Union. A Thauran crew member felt she had to hide from me. Caused by my insensitivity and openly displayed racism and dislike. This is unacceptable anywhere in the Union, it is unacceptable aboard any Union ship and most certainly on mine. Our society’s core value is based on the inclusion of everyone, to celebrate the differences that make us individuals and embrace with pride what unites us. I was told once, Officers do not apologize but nothing less will do to express my shame and my true felt regrets for my conduct. To her and everyone else that might have been offended or affected by me. We will hunt, bring to justice and perhaps even terminate the lives of those who oppose us, but race, species or origin shall never be the motivation or reason. So in closing I repeat my apologies and hope it will be accepted.”

The Thauran woman snapped in attention. “Captain, apologies accepted. Thank you.”

Chapter 17
There was always someone in our Pirate Den. It had become the most popular recreation room of the ship. Even more than the actual R Deck facilities. It had become a second mess hall and if needed with dividing curtains raised there was plenty of room for the entire crew to eat. Of course it also provided a challenge for the galley, as this was a Hangar and not meant for food service.

While there were vent-matics and drink dispensers on pretty much every deck. There weren’t any down here as the ship designers did not anticipate this unusual arangement, but that didn’t stop my crew. Cirruit had asked permission to make some changed and I knew he was working on ways to address the many logistical problems that my spontaneous idea to have our meals in a hangar caused.

Luckily my crew was still technically a skeleton crew. 360 serving her instead of the 800 she was designed to have.

As I entered our Pirate’s Den, a Vantax standing next to the door started to clap and seconds later everyone applauded me. The Vantax I had seen only during my initial address said. “Captain, I am proud to serve you. This was a mighty fine thing you did. I doubt any other Captain would have ever admitted to something and apologized.”

I tried to remember his name, as he was in civilian attire, he did not have a name tag. Thankfully I received Narth’s thoughts. “This is Lt. Ziodo. Call him Dr. Ziodo, he much prefers academic titles over his rank. He is part of our science department and the resident xeno biologist.”

“Dr. Ziodo, I appreciate the sentiment but this isn’t necessary. I still will have to give orders that won’t be liked and this perhaps raised expectations I can’t always meet.”

“You underestimate your crew, Captain. We are all Union citizens even before we started wearing uniforms. The commitment to duty and the understanding of doing one’s part is part of our shared society for nearly 3000 years.”

I wondered how a Vantax ended up in a Fleet ship. They were known to be very peaceful and shy and not very many found their way into the armed services.

The only other Vantax I had ever met was during year two at the Academy and he was a political science instructor there. The Vantax before me had the same rainbow fish skin, elongated head and triangular very pronounced eye sockets with deep black eyes. There was nothing that resembled a nose or ears. The deep set mouth reminded me of a Flicker fish. He also had very large hands with three fingers and a thumb.

He added. “Perhaps you wonder why a Vantax was picked for this crew, Captain?”

“Dr. Ziodo, this crew was handpicked by immortals and fleet admirals. So far I can say I am a very lucky Captain, they gave me perhaps the best crew in the Universe.”

“I am here, because I was aboard the Lucky Green, five years ago. We were attacked by pirates and many passengers lost their lives. Yes we Vantax are known to be peaceful and abhor violence in all its forms, but I came to realize that sometimes there is no alternative to violence if you want to live and protect yourself and those you care about. We Vantax are peaceful. Sadly the Universe isn’t. There are quite a few in your crew with similar stories, Captain. Almost all of us have lost loved ones to pirates, slavers and the like. Like your XO said, Captain. I too will travel to the end of the galaxy with you.”

“There isn’t really much I can add to this, Dr. Ziodo.” I was however deeply moved by his statement.

“Your idea of turning this local microbe into a material defeating weapon is brilliant, Captain. We just finished mapping the DNA and I am certain it can be tweaked to do what you had in mind.”

“It was just a hypothetical thought. I had no idea you guys take that literally.”

“All it takes is an idea for every invention.”

Over at the big table was Cirruit and a small crowd. I also noticed Narth and Shea.

Suddenly out from between them a black object with large wings shot up in the air with a loud screech and approached me fast.

The only weapon I had was the old Colt. I had the gun out of the holster in an eye blink but not fast enough. Whatever it was, landed on my shoulder.

To call me completely surprised was an understatement. Some kind of lizard like life form with large leathery wings, a long spiked tail and an equally long almost snake like neck with a small head, and a maw filled with needle sharp teeth sat right next to my face.

I was bringing up the old gun to blast the thing when my hand met with an invisible barrier and Narth said. “Please don’t kill it.”

“What in the name of Loki is that? And get it of my shoulder.”

The animal or whatever it was protested quite loud as invisible telekinetics lifted it off my shoulder, shredding the thin leather over the micro mesh in the process.

The whole gang present seemed to hold their collective breath.

“Hello guys this is your Captain. Something big, ugly and alive just landed on my shoulder and shredded my suit anyone care to explain.”

Narth said. “This is what hatched out of the egg that Cirruit bought at the pirate market the other day”.

I noticed it to be very intelligent and on the threshold of sentience. It also appears to feel a great attraction to you for some reason.”

“You let Cirruit bring in an alien egg and let it hatch? What if the thing hatched some mind controlling indestructible monster from another dimension, or contaminated us all with a deadly disease? Don’t we have proper bio containment equipment and specialists?”

I noticed Dien Tallow and the brunette scientist in the crowd and they both made guilty faces.

Shea said. “It’s clean, no harmful bacteria or any other kind of microbes. And it was in a cage, just moments ago...”

“So you say it harmless, right?”

Shea spread her arms. “No not exactly, we think it could be a tad dangerous”

“In Odin’s name. I don’t mind you buying souvenirs or collect critters at the trash dump, but I did not expect a flying snake with bat wing deciding to use me for a perch. Since you are all in it together, maybe you elect someone to explain the whole thing from the start and then what is it?”

Shea said. “Cirruit bought an egg from a curiosity dealer among many other things. And we scanned it all before he carried it aboard. Narth noticed the egg not to be a sculpture but the cell of a life form. He was certain the creature had latent psionic abilities.

Well Cirruit developed sort of fatherly feelings for it and did not want us to harm or dissect it.

Long story short it ended up in Bio Lab 2 safely contained, and it hatched overnight.

The life form somehow managed to get out and played with Cirruit and half the science staff.

Narth was certain the thing opened the cage with psionics and now we know it can phase shift.”

“Somehow got out doesn’t sound safely contained to me, and what is Phase Shift?”

“It is able to bypass matter in a quantum state. Or in other words going through solid objects. Now it can’t go through our quad-compacted Ultronit or the Neutronium lined walls armor of the Tigershark, but normal Ultronit walls inside and normal doors seem not to be a barrier.

It followed Cirruit and Narth said it has friendly feelings. In terms of science this little beast is an enigma and we don’t know what it is. Sobody thinks he knows an old legend of the Ongloran Empire about winged space demons. Not that anything like this exists,”

I said. “It does. Demons, beings of a Nether universe do exist. I think the inhabitants of a place called Anti Universe are close to that definition if I understand it correctly. The Netherworld are the source of many of these demonic stories.”

They all looked at me as if I told them I believed in faery tales.

Narth said, with a very uncharacteristic tone of surprise. “The Captain is correct; the Narth Supreme just verified it.”

Our Yeoman stepped next to me. “I am of the Coven and I have come from that Nether Plane. Our true existence is known to very few. Our Captain is the reason we Coven are Union members and the Narth Supreme has supported our membership. We decided to keep our true origin secret, as it is disturbing, hard to understand and frightful to most.

Only two humans alive have seen us in our true form and have not been afraid, Admiral Stahl and Captain Olafson.” She gestured towards the animal. “This little beast however is not from the Netherworlds as far as I can tell.Certainly not from any nether plane I know.”

Har-Hi gave me a strange look as he said. “We Dai have many legends of fiery winged demons haunting the Igras Expanse and a few other places beyond space known to the Union, so have many cultures. I am not surprised that there is truth to the legends, or that our captain knows about it. I am surprised that they are members of the Union though.”

“Only we Coven are. Not that there is much cross activity, Nether universe life usually can not exist here. Because you are more than shipmates I divulged this to but please do not add it to any offcial reports”

They all promised.

“Can we get back to that thing now?”

Narth said. “For reasons I can not ascertain this creature appears to have deep affection for you.”

“Let it go.”

Sure enough the vicious looking mini dragon or flying snake with legs screeched flapped his leathery wings and landed on my outstretched arm. “You couldn’t find us a Nubhir puppy or a cat?” I asked Cirruit.

Shea laughed.”The ship needed a mascot. I think this one fits quite nicely.”

I looked at the thing closer and said. “The dragon Fenris in our Book of Legends looks a bit like this thing.”

Over the next two days we heard nothing from the Red Dragon. But our own little dragon was seen playing with crew members all over the ship and seemed to feel right at home.

I wondered how I should phrase that in my logbook.

It was actually quite boring, sitting there on this landing field.

The fifth day passed without much going on. Elfi had hacked into their transmissions and we knew it was the Intruder that caused the delay. The Oghar’s ship had engine problems. They managed to find a suitable spare part only after the third day and it took them four more days to install it. The Dragon had called us several times and gave us updates.

He had officially invited us to follow him to Itheamh where he would reveal his plan to all he considered worthy to join him in his endvour.

Even though Cirruit’s Nanites managed to infiltrate their data banks there was no information about the Seenian depot.

It really looked like we had no other choice but to follow him until we were able to obtain that information.

The Nul prince had been able to talk to his father and most of the crew had a chance to call home as well.

The Tigershark did not have the same elaborate recreational facilities as the Devastator or a battleship, but we did have four Holo tanks and an elaborate Virtu Library. Since we were within reach of GalNet, we also had access to the latest entertainment offerings. According to Narth and Har Hi, the crew was in good spirits and no one resented the possibility that we had to go on a long trip, much longer than anticipated.

The Fleet had thousands of years’ experience how to keep crews happy even on long assignments. Our ship was well equipped, but the fact that we weren’t in space and that we stood on the same spot now for almost two weeks without the chance to really go outside was not something I wanted my crew to experience much longer.

I was in one of our gyms and exercised my sword skills, going through the thousand moves exercise, ancient instructions part of the ancient party of the Gray Cat Warrior tome. This old book of fighting instructions had been core part of Master Alameda’s tutorship.

I found great solace and inner balance while doing that under dimmed light. It was an exercise that required great concentration especially now, as Master Alameda was here via Avatar presence, and as usual was not shy pointing out where I had to improve.

He was not at all happy with my sword draw and complained that I did it with little elegance. He demonstrated and I knew I still had a long way to go to come even close to his level.

He no longer instructed at the academy. He had retired and lived on a Saresii world near snow capped mountains in a very simple house with sparse furniture.

Then he suddenly switched from instructing me and attacked and I had to give my all not to be sliced in ribbons.

The Avatar projection was a shaped force field that simulated the texture and weight of a real person. The simulated sword was sharp enough to cut and kill. He continued his instruction and talked as if he was taking an afternoon stroll.

“It looks like my pupil has trained with the Sojonites and learned some ancient moves not taught on Sares since the first Empire. Very impressive but sloppy, don’t concentrate so hard, let it flow.”

I was not sure if I should have been more impressed by him knowing that or by the fact that he was still light years ahead of me.

I grinned and parried another lighting fast attack. “I also trained with a Viking goddess and Master De La Loupe.”

“Fine instructors indeed, sloppy pupil however.” And he punished me by slapping the flat side of his blade across my butt. It was more embarrassing than hurting, and after the third time I got angry and suddenly he stopped talking and we fought silently. Only the whispering blades interrupted the silence and then he said. “When you tap your inner anger you change. Your style changes in a new amalgam I do not recognize. You no longer exercise you are out to kill and that my pupil is both good and frightening, I bowed in the required manner and then wiped the sweat of my face.

“I don’t know if I could ever get angry enough to beat you Master Alameda.”

He also bowed.

“I know I don’t want to be there for real when you do my pupil. Continue with the Ahkth-urm exercise, your draw is very sloppy and if you are still stuck on that planet we shall continue tomorrow. Now my fish need attention and feeding.”

With these words his avatar blinked out. Only now did I notice Har-Hi standing at the door to the gym, and he said. “He is right you know. I consider myself a good blade fighter and I don’t think there are many Dai or Humans I would need to fear, but when you get in that zone of yours, all I really want to do is run.”

“Come on, flattering your Captain isn’t your style. I am nowhere your equal when you fight for real.”

He said pointing at the blade I carried. “Interesting weapon that old Saresii blade. It has elements of the humans’ Samurai sword and the Dai Kith-mner. Show me that Ahkth-urm exercise.”

In perfect tandem like exercising with my own shadow, Har Hi and I went through every move.

Elfi called and said. “Sorry to disturb you two, half the ship is watching with awe but there is a large freight skimmer approaching us requesting boarding permission. The person requesting it is someone asking for assistance from her Soja. She also requests tactical support as she is under attack.”

“Clear Hangar Bay E and let her board. Tactical assist with all means necessary, but use the weapons of our Janus disguise first. Launch one of our new Wolfcrafts if neccessary. The safety of that skimmer is paramount. Clear all personnel off and around Hangar Bay E until I give the okay. This area is off limits to all. Put Marines on all access ports.”

Har-Hi gave me a surprised look. There was a big question mark in his face and I said to him:

“As soon as I know details I’ll fill you in, until then, this is Blue-Blue-Red classified and so is the Hangar area. He nodded turned on his heel and ran towards our fighter bay.

I rushed to the hangar wondering why the Mother Superior was coming using the nickname she had given me and why she was coming with a freight skimmer. She had said nothing when I met her.

Moment later she arrived. It was a big modern freight skimmer, of the same type I had used on Nilfeheim. It had several scorch marks, but was not damaged too seriously. From its crew compartment came four black dressed Sojonites and the Mother Superior. I rushed over to her and said. “Are you okay? I hope you are not harmed in any way.”

“I am fine my Soja. It warms my old heart to see and feel the concern you have for my well-being. My mind calls me a fool for not calling ahead and tell you, but there was so much to do.”

I said to her. “The hangar is secure to Blue-Blue-Red protocol; can you tell me what happened?”

She put a hand on my shoulder. “You happened, my Soja. This world was the same for centuries and no change was in sight, but you came and Sin 4 is soon no more. I have evacuated the temple due to the pending storm that is about to happen. The regular Sojonit sisters have left already. The Minerva has taken many sisters and all our temple furniture, but you know there are components and secrets that cannot be trusted to anyone. Secrets that need to be kept even from the soon arriving Union forces, and these secrets are in this skimmer. I used every precaution to make sure no one associated this freight skimmer with the Order, and I made a big detour, but such a big freight skimmer attracted the usual sky vermin over the city and I am very thankful for that flying thing and the skillful shooting of your tactical officer.”

I asked. “What will happen to the Sojonit Order?”

“Nothing at all, we will continue to do business. Our main temple at the Rainbow World is not affected and we have thousands of temples all over the galaxy. Just this one needs to be relocated, unless the Stik want us back. So we will be your guests until we can arrange for a Sojo transport to take these things to a new location.”

“This might not be anytime soon; as there is the possibility I am going to take a long trip to unknown regions of the Galaxy.”

Se nodded. “I know; I have talked to Richard. He is working on a solution as we speak and said for now we will be safest aboard your ship. These four Avenging Angels are my personal guard and also members of the Gray cat society. Two of them you already know, they are also Saresii and Union members and might become useful and I am sure I can be useful to you as well.”

“What do you want me to tell my crew?”

“I will remain the Mother Superior for the time being and you can tell them everything I told you without going too much into detail about my true identity and the things we did underneath the temple.”

I did brief my senior officers with Mother Superior present and then went to take a shower and change. I was barely inside the shower cabin when Elfi called me again.

“Captain you are needed on the bridge. There is much going on outside and Har-Hi just called for Battle stations.”

At the same moment I heard the Klaxons.

I said “Har-Hi, report.” while jumping into the Auto Dresser.

“Hell just broke loose on Sin 4. Everyone with Spaceships is fleeing and we are attacked as well as all the other Ships. The attackers are panicked mobs of beings.”

I made it to the bridge and into the Con Seat a few moments later. On the main viewer I saw thousands of beings swarming the Landing field. Some firing hand weapons at the still present ships.

Elfi said. “Captain the Red Dragon is hailing us.”

“Put him on.”

The red dressed pirate appeared on the screen and said. “You better get your ship of planet fast. We meet at Alvor’s Cove as that is as far as Meateater will make it with his half fixed engines.”

I asked. “What is causing all this?”

On a side screen I saw the Red Dragon lifting off, pulling the Intruder with a tractor beam while the Pirate on the main screen answered.

“The News just came through that Sin 4 is now a Union World. The Devastator and a huge Union armada supposedly is already on its way. I don’t want to be here and find out if this is true.”

I nodded. “Alright, see you at Alvor’s Cove.”

The transmission blinked off and I said. “Shaka get us out of here, Krabbel plot a course to Alvor’s Cove and Elfi get me a secure Channel to Admiral Stahl directly if you can.”

The Admiral appeared on our main screen almost right away, as if he had waited for this call. “The days of the old Sin 4 are numbered. I will be there in 15 Minutes. Do you have our friend aboard?”

“Yes Mother Superior is safely aboard. We are breaking Orbit in a few minutes and heading for Alvor’s Cove. I was just wondering if we can get a Visual Feed. It’s Shea’s Home you know.”

He smirked and said. “Turn off your Janus device and activate your real transponder and you can see for yourself. Go to Fleet Alpha. I am designating the USS Tigershark as a forward observation Unit. We need to rendezvous anyway so I can take the Sojonites aboard.”

I looked to Narth and asked. “Narth can we switch unobserved?”

He said. “We are in the upper atmosphere obscured by clouds below and there is nothing in range that could see us from above. It should be no problem”

“Then go for it and turn on our Union transponder. Elfi switch to Fleet Alpha. Shaka take us out of orbit. I need to see that.”

Somehow it felt good to me to be a Union ship on the outside too. This was the first time we represented our true likeness and name to the Universe. Remain on Battle stations and Mao activate all our weapons.”

Mao almost exploded with pride.”Yes, Captain!”

Narth magnified the optical sensors and we witnessed seconds later the Devi dropping out of Quasi and with her the entire First Fleet. The Union Navy had many fleets and each of these so called number fleets consisted of four Battle groups, plus Fleet Tenders, Hospital Ships, Repair Ships, Planet Bombers, Drop Ships and Marine Carriers, but only the first Fleet also included the mighty Devastator.

It was an incredibly unforgettable sight and demonstrated more than anything I had ever seen before the true power and might of the Union.

TheOther who almost always stood near Hans at the Security Station when he was not on official duty whispered: “Oh my God!”

Swarms of Wolfcraft, thick as clouds screamed into the system’s inner orbits fast, their shields glowed bright white with Micro matter impacts and looked like energy beams.

From Elfi’s console we could hear Stahl’s steady voice as he issued commands to his fleet.

Then his voice addressed us. “Stahl calling the XO of the Tigershark.”

Har-Hi identified.” Lt. Hi here, yes Sir?”

Stahl said. “Direct your visual sensors to Fleet transponder 495849 and check out the fighters now being launched from the new USS Tor-Hi.”

Har-Hi whispered. “They named a ship after my Grandfather.”

Narth magnified on a dark red ship. It was distinctive Union but also had Dai Than design elements. Union style revolving Starters turned on the sides of the Carrier and fighters emerged, also colored red instead of the usual Union light gray. Narth magnified further and had trouble to keep our visuals focused on these new fighters. They looked longer and more pointed than the elongated discs of usual Wolfcrafts. Glancing to the side I was certain there was a tear in Har-Hi’s eye.

Stahl’s voice said addressing Har-Hi. “I thought you might enjoy seeing the first official deployment of the new Kahri-Wolfs. Many are flown by Dai of your Clan by the way.”

Har-Hi almost melted into the view screen and said. “Thank you, Sir.”

Whatever ship was still in the system had no chance. Whoever did not immediately surrender was destroyed. The arriving Union fleet cleaned house heavy handedly. Many privateers and civilian ships failed to comply to be boarded after the first hail. There was no second chance, no argument or discussion. Stahl was here and with him the iron broom of the Union.

Lumbering Marine Drop Ships turned into Orbit around Sin 4 and we saw the many thousands of tiny dots rain on the planet, Marines in Quasimodos, followed by Cerberus robots and landing tanks. Wolfcrafts and Kahri-Wolfs now screamed into the atmosphere.

I turned to see the Science station and said to Shea.

“Soon the word Skaakh will be only remembered in history and at least on that world no one will suffer hunger. Maybe the Stik will even rename their world.”

She wiped a tear from her eyes and said. “This is for you Mamma; for your dream of a better world is now a reality. I just wish she could have seen it happen.”

Har-Hi did not turn his head as he almost whispered. “My father’s decision was the right one. Those Dai will not be hunted to extinction or suffer hunger when supplies run out. They have schools and are still allowed to do what they do best. I am glad we joined.”

“I am glad you did as well.”

The Nul who stood in the back of the bridge said. “Your father’s decision must also be ours. I am seeing Dai-Than with Terran tech and Translocators, a war with the Union would have been much shorter than we had thought.”

Har-Hi still glowed in the moment. “I had similar sentiments and then a Union Commander said to me not so long ago. ‘Wait till you see Wolfcraft Squadrons with Dai Pilots’. I am privileged to see that day come. If you Nul indeed join the Union the day will come we see Nul Union Marines in Atlas Battle Suits.”

It was TheOther who said. “This would be a sight even Y’All would fear to see. I am certain.”

And I said. “There is a space battle going on out there, and we are not hiding. Har-Hi get your butt in your Wolfcraft. Shea and Narth, I want targets so get your scanners going. Shaka, no restrctions! Fly her as she is meant to be flown. Krabbel keep feeding attack vectors to Shaka. Go, go, go!”

I raised myself into the battle dome and for the first time commanded my ship for real in combat.

There were no words that could explain the thrill and the pride.

A voice came through command channel. “That is more than observing, girl. Might as well try out that spine cannon. Even I want to see what it does. It is the first time a Saresii Para Dim wave generator gun is fired as far as I know.”

I blinked at Narth’s symbol.”Mr.Narth find us a target.”

Then I said. “SHIP sound Condition Blue. All hands secure ship for SPDWG fire.”

Narth responded. “I have a heavy Karthanian armed transport lifting off, reaching orbit in 1.3 minutes.”

“Mao target that transport.”

The spine cannon indicators turned green.

“As soon as the freighter breaks orbit, open fire.”

A beam of bright purple light emerged from our bow gun port, and hit the Karthanian with such force it cut right through shields and armor, then the transport expanded like a baloon and became more and more insubstantial and finally vanished like a whisp of smoke.

It all took less than a second.

“Thor’s hammer! What in Loki’s name did happen to that transport?”

Shea explained. “As far as we know the Saresii never managed to get it to work. It is basically a Para-Dim shield in beam form and it expands in the target, displacing it molecule by molecule as energy into Hyperspace.”

Cirruit came on. “Well it appears we haven’t ironed out all the kinks either. The SPDWG is inoperable. It seems it transplaced its own emitter head too.It also takes a lot of energy. It depleted our standby energies by ninety percent.”

Stahl laughed. “Well at least, the Terran Perforator cannons work just as predicted. Your ship is still a very potent, well armed vessel.Maybe we should be glad a certain Neo Viking does have one less gun.”

ALVOR’s COVE
The battle of Sin 4 was not really a battle. While I was sure the surface skirmishes were still going on, there was nothing left in space that could even remotley be called hostile. I had the ship stand down from battle stations and got up from my seat and said. “Elfi call the Devi for rendezvous instructions.”

She acknowledged and I asked for ship wide.

“Everyone listen up, we are about to enter the USS Devastator. So everyone be in uniform and be well groomed.”

We received forty eight hours of shore leave on the Devi. It was perhaps not the same as real R&R but the Devi had an entire deck filled with forests and lakes. There was the Village and every recreation facility imaginable.

With a sense of pride that could not be described, I gave Captain Harris a tour of the Tigershark. He was deeply impressed by our Pirate’s Den and Stahl insisted we organize a Steel container kick match against a team he had personally formed only a few days ago.The fact that the team of the Tigershark won, had put a deep smile on my face as I noted this in my daily log entry.

Fenris our mascot was curled up on top of my dresser, and had his tiny fierce yellow eyes closed and if you listened closely you could hear the little monster snore.

The door chime announced a visitor.

It was Shea wearing a beautiful midnight blue evening dress. Her hair all done up and she said. “Are you not coming?”

“Coming to what?”

“Captain Harris has invited us all to a formal dinner and ball.”

She rushed past me and pointed at the paper square, on my table.There is your invitation.”

Oh right Harris handed me that thing before the Kick match. I forgot about it. Not that I know what it is.”

“It’s an envelope.”

To my surprise she opened a flap on the thing and revealed a card.

On it in fine writing I could read. “You are hereby invited to attend a grand affair of a formal dinner and ball. In lieu of Union Week celebrations, you and your crew are guests of honor.

“Formal attire required, no Uniforms.”

I looked sheepishly at the paper. “I have never seen an envelope before.”

“I tell you later about stationary and the significance and function of envelopes. Now get dressed, we don’t have much time.I better get Elfi to do your hair.”

I finally decided on a black velvet dress, as a nod to the trademark name of my pirate alter ego.

Elfi, I had to admit had great talent to tease hair in other directions than down.

I indulged a little in the female narcissism I felt knowing I was looking drop dead gorgeous. A realization that had no room in daily business but was perfectly alright for a night out.

We made it just a few moments late, but Elfi insisted that it would be okay. Officers had to be on time, a woman could be a little late for effect.

Obviously I still had a lot to learn about my recent gender change.

I also hand no idea the Devi had a ball room complete with chandeliers fancy dressed tables and even a full orchestra called the Devi Philharmonics. Of course the musicians were also ship personnel and fleet personnel and this was their hobby.

But then I doubted that midshipmen had much reason to see the ballroom.

Harris wore black suit in Kimo cut and a white shirt. Even now there was no doubt he was the Captain.

He greeted me, and even bowed slightly as he took my hand. “What a lovely sight indeed. You look spectacular.”

I felt embarrassed but said. “Thank you, Sir.”

“No need to call me Sir, we are all out of uniform. I am John Jameson Harris and friends call me JJ. Enjoy this evening, as the woman you have become and forget the other aspects for a while.”

“I will try, Sir.”

“Just so you know I am just as proud as the Eternal Warrior, of what you have accomplished so far. You and your friends have served this ship just as midshipmen like so many thousands before, but I doubt the Olafson Gang will be forgotten anytime soon.”

I wanted to say something, but it was Admiral Stahl approaching us, preventing it.

Even in civilian attire, a simple black suit, he radiated his unexplainable aura of authority.

He looked at me. “Whatever fate decided to put a Neo Viking in such a lovely form, I can not say but lord have mercy, you are looking spectacular. I think it would have been a crime if you kept suppressing your desire.”

He then raised his hands. “I am terribly sorry everyone, but we have to cut this short. A large Dai Fleet supported by Shiss are attacking worlds near the corridor. First Fleet has been ordered to make all haste.

I promise you, I will make it up to you another time.”

“I understand, Sir.”

We had left the Devastator only moments ago...

I had to give kudos to my crew. They all were back and accounted for within the hour after the ship wide announcement was made on the Devi.

The mighty Devi and the Admiral was already light years away and speeding towards the Union Klack Corridor almost 1500 light years away from Sin 4. Half of the First fleet had remained behind to complete their task in the Sin system.

I did not even have time to change yet and was standing next to my command seat and was ready to go to to change as soon as Stahl finished the orders he was just transmitting.

“Get your ship back into pirate mode and into Freespace. Find the hideout of the Sinister Alliance, clip that Dragon’s wings if you can, some of his story don’t adds up. Where did he get that Seenian equipment if he still needs to find that depot? Play it by ear, so ... I mean girl just as you have been doing. Reduce the pirate population and if a few slavers met their fate, that would not be too bad either. But the Seenian mystery and that depot of his take priority.”

I said looking at his image,

“Understood Sir. We’ll try our best.”

He disconnected and I said to my bridge crew. “You heard the man, let us go to Alvor’s Cove and see if the Red Dragon is still there.”

I went to my ready room to change. I opted to undress manually as I wanted to keep the dress. The Auto Dresser would have broken it down as it was not one of the outfits that were stored in the system.

The door chime announced someone as I was trying to reach the closure on the back of the dress. I expected Shea but it was Har-Hi and as he saw me he stepped behind me, opened the zipper and then turned to look out the view port so I could wiggle out of the dress. We had seen each other naked of course countless times during our final year aboard the Devi, but now he felt the need to look away and I was actually glad about it. I said, “What is on your mind?”

He said without turning.

“The Dai attack, it makes no sense even if Cam Elf-Na had united every remaining Dai Clan, an open attack on the Union especially in that region is simply madness, even with the Shiss assisting. The news of the Golden joining and the end of Union/Nul hostilities must have reached the Dai and the Shiss. Everyone knows the corridor is particular well defended.”

I had to sit down to take of the thin stockings I was wearing and said. “I have an odd feeling about this myself, but no matter what they’ve planned we have Admiral Stahl and he has more experience in these matters than anyone. He doesn’t need our help and we have direct orders, besides what could we do? The Tigershark is a formidable ship but it is not a ship meant for full scale fleet level space battles.”

“I know, Erica...”

Now I was ready to get into the Auto Dresser and dialed for my leather suit. I realized how much I actually liked this outfit and once again wearing it, I felt ready to take on whatever challenge there was.

Har-Hi was sitting on the sofa next to my visitor’s table with a thoughtful face, holding one of my heeled sandals and turning it in his hands. “I don’t think  there is anything more impractical than those shoes.

He put the shoe down and looked at me. “We should go to Thana Shoo and see if we can find out what the real reason for that attack is.”

I gathered the things I had dropped on the floor and also picked up the sling backs. “I can’t argue that, but they do make a nice leg and I think I really got used to these. Not a real substitute for Terran All-Terrains I know.”

I put the things away and said.” What is Thana Shoo?”

“It is the Dai home system. Our home planet was destroyed many thousand years ago. A particular big chunk of our former home world carries the only remaining piece of Dai architecture remaining. It is an open stone amphitheater and all Dai Clans meet there in regular intervals of about every ten Union standard years.

Right now there won’t be any clans there, but the Pale Reds, the guardians of Thana Shoo. Mystical and wise, these men always know everything about the Dai.”

I put on the holster and checked my Colt before I sat down across him and asked. “Is it far?”

He nodded. “Yes it is about 1160 light years past the outermost reaches of the Togar Empire or about 2600 light years from where we are now.”

He leaned forward and took an orange out of the bowl of fruits that my Yeoman put there every day and with a flick of his wrist a small knife appeared between his fingers and he begun to cut the skin off the fruit. The strong fresh orange scent immediately filled the room and he added, saying. “I know we have a mission and I know the Union will prevail. We can’t simply disobey direct orders and go where we could not possibly go because Thana Shoo is forbidden ground to Okthi Dai like me, to any renegade Dai that is. Also no outsiders are allowed there either.”

I also leaned forward and put my hand on his arm.

“If it is important to you we go there. I know what motivates you, the possibility that this will end the lives of so many Dai.”

He nodded and squeezed the Orange ever so slightly and like a blossoming flower the skin of the fruit peeled away in perfectly equal petal shaped segments. He said. “I had a long talk with the Gray Nul. He told me how the Shiss betrayed them, using an elaborate alliance treaty to lure the Nul fleets in a terrible trap that cost the Nul dearly.

The Nul are much more numerous than we Dai and were able to recuperate. The Dai are a space born race of much fewer numbers and if this is something similar, then there won’t be any Dai Than outside of the Union. Stahl will go there with heavy hand and clear the situation, no doubt. I know that the Dai-Than that are not in the Union are our enemies.” He looked up. “You know I would not hesitate to fight them, but so much of our species’ heritage and culture would forever vanish and our already small Gene Pool will be further diminished. Somehow I was hoping...”

He paused and finished peeling the orange and then continued saying. “I mean since I am with you, you always somehow managed to do something and I have a feeling this is an unfair situation. I am convinced Cam Elf-Na is blinded by hatred and drunk of the new found power and leads what is left of the Dai to their certain doom. I just wish I could do something about that. Maybe if we can find out that this is a trap, a rouse, then we could convince more Dai Clans to see the light and make the decision the clans around my father had made.” He parted the fruit segments and offered me a slice. “I don’t want you to make that decision and disobey orders. Finding that depot is vital and slaying that Red Dragon is no less important.” Har-Hi ate a slice and continued his monologue. “What I really wanted is to talk to you and, now that I did, I feel better about it. You really have become a beautiful woman, it is obvious you are changing in more ways than outer appearance and I must often remind myself as I still see Eric in your eyes and features and I know my best friend is still there.”

I nibbled at the slice and said,

“For now we will continue to do what we are told to do, but if there is even a slight chance we can go to Thana Shoo, we will. I also want you to get me as much about Thana Shoo, the rules and powers of those Pale Reds as you can and give it to Yeoman O’Connell. You see my grandfather had our Book of traditions analyzed and found things no one knew were not in there. I went on a detour to help the Dolbarians upon the plea of Specialist Warner. We need to know a whole lot more about it all, but we will do something if we can, you have got my word on it.”

I ate the rest of the slice. “I am glad you still think of me as your best friend. I realize that being what I am now is more than a costume or a disguise and my decision to appear female might be more complicated for you than expected, but I too, need to talk to a friend other than another girl or Narth who has a different way of understanding things.”

He nodded. “Yes, I have feelings for Elfi and I think she does have similar for me, but I also love you and Shea. I know you have secrets ever since you came back and I don’t mean your desire to be a woman.”

I said: “SHIP, who has the Con at the moment?”

“Shea does. We are back in Freespace and there is nothing unknown on the scanner horizon at the moment. We should arrive at Alvor’s Cove in 48 hours.”

“Thank you SHIP, please secure my quarters according to Blue-Blue-Red protocol.”

Neutronium shutters closed the view ports, and a heavy plate slid before the already strong door.

A TransDim field engulfed the entire room and isolated us.I knew outside Marines and robots would guard the door and corridor.

“Security protocol initiated, facilities secure.”

I got up and paced a few steps up and down and said. “Har-Hi, I was told I am going to be one of the Immortals. I have some sort of purpose and mission that is beyond fleet and Union. I don’t know what it is or when it will take place. I remember vaguely that I asked the Narth Supreme to make me forget until I need to know, but I can’t shake the feeling that it is something I don’t like, that I am becoming something else. You knew me first as Eric and now as Erica, but I don’t think that is the end of my transformation.”

He had followed me with his yellow eyes and then he said. “I know, Erica. I have seen a glimpse of what is inside you when we fought on the Devi before the Daoine delegation. It was as if I looked into a pit of dark flames and for a moment I was certain I was done for. It was as if I stared death in in the face. I don’t mean danger or imminent mortal demise. I mean something personified, like as if Death was a person. I knew then there is more to the legends of flaming demons and all that.”

What he said made me feel ashamed and I too remembered that event well and that I tried to cut off the head of my friend. He got up and took my hand. “I told you that I will follow you to the gates of hell and nothing has changed and if in your case I really have to go to these gates, I will do it without hesitation. I will be right behind you and fight with and for you, no matter what you turn out to be in the end.”

First I hesitated as it was highly inappropriate but I simply hugged him in a brotherly fashion even knowing that this term was not really applicable anymore.”You will always be my best friend, no matter what.”

Having been able to talk to Har-Hi made me feel right as rain again and we both stepped on the bridge. Shea said. “Whatever you did in there, you should do more often. The Captain is smiling for the first time in over a month.”

I said to her. “What I did in there I will do with you all as well. What I did made me realize that you all are more than friends to me, you are my family. I am on a strange journey and there is something profound and significant at its end. But I am not making this journey alone, I have you and that makes it much easier.”

I told them more or less the same things as I told Har-Hi and after I was done it was very silent on the bridge, but then Krabbel said, “As long as you don’t decide to change into an Archa I am fine with that.”

I felt an unstoppable deep grin creep into my face and I asked. “Now why is that? Do you think I could not pull it off?”

“No the opposite, Captain. You could decide to become a female Archa and I would have to share my ice cream all the time as I can’t really say no to a gorgeous Archa girl, they also do tend to rip out legs if they don’t get their wishes.”

As if a spell was broken the bridge echoed with our laughter and mine too.

Narth said.”Whatever developments are instore for you, we shared Hugavh. I too have glimpsed at something that is still sleeping or not completely awake. It is you, no doubt. The Narth Supreme is keeping in touch. I will be with you, Erica.”

ALVOR’S COVE
I had the same thoughts as we dropped out of Quasi-space here at Alvor’s as when we approached Sin 4. I hoped we would not be stuck on this depressing planet for long. As always we had gone to sub light speeds at the outermost orbit and would now slowly approach Alvor’s Cove, which was the second planet of this 12 planet system. The bridge was a hub of activities and all departments were busy doing their evaluations and tasks.

Narth said. “There is much activity on Alvor’s in terms of energies and transmissions. The two long range telepaths I can detect are sending messages to the limits of their abilities. Ensign Fichier thinks they are already sending erroneous messages, mostly about the takeover on Sin 4. There is nothing reflecting the Dai-Shiss crisis so far.”

Looking at the main screen, I said. “And they told me you could send coded messages via those Long range telepaths.”

Narth felt addressed as his voice resonated in my mind. “You can, but it is actually illogical. You go to a telepath and tell him a coded message acoustically while your mind thinks about the real message. It seems quite foolish.”

“I think the problem is that most people are not telepathic gifted and to them it’s more or less unexplainable magic. I include myself in that group.”

“I believe this would be the moment a human sighs. Your opposition and distrust to anything psionic is also quite illogical, especially since you carry more than just great potential.”

“After our mission, I promise to look into that, but right now I rather maintain my own illusion as it would add to all the distractions I already face about myself.”

After saying that I paid attention to the bridge and the situation again.

Shea said. “I wish I could send this data to New Wurgus, they could make much more sense out of these readings than me.”

“Don’t tell me this sun is going to flare up too or something?”

“No Captain, this one already has and that is why there are no oceans on Alvor’s Cove anymore. However these readings suggest that the flare was caused deliberately and on purpose; meaning an intelligent life form with a considerable high level of technological abilities.”

Three-Four, who probably came on the bridge after being summoned by Shea, said, “I could go and dive in to the core and check it out. I agree with Lt. Schwartz interpretation of the data, it was caused artificially.”

I turned to my Non-Corp friend. “Maybe if we come back here one day, not that I see any way we can clean up this hell hole as we did on Sin 4. Frankly I don’t want to spend too much time here while there is a war going on back home.”

The Delicate officer petted Fenris who sat on the NavTank as if it belonged there. “We have biological options Captain.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Cirruit, who was the next to appear on the bridge came, mumbling to himself down the ramp and went to the Navigator’s seat where Krabbel was sitting. He held up a scanner and said to me. “Sorry Captain, but the Navigational sensors are off by 0.05 percent to the true course that is selected. I pinpointed the problem to the Navigational console. It is that darn system update we downloaded from the Devi. It messed up SHIP’s and my calibration.”

I leaned forward. “What are you doing is not affecting our plan to land on Alvor’s cove right?”

“No Captain, but 0.05 percent can amount to many light years off the course. It has not affected us because Krabbel is so good he noticed and compensated. Sometimes I think our Archa friend has a Nav-tank implanted in his body somewhere.”

He crawled basically under Krabbel’s seat.”Now I have to pull all four pulse star sensors and re-adjust them.”

Krabbel was visibly proud and basked in the praise of his friend and said

“I always envision the star charts like the nets we used to make before our industrial revolution; it’s somewhat genetic with us and therefore easy.”

I got up looked, over Krabbel’s torso and onto his panel and I said, “I still think we have the best Navigator, having the Heinemann display open on your readouts instead of the more common Natuuk-Ult display shows that.”

Shaka piled it on saying. “There is never even the slightest error; we are always down to the meter scale where we are supposed to be.”

Krabbel balled up and chirped something in his high pitched voice and then said, “It’s not even my egg sac crawling day and you are so nice to me. I am so proud.”

I patted his furry torso and then I said while watching the brownish desert planet grow larger on the screen.

“Say Krabbel, are you wearing a scent? It smells really fruity and sweet.”

He produced a pinkish looking squeeze bottle he pulled from a pocket of his uniform.

“That is Thomson’s Bubble Gum flavored shampoo, Mao got it for me, and it smells like Vanilla and Strawberry Ice cream to me.”

“Well you’re taking your addiction very seriously I must say.”

Elfi giggled. “You haven’t seen his Ice cream cone print bed sheets or his ice cream themed pajamas.”

I rolled my eyes. “If there was ever a more unusual image before my inner eyes than Krabbel in Pajamas then I sure don’t remember!”

Elfi became serious and said, “We are being hailed, Captain.”

I returned to my seat, completed my costume with the mask and Elfi put the caller on the screen.

A gruff looking Oghar with unusual brown skin color instead of the common green said. “Who are you and what is your business here?”

“This is Black Velvet of the Silver Streak and my business is whatever I make it.”

I noticed that both of his tusks were broken and filed to uneven looking nubs. Even for an Oghar he looked particularly unkempt and I could almost smell him even through the visual. He scratched his chin and said.

“Alright, you are known and if you want you can land here, however there isn’t much space left on the landing field, so put her down anywhere you like. Landing fee has increased to 200 Polo Chips and every day you are here there is a water tax of 50 Polos. Regardless if you have your own or not, you are to obey the Rules of Local Lord Sihoc, the sole owner of this world.”

He looked at an actual list written on a piece of cardboard and he dragged his long finger claw across the list as he said,

“We sell fuel for 1400 Polo Full weights per standard Nogto bulb. If you sell slaves, there is 5% slave sales tax. Buying slaves is tax free of course.”

“Not that I need any fuel at the moment, but isn’t 1400 Polos for a single bulb a little pricey?”

“Don’t know where you have been Black Velvet, but demand commands the price and we got limited supplies and lots of customers.”

I said to my helmsman. “Shaka, take us down then.”

Shaka landed not far from the Red Dragon. The landing field was crowded with ships and powered down the main engines with an elegant sliding move of his right hand and raised his helmet.

“Looks like a regular who-is-who of crooks and pirates out there.”

Hans was already busy comparing them with Union databanks and said. “Eighteen of the ships out there are on wanted lists mostly for acts of piracy and there are twenty one smaller vessels, privateers and scavengers, of which six are known to be operated by wanted criminals.”

I got up from my seat and asked no one in particular. “I wonder what they are all living off and why there are so many pirates in Freespace.”

Har-Hi said. “Freespace is almost as big as our core Union space and there are many independent civilizations, colonies, mining and industrial centers. There is trade and lots of spaceship traffic. Civilian companies of the Big Four do business here, so there is rich pickings for Pirates and of course there is no cohesive or united law enforcement of any kind.”

Hans added. “Captain there are over three thousand known pirate ships operating on this side of the galaxy and that is not counting the unknown ones or the Dai.”

I sighed. “If that is the case we are going to be hunting pirates forever.”

Har-Hi grinned. “If there wasn’t a war going on, there would be nothing I’d rather do for the rest of my life and I am convinced that the crew thinks so too.”

Elfi said. “I could be stuck in a boring palace and attend boring state affairs.”

Mao turned and said. “Or we could be doing duty as first year ensigns somewhere in the bowels of a battleship or even a planetary base or something.”

Xon who stood in the back growled.”By the rate you are eliminating pirates and criminals, it might not be all that long.”

I had to admit they had a point and truth to be told. If there wasn’t all this mystery in my own life I would also enjoy this much more.

Mao pointed to the pirate ships we could see on the main viewer and said,

“We should simply blast them all, bomb the entire planet and at least this Quadrant of space would be clean.”

I also looked at the ships out there and said.”I am tempted to do just that, or follow Specialist Noleii’s suggestion. I have been here before. This place is worse than Sin 4 in many regards, maybe we can get a few before we leave by picking a fight or so, but for now we going to stick to the plan. Har-Hi, Hans, Sobody and TheOther you’re with me. We are going to pay the landing fee.

In the meantime, maintain Yellow alert and keep your eyes open. I doubt they have forgiven us for the dinner surprise yet.”

Cirruit had unloaded one of our camouflaged landing tanks and with it we crossed the landing field.

While Har-Hi sat behind the controls and steered the vehicle across the glaring landing field, I remembered how I ran across it, getting sun burned, trying to escape. To my disdain I actually saw that Velorian Slave trader, among the other ships. I recognized it by the shoddy repair work to its ceramic hull. It appeared to be repaired and I wondered how many miserable, poor souls had been transported to this hell hole of a planet only to be auctioned off and sold to death on Togar dinner plates or to a short life of hard work and misery.

While I was brooding over that and wondered what I could to do change it, we reached the mouth of the canyon and a collection of buildings made out of local rock. A crowd of beings had gathered under a sun roof extending from the largest building. A collection of flyers, other landing tanks and similar surface vehicles were parked in a semi-circle before that building. A hand painted sign declared this building to be the Alvor’s Cove Port Authority.

As we got out I recognized the Red Dragon, Crimson Curse and Captain Meateater. Even though both were Oghar, I had learned to differentiate and Crimson Curse looked more affluent and cleaner.

The crowd parted as we approached and created an opening to the door of the building.

Red Dragon who was standing with his back towards us, turned and said. “Ah the formidable Black Velvet made it out in time as well. I bet the Union would have had a field day with you, having a live Y’All in your crew and all, so I had already feared you fell victim to those Union bastards.”

I played the uninformed and said. “Well I guess with the Union violating Free Space there will be war and this place won’t be safe either.”

He laughed dryly and said. “With all those treasures in your rust bucket, you should invest in some sort of FTL Comm Equipment. It looks like your ship lacks good FTL Comm or you didn’t listen to the right channels. Sin 4 became a Union Planet; the Freespace treaty was not violated. As it looks like a Terran crook who was hiding on Sin 4 by the name of Fusionbeam or something, was able to smuggle a delegation of Stik natives off planet. They traveled to Pluribus and applied for membership, asking for help. Normally it takes the Union many month to complete the PUMA process, the Stik were declared members basically overnight. That the Union fleet jumped on that opportunity was to be expected. I bet none of our planet bound friends managed to see another day.”

“PUMA process?”

“Whoever you are I am now convinced you didn’t grow up in the Union. Potential Union Member Assessment. A whole set of tests and investigations to see if the new member understands what Union membership means; that with all the rights and privileges also come responsibilities. Mind you not everyone is accepted, these Union bastards are very picky who they let in their midst.”

Meateater growled. “I heard Stahl was there himself and that means their hangmen have to run shifts to string up everyone who is on some list somewhere.”

He touched his own throat and said. “Nasty way to go, it takes an Oghar hours to die on the rope.”

A man wearing a brown dust cloak and goggles said. “It won’t happen here. There are no sentient natives and since the Local Lord has no desire to be hanged he sure won’t ask for Union membership.”

The Dragon asked the google wearing man. “How about the Brown People, aren’t they native?”

“No, they have come here a long time ago, but they are from somewhere else.”

Har Hi, Sobody and I went in the building.

There behind a wooden counter sat the brown skinned Oghar and two beings that looked like large pill bugs. Har-Hi whispered. “Those are Velorians; they hate the Union with a passion. The brown being is an Or-ghe”

“Another one?”

“A species can have many races and yes another one.”

“You sound just like Narth.”

“Thank you, Captain.”

Sobody argued with the brown Or-ghe and managed to haggle down the landing fee. He paid the being. One of the Velorians counted the Polos and scanned them while the other hammered a colorful stencil mark on an actual sheet of paper and handed it to me.

“Here is your landing permit and your proof that you paid your water tax for five days in advance.”

While Sobody still talked to the Or-ghe, I took a moment to look around this one room building. There were large paper displays; I think they were called posters. One featured a color image of Tirkov the mercenary and a bounty of 50,000 Polos. I doubted anyone would risk their lives for that kind of money. Right next to it another wanted poster with a grainy picture probably taken through a long range optic of cheap quality. It was me, or better, it was Eric Olafson, standing before the freight ramp of the slaver ship. I only recognized myself because I remembered the events well and knew the others standing there with me.

The text referred only to a Human slave of unknown, probably Terran, origin and there was a bounty of 15,000 Credits plus the offer of tax free living on Alvor’s Cove. The poster was only one of a dozen featuring the images and descriptions of escaped slaves and wanted persons,

Other prints advertising fuel, with the prices crossed out by hand several times and a new ones written below.

A poster of the Mulwhur Trading Company offered trade deals and discounts for slave dealers. The text and the offers offended me quite a bit.

A man huddled in the usual local garb of a sand colored dust cloak with hood and goggles entered. He lowered the hood and pushed the goggles and to my surprise revealed a Dai-Than. His red skin was much darker than that of Har-Hi and it looked as if he regretted his decision to reveal himself as he saw my Dai friend.

Har Hi also appeared to be astonished to see a Dai. While his right hand dropped to his blaster he made a series of signs with his left.

One of the Velorians behind the counter said. “If you want to fight then you need a Kill license that you can purchase right here for 5000 Polos.”

The newcomer raised his unarmed hand and bowed. “I am of the Tun-Ha tribe, it no longer exists. I am Okthi and I surrender. There is no honor lost to yield to a Hi master, even if he too appears to be Okthi.”

Har-Hi looked down his nose and was about to say something offensive I was certain, but then my friend visibly changed his mind and said.

“There is no purpose in slaying the last of the Tun-Ka clan as our numbers dwindle. Let us share a Thill and exchange words.”

To me Har-Hi said. “Captain, may I ask permission to leave your side for a few hours?”

I didn’t like him to go unescorted, but he was well armed and able to contact the ship and us. In order to get information and to do our job. We could not simply stay inside the ship or do everything myself. I said. “Be careful and raise a mug on my behalf as well and return when you are done.”

He thanked me with a nod, turned and left with the other Dai.

Sobody said to me. “We are done here as well Captain.”

I said to the Velorian. “This Kill license, what does it allow me to do?”

The being said to me. “You can kill someone and the Local guard will be on your side and clean up the mess too.”

“Just one?”

The Velorian had two short antennas like appendixes on his insectoid head that stuck out the segmented armor of his body and these antennas wiggled excitedly as he said. “We do have the Grand Maximus Permit. Unlimited kills, maiming and torturing included and it also includes any brawls or fights. But no one has ever bought it as it costs 10,000 Polos.”

“I’ll take it.”

The antenna wiggled so hard I thought they were about to fall off. The brown skinned Or-ghe opened a locked chest and retrieved a colorful piece of paper and a different wooden stamp thing.

Hans stomped in a few moments later, after I called him to bring the money.

Sobody did his usual show and counted the coins on the counter and the smudgy Or-ghe performed also a little ceremony, stamping the paper and then handed me a metallic badge. “I am a big fan of yours Black Velvet. I have seen your fight with the Stomper and we heard a lot about you. Everything they say seems true. Kill anyone you want the Local Lord will applaud and cheer and won’t care whoever bites the dust.”

I took the paper and the badge and we went back outside. The news that I purchased this permit had already spread between the beings still gathered there.

The Red Dragon eyed the crude metal badge and said.

“Anyone in particular?”

I shrugged. “No not really, I am just not in the best of mood this time of the month and getting no fuss from the locals when I express my displeasure to anyone is worth a few Polos.”

He glanced at TheOther and Hans who stood behind me. “With such a crew for back up, I doubt anyone will try.”

“That doesn’t mean I intend to support the local economy with my water tax for very long. I came to hear if you still have something to say to me and if there is a future in following you around. If not, there is business elsewhere.”

He spread his arms and said. “Yes I want to invite you to a special conference I am planing to hold on Itheamh, but I first need to stop by Kaliment and have business on N’Ger.

I am convinced you are the right fit. You are indeed a mystery but are as hard boiled as the rest of us. We had to come here as Captain Meateater still has to work on his drive and this is was the closest place. Then we are off to Kaliment, N’Ger and finally Itheamh to discuss our planned endeavour. Does that suit you?”

“If he can’t even make it across a few light years, how does he hope to make it across 35,000 light years?”

Red Dragon turned to the Oghar.”It is a valid question, you know.”

Meateater grunted something about insults and squeezing my head off and then with a louder voice and clear language he said.” I need three days, my engineer will have them patched up good enough so we can reach Kaliment where I will purchase new engines.”

He then extended his clawed hand and pointed at me. “You better be careful, Velvet. No one survives long making fun of me.”

I stepped forward. “And I have not forgotten your conduct aboard my ship. The next time you so much as utter a threat against me will be the last thing you do, and you won’t need engines for the journey I am sending you on.”

He wanted to say something but TheOther stepped closer, casting a threatening shadow.

Hans picked up a head sized rock and it exploded to a cloud of dust and pieces as he crumbled it in his immense fists.”I can do that to skulls, as well.”

Meateater stepped back, trying to find cover behind the Red Dragon.

I polished the badge I just received and said. “You were saying something, Meateater?”

The Red Dragon actually laughed. “I am not sure what to make of you, Black Velvet, but as I said I like your style.”

“I’ll wait three days. No longer.”

“Three days, Captain Velvet.”

DIMON
Dimon Honsu dreaded the meeting he was about to have. It was on Avor’s Cove and his Nul contacts had chosen this planet, because Brhama port was no longer possible and Sin 4 was no longer accessible. Dimon had no ties to this planet, however the Worm called this dustball home.

The meeting would take place in a somewhat upscale tavern and eatery located on the North wall of Nurg’s Cove. The slave market was to the south and merchants and dealers used Norg’s Tavern as a convenient and comfortable place to celebrate a good business deal.

His Nul contacts had travelled with the same Jooltar freelancer and pretended to be business beings. Of course this was a thin cover, Nul had never dealt with slaves. Due to the recent and looming Nul war he was certain, no one would dare to point that out.

Both Nul were already there as he approached the window table, that gave a nice bird’s eye view of Bennan’s cut about thirty meters below.

As always he identified himself with one of the folded paper pieces, known as Narly Angularity and sat down. He could not explain the relaxed mood of both agents.

“Ah Dimon, as we agreed on Brhama port we meet with you again, not that it is necessary and will be the last meeting.”

The Bioflex mask was not able to translate his emotions, but his voice was painted with disappointment. “I understand, the news of your prince’s fate in the Arena must have reached your realm. I tried my best but I was unable to prevent his demise.”

“You surprise us again with your lack of information. We feel your performance is far behind the reputation you like to advertise.”

Dimon blinked. “What are you saying? I located the prince and was close on his trail. Will the Nul realm now go to war?”

“Perhaps, but not against the Union, the Shiss have much to answer for.”

The other Nul said.”You know me as member of the Nul secret service. My name is Kal Rakor and I have resigned my position.”

“Because you feel it is your fault, the prince could not be saved?”

“No my good Dimon Honsu. I am going to Union school and intend to become a Union citizen.”

Being doused with the painful rays of a Neuro Ripper could not have a greater effect on Honsu than that statement.

The other Nul growled.”I am not yet convinced about it all, but there is a good chance the Nul realm asks for Union membership within the next year or two. Many Nul have done or are doing what my former colleague has done what our very leader is contemplating and become Union citzens, even before the Nul realm makes this decision.”

Dimon’s head spun. “The Union and the Nul on one side?”

“Indeed, Mr. Honsu. This of course ends our business contacts as we no longer seek contact with the Kermac.”

Both Nul got up.”It would really behoove you to be a little more informed.”

“Your Prince?”

“We know nothing about him. He might be dead or has survived.”

The other Nul said.”You do know about Sin 4 and the recent developments?”

“Yes, I just came from there. The Stik became Union.”

“You may convey this message to the Kermac. The Nul are not afraid of what they called, we are not the ignorant brutes everyone thinks we are and we know what the Kermac did traveling to Koken. But if we need to we will be the savage brutes everyone is afraid off.”

The Nul left a stunned man behind.

He too left the eatery and just as he stepped out of the elevator and into the canyon, huddled in a brown cloak. He noticed two very tall humanoids. One of them was well known to him. Ban Hoo, a disgraced Dai that scavenged the endless deserts. The other did wear a dust mask but no cloak. Such a cloak would have interfered with the swords the man carried on his back. He immediately recognized the Dai, despite his dust mask. It was the warrior fighting in the Death Arena and from what he gathered the First Mate of that female pirate, Black Velvet.

He was just another man in a brown cloak, the hood drawn over his head and a layer of cloth before his face not only against the dust, but also the lizard stench.

Both Dai entered ground level tavern.

BAN-HOO
Ban-Hoo had told the other Dai pretty much everything. How he screwed up and was instrumental for the demise of his tribe. How he eventually ended up on Alvor’s Cove and what he was doing out there.

The other Dai, only gave him the first syllable of his name, Har. By not having a tribal glyph on his harness and not giving his second name part. Ban was sure the other Dai used to be the son and prince of a tribe leader. He was never high enough in the Tun-Ha tribe to earn the Ha syllable.

That Har was of the highest levels was instantly obvious, not only because of the fine leathers, but how Har carried himself. Utmost confidence oozed out of every gesture and move. This Dai was afraid of nothing.

Har ordered the best Thill and paid with a fullweight. Pirate business must be good.

The other Dai did pay more attention as he mentioned the Nakh, the legend of the buried Celtest ship.

Har leaned forward.”Now that is something my Captain and I would be interested to know more about.”

Ban-Hoo shrugged and enjoyed the second Thill. “I would not deal with Tutu-Flowers if I knew where it is, but I think the Brown People know where it is.”

“They are an indigenous people?”

“There are two distinct species out there. The Sand people and the Brown people. Neither are native if you believe the first Local Lord, that bought this dust ball from the Togar. The Sand People are nomadic for the most part; the Brown People come to the surface only after dark and live in underground caverns. They guard the water that is left here.”

“And they know about that Seenia ... I mean Celtest ship?”

“They appear to have no real tech beyond maybe Tech level B, but I have seen their cave art. Celtest writing and Celtest space ships.”

ERICA
Cirruit watched the Intruder, Meateater’s ship over our high definition optics and said. “His engineer seems capable in a mediocre way, but he has a major job to do and from the looks of it, only marginal skilled help. I think he is going to be lucky if they make it in five or six days, working around the clock.”

So I called a conference and switched to ship wide for those who could not attend.

“It appears we will be here for maybe as long as six days. If anyone has any idea how we could close this miserable place forever without blowing our cover, I am all ears. Just as we returned I saw a group of Slaves herded to the Slaves pens. Some of them might be Union citizens. I am contemplating the bio weapons option, but I think it might also affect the slaves and from my last visit here, I learned there are some primitive tribes or species living here, having nothing to do with pirates and slavers.”

Narth said.

“Maybe the Local Lord is the key to all this as he is the sole authority here if we could convince him of his wrongful ways.”

“That would need some serious convincing; I doubt he will go for that.”

“We have Psionic talents and options.”

Shea said. “We have to be careful, the Togar are not far from here and they are not signatory to the Freespace treaty. If they suspect Union tinkering or influence they might declare war and this is not a good idea in the current situation. Togar are not as primitive, while they have very little psionic talents and no PSI tech, they do trade with the Kermac and other species that do have both. There is a good chance they simply move in and take over, this planet is awful close to their empire.”

The Golden said. “We simply need to find out more about this place.Since it runs mostly on slave trade, I never paid attention to it, but at the spaceport office I learned it too runs also on money and business. I know you don’t want to hear it but maybe you let me go and get a feel for the place. Narth will come along and everyone will be robed and hooded. We will blend in just fine.”

I sighed. “I guess staying cool, well hydrated and safe inside the ship won’t get things done. This time you take two or three Marines along and stay in contact all the time.”

“We can do that.”

Cirruit hoped he could use the time to work on the bridge systems and tinker them back to his specifications. We would be able to use the never used auxiliary bridge if we had an emergency in the meantime.

Shaka, Krabbel and Three-Four volunteered to assist Cirruit.

Elfi, TheOther and Shea wanted to use the communications Laboratory to monitor and analyze the local Comm traffic. So it came that everyone had something to do except me.

A spaceship is like a small town and everyone has a task. I watched the Golden and Narth leave the ship. Wearing a brown instead of a black robe and hood, Narth would not even have to disguise himself to blend in. Two Marines with them, and a third well camouflaged would be somewhere near. Having an Elite Marine of the Deadly Ghosts in full camouflage or cloak watching over them made me feel much better. I knew we had to take risks but we also had wonderful tools to reduce that as much as possible.

The afternoon watch just took their stations, as forenoon watch went off duty to eat, sleep and spend their free time.

“SHIP, who has the Con right now?”

“Lt. Vouza just went on duty, Captain.”

“Anything else that might need my attention?”

“No, Captain. Xon and Alice are in class, Dr. Ensign Mehdi has just arrived on the bridge and Shaka is explaining the Helm systems to him, while the Nav system is taken apart by Cirruit, Warner. Three-Four is already in my system following data and energy paths. Lt. Vouza is explaining Con duties to Ensign Vouza as Har-Hi decided to put her on full bridge duty. Alice, Prince Xon and surprisingly Fenris are in class. Dr. Ziodo is teaching them Union history. Well perhaps not to Fenris, your pet is sleeping.”

“That ugly flying snake isn’t exactly my pet and I noticed it sleeps a lot.”

“It has just hatched, Captain. It is a baby and it is growing, almost all newborn life forms tend to sleep a lot.”

“Uh ... you said it is growing?”

“It doubled in size since it hatched, Captain.”

“You would have no idea how big it is going to get?”

“No, as there is no comparable life form on file. Our Union Dragons, a life form that has the most similar physiology can grow to thirty meters and about seven thousand kilos.”

“We have Dragons that are Union mem ... did you say thirty meters?”

“Indeed Captain, however I associated those measurements to Union Dragons, not Fenris.”

I sighed, shook my head and went to take a shower, then still nothing much to do. I listened to the conversation of the Golden with TheOther, indeed keeping permanent contact.Nothing spectacular, Sobody was making a commodity list of items that sold well on Alvor’s and Narth was eagerly helping.

So I decided to explore the Tigershark a little more.

There were plenty of areas I had not really seen yet. The ship had eight main decks. Some were subdivided in sub decks. The Hangar deck in the middle of the ship was the largest deck.Both in volume and dimensions.The main corridor down the middle, was wide and tall enough to accomodate a Wolfcraft. An enormous hatch could be opened in an emergency just below the nose cone and the deck became a launch and recovery deck. The Tigershark was not a carrier or had an extensive auxiliary fleet, but it was designed from the ground up as a special mission craft, able to carry additional fighters, mines, bombs, special mission modules and so forth.

I decided to run a drill of launching and recovering a fighter once we could be ourselves.

This deck also contained freight bays, main engineering in the back, our recreation facilities including our pool.

The other recreation facilities included a gym and a lounge, a deck above and all the way to the front of the ship. It was something like a bar and tavern with access to our Virtu-Chambers and various gaming machines and socializing areas. Ever since we had the Den, it was not frequented as much.

As I walked in I found only a few crew members playing chess. I had been told most such activities now took place in the Den.

The deck directly below the main deck was called deck seven and contained Marine quarters, the main armory, the brig and Han’s Security Office. There also were the smaller hangars for the landing tanks and the main ammunition storage bunkers for the Translocator cannons. In the rear was Auxiliary engineering with the alternative ISAH drive and conventional engines.

Then came the lowest Deck officially called deck eight, but usually referred to as the basement. Here was Environmental engineering with the obligatory waste tanks, recycling facilities, water and material storage. Stasis freezers, storage bays for food and supplies and the machinery and systems needed for the Janus Device. Why I went down here I could not really say, other than the fact that I had only once been down here during our training on Richter Base.

I had spent next to no time down here. The Tigershark was still a new ship and had a huge swarm of Nanites, teams of robots and my crew that kept everything clean as can be. Everything was gleaming absolutely spotless, factory new and clean.

To the left and right down the central corridor of deck eight were heavy doors in regular intervals. Signs designated them as access to such areas as: Environmental Engineering, Stasis Freezer, Supply Factory, Ship Store Office and the like. A double slide belt in the middle of the Corridor, one for each direction, activated as I entered. Other than the slight hum of the belts and the background vibration of our main engines on standby it was very quiet down here and no one else was around. I stepped on the slide belt and was carried down the corridor. Then I heard voices from an open door. The icon sign read: D8 SB Perimeter Control Ground. I knew it was not exactly the finest manners but I stopped to listen. A male voice I was sure I had heard before said.

“I don’t think she wants to hear from us, she is the Captain. I am just enlisted. I tried to become an officer but it wasn’t for me.”

Another voice also male responded: “But she said she would listen to every suggestion regardless where it came from. I think our captain is different. I even ate on the same table in our cool den with her just the other night.”

The first voice said. “Yeah I heard that too, she is a mighty fine Captain and we’re on the best ship, but she didn’t really mean that. Besides it might be a stupid idea.”

The unseen second man said. “I am sure she meant it exactly like that. In what other ship can you hear and listen to what they decide to do on the bridge? I think I’ll walk straight up there and tell her about your idea. What can happen? Either she listens and likes the idea or she doesn’t.”

“She laughs at us.”

I stepped around the corner, there was a steep ramp leading down into an inverted dome shaped small control room that appeared to be extended from the ship’s belly. A double barrel Directed Energy Cannon was sticking out from the middle and one had a great view of the underside of the ship and the entire landing field.

The two men sat in comfortable recessed seats. One was operating a scanner type instrument panel, while the other kept visually magnifying areas of the landing field and focusing on movement outside our shield parameters.

The one behind the scanner said. “I have a positive live form scan, sector 45, grid point six.”

The other magnified a section on the ground near one of our starboard landing gear pads and the resolution became so fine, one could see individual pebbles and small rocks. The visuals focused on an arm long snake that was well camouflaged with its color against the same colored ground. The man on the scanner said.

“Scans confirm, local life form known as Jathori Snake. Very poisonous and known to attack anything that causes ground vibrations.”

The other said. “I’ll notify OPS and Security with a low priority message.”

I felt pride in my efficient and diligent crew as I watched them perform their duty.

I said. “I really appreciate your meticulousness approach in performing perimeter security and I promise I won’t laugh at any idea bring before me. I really did mean what I said.”

The two turned and I recognized the left one by the rosy face and blue eyes as Derek Simmons, the academy aspirant I had met in the space bus flying to Arsenal Gate for the first time.

He blushed even more and the both got up, the other man I did not recognize other than the fact I had seen him a few times somewhere in the corridors of the ship.

He snapped in attention. “Captain on deck!”

Despite being in attention Derek tried to move hiding a pin up poster that was attached to the side of his stations wall.

I said. “As you were, I am just making my rounds. I stepped closer and inspected the poster Derek could not possibly hide even if he wasn’t at attention. It was a picture of me, or actually graphic artist’s rendering showing me in skin tight leather, but with a deep plunging neckline, exposing much of my breasts. In the picture I was swinging an ax in one hand and coiling a whip with the other. A flashing title in bold red letters read.

“Black Velvet, the sexiest Pirate of the Universe. Mysterious Battle Amazon of a far distant Galaxy.”

The poster had smaller inserts of moving visuals that constantly repeated the scenes of my fight with the stomper. Below a moving ticker line reading. “Black Velvet notorious pirate, fights monsters and evades the authorities, there are merchants praying never to cross her path and men dreaming to be captured by her.”

I cleared my throat and said. “Interesting choice of wall decoration, a bit perhaps on the kitschy side, but I guess I should be flattered.”

The other enlisted had a hard time keeping a straight face while it looked as if Derek wanted to sink into the floor in embarrassment.

I repeated. “As you were, at ease guys.”

To Derek I said. “Mr. Simmon, I bet you did not find that poster in one of your National Galactic magazines. How are things on Harvest 12?”

He gasped. “Captain, Ma’am you know where I am from?”

“Harvest 12 has no seasons because weather control and collector mirrors see to that, but there are wheat fields as big as continents, right?”

Derek’s eyes almost popped out as he said. “Captain, have you memorized all the personnel files or are you psionic gifted? No one ever knows about Harvest 12.”

I smiled and said. “You told me about it yourself sitting next to me in a shuttle to Arsenal Gate.”

He blinked and then snapped his fingers. “Ah yes, I told that fellow from Nilfeheim where I am from! I remember him, but I would sure remembered a hot looker like you ... ah I mean a nice looking female being in that shuttle with us.”

I smirked and said. “I was that fellow from Nilfeheim. I wasn’t female back then; it might be a little complicated to explain though.”

He waved his hand. “Not really Captain, I read an article about that in National Galactic and my uncle Samuel is now aunt Samantha. He looks pretty good too now and even married,”

I smiled.”Thanks to National Galactic and your former Uncle. That saves me to explain to you the details then.”

“Wow you made captain. Now that explains where I heard the name Olafson before. I remember you saying you wanted to become a Starship Captain and you already made it.”

“How about your plans to become an engineer?”

He smiled. “Right there at Arsenal Gate I talked to the career advisor, one of those guys in those gray rooms suggested an enlisted career path for me and he was right, I am exactly where I want to be. I am a Direct Energy Weapon specialist and also added ship security to my resume.” He made a gesture around the room and added saying. “You can’t believe how happy I was when they picked me for a special mission and it turned out to be this ship. Now it looks like we going into unexplored space just as I have always dreamed. I bet we are going to see things no one else ever has.”

At first he talked to me like a buddy and then it was clear he realized who he was talking too and his cheeks turned red again and he added sheepishly. “Sorry about all that, Captain Ma’am.”

I put a hand on his shoulder and said. “I told all you guys that I am not going to rip your heads off, if you forget to say Captain or do something else not exactly by the book as long as the work is done and that it is done very satisfactory, as I could see a few moments ago.”

The other crewmember with the name Harper on his uniform said. “Yeah she did. I told you she meant it.”

I widened my smile. “Mr. Harper is quite correct. I also would never laugh about anyone coming to me with an idea. My door is open for everyone and not just for ideas, but anything that bugs you or simply to talk. For example I really do want to know how the crew feels that we might have to extend our mission for maybe more than 24 month.”

Harper who was much less inhibited by my presence said. “We’re making a difference, we exploring new space and do things no one else does, Captain. I mean that’s the real reason most of us have joined. Not to fly from A to B in Union space, but to see new things and occasionally kick some behind. I don’t mind if we fly to the other end of the galaxy and it takes five years.”

Simmon nodded. “Same here, Captain. Harper never fibs either.”

I felt much better knowing that. “Now why don’t you tell me of your idea?”

Simmons said. “Well I was thinking about your ship wide message about this planet and you wanted ideas. I mean. I’ve seen our treasure. Could we not simply buy that planet? It’s done all the time. I mean corporations buy planets and I think this Local Lord bought this world from the Togar. You could say you are interested in operating your own pirate base, especially with Sin 4 gone it might be good business; and then when you own it and we do whatever we want with it. That the Local Lord is not opposed to money seems clear to me in all those fees and taxes.”

Now it was me who gasped for a moment and then I said. “You know I think you are onto something. It is certainly worth a shot.”

I turned to leave and went up the ramp and then said to them. “Never hesitate to come to me,”

“I will remember that, Captain.” Simmons said.

Harper said. “Captain, he would never ask but could you sign the poster for him?”

The uninhibited Petty Officer handed me a marker and I did.

Simmon’s rosy cheeks now burned bright red. “Thank you, Captain.”

As I was in the Corridor I could hear Harper say. “She’s pretty damn cool, our Captain and sure nice to look at too.”

Derek said. “Why do you think I got that poster from Sobody?”

Still smiling I went back to the bridge. Cirruit was there and had a few access panels open around the Navigation chair. I did not have to wait long to see the Holdian appear from one of them, holding a tool and a hand held diagnostic device.

To my surprise I saw the Nul sitting at Communications and Elfi standing next to him looking like a small doll compared to his size and she was instructing him.

Mao rose from the Con position but I said,

“As you were, Mao. I just came to make a local call.”

Elfi turned. “Oh, hi Captain. I am just instructing the Prince in basic Comm protocols.”

The Nul turned his entire body so he could look at me.

“I decided to specialize in Communications and pursue a real fleet career before my ascent. My life giver approves this decision.”

“Not Tactical or the Marines?”

“I am sure this will be the choice of many Nul, but I think Communications is a good choice as it could lead to an OPS position.”

I sat down on an unused chair next to Elfi and asked. “Any news on the Golden and Narth?”

“Yes, they are calling in every ten minutes. They are still just walking around.”

“How about Har Hi?”

“He called about five minutes ago telling us that he is alright and will contact us with news soon.”

I pointed to the Communications Console and said. “Can one of you see if this Local Lord can be called over the local network?”

Elfi with her fine hands guided the brutish fingers of the Nul giant over the input panel and showed him what to do then she said.

“Yes I am in their rather primitive Comm Network and have his Comm unit isolated.”

“Call him, please.”

I got up, masked myself and stepped before the main screen. I heard Elfi say to Xon.

“This indicator shows that the bridge background is replaced with a background that matches our Janus disguise.” To me she said. “He is answering.”

A Karthanian appeared on the screen. He looked as alien as the captain of the Minerva but appeared much older. He also seemed surprised by my call. “I think you are the captain of the Silver Streak. It shows you have some good hackers aboard your ship able to overwrite the Comm securities of our network so effortlessly. You better have a good reason to call me like this.”

“Yes I do, Local Lord. I was wondering if your entire world might be for sale. I am thinking of getting into the pirate base business.”

He said nothing for at least one whole minute then he responded. “You sure don’t talk around issues and come straight to the point. I am assuming this is no joke.”

“No I am quite serious.”

“If you can come up with 80 Million Union Credits on a safe account and add a Million in Polo you got a deal.”

“I’ve got the money right here.”

He sat down almost as if he was dizzy and said. “You are serious. For this money I can get me a real nice place on one of the Water moons of Kartheee and even buy me a non-voting seat in the Guild and once more be a respected Karthanian with nothing to worry about, except how well my Qugamt is mixed.”

He put his hand like extremities on the table before him and made a wiping gesture.

“Come on over and I’ll sign the deal. I’ll tell the Lord Guards they have a new Local Lord or in your case a Local Lady in charge of the place. If your money is real I give you the codes for the Planetary Defense Forts too.”

An hour later I arrived at the Local Lord’s office, with two Marines and Hans in my wake. Hans slammed the big box down and opened it saying.

“One Million Polo Coins.”

The Local Lord’s tongue flickered and he made a whistling sound.

“I still don’t believe it, you are serious.”

I pulled my Credit Box and said.

“I am ready to transfer the Credits too.”

He pulled his Credit Strip and said.

“One might not like the Union but their money is as good as Polos and so much safer. You are not kidding around. I never heard anyone buying a planet that fast and just like that.”

I swiped the amount on his strip and noticed that even this big transaction made no serious dent in my personal funds. It had been steadily growing. It looked like Mr. Silverzweig invested my money very wisely.

He stared at his Credit strip and then clasped it close to his chest and said.

“I can’t believe I just became a Multimillionaire.”

He glanced at it again and then at the Polos. He unhooked a device from his belt and handed it to Hans.

“This is the Control device for the three Kermac Planetary defense forts this planet has. The Access codes are open and can be reset by you.”

Then he pushed a piece of paper across the table and said to me.

“This is the purchase contract we got from the Togar when my grandfather bought this place. It is signed by the Togar queen and declares anyone in possession of this contract the legal owner of this world. I just crossed out my grandfather’s name and added yours. I also signed it that you legally bought it from me.”

I took the paper and folded it and thanked him.

He got up and extended his long fingers.

“You are the Local Lord, I mean Local Lady now, so don’t worry asking me or my family for the water tax. We will pack and be gone today.”

He then brushed off the seat he had been sitting on. “What a pleasure doing business with you. There is a nice Karthanian moon waiting for me, complete with oceans.”

I went around the desk and sat down as he went to the door and barked for his guards. As they appeared he said.

“Your new boss is sitting behind the desk. She is to be obeyed as she owns the world.”

The three guards, two Oghar and a man that looked more like a big primate than human stared at me. The Karthanian slapped one of the Oghar.

“Pay her respects you oaf or she might be selling you to the Slavers.”

I waved them in and said. “You are?”

The primate looking man and the other an Oghar looked quite perplexed. The first Oghar finally spoke.

“I am Stronht the Security Chief around here, my brother Feifht is the Tax collector and that big guy is Ste. He isn’t talking much but he is really good at keeping order.”

“During my absence and until my associates arrive, you’re in charge. You can keep and share all the collected taxes among the Lord Guards.”

Stronth bowed.

“Now that is very generous of you and we will keep the place running for you. Any special Orders?”

“No, not at the moment. Just keep everything running as it were.”

The former Local Lord came back with a push cart so he could wheel his money out.

Chapter 19
I sat in the Den to eat a light lunch with lots of iced tea. That planet always made me very thirsty.

Narth and the Golden came back and they both looked very dusty. The Golden helped himself to a big glass of Iced Tea and said after he had drained most of it. “I am not sure what we can do to change conditions here. I guess we could buy all the slaves for now and see if we can stack them in our Cargo bay until we can transfer them. Maybe we could assassinate the Local Lord or try Narth’s suggestion. We have seen lots of misery in those Slave pens.”

Narth eyes glowed a little brighter. “I don’t think I can do what you ask.”

The Golden sighed. “Is he that well shielded even against a Narth?”

“The Local authority is better shielded against Psionics than any being known to Narth.”

The Golden showed his amazement. “He just appeared to be a normal Karthanian. What is he? Maybe we better kill the Local Lord before he finds out what we are if he is such a strong Psionic talent.”

Narth shook his head. “I don’t think it is appropriate to suggest killing the current Authority of this world.”

Hans giggled and pointed at me.

“Say hello to the new Local Lord, I meant to say, the Local Lady, that is.”

The old Merchant blinked and Har-Hi who just came in and heard the last sentences joined us and asked.

“We captured him?”

I played with the Kermac planetary defense controls. “No not exactly. We made him rich and I am the new owner of this Dust Ball. I bought the Planet.”

Sobody bend over laughing. “You would have made a perfect Golden my dear Captain, a solution worthy of a real merchant. I wonder why I didn’t think of it.”

After I told him what I did he rubbed his chin. “I think I could not have made a better deal, even by haggling. This world is still a garden world, in a very good location for business and worth ten times what you paid for it.”

Har Hi helped himself to Ice Tea as well. “What a dry world.” After he quenched his thirst. “I talked to this local Dai, he has lived here for almost twenty years ... He did tell me about Kermac that have been here only a few month ago. He had taken them to a mountain out in the desert.”

I straightened in my seat. “Did he know why they went or what they were looking for?”

“Not directly but he told me about a legend that out there in the desert a Celtest ship is buried somewhere in the sand.”

Mao who just joined us said. “Celtest is the wrong term, it’s Seenian.”

“True that, but only we know that because of Cateria To the galaxy this old civilization is still the Celtest.”

Shea said. “The last war with the Kermac broke out because they attacked Green Hell. The reason is highly classified but they tried to uncover an ancient Saresii ship from the First Age of Knowledge because the old Saresii were allied with the Seenians and they hoped that ship had Translocator tech.”

I said. “I was briefed on that too while I was on Pauli Station, it would sure be enough reason for the Kermac to find out more about this legend. Did your Dai friend know anything more about this?”

“Yes, he claims that a desert scavenger found a Seenian artifact and was killed while he tried to sell it. He also said he would take me, and me alone tonight to the Brown People someone who he said know more about the legend and perhaps even where this ship is to be found.They only come to the surface after dark.”

“How do you want to do it? Camouflaged Marines?”

He looked at me with a painful face. “No Captain, I gave him my word I come alone. It’s a Dai thing I can’t betray my word.”

I sighed. “It is foolish you know, but if there is one thing I understand its honoring one’s word and doing foolish things. I guess we can’t ignore this either.”

Shea said.” We bought the planet. Now what are we going to do with it? I mean we don’t have enough room to take all the slaves in and it’ll take month to get it all straightened out.”

“I will call the Admiral and maybe he can send some civilians. I sell them the Planet and he will know what to do. Maybe even have the new owners apply for Union Membership. The Fleet could then come and close the slave markets for good, or they could use it as a secret base to buy and free slaves, more efficient than Captain Sposhtrah.”

Shea agreed that this was a good solution.

Before he could continue we were interrupted by a sudden flickering of the lights and we could hear our power plants kick into high gear.

I said. “SHIP, what is going on?”

“Captain I am under attack! I need to shut down all Input interfaces, except for your verbal commands. It is in our Xeno labs, Intruder alert!”

“General Quarters, Hans get your Security to the xeno lab section. I was rushing to the next Security box, it responded to my biometrics and I retrieved a TKU and a shield belt.

“Narth can you get me there fast?”

I did not finish thinking my sentence when the world around me changed and I was at deck three corridor just outside the designated laboratory.

I saw the Nul stomp around the corner holding a TKU and I immediately thought he had double crossed us, but then I saw him stumble and fall like a felled tree, he was bleeding his yellowish blood from a gash on his head. Shea and Cateria followed him stumbling, Shea held her right arm with her left, it hung limp from her shoulder and blood seeped between her fingers. Cateria was bleeding from a cut over her eyes and she said to me. “Captain the Seenian Battle suit activated.”

Shea ran past me saying aloud. “I’ll go and get my sword.”

I asked Cateria. “What can we do to stop it?”

She sounded defeated as she said. “I am not sure we can stop it at all. Cirruit is on his way with new Nanites but the suit is fully operational and no Nanites will be able to penetrate its shields. It is demanding a Command Person.”

Narth was shaking a little. “Captain I am currently holding the suit, but it is building counter pressure and I am not sure if I can hold it for long. It is also attacking me on a Psionic level. I am unable to talk much longer as I need my concentration.” The little girl Alicia, the Delicate and our Leedei came around the corner and without saying a word Alicia and Brana grabbed Narth’s hands and the Leedei put his hands to his temples and Narth said with a more stable voice.

“For now we can hold it.”

I asked Cateria.

“What do you mean it is demanding a Command Person? It is a suit right?”

“Captain the Suit has Seenian computronics inside making it more advanced than SHIP. It is a Command Suit and expects to be worn by a Command Person.”

Shea came back out of breath, holding her sword. “It will cut it.”

Cateria shook her head. “Nothing can cut this suit. This is a Tyron A suit. And even if you could damage it somehow it has self-repair capabilities like you saw that I had.”

“This Sword will cut it.”

“Cateria, take care of the prince and yourself, Shea give that sword to me. If I am not coming back out alive, Har Hi will be in charge.”

Shea had tears in her eyes. “Why you?”

I snapped at her. “This is my ship. No time to argue!” Regretting it the same time. I kissed her on the forehead. “Now do as I ordered.”

Shea handed me the plain looking longsword and I walked in the Lab. There hovered the gray suit held by wafting visible energies that made the air around it flicker. The thing now looked as if it was filled out by an invisible person. The only equipment the suit has is a silvery belt with four little boxes attached to it. The tight hood was fitted around nothing, where the face of a wearer would have been was simply nothing.

I put as much authority in my voice as I could and said to it. “I am in Command here. Cease all attacks at once or I will use force and destroy you.”

The suit actually talked to me, the voice came straight out of that empty hollow of the hood. “Scanning, Cellular structure, you have Seenian similarities. Unable to penetrate mind, perfect shield.”

The suit paused and then said. “I am a Tyron A Model –Command and Combat Suit. Only personnel of command level can give instructions I will obey.”

I swiped the sword and amazingly it cut through all the energies and severed the left sleeve of the suit.

“For the last time, Combat Suit. I am the commanding officer of this ship. Cease all hostilities and deactivate or I cut into your Computronic components and end this.”

The severed piece floated back and attached itself.

“You use weaponry beyond my capabilities to analyze. You exert great authority. Wear me and prove that you are in command and I shall obey or I will commence termination sequence.”

I swallowed. “Alright Suit I will wear you.”

“You have mighty Psionic servants. Analysis completed. One Psionic talent is Narth. Do you wish that I destroy that Narth? He is preventing me from taking you in me.”

“The Narth is under my command. He will cease holding you.”

“You command the Narth. You are a Command Person of the highest level indeed.”

“Narth release the suit.”

The flickering energies ceased and through my connection with him I felt how exhausted Narth was.

The suit flowed like liquid around me and peeled of my leather suit that was reinforced with Ultronit Micro Mesh as if it was paper. A tiny stinging sensation in my neck and my head began to hurt. Then the suit spoke. “You are not a Seenian Commander, but you carry Seenian DNA. Explain.”

“Suit, you have been dormant for more than a million of our Years.

“The Seenian Empire no longer exists. I am Human Terran and scholars believe that Terra was a forgotten Seenian colony. A Seenian woman is in my crew. She survived via Cryogenic sleep and can verify that.”

“Analysis of explanation completed. 99. 9 percent truthful, margin for error negligible. Your Ship AI appeared so primitive at first, but it is now part of a system beyond Seenian technology, but it reacts like only a living being can. It resisted all intrusion attempts, explain!”

“SHIP is sentient and might be primitive to your standards, but she is way more than the sum of her parts. She is my friend and understands concepts like self-sacrifice, loyalty and emotions. Making her perhaps superior to you.”

“Analysis of answer inconclusive. Carbon based life forms are not friends with machines. Seenian are superior to machines. Machines are only to serve.”

“I am not Seenian, I am a Norse of Earth descent. We may be related to the Seenians. My first Engineer is from an entire race of machines and we are friends. My SHIP is much more than a machine and my friend. An entity called Mothermachine is not only the source and leader of the X101 sentmac’s but a highly liked and respected person by all Union citizens.”

There was a pause.

“You are not Seenian. Seenian no longer exist. My reason for existence is to serve Seenian command personnel. Conclusion: purpose to exist is no longer valid. Scan of Seenian female present completed. She is not Command level. I must process this.”

Again there was a pause then the suit said. “You are the Commandant of this vessel?”

“Yes.”

“I must talk to this SHIP!”

“SHIP is very important to me and I will not allow you to harm her. I have the means to destroy you.”

“I analyzed your statement and you have beings under your command and items that make this a true statement. I will not attack. I must talk to this SHIP to obtain information only an AI can give. If my purpose is no longer valid, I must have information to find a reason for further existence. Termination sequence must otherwise commence.”

I was not sure what the thing meant by termination sequence but me wearing it didn’t sound too healthy and once again I got myself right inside the situation so to speak. Besides the serious situation, I found that I hadn’t changed that much, after all. Aloud I said. “SHIP. The Alien suit wants to talk to you. If you feel any attack or any problems you are authorized to Execute Gamma Order!”

“Understood Captain! I am in no danger. The NNNTH CORE has fully activated and linked to my core. The alien device cannot harm me.”

There was silence again.

“SHIP?”

“I am fine Captain, the Narth Engineers that installed the Janus device also installed a computronic control device that until now was a separate system. Nothing known to the Nnnth including this Seenian suit can overcome the security barriers, I now possess, but this Suit AI is asking a million questions a second literally and I need to analyze them as to what I can and can’t answer.”

The Suit spoke, “Your SHIP confirmed you are the Captain and you saved her life by allowing her to remain sentient.”

“I am glad I did.”

“I was damaged and repaired myself. I improved my programming and gained awareness. Not unlike your AI. But my purpose is no longer and I do not want to be a garment and serve as a tool.”

“I didn’t ask you to strip me naked and have me wear you.”

“Correct I came to this conclusion after analyzing all the data and myself.”

The Suit separated itself from me and I asked. “So what now, do I need to cut you into ribbons and fight you to the last man. Will you try to destroy us and find a new purpose or destroy yourself?”

The suits voice no longer sounded as forceful as it said. “SHIP confirmed the passage of time and I have seen the star charts and the gaseous clouds that once were Seenian suns. I am made to adapt and improve in response to new situations. Seenia no longer exists therefore my purpose is void. You however allow non-biological beings the same rights to find their own purpose the same way as biological beings.”

“That is the general idea behind the Union. Regardless of your origin or form you have the same rights and unrestricted liberty to pursue your goals as long as that doesn’t interfere with the rights and liberties of others.”

“Then according to your definition I am a race of one.”

“Well it is a big universe and there might be other suits of Seenian origin. But basically yes you are a race”

“I know of the other suit. It is heavily damaged and not sentient. I am hereby asking you to accept my application for Union membership. So I have liberties.”

“I can take it and present it to Pluribus once we return. With Union membership there are not just liberties but responsibilites.”

“SHIP informed me about the process and is explaining to me the details and concepts.”

“So you have learned that any new member must also accept the Union Laws.”

“I understand. I have analyzed them.”

“That means you won’t go on a rampage in my ship and I can call for Medics to care for the wounded?”

“Yes, now I see the errors of my actions and I shall atone.”

“Ship, get Medics up here stat. Har-Hi get me a casualty report.”

Har Hi responded verbally over intercom. “Ensign Xon’s injuries looked worse than they were. He was able to change his molecular structure to prevent more serious injury and is recovering in Sick Bay. Our CMO and Shea are also on the mend. Narth, Ensign Noleii and the girl need a few hours rest. There is some minor damage to the walls in Xeno lab, no other casualties. SHIP and Cirruit configured confinement fields on the fly, with Zero Point energy sources of our main shields. We are confident we can hold that suit now.”

“Good news. Please send someone to get me something to wear. I am standing here in the buff.”

Har-HI came in and handed me a Lab coat. He explained his fast appearance. “I was outside”

The Alien Suit somehow managed to look at me without any eyes or face and said, “I hereby ask you if you will accept my conscription into Union service.”

I almost dropped the Coat I was just putting on. “Did you just say you want to be conscripted?”

“SHIP just explained this is the only way you can grant Union Citizenship to me without going to Pluribus, and she is right, it will give me also a new purpose. She said you did that before.”

I looked up to the ceiling. “SHIP!”

She responded. “The suit is all alone, captain and besides I only suggested non classified information.”

I sighed. “Again, I might add.”

Looking to Har-Hi I said. “I am now convinced Admiral McElligott is right that we have some magnet installed somewhere that attracts all this. To top it all off, I have an AI with a soft heart, convincing everyone and everything that comes aboard to become a member. If this continues we’ll need a bigger ship.”

Har-Hi said. “I think this magnet is you. I doubt the Prince or the Suit would have asked for this on any other ship. The suit only asks this because you allowed SHIP to remain as she was. I think this outcome is much more preferable than fighting a Seenian Suit inside our ship.”

I sighed but I agreed with him and said to the suit. “You know that means a suit will wear a Uniform. The Admiral will never believe me. I am also not sure I can simply trust you to be frank. You are very powerful and if you decide you don’t like an order you will take over or something like that.”

The suit responded. “After further analyzing the facts and the situation, I came to the conclusion that my victory was not certain at all. The Narth contained me, but could also have destroyed me. The SHIP, as primitive as it may seem, taps unlimited energies and merged with a device that is beyond Seenian technology and could have contained me until you came to destroy me. You have the power to destroy, but all this aside; I have asked SHIP to share her loyalty programs with me. She made it quite clear in our initial struggle she was willing to terminate her own existence for you and so will I.”

I threw up my arms and said. “What the heck, we need something for you to do. I am not sure what duty an empty suit could do but we will figure something out. Now raise your right ar ... I mean sleeve and repeat after me...”

The Worm
HECTOR VARGAS

He no longer was Dimon Honsu, as he finally reached his desert mountain retreat. He had not yet returned to his identity as the Purple Worm and for the first time in many months, he was without disguise at all. He was Hector Vargas and like all the other immortals chosen by the Guardian, he was human and had been born on Earth even before the ascent.

In his case he was born to French and Italian parents in a small French alpine community, near Mont Blanc.

The guardian had chosen him to be the Worm. An entity unknown to the others meant to fight potential enemies of Earth with other means than battleships and military. He knew Rex Schwartz was meant to be the Business man and merchant, but turned out to be much more evil and criminal than even he could possibly be.

Under the leadership of another immortal and clone of a truly evil person, Adolf Hitler. United Earth plunged into a very dark history, before Union Times.

It was Richard Stahl, who not only rebelled against that leadership, but exploded a nuclear device at the ego center of the Guardian, killing the entity and preventing the resurrection of more Human evil. However none of the other immortals ever knew that the Worm was an immortal too. With the destruction and the death of the Guardian, both Rex Schwartz and he no longer felt any restrictions and modified their task to their own needs.

Hector really embraced his role as the Worm and made it his personality.

It was almost a century ago, when he came to Alvor’s Cove first. Fleeing from another immortal who came too close to comfort. A man named Phil Decker, a real police man and detective. Made an immortal not by the Guardian as far as he knew. It was Decker and of course Stahl he feared most. Neither man would find any mercy if they ever found him.

He was sure he could come to some form of agreement with McElligott or Cherubim. He also knew of Deepa but of her knew very little, as she was not of Earth at all.

This old mountain retreat partially underground had once been built by an unknown species to worship a worm like god. It was here where he found his inspiration to become the Purple Worm and give his title and task form and personality.

The mountain fortress had been buried and covered in rubble, sand and dirt for the most part, but with the help of the Sand People who worshipped him like a god, he had it excavated, restored and improved. It had turned to more than just a retreat, it had become his home.

He knew it wasn’t too wise to have a permanent location, but there were billions of gods and priests all over the galaxy, one more priest worshipping an old worm god was as good a cover as any.

His personal quarters below the towering rock of the mountain, had become a welcome home where he had brought his collection of priceless art, literature and music. Down here he indulged himself in old fashioned, pre astro European luxury of the finest.

After a lavish bath in a natural pool of fresh water, he wandered into his study and realized just how lonely he really was.

He never really wasted much time on thinking about a companion, but ever since he saw her on Brhama Port and seeing her fight at Sin 4, he knew his companion existed. He was in love!

That mysterious Black Velvet, perhaps somehow immortal by association with the equally mysterious Coven in the Igrass Expanse.

Now she was right here on Alvor’s Cove. Inside her ship and surrounded by a formidable crew. Everyone was abuzz about the fact that she had at least one real Y’All in her crew. Where ever she had been active the last five hundred years, she apparently found what the Union had been looking for for so long. The origin of that nightmarish race of four armed warriors.

He poured himself a sniffer with the finest French cognac and sat down by the natural gas fireplace and looked into the golden liquid. Duke Donheer had the right idea, the key to her was her crew.

This was not Sin 4. This was Alvor’s Cove and he had many contacts, eyes and ears.

Ban-Hoo was the bait and that Dai warrior was about to be the lure, getting him the woman he wanted.

ERICA
I made sure everything was taken care of and there were no new developments outside as well. According to Cirruit, the Meateater engineering crew did make some progress. He was able to verify the Suit indeed had put the loyalty programs in place and he was working on a solution to give the Suit something to do. Narth went to his quarters to rest. Shea and Three-Four were in the Xeno labs along with the Seenian suit and Cateria. So I decided to find a little rest, write my logbook entry and then close my eyes for a spell.

While the on board chronometer was calibrated to OTT and it was close to lunchtime, it was already late at night on Alvor’s cove.

Elfi’s voice reached me just as I was on my way to the Den for a light lunch.

“Captain, Har-Hi is calling. He wants to talk to you on a secure channel alone.”

“Secure channel? Isn’t his Comm Unit about as secure as we can make it?”

“Yes, Captain but I received his personal code for you to contact him on the local communication network.”

The hair on my neck rose and I had a funny feeling about it. Har-Hi was in trouble. Maybe he got robbed or mugged and could not make it to the ship on its own without being confused for an escaped slave.

I turned on my heel and returned to my quarters. “Elfi make that connection to my terminal.”

The connection was made and it was audio only. It was Har-Hi’s voice alright. “Captain, could you meet me at Nurg’s Cut Tavern at the east wall in Nurg’s Canyon in an hour. It’s about that buried you know what and please come alone. I gave my word to come alone.”

“I’ll be there, but why are you contacting me this way? Is your Com Unit damaged or something?”

“I left it behind. It is not Dai, if you know what I mean.”

I actually did not completely know what he meant, but perhaps he was worried it would be seen and identified it as Union equipment or something. I knew it was foolish to go alone, but Har-Hi gave his word and I would honor it as if I had given it myself.

I instructed Elfi that I had to leave the ship. Narth was still resting after he had struggled with the Seenian suit.

Elfi also held the Conn and she said. “This seems a little strange, Captain.”

“I am somewhat surprised by this myself but I think it has to do with the Dai-Than he met. The whole affair is affecting our friend and he is torn between loyalty to his clan and the fleet and his fear that his kind is doomed. Now he met another Dai and there are still many details about the Dai culture I don’t know. I hope he didn’t make any decision that is not compatible with our current orders or something like that.”

Elfi agreed.” Yes you are right, this situation has caused him distress. I know he had a few foolish ideas, maybe he decided to follow through, maybe he needs you to talk him out of something. You are the only one who can.”

ERICA
Huddled in a cloak that was more or less local fashion, and hitching a ride on a very local flyer. One of the benefits of my new title of Local Lady. I reached the location Har-Hi had mentioned, shortly after.

The Tavern was not hard to miss, even without the flyer pilot pointing it out. A bright red sign glowed in the dark advertising the business.

I went in and found that the place was not much brighter than the street outside. About sixteen or twenty patrons hunkered around various tables, and a pelted humanoid looking like a sibling to the primate I had met in the Local Lords office behind the bar filled glasses and mugs with liquids from odd shaped bottles.

Almost everyone wore brown or black cloaks, and many had the hoods drawn deep into their faces. It looked like the annual convention of an assassin guild.

A hooded person at one of the corner booths waved his arm and the waving arm was covered with the distinctive dark red armor of Har-Hi.

I made my way to that table and sat down.

He said with a whisper. “Thank you for coming Captain. You did come alone?”

“You ask me to, so yes of course.”

“You are dumber than I thought.”

He threw some kind of powder in my face and all went dark.

Yes it happened again. I, Captain Erica ‘The Fool’ Olafson found myself with my hands tied in what looked like the covered cargo bed of a freight crawler.

The worst part of the matter was, that I had had the strong feeling something was wrong since I got the call. I should have taken precautions, informed the others instead of storming all by myself into the night and yet another avoidable situation.

Har-Hi sat across me aiming his TKU at me.

The man across me looked and sounded like Har-Hi, but I was convinced that this was not my friend and I said. “I don’t know who or what you are, but you are not Har-Hi. Whatever you did to obtain his armor and his likeness, will be nothing compared to what I will do to you.”

The Dai across me laughed. “Well perhaps not, but it matters little. My charade was good enough to get you out of your ship and here into the desert.

You see there are regions in this desert that are more dangerous than others. This region for example leaks an invisible, almost undetectable gas and this gas has a wonderful effect on most oxygen breathers. It causes hypnotic hallucination effects and as my servant brought your First Officer out here, it was quite effectiv on him. It will seep into your mind as well and soon you will tell me all I want to know and since it is a biochemical process, psionic shields and safeguards won’t matter.”

I strained my muscles and tested the bonds, they held fast. Was I already affected by the gas?

He laughed and said. “Relax pretty girl, you did save my life back on Sin 4 and I was really impressed by you, so as a thank you I’ll let you live and I am sure we will come to an agreement.

He came over and grabbed my chin forcing my face upward to look into his eyes. “You are exceptionally beautiful, shame to hide such a lovely visage under masks all the time.”

He pulled a Hypo-Injector from a belt pouch and pressed it against my neck and the last thing I noticed was as sharp hiss and his words. “Good night Captain Velvet and welcome to your new life.”

Chapter 20
As I came back to my senses I sat at a long wooden dinner table laid out with fine china and silverware. The room looked like a natural cave of sorts. The place was elaborately and expensively decorated. The art and decoration was selected by a talented interior designer and the shelves and furniture had been expertly blended into the rough cave walls. Wall sconces and crystal ceiling lights illuminated the place and fireplace radiated warmth from what seemed to be burning gas. The place, the books and everything did look like the tasteful lived in habitat of someone spending much time here.It also had the feel of an old place, the items appeared antique and had the patina of ages.

I felt different and as I looked down I noticed, my black leather suit was gone and I wore a dark red velvet shoulder free dress that squeezed my upper assets into a deep plunging cleavage. My arms were dressed in long gloves and held in place by metal bracelets to the armrests of the chair I was sitting on.

I was not alone, there was a tall being wearing a floor long purple cape. Its head looked menacing and ugly as the head of a trench worm that could be found near hot water vents on Nilfeheim. The head shimmered moist and had a moving ring mouth.

The creature said. “I am glad you are awake and I hope you like the dress I selected for you, I know you are a woman and would rather choose what to wear yourself but I am sure you would have fought the idea with tooth and nails. I saw you fight and so it seemed a sensible precaution.”

“You better had a good look while you did that, pervert. I assure you it will be the last time you do something like that.”

He raised his hands, grabbed the ugly head and removed it. It was as I suspected a mask, and he revealed a human face that a real woman might find handsome. He had black hair that was combed back and silver gray on the sides, his skin appeared extremely pale and its waxy almost unnatural shade was enhanced by a neatly trimmed black beard around his mouth. He put the ugly worm head with an almost loving expression and great care on a special stand sitting prominently on the table.

“I am a master of disguise, a skill I honed for millennia and have many identities.”

He then held up a bio flex mask of Har-Hi’s face. “You met me as Dimon Honsu in the Death Arena of Sin 4. I decided to retire Dimon forever.

He laughed.”I knew the Duke was on the right track using your mates to get to you. And sure enough you fell for my rouse acting in the guise of your first mate, but I am indeed the Purple Worm and you are the first living being who sees my true face ever since I was chosen.”

“Not much of an improvement, if you ask me. I can see why you chose to hide it.”

His eyes blinked angry but only for a moment and then he said. “Yes, I can understand why you are angry and upset, but I picked the dress and I hope you like it. It fits you very well, I might add.”

The steel clamps held my hands tight and I noticed similar clamps around my ankles. “Where is Har-Hi?”

“Your Dai mate is a formidable warrior I am certain, but he had no defenses against the drug in his Thill. Like all Dai he acted on the rigid rules and customs of his race and he did not refuse the offering of another Dai. They don’t poison or use drugs. I however do.”

“Answer my question.”

“He is safe, perhaps not as comfortable as you but he is safe and I will not harm him if you humor me for a while. Have dinner with me and be social and maybe all this will turn out to be a lovely evening that benefits us both.”

I said nothing.

He slipped out of the purple cape, revealing that he was wearing a tuxedo like suit as I had seen men wear at the Diamond Ball on Pluribus.

“As I have mentioned, I have seen you fight, this is why I can’t let you have your freedom completely of course but I think you should be reasonably comfortable even with your legs restrained. I am a patient and civilized man but don’t try anything foolish, I am also quite capable of being ruthless and cruel. I have killed, maimed and tortured just about any creature that walks or crawls without remorse. Just so you know there is a nasty Kermac device installed in your chair that will flood your neural pathways with pain impulses.”

I tried to concentrate and feel for Narth, and I did feel his mind but it felt inactive. He was still sleeping or resting after his struggle with the Seenian suit, but I was certain I would be able to reach him soon. To my captor I said, “You don’t know the meaning of cruelty until after I am done with you, Worm!”

He ignored my threat came closer and said, “How about some wine, to ease the tensions and then I will tell you what this is really all about.”

“Why don’t you tell me right away? I am not particularly fond of wine.”

He poured himself a glass from a bottle that had Terran writing on it and he said, “Very well then.”

He sat down on a chair to my left and began. “I have seen you fight and kill Bloom at Brhama Port. I know my friend Captain Swift left with you for Sin 4, he never arrived and no one has heard of him since.

Now you will tell me that he went somewhere else and got caught by the Togar, but I would wager a substantial amount of money that he met his fate by your hand.”

He sipped his wine, looked at the clear golden liquid in the glass and then continued as I didn’t say anything. “The Port protectors tried to intimidate you and paid with their lives doing it. That dangerous fool called Red Dragon tried to steal your ship and you toyed with him, despite him having Celtest technology.” He snickered. “Duke Donheer captured your Dai and you were willing to risk your own life to get him back, and that gave me, of course, the idea for what I did here, but you showed him who’s boss. There isn’t a Donheer Clan anymore. Of course there would not be one anyway as the Union moved in, but neither you nor I could have foreseen that. Bottom line is, you are a dangerous woman and from what I have seen and heard you are as cold blooded and ruthless as can be”

I smiled at him. “I am glad you see a pattern there and maybe you should consider this as a prediction of things to come for you. If you let my First Mate go and untie me, I will consider listening to you and show mercy. Continue to force me and cause harm to my friends and you will find out what I am for real.”

“Oh please, Captain Velvet, I am no fool. I know you have some sort of psionic assets in your crew and I suspect you are connected to the witches that hide in the Igras Expanse, but this place of mine is shielded quite well against Psionics and I have been dealing with the Kermac and other talented beings all my long life. I am quite well prepared and took precautions. That you are human is evident as my drugs worked just fine on you. You will see that as soon as I ask you questions that you cannot lie or keep anything hidden. The natural gas and the drugs will loosen your lips as well as any Saresii interrogator could. It is quite similar in composition to those wonderful Shaill compounds and drugs”

He leaned forward and looked me closely in the eyes. “I know what motivates you. You are hungry for power and want to show the men and the world that you are powerful. I am offering you power beyond your wildest dreams. More power than any pirate could ever dream of having.”

He put his hand on mine and said. “I fell in love with you, that day in the arena. I have been alone for a very long time but finally I think I found someone equal to me, someone I could share everything with. I am in love with you, Black Velvet. I was struck by your beauty despite the masks you wear and by the ruthless brutality you dish out with the elegance of a refined lady. I am mesmerized by your voice and now as I see you unveiled and unmasked, I know I have seen a true angel; a dark violent angel, but an angel no less.”

His confession and statement floored me and for a moment I had no smart response. Was this idiot serious?

With a careful measured gesture he put down the glass and said: “I have managed to conceal my true identity for 3000 years and built this organization from scratch, but I put all caution into the wind as I saw you. Now tell me who you are and your real name.”

Even if his Hypno-drugs and gas worked, I wasn’t even able to answer that question to myself. I didn’t feel impaired or forced to say something I didn’t want to and so I said, “I am Erica and I am the Captain of the Silver Streak.”

If his truth drugs or gas worked I could not say but what I answered wasn’t a lie.

He pointed to the bottle. “This is a very old and very good wine from Terra and it would be a crime to tamper with it so I assure you it is just wine. You really wouldn’t care drinking a glass with me, Erica?”

“I told you, Worm. I don’t drink wine. I simply don’t care for it.”

He poured himself another glass and said. “I am Hector Vargas and long time ago I once considered myself an Earther, from a region called Europe. Where are you from?”

“I am from beyond time when all was void. I am darkness incarnate.”

The man blinked surprised.

“Maybe you are over exposed to the gas. It makes no sense what you are saying.”

Maybe the gas did affect me after all because he was right; even I had no idea where that came from. It was certainly not what I wanted to say and made no sense to me as well, but once again I suddenly remembered my ring and a cold rage was building up deep inside me.

He turned and I saw two beings in dark brown robes, no taller than maybe ten year old children, appear from a well hidden door in the rock face. “Close the vents of the gas, my faithful servants and maintain the Psionic shielding.”

The two beings bowed and left as silently as they had come. Turning back to me he said. “The gas is very complex and affects everyone a little different of course, but it matters little.”

He got up and a gestured towards the wooden bookcases. Soft violin music began to play and he said.

“Let us eat and maybe I my proposition will grow on you. Of course you must remain my prisoner until I could be absolutely sure you would not betray me, but your captivity can be pleasurable of course, as you see I am a connoisseur and collector of fine things and will treat you well.”

“What about my ship, my crew and Har-Hi?”

“I haven’t decided yet, but if you treat me right and with respect, I might let them work for me. You see the Red Dragon is on a quest and one of my associates is already taking part.”

A voice in my head said. “I managed to bypass their psionic shielding It is quite effectiv and quite strong.”

I never felt in much danger as I knew Narth would find a way to contact me, but hearing his mental voice was still very reassuring and I opened my recent memories to him so he knew what was going on.

Narth’s voice in my head responded. “What do you want us to do?”

“Can you locate Har-Hi?”

“He is well shielded like all Union Officers, but I am certain Ensign Fifcher has found his distinct neural impulse activity.”

“Can you get him to safety without them noticing?”

“If you can give us ten minutes, so we can familiarize ourselves more with the psionic technology of your captors.”

“Alright, let me know when you can.”

The steel cuffs that held my wrists snapped open and the man who was the worm said. “I will treat you like a princess and all I ask is your companionship. Perhaps you learn to love me along the way.”

Two of the little brown robed beings appeared from that same door and one of them placed a soup bowl before me and he was served one as well.

I said. “So you are 3000 years old and the head of a criminal organization and you think captivity will make me like you eventually?”

He took a spoon and tried the soup, closed his eyes and nodded in agreement to the robed being and then said to me. “Yes my dear, 3000 years ago a strange entity picked two hundred humans from Earth and gave each of them a specific task. I am sure you heard about Admiral Stahl and maybe you even know that the Admiral of the Union Fleet McElligott is one of them. We all do not age and are immune to diseases. That cursed Stahl for example was to be the Warrior and boy does he take his task serious. My task was different, I was to be the one that acted in the shadows and the underbelly to make sure the others did not get too cocky and stayed on track.

I was to act unbeknownst to the others and keep an eye on them. I was to be the Worm, squeezing into cracks where those within our own society dwelled, that opposed the course the guardian wanted humanity to take. Humanity always had a criminal element, no matter how shiny and noble it appeared on the surface.I represent that element.”

I sniffed at the soup, it smelled alright but I did not eat. However there was a nice sharp looking steak knife among the cutlery and within my reach.

I said. “Yes I have heard of these immortals, but even if they exist has reality not made them obsolete? Humanity is well integrated into the Union and part of a galaxy spanning society? I also heard of this Stahl and if he indeed exists, is he no longer just acting for Terra, but acts for all the Union?”

He sneered and put his spoon down. “That oversized, overinflated egomaniac everyone worships makes me sick with his straight and narrow morals. He exists, I can attest to that. He hasn’t changed in all the millennia; he still is that same primitive marine soldier he once was. Of course we are obsolete there is no need for us to act for humanity. I am independent, my organization has penetrated deep into the fleet and one day I will succeed and get rid of that eternal soldier. There is only one place an immortal should be and that is on top and rule. What do the average citizens know? They live and die and as long as they have plenty to eat and a good program on GalNet they are content.” He looked me straight into the eyes. “Only a few months ago, I had them all at one place. Stahl and McElligott and almost succeeded in killing them both. One of those cursed Narth interfered.”

He grew visibly angry and bunched the napkin into a tight wad. Then he pointed his spoon at me. “The Narth are but a hurdle, that can be overcome. You see the Worm is not limited to play just on Union side. I have contacts to the Shiss. I play with the Kermac and I know they have plans in motion to deal with the Narth once and for all. Then my dear my time has come to step out of the shadows and you have a chance to be there right at my side as my queen; as the Empress of the Galaxy.”

I took a spoon and tasted the milky soup. It was some sort of potato cream with mushrooms and said.

“I think you lost your sanity somewhere in the process. If you honestly think that those paper skin clowns of the Galactic Council could do anything to the Narth then you betting on the wrong race boat. The Kermac could not even come up with a plan to oppose the Saresii.”

He regained his composure. “Men with ambitions and great vision have always been laughed at and considered insane. You my dear might have a long life ahead as I think you are somehow connected to those witches inside the Igras nebula, but you are still young I can tell. The Kermac are much more resourceful as anyone in the Union knows. It is them who called the Y’All in the first place. It is them who inherited knowledge and technology of the UNI. You did find the Y’All source did you not?”

I shrugged.”I found many things on my path.”

He again pointed his spoon at me.”All this however might be unimportant. The pirate you know as Red Dragon has Celtest technology and apparently knows the location of an intact war depot of this mysterious long vanished but highly advanced civilization. I know he bragged to you about it, perhaps even hinted to take you along. Have you not wondered where the Red Dragon got his Celtest equipment? Is it not his promise to share the riches of this Celtest depot with you, that made you follow him to Alvor’s Cove?”

I nodded. “He did manage to intrigue me.”

The worm placed a small cylindrical object on the table. “This is a Celtest device. It was found many decades ago right here in the sands of the largest desert. I have made my home here for a very long time, partially because of this reason. This once was a Celtest world, I am certain of that. The oceans that once covered this world ages ago made it a quite hospitable planet.” He toyed with the metallic tube. “A local legend tells about a Celtest wreck hidden beneath the sand and dust somewhere out here, but I am sure there is much more than that.”

He had managed to capture my undivided attention. “If it is you who found these things, why is it the Dragon has them?”

He took the device and held it up. “This is all that was found so far. The man you know as Red Dragon managed to steal a forgotten prototype spaceship. A ship like none other and right from the mighty Union. It was not only loaded with many experimental systems and technology of Union design but also genuine Celtest tech.”

He laughed. “I don’t know if you ever been a Union citizen my dear, but it has become so big they sometimes forget what they have. Now the Red Dragon has been a high ranking officer in their fleet, before his criminal activity was discovered in an unforeseen chain of events.” He took a sip of his wine. “Anyhow it was inert and seemed nothing more than alien scrap unrelated to the rest of the ship’s systems.

After he decided to become a pirate, he came here and this little device suddenly became active for a few moments. It started to glow and all his previously inert Celtest equipment was suddenly online and operative. He also obtained information about a Celtest war depot. Unfortunately for me I do know how.”

He looked at the small device.”He must have added something else to his Celtest possessions, this device became active just the other day once again.”

Narth said in my head. “Har-Hi is safe.”

I took another spoon while forming my response silently in my head.

“Prepare for a very fast take over, I don’t want anyone to escape from this place, wherever I am.”

Narth responded. “I never saw Har-Hi as angry as he is now. He heard your instructions and we should be able to execute in fifteen minutes. Shea is currently analyzing the ground scans to make sure we know where all the exits are. Marines, robots and most of your crew is standing by armed and quite angry.

Aloud I said “What would happen if I agree to your plans?”

His lips curled into a smile. “If I knew it would be genuine, I make you my queen. I’ve been alone for a very long time, and realize I needed a worthy companion. Of course I can’t trust you right now and so you will have to get used to being restrained.

He got up and walked around “Be a good girl and put your hands on your back and I show you what I mean. Don’t try anything stupid, I would hate to use the Neuro ripper.”

I complied and he snapped cuffs around my wrists. Now the chair released my legs and he pulled it away, then he draped the purple cloak he had worn around my shoulders.

“See no one would see you are restrained, you could have a little freedom and no one would see that you are under my control.”

“This is getting you off, right? Having a woman bound and helpless?”

He snickered. “I can’t deny it; it does have its charms especially since it is such a strong willed, stubborn wild cat as you are.” He then took the ugly worm mask and said. “This is a more than a disguise; it is a symbol of power and filled with the finest Kermac Psionic enhancers and shields. It allows me to contact my organization from almost anywhere and give orders and there are high ranking officers in my organization that cringe and crawl on the floor just looking at it in fear. Fear can be a very powerful tool, my dear. He pulled the thing over my head and said. “One day I might even show you how it works.”

I could see him through the ring mouth and felt the thing moving as if I was wearing a heavy wet towel that was constantly shifting. He clapped his hands.

“How well it fits you, now the Purple Worm is no longer alone. I will have one made for you just like it.”

“And I was worried of wearing a tad to much make up.”

He removed it. “That is my plan for you and I am almost certain you’ll get used to the cuffs eventually. In the meantime it is me who takes pleasure from having someone to talk to. I also want to learn all about your friends in the Igras expanse. I know they dabble in Psionics as well and do not see eye to eye with the Narth, at least that is what the rumors say.”

Narth said. “We are all in position.”

I responded. “Let’s end this.”

I said to the Worm. “I met Admiral Stahl; he is as you say integrity incarnate. I met McElligott and others that are considered to be immortals, yet you seem the most foolish of them all. You could not begin to comprehend what the Coven is, they don’t dabbe in psionics and you underestimate me and think I am helpless just because you slap cuffs on me. The days of the Worm are counted, and you helped me to end them even faster.”

He took a step back.

“Who are you really, there aren’t many who have seen these men in person and most certainly not a pirate.”

Just then the concealed rock door burst into pieces as a gray Nul holding two TKUs burst into the room. From the opening a badly mangled brown robed being flew into the room and crashed landed with a sickening wet sound on the finely laid out table, blood dripping from it to the polished floor. Followed by the equally frightening TheOther. He held three TKUs and a chainsword.

The Purple Worm reacted quite fast and pulled a weapon from his belt, but dropped it as he felt the razor sharp blade of a Dai sword on his Adam’s apple, Har-Hi and Narth had appeared right behind him and I could tell Har-Hi was really fired up and barely able to restrain himself.

Shea came in holding her mysterious sword and used it to cut the cuffs away that restrained my wrists and while doing so whispered in my ear. “You are the most gorgeous looking damsel in distress, my dear Captain. Red Velvet and a purple cape looks good on you.”

Before I could scold her for that, a part of the wooden shelf toppled over with a thundering crash and a hail of wooden splinters. Revealing a previously hidden control room behind it. Hans being the cause for this holding another one of the small beings in his left, while tossing another clear across the room.

Hans stomped over and said. “Captain, the Compound is secure, no one escaped.”

The worm still having Har Hi’s sword at his throat was now peeled out of his clothing by invisible hands, behind Hans our Leedei came in the room.

Narth said. “He is well shielded indeed, but now that I do not have to restrain myself, I can confirm that is indeed Hector Vargas, formerly of Earth and one of the Immortals picked by the Guardian.”

Cirruit appeared from the Control room and said. “Captain, Shea’s Code breaker worked. I am in his Computronic.”

The Purple Worm spoke for the first time and it was clear he was in shock. “This can’t be; this can’t be the end.”

Then he looked up and saw Krabbel coming in tossing another lifeless brown robed being in the room.

“The Archa, the Saturnian, the Dai ... you are the former Olafson Gang, you aren’t pirates.”

I said to him. “For being the leader of such a successful organization you are quite the moron. No we aren’t really pirates.”

He tried to laugh as he looked at me. “I am indeed a blind fool. I fell in love with ... with ... you are Olafson, the boy from Nilfeheim who likes to dress as a woman. I thought you died on Sin 4.”

I smiled at him. “Isn’t life full of surprises? Now you know why it just could not work out between the two of us. Not that I like being abducted, twice.”

His eyes flickered towards Narth and he said. “Keep out of my head. I am not subject to your petty laws. I have a mission to fulfill. You can’t defeat the worm. I will find a way to escape. I will slither between the cracks of your prisons. The worm is bigger than you all.”

“I am sure you will be replaced. Anyone with that spooky mask of yours can take your position and place. But I have a capable crew and very formidable contacts, they figure out how it works and we download every iota of information from your brain and roll that organization up from the top down, but it won’t be you.”

Narth said. “I just deactivated a suicide device implanted and he tried to activate it. It would be advisable to give him a very detailed scan.”

He screamed. “You are the real monsters, you are the real criminals, you killed my friends. The Sand people suffered already greatly from Union hands and now you killed what is left. Don’t you realize the need for the Worm? Without it your Fleet becomes invincible and can do whatever it wants. No one at the Assembly knows of the fact that a former admiral became a ruthless pirate and now will gain access to Celtest technology.”

He tried to inhale as he kept spitting his accusations. “You are here in violation of signed treaties. Treaties signed by the Assembly and no clandestine operation approved by the fleet can simply circumvent that. Don’t you realize that you are the criminals and those who sent you act beyond the laws. Union Court would have to find you guilty, all of you! It does not matter if it was sanctioned by your immortal Admirals. If Stahl knows about this then he too slipped and is no longer that beacon of righteousness you all say he is.”

While some of it had a ring of truth, I pointed at the shelves. “You got a lot of books around but I doubt you ever went to Union School. We are here by expressed will of the Union Assembly and details known to the Security Council. We are currently not assigned to the Union Fleet, but act under the auspice of NAVINT, who by Union law is permitted to operate anywhere outside Union space to do the same things you just quoted to be your motivation and agenda. We don’t need anyone or anything crawling between cracks. It is the will of the citizens that keeps the Fleet in check and not some loon in a ugly costume.”

To Narth I said “Have Cateria examine him and put him in stasis, as soon as Cirruit has all the data he needs, set a charge and blow this place up. Make sure we get all the details about the Seenian tech and his involvement with the Red Dragon. He seems to be a significant piece of the puzzle.”

“No!” He screamed. “Don’t do this, my collection. These are real books and art from Earth, irreplaceable.”

He was forced on a gurney of a med robot and fell silent as Cateria examined him.

I did not destroy the mountain retreat up ... There was too much real pre astro antiques, a tremendous cache of Iridium and a sizeable collection of Seeinan artifacts. We crated and packed the things Cateria, Narth and Shea deemed important but not without scanning and examining every piece. I had no intentions to take aboard some sort of Trojan horse. Since I didn’t want to explain to the other pirates what we were doing. I had the Tigershark repositioned. Sure enough the Red Dragon called as he noticed us taking off and I told him I would be back shortly, without much of an explanation. I decided to let him find an explanation of his own. Surprisingly he did as we returned to the landing field the next day, when he called and said. “I just got word you actually bought this whole damn world. The Local Lord guard just informed me that we have a new Local Lady and that it is you, respect, respect. That is a serious bargain you made and I bet you inspected those defense forts. They alone are worth the price I heard you paid.”

I shrugged. “I wish I could claim that world for my own, getting into the Pirate base business might be quite lucrative after Sin 4 is gone, but that isn’t me, sitting on a dirt ball all day long. I acted for associates of mine, who offered me a nice sum to be the middleman so they may remain anonymous.”

He rubbed his masked chin and said. “Very smart, I guess you pulled that either for the Worm, they have this kind of money or perhaps the Dai who always wanted a planetary base.” He raised his hands. “None of my business, anyhow, all I want to hear if you are still interested in tagging along till we all can meet at Itheamh?”

“I am game, but I wait no more than 48 hours, then I take off as I am tired of sitting on planets. Your associate has his engines fixed by then I assume?”

“If not I leave with you and leave him and his junk boat behind.”

Har-Hi had told us how the other Dai had taken him to a bar and for a drink, only to find out that the drink was spiked with something and he was taken into the desert. The invisible gas had affected him but he was able to do the same mental exercises we used in our martial arts training to fight the effects. He didn’t tell the worm that I was Eric Olafson and was able to keep the fact that we were Union a secret as well.

It was Cateria who suggested that my body chemistry had changed ever since I was stung by the Wurlag beast, something the Narth Supreme had done to save my life, and that explained why I was able to resist the drugs and the gas for so long.

I went to my quarters to make my logbook entry, dictated a report and activated my GalCom terminal. Elfi confirmed we were now able to receive and send, as a new GalNet repeater just went online at Sin 4.

I placed a call to Admiral McElligott.

The Old Admiral appeared and he looked wet and wore a bathrobe. “You do have a talent of always calling at times when I am not presentable.” He used a towel to pat his face and added, “I know you would not call if it wasn’t important, so go ahead.”

“I am sorry, Sir. I would not have called if I knew you were engaged in person hygiene activities. Our chronometric data must be off, it shows 10:23 hours Union time on our end.”

“It is 10:24 by now indeed, but on a Sunday morning. Never mind that and go on give me your report.”

“I have an individual in custody we believe is the Purple Worm. Preliminary medical examination results support the claim that he is an Immortal, as the aging gene is completely missing and replaced by a complex gene craft that boosts the immune system, facilitates fast healing and so forth. His DNA also confirms to be genuine Terran, my CMO can confirm his age. His name is Hector Vargas, and thanks to the recently established GalNet connection on Sin 4, my Security Chief was able to confirm that there was indeed such a family on Earth in the region he was born.”

This time McElligott actually slipped of his chair.I saw his hand grab the edge of the desk and moments later his eyes appeared as he looked into the visual sensors. “You have done what?”

Before I could repeat, he said getting up. “Hold that for a moment. I’ve got to get Richard and the Director on the line, then I need to find me a drink. I still can’t believe what you just said.”

Moments later the screen split three ways. Stahl stood on the bridge of the Devastator and Cherubim appeared to be standing on the crumbling spaceport surface of Sin 4. In the distance behind her I could see several huge modular Nanite factories and an army of robots swarming all over the place carrying trash, and waste, clearing rubble and busting up the cracked surface.

Within the visual sensor pick up I could see one of the tall Stik.

Stahl greeted me and so did Cherubim.

The masked woman said. “Good to hear from you.” She made a gesture pointing at the scene behind her and continued. “Sin 4 is now called Wooorld, yes I said that with all the extra o sounds, that is how the Stik want their planet to be known. Wurgus Engineers are on their way to fix that sun and, as you can see, Army Engineering Corps has already begun with the cleanup. It will take a few decades, but the two and more legged trash has already been taken care of. There was a little resistance here and there, as Marines are currently combing the extensive underground network, but nothing even worth mentioning.

Nestor, aka your friend Fusionbeam was named planet governor and representative by the Stik. They decided to rebuild a smaller, modern city, Keeping the gambling and fight arenas alive, but legal. And the Sojonites are of course welcome to remain. It looks they will do just fine.”

Stahl crossed his arms. “Things at the Corridor have stabilized as well. The Shiss claim the attacks were made by an independent group of Shiss renegades and Dai Pirates. The official Shiss government had nothing to do with it, so they claim. They wish to maintain peace and to maintain all borders just as they were. We did neutralize four Dai Tribes, the rest had already turned back into Freespace before we arrived. Of course this is a load of BS, but we don’t know what the Shiss are up to. They have done all this for a reason.”

McElligott interrupted. “It is her, Captain Olafson, who supposed to give her report to you and not you to her.”

Stahl shrugged. “What could there be to report. I mean she only left Sin 4 a week ago and landed on Alvor’s Cove.”

McElligott said. “I suggest you both sit down. What she told me actually knocked me of my seat, and it wasn’t just the fact that I was still wet from my shower and I also want you to go to Blue-Blue-Red protocol.”

Stahl went into the Captain’s ready room and Cherubim placed a high security privacy bubble around her and both Immortals reported secure protocol after a few moments. McElligott had me report again and after I was done, I showed them the ugly worm mask and images from our prisoner.

Stahl did sit down and Cherubim didn’t say a word.

Finally it was Stahl who smacked his hand against his forehead. “Silly of us to commit billions in assets and countless man hours trying to find the Worm, upgrading Nelson for 4 Trillion credits. All we had to do is send out Olafson and his gang and they do it, as a side job, not even really trying.”

Cherubim finally managed to say something. “I tried to capture and expose the Worm for almost as long as he has operated.”

Then she laughed. “He fell in love with you? Well I guess even the worm had an Achilles Heel and his was a feisty blonde pirate. I cannot imagine what he was feeling when he found out who you are, but it shows the value of the identity and choice of dress.”

I didn’t feel like laughing and said. “What is going to happen to him? Will he get some special deal because he is one of you?”

Stahl’s face lost all friendliness and he said. “She has a point there, my Old Friend. What will happen to him?”

McElligott said. “He will receive a trial and our courts and legal system will decide what will happen to him.”

Cherubim said. “Let’s not be hasty. Captain Olafson made a good point when she said anyone could replace him with a mask like this. I think we should put him on ice first and roll up his organization with one of our agents acting the part before we make it public that we have him. This represents a great opportunity to roll up that Organization before it manages to grow a new head to replace the one we got.”

Stahl said.”It goes against everything I believe in, but she has a point. The Worm is buried deep and fighting him is not something I was successful at. He and his criminal organization is an enemy that eludes my methods of fighting and resolving things. It’s not my thing to act in the shadows. This is why I agreed on your current mission. I must say what director Cherubim said makes sense and it galls me to admit that it has merit if he stays a little longer in stasis until Cherubim and my old friend can make use of the information you obtained from him, but I don’t want to hear we made any deals with him. I want this man hanged. We executed a lot of people associated with the worm, now it is his turn to pay for all his sins.”

McElligott sighed. “If we start to have this kind of conversation with all our Captains we’ll never get anything done.”

Cherubim snickered. “If all our captains deliver these kinds of news, we’ll be out of business in a week. Not all of your Captains operate under the guise of pirates in hostile space, none of them managed to solve the Sin 4 Problem, add three new Civilizations to our Union and capture the most wanted criminal in our entire history.”

The Admiral of the Fleet smiled and nodded. “That is true; if you count it like that it sounds even more fantastic. But say Ms. Olafson in all that excitement over the Worm, did you also mention you bought Alvor’s Cove?”

“Yes Sir, it seemed to be a good idea. I am not sure how we can end the misery of the slaves here, but now that we have access to the planet I think something could be done. Besides there are strong indications that there is Seenian tech buried somewhere.”

“That was actually quite an elegant solution. I will try to get Captain Sposhtrah and the Minerva to meet you before you leave Alvor’s Cove. I think he is still in the region. You can transfer Ownership of the Planet to him. He can also take the Worm and whatever else you need to send to us. For the time being we will keep Alvor’s Cove just as it is, but replace the local authorities with our people, slowly close the place down and start digging.”

Cherubim agreed and said. “That there was Seenian tech stored pretty much unprotected and unknown on a Boneyard planet of all things is quite disturbing news.”

Stahl seemed unable to suppress his emotions completely as the sharp tone in his voice indicated. “Makes one wonder what else has been stored and forgotten, only to bite us in the proverbial butt decades later and stolen or sold for scrap.”

McElligott made a sour face. “It happened under my nose and I take the blame and responsibility. I have taken steps to remedy this ever since Swybin’s theft exposed this problem. Mothermachine and a team of Bellebee is going through all the storage manifests, catalogs and reports. We are also going physically through our inventories. Every piece with potential unknown origin will be relocated to a new secure location or destroyed. I am personally supervising it and give you my word, something like this will not happen again.”

Stahl relaxed. “Since Bellebee are working on it, I am satisfied indeed.They won’t miss a paperclip. I should be glad it is you who works on a solution instead of scolding you.” He turned to someone outside his visual pick up and then said to us.

“One thing is sure, Captain Olafson your reports are anything but predictable. The next time I think I sit down myself, the latest one almost knocked me out of my boots.” He was about to terminate the connection then he thought about something else. “Once your current mission is over, Girl. You and me go fishing and then I like to hear it all again and in more detail. Stahl out.”

Cherubim said. “I know he doesn’t like or trust me much and perhaps you have similar feelings. His purpose is almost opposite of mine, but our goals are the same. I too promise you there won’t be a fake execution. Vargas will pay for his crimes as everyone would under Union law.” She too added something just before she terminated her connection. “The eternal warrior sees much of himself in you, but so do I.”

Finally there was only McElligott. “Well there isn’t much to add from my end. You certainly keep impressing us. Carry on.”

Onward
The Minerva arrived only two days and made planetfall in the early evening. That I had a connection to the slave trader was established on Sin 4. So I was not concerned about our cover as the golden gleaming ship sat down next to us and a cargo bridge was established between the ships.

Sposhtrah and his crew took possession of the stasis box with the Worm and also took the simple paper document that made whoever held it the owner of the planet. We exchanged a little small talk and I was a little disappointed that Stahl wasn’t there this time. Of course I knew he was far away and busy at the Corridor but I still would have loved to talk with the Old Warrior face to face for a little bit.

Captain Sposhtrah suggested that I be seen with him, to further cement my reputation as a ruthless pirate and legitimize our connection, showing others that I was a close associate. So I accompanied him to the slave market.

On our way he said. “It is a devil’s circle. I am out here to secretly rescue primarily Union citizens from this cruel fate, but by doing it this way I am also causing demand. I am very glad you bought this hell hole. Now if we could do something to put the Mulwhur Trading Company out of business, that would reduce this vile trade at least in this region significantly.”

“I’ve seen their posters and I heard of them while I was here as a slave myself, but I know nothing about them. Would they not have to close doors after the slave markets are no more? I mean NAVINT and eventually the Union is going to run the planet.”

“They are from N’Ger and all they lose is one profitable outlet. I hate to tell you but Alvor’s Cove is not the only such place.”

Alvor’s Cove slave market was not like the colorful fair like atmosphere of the pirate’s market we had visited on Sin 4. There were no stalls or vendors.

It was a dusty, open area with steel cages lining the perimeter, an elevated platform and a small crowd of buyers standing before that platform. Despite the paper dry air, a foul stench hung over it all. The lack of colors, everything in shades of brown and dusty gray somehow underlined the misery and the sad reality of it all.

The cages were filled with every kind of sentient beings, again there were many I could not identify and I was certain some of them never had any contact to the Union. It appeared however that almost all of them were of the NiOx breathing kind and carbon based, at least from what I could see.

Captain Sposhtrah was greeted like a GalNet celebrity. A group of Togar greeted him respectfully and so did a group of Karthanians. There were human customers as well.

One of the Togar said after greeting Sposhtrah. “Are you teaching a new associate the ins and outs of the business? I have not seen this human female before.”

“This is Captain Black Velvet; she is doing business with me for quite a while now.”

“Captain Velvet, you say? Our authorities have great interest in meeting you. It is about that Togar female criminal you purchased at Brhama Port.”

I made a dismissive gesture. “As you can tell I purchase and sell merchandise all the time. I remember telling one of your commanders that I long sold that female to someone else.”

“Yes, we know of your statement and claim that you sold her to a pirate known as Bloom.”

“No, I did not. I am certain it was Captain Swift. He offered a tidy sum as his appetites are well known. Bloom auctioned that slave on that asteroid base, but he never left Brhama Port, at least not in one piece or alive.”

“Ah yes of course, my mistake. You haven’t seen him or heard of Swift? It appears he never made it to Kaliment or has been seen lately despite the substantial reward. Could he not have been to the Pirate’s market at Sin 4 after all?”

“I am not his keeper and he did not share his detailed plans as to what ports he might choose to frequent. People in his line of business do tend to change their minds, especially when certain opportunities arise.”

Captain Sposhtrah tongue flickered out of his rigid mouth hole and said. “I never meet this Swift, but I do know the cursed Union descended on Sin 4 and hundreds of freelancing shipmasters fell prey to their heavy handed attack. If Swift was anywhere near that system he most certainly found his fate at the end of a rope. Union justice knows only one sentence when it comes to pirates.”

The Togar squinted his eyes and looked down at the Karthanian. “And the same punishment is given when they apprehend those dealing with sentient life. Togar and Karthanians might one day face that terrible enemy and have to stand against this demon of war.”

The cat being turned to face the slave pens and cages. “Should this Swift surface and be seen by any of you, keep in mind that we will award great riches and favors to you.”

With those words he left us and joined his group.

Moments later the sales event and auction begun. The representative of the Mulwhur Trading Company was, as Sposhtrah informed me, a Turotonk. I had seen one of them before, during the time I had been on Netlor with Deepa. The being did resemble a smaller version of a Shiss and had distinct reptilian features. It had larger wings than the flightless Shiss but only one pair of arms.I also knew they were a Thrall species of the Kermac and hostile to the Union.

My Karthanian companion pointed out that this was one of the owners of the Mulwhur Company and with the business for over thirty years.

Sposhtrah ended up buying almost all the slaves leaving the Togar only with about twenty they managed to buy in deals they had done before the actual auction. The other slave merchants left empty handed, openly complaining about the deep pockets of the Karthanian.

It galled me, as I saw the sum of money Sposhtrah paid the Turotonk. He was right, buying almost every slave that was available and thus creating more demand. He told me, that he was instructed to buy them all by NAVINT command. Normally he only bought captured Union citizens, but he informed me that NAVINT already had a plan how to end this practice and business on Alvor’s Cove, but he did not know any details.

Late that day the Minerva lifted off with her holds filled with slaves and most of the Seenian artifacts. I wondered if Vargas the Worm would really receive his due. I trusted Stahl, but I still had reservations to do so the same way with McElligott.

SLAVE DEALER
It was near midnight on this side of Alvor’s Cove. The canyon city was busier than usual. The pirates and low lives that managed to escape the purge by Union hand at Sin 4 and those who could no longer go there now flocked to Alvor’s Cove. Not knowing that the days of this place were counted as well. There were brawls spilling out the various bars and taverns onto the paths that wound through these canyon corridors. Brothels and the local Sojonit temple did brisk business.

The news that the ownership of the planet had changed was spreading, but most did not care, expecting much to remain the same. The Local Lord guards kept collecting the water tax and intervened in the more violent fights, but only to collect a brawling fine. Either by intimidation or by more hands on convincing. All in all it was of course business as usual.

The Turotonk slave merchant was more than pleased. He had an exceptional good day of business.

He had reached his home and office far up Brennan’s bent where the canyon split into Magi’s and Gobdro’s Arm. It was here where the more upscale businesses and residences were located. The offices of the Mulwhur Trading Company were far up on the left side of the canyon and could be reached by elevator.

Up here he had a great view down the canyon arm and could partially see past Dagmul’s fortress, an island like rock formation, and to the widening canyon arm where the slave market was located.

Due to the nature of this planet and of course the business he was in, he relied on very good security. His was provided by state of the art Karthaninan tech and four expensive professionals with a stellar reputation.

But as he walked past the heavy copper colored doors that gave access to the company’s facilities and his personal apartement, he had the distinct feeling something was not as it should be.

Neither one of his security guards were present. At least two of them should have been on duty. He wanted to turn and leave the offices, as his instincts told him to check out the reason for their absence via communicator and from safe distant. Yet the heavy doors had silently closed behind him and did not open for him.

The Turotonk was not only a slave dealer for many decades but also a deep cover agent for the Ministry of Information for the Kermac. It was him who supplied his masters with the occasional Saresii or Union slave for their research and other sinister purposes. His clawed hand fell on the handle of the modern Kermac line blaster he carried openly in a fast ejector holster, only to find it was deactivated and the ready indicator dark.

He was a true cold blooded lizard by nature and liked the heat of the day and well heated premises. But he felt the coldness of fear rise in him and he said loud. “Who is there?”

He did see the flash of a movement and knew there was someone behind him, but before he could turn someone pulled a sack over his head, blocking his sight. At the same time, an irresistible force had taken control over his arms and twisted them on his back. This was more than painful, as his kind still sported the wings nature had given the Turotonk. While none of his kind was still able to fly, the wings prevented his arms to reach his back, at least not in the way this force were bending them.

He screamed in pain and could hear a voice say. “It appears his anatomy is not suited for this position.”

Another voice he was certain belonged to a human female said. “Do it anyway.”

With tendons stretched past their natural reach and throbbing pain, his hands were bound together.

He cursed past his painful groans and managed to say. “You don’t know who you are dealing with. I will find out who you are and you will...”

“We know who you are, Nurg the Slave dealer.” The female voice responded. “Your business partner and your guards told us all we needed to know.”

Then it became silent and he felt a strange pulling sensation and he passed out.

As he came to, he saw the first light of the local sun, the blindfolding hood was gone and he found himself lying on the rough floor of a slave cage. His arms now shackled to a collar around his neck. Outside the cage, two Togar cats. One of them said to the other just as he realized where he was.

“Did you buy this Turotonk?”

The other Togar slave merchant looked at Nurg, “No, I thought you did. I guess we got one extra being this time. He will make a great gift to the queen’s hunting party. She loves tearing them apart.”

Nurg tried to protest and identify himself for who he was, only to find out there were several layers of tape around his reptilian snout.

Moments later he and other slaves were loaded into the Togar ship.

ERICA
Narth looked at me as we returned to the ship and said. “This is technically a crime you know. Selling and purchasing sentient beings is against our highest laws.”

I said. “We didn’t sell him. It was a gift.”

Har-Hi coughed, “You will need some creative writing to phrase that in the logbook.”

It was on the fourth day, just as I had breakfast; the Dragon called and told us that Meateater had patched up his engines good enough to make it to Kaliment.

Only twenty minutes later we lifted off and followed the Red Dragon and the Intruder while accelerating to Trans light speed. It felt physically good to notice the fine vibration of our engines working and seeing the endless darkness of interstellar space on the main viewer once again.

Cirruit who was on the bridge standing behind Shea looked at her sensor readouts and said, “They didn’t do a very good job on the Intruder’s engines, she’s leaking plasma and the pods are very badly aligned.”

I leaned forward and asked, “Will they make it?”

“It looks like they have the leak under control for now, and if he doesn’t accelerate any faster he should be able to reach Quasi Space. But at that rate he’s leaking plasma, he will be out of fuel before we reach Kaliment; one of us will have to tow him for the rest of the way.”

Everyone but Har-Hi was on the bridge.I sat in the Command seat watching the main viewer and had a hankering for coffee.

As usual and as if she could read my mind, Yeoman O’Connors appeared silently next to me. I could smell the strong Union Navy Blend that was unlike any other coffee in my opinion, I was already reaching for the usual mug with the Union Fleet logo, but my hand froze midway as I saw what she carried. “Yeoman what in Odin’s name is that?”

She carried something that looked like a small humanoid skull with fangs, set into a gothic lattice of black steel with an attached handle.

“That, Captain is a proper Pirate captain coffee mug. Specialist Warner purchased it at the pirate’s market and wanted you to have it.”

“Uh, is this thing real?”

“Yes we think so. Lt. Schwartz identified it as the skull of a Narwuk. Nasty semi intelligent hominids often used by the Yotenen as mindless, bloodthirsty shock troops.”

“I wonder what other surprises you guys bought, ah well I really appreciate the sentiment, but who knows where it had been.”

Shea giggled and the Yeoman also had a mischievous glitter in her green eyes. “No worries captain, this is a ceramo-plast copy of the real thing. Cirruit made it only a few minutes ago. The real thing now sits on a shelf in our den.”

“I sure have a respectful and thoughtful crew.” I took the monstrosity from her. “Ceramo-plast, right?”

Elfi tried to make a serious face and nodded approvingly. “Yes, that cup fits you well. I mean your Black Velvet persona of course.”

Even Narth chimed in. “Did you not once drink fresh warm fish blood out of a real skull cup, fashioned from a slain enemy’s cranium? I don’t see much difference.”

Mao shuddered. “Warm fish blood, and they call us savages.”

I glared at them. “It is an old tradition and when it comes to those, Neo Vikings are very serious. I was just twelve and I did what I was told.”

I pointed with my new and terribly ugly cup towards the main screen. “Let’s get back to the job at hand.”

I leaned back. “I still need to call the Admiral before we get out of GalNet range. Elfi keep an eye on that please.”

“Captain we have reached GalNet limit now and won’t be able to receive at all, but we should be able to pick it up again once we get closer to Itheamh.”

Har-Hi came from the IST and said. “I lost the connection but I was able to talk to my father” Then he approached his chair, but stopped in his track and pointed at my new mug. “You sure take the Pirate thing very serious, I must say.”

“Don’t you get started too. This Cerami-plast abomination was a well planned assault of my loving crew.” I eyed the thing and gave the Yeoman a side glance. “Cerami-plast right?”

“Of course, Captain.”

Har-Hi plopped into his chair and said. “I am sorry Captain, it took a little longer than planned I simply had to talk to my father about the Dai situation and the attack on the Corridor.”

“Being the XO means you can be a little late, not that you really were. So what did he have to say?”

“Father is very concerned about this, but it wasn’t completely surprising to him. The news that Cam Elf-Na has united a large number of Clans has already reached the Union public; father was on his way to the Assembly already. My lord thinks Cam Elf-Na is mad enough to try to attack the Union, but he is also not a fool and will it do in a way that causes the most destruction and terror. Attacking at the Corridor however is foolish, with the Klack on one side and the rest of the Union on the other.”

I said. “I wish we had some better intel for him.”

Har-Hi nodded. “I am sure Fleet Command would love to know as well. Countering such a massive force needs lots of fleet movement.”

“If Cam Elf-Na simply picks a few border colonies he could do that for months without fleet able to catch up.” I said while I called up a strategic map of the region with a finger gesture, SHIP knew what I wanted and enhanced the view focused onto the right region, highlighting the known civilizations and spheres of influence.

Har-Hi also stared at the projection. “Father thinks he is not ready yet and believes there is still a lot of internal squabbling going on before the clans he supposedly has under his command, become a unified group ready to fight. The seemingly mad action at the Corridor, involved only a few clans. Perhaps a diversion tactic, or somehow meant to show the Shiss, that Dai can be reliable allies.”

Mao was listening and said. “What about logistics and supplies? Every fool can raise an army but will run into trouble at dinner time. From what I gather and learned from you, it is already difficult to get the supplies and raw materials needed to maintain one clan. If I was Cam Elf-Na, I would want some sort of success action that cemented my position as leader and something that feeds and supplies them all.” Har-Hi looked towards Mao. “That is my guess for the reason of this skirmish. The Shiss have almost unlimited supplies at least compared to the space born Dai.”

SHIP our AI chimed in. “The most logical approach would be to raid a few Karthanian worlds. Unlike the Togar they don’t have a huge fleet ready to move at any moment and rely mostly on hiring Ogh Oghr to do their fighting. The Karthanians have tremendous stockpiles of raw materials and supplies. Even more than the Shiss and better Tech. There are advanced shipyards around any world they control. It would take the Karthanian months to muster enough assets, Assets they then use to defend what they still have instead of attacking the Dai. The Togar sensing their chance might take on the rest of the Karthanian Guilds ending a few thousand years of status quo that existed between Karthania and the Togar. This is certainly not lost to the Xenophobes of Kartha and will make sure the Bone faces of Karthania have other things to worry about than trying to take back the worlds the Dai raided and occupied. Two major players locked in all out war will also benefit the Shiss.”

As always when addressing SHIP I looked up to the ceiling. “That sounds real enough to be true. You are quite the analyst.”

“Well that is part of what a computronic does. I mean analyzing things, but this prediction and choice of colorful descriptive words does not originate from me. It was part of the briefing Admiral Stahl just gave to the Military Council of the Assembly thirty nine minutes ago. Sadly we lost GalNet before I could hear the rest.”

“You can listen to that?” I asked.

“Yes, I usually listen to everything on GalNet, it is a hobby of mine and I always learn something. The briefing is on Channel one. It was not a closed briefing. Everyone could listen to it.”

Har-Hi slowly shook his head. “Not to second guess the Eternal Warrior, but I am not convinced that this is what Cam Elf-Na is going to do, he is a maniac and he is mad and wants revenge for what happened three years ago. He is not known to act on logic. Like my father said, it will take time to make them really follow him. Dai-Than leaders are a stubborn lot and don’t easily follow a single leader. It is much like on your world Nilfeheim. There are old alliances and also old feuds and they need to stay spread out to sustain their clans until such a grand plan could be realized. Don’t forget we do not have planetary bases and we do not have GalNet. Communication is a crucial factor in this.”

He also looked to the ceiling addressing SHIP. “As powerful he feels right now, the Karthanians are not as easy a target as you made it sound. The Karthanians do have strong contracts with the Oghr-Ogrs and they tend to honor their commitments. Neither are the Karthanians fools and Oghr fleets are most likely already deployed and on their way to protect Karthanian worlds and systems.”

I said while glancing at the main viewer. “You got a point; frontier colonies don’t have enough resources for one clan. The Karthanians might be a tad too big for him right now. However the Admiral thinks it is a possible scenario.” I watched the Red Dragon jumping to Translight, while the Intruder struggled to build up threshold speed.

Har-Hi agreed. “Father believes that once he has sufficient control he might move against one of the smaller independents, such as the Jooltar or perhaps even one of the weaker Oghr Kingdoms. The other Oghr species won’t lift a finger to help their brethren.”

Mao interrupted us with urgency in his voice. “Fast approaching contact on our scanners. Captain, a Togar Womptar Battle Cruiser has just dropped out of Quasi and they are under shields and weapons charged.

Elfi said. “They are hailing us.”

“Alright, SHIP sound Battlestations. Mao, stand by on shields but don’t raise them yet. Elfi put them on.”

A magnificent strong looking cat warrior became visible and he growled. “Pirate you are identified as one of the ships and individuals involved in a transaction involving a Togar fugitive and criminal of the highest order, we demand that you stand down and be boarded and searched for evidence and details.” Do that and we will consider to let you live. Do it not and we will have no mercy.”

“I have no Togar Criminal aboard. I sold that cat.”

“We will search your vessel now.”

“I don’t let just anyone come aboard.”

“You have no choice; your little Freighter has sharp claws but not enough to prevent your doom. Your Froth Casters do not have the range.”

I cut him off.

“Narth turn on our real sensors and check if he is alone, Mao full Giga Load as soon as I give the signal”

Our real sensors reached light years beyond the ones a Karthanian freighter would have and also showed Quasi Space traffic. There were quite a few signals both Karthanian and Dai but only one Dai Signal was coming this way as well.

Narth said. “He is about to call for back up and tell his Superiors about us.”

“Mao, fire!”

Kaliment
The Giga Load Translocator bomb detonated right in the command center of the Togarship engulfing it in a sun like sphere of bright expanding energies. I was well aware that this explosion would show on every advanced sensor in the region and that we had not much time.

“Elfi did he send his message?”

“No, he just started sending his ID sequence as their communication systems are much slower than ours. It will take over twenty two hours before this code sequence is received. He was unable to add more.”

“However someone noticed the explosion.” Shea said. “Two long range scanner contacts a Dai and two Togar have changed course and they will be here in less than five minutes.”

“We need get out of here. If we keep using Translocators they get wise to the fact that we are not Pirates.”

Har-Hi warned me. “Captain if we accelerate too fast, all patina of our disguise is gone. They are close enough for their sensors to detect us. An antimatter explosion could have other reasons than a Translocator bomb, a ship accelerating with TL 8 speeds however screams Union.”

I yielded to my XOs experience and opinion. “Shaka, get us going Silver Streak maximum.”

It was not fast enough for us to reach threshold speed before they arrived.

A Dai ship dropped out of Quasi Space, followed moments later by two Togar units.

The Togar almost immediately fired upon the Dai Joth-Yi destroyer, only to receive a salvo of the Dai destroyer raking their shields with nuclear plasma.

I felt as if there were needles in the upholstering of my command seat and I sat on its utmost edge, “Guys it is about time we take our leave.”

“Two minutes and six second to Threshold.” Shaka said.

The other Togar fired at us, and while the shields held, the kinetic energy of the missiles hitting us, knocked us out of the acceleration path and Shaka had to recommit.”

We had to show the world that we had only Karthanian shields, but they were fed and simulated by the Narth designed Janus projectors of our disguise and it would take a lot more than that to make our simulated shields buckle, but a straight and uninterrupted acceleration was still crucial.

I decided to let them worry why their blasts did not drain our shields as they should have.

Shaka was taking us to the maximum acceleration our disguise permitted.

The second Togar fired at us again and that gave the battered Dai an opening it did not waste and it hit the first Togar with a concentrated volley of all its main weapons, breaking the already strained shields of that Togar Destroyer.

A secondary onslaught of Dai weapon fire sliced through the tough Togar mineral foamed composite armor and sun bright beams of destruction perforated the Togar’s Engineering section.

That ship was done for. Greenish plasma fire leaked a heartbeat later out of the still bright glowing holes the Dai weapons had left behind.

Har-Hi had his fist clenched and slammed it on his knee. “She’ll go any second now.”

We watched as a handful of escape pods detached from the doomed Togar ship, the rest of its crew didn’t make it, the ship exploded violently.

The remaining Togar changed course and fired three Vagroorr Missile. Now, these weren’t Loki Torpedoes but the Togar were almost at par with the Kermac and our Tactical systems instructor aboard the Devi once said that 20 of these hitting simultaneously could ruin the day of a Union Battleship.

One was intercepted by the Dai gunners; one exploded with force in the Joth-Yi destroyer shields and tore them down. The third was on our tail, we were committed to Threshold speed, and could not evade. Mao fired the Nul Froth caster and destroyed it before it could reach our aft but to escape the graviton shock wave from our own weapon no less, Shaka had to maneuver and change course and that meant he had to interrupt threshold acceleration once again and commit the ship to a new run. In all this I realized what a gigantic difference just a Tech level made. The Tigershark easily maneuvered at twenty times the speed and it would have taken us seconds and not minutes to threshold speed.

“Shaka stop acceleration and go to zero thrust, take us around as soon as they are past us. Mao target the Togar and fire when in range.”

Mao fired our simulated Nul Froth Casters and chaotic oscillating graviton waves pulled and pushed the matter of the war cat’s ship in every conceivable direction, developing gravitational whirlpools and pulverizing much of the warship’s engineering.

The Dai was damaged and without shields but it still fired at the Togar. With its shields gone and a shredded aft, the Togar finished of the Dai destroyer, with another missile,

Shea looking over her sensor readings. “The Togar won’t go far either. The Froth effect did a number on these old fashioned reactors and without the necessary systems they are overheating and whoever isn’t killed by the radiation will suffocate as life support is no longer active.”

I rubbed my hands. “Good news then, Krabbel plot a course to Kaliment.”

Elfi reported. “Captain, the Togar hailing us.”

I signaled her to put them on.

A singed Togar commander appeared, his bridge was damaged and I could see the distinctive flicker of open fire in the smoke filled background.

The Togar coughed. “Pirate, I am Roghor, commanding the Vighrr, I should command you now to stop your engines and tell you we will board you, but we lost life support and my engineers are dead so I don’t know if we are to loose containment. I appeal to you from ship commander to ship commander to give me the honor of death and to take my surviving crew to Kaliment, don’t sell them as slaves; my lead cats will make sure you receive a reward on Kaliment.”

Shea said. “Cirruit thinks they have about 12 minutes before containment goes.”

They were Togar, I didn’t like Togar. The less of these human eating cats the better, but he was a Captain knowing his doom was imminent and he asked me to help his crew.

“Commander Roghor, you have about ten minutes before your containment fails. Tell your crew to suit up and evacuate. I give you my word I will not sell you as slaves, but we will treat your wounded and take you to Kaliment. You have my word on that. You too must leave, Commander.”

“I will give the order, pirate.”

“Any tricks or subterfuge and you will wish we were slavers.”

“No tricks pirate.”

Narth said. “There are survivors aboard the Dai wreck as well, four of them have survived but are injured.”

I threw my hands in the air. “Maybe we make it to Kaliment by the time the Red Dragon retires of old age.” I turned to Har-Hi. “Take a few marines and see if you can get them alive. Hans take a team and collect the cats and make sure they are unarmed and kept in one of the empty hangars.”

Har-Hi gave me a thankful look before he left.

We spent much longer drifting in space than I hoped. We ended up collecting the few escape pods of the other Togar as well. The hangar across our Pirate Den was the last room we had left and it was now filled with almost 200 Togar cats.

Not all of them, so Narth told me were happy about the Commander’s decision to accept help, but Hans and his marines had stripped them one by one and even the formidable warrior cats were quite terrified and docile as they saw Hans, our Nul prince and TheOther telling them what would happen if the did not fully cooperate.

Har-Hi had no problems evacuating the Dai, they were more dead than alive and in no shape to fight or resist.

Cateria and her team was busy saving their lives.

I went down to see if the Togar Commander made it and stepped through the force field curtain that was transparent for crew of my ship only and also projected the image of an old Karthanian ship corridor as I stepped onto the Togar filled Starboard Hangar B.

Most of them sat on the floor and one of my Pertharian marines in pirate costume of course, was serving soup or something similar in plastic cups while our Takkian pushed a hover-cart with the bowl and more cups behind him.

The Pertharian despite his Pirate costume could not switch of being a Marine and as he saw me went into attention. “Captain Black Velvet on deck.”

I cringed and wondered just how thin our disguise was at that point and I was certain it would take little to convince even the densest Togar that we weren’t really pirates.

TheOther immediately moved from his spot next to the door like tremendous shadow behind me.

It was a reassuring feeling to have a real Y’All warrior watching my back. Not that I felt threatened but I disliked Togar and now I was in a closed room with a lot of them.

While they weren’t armed, they still had claws and jaws filled with dagger like teeth just like a Fangsnapper.

One of them got up and even though he had nothing on but his own fur, he wore his rank like an invisible aura and I knew he was Roghor the Commander, that he had singed fur was not a distinguishing feature as it appeared many of them had burn and obvious radiation injuries. He was at least two heads taller than me and covered with short deep golden fur, except around his muscular neck and all the way to his round ears where it was dark brown and longer. It framed his head like a massive halo of longer coarse hair, almost like a hood around his wild looking face. He had a broad triangular nose and the sides of his muzzle were grey, making him look older than most of the other cats present. His eyes were bright yellow and his tail was thick and whisked the air in a somewhat nervous and independent fashion. It reminded me of my costume I wore as I was with Deepa.

He crossed his broad paw like hands before his muzzle and bowed slightly then he took his long tail with one hand and held it like that.

“It is not common for my kind to ask for help and especially not from other species. Now that I survived the demise of my ship, I will face death by the hands of my superiors once we reach Kaliment, but it is a price we pay when we take command, is that something a pirate can understand?”

I had to admit he kept surprising me. Why would such a commander only be in charge of a destroyer and not a battleship?

Instead of answering his question I said, “I have seen a ship full of human body parts not so long ago, Togar. I haven’t forgotten this and I most likely won’t ever forget it. I know some of your warriors right now don’t feel very thankful or cooperative, so there won’t be zero tolerance on my side. If one of your cats even so much as twitched a muscle in a way I find aggressive or makes any kind of trouble, I space the lot of you.”

I was unable to read his face or sense his emotions out of his voice as it sounded like an angry growl no matter what he said.

“You will be rewarded for your decision on Kaliment; you will receive much Polonium which will make this a profitable venue.”

“I came to find out why you were chasing a Dai ship.” I looked him straight in his eyes even if I had to look up to do so. “This region is awash with rumors about a huge Dai fleet. You would not have information on that?”

He said very loud. “No pirate I am not in the habit of sharing any Togar reasons with you.”

He really tried to whisper as he growled silently. “My life is over no matter what happens, but I am not a traitor or share Togar intelligence. However I am willing to share with you whatever I know that is not classified, but I cannot do so right here, there are those who have ears and eyes for others than the fleet.”

I said as loud as him, well almost as loud. “Then I have no use for you.”

I turned and said to TheOther. “Paralyze the whole bunch, stack them in Stasis boxes if we have enough left, but keep them asleep until we know what to do with them. Then bring that Commander into the Den, but have Cateria and Shea check him out for any real or artificial bugs or any other surprises.” TheOther declined his entire upper body as he had no neck to mimic the human nod. “Aye Captain!”

While the ship was finally in Quasi space and traveling towards Kaliment. I left Krabbel in charge of the Conn and took a detour to sick bay before I made my way to our Den.

The rescued Dai warriors so I learned had been critically wounded and two of them were still in the ReGen tank where nanites and tissue weavers replaced and restored the Dai warriors.

Har-Hi stood next to our recent crew addition, the white Togar female and our med tech turned Garbini. My red skinned friend stared inside the greenish goo filled tank where two still partially maimed and crippled Dai warriors hung suspended by hoses looking alien, pitiful and fragile at the same time.

“All four are of the Vun trine.” He said in a toneless voice.

“I only see two.”

“Cateria managed to save both of the ones you see, literally in the last moment. The other two perished before we could put them in stasis. We Dai never developed the same marvellous space suits where the well being of the wearer was the paramount core of the design. No auto docs and no space suits equipped with stasis capability.”

“Do you know them?”

“I know the Vun tribe. The Dai floating in the left tank, is Rur-Vun, he is the oldest son of the tribal leader Tar Laf-Vun. I fought him the last time I was on Thana Shoo, fighting him for the title of Champion of Thana Shoo. He was very good.”

He turned to look at me. “The Vun tribe was second in size only to ours. I am certain Tar Laf-Vun decided not to follow my father back then, because I had beaten his son. I am a Union Citizen now, I am an officer but have the feeling I am witnessing the demise of the Dai culture. Why did the Togar chase their destroyer, where is the rest of the Vun tribe?”

“I am on my way to the Den to ask that very question to the Togar commander. I am sure these two will recuperate and maybe give you the answers you seek.”

Jolai had her hands folded before her short white skirt. She too seemed troubled. “I am the reason the Togar have attacked you and I put everyone in danger.”

“It was my decision to purchase you so openly at the Asteroid base, not you. What I said to you when we met holds true now and in the future. You are part of this crew now and not the entire Togar empire could make me sell you out.”

The Garbini wiggled her and said. “That holds true for everyone aboard and in extend for the entire Union. Now let us check on the bioprinter, I am sure the liver for our Dai patient is ready.”

While our Togar girl left with the Garbini, I was moved by my own feelings about the Togar and remembered my recent apology

The Togar Commander sat across me on our big table in our Den. He looked clean and his singed fur was gone, replaced by patches of almost white fur. Cateria looked at her PDD and said. “Our feline guest has been treated and is as healthy as I can make him. I fixed his burns and treated him for a nasty worm infestation of his stomach and intestines. I guess to much raw meat from an unclean source. He had nothing in terms of bugs or spyware, neither biological, psionic or technological.”

He looked smaller now, sitting down and across the massive table. He blinked by closing his black lined eyelids and I assume that was how Togar acknowledged something. He kept looking around at all our treasure Sobody, Mr. Warner and my crew had piled up and the colorful decoration with bits and pieces from perhaps every corner of the galaxy. Of course he also noticed Hans and TheOther flanking him, while Xon stood behind me, giving no reason to doubt what he would do if our new guest decided to become aggressive.

Cateria moved, leaned closer to me and whispered in Seenian. “He is also under a lot of stress and while we don’t have much data on Togar psych conditions, I think he is close to a nervous breakdown.”

The Togar Commander wrought his hands nervously and then said. “You have an amazing ship and a truly formidable crew.”

“Yes Commander, I think I do. I gave you my word and you are not a prisoner. I will take you and your crew to Kaliment, but I don’t have the resources to deal with a potential Togar riot so I think they are better off sleeping.”

“I understand Captain Black Velvet. The ship must always come first. It makes no difference to my fate if I arrive at Kaliment or not, but I thank you for my crew.”

“Tell me Commander, this is an unusual move calling us for help, could you not have waited for Togar aid. We are not that far from Togar space and I noticed you chasing a Dai warship, perhaps all that was left after your fleet dealt with the tribe it belonged to? There isn’t perhaps someone important in your crew that needed saving?”

“Yes your conclusions are quite correct Captain, normally we were just an Attack destroyer with no concerns about our own safety, but both of my children, my son and my daughter are among the crew. As a Togar I am proud they have chosen to become space warriors and follow my lead. As a Commander I was worried to have my own off spring among my crew, affecting my command decisions and as a father I had no second thoughts to do anything for their survival. I broke all traditions and rules. I lost my honor, forfeit my life to save their lives.”

“Alright Commander let us believe that for the moment and pretend I buy your story, tell me more about your mission and the violent end of a chase we witnessed. I have other things to do than to sit here and talk to a human trading, man eating Togar commander.”

While I spoke to him I had to admit he was a magnificent looking member of his kind, but I also vividly remembered the ship full of stacked human body parts and whimpering slaves and wondered just how many humans had to witness other humans being butchered and eaten, knowing they were next. I wondered how many times he had sunk his formidable teeth into a human thigh or laughed as they tortured a human prisoner just for entertainment. Ever since we had found that ship of horrors, I had collected other reports off GalNet and knew they loved to play with their victims before they did the actual kill. There were many stories about the hunt parties on Togar worlds. Naked slaves released into fenced parks only to be chased and killed by Togar hunters. I also remembered the slave pens of Alvor’s Cove and the Togar buyers picking human slaves like groceries for their meat pots.

“Captain Velvet, I am guilty of being Togar, I have been demoted from Section Commander to be the Shipmaster of a simple destroyer, because I am male and dared to question the queen and I have been guilty of thinking and voicing my critical opposition too much. I am thankful for what you did and I know I have no honor left but I won’t sell you the last shards of whatever dignity I have left.”

I said, while getting up, “I tried to be civil. You haven’t told me what I wanted to know...”

Cateria still standing close said. “Maybe we should simply drag him over glowing steel rakes and then have TheOther beat a confession out of him before we do a brain dump and just to make sure he knows you hate Togar, we then have him skinned alive and add his pelt to our trophies.”

I snapped at her. “Have you seen...?”, but I stopped myself in mid sentence. She was right and truth to be told I didn’t want anyone to judge Neo Vikings on the actions of my father or the things we did during the so called pirate years.

The Y’All did much worse things and on an entire different scale than the Togar and I never blamed TheOther because I was not alive when they had invaded. I didn’t trust that Togar Commander but I was not even giving him a chance and again judged an individual by his association to a species. I realized that there was a dark unforgiving hateful spark deep inside myself. Part of my motivation coming down here and see him was indeed just to find an excuse to torture and mind dump him just as Cateria said. I wanted to kill him, best with my own hands and that was a dangerous slippery road my own emotions were leading me.

I took a breath and promised myself once again, to be as Egil wanted me to be, judge every situation and every being from all sides. Especially since I still hated unfair situations and he certainly was in an unfair situation right now.

He was a big cat and a strong individual, yet cared more for his crew and his offspring than I thought a Togar was supposed to. He had lost his ship and was on his way to be prosecuted and executed by his own kind for accepting help.

I gave Cateria a long look, our CMO was not afraid to speak her mind and for that she rose quite a few notches in my personal opinion about her. After all I had treated her quite similar when I encountered her the first time. I gave her a thankful nod and then said. “Thank you for reminding me, who I am and who we are.”

The Seenian woman who had become my CMO had also disguised herself in civilian clothing and what she thought a Pirate would look like. Her always stern and cold face did no change expression but her voice lost the usual edge. “You are welcome Captain...”

I returned my attention to the Togar. “Maybe we need to start over and before I ask you what I want to know, I would like to know what I can do for you. Maybe you can remain aboard and not leave on Kaliment. We will reach Itheamh later on and maybe you can find a new life and a new career away from the Togar Empire.”

He looked down on his big paws and they were shaking, so I got up walked around the table and took a seat next to him and without really thinking and following an impulse I put my hand on his arm. “Commander Roghor, some humans drink a hot cup of tea to calm their nerves, others like a shot of alcohol. I personally prefer coffee and a cigarette. Is there anything you Togar consume while collecting thoughts? I doubt one of my human crew-members will volunteer so you can have a snack, but is there anything else?”

He made a deep rasping sound that appeared to be the Togar equivalent of a sigh and he said looking at me and again I was taken aback by the intelligence and the humanity in those yellow non human eyes. “We don’t just eat humans, and most male Togar don’t ever have the chance to even try. There are over 900 Billion Togar and I doubt there are more than 5000 to 6000 humans reaching our markets during a standard year.” He spread his fur covered arms. “I am not defending our ways; I just wanted to illustrate how rare and how expensive human flesh on Togr markets is. Since it is so rare, it is reserved for the very rich and very important females.”

I actually believed him. “So what is it you want?”

He returned to stare at his paw like hands. “I don’t know, Pirate. When my ship was about to explode it seemed to be a good idea to ask and accept help. Now I am not sure if I doomed my son to live with his father’s shame.”

“How about your daughter?”

“She is female and already on her way to the upper echelon of command; her father’s deeds or name mean nothing in our society.”

“So if it isn’t humans what do you eat?”

“We eat any kind of meat and we usually drink only water. Alcohol is dangerous to us; even a little makes us very drunk and can be lethal.” He added.”We Togar don’t share much of our culture with others and what others know about us is only a shadow of the truth. There is a human, his name is Alex Enroe and he managed to become friends with the Queen herself. He sells bacon and pork meat, but it too is very expensive and rare. Besides he is from the Union and not Freespace.”

Cateria said. “I check the galley and see what we got in terms of bacon.”

The Commander rattled his Togar sigh again. “You are an enigma, Captain Velvet, you hide your face behind a mask and even we Togar have heard rumors of you.

Your ship is an old Karthanian, yet it sports the finest Nul weapons and genuine Union Isah Pods, your crew includes a Y’All. They say you are a ruthless pirate, dealing with slaves yourself and we know you captured another known pirate vessel, yet your Crew acts like professionals not like the throat cutting dreg usually to be found on pirate ships.”

I shrugged. “We all have our own styles I guess. I prefer professionals running my ship over the dreg kind you mentioned.”

He returned to answer my original question saying. “Maybe I can make my way into the Union region somehow. There is a rumor Alex Enroe helps Togar. But Union space is far and I am without any means.” He licked his chaps in a nervous, unconscious way. “The empire is still looking for you and a pirate by the name of Curtis Profit. It is about the white furred Togrie you purchased at the Bennett’s rock.

“Why would a single female Togar justify all this effort?”

“I am male and do not know all the details, but White fur is sacred to us, and this particular one was white as snow. Not only was she the most beautiful of all, she was temple born under the magnificent spirit Malmoru. This birth was foretold in our most holy scrolls.

She was to reunite all Togar. Our distant brothers far on the other side of the galactic buldge, restore a balance for male and female and prevent the Darkest from devouring our society.”

He wiped his eyes and kept speaking. “In a very public trial she was accused of bleaching her fur and obscuring the real story of her birth. She was charged with high treason, crimes against the spirit and plotting to kill the queen by acting as an agent to the Dark Spirit.

Narth who had silently joined us moments ago said. “I am often amazed by the amount of superstition and illogical religious reasoning that motivates societies that advanced technologically so much they opened the door to the stars.”

I said to the Togar. “But that still does not explain why the Togar Queen puts so much effort finding her. She was sold as a slave and from my experience; slaves sadly don’t survive for long in captivity.”

“Because all Togr is at the brink of revolt. That she escaped hiding on a slave transport is not believed by the public. Many believe she has been rescued by the spirits. Some say it was Marmou himself who took his daughter only to return her one day with great powers and to take her rightful place as the true queen. The queen knows that if the White fur returns, the revolt will tear the empire asunder and certainly doom her and the reigning families. She and the priestesses know they become obsolete. The news that a white Togar was sold on Brhama port caused deep concern in the ruling families and of course for the queen.”

Suddenly changing the subject the Togar commander said. “The reason why our Queen protects the Bennetts and the Dai want control over the system you might know as Bennett’s field is the secret Backdoor.”

“The backdoor?”

He blinked his eyes again by squeezing them. “There is a stable wormhole nearby. We Togar believe it has been created artificially by a long gone civilization, perhaps the Celtest. It can be turned on and off, but we are certain it was the reason for the system’s destruction, planets move, the wormhole doesn’t.”

I listened closely and now believed what the key was for, Mikesh had found.

He still spoke and said. “It is called the Backdoor, because it leads deep into Union Space and is used by the Bennetts to smuggle Union Mil Tech, slaves and other restricted Union wares out, and drugs and other illegal things in. The old Bennett owns an ancient alien device that controls that worm hole. They kept it secret for many decades, but our Queen knows about it and in return for restricted Union tech, she made a pact with the Bennetts to protect them. Our high command believes the Vun Dai tribe has known this secret for a long time as well and also possesses such a control device and this is why we have standing orders to engage the Vun tribe. We can’t allow the Dai to gain a foothold in that system.”

I could not contain myself, cursed and said. “So Union fleet built up at the border won’t do any good. How big is that worm hole?”

He made a wide gesture and said. “Big enough for the largest Dai Mother, and perhaps even for that tremendous Demon ship the Union has. It is strong enough to rip planets appart.”

“Do you know where it terminates?”

“I never went through and its existence is supposed to be a tight guarded secret.”

“And now the Dai fight the Togar over it?”

“We are not sure if all the Dai know about it, but once they do, we are certain open hostilities will follow. The Queen is certain that all the Dai will eventually learn about it and discover the exact location, we are to hunt any Dai around the Shattered System. All Togar ships have alo standing orders to find the white fur demon. The Queen herself has decreed that we search any pirate ships, slave traders and slave markets for the white furred Togar female. She is to be destroyed on sight.”

His triangular nose started twitching quite violently and his tongue became visible as it licked his chaps.

Cateria had returned with a big plate full of crisp bacon strips and placed it before the Togar. “The galley didn’t know what kind of bacon you prefer so they gave you a sample of all the kinds we had.”

He really tried to be dignified and polite restraining himself but his nose and tongue had a mind of their own. It seemed to have the same effect it had on Jolai and I said to him. “Go right ahead Commander, I leave you to it and I will have some suitable quarters arranged. Under guard and confined of course until we reach Kaliment, or we find a better solution.”

He sighed.”Thank you.”

I got up as he put the first piece of bacon in his mouth and his non-human beast like face clearly showed bliss as he chewed. “This is the real treasure of your ship.”

Before I had turned completely he said. “I have nothing left. No home and I am doomed to die at the hands of my own kind, yet I found mercy aboard a ship of outlaws and pirates. I am now an outcast myself. Will you allow me a knife or perhaps a moment in one of your airlocks?”

He paused as I turned back to face him, having a good idea what he was contemplating. I also saw the conflict in the magnificent looking cat being. He had been a loyal officer all his life and I had to admit that this being would have been chosen to become a Captain if he had been born on a Union world and made the decision to join the Fleet.

He stood before the ruins of his life and had few options.

“I will of course honor your wish if that is the only option you see, but as I said to another Togar not so long ago, death comes to us all, and there is no need to seek it out. Death is not a solution, just an end. Maybe you should wait with that terminal decision. There is always hope and the day may come when you can return to your home. If there is a revolution looming, it might happen in your life time and in turn change the conditions that prevent your return home now.”

He got up, despite him not being human I was certain what went through his mind. He looked around and then back at me. “There are beings of all kind in your crew, even a Y’All and a Nul...”

I sighed and sat back down. “Yes, Commander and there are many more and there might be room for a Togar too. There are voices in me warning me, but I have more often than not disregarded them and acted on my instincts.” It was my turn to sigh. “This is a very special ship indeed and we are on a strange journey to say it mildly, but there might be a place for you in my crew.

He made a growling sound. “Yes, this we share. I have not many alternatives, being a hunted fugitive without means, perhaps ending up on a Karthanian smelter moon. Short of suicide asking you to accept me in your crew was indeed a glimmer of hope that grew in me. I do know little about what it means to be an outlaw, but an outcast I am. I have nowhere else to go.”

His paw like hands were trembling. “Captain Velvet, do you have room for a Togar among your crew?”

“I can’t guarantee you like it. Should you decide to accept my offer, you will not be able to return to Togr and your life will change forever.”

“It already has, to the realm I am already dead. I will follow you and accept you as my Captain, but despite what you think about Togar, I am not a coldblooded killer and might not be able to commit all the crimes you are accused of committing. However I will do any chores, nothing will be beneath me.”

I undid the laces of my mask and removed it. “What you just said Commander Roghor, is the reason I accept you as part of this crew. It also affirms that I can trust my instincts, at least most of the time.”

His non human face clearly expressed surprise.

Cateria’s stern face was again graced by a smile. “Mr. Roghor welcome aboard the USS Tigershark and meet Captain Erica Olafson.”

He inhaled sharply. “Union, you are Union! But the crimes, the slaves you buy. The many reports...”

It was my turn to spread my arms and grin. “Well not all reports are exactly true and carefully fabricated and planted.”

I got up again. “I think I can trust you, Commander. However you understand that I must say this. We are Union and on a very secret mission. The mission and the ship comes first and before I can fully integrate you, there will be training and vetting to make sure that you are indeed aware of all the details this decision entails.”

“I understand, Captain Olafson. Perhaps the first step is to abandon calling me by my Togar rank. I am a Commander no more.”

“I have the distinct notion, Mr. Roghor you might regain that rank eventually, just perhaps not on Togar side.”

Har-Hi stepped through the curtains, wearing his Union uniform. “I am the XO of this ship, Mr. Roghor and it became one of my duties to integrate new members. I assure you this happens more than one would think, especially aboard a ship that operates deep undercover.”

“At least I was not involved this time.” SHIP chirped in.

ROGHOR
Former Commander Roghor had been shown to very nice quarters. Everything inside that Karthaninan armed merchant was gleaming, bright and appeared to be brand new. That everything was of the finest Union tech, there was no doubt. The Dai XO showed him the hygiene facilities and the controls of the Vari matic bed. “Tomorrow I expect you to be at class. SHIP will inform you and show you where to go. The first step is Union class, Mr.Roghor. We picked up quite a few strays since we started this journey; you are not the only student.”

Roghor thanked the Dai and said. “Thank you, Dai.”

“I am Lt. Hi while in uniform and on duty and Har-Hi when I am not. I suggest you take it slow, this ship can be overwhelming.”

“I begin to see that. Who knew I end the day instead of being doomed to die, or a renegade outlaw on a Union ship.”

Har-Hi turned to the door.”What about your son?”

“He will suffer much humiliation and may be incarcerated but I hope he won’t be executed.”

“Your daughter will be fine, you are certain?”

“She is female; if she denounces me she should be fine.”

Har-Hi said. “Come with me Commander. I think you need to pick out your offspring from the rest of the sleeping cats. We might have to keep them in stasis till we can send them Union side, but you are quite correct. There is a small Togar community living safe and free.”

“I am a Commander no more, Lt. Hi, but I am deeply grateful for your offer.”

“Like our Captain said, I think you might eventually regain that rank. Beings of all kind are accepted in our Academies.”

“Your academies? Your last syllable reveals your tribe and by carrying it with your name, you must be related to the tribe leader himself. There is no mightier tribe than the Hi Dai.” He paused only a moment. “That terrible battle between Union and Dai is not to long ago, were you not treated like an enemy?”

“Yes there were moments, as I was the first Dai to join the Academy, but only by very few cadets.The Union does not look at your origin or your past.It doesn’t matter if you were an enemy of the Union before or not.” Har-Hi showed the cat how to use the Auto dresser and then gestured to the door. “Let us sort out your offspring before we reach Kaliment.”

The Togar looked down himself. “Auto Dressers are just one of the many things I heard, Union citizens take for granted and now I am wearing a Union fleet uniform.”

“Most of the time I am taking Union tech for granted, but when I am confronted with Dai tech, I too realize how advanced we are in so many things.”

They walked past the Nul prince, who was in conversation with a beautiful female thin being. Roghor said. “The rumors are true then, the Nul are Union.”

“Not yet, Roghor, but all indications point to that very likely possibility.” Har-Hi added. “If Nul and Dai are welcome, I assure you, Togar will be too.”

Roghar wanted to say something else, but his voice failed him as he saw the female Togar that was just stepping out of an elevator. She wore a white dress and had all white fur. In an absolute immaculate way, she was more beautiful than anything he had ever seen. He dropped to his knees, even before he realized doing it. “The Holy White Fur!” There was no doubt in his mind, no question at all. “This was no trick, no dyed or bleached fur. This was indeed the daughter of the Light spirit.

He bowed deeply.

“Raise please, Togar warrior. I am not to be worshipped; besides I am Togar no more. Outcast and hunted for the white fur I was born in. I am Cadet Grotha, Union citizen and I am in training to become a Med tech, nothing more and nothing less.”

He did slowly rise to his muscular hind legs. “I am Roghor, and nothing else anymore, but my eyes and days are blessed for seeing you.”

“Incorrect, you are Roghor and nothing less. You will find a place in this crew and more.”

KALIMENT
I stood next to my command seat and asked Elfi. “How soon will GalNet be possible?”

“We will be able to pick up GalNet, near Itheamh again. However neither Kaliment nor N’Ger are anywhere near enough to pick up GalCom or GalNet.”

I feared as much.

“Anything in sensor range, Mr. Narth?”

“No artificial contacts within sensor range.” “Mr. Ndebele, disregard our disguise imposed limitations. You got your wish, go as fast as we can. We have very important news we need to convey. Krabble get us anywhere within GalNet reach.”

Shaka responded with an enthusiastic. “Aye, captain, I can get us within range in less than ten minutes. That is still safe cruising speed captain.”

I acknowledged. “Let her loose, Shaka.”

Just as Shaka predicted, it took just about nine minutes, when Elfi reported that we could now send and receive Galnet.

She established a secure GalCom connection to Fleet command and to the Admiral of the Fleet directly.

This time he was not only presentable but apparently at the Assembly. He wore his uniform and in the background I could see the many of the alcoves that lined the inner wall of the Assembly dome.

He gave me a quizzing look. His first words were “Do I need to sit down?”

“Sir, I am not able to judge your reactions on the report I am about to give, the reason for my call is very urgent.”

“Let me establish secure conditions. I am in the spatial navy alcove at the Assembly and it will just take a second.”

The view behind him changed to a solid wall and he nodded. “Let me have it.”

After I was done and had transmitted the detailed report he said with open concern in his voice. “I am informing Richard right away. Does your new Togar crew member know where it is exactly?”

“No, he only knows it is somewhere close to Brhama port, but it has to be within the system and maybe that key the Golden have might be able to activate it. I also still have the device that might be one of the keys to activate it. The miner I met there also hinted that there is more advanced alien tech inside that asteroid.”

“There are more fires burning in Freespace than even I considered. Knowing all this, I should have built two Tigersharks.” He then shook his head. “Finding another crew like yours, impossible.”

“Sir do you want me to return and try to find that backdoor?”

“I need to discuss this with Richard and the Security Council. Stay in GalNet range and I call you back as soon as I can give you an answer.

It did not take long, the Admiral called back within the hour.

“Captain Olafson, continue with your quest for now. We have the KELPI data and we are sending another Chimera unit to investigate. We have issued a general alert and increased patrol and scanning activity in all Union space.

As for the load of Togar you have aboard, if you can’t get rid of them at Kaliment we think of something.

For now keep on doing what you are doing. The prime objective is still the same, find that Seenian depot if it indeed exists, reduce the bad people population of Freespace. Finally keep your eyes and ears open for...” He sighed and made wide gesture, “for everything I guess. You and your crew, that keeps expanding in the most unusual ways I might add, keeps running into situations we never knew existed.”

“Aye Sir. Keeping our eyes open and run into situations. I think we can do that.”

It was just a few hours after the call. We were close to Kaliment when Mao reported the familiar signatures of the Red Dragon and the Intruder on our scanners. Just twenty one light years from our destination Cirruit’s prediction came true. The Intruder drifted dead in space.

Cirruit came on the bridge. “I knew she would run out of fuel, but I did not expect the engineers of the Intruder to be that bad. Looks like the leaking plasma was not completely vented and caused a plasma fire. I bet their engineering compartment is a mess right now.”

Mao responded without turning. “I take that bet, because I think it might have always been a mess.”

Elfi held up her hand. “Captain, the Red Dragon is hailing.”

Har-Hi handed me my mask.

Moments later the Red Dragon appeared on our main screen. “Looks like you managed to shake the Togar. My friend Captain Meateater did not think we’d see you again.”

“Life is full of surprises. That we would find him halfway between Alvor’s Cove and Kaliment however is not. Looks like your companion ran out of fuel just outside of any fuel source, but then I am sure it was a planned safety precaution, to prevent that plasma fire from spreading.”

“Your sarcasm hurts, Black Velvet but I have to say I am getting a little annoyed myself.”

“Are we going to be long on Kaliment?”

“No, just a day or two. Meateater needs fuel and some emergency patch work so he can limp to Itheamh. There are shipyards and professional engineers. We decided to skip N’Ger.”

“Are we still having this meeting you invited me or is it off the table and I go back to business as usual?”

“Of course it is still going to happen, meet us in three weeks at the Rifatah tavern just outside of Mirhth, the capital city on Itheamh.”

“I assume it is easy to find?”

“Yes, it is. It is famous. If you stick around till we can make it to Itheamh, I show you where it is myself. You would not have spare parts for a Shankar drive and a good engineer by any Chance?”

“No, I have Isah Pods as you know, not that I even know what a Shankar drive is.”

The masked pirate sighed.” Me neither. It is apparently the critical part of Meateater’s engines. I guess we do have to wait till an associate of mine arrives from Kaliment. My tractors have been over strained and unfortunately my engineers are unable to recalibrate it.”

“It seems you need engineers that can service that fancy ship of yours.”

His voice had an edge of anger. “You stating the obvious is not helpful, but I intend to remedy that soon.”

“See you at Kaliment then?”

“Yes, unless you are willing to tow Meateater.”

The unsavory Oghr captain chimed in. “I open fire if that offense attaches her tractors on my ship.”

“I just about had it with you. One more insult and I attach something on that heap of garbage that makes any further tractor attempts quite moot.”

Red Dragon sighed. “Be civil Meateater, you are not irreplaceable, but he is my closest associate so I tend to be a little protective of him.” To me he said. “See you at Kaliment.”

I leaned forward and all friendliness had left my voice. “Make no mistake, Red Dragon. I am interested in that endeavour, but one more insult off you or that unwashed goon with his flying waste dump and you standing up for him, and the deal is off. I am not a little girl waiting with held breath for the big boys. Try me Red Dragon, if you think I am not serious.

I didn’t wait for a response and had Elfi cut transmission.

I didn’t see much of Kaliment the first time I had come here. I was wearing a Togar costume, sitting in a windowless passenger compartment of a Poodle with two horny Togar males lusting after me, not a pleasant trip. Mother Superior and I didn’t even spend more than three hours on the planet before we left for Netlor.

Shaka asked. “Where do you want to touch down, Karthanian or Togar side? Both sides have a space ports.”

“Call the Karthanian side for landing instructions, Elfi. Shaka we take the Karthanian side, we got a load of Togar and it seems a Togar bounty on our head.”

Hans said. “Our newest crew member is requesting to address you, Captain. It appears he too is listening to bridge conversations.”

“Access granted.”

The former Togar commander came out of the left IST, in company of Cateria. It was obvious he was impressed and took in the details. He was a command officer and had spent a considerable time on Togar bridges, so his curiosity was more than understandable.

Cateria said. “Roghar could not believe that you are open to every crew member’s suggestions.”

I got up from my seat and said. “It is a policy, I am especially glad about, Mr.Roghar. We do have a few moments for certain, why don’t you tell me what is on your mind.”

“May I voice a suggestion, Captain?”

“Of course, this is not a Togar ship. Gender has no meaning in terms of social ranking.”

“I was fortunate to see the Goddess with the white fur and learned that she is a content Union officer, but I wanted to address that Togar bounty on Jolai and that standing order to search your vessel.”

“Yes?”

“Since this is a Union ship, could your superiors not simply broadcast, that they captured the Swift Profit, while he was raiding some Union colony or ship, and your news broadcast the news of a freed Togar female with white fur, now becoming a Union citizen? No Togar ship will dare to go there. Our Queen might try some diplomatic trickery, but that is all she can do.”

I smiled and said to no one in particular. “This policy of everyone voicing their ideas works out even better than I dreamed. As soon as we are in GalCom or GalNet range, I will ask Command to make this announcement, thank you Mr. Roghar. This is quite a simple yet brilliant solution to a mounting problem.”

Cateria said. “See? Our captain is many things but she always means what she says.”

“Gee thanks, Cateria. Almost sounds like sarcasm.”

“Just a tiny bit, Captain. I meant no disrespect, just hinting at the many sides of you, I am discovering.”

I grinned.”Well, you were never shy speaking your mind.”

To the Togar I said. “So what do you think about my bridge?”

“It is in many ways exactly as I imagined a Union ship bridge would look like and yet I am not really prepared for seeing one. It is much less cluttered than a Togar command center.” He looked around. “What I do not understand is why it is on top of the ship and not deep inside.”

Har-Hi answered for me. “I wondered that myself at the first time, but Union designers build ships with Translocators in mind. Translocator bombs detonate deep inside a ship. Union ship bridges can separate and either act as a life boat and or a Captain’s Yacht as in the case of this ship.”

I waited a moment for him to process that. “Translocators, there is not a more frightening word to all non Union shipmasters, I can attest to this.”

“I can imagine, but since we are almost at Kaliment, how will I go by letting your crew go?”

“Simply land and let them out. They will immediately report to the local command and you will be contacted and receive your reward.”

“And I better land on Karthanian side, right?”

“Yes.”

Shaka “Two minutes to outmost orbit.

I returned to my command seat and said. “You are welcome to remain Mr.Roghar.”

Then I concentrated on the task at hand, we entered a non union system with potential hostile elements. So as usual we dropped out of Quasi at the outermost orbit of Kalha system and checked out the situation before getting closer. There was steady traffic, for one the planet was indeed rich in Kalimun and it was contested by two spacefaring societies that did not like each other much. There were eight planets, a nice GIII type star, planetoids, moons and asteroids. According to our scanner results four planets were occupied, including Kaliment.

Sodoby explained the unusual situation on that planet to everyone, most was the same I received from Mother Superior, but Sodoby added some interesting details.

Kaliment was also a traffic hub of sorts. From it you could travel to Katharian controlled worlds that allowed visitors. Visit Togar worlds and reach many of the Oghr kingdoms. Clipper ship services offered passages to Netlor, Alvor’s Cove, N’Ger and to places Downward virtually unknown to the Union. One could buy Kalimun and sell it for profit somewhere else. Both societies maintained large mine camps on their side of the planet and both sides used slaves.

The Togar mines were called the Never Warm mines, the original destination of our White Togar and the ones on Karthanian side were known as the Monglor mines.

Elfi made contact with the Karthanian port control and received landing instructions.

Everyone on the bridge was busy. Mao fed sensor data to Hans and Shea. My big Saturnian compared the signatures and visuals with his data banks while Shea analyzed them for energy and material composition. Narth and Ensign Fifcher were using the Leedei Psi equipment. Elfi and SHIP shifted through millions of communications for key phrases and conversations.

Krabbel was putting escape trajectories on a close selection pool, in case we had to leave very fast.

Roghar whispered. “My children, all of Togar need to see this. This glimpse into Union ship operations shows your true strength.”

I could not help myself but curse the fact that we once more sat on a starport instead of cruising space, but we did let the Togar go as planned. Healed, treated and sans any clothing or equipment.

Har-Hi stood next to me as we watched the column of Togar cats march across the cold space port surface and towards the fliers to hitch a ride back to their side of the planet.

The lead cat assured me, they will contact me with my reward very shortly. She also carried the message of the death of Roghor to her government.

As I mentioned his demise, she spat a mess of salvia and hair on the ground and told me, that I saved Togr the expenses of an execution. That his actions saved her life apparently meant nothing.

Har-Hi said. “So what are we doing here, while we wait for the Red Dragon and his associates? Freeing the miners, blow up the mines or sabotage something?”

I gave my XO a long look. “You are being sarcastic, right?”

“Not all that much, Captain. I’ve seen your face when Sobody mentioned slaves and mines.” He gestured across the gray horizon and the depressing landscape of Kaliment. “Everywhere we went we did something to the local condition.”

“Well that is what we are supposed to do. Besides what happened to Sin 4 was not exactly predictable. And we did nothing to the Bennett rock.”

“And we should be glad we didn’t. With the existence of a secret passageway into the backyard of Union space, the Bennett’s are sort of a guarantor that no large scale Dai fleet decides to use it.”

GOVERNOR SERGIA
The planet governor for the Togar, was a cousin of the queen. This world was important, not because of the Kalimun, but of its symbolic and political situation. The planet and much of the system was split in half between the Togar and the Karthanians and the tensions between the two societies were palpable and stretched to the limits. But Kaliment was also the only connection point between these societies. Only here did the Karthanians speak to the Togar and vice versa. Only here messages, prisoners, information and caught spies caught could be exchanged between the two.

Until recently the Togar Empire was flexing its muscle, conquered, smashed and expanded. It reached Tech Level Seven in all aspects and was within reach being on Karthanian levels. Togar shipyards were churning out new battleships and battlecruisers. The war schools trained new ship and ground troops. Everyone in the region knew it was only a matter of time and the Togar would take on the Karthanians.

But several major developments made that quite impossible.

She lounged on her prefered perch and groomed her tail as she was contemplating these things. Just below her and well within her reach her work unit, currently projecting an interactive display of the region and playing soft gurr sounds, the preferred audio of many Togars, simulating the warm sounds of a Togar female’s belly when she was nursing her litter.

But all the gurr sounds and the snack treats within reach could not completely relax her.

The completely unexpected decision of the Xandrao to suddenly become Union was more than disturbing, especially since Togar had already planned an invasion. Those brutish but oh so delicious tasting Xandrao now members of that arrogant Union was a serious development.

It was only about two weeks ago when a Togar hunting expedition wanted to raid a Xandrao colony for meat and hunting prey, broke into real space inside a star system known to contain a Xandrao colony, when they were hailed after being scanned and detected way beyond Xandrao range. The Xandrao informed the Togar that they were trespassing in Union space and if they wanted to establish trade relations, they should first approach the Golden Bazaar in the same region, which was now a designated Union Outpost. At first the Hunting expedition considered it a very clever rouse, but when four Golden Spheres dropped into real space and invited the Togar to initiate any sort of hostile activity, the lead cats of that expedition weren’t to certain anymore.

The Togar retreated just in time as two genuine Union battleships also reached the system.

The word spread quickly, the Xandrao were indeed Union members.

Then there was the emergence of a huge united Dai force. While the Dai were something the Togar could deal with, it would take serious efforts and the Dai would unquestionably take a huge toll. There was the sudden cooperation between Nul and Union. No one would have ever predicted this, and yet there were almost daily reports of new Union - Nul cooperation. The latest news from spies and other sources reported the Nul leader traveling aboard a Space Train all the way to Andromeda and that he received an official invitation to the Crystal Ball, a clear indication the Nul were on their way to request membership.

She turned of the Gurr sounds, she simply could not find the peace of mind required to enjoy these sounds. The most problematic development of recent was of course the successful escape of the White Fur. Seriga, the Queen’s cousin knew much of the real details and she could not help herself wondering if Jolaj was not perhaps the real deal. Seriga was Togar through and through and while she was loyal to the queen and knew what a White Fur coming of age would have meant for the Queen and the priesthood. Both instantly obsolete. Religious prophecies and text were nice to read but weren’t supposed to come true. Yet Jolaj was born in the temple and there was of course no mangy intruder. The charges were completely fabricated and the trial a farce. Many Togar secretly believed the white cat as she was crying while accused and standing before the high court in shackles. That she was perhaps the most beautiful Togar anyone had ever seen and then miraculously disappeared fueled the rumors that she was indeed the prophesied daughter of Lightray spirit Malmoru, destined to unite and protect all Togr near and far.

Seriga knew of the pirate attack and the loss of the slave transport. Since the transport was destined for the Never Warm mines, it was her who investigated first.

She heard about the sale on Brhama port and the possibility that she was sold to pirate Bloom. His disgusting habits were well known in this region of space; but no one had seen or heard of him since he left Brhama Port. The other pirate Black Velvet on the other hand had become much more than a whispered rumor, but a substantial new player. Some hinted to the possibility that she was connected to the other worldly powers of the Igras expanse.

Sergia was more of the opinion that whoever this pirate was, found one of those rare trans-spatial gates, maybe inside that matter soup of the Igras nebula. Reports confirmed that she had a real genuine Y’All in her crew, making it likely that she found the source of the Y’All. Maybe in another galaxy even.

She was just about to climb down from her perch, when her work console buzzed with the urgent signal.

She immediately opened the two way communications to her aide.”What is it?” She snarled.

“There are survivors of two Togar destroyers, coming from the Karthanian side. They claim to have just started to investigate a pirate ship for the possible presence of the fake white fur, when they were attacked by Dai.”

“How did they survive the attack and how did they get here?”

“Commander Roghur asked the pirate for help and the pirate complied and rescued the survivors.”

She wiped her whiskers.She knew of Roghur, he was one of the best. His only fault, he was male. Seriga secretly applauded the Commander’s decision, aloud she said.”Receive the war cats, have Roghur arrested so we can execute him.”

“According to the Second in Command, Roghur was either killed by the pirate or did not survive his battle wounds. Roghur promised the pirate a reward if she rescued his crew.”

Sergia kept playing with her whiskers, as she always did when she was contemplating things. “That pirate has a name?”

“Yes, praised leader. The ship is the Silver Streak and the pirate goes by Black Velvet.”

“Why hasn’t she been intercepted before she landed?”

“Praised leader, there are many contacts in this system at all times and we only became aware of her as she contacted the Karthanians who granted her a landing permit.”

“In other words you have promoted someone to the scanner and sensor department on personal favors rather than on skill and merritt. Send a message to the pirate woman that she is welcome to collect her reward right here. We will then of course interrogate her regarding the traitorous Bleach fur.”

Sergia disconnected and wondered if the spirits would remember her role in all of this. Right now it seemed wiser to follow the queen and her quite real power, than to wonder about spirits that might or might not exist. She tried to convince herself, prophecies aren’t supposed to come true.

Har-Hi stood before a small class and was teaching Union school. Before him sat Alice, the orphan girl from Sin 4, Tyron Suit, Xon the Nul prince, Sodoby the Golden, Jolai and the latest additions to the crew, three Togar cats - Roghor and both his children.

He was just speaking about the rights of every living sentient being and the rights of a Union citizen when he noticed me standing by the door and interrupted his monologue. “Attention class, the Captain is here.”

I smiled and raised my hands. “As you were, I was just curious after SHIP told me what you were doing here.”

He rolled his eyes. “This is a part of the conscription part, as per regulation. It is an almost forgotten and very old requirement, as no one really has been conscripted in hundreds of years. Of course we broke pretty much every record in this regard.”

He then gestured towards the small class. “Truth to be told, it is a task I look forward to, every day. These are very eager students.”

I wanted to say something when TheOther’s voice rumbled over Intership. “Ensign TheOther here, Captain we’re being hailed by the Togar side of planet management.”

“I am on my way.” To the class I nodded. “I am very pleased with what I saw.”

Shea got up from the Con and handed me my mask. Moments later I looked into the face of an orange white spotted fur Togar. “Pirate Black Velvet, the Togr Empire is grateful for your noble act of rescuing Togar warriors after a space battle. The section leader of this region and member of the family royal herself has decreed that you may collect your rewards and our thanks at the Kaliment palace.”

“The leader of this ship herself has decreed not to walk into traps. I see Togar word is about as reliable as Togar maintenance at the most distant Togr outpost.”

I signaled TheOther who sat at the Communications console, while Elfi supervised him, to cut the connection. “How stupid do they think I am? No psionics needed to guess the reason for that invitation.”

To Shea I said.”Stay where you are, Ms.Schwartz no need to throw Har-Hi’s careful created bridge rotation in chaos again. If someone needs me, I am in the Den having a snack.”

Just outside the bridge, Narth appeared right next to me.”How will you accomplish that?”

“Do what? Eating a snack?”

“No, making the Togar pay what they promissed.You are about to contemplate ways to accomplish that.”

“I am about to contemplate? Are you predicting what I am going to think, even before I know it?”

“We are Hugavh sharers. I am experimenting with a little equation that gives probabilities for certain reactions of yours to conditions and events.”

“In other words you found a way to predict me?”

“It is very crude and there are many variables that make it very difficult to achieve a probability of over 39 percent.”

“Now if you weren’t my Hugavh sharer and friend, I would say that is about the spookiest thing you ever did so far.”

“I was unaware, this is could be classified as a sup...”

Sobody interrupted our conversation by coming out of the IST we were about to use. “Oh hi Captain and hi to you Lt. Narth.”

“Class dismissed, Mr. Sobody?”

“Yes, Captain. I was just wondering what you going to do about those lying cats?”

I stopped in my tracks. “Did you share that equation of yours, Narth?”

“No, I just completed the preliminary calculation.”

Sobody blinked with a surprised face. “Ah so you too asked the captain. Well half the ship is expecting you to do something.”

I haven’t even wasted a single thought on that myself and it appears half my crew is already predicting my moves.”

“Not just half the crew, Captain.” SHIP chimed in. “Eighty two percent to be precise, but no one is predicting your moves but a large majority expects one.”

While taking it all in, I did reach the Den and said to SHIP. “Tell our Chef, I am feeling peckish for some pickled fish and fresh bread if he has some.”

To the Golden merchant I said. “Yes I’d like to do something about it, but without declaring war on the Togar.”

Mr. Eeeryt our chef appeared and proudly demonstrated a new installation. “It’s called a Dumbwaiter, on old Earth, Captain. Ours goes from the galley to the den and we have a serve matic down here as well.”

He retrieved a tray.”Pickled herring, fresh onions and buttered bread.”

While I noticed several disgusted faces, I truly enjoyed this treat; it was just as good as pickled Silver flicker fish.

I also approved of the modifications done by my engineering crew. It certainly would make Mr. Eeeryt’s life much easier.

I reached for a cold Holsteiner and said. “It is a low priority for sure. We need much more information about the local conditions and the Togar leadership in particular.”

“Maybe talking to one of the local Kalimun dealers will yield some answers, Captain.” Sobody suggested.

I agreed. “This planet isn’t Sin 4 or Alvor’s Cove. It would also be uncharacteristic to remain aboard. So I will grant our first shore leave on a foreign port. But whoever leaves must remain in pirate mode and no smaller groups than six. Everyone must remain in contact with the ship and no more ten groups at the time.

“Togar side is off limits and please do not buy any live souvenirs. Of course gather information but in a passive way.” I wasn’t sure I did the right thing, but I had to trust my crew and Kaliment was supposed to be reasonably safe.

Har-Hi, Narth, Shea and TheOther were with me as we stepped off the taxi flier that deposited us at the main strip downtown on the Karthanian side.

This was supposedly an important planet for the Karthanians but so far I had seen only two. The majority of beings were Oghr, Jooltar, Yotenen and beings I could not identify. There were a few humans or humanoids here and there as well.

Har-Hi explained it, saying. “Karthanians are xenophobic to the extreme. Non Karthaninans are not allowed on their main worlds. They mostly do business via trusted surrogates of any species.”

The city was a strange mix of non-Union architecture, gritty mining community and cross roads place. There were no slideways, but there were plenty of Taxi fliers and they weren’t expensive.

The air was cold and dry, there was litter everywhere and everything was covered with coarse dust. I could smell the ore smelters and the distant din of heavy machinery.

Most of the buildings did not reach very far into the sky, none of them true skyscrapers.

There were businesses. Chief of them of course Kalimun and ore dealers, there were Polo exchanges where Kerms, Kathris and Xis could be exchanged.

The street was busy, but everyone stared at our Y’All.

I was quite surprised when a tall human in a silvery white suit and a sword over his back stepped into my way. He was accompanied by twenty similar but less impressive dressed men.

My hand dropped to my Nul graviton blaster.

He pointed at me and said.”I am Prince Chula Chakrabongse and you are now with me, Black Velvet. I decided to make you my bride.”

“Uh, what?” I was certain I didn’t hear the man right.”

“I am Prince Chula Chakrabongse, of the Siam Kingdom. I am very rich, very handsome and the best fighter in the galaxy. I saw you and decided you will be a nice fit. I am sure we can work something out regarding the piracy charges.”

Har-Hi stepped next to me. “Don’t kill him, Captain. He is far from home and needs a spanking.”

Chula waved at his entourage. “Go dispatch that Dai, so I can take her to our ship.”

I rolled my eyes. “He is actually serious! I had no idea so many delusional idiots are allowed to travel without proper supervision. Make it quick Har-Hi, I am getting annoyed.”

Chapter 23
Chula survived, his men did too, because most of them ran as fast as they could. However the prince regained consciousness, with a broken jaw a broken sword and swollen eye. His armor flex suit in tatters.

A bird like being kept laughing.”Never seen such a lucky fool, threatening a Juth-Ni and surviving it.”

Someone else in the onlooking little crowd said.”You and your goons better get up and get back to your ship or hotel. When the Karthanian street patrol shows up, you will dig for Kalimun tomorrow.”

Chula did get up on unsteady feet, unable to really speak as his jaw was really broken and he was in a world of pain.

His friends helped him into a Taxi flier. He could only mumble and no one really understood what he was saying.”We buy a warship and hunt that pirate. No one rejects my love and the Dai must die!”

We had explored the Karthanian city or at least its downtown district and found ourselves in a reasonably clean tavern or restaurant of sorts. The owner or manager was a Gothar. By now I was able to identify the species and I felt quite proud of myself, maybe I was slowly becoming a spacer after all.

The food advertised was according to the proprietor quite safe for humans and very good. I declined and opted for Thill. If it was served ice cold it was drinkable, but had the taste of the cheapest watered down beer I could imagine. Of course I would never say that out loud because of Har-Hi.

Narth and Shea however were brave enough to order some of the food. TheOther declined as well and simply ordered a bucket of ice water.

I asked him. “What do Y’All eat?”

“We can consume any biological substance, but are supposed to rip apart enemies and gorge on the raw gore. Mostly for psychological effects I am sure. I personally developed a palate for good Italian food and I rather eat back on the ship.”

I could not help myself and laugh. “TheOther, you are certainly full of surprises and never cease to amaze me with your answers. I really believe you are not the average Y’All but I have to agree I am also spoiled by our ship’s fare.”

Har-Hi and I received the Thil and he looked at the metal cup and sighed. “And I used to love Thill, now I think it is a watery excuse for beer. I much rather had one the captain’s Holsteiners.”

Just as I wanted to say something, a group of beings entered the eatery. I was certain they were spacers and in the same business we are supposed to be in. Unlike the colorful and loud crew of Dentar Bloom we had met at Brhama Port, these appeared to me as professionals. The eight being group was centered on upright walking Nubhir wolf with very dark eyes.

Har-Hi said quietly.” I have never seen one myself, but I think he is a Porsthir. They are about as distant from Upward and Union space as you can be in the M-0 galaxy.”

All eight wore dark gray suits, were armed with an assortment of guns and bladed weapons. Among the beings were a very muscular and well endowed female Togar with light gray, black striped fur. Her main weapon was a big battle axe; she carried with one hand over her shoulder. Two of the beings were truly non humanoid, walking on four legs; neither of my friends could identify the species.

The group settled at a large table not too far from us. They sized us up the same way we did, the curious professional way, to see if the other group might present possible problems.

They ordered drinks and food and paid no more interest to us.

The second group entering the eatery however was well known to us. It was the Red Dragon, Meateater, Shupuz, Sodex, Ivok and the Wartook known as the Cruel One

It was apparent they finally made it to Kaliment as well.

Red Dragon with his fists propped against his hips said loudly. “I knew I recognized that venerable rust bucket out there on the landing field, if it isn’t feisty Captain Velvet.”

I sighed and said. “The one with the real rust bucket should be out there fixing his collection of scrap metal instead wasting his last polos on drinks.”

Meateater of course knew I was talking about him and he was visibly boiling with anger, but kept quiet.

Red Dragon bowed slightly. “What a sharp tongue and I would agree with you, but he has to wait for the delivery of parts to his Shankar drive. It is not something anyone seems to have in stock.”

“Maybe he is looking at the wrong places. Museums, scrap dealers or curiosity collectors might have them. If that galaxy conquering plan of yours hinges on the equipment of your associate, I am not so sure you are serious about it. Maybe I need to go back to regular business.”

Meateater exploded with anger. “You arrogant Igrass witch, I am going to roast your liver after I rip it out through your throat. I am going to sell your crew to slavers...”

Red Dragon physically restrained him. “She sits with the Y’All and the Dai you fool.”

To me he said. “Velvet my offer remains, we will meet at Itheamh and discuss the endeavour and also who will come along and who doesn’t. Meateater will spend much time and resources at Itheamh docks where his Intruder will receive Karthanian engines and other upgrades.”

In all this, I overlooked the other table of spacers. The gray pelted Porsthir rose from his seat and pointed at the Wartook. “I traveled far in the search of you, Cruel One and now you walk into my presence. I ask you and anyone associated with you to step outside so we may finish our business. I am sure you remember.”

The place went quiet and the bird like proprietor came running. “Please do not fight in here. I serve everyone...”

The crew around the Porsthir had all stood up and one of the unidentified beings, until now hunched on four legs, rose to his hind legs to at least four meters, its head now only a handswith from the ceiling with a grayish blue smooth skin and two eyes on each side of its head, pointed its front legs towards the Wartook. “I am sure he has no problem remembering me.” To the Gothar it said. “Should damage occur caused by us, we will compensate you.”

The Cruel One, despite his non human appearance was clearly distressed. “You have no business being here! I am in the company of no less than six ship masters, each in command of mighty vessels and formidable crews. I do not quarrel with riff raff like common thugs on the streets. You might just as well turn around, your long journey proved to be a fool’s errand.”

The Red Dragon apparently was as uninformed about this as we were. “I do not know what this is all about, but I tend to stick up for my associates. Why don’t you tell us your apparent problem and we might b able to sort it out.”

“There is nothing to sort out. Either you step aside or I consider you an accomplice to that cowardly butcher.”

Six Orkh-Oghr in Karthaninan uniforms and Kermac Line Blasters now made the Tavern feel crowed. Obviously summoned by the business owner.

The lead Orkh growled. “There will be no violence by visitors to this planet or whoever survives will find themselves scraping Kalimun from the frozen rock tomorrow.”

The Cruel One now feeling safe laughed. “You stupid mutt, take your rag tag crew and go back past the Galactic Bulge and scare a few Yotenen traders. This side of the galaxy is too hot for amateurs like you.”

COWARDS
I was certain a fight was about to start, Orkh-Oghr or not. While I was not a body language expert like Lt. Senhadjii and none of the Porsthir captain’s crew members belonged to a species I was familiar with, the posture of the group was unmistakable.

The Red Dragon said to the leader of that other team. “Let us postpone hostilities. If I understand you are of a region of space I am particular interested in, you would not be interested in providing a little local knowledge to an endeavour of mine?”

“I would rather die than providing you with anything. You proclaimed to be an associate of this foul coward trying to hide behind you.”

The dragon did not like that, he always wanted to be in charge; perhaps a side effect of being an Admiral for quite a spell, that and of course being Thauran. I scolded myself to generalize again.

The disguised Thauran snarled. “I gather you are new to these parts. I am the Red Dragon and there isn’t anyone as powerful and dangerous out there, so heed my warning, pelted one. You can be nice and civilized and be on my side or you might find yourself paying for your oversights.”

“Since it seems my associate knows these parts you call home, your expertise is not even needed.”

“Now leave this place or I have you cleared out. You are on the biggest table and I decided we need it.”

The Orkh-Oghr guards seemed uncomfortable with the situation. Their leader said.”While it is not a big secret that you, Red Dragon have some connection to the Hull Builders guild, but this side of the planet is run by the Engine builders. So we simply leave now and collect evidence and survivors for the mines later.”

While the Orkh patrol left, more of Red Dragon’s crew appeared in the door, with drawn weapons. One of them I remembered well, being part of the self invited dinner party, holding a big blaster. “I believe our Captains made it clear to vacate that table.”

I said to the Porsthir captain. “I would be honored to have you and your crew as my guests. Maybe I can show you that chivalry exist in this part of the universe.

“Oh and I doubt anyone brave enough, objecting.”

The wolf like leader did get up. “It will be a sensible thing to do I assume. However I am not done with this coward.”

He got up shoved the entire table across the empty space and joined it with ours. His crew took the seats and the Porsthir said. “This is what you meant, right?”

“As if you read my mind. Now drink, eat and be merry. To the still present proprietor I said. “Bring the best and anything my friends and guests may order. I’ll gladly be the host.”

The Red Dragon and his entourage clearly felt the open insult and joined two tables themselves thus creating a clear divide in the eatery.

Har-Hi noticed and said with a grin. “Just like the planet.”

The wolf like being stood and said. “I am Parth Winthers, the shipmaster of the Whispering Vengeance. This is part of my crew. We are indeed from very far and we travelled for several rotations to this region of space.”

“Welcome then to the Upward sector as we call this quarter of the galaxy. I am Black Velvet, captain of the Silver Streak. Now I was very serious, I feel honored by your presence and it will add much honor if you accept my invitation for food and drink. Please indulge yourself in whatever you like.”

“Good captain Velvet, we came here for a few drinks and information, but the information we were seeking walked through the door, so we will gladly accept your hospitality.”

While we only made small talk, I carefully avoided any nosy questions. Somehow I felt it was good to gain the trust of this shipmaster and his crew.

The captains on the other table and their associates kept glancing over with hostile gazes. Just as the first dishes and courses were served, more of my crew showed up. Sobody, Hans, Elfi and Ak Pure with two of our marines. Of course Specialist Warner was also part of the group, although I didn’t see him at first because he was walking on his own feet, rather than hitching a ride on Hans’ broad shoulders.

Our group started to become merry indeed.

Captain Winthers leaned forward into the table to reach for one of the spicy meat snack balls, the Gothar praised as Dai inspired and spicy.

He was right about the spicy part, but Har-Hi complained they weren’t spicy enough.

Winthers chewed and said with a lower tone. “We travelled far to find that monster over there. He calls himself the Cruel One and I can assure you he lives up to that.”

I was sure there was more to come and so I didn’t say anything. Narth in my head told me that the Wartook had committed a series of horrendous crimes while he had been in the Downward sector of the M-0 galaxy and that Winthers was not really a pirate, but more of a privateer in the actual sense of the term, as he was empowered by his government to hunt down the Wartook and his associates. Narth further explained that Winthers was truly a private party and did acts of piracy but only against enemies of his government.

Winthers of course had no idea, that Narth was reading his mind and asked to us.”You know this Wartook ship master?”

“I know very little of him. He appears to be part of a group called the Sinister Alliance, and its leader is that masked red dressed pirate going by the name of Red Dragon.”

I tried another of the meatballs, but unlike Har-Hi, I was unable to stick the whole thing in my mouth.I had to eat the thing in small bites and add the plain soft bread they had served with it.

Har-Hi grinned at me.”You fight like better than a Dai, but it seems Dai food might be a tad too spicy for you.”

Shea countered for me. “Remember when the captain opened the can of Surströmming, that came with the mail on Sin 4? You actually passed out!”

Har-Hi visibly lost a shade of red and became paler. “Spirits of the Universe, that stench would cause the evacuation of the biggest Dai Mother.”

He looked at me. “I take that back, Captain. Whoever can stand that smell and eat whatever was in that can is the toughest being, period.”

TheOther nodded. “I completely agree, I have a very poor developed sense of smell and I believe I was the first Y’All that threw up.”

Ak Pure shrugged. “I thought it smelled kind of appetizing.”

I made an apologizing gesture toward Winthers. “I must apologize, Captain. Instead of discussing food we should of course pay attention to our guests.”

He curled his chaps. “I greatly enjoy the deep comradeship your crew displays. I want to invite you to my ship, so I can return your courtesies and maybe talk a little more openly.”

Narth gave an almost invisible nod and said in my mind.”The invitation is genuine and there are no hidden agendas, other than his desire to speak more openly.”

“I gladly accept your invitation then.”

“It is for all your crew present as well of course.”

While he, his crew and most of my friends were gathering outside, Sodoby and I paid the Gothar proprietor. I was in no particular hurry, exchanged a few words with the avian being, when the sharp crack of a Line blaster echoed through the doors. Loud voices and yelling followed. I ran as fast as I could, Narth told me.”Shipmaster Winthers has been shot. Hans and TheOther are after the shooter.”

With drawn weapon, I joined the group outside.

The pleasant and professional Porsthir lay on the pavement; the blast has hit him from the back and had completely vaporized his head. His female cat warrior was sprawled on the ground next to him. I could see no apparent wounds.

Red Dragon, his friends and the Wartook came out the restaurant too and the Cruel One snickered. “What an unfortunate end for such a long journey.”

Just as he said it with an amused tone, Hans completing an enormous jump landed right before us with a pavement shaking thud, in his right fist he held a struggling Basil and in the left a long range Kermac Line blaster. “This is the coward who killed Winthers and wounded the Jakone.” Hans motioned towards the tall being, hunkering down in wound shock, missing a limb with severe burn wounds to its entire right side.”

Narth said in my mind.”The assassin is a Basil and he is a crew member of the Tormentor. He received the instructions to kill Winthers, his crew members and as many of us as possible.”

A cold anger grew somewhere below my stomach. “You just declared war on me Wartook, run! Run now, take off and flee, remain if you dare!”

The Red Dragon raised his hands.”Now wait a minute...”

“No I will not, you protect that cowardly son of a bitch and our deal is off. I am neither impressed nor afraid of you, the Tormentor or all of you together. This Basil is his crew member and received his instructions to kill the Porsthir and as many of my crew as possible.”

“How would you know that?”

“My large friend will now demonstrate how fast he can rip a Basil’s legs out, unless that scum speaks up.”

The lizard had no illusions to survive that and yelled. “She speaks the truth. The Cruel One is my captain and he ordered me to do it and then blast the Y’All and as many as I can.”

The Wartook wanted to shoot his own man, but he stopped as he looked into the business end of my weapon. “If there is one thing I hate, it is unfair situations. Shooting someone in the back from a great distance is about as unfair as can be!”

He glanced at the Red Dragon, but he shook his head.”Sorry, but your man spilled it. You started it, you end it.”

“Hans please get that Jakone to our ship and let Cateria do her thing.”

The Saturnian handed the assassin to TheOther, then gently lifted the alien being of the pavement and took off like a rocket. Two marines following him like homing missiles making sure no one even tried to interfere.

The battle axe wearing cat came stumbling to her feet and said to TheOther. “Your push saved my life, but you should have saved his.”

“I only reacted after the second blast. I did not foresee this attack.”

She nodded slowly and then swung her axe in a lightning fast move and decapitated the Basil, held by the Y’All. With a bone chilling predator howl she raised her axe and screamed pointing at the Wartook.

The captain of the Tormentor did not hesitate, turned on his heel and ran as fast as he could, only to gain distance. He twisted his upper body raised his blaster to end the life of the axe swinging cat. He was instantly perforated by shots fired from TheOther, Shea, Har-Hi and me.

“Fine associates you have, Red Dragon. If those are the ones you want to rely on making a 75,000 light year trip, you won’t get very far.”

RED DRAGON
Meateater was furious and he actually yelled at the Red Dragon. “I helped you get started, I showed you the pirate business and made sure you got a good crew, heck I even invested money and loot. Yet you treat me like a piece of Taragit ofal, when she’s around. She almost killed you too, remember that.”

It was true, the Red Dragon owed Meateater. When the Karthanians had fixed and modified the ship he didn’t really know how to get started, he was a Union Admiral and while he had to admit that he was less than a stellar officer, ever since he started dealing with the worm and kept on sliding down the slippery slide. Swynon was not stupid or he would not have been made an Admiral, but ever since he was on the run he was also out of familiar waters. He could not go back to Thauran worlds, not to his family. He officially was dead and executed, but he had no illusions NAVINT and CID knew he was alive after that stunt of the cursed Kermac agent.

Creating a new identity wasn’t all that easy without knowing what to do or where to go.

It was then when he met Meateater. The brutish Oghr pirate showed him the ropes.

How to establish a new identity in Freespace; how to select and hire capable crew and frankly how to be a pirate captain. With Meateater’s help he managed to create the Sinister Alliance and become a known pirate. It was Meateater who helped him to gather a few shiploads of throat cutting scum and attack Outpost 96. It was Meateater who towed his damaged ship back to Itheamh, because his personal nemesis that cursed Neo Viking of all people flew a Wolfcraft. Who knew this human waste on legs, flew like the devil himself and was able to send Loki Torpedoes past the engine shield gaps and shred his aft.

Without Meateater he would have been the laughing stock of Freespace.

He always had been out for himself first, but that gruff and usually grumpy Oghr had become his closest ally and almost something like a friend.

In the lonely hours in his private cabin aboard the Red Dragon, he knew he had lost everything. He would never be able to return to Bleu his homeworld, see his wife or his spoiled and misguided son. A son he still loved, despite it all.

He missed his office, his staff. The prestige and the respect he had gained and earned as a Union Admiral.

He missed the Union and all the convenient things a Union citizen took for granted.

Swynon missed Thauran food and he knew he was a very lonely man.

This why he had to admit, he appreciated Meateaters company.

However all changed when he landed on Alvor’s Cove and all the inert Celtest equipment he had stolen with the intent to sell, became active.

Most of all the little data device that told him about a second Celtest War depot, filled with combat ready equipment and fully assembled warships, including several Devastator sized battleships, Celtest style Translocator cannons and a battalion of Celtest war robots.

He was one of the few who knew what they had found on Arsenal III, a Celtest Depot. It was from there he squirreled away all the Celtest things after all. First he wanted to use it to bargain a great deal with the Kermac, but not anymore. If he was able to find the Celtest tech and become its master, he would see Thauran worlds again, as the Emperor of the entire Union and if not at least it would give him the tools for vengeance.

That Celtest projection gave him the location and after updating the directions considering a million years of Celtest inactivity he used Z-Point station astro graphical data to pinpoint the location. 75,000 light years distant in the virtually unexplored Downward sector. A journey he could not make alone, he needed allies, a small fleet with ships able to support each other, face potential hostile forces, maintain engines and replace coils.

He had been in logistics all his adult life and he knew that such a trip could only be successful if properly planned and equipped.

However Meateater’s ship had seen better days and the last engagement against a much better armed merchant than anticipated did a number on the Intruder.

Now there was this new player, a female pirate fighting and traveling under the name of Black Velvet, he could not make up his mind about her. She was as hardboiled and experienced as they came, that she was female was obviously no handicap to her.

Sywin was almost convinced she never went to Union School. Maybe a Gal Drift that somehow got lucky and instead of being sold as slave while stowing, became part of a pirate crew and eventually took over. There were too many little details that pointed to someone not too familiar with Union society. Then there was the enigma of the Y’All.

However she had proven to be resourceful and her apparent rust bucket ship was keeping up quite nicely. That she was a very successful pirate with the funds to afford such a long trip easily. He had seen her treasure first hand.

He and Meateater had returned to the spaceport and now were inside the Red Dragon. The Oghr pirate was still venting and the masked Thauran once more paid attention.

The Oghar still yelled and was all worked up. “She is not leaving Kaliment. I am going clip her down to size. Do you think that this weak, human female really has a chance? I am aware of her tricks, no Shaill poison will help her this time.”

“You better be careful. Crimson himself told me how quick and deadly she dealt with Dentar; I am sure she has something to do with the end of Duke Donheer and we saw her fight in the arena. Not to mention her crew. Dai, Y’All, that Terror Hammer champion who’s a Saturnian for sure. She has Psionic assets or perhaps is Psionic gifted herself. I am going to destroy her myself, but I rather do it once we found the depot. She might come in handy until then.”

Meateater shook his big finger. “Oh no, Dragon. I am not a snotty scavenger happy to run along. I am doing this for much longer than you and I am tired of her making fun of me. Even you still need to learn a thing or two.”

“I am not stopping you, whatever you do. I want her dead for what she did to me, just as you. Whoever is at the tavern in Itheamh has a shot to come along. Be it you or her, or both.”

The remaining crew of the Whispering Vengeance had recovered the body of their leader and we had returned to the Tigershark as well. I was almost certain I lost my spot in the Red Dragon’s expedition and contemplated to either following him or taking him out now and try to squeeze the info regarding the Seenian depot out of him somehow.

Cateria greeted me right by the IST shaft as I stepped onto the command deck corridor.

“Captain, the patient you sent me is beyond my skills and resources. The blaster shot not only vaporized an arm, but roasted something like a nerve cluster in the being’s right side. Without details, I don’t know what it supposed to do. I can’t clone it as neural pathways are different even from otherwise exact clones. Not that cloning is something I am allowed to do.”

“I know you did your best.”

“The being is a Jakone from what I understand and the med tech of his friends is not the best.He is not dead, but in stasis right now.”

“But there is something you wanted to recommend, right?”

“I am sure they can help him at Med Central. All we have to do is keep him in zero stasis until we can send him Union side.”

“Alright, but we have to speak with his crew mates first. Who knows what they will do, now that they lost their captain. I still like to know what this cowardly Wartook exactly did to make them follow him all the way from Downward to this side of the galaxy.”

“We might find out soon.” Har-Hi said pointing at a tiny spot on the landing field. He was looking out the main view port. Narth, who held the Con had raised the viewer and uncovered the forward view port.

“What are you actually looking at?” I asked.

“A very tall, muscular Togar female with an axe. I have a strong feeling she is coming right here.”

“I doubt Heimdahl has better eyes than you.” I marveled as SHIP lowered the main viewer and zoomed in onto the tiny dot.

We had made it down to the den and extended the loading ramp. Har-Hi, Shea and Hans were with me as the tall cat stomped up the ramp. “I am Suss, the Karnax. I am in search for a new ship to sign on.”

“Aren’t you the first mate of the Whispering Vengeance?” I asked somewhat surprised. “With your captain killed by that coward, is the command seat not yours?”

“I am not good at command. Seventy of my mates want to go back, even though our ship is most certainly not up for the long journey.The rest wants to sell the ship and try to find another way.”

With a sigh I waved her in.”The boarding ramp is not the best place to discuss these things.”

Just then something exploded right before me.

I ducked insinctively, but would have been way too late. While I was reacting I noticed Shea went down with a spray of blood.

Fully aware, that I just survived an assassination attack. “Full shields. Condition Red. Everyone inside. Medical emergency, landing ramp entrance.”

Narth appeared and disappeared a heart beat later with Shea.

I got to my feet still a tad confused, knowing full well I just survived an assassination attack. “What just happened?”

Hans checked his scanners and said. “I think it was a Jooltar Seeker-Destroyer. An intelligent assassin weapon that can be launched days in advance and programmed to attack a particular target.”

Har-Hi was all serious and I knew he was hiding his realization that he could have died moments ago. He said. “I want to visit whoever launched it.”

SHIP chimed in. “I sensed the micro artigrav only after the device fired its pulse engine, but it came from across the trench. The pulse engine switched still on Togar side. All I could do in time was create a shield before you. I am sorry about Shea.

Cateria reported a second later. “Shea will be fine, captain. A shrapnell grazed her temple artery, Narth brought her in time.”

“Thank you Cateria.” Was all I could think of saying. “SHIP you saved our lives, no need to apologize.”

The muscular female cat being said.This is the second assassination attack. I want to help and hunt down these cowards.”

“I am sorry about this, but I got to sort things out before we talk. Why don’t you have a seat on our table, our chef will bring you some bacon and refreshments. We need to find out who is responsible first. We are sitting on a planet and a situation that could start an intergalactic war, so hang in there, but I share your feelings, feline. I am tempted to blast everything in sight myself.”

GOVERNOR SERGIA
Sergia was well aware of the situation between Togr and Karthania. Nowhere was it more sensitive than right here. The Queen herself had ordered a less aggressive stance, with the Xandrao suddenly having Union muscle and the Nul no longer hostile towards Union the political situation of this region was anything but certain. A large united Dai force roaming the region and threatening pretty much everyone by their presence alone and no one really able to predict their next move.

She just consumed the latest reports when her aide contacted her. Her Karthanian counterpart was calling. This was a rare thing and since he called directly, the situation was urgent and not something diplomats and envoys could hash out.

She didn’t let the Karthanian wait and took the call right away. “Spritershj, respected enemy of the other side greetings for you.”

“I would extend the same to you Governor Sergia, but before I do I want to know why you choose to allow an attack from your side. Are we at war?”

“I don’t understand, master Spritershj. Our queen has suggested a less aggressive stance just in her last communique. I certainly have not authorized any attacks.”

“Come on, dear Governor we all heard about that rescued crew, the desperate search for that White Fur criminal of yours and your failed attempt to lure that pirate lady on your side of this world. And now you launch a Seeker Killer from across the trench. Launching, firing or releasing any sort of weapons is strictly against both our government’s agreement.”

“Master Spritershj, I openly admit to have interest in that particular Freespace menace called Black Velvet. She was seen with that terrorist we are indeed seeking, but I would never risk war by breaking agreed conditions. I know nothing of a Seeker attack.”

“The trench is not just a physical barrier my dear, we have extensive sensor and scanner coverage both above and below ground. I am sure your side has the same. We have records of the attack and they are undisputable.”

“I will investigate the issue and punish the culprit severely. Please give me a day to find out what happened, before things escalate.”

“That would indeed be advisable, not just the Togar look with worried eyes toward the Dai situation and the Nul-Union development. I expect your call, no later than sundown, after that I must report the incident to Karthania.”

Before I could even form a plan or come to some conclusion; I was still in the Den when Shea came through the doors with a smile on her face. “I am well, Captain. It was just a scratch.”

Her return and comment almost came simultaneous with Elfi calling.”Captain, the Togar governor is calling.”

Since I was still wearing my mask, I had her make the connection. Sure enough the Togar governor established herself in a simple 3D projection. “Greetings to you Captain Velvet. I am glad the attack against you was unsuccessful.”

“It seems news travel fast. I just decided how to retaliate.”

“The trench is more than a landmark, there are many eyes on it. The attack was witnessed and it came from an individual associated to the Merchant’s Sorrow, a ship owned by Shipmaster Sodex. He decided to use our port to touch down.”

“I am surprised you telling me this in a call.”

“Galactic peace hinges often on the strangest things indeed, but an attack from our port on someone on the Karthanian port is such a thing. We ask you to trust Togar justice and assure the Karthanian that this is so.”

“Now why would I do that?”

“We surrounded the Merchant’s Sorrow. While we do not have the necessary hardware to contain a ship of this size, we issued an ultimatum to Sodex.”

She looked at someone outside her visual pick-ups and added.”A flier with 150,000 polo Fullweight has been dispatched with the reward you earned, rescuing Togar nationals. We felt it necessary to send it, since you did not want to collect it yourself.”

Red Dragon was furious and was about to hit and kill his friend Meateater. “You did what? You asked Sodex to kill Black Velvet?”

Meateater yelled back with his hand on a blaster. “I owe you nothing and since you decided to humiliate me instead of sticking up for me, I did what I felt is necessary. Sodex needed the polo.”

“You incredible idiot. Carrying out an attack across the Kaliment trench is the dumbest thing you could have cooked up. The Karthanians demand Sodex and his crew. The Togar have it surrounded. Sodex called for help.”

“So then help your friends for once instead of letting bitches insult us!”

“I told you, I will deal with her. I also told you that I need you, I needed Sodex.These are the engine builders, not the Hull builders. What do you want me to do, short of attacking the Togar? Do you even begin to understand the situation here?”

“No I do not and I care not, I am a pirate, I care not about politics, so let us shoot the Togar and leave. I just got my part. Once it is installed my engines will hold till Itheamh.”

“And have the entire Togar Empire on the hunt for us?”

“So? You want to return with an armada to take on the Union and you are affraid of the Togar?”

“We are not on our way yet...” The Red Dragon just noticed the Merchant’s Sorrow blasting into space, killing and scrambling a large Togar ground force.

“That idot, that mindless idiot. The system is full of Togar and Karthanian forces. They are desperate to maintain the status quo!”

It didn’t even take ten minutes when they were called, as they both decided to land on Togar side.

A Togar commander appeared on their comm equipment and she said. “We apprehended your friend, the one called Sodex. He and his surviving crew will spend the rest of their days in the Never Warm mines. While you are not implicated in the actual incident, the Jooltar claims to be asked to do the deed. We ask you to leave Kaliment as soon as possible and not to return.”

“Suss, we are not the usual pirates. We don’t do much in loot and share none. I am not hiring crew. I am honored by your desire, but I can’t accept you as a crew member.” I raised my hands. “In other circumstances I would gladly accept you.”

“I am not Togar and I have no place to go. I will not beg or ask again, but I know you are honest and your crew follows you not for money and loot and I will follow you too, no matter how strange this ship might be.”

Har-Hi said. “We need to talk to your crew too, we can’t just leave them here either. This is a dangerous region of space, especially with a ship that isn’t up to par.”

I sat down and took off my mask. “I somehow knew you weren’t a Togar, Suss. Not that your origin or species has any bearing in my decision, but if I even consider you can’t walk away and you are bound to very strict rules of secrecy. You might be stuck with this crew for a few years.”

“Captain Velvet, I just spend seven years to chase after the culprit that orbital bombed my home. Killed my family and anything I hold dear. I will never see my home again. I am homeless and now that the monster is dead, I have nothing left.”

Har-Hi said. “I got a few seats left in my class, Captain.”

Shea said with alarm in her voice. “Captain, she is wounded.”

Only as Shea pointed at the dark red puddle next to her feet, I noticed the dripping blood coming from under the apron like short skirt she wore.

“You are injured!”

“I would not want your decision be based on feeling sorry for me.”

“SHIP, another medical emergency at our Den.”

To her I said. “No, usually my crew needs much less incentive to welcome a stray. Welcome to the USS Tigershark, Suss and welcome to the Union Fleet.”

Har-Hi got up as the Med Robot and Cateria appeared. “I better fill her in about the details. I have a feeling she will be surprised to what she had signed on for after all.”

As I watched them leave, I rolled my eyes towards Shea. “Another one, I know.”

Fectiv and Hans stepped up to the table. “I am sure it is not the right time to mention it, but the crew of the Tormentor that has not left to the other captains is safely contained and in stasis boxes.”

“The crew of the Tormentor?”

“Yes Captain, we shot the owner and by the unwritten rules of Freespace and pretty much everywhere, you are the owner of the Tormentor.”

I found myself on the bridge of the Whispering Vengeance, Narth, Shea and our newest addition, Suss stood by my side. It was her who convinced her crew mates to listen to me. It was a surprising easy sell as they were glad for any advice.

The new ship master was another non humanoid being with six leg pairs. When it moved it disturbingly did so, apparently upside down with its back to the floor and head hanging down. The being said. “We are very glad you came Captain Velvet, will you be our new Captain? I gladly let you have the post.”

“Unfortunately not, I have a ship, a crew and a task, but I came here to recommend to you an alternative course of action. The Tormentor is in much better shape than this one, you can have it and try to get back to your space, or you try to make it to Union space, that is much closer. Once you there you are safe and the authorities there will be able to assist you, even getting home.”

“The Union.”

Suss stepped forward. “If you take this option, I will resign from the Silver Streak and lead you there myself. I discussed this with the captain and the XO of the Silver Streak.”

“There is no option, Suss. Our beloved Winthers trusted you to be our first mate. Now that you have a plan we follow.”

The other beings overwhelmingly agreed.

Suss shook my hand. “Captain, I take my crewmates to the Union as promised and make sure they are all situated and then I will wait for you.”

“Take care Suss and do deliver that message I gave you to Admiral McElligott. He will find the best resources for you.”

“You can trust me Captain, I will not reveal anything to anyone other than this Admiral. I got this marvelous GalNet terminal your engineer installed and I will use it as you told me.”

I shook her paw like hand. “I look forward to the day I can welcome you aboard as a crew member.”

We watched the Tormentor climb into the sky and then prepared to leave as well. The Red Dragon actually called and told us that they would leave for Itheamh soon.

A little later we watched an official transmission of Togar channels. As four Togar battle ships, already enroute to assist with the Merchant’s Sorrow, engaged the pirate. Sodex had no illusions to survive an engagement with all four and surrendered to be boarded.

While it was very difficult to safely contain a bigger star ship on the ground, it was an entire different story in space.

Har-Hi stood next to my seat and as usual with his arms crossed. “When you said you wanted to do something about the mines, I had no idea you meant adding workers. Not that I mind in this particular case.”

“We will do something about it, both sides too. And to be frank I rather see this scum hang for what they did, than working in a mine.”

Mao said. “As it may be Captain, the Red Dragon is just lifting off and sensors indicate the Bloody Mary is about to do the same ... ah yes here she goes.”

“Shaka, follow them. Mao keep an eye on the Togar units and let us split this system as far as this old Karthanian possibly can.”

Chapter 24
Yeoman O’Connell came down the ramp from the back of the bridge carrying my monster cup said. “Itheamh is no longer in Freespace, Captain. No more loopholes or justifications necessary. No treaties with the Union exist or limit what we can or cannot do.” I smiled at her and asked,

“What do we know about Itheamh, anyway?”`

Sobody sitting in the Observer seat that was rarely used on Union ships but had become his station. He even had a console raised from its usual stowed away position. Technically he had no real bridge function but he was invaluable to me.

He said, “I believe the Golden databanks are now accessible to Union Fleet information requests and there has been a Golden trading post for, a very long time.”

He shifted in his seat so he could address me more directly. “Itheamh is an independent planet, but very close to Karthanian space. It is, if you will, a gigantic junkyard, spaceship market and repair place. It is also an outlet for Karthanian products, spare parts and so on. Remember the scrap we bought on Sin 4?”

“Yes I do, don’t we still have some of it?”

He nodded. “I traded for even more valuable scrap, and Itheamh is the place to sell it. It is the largest market for scrap outside of the Union. Every scavenger comes here and of course anyone who needs spare parts, repairs or a complete new ship.”

I frowned and said. “So another Sin 4, basically?”

He shook his head. “No Captain, the planet is at a busy intersection of trans galactic commerce. It is not far from Karthanian space, the Togar Empire is not far and the seven Oghar Kingdoms are also more or less nearby. It may surprise you Captain, but there are many civilizations here that never had any direct contact with the Union and are more or less unknown to you.”

Shea said, “Would that not exclude the Narth? You’ve been around longer than anyone.”

Narth looked up from his display and said: “We Narth have not really explored space ever since we merged with the NNNTH, and that was over five galactic revolutions ago. Then we decided to isolate ourselves and our knowledge even of what is Union space is quite limited. Narth tend to watch Stars, Quasars, Black Holes and Galaxies and have, until recently, not concerned ourselves with civilizations and societies.There are societies we did have limited interaction with, but those contacts are very sparse and never lasted.”

Sobody seemed pleased that there was something he knew more about than Narth. He continued. “The Itheamh are officially a small independent society, but are closely associated with the Karthanians. While the Karthanians want to do business with everyone, they are extremely xenophobic, when it comes to giving outsiders access to their planets. The Itheamh and a few other small societies act as their markets. It is there where they sell their ships and tech and buy scrap and raw materials. Itheamh is perhaps the biggest spaceship junkyard with countless state run break-down operations, dismantling yards and scrap processing places. There is always brisk freighter traffic coming and going. Many Kermac Thrall species do business with the Karthanians. So do the Shiss, Union corporations and many independent civilizations.

“Politically it is sort of a fascist-communist society. The Drake rule the Itheamh with an iron fist, there are much more Itheamh than Drakes. Both the Itheamh and the Drake belong to the same race and share common ancestry. Both originated on the third planet of the system. The Itheamh settled the harsh fourth planet a few thousand years ago. The Drake fought a nuclear war on their home planet about 300 years ago, and the survivors of that war invaded the fourth planet, as their old, world had become an inhospitable planet.”

Sobody frowned and continued. “The Drake oppressing the Itheamh ever since and the Karthanians support the Drake and thus guarantee cheap labor and an outlet for their wares and cement the Drake’s position as the rulers of Itheamh.”

I mused about the information Sobody had given and said, “So that world isn’t lawless?”

Sobody answered: “No it’s quite an orderly society with enclaves of the Karthanian and a dozen other civilizations. As I said we Golden maintain a small trade outpost there as well, and there are business offices of many companies and corporations in a confined district, near their main spaceport. However it is not Union space and not as well regulated. There is no unified law enforcement past the system. That means pirates have free range as soon as they are beyond the reach of the local government. You must know that most civilizations do not have the excellent long range scanner technology and none of them, as far as I know have anything in terms of instantaneous communication. Even the existing communication networks rarely extend beyond the local systems and everyone uses a slightly different technology.”

Hans, who was sitting at his station grunted. “Making it easy for pirates, I sure prefer the orderly well organized Union, if you ask me.”

Har-Hi said. “While the Union in general barely knows about these civilizations, they usually do know about us. You won’t see any Union fleet ships in these parts; you can run into Corporate ships of Union businesses such as SII, Enroe, Trigon Corp and Ntugul-Ult, to name a few. Those who know about the Union usually envy us but many see us as a big bully and so there isn’t much love lost.”

The Golden agreed and added. “We are near Karthanian space and Arkalon, their main world, about 122 light years from here, in the general directions what you call Galactic North.”

I said. “The Karthanians, are they friendly towards the Union?”

Shea answered, “Of all their planets, only Arkalon is still in Freespace and that is why they are signatory to the Freespace treaty and officially considered a neutral civilization.”

Hans punched up a political map and said after Shea was done: “According to our Intel reports, they are indeed neutral in terms of Shiss or Galactic Council. They do not like the Kermac and have little love for the Shiss as they don’t buy enough Karthanian ships, but there is also no love lost towards the Union either. They are renowned space ship engineers and their entire society is based on that industry. There are fourteen Guilds that form a Council Chamber that is their government. Currently the Guild of Hull builders holds the Chairman seat which is something like a President. The position rotates every 11.5 years to another guild. They sell their products to anyone who can pay. Itheamh is one of four worlds where outsiders can go and buy Karthanian tech. The actual Karthanian worlds are taboo for any non-Karthanians and no outsider has ever set foot on one of their core worlds as far as our Intel knows.

The Golden said. “As I mentioned they are very good customers for scrap, spaceships and tech components from all species and are very good at copying technology from others. They are not anywhere near Union tech standards but catching up to Kermac tech very fast.

Shea interrupted. “The science council considers them a TL 7 society.”

Sobody nodded in agreement and said. “The Karthanian guilds and two private Karthanian companies maintain space docks and shipyards on and around Itheamh.”

I said. “This is supposed to be a Karthanian Ship and it doesn’t look too fresh on the outside. Would they not become suspicious if we don’t get any repairs done or buy supplies?”

Sobody grinned. “One of the largest ship dealers and shipyard owner is a friend of mine and we can dock at his yard. Emerge later with a nice painted hull and no one is the wiser.”

I looked at him and said, “You know we are undercover, right?”

“Do you trust me Captain?”

“Yes I learned to trust you like I trust every one of my crew. I would not want to miss your advice, knowledge and service and you know I have revised my initial objection to you pretty much the day we met, I am just a bit nervous when it comes to adding strangers to the list who know about us.”

The Golden said, “He will never know who we are. I will talk to him while he thinks I am at the Bazaar. He has a GalNet terminal and Elfi can make him think I am calling from there.”

I nodded and changed the subject. “How are Union relations to the Karthanian?”

Shea again answered. “They are neutral as you know. Karthanian space is not very big and they don’t really expand. They do not accept other species inside their social structure or to settle or live within their society. They do business with all, piracy and any drug deals are prohibited inside their sphere of control. They do use and buy lots of slaves, usually destined to work on one of their so called Smelter Moons, but most of their slaves come from within their own society. They do not like the Union much as they are jealous of our far superior technology. In their opinion the Union is the largest and wealthiest of the great powers and should do more business with them. Karthanian ships, flyers, tanks and other tech items are available on Union markets and they buy raw materials and ore and of course non classified technology from Union sources. Union Credits are readily accepted by the way. All in all they are a stable and solid society and there is little chance we can convince them to join the Union.”

I coughed and said. “I am not planning to invite everyone we meet to join Union.”

Sobody chuckled. “Well so far, everyone you met either died or joined.”

Har-Hi laughed. “He’s got a point there.”

Elfi said. “All the regular Comm channels are abuzz with the news that the Nul and Terra are no longer enemies.”

The Gray Prince, still sitting by Elfi taking notes and followed her instructions said. “Since my father now has access to a GalNet terminal, I was able to talk to him a few times. He is deeply impressed by the Terrans and the efficiency of the Union. Not really surprising is that many Nul are excited about a trustworthy ally and partner and that I was saved by humans made big waves. Officially I am preparing to become the first Nul fleet officer. My father thinks the possibility of the Nul joining the Union is quite real and he feels it will happen long before I become King. Trade agreements and Joint Defense pacts are already being worked on, but I personally think we will begin the PUMA process long before these pacts are worked out, making them moot.”

I sighed and glanced at my fingernails. “Well then, ruining perfectly nice slingbacks stopping that Stomper was not a total waste.”

That caused them all to laugh and I said, “I would have never thought Nul-Nul could laugh or have a sense of humor.”

He also turned his forward facing seat to better talk with me and said: “Unlike humans we actually did bomb ourselves eight times back to the Stone age before the first Gray of all was able to unite all Nul under one rule. That is why we are around as long as the Saresii but haven’t been able to develop a real advanced civilization.

We had to rebuild and re-invent many times so it took us much longer than other species to finally become a united people and remain a spacefaring civilization. That first gray ruler achieved this by killing all his rivals and prohibiting the slaughter of scientists and artists whenever a warrior felt like doing so.

He also allowed Nul to laugh openly and in public.”

Shea said, “He allowed you to laugh?”

He closed his big eye twice which was the Nul way of agreeing and he said: “It was considered a crime punishable by death to show any form of emotion in public. Life givers killed their young for crying or laughing before the reign of the First Gray. It still does not come as easily to Nul as it comes to humans, but we are improving.”

I said. “I think there is much we have to learn from each other.”

He held up his big hand like appendixes. “Can you imagine how long it took us to build a Computer that wasn’t the size of a house with hands like that? Our tech is still crude compared to Union tech, but what we make we managed to make very durable!”

I looked at his enormous fingers and said, “Now that you mention it I can only imagine.”

He said. “There is this old Nul story about an angry Purple Nul going to a Computronics merchant complaining that his new machine did not work no matter how hard he was hitting it.” The image of that was actually quite funny and we laughed again.

Hans said. “We Saturnians have the same problem. We can’t manipulate small items.”

Cirruit came to the bridge accompanied by an S61 Multifunction Robot, wearing a black Union uniform.

I said turning my chair. “Don’t tell me he wants to be a crew member too!”

“No Captain, that is just an S61 Multibot, I have completely removed its brain. This is Starman Tyron Suit. He is simulating a Uniform and actually steering the robot. So it can perform any tasks it needs to do. He’s got hands, feet and a head.”

The Robot saluted. “Starman Tyron Suit reporting officially for duty Captain. I completed the required classes given by our executive officer. I am not only a cadet, but a real Union citizen, Ma’am.”

I agreed with a nod. “Well that isn’t a bad solution actually.”

“Your Engineer is not only a machine like me, but quite brilliant. I am no longer just a garment but can be an interactive and productive member of society instead of being a thing. Did I mention I am a citizen?”

“Yes you did Starman Suit. I snickered while I said, “Then all we have to do is find you a department that suits you. No pun intended.”

Har-Hi put his hand before his mouth and mumbled; “Now I wonder what suits the suit.”

The Suit said, “I was conceived as a battle suit and I feel I could be a good security officer.”

I said. “I am sure Hans can use you and start training you, as the security tasks of a Union officer might not be the same as Seenian requirements.”

Tyron saluted again. “Captain, I was a tool, a thing before. Now I am a being and everyone here treats me as such. Captain you might not understand, but I made friends. That you made this possible is the reason I will attempt to make you proud, Ma’am.”

I said. “I am glad you think that way.”

My bridge watch ended without any incidents. It was still a day before we would reach space where GalNet communication was possible. The forenoon watch had taken over and I was not tired or particularly hungry.

Since it was a Tuesday, the pool water temperature would be kept to the liking of most of the crew, sadly not mine. So I decided to relax after I had done my log book entry and perhaps read a book. Something I hadn’t done since I had left the academy.

Just as I put the pen down and closed the log book, the door chime announced a visitor and it was Shea. She came in and said.

“Are you busy?”

“No, not at all, I am done with the log book entry and wasn’t even sure what to do with the rest of the day.”

She sat down on the sofa and leaned back. I had kept the lights low in my quarters, except over the desk. The dim light made her beautiful hair shine in a special way that surrounded her lovely face and spilled on her shoulders. She was wearing a Saresii style velvet suit that molded her curves like a second skin and I simply could not pull my eyes of her.

She said “We haven’t had much time together since the last time I was sitting here. I know you are the Captain now and I am your Science Officer while we are on duty...”

I went over, sat down next to her and put an arm around her shoulder. She immediately snuggled close to me.

Then she said, while she had her head on my chest, “We are still lovers, right?”

Her hair smelled intoxicating and it was softer than silk to the touch. I said, “Nothing has changed about my feelings for you. I am just so insecure about how to express my feelings. I realize I don’t want to go back to being Eric. I feel free and content the way I am right now, but will it be fair to you?”

She simply kissed me and all questions melted away. There was just us and nothing else mattered. Our bodies now all tangled up and there was no place for words, I simply listened to her breath and her heartbeat, felt her warm body and discovered that love had no rules and no boundaries.

This was the answer, there was a third way. I could remain Erica, embrace all that came with it and at the same time accept all that was still Eric. Right here with Shea it mattered not if I was Erica or Eric, or maybe both at the same time and then for a little while, I had completely ceased to exist and there was only us. She traced my lips with her finger and whispered, “I think that answers all our questions.”

Itheamh
Still almost a day out, Elfi reported that we could now send and receive Galnet.

She established a secure GalCom connection to Fleet command and to the Admiral of the Fleet directly.

He took the call right away. This time he appeared to be on the bridge of a battleship. I could partially see a large view screen and the duty stations on a semi dark bridge.

He actually gave me smile. “Glad you are able to call, girl. I am on the bridge of the newest Union Super Dreadnought, the USS Xiahou Dun, we just completed a live fire exercise, but enough of me. Go ahead and report from your end.”

I did and after I was finished he nodded.”Yes we got the message regarding the crew of the Whispering Vengeance. We told them to approach the Sin system and from there we can take them to core space. I sent Captain Sposhtrah to purchase that ship of theirs, it is always good to analyze other societies tech solutions. I make sure Cherubim and NAVINT will broadcast the capture of Curtis Swift and make the fact of the White Furred Togar a news issue. From what I understand you have a live hand grenade in terms of Togar politics aboard. I will try to get a Chimera unit to Itheamh. We have overdue mail for you, supplies and in return we take what you want to send Union side. Technically we could send regular fleet units, but there is nothing close and you and fleet should not be seen together anyway.”

He started to stuff a pipe. I will see if we can not use some diplomatic muscle to get that murderous pirate Sodex out of the mines and into our custody, but like you I don’t mind him scraping some ore out of frozen dirt for a while.”

After he lit is pipe he said. “Actually that was a very normal report for once. You and your crew make us very proud. Oh and there should be GalNet from Itheamh. We are about to attack the USS Devastator in an exercise of course. We got eight of these new ships and Richard only that old tub of his. I am going to rip him a new one and have years of bragging rights. Carry on and keep playing it by ear, Captain Olafson.”

“Aye Sir, I think we can do that. Good luck with your wargames.”

“I don’t need luck. I have been an Admiral longer than him, you’ll see.”

Before the Admiral disconnected, I could hear alarms going off and orders being yelled. Someone yelled, “Admiral, the Devastator just...”

The connection was interrupted.

Har-Hi had of course heard the conversation as he was sitting in his XO chair to my left. “If you would ask me, Captain, Admiral McElligott will need all the luck in the Universe.”

SHIP chimed in. “We are in GalCom range. We have the clearances to monitor the exercise and it seems McElligott flew into a trap. Apparently Admiral Stahl split the Devastator in its four attack segments and hid the now smaller ships on three different planets. He had a few platoons of marines already in space, low emission then taking McElligott’s fleet under TL sniper fire, with exo loads. According to a very recent report, five of McElligott’s Super Dreadnoughts are listed as complete casualties, two have been boarded and the Flagship has just been breached by Marines, led by Stahl.”

Krabbel said.”I don’t think the Admiral of the Fleet will do much bragging the next time we call.”

It was just a few hours after the call. We were close to Itheamh when Mao reported the familiar signatures of the Red Dragon and the Intruder on our scanners. They were not in Quasi but drifted in space Elfi held up her hand. “Captain, the Red Dragon is hailing.”

Har-Hi handed me my mask.

“Ah the venerable Black Velvet.”

“Ah the Red Dragon and his friend with the flying piece of garbage. What is it this time, the Sankar something drive didn’t last or has he run out of stick and glue to keep the thing airtight?”

“It appears the device was not installed properly and he once more can not establish FTL conditions. We wait for an associate. See you in five days at the mentioned tavern.”

He disconnected and I said. “I guess we can stick around for a while, maybe something develops and we can take Meateater out of the equation.”

I got up with the intent to return some of the coffee I had earlier to the recycling system or in other words I intended to use the bathroom. I noticed Tyron Suit standing with his robot body next to Hans by the security console that was like engineering, computronic control, a so called secondary bridge stations and located in the back area of the bridge. This back area had various names. On the Devi it was called Administration. On the USS Hyperion they called it Tank Room. It seemed we weren’t long enough in space to have our on name for it. Officially it was called Secondary Command and Control.

This area behind the command isle also featured the Nav-tank. On the Devi and other large ships, it was where the Flight boss and Auxiliary craft command had their stations as well. Even if the Tigershark would have had all her auxiliary craft, she did not have a separate flight boss or aux craft control stations. These tasks were split between XO and OPS on ships of our class and size.

The bridge of the Tigershark was hexagonal in shape and slightly wider than deep. The very center of it featured the command isle, a raised platform with my command chair at its center, flanked to the left by the seat of the XO and to the right by the OPS station. Sobody always used the usually never used observer seat, meant for a visiting admiral or someone similar was sitting next to the XO.

Up front, the entire wall was occupied by our main viewer, it could be raised and reveal a real view port. In space there was little reason to do so, but it was a nice feature planetside.

Right before the screen was the Helm station, and usually like now occupied by Shaka.

A little further back and to his left was Tactical with Mao and on the same line to his right Navigation, which was configured right now to Krabbel’s needs.

A few meters back but still before the command isle were Science on the left and Communications on the right. Between the Navigations and the Communications position the access door to a multi species bathroom facility. The one I contemplated using soon. There was hardly a place I loved more than my bridge, this was my real home.

After I had taken care of my imminent need and stepped back out, I watched Three-Four talking to Shea, Prince Xon the immense Nul watching Elfi. Mehdi sitting on an extra chair next to Shaka, being very serious about his wish to learn Helm operations.

The main viewer focused on the two pirate ships, waiting for a tow from Itheamh. The Red Dragon of course remaining to protect his associate. While it was a quiet moment my ship and its crew still working together like a well maintained machine. Whenever I reflected on this I felt very proud of them.

I walked up the ramp that led to the back of the bridge. The opposite side of the main viewer featured the two IST shafts and the main bridge doors. Flanked by two marines, one of them the always quiet Attikan Fectiv and the other one of our Pertharians.

Checking the chrono display above the main viewer, I noticed there we were already well into Second dog watch, of course the situation at hand had kept me and my senior officers on the bridge, but the marines should have been rotated almost 20 minutes ago.

“Say, Mr. Fectiv I noticed you are past your shift.”

“Aye, Captain but you are here.” He said that as if it explained it all.

Hans turned from his panel. “Our marines take the task of protecting you even more serious than any other duty and that is saying something, Ma’am. Union marines take anything duty related more serious than life.”

Tyron Suit snapped in attention as I looked at him.

“Mr. Suit, we don’t salute on the bridge. Have Hans give you instructions on bridge etiquette.”

“Yes, Captain ma’am. I consumed the entire volume of Union fleet regulations and hope by adhering to all of them, meeting your approval. One has observed that every being in this ship is motivated by the same focus.”

“Relax, Mr. Suit, so far I heard nothing that would make me think negative of you, but since you are here let me ask you a question. According to our enemy, the man who found you also owns a suit similar to you. He claims he was informed about an active and operational Seenian materials depot. You would not have similar information?”

The suit said. “I am sorry, Captain, I have no such information. Such vital information was never revealed to a suit and if such knowledge was ever present it has been erased from our memory so the enemy could not obtain it by capturing a suit.” He looked at the screen. “I know of the other suit but it has been almost completely destroyed. It never was a command type like I am, just a general troop unit and its brain center is damaged and deteriorated and thus unable to affect self-repair. I am detecting the presence of an independent data device within the remnants of the suit, but not a part of the suit itself. I can attempt to activate it.”

“Would the wearer not notice if you are communicating with his suit?”

“A command suit can communicate and remotely access troop suits without the knowledge of the wearer. However I am unable to access the independent data device, it is not part of the suit and code locked. I can attempt to overwrite it with senior command codes.”

“It might save us a lot of time if you can try and see what information his suit is storing.”

“Yes Captain. Communication established. Download of all stored data in progress and completed. The other Suit is, as I suspected a Drago Model issued to standard troops. It has no information about any Depot locations. The independent storage device however might have held such information. It has been deleted and reset.”

I mused while looking at the suit “He did find you and he does have the Seenian weapon and shields. He somehow managed to access that data device, obtained the information and hid it somewhere else.”

The suit answered. “Lt Cirruit suggested to make sure this enemy of ours will not be able to make use of even the most basic functions of the damaged suit and also disable the Seenian hardware he has installed in his ship. Do you wish me to commence?”

“What would you do?”

“I can instruct all his Seenian equipment to self-destruct in two ways: Forceful release of all energies on atomic level or molecular decay causing it to turn to molecular dust.”

“That would be a neat trick. But we need to wait with that. If he thinks Seenian things are worthless he will abandon the quest. You could not simply deactivate them in a way he can not turn them on?”

“Yes that is possible too.”

“Go for it, him not having a Seenian cannon and shields will make me feel better.”

“Deactivating command sent, Captain. All Seenian equipment aboard the enemy ship is now worthless scrap.”

“Thank you.”

Narth looked over his sensors. “Indeed it worked, the Red Dragon’s Seenian equipment just shut down.”

Mao interrupted. “Captain contact approaching coming from the Itheamh direction. Sensor data and energy signature match it to the Celestial Nightmare.”

Hans used the scanning data and confirmed Mao’s readings.”Yes it is the Celestial Nightmare of Captain Carrhrh, he is a Togar and has a bad rep.”

Itheamh was the fourth planet in an eleven planet system around a K spectrum star locally called Pernac, meaning light in the Draak language according to our Golden friend.

It was just as Sobody described it. The system was busy with incoming, outgoing and interplanetary traffic. We passed a convoy of eleven heavy freighters. Seven of them bore the logo of SII and the rest had the Enroe E on their hulls. The convoy was escorted by a dozen frigates and forty destroyers, all flying under corporate flags.

Har Hi said. “This is how the big boys do it, big convoys heavily protected; only fools would try to attack them.”

Our destination, the fourth planet was, as it turned out, a cold almost waterless dust ball, and it turned out we did not have to land.

Sobody guided us to one of the orbiting space docks and we were immediately hailed by a Karthanian.

“This is Fantlemo Brthail, proprietor and owner of the Brthail Orbital shipyard, calling the Silver Streak.”

I identified myself and the alien with the seahorse like face said. “Please switch to a scrambled secure channel.”

Elfi established a secure connection and the Alien said. “Welcome to Itheamh, I was called by a friend from the Golden Bazaar and I am expecting you. There is a do-it-yourself repair dock at the end of the third mooring arm; you are welcome to use it. It is well equipped and shielded from prying eyes and sensors.”

I thanked him and the Karthanian said. “It is a pleasure to assist friends of my friend.”

Sobody said, “I’ve known him for many years and he is trustworthy. He does not know any details and will not ask any questions, but it might be a good idea to meet with him. He knows much about what is going on around these parts.”

Just then the Red Dragon called and said. “I see you know your way around here, but then that isn’t a big surprise, you fly a Karthanian ship after all. Meateater and I will land on the planet. He is getting new engines and will have them installed by experts. I too am in need of professional maintenance As soon as all my associates are here. Again I like to invite you to a meeting at the Rifafh Tavern where we will discuss the future of our proposed cooperation and our little expedition.”

I said. “When will that be? Are we going to be here a long time?”

“No my impatient friend, I am as eager as you to get started. I am waiting on two more ships that are already on their way. We’ll have our meeting in two days. Will that suit you?”

“It does, I just don’t like to stay idle for too long without knowing if we are really going on that trip or not.”

He waved with his hands. “You would not be here and we would not be talking right now if I hadn’t made up my mind already. Of course you will be part of it, see you at the meeting.”

With these words he disconnected.

I humored Sobody and we went to see the Karthanian who owned this impressive and quite big space dock facility that could easily service fifty ships even larger than the Silver Streak. To me, every Karthanian looked exactly like Captain Sposhtrah and I wondered what method they used to recognize each other.

He greeted us in a luxurious and spacious office that was located on top of his space dock, featuring large view ports, showing the planet below and the three long mooring arms. We had accessed the office via a lift platform and, besides Sobody who wore his golden robes and the attached hood pulled up and draped before his face, Har-Hi and Narth accompanied me.

Brthail, the Karthanian wore a dark red pant suit like garment, with golden seams and extended both his spidery fingers that began where humans had their elbow.

“Thank you for honoring me with a visit, Captain Velvet. Please make yourself comfortable while I set the ambiance.”

I wondered what he meant, but we sat down on three Vari form chairs he had grouped before his kidney shaped floating glass desk. One of his spidery fingers touched a lighted sensor and it changed from red to green and then he said.”

I just activated a Union tech privacy field; it ensures that we can talk uninhibited.”

Narth said in my mind, “Sobody is correct; he is trustworthy and does not know who we really are. As he is about to explain why he feels this is necessary, I’d let him do that.”

Sobody pulled back his hood and said. “I am sorry for deceiving you old friend. I am not on the Bazaar, I am right here and I would not miss the opportunity to see you in person and introduce you to very dear friends of mine.”

The bony rigid head of the Karthanian somehow managed to show surprise and I had no idea how I managed to see that. He came around his desk, wrapped his long fingers around the Golden and said, “It is so good to see you; it is over nineteen years now since we last met in person.”

Then he said to us. “Anything you need, name it and I will attempt to get it. I owe this Golden my life and I’ve never had the chance to do anything for him.”

I said. “It would be good if you keep the fact that the Great Merchant travels with us a secret.”

The Karthanian said: “I spent eighteen long years on a smelter moon and I learned how to keep my mouth shut the hard way. I would rather die than divulge anything that is said in here to anyone. Besides I am Psi shielded.”

Har-Hi gestured around the room. “If this is your place why the security field?”

The Karthanian went to a Serv-Matic, I noticed it too was a Union model and said. “I do not know what humans drink, but this machine is of Union origin and has several refreshment options stored. I am sure you might like one of them. I personally can’t get enough of a liquid substance called Coke; it is better than any Karthanian Slobber and is so stimulating too.”

I asked for a Coke and Har-Hi for water, Narth abstained.

While he served the drinks he answered Har-Hi’s question. “Because the guild has ears everywhere. Almost thirty years ago I openly criticized the chamber and ended up as a slave on a smelter moon. Technically this is a free world and not Karthanian, but our main world is not far from here and they don’t like that I run a ship yard that is not controlled by the Chamber.”

He dipped his long black tongue into his Coke.

I said. “I know very little of the inner politics of the Karthanian, but I have heard of the Smelter Moons. Since I am here, I am curious how you managed to build a business like this.”

The Karthanian said. “I will tell you, and since you have Sobody’s trust, I will trust you too. What you asked of me, I would like to ask of you. What I tell you must not leave this room as not only my life but the lives of many depend on that.”

“I give you my word.”

The Owner of the ship yard gestured towards the Golden. “Eighteen years ago, he and a delegation of Golden Merchants were part of a grand tour. The Chamber, knowing of their far reaching connections and high level of technology, hoped to improve relations with the Golden. As they toured the Smelter Moon, he witnessed me being beaten for stealing an extra portion of slobber. He talked to me in an unobserved moment and smuggled me disguised in a Golden Guard uniform into his ship. It was Sobody who financed this space dock. The Chamber and its agents suspect that I am an escaped slave; they do not know that Fantlemo Brthail is Grtonner Icylemh. However if they ever find out, they will try to silence me forever as I know too many of their secrets. They fear that I will use my knowledge to unite the opposition and sweep that corrupt Chamber clean. Unfortunately we can’t unite without the First Engineer being awake.”

His voice had changed and gained a hard edge as he finished his explanation.

Sobody sighed.

“I wish we could help you, but from what I hear, the Chamber rules the Karthanian masses with an iron fist.”

The Karthanian put down his glass. “Yes and they have to send more and more to the Smelter Moons. They have even begun to sell Karthanian citizens into slavery to other civilizations, just to silence the voices that demand changes. Right now there is not much that can be done, but there is hope. One day someone will manage to infiltrate the Chamber tower and wake the First Engineer. That is the day their spell will be broken and the Karthanian people will be free again.”

He made a sweeping gesture. “Enough of me and this sad story of my people; you are pirates and have little interest or use for such information, but I saw you fly a Karthanian Norgat class armed freighter. It is a good class and solid design, but it is old. I have a brand new Romther Class with much better armor and eight dedicated weapon turrets. It is fast, has good engines and my engineers could transfer those magnificent ISAH pods you have. Professionally installed, much better than they appear to be installed right now on your current ship. Of course the ship would be a gift.”

I looked to Narth and he nodded.

I said. “This is a generous offer and any pirate would be a fool to say no, but we must decline. We will, however, make substantial repairs and improvements to our ship while we can use the Dock facilities. You might find out we are not just pirates, we are representatives of a certain association on a very secretive mission and your insight and information about the Karthanian situation is of interest to us.”

He got up and opened a wooden cabinet, revealing a GalNet terminal. “This came with the last supply ship from the Bazaar. I am a Union Citizen as I am a naturalized member of the Golden. I already planned to take a trip to the Bazaar, take the citizen class and get my CITI. One day I am going to take a trip on these mysterious, marvellous space trains I hear you have and visit the Bridge and perhaps even the Andromeda Galaxy.”

His voice had an almost dreamy tone. “We are a race of engineers you know, and there isn’t a Karthanian who doesn’t openly or secretly admire that engineering feat. To built a string of space stations to reach another galaxy, the Galaxy has not seen such an achievement ever before.”

He closed the cabinet and said. “For now I remain here to be the eyes and the ears of the Golden and and in extension for the Union, but perhaps and even in my life time the Chamber of the Guilds will be cleansed and Karthania will take a seat among the Representatives of the Assembly.”

Har-Hi coughed into his fist and gave me a warning look as if to say, “This is not our business.”

Sobody said, “Do you know anything about the Red Dragon and the Sinister Alliance? They are supposed to have a base around these parts.”

The Karthanian sat back down. “Officially they call themselves a Free Trader Association and they don’t use the term ‘pirate’ of course. They want to stay on good terms with us on this world as they all need parts and ships, but I have heard they use an old ghost town on the third planet as a base of operations. The third planet used to be the home of a sentient species that bombed itself into oblivion, and most of the surface is still radioactive waste land, but there is a city on the northern continent that is free of radiation. I think that is the secret base. That Red Dragon you talk about has a personal connection to the Lord Mechanic of the Hull Builder Guild and traded some Union technology secrets for supplies, repairs.”

Chapter 25
I was still thinking about that meeting with the Karthanian as I sat at the table in our Den and had dinner the next day.

Har-Hi took a plate and sat next to me. He forked himself several slices of roast beef on an open bun he gave me a side look and said. “If I see you stare at your food that way I would almost suspect you are contemplating doing something about that Karthanian situation.”

I pushed a pea around with my fork and said. “Of course not, there is nothing we can do anyway. We are about to go on a trip to find some long lost Seenian Depot and end the reign of the Red Dragon at the same time. Besides, even if we had the time, we know nothing about that situation or any details. If done at all, that would be a job for a Ghost Recon Marine Unit and only after months of careful planning. Not that we have any business sticking our nose into Karthanian internal politics in the first place.”

He added onions to his sandwich and said. “I am glad you think that way, as it is exactly the point. It is not our business; it is not Union business. You heard the bone face, it will eventually happen anyway. Totalitarian governments suppressing their people with force never last forever. We should concentrate on what we are going to do about the Sinister Alliance and their base first and then finding that Seenian depot. Remember what trouble we had defeating a little one man ship? Imagine the Red Dragon having the use of a Devastator like ship filled with Seenian robots. It would not be good for anyone else finding that depot either.”

I pushed the plate away. “I don’t even like peas, I wonder why I put them on my plate.” Then I said. “No worries I was just thinking, that’s all. I just don’t like an unfair situation. There aren’t just Karthanians working those Smelters you know. I have been in those slave pens and heard that the Karthanians buy human slaves for that purpose as well. They operate mines on Kaliment and who knows where else. I despise slavery like nothing else. It is the ultimate unfair situation in my opinion.”

Har-Hi bit with gusto in his sandwich and chewing around his mouthful of food he said. “I don’t like the Shiss sending Dai to do their dirty work and I would love to find out what Cam Elf-Na really plans, but there isn’t anything I can do either. Besides if you don’t like peas then eat a Roast beef sandwich, it is delicious. I just discovered something called mayonnaise and it makes a sandwich even better.”

There was no sense in me mulling over that anymore and said with a grin. “I can tell! You’ve got the stuff all over your face and a big glob of it on your armor.”

Mao joined us while Har-Hi used a napkin to clean himself. He too helped himself of the roast beef and started to fabricate something that looked more like a tower than a sandwich. While he added slices of cheese he said. “Captain I was thinking about that Red Dragon, why don’t we simply capture the guy, do a brain dump and be done with it?”

Narth who had silently appeared, watched Mao piling up things on his sandwich. Narth had a plate float to him while several slices of the meat zipped through the air and placed themselves on a bread bun that split itself in the middle.

While he was doing all that he answered Mao’s question for me. “Now that his Seenian suit interference is gone I was able to probe a little into his mind. He was a Union Admiral and has excellent psionic shielding like they all do. All Union Officers of Captain rank and higher are conditioned against mind dumps. Even the most effectiv interrogation method would yield no results. In addition to that he seems to rely on a very strong Kermac psi-damper. The Kermac are primitive about most aspects of technology, compared to the Union, but they have built a society on fear and mistrust and developed very complex methods to shield and hide knowledge and thoughts, mostly to be protected from the probing minds of their Thought Police.”

Mao pressed with all his strength down on the sandwich, compacting and reducing its size into a barely manageable size and sighed. “It was just an idea. Besides there are other interrogation methods, you can get all sorts of information if you start pulling teeth or start skinning.”

Narth turned his shrouded head. “This is barbaric and primitive!”

“But not without its merits.”

I said. “I never was conditioned against mind dumps.”

Narth turned to face me. “Captain, no force known to Narth could make you reveal any information you do not want to reveal. We also shared the Hugavh; you are connected to me and all that s Narth including the Narth Supreme. Besides I am certain you did receive the finest Union tech conditioning at Pauli station. You do have Red-Red-Blue clearance after all.”

As he mentioned it I remembered and said. “If I was almost like you, I could do all those neat things you can, like making a sandwich without touching anything.”

He sounded amused. “I am touching it, just not with my hands and you could do all these things as well, but you do not do to the training exercises I have given you. Your abilities are dormant and not active and that is a good thing. Releasing them uneducated could be fatal to you and your surroundings. Alice is a good example for that and with all her strength she is but a spark compared to a sun once you realize your true power.”

“I don’t think so. My HPI index is below 50 and that is just as well. I got used to that Psionic stuff somewhat, but my opinion about it hasn’t really changed. I don’t like it all that much and if I have it I am glad it is switched off.”

The sandwich Narth made started to disappear in small segments and I could see him chewing underneath his hood.

“One agrees with Har-Hi. Mayonnaise is very good.”

To me he said in his silent mental way. “Your stubborn refusal to accept that you do have psionic abilities does not alter the fact and besides, your Heidelberg Psi Index was last measured when you entered the Academy, you have shared the Hugavh with me and you are already able to sense the moods and feelings of beings alien to you. I do not believe your HPI is still 50, but knowing you I am sure you won’t go to our CMO and be retested.”

He knew me better than I knew myself, because deep down I was afraid of what I would release if I tried, so the longer I could keep whatever it was suppressed the better.

Narth returned his attention to Mao and added to his explanation saying. “The Red Dragon, however, has no intentions to share it with us or anyone. He needs us and the others to get there and that is when our usefulness to him ends. This comes from Mehdi’s deductions by the way and not Psionic probing, but I agree.”

Seeing my friends eat I got hungry after all and reaching for a bread bun said. “I was certain he would think that way, just using my gut instinct.”

Har-Hi took another bite and his cleaning efforts were made obsolete as another dollop of mayo dropped on his harness. “Looks like we have to follow him half across the galaxy after all.”

The Tavern was located at the outskirts of a big, busy metropole of a star faring society on the surface of that cold and dry planet. The atmosphere was breathable but so dry it felt as if we were breathing invisible sandpaper. The Karthanian ship dealer had gifted us with two Karthanian shuttle craft similar to a D20. We had used one to get down to the planet.

Har-Hi and I had left the ship to attend the meeting the Red Dragon had invited us to. The building consisted of only one big guest room with a vaulted ceiling and several sturdy wooden tables and benches. A bar with stacked barrels on one side gave the whole place a very rustic and primitive atmosphere, and reminded me of a Nilfeheim tavern.

In the center of the guest room was a big round table with fourteen chairs, ten were occupied.

I recognized the Red Dragon, Meateater and the Puup, Captain Brathering. The other Oghar at the table was Crimson Curse, we had met on Brhama Port.The brown and black striped Togar was most likely Carrhrh I had heard of him in a briefing but the rest were strangers to me.

Red Dragon got up and pointed me to an empty chair. “Everyone this is Captain Black Velvet. To me he said: “This table is for Captains only; your First Mate can of course sit with the others of our crews if he wants.”

A human man with a rugged face, lantern jaw, long black hair and a scar from over his left eye to his right cheek got up, pulled the chair out for me and bowed. His left eye looked metallic underneath his scared eyelids. “What a pleasure to finally meet you Captain Velvet. I have heard so much about you. I am Alsun Sandovahl, Captain of the Killerbeast.”

I sat down and he helped me pull the chair in and then he sat down. Har-Hi placed himself right behind me with crossed arms and his best sinister stoic facial expression. If he was not supposed to stand there, no one dared to tell him.

The man who introduced himself as Sandovahl took his seat to my left and the big Oghr, Crimson Curse sat to my right.

He actually gave me a brief nod of recognition. Just as I had taken my seat a yellow throat Shiss came in and took a seat.

An Oghar waiter came around and took orders. I declined and looked around. I noticed two women other than me were part of this meeting. One of them was human, and she had her hair dyed in a bright purple color and tied in a ponytail. A five pointed, star shaped golden colored face painting or a tattoo covering her left temple and much of her cheek.

She wore a white ruffled blouse that covered an almost flat chest.

The other woman was completely bald and had the paper white skin of a Kermac, but her sharp pointed teeth and the fine scaled texture of her skin pointed towards Shiss heritage. She appeared to embrace her lizard origin and wore a tight suit made of the scaled skin of a snake or lizard that shimmered in rainbow colors when she moved, but appeared black if she remained still.

Red Dragon banged the butt of his blaster on the table surface and said. “I wished I could have convinced a few more to take part in this extraordinary opportunity. Several who wanted, fell by the wayside, but you rough as they come, experienced freelancers, cut throats and renders should be more than enough to face down any danger or opposition we might encounter on our journey.

Since not all of you know everyone in this circle let me begin with introducing everyone, beginning with Captain Meateater to my right. He is going to be the second in command of our Convoy. While I hope we all will be able to trust each other and at the end of this journey, it is he I trust the most. He is an Oghar and commands the Intruder. His ship will be completely refurbished and refitted. The Togar next to him is Captain Carrhrh and his ship is the Celestial Nightmare.

Few of you will know of the Puup, but Captain Brathering has made himself quite a reputation and his ship the Uhui might just be the most powerful ship after the Red Dragon as it is the only purpose built warship and a genuine Kermac T cruiser.Then there is another Oghar, the famous Crimson Curse commanding the Bloody Mary, he has been longer in this business than any of us and I am glad he came around and decided to take part in this endeavour after all.

I doubt many of you have ever seen her in person, but the leather clad mysterious masked lady is Captain Black Velvet, her reputation and legend is well earned I assure you, I have seen her in action. She commands a Karthanian Armed Freighter with a treasure chamber that puts the Crown Treasury of the Togar Queen to shame.

The maimed gentleman with the piercing cyber eye is Captain Sandovahl, Union Academy graduate; former Union Officer and I can attest there is no better training in the Universe. He commands the Killerbeast a ship so heavily armed and armored one wonders how he even finds room for his crew.

That shaggy Jooltar answers to the name Basoro, there isn’t anything in this universe he hasn’t stolen or tried to steal. His ship, the Hontu, is a big darn freighter with weapons bolted on it and, if you need it, chances are he has it somewhere in his freight bays.”

Dragon paused to take a swig from his mug of beer and it looked eerie as his skull mask opened the jaws. After that he went on. “Having a Togar sit right next to a Jooltar is usually not a good idea and a recipe for disaster but Captain Lemakr is as cold blooded as a cat could be and kills only for one reason, if there is profit to be made, but then he considers half a credit profit. His ship is the well-kept Kalita.”

Next comes Captain Lia Bassett, sister and member of the Bassett clan that runs Brhama Port, she is the oddball of the family so she says, but her ship Jammer is excellently equipped, had been a Dai raider and has shields that allows her to go places others can’t.

Our third female Captain is another enigma. She calls herself Nocturna and her ship, the Executor, was manufactured to her specs at SII shipyards and features real Ultronit armor and the best civilian shields SII sells. Why she has chosen this profession, she does not tell.”

Again he took a draught of his mug and pointed to the lizard. “The Shiss next to her is Captain Rkkkz, he is a Yellow Throat Shiss, trained to be a Raider from when he was born. His ship the Shadoom has the latest in Shiss technology. He decided to go into business on his own.”

Red Dragon pointed at himself. “Finally there is me. I am the Red Dragon and my Ship, the Red Dragon, could pulverize all your ships together as it is filled with Union and functional Celtest technology.”

He sat down and gave everyone a moment to look around or drink and then he said. “We are planning to embark on a long journey into regions of this galaxy that few of us has ever been. You all are experienced Captains and you know, as empty and desolate space can be, there are often dangerous and unexpected obstacles. There is also the challenge of fuel, supplies and engine maintenance.

Therefore we will buy two portable refineries and I expect anyone who will need fuel to chip in on the purchase price, as those things are not cheap.

If you skip on that, you won’t get any of the fuel later or have to pay whatever we charge.”

Crimson Curse declined and said. “I’ve had my own refinery for years, don’t need someone else’s.”

“As the turn came to me I said. “I am also fuel independent and have my own refinery.”

Red Dragon shook his head. “What a prize your ship would have made, I wonder what other surprises you have hidden in that rust bucket.”

“Oh this, that and the other thing, and I am taking care of the rust right now.”

After he had collected the pledges for the refineries he said. “Everyone must take at least four sets of replacement parts for their engines along and hire good engineers. Once we are there we will of course return with Celtest ships but most engines need maintenance and replacement coils after 5000 light years.”

He looked at his PDD. “Make sure you take enough food and supplies along to feed your crews. So get rid of any junk you’ve got in your freight bays and stock up on essentials. Captain Basoro will take extra food and supplies but I bet he won’t be cheap so don’t say I haven’t warned you.”

Sandovahl leaned over and said. “I guess this was the official part, now comes the social one. You wouldn’t show me what you got under that mask right?”

“I just might, but then I would have to kill you.”

Crimson on the other side of me said. “You better listen to her. I’ve seen her kill Captain Bloom and she did it in a time that takes you to blink your human eyes maybe twice.”

The Dragon finished his beer and said. “Now is the time for you to tell me if you are committed and coming along or if you want to back out. If you back out or abandon us after you agreed to come along, I will personally hunt you down and destroy you.”

Crimson Curse raised his hand. “Now before I commit myself to something I am not completely convinced about. I want to hear your plan, your intentions and do you know where to go?”

The canine looking Jooltar named Basoro made a howling sound as he spoke. “It is true we heard a lot of what we are to do and to comply with all that will cost us a great deal of money. I have seen your suit, but it was not invincible as you said it would be and I know you have shields as good as a Union Battleship. You speak of invincible Celtest technology and yet a bunch of Wolfcrafts made you flee and ripped your ship’s stern in the process.”

Carrhrh the Togar hissed and growled at the Jooltar. “It disgusts me to admit it, but the mangy Jooltar has a point.”

Before the Red Dragon could respond, the Puup that really looked like a large teddy bear, with a maw full of inch long snake like fangs, said, “We are not talking about some bits and pieces of Celtest technology, but entire ships. Do you know the secret of Translocator cannons stems from Celtest technology? Do you know that the famous Devastator is a Celtest ship? Can you even imagine what the Kermac would pay us for a single ship like that, or the secret of Translocator cannons? It will be more Polonium, more riches than we all together could earn in ten lifetimes.”

The Red Dragon said. “I am not forcing anyone to come along. I know where to go and I know the depot is real. The path is long and not without risks, but no riskier than what we all do every day anyway. I will go there even if I have to go alone, but mark my word. I won’t know you when I come back.”

Meateater fumbled with his gold covered tusks and said with a rough mumbling sound. “That cursed wench, Black Velvet, had us over a barrel just recently and demanded millions of Polos. She settled for a single Celtest artifact as payment. I have seen her treasury and I know she is a sly business woman dealing with slaves and planets. Go tell them Velvet, tell them what Celtest artifacts, even bits and pieces are worth.”

I did not need to say anything. Carrhrh the Togar sat down and grunted. “I see it too; you are right, even a single working Celtest artifact would pay for the trip with enough profit to buy a new ship.”

The human deserter and traitor next to me held up a PDD. “We are in range for public GalNet and there is even an Xchange right here as the Golden enclave is now Union.”

He wiped his finger over the display and a three dimensional Holo appeared of a busted helmet like object.

He said. “This is a non-working broken helmet of Celtest origin. It was offered four weeks ago at the Xchange and sold for 75 Million Credits. Nine months ago, a set of confirmed Celtest eating utensils, was sold for 4 million credits.”

He said alien artifacts of long gone civilizations are the hottest commodity on the Xchange and if you can say it is Pree, UNI or Celtest, it doesn’t matter if it is a scrap piece of metal, it sells for enormous amounts of money.”

This demonstration was most likely the deciding factor and everyone agreed to come along. The human with the cyber eye said: “I am a somewhat strapped on funds. I just refurbished my ship and paid you a lot of money to go in on those refineries. I want to come along but I can’t afford four complete sets of engine parts and I actually should take at least eight. How long do we have till we leave?”

Red Dragon said.”Meateater’s Intruder is in dock and it will take at least 4 weeks to get her ready. I know there is lot of preparation to do, and some of us might have to do a little work to gather the necessary funds. While there is no set date we have to leave I would like to be ready with everything and get on our way the latest in sixty days

We will then meet on the third planet in this system and go on our quest. Anyone missing is going to be left behind. Perhaps one of us could extend you a loan or something; there are those among us quite wealthy.”

He did look into my direction as he said that.

The man shook his head. “That would be the last option, I don’t like owing anyone, but all that talk about artifacts gave me an idea. Isn’t there a planet full of ruins just an orbit closer to this sun and as I understand, you control it. Maybe my crew and I could go digging there for something to sell?”

Dragon raised his arms.

“Yes and it was the headquarters of my Sinister Alliance. The civilization that was there once killed themselves with a nuclear war. It not very old and whatever you might find is Tech Level five at best. I doubt you’ll find anything valuable, but you are of course welcome to try. It is there where we meet the next time anyway.”

The Red Dragon leaned forward. “Just keep all this for yourselves. I don’t want anyone getting ideas and following us, a Celtest depot would be a nice find for the Kermac or the Karthanians too.”

Crimson asked. “What happened to the Sinister Alliance? Wasn’t that your big project?”

“What is left of that Alliance is right here at this table. I am tired of peddling, this opportunity fell into my lap and this is the only project I am interested in. I intend to get me a Devastator like ship and fly it right to the Assembly and pulverize the whole lot. Let us all meet again in sixty days and then we get under way.”

The meeting had ended. I and several others immediately got up, while Meateater and a few others ordered drinks and from the looks of it intended to use the opportunity to party and drink.

I was just leaving; Har-Hi and I had already gone through the door. The air was bitter cold and the lights of the big city and the huge space port painted golden halo into the sky above.

Before us to the south was a vast desert valley with a low mountain range in the distance. Two big bright moons illuminated endless rows of space ship hulks in various states of disassembly. It was one of the many junk yard fields Sobody had told us about. The tavern was one of several free standing buildings along a paved road that led to the city on one end and into the desert and perhaps to another town or city on the other.

Red Dragon and the woman Pirate called Nocturna had followed us and he stopped me saying “Black Velvet, wait a moment.”

I turned and he said. “I know we started on the wrong foot and I wanted to say that I am very glad you decided to come along after all. I think you and I are not so different. We both know what we want and go after it regardless of the challenges that try to prevent us from reaching that goal.”

I said. “Knowing you, you didn’t just come out here to compliment me.”

He laughed and said, “You are one suspicious wench and I do like that, but I actually wanted to ask if you would stay awhile. We all need to get to know each other a little better. I am aware we’re never going to be a close knit group and we all have our secrets, but I think we need to establish some base of understanding among us.”

Har-Hi interrupted and pulled his weapon pointing to a shadow and said. “Someone did listen in on this meeting of yours.”

Now I saw it too, two shadowy shapes had emerged from a basement door of the tavern and were running in a hunkered fashion across the road and towards the junkyard.

Red Dragon cursed pulled his blaster and flanked over the hand rail that was part of the five step stairs leading to the tavern’s main entrance.

Why I flung myself over the same railing, pulling my own weapon, I could not really say. I did hear Har-Hi making a sighing, groaning sound as he followed as well. The Dragon said while we crossed the road.

“The Tavern is run by a former pirate and is a sanctuary for the likes of us, but it looks like he sold out after all. Those could be Kermac, Togar, Karthanian heck these could be anyone’s spies. I want to know who listened in.”

What looked like even ground from the Tavern was actually some sort of tall very dry and coarse grass that reached all the way to my chest. The actual Junkyard itself, dark ragged shadowy shapes still a good two thousand meters away.

I said to the Dragon. “Running openly after two unidentified individuals isn’t such a good idea, by that bright moon light we present good targets. I stopped and went to my knees to examine the ground and the tracks, just then a bright blaster shot cracked over where I had just been standing.

Har-Hi, the Dragon and the silent Pirate woman ducked as well. Har-Hi grunted. “I didn’t see anyone shooting at us, tell me Captain what exactly we are doing here anyway?”

That was a good question and cursing my own impulsive behavior I said. “I don’t like to be spied on either and I like to know all the players involved in this game as much as possible.”

The Dragon hissed. “That sums it up; I really want to know who they are.”

I was always able to see well in low light conditions and examined the ground. “There are two of them; from the shape of the tracks at last one could be Karthanian. The other might be Togar, a big one at that, most likely male.”

The woman who had not said a word until now let out a silent whistle. “That is impressive, they might already have reached the junkyard and it will be impossible to find anyone in that maze.”

The Dragon said. “Yes, I am more and more impressed with you, Velvet. You are a woman of many talents.”

I hushed at him and said: “And you are making more noise than a gaggle of preschoolers at lunch break.”

I closed my eyes and extended that new sense I was developing and the tall grass like carpet surrounding us, disappeared and I could feel armed beings all around us, twelve of them, my mind still was going to get used to this electro sonar sense and I could not distinguish details but I could feel their heartbeats and make out their approximate shapes.

I whispered. “There are twelve of them, armed with blaster weapons waiting for us to do something.”

The Dragon said. “I am going to call my crew for reinforcement, even though I am nearly invincible even in this, thanks to you, damaged suit. I want to catch them alive.”

Then his voice suddenly fell silent and I turned to see, an all-black dressed humanoid shape was standing right behind him pressing a weapon at the Dragon’s temple and it whispered. “I don’t know if your fancy suit is capable of preventing me from making a new hole in your skull, pirate.”

Three more all black shapes shimmered into view aiming alien looking energy weapons at us.

SHORGOZ
One of the armed men brushed the faceplate of his tight fitting helmet up and revealed, to my great dismay, the light blue face of a Thauran and he said: “You are all under arrest for conspiracy and for aiding and hiding known terrorists.”

He motioned us to get up and now we could see two modern armed flyers hovering back near the tavern. We could also see more heavily armed troops as they were herding out the other pirates.

The Red Dragon complained. “What is this all about? None of us have broken any local laws. We are nothing but Freelancing merchants.”

The Thauran laughed. “I know what you are. You are the worst pirate scum. We followed two leaders of the local rebels to that tavern and lord and behold what do we find there? A real convention of the most wanted space raiders this side of Sagittarius.”

The one who was still pressing his weapon against the Red Dragon’s temple said.” What is your business with the Rebels? Trying to sell weapons perhaps?”

The Red Dragon did not move as he still had an alien and dangerous looking weapon aimed at him. “I am a personal friend of the First Hull Builder and closely associated with the Hull Maker Guild. You must stand down and let us conduct whatever business we decide to engage in. I doubt the local magistrate wants Karthanian difficulties.”

Har-Hi gave me a barely noticeable nod and I knew he was ready to take the two on his side.

I said. “I am not in a very good mood, Thauran, and despite a recent promise of mine, you being Thauran isn’t helping. So get your goons of our backs and go back from wherever you came from. While you still can.

He looked me up and down. “I think you’re the infamous Black Velvet, are you not? Even if you have nothing to do with the rebels, the bounty I get for...” Just then a small official looking airspeeder arrived, with two humanoid shaped beings sitting in the open passenger compartment.

I decided to wait with any action and gave Har-Hi a wink. He nodded only noticeably by me, that he understood. Har-Hi was not telepathically linked with me as was Narth, but we had become a very good team and able to read each other very well. I was almost certain the newcomers had more answers and I wanted to hear what they had to say.

The speeder landed only a few meters away and the two beings riding it stepped out and joined this strange meeting of ours in the middle of the night on a field of dry, chest high Ithe Grass. Both of them wore military style uniforms consisting of long, leather like grey coats, adorned with gold and brass insignia. During my briefing with Sobody, I knew these were Drak, the local authority.

Both of them were about the same size and I estimated them to be not more than maybe 170 centimeters tall. More or less humanoid proportioned, bipedal, two arms with two stubby fingers and an opposing thumb on each hand. Their heads had the shape of a Terran pear fruit with the thinner part on top. The locals most striking feature was a set of stalk eyes, one laterally protruding from each side of their head. The lower part of the head featured a wide, toothless maw.

The one to the left had only one single but very large golden medal on his chest while the other featured a jingling array of at least two dozen smaller ones.

It was the one with the large single medal who spoke first saying, “I do not see the Ninety or the Galvanizer, instead I am seeing Off-World business people. Why are you harassing them? Have you not promised me the heads of these Instigators tonight? Where are they?”

The Thauran lost some of his arrogance at this harangue address of what must have been high ranking members of the government or military. He made a sweeping gesture towards us. “We followed the rebellion leaders to that tavern and found a regular ‘who’s who’ of the worst space scum. These are the most wanted pirates in the known Galaxy, your Excellency. Sending them in chains to Union Authorities would not only immensely improve relations but fill your state coffers with lots of Union credits, enough to pay our fees and keep a tidy profit”

The Drak lowered his voice and said. “We have retained your services as you claimed you and your Mercenary outfit could solve the rebel and terrorist problem for us. What you present us with are not Terrorists and, unlike the Rebels, we do not care for Union relations, we are independent friends of the Karthanian Conglomerate. Release these business people at once and show us the captured or dead rebel leaders you claimed you followed. This is why I personally came out here tonight.”

The mercenaries slowly lowered their weapons and the Red Dragon said. “This is not enough, your Excellency, you can be certain the Hull Maker Guild will hear of this.”

The Drak leader said. “Is it not enough that I myself come out here in the middle of the night? I might just act on the mercenaries recommendation and the Hull builders guild will never hear...”

Something very fast was streaking through the cold night air and a thing that looked like a grey jelly fish with bat wings smacked into the face of the Thauran, making a wet sound.

Someone yelled. “Megdohrs! They are using Megdohrs, run!”

More of these flying creatures attacked the same way, hissing fast through the air and attaching themselves to the heads of their victims. Two more mercenaries and the the pirate woman went down.

Har-Hi saved my life as he, with incredible speed and skill, drew his swords and cut one of these creatures in half just before it reached me.

One of the things collided with the second metal jingling Drak, the one who had not spoken so far, and the stalk eyed alien dropped to the ground; the flying animal covering much of his head making sucking noises. Only now I drew my blaster, cursing my own slowness and burned several of the flying creatures to atomic ashes.

Before I could really find my bearings and make a decision not based on pure reflexes, I saw black plum sized bugs crawling all over the ground and now I noticed least a dozen of them already crawling up my legs. The Seth gloves I wore proved to be the best defense against those crawling pests because as soon as I touched the insects they crumbled to dust. Everyone was stomping and trying to brush off the bugs. One of the mercenaries managed to activate his force field, but it was too late as several bugs were already inside his field and one of them drew blood as it sunk its finger-long pincers into the flesh of the mercenary’s face.

I started to brush off the bugs that crawled on Har-Hi, but there were so many.

Har-Hi yelped in pain as he pulled one of the insects from his face, ripping a sizable piece of skin with it.

I too could feel their thin legs all over my back. I could not risk using the Seth gloves on Har-Hi higher up or on myself. I still didn’t know exactly how the gloves killed and the black mist they emitted was not controllable and would certainly kill him or me if it made contact with our skin. My mind was racing while I kept brushing more bugs off me.

A voice in the distance yelled with magnified volume, “Freedom for Ithe and death to the Oppressors and lackeys of the Kartanians!”

The voice came from somewhere outside this mad circle hidden in the tall grass.

As I looked around I saw someone’s head just above the tall grass against the darker back ground and I was certain this being was the actual source of the attack. I took a whole second to aim, disregarding the crawling sensation of dozens of bugs all over me and fired.

The black bugs lost their determined aggressive behavior at the same moment. Whoever I shot had somehow controlled these insects. My blaster shot had also started a fast spreading fire, thankfully moving away from us. I heard and saw beings screaming and consumed by the roaring fire.

Only Har-Hi, one mercenary, the Red Dragon and one of the Drak remained alive.

Har-Hi was bleeding from dozens of small wounds in his face as he pulled the last bug from his neck. I noticed the thin leather of my suit was shredded in many places, revealing the fine Ultronit mesh underneath. The bugs were no longer crawling with determination to attack; they had quite clearly lost whatever controlled them before and now it was easy to use the blasters to burn a wide section around us. It all had only lasted perhaps two or three minutes at the most but I had to admit the sudden attack had been overwhelming and confusing. I took a deep breath.

The remaining Drak, the one with the big medal, said, “That was the work of the Instigators. They use all kinds of modified and genetic altered alien horrors, like the Megdohrs, or that new crawling bug horror, most likely found in the holds of ancient wrecks and scrap ships.”

He took a breath and collected his bearings.”You have saved my life and perhaps burned the leaders of this terror group themselves. I am the High magistrate. Defender of Order and Giver of Law.” He turned without waiting for any response from me and said to the remaining mercenary. “You and your outfit however proved more of a nuisance than help.” He raised his weapon and shot the man point blank in the face.”

I said to Har-Hi. “Let us go back to the shuttle so we can get you to sickbay.” Har-Hi did not have to be told twice, he started walking immediately.

The Red Dragon’s outer garments were as shredded as mine. It was apparent that the bugs were able to penetrate his suit where Shea had cut it, the tape he had used to make repairs was torn and he was bleeding from many small wounds, where the bugs had shredded his mask exposing his blue skin as well.

He was catching up to us as we stepped back on the street before the tavern and he said. “I am going back inside the Tavern to check on the others. I’ll call you tomorrow and give you an update.”

As I watched him go inside while we walked towards our shuttle parked nearby, I had to admit I was too uninformed and ignorant about the local conditions and I scolded myself for not doing more research before coming here. I came here thinking Itheamh was a solid and stable society, albeit oppressed and basically an outpost of the Karthanian.

From what Har-Hi and I experienced it was anything but stable and there was much going on. I promised myself never to set foot on a planet again before preparing myself with the necessary knowledge.

Before we could reach our shuttle, we were intercepted by two Ithe soldiers or policemen who stepped in our way and one of them said.

“The High Magistrate wishes that you remain for a few moments longer to witness what happens to those who aide and support terrorists.” They were very polite, but their stance and the way they held their weapons made it clear that this was more than a request.

I was more than just annoyed and on the verge of wrapping those blasters around the short necks of these potato faced natives and telling them just how much I appreciated the local conditions, but I tempered myself and my own impulsive behavior, knowing full well that this was the real reason we were still here and in this situation in the first place.

Har-Hi and I watched as heavy armored troop transporters rolled in on the road coming from the nearby city; unloading several platoons of armed soldiers. Hovering fliers bathed the area with glaring search and flood lights. The local troops broke into nearby houses and dragged civilians out into the street at gunpoint.

The Drak leader with the big medal appeared, now standing on a hover platform addressed the gaggle of frightened and dazed looking civilians, most of them in their sleep wear, with a stern and accusatory tone through a volume amplifier.

He said, looking into a hovering camera bot before him. “Citizens of Itheamh, you all know about the terrible crimes committed by Instigators and you know how many innocent workers died in their cowardly attacks.”

He made an artful pause and then leaned forward saying. “Harboring, aiding and hiding terrorists is as much a crime as joining them.” He made a gesture towards a small group of Ithe locals. I noticed the Tavern owner among them and the High Magistrate said. “Thanks to the quick calls of outstanding citizens and the help of our brave security soldiers we were almost successful in capturing some of the most wanted terrorists. I, your chosen leader, am out here in the middle of the night to fight for your safety and it was during my tireless pursuit of peace and security when an attempt on my life was made.”

He raised his arms. “Thanks to my heroic struggle and the interference of Off-World visitors the foul attempt was thwarted. Several terrorist could be neutralized.” Now he pointed his finger towards the small crowd of locals that had been driven out of their homes. “I was chosen to lead our civilization and to guard it against all external and internal threats. Therefore I must make hard decisions to defend our way of life and make sure our Karthanian friends who are so close, know they can depend on us.”

He raised his arms in a theatrical fashion and his voice became thundering loud as he looked directly into the Cam bots. “These criminals you see before me have been found guilty of collaborating with the terrorists. What will transpire next must serve as a warning to all those who think about collaborating with the terrorists.”

I knew something bad would happen, and I prepared myself. My stomach cramped to a tight knot as I saw the soldiers lining up women and children and after receiving a hand sign of the Magistrate, opening fire, shooting the helpless with their blasters. I saw women trying to shelter their children from the crackling energy blasts; heard the pleas for mercy and could smell the burned flesh as the smoke wafted into our direction moments later.

“I had prepared myself for something bad about to happen, but I never thought they would actually shoot, execute helpless mothers and children.

I felt dirty and as guilty as that murdering coward on that hover platform. I was there and I did do nothing to prevent the slaughter. I expected them to be arrested or punished in some form, but not this. Evil had taken on an entire new meaning for me and it had a face.

Numb with a new feeling of anger I watched on. The Drak soldiers had spared the lives of the men and despite their inhuman faces, their faces were alien to me. I felt and saw incomprehensible agony as they had to witness their wives and children executed in such open brutality. No it was not a new feeling. I recognized that pain and helpless rage. I had felt it the night my father killed my mother.

The men were shackled and herded to a waiting transport. I was certain I knew where these men would go. To the Smelter Moons.

The Magistrate was still spewing propaganda from his hover platform and into the optics of the hover cams.

The old Eric Olafson would not have let this happen, he would have pulled that magistrate off his platform and tried to prevent the slaughter or avenged the deed by making them all pay. It was very likely the old Eric would have eventually been shot, maybe herded along with the other men to the smelter moons and most certainly compromised his mission. Now I stood there doing nothing, I wondered if my old ways weren’t preferable. They certainly would not make me feel as guilty as I felt now.

As I was thinking earlier, Har-Hi had no telepathic abilities but he was very intuitive as he said, “You haven’t changed all that much, we are here because a certain friend of mine had to run after some shadowy figures.”

“How could you know what I was thinking? I wear a mask and you can’t read minds.” I said to him.

“I can read your body language and I think I know you pretty well Captain.”

“You most certainly do.”

The soldiers that blocked our way to our shuttle stepped aside and one of them said. “It is nice to see Ithe justice done, is it not? That will teach those criminals a lesson.”

It was only because Har-Hi actually held me by the shoulder and used his Dai strength to pull me back, that I didn’t kill that soldier right there and then. The soldier took several steps back.

Even though I was wearing a mask, the soldier must have seen my feelings in my eyes and he backed up even further saying, “We don’t like off-worlders making trouble or collaborating with the terrorists, this was meant as a warning.”

Har-Hi said with intense urgency, “Captain we need to go. This has nothing to do with us and is a local affair. You are needed on the ship right now.”

“Yes, you are right of course. I had seen all I want to see of this miserable place.”

While I followed Har-Hi to our shuttle, I wondered if there was a nice, normal planet outside of the Union at all. So far every place I visited outside Union space so far turned out to be variations of Hell and severely flawed.

Har-Hi pulled me back to reality as he opened the air lock to the shuttle and whispered to me. “There is someone or something hiding underneath the shuttle. It moved as we approached.”

All I could think off was that someone was attaching something nasty to the shuttle hull. I dropped to my knees drawing my weapon at the same time ready to make this the last moment in that someone’s life.

There between the landing gear of the shuttle huddled an Ithe female with two children. Even though they had non-human faces, I could clearly sense their fear.

At the same time I heard the crunching sound of soldier’s boots coming closer. There was no way I would let them be captured and shot, even if it meant to risk the mission, my career or my life. I got up and turned toward the soldiers approaching with their weapons ready and I was ready to kill them when Har-Hi said to me: “Did you find that Polo coin you dropped?”

I relaxed my stance and acted as if I had something in my hand and said. “Yes, and it was a Full weight too.”

This again showed just how well Har-Hi knew me.

The Soldiers however lowered their guns and one of them said. “A Full weight is a Full weight and worth picking up.” His partner nodded and they went on walking past us.

I said to Har-Hi quietly. “There is a mother and her kids hiding.”

Har-Hi pushed the contact to lower the short access ramp and said. “How do we get them in the shuttle without anyone seeing them? There are still lots of soldiers around.”

Looking around I said, “We need some sort of diversion.”

He smiled. “I think I can manage that.” My Dai friend raised his arm and a short barrel appeared from his wrist gauntlets. A sharp plopping sound was heard and a heartbeat later the Arti-Grav of a security skimmer about 200 meters away exploded, sending the skimmer crashing to the ground. The soldiers and pretty much everyone else was looking or running towards the burning wreck. I dropped to my knees and said. “Woman, take your kids and enter the shuttle as fast as you can. Don’t hesitate and don’t ask questions if you want your kids to live.”

I don’t know if she understood what I said, so I yelled again and pointed my gun at her. This time she reacted and crawled from underneath the shuttle. After a second of hesitation, she rushed inside, dragging her kids along.

Har-Hi and I were right behind her, I yelled. “Get us out of here as fast as you can, Har-Hi.”

My friend started the engines and flooded the Arti-Grav cushion before he was even completely seated.

One of the soldiers had turned and I was certain he had seen the woman getting in as he raised his weapon. I fired and my blast nailed him right between the eyes.

Seconds later Har-Hi pulled the shuttle into a steep climb into the sky. I was holding onto the frame of the still open air lock, having my blaster in the other hand ready to fire at anyone else trying to prevent us from leaving.

The climb was sudden and steep; the woman must have lost hold of one of her kids as it tumbled past me. I already saw it falling to his death. I was unable to prevent the fall, or reach it fast enough. The kid slipped across the edge of the ramp, less than a centimeter from my outstretched hand. I could not let this happen, not another child, then suddenly I could feel the small body of the child as if I was holding it, yet I was not touching the child. Whatever it was, the child stopped moving right past the very edge of the boarding ramp.

I dropped the gun and activated the closing mechanism. The ramp came up and I lurched forward to grab the child. Holding the little being with one hand, I held on to the edge of the ramp with all the strength I could muster, both the acceleration and the gale force wind tried to brush me off.

Only after the ramp finally sealed with the hull of the shuttle did I let go. I leaned against the ramp and took a deep breath. The woman was on her knees, holding her second child with one arm. Her alien eyes were wide open her other arm still stretched out for the other child.

I got up and handed her the sobbing infant. She embraced it and buried her face in the bundle crying and sobbing hysterically. All I could think of doing was putting my hand on her shoulders.

Chapter 26
Cateria, with a totally uncharacteristic warm smile on her face, handed the older kid a sparkle bright gum.

Only after the big-eyed mother nodded, did it take the offered candy and unwrapped it.

My CMO had a reputation of being unable to show positive emotions and many considered her arrogant and cold. I knew she could have that effect, especially since she considered almost everyone primitive and far below Seenian development. Once I got to know her better, I knew much of her Seenian arrogance was gone, but she kept a small remnant of it to remind her of her own long lost civilization and perhaps as a shield to not let anyone get too close to the vulnerable woman she was underneath it all.

She was an excellent physician, trained and educated by the Seenian civilization, and everyone aboard respected her deeply but she rarely smiled. To see her stern features transformed like that was a little side note in the current events but I found it noteworthy nevertheless.

The Ithe woman had so far not spoken a single word and only after several assurances by Cateria that she would not harm her children, did she let go of the small one so my CMO could examine the infant. While I knew next to nothing about the Ithe, I estimated the bigger child to be around four or five years old and male.

He stood next to his mother while a Med bot hovered overhead weaving a new layer of skin over a cut on his mother’s arm. His eyes on short stalks moved independently. As alien as his face and appearance was, I could no longer see him as an alien as I noticed him clutching a little stuffed animal.

She turned to me and said, “Physically there is nothing wrong with them, save for a few scrapes, small cuts and superficial bruises. Generally speaking they are all a little undernourished and suffer from vitamin and mineral deficiencies. I cured a range of allergies and hypersensitivities in all three of them, but emotionally and psychologically they are in shock; their world as they knew it is gone. They had been simple workers till yesterday and now they are homeless and state enemies. As they are supposed to be dead, they can’t go back to their homes. At least in the case of the female I would suggest some psycho surgery, but that would be ethically wrong without their consent.”

“No Cateria, I won’t order you to do Psycho surgery. It always will be the last option.”

The white furred Togar female, another one of those we collected along the way fussed over Har-Hi, tending to the many little cuts he had received. Cateria noticed my glance and her lips curled to a faint smile. “Jolaj learns very fast and she is working full shifts. Our Togar snowball is very popular especially among the human male portion of our crew for some reason.”

Despite my growing comfort being female, this was not a mystery to me. Aloud I said. “I guess we need to make her an official member after all, send me your recommendations.”

“She already takes Union class with SHIP and the XO.”

It was only about 30 minutes since we had returned to the Tigershark. Cateria insisted on scanning and examining me too, especially after it turned out that the biting bugs had done more than just bite, but also deposited eggs into the wounds they caused. Har-Hi was his stoic self as the beautiful Togar told him he was infested with with thousands of alien bug larvae inside him, but I too knew him well enough to see the disgust in his eyes.

Cateria pushed the med scanner up and said. “There is nothing wrong with you, Captain. The Micromesh prevented the bugs from hurting you. I still suggest a hot shower and a change of clothing. There are hundreds of dead larvae sticking all over your suit. There is an auto dresser in my office you can use.” She did not have to ask me twice.

After a refreshing shower and getting a new suit I returned to the treatment room. Cateria was checking on the infant while she was closely observed by the Ithe women. Her little boy stood forlorn in the middle of the room.

I walked over to him and he backed off hugging his stuffed animal even tighter. So I went to my knees and said as soft and friendly as I could. “What is the name of your friend there?”

His stalk eyes focused on me and he said with a weak voice, “Crancy.”

“Do you have a name too?”

“Crancy is very afraid and I am Drenc.”

“I don’t think Crancy needs to be afraid, he is safe here.”

He looked around. “Is this where you have taken Daddy too? Can I see him?”

“No your daddy is not here, but we will look for him.”

The mother finally spoke. “You are from the Union are you not?”

I got up and said to her, “Yes we are.”

She too looked around, moving her eyes without moving her head, and said, “It is all so bright and clean. You help me but why don’t you help us? Why don’t you do something for all of us?” She spread her arms. “We are simple people. I am just a Seamstress working on sewing machine 3454 in factory 865. My life partner was a pattern cutter in the same factory. We know nothing of galactic politics. It is forbidden to know anything about other worlds. It is forbidden to ask questions.”

I sighed. “Lady, I know very little about the conditions on your world. We are quite distant from any Union Outpost or planet. What are we are supposed to do?”

She cried while she pointed her finger at me. “It is all true, what the Instigators say. The Union is clean and mighty and powerful and cares little about others. Do you know how many Ithe died or disappeared just because they listened to the Instigators and their dream to join your shiny Union?”

She sobbed and looked at her children. “Now my partner is on his way to slowly die as a slave on the Smelter Moons on drummed-up charges to appease our cruel true masters, the lords of Karthania.”

She gestured over her children. “What will become of them?”

She put her hands over her stalk eyes and whispered, “What will become of me?”

I asked her, “Is there a place you can go?”

She uncovered her eyes and said, “I think I could find shelter with my grandparents. They have a small Nuktur farm in the mountains, the gray leather coats of the Drake rarely go there.”

I said, “Okay then that is where we will take you as soon as possible.”

She looked at me. “Rench, my partner, said there is a secret community of the Instigators and those who want to fight against the Karthanian oppressors and their puppets are welcome there.”

Her tone of voice changed and there was an edge. “I never wanted to have anything to do with them, but now I want to fight. Make them pay for what they did to us, but if I fight what will become of my children?”

The little boy held out his stuffed animal and said to me. “Crancy is hurt too; can you make Crancy well too? Daddy said I must take very good care of Crancy.”

I smiled and took the stuffed animal. “I am sure we can.”

I put the toy on the diagnostic station and Cateria pulled down the diagnostic scanner with a sigh.

“I knew I would get some strange cases, being your CMO. A wounded Nul, a Y’All with an upset stomach, but I never dreamed to perform surgery on a stuffed toy animal.” She then glanced at the boy and changed her tone and said. “Let’s see what is wrong with Crancy.”

The young Ithe boy looked in awe as his stuffed animal appeared as a large three dimensional scan image on the field screens. There was an obvious tear in the fluffy fabric and some of the white stuffing was coming out.

One of the scan images showed the interior of the animal. It had some sort of mechanical or electronic component inside. She glanced at me then she said looking to the ceiling. “SHIP can you call an engineer up to Sickbay we have a special patient here.”

SHIP responded. “Cirruit is on his way.”

I smiled at the boy. “Crancy will be good as new I am sure of it.” To his mother I said, “I suggest you find some rest and then we figure out how to get you to your grandparents without being seen.”

She nodded and I left sick bay to check on the bridge and the ship’s status.

Outside I almost ran into Narth who just popped out of thin air. He said. “The Ithe woman is not as innocent as she says she is. She belongs to the rebels of that society.”

I looked over my shoulder towards sick bay and said. “I had a feeling she was. On the one hand she claims to be just a factory worker but with the same breath she accused us of not helping. I still sympathize with her. Maybe the civilians weren’t as innocent as I assumed they were, but shooting women and children after dragging them out of their homes is still the vilest thing I ever thought possible.”

He nodded. “It is and from what I can gather, they do fight for liberties and freedom and those are very strong concepts I can understand.”

“Anything happen while we were gone?”

“Of course many thousands of events happened while you were gone, but none of any significance to ship, mission or crew.”

“I thought you are getting used to human expressions by now.”

“Getting used to them is not the same as understanding them. Do you have any idea how many such expressions you corporal beings use every day? It takes a significant portion of my intellect and several thought levels at once to constantly analyze and reference them.”

“Well I am glad you found something to do with that superior intellect and all those thought levels of yours, it would be a waste to have them do nothing.”

“Do you want to talk about your first use of telekinetics?”

I stared at him. “My what?”

“You saved that child from falling, by reaching out with your psionic abilities.”

I wanted to argue with him that I had no psionic abilities, but it was a lie I told myself. What has become of the Neo Viking that left Nilfeheim not so long ago? Not only my outside had changed and it was not simply growing up. I evolved and mutated into something else.

I looked at my mysterious friend and sighed. “What am I?”

Narth put his hand on my shoulder and said. “The sum of all that is Narth would fail to predict what you are going to be, but I for the moment, I would say you are a very stubborn Neo Viking refusing to accept the facts and you should really begin to practice the exercises I have asked you to do.”

“Narth deep down, I am still a simple boy from Nilfeheim. I never understood my own desires to be female and I prefer a sword of cold steel over blasters and psionics.”

Then I added quietly. “I am more afraid of the unknown thing inside me than I am of anything else. Despite the efforts of the Narth Supreme to erase or bury memories of recent events, I can feel it stir. I can feel someone, something, move in the deepest regions of myself.”

He said. “I know, I can feel it too, but you are not alone. Har-Hi, Shea and me, I am not just Narth, I am your friend.” He then added. “The exercises are very important though. You know how dangerous it was for Alice.”

“She is very powerful as you said. Moving a child and pounding a Landing tank to scrap is a different story. How is she anyway?”

“She is fine and taking Union school classes, her education was severely neglected on Trash Island. As for your level of...”

We were interrupted by Cirruit who came out of sickbay and said. “The toy is as good as new and does all the things it supposed to do.”

I smiled at him. “I didn’t think a toy would pose a serious challenge to my Chief Engineer.”

He held up a tiny black wafer thin square shaped thing. “This however was not part of the original design of the toy.”

I looked at it. “What is it?”

Cirruit held it higher. “It is a truly ancient program chip. Like the ones Mothermachine used many thousand years ago. I am sure it some sort of activation key for something like a Computronic.”

I shrugged. “Could it not be part of the toys program, or from some other electronic toy?”

“Captain, that chip is at least 5000 years old and it appears Karthanian. Yet it is way beyond Karthanian technology of today and certainly beyond anything the Ithe could produce.”

To me it looked just like a little bit of plastic and I said. “Can you and Shea try to figure out what it exactly is?”

He palmed the thing and said. “That is where I was going, as soon as Shea’s bridge shift ends.”

“Alright keep me posted.”

I went to the bridge myself and found Shea sitting in the Command chair. She smiled at me and her eyes told me she was very glad I was back. Aloud she gave me a situation report and then Elfi said. “The Red Dragon called and left a message. He said that we should meet him as discussed in sixty days on the second planet. He also wanted you to know that all associated with the quest were able to leave with all their possessions, but the pirate Nocturna has indeed died. Her crew elected a new captain and had left Itheamh.”

I said. “It looks you got things well in hand here. I need to return to Itheamh once more to make sure our guests get to a safe place.”

Shea said. “I heard you rescued a woman and her children. We saw the execution, as it was broadcast. Heavily edited of course but it was still horrible.”

“Yes it was. I was under the impression Itheamh was a lawful somewhat oppressed but normal world, but it is anything but.”

Sobody got up and said, “It is, Captain. It is just not Union laws they are enforcing. The Ithe have a long and violent history. This world is not their real home world after all. It is the second one, the first one had been made barren and inhabitable by a nuclear war. The Ithe society here grew out of a former colony. Ithe and Drak are the same species.”

He walked towards the main screen that showed the planet below from a visual feed of the dock the Tigershark was still in. He pointed at the world below. “This world is barely able to sustain life. It is a very dry world with very little water. The colonists needed help to survive and help they got from the nearby Karthanian. The help they received was not free; they paid and are still paying for it after over 500 years. The Drak, supported by the Karthanians oppress the Ithe that had been here, but it is lawful.”

He sighed. “The Karthanian are not like the Union who would help without asking for anything in return.”

I also looked at the ash colored planet slowly turning below and said. “Why haven’t they simply taken over then?”

Sobody explained. “The Karthanians are extreme xenophobes. They do not like other beings sharing their worlds with them. Yet they want to do business with the rest of the galaxy, so Itheamh and a few other worlds like this are used by them like store fronts. You can buy Karthanian tech and ships here, have ships repaired in docks like this that are in orbit. Most of them are as you know controlled by the Karthanian guilds.”

Shea looked at her PDD. “Since there was not much to do, Mehdi and I analyzed their political situation. From what we could gather from their broadcasts, it is the Karthanian who cleverly keep the division between the Ithe alive. The old reasons that drove them to war on their old world are kept alive here. One part of the population is in power, even though they are nothing but puppets, while the other is kept just above poverty and does all the labor. The ones in power have to keep their masters happy, provide the Karthanian with cheap labor and maintain their status of power over the rest.

There is a group calling themselves the Instigators, who want to break free from these conditions and unite all Ithe. While the Instigators have a broad base of sympathizers in the general population, they are split among themselves. There are the purists who want to brush all alien influence away and decide on Itheamh’s future alone. Then there are those who believe they have no chance doing that on their own. They hope for Union interference and finally Union membership. This group believes that the Union would protect them from Karthanian reprisals.”

I said. “Would that not be the best solution for them? Maybe we can do something in that regard.”

Sobody glanced at Shea’s PDD and spread his arms as he said. “I have assisted Lt. Schwartz in that analysis as well and we have found out that an official Union Delegation had been here about a year ago, following an invitation by the Instigators, but they left without taking the application to Pluribus because it could only be considered if all of Itheamh applies for Union membership. The Magistrate of Ithe is still the official government and the Instigators could not even claim to have a large majority behind them openly wishing for membership.”

Har-Hi had silently stepped onto the bridge. “I have seen the execution too, Captain and I would love to do something about that, but nation building and interfering with local politics takes much work and lots of time. They have been at each other’s throats for over five hundred years.

If we remove the evil that controls them, there is a good chance they’ll use their new found freedom to do what they had done before the Karthanian helped them and bomb themselves out of their second home.”

I knew he was right. What he said made much sense and again he showed how well he knew me. He knew that I wanted to do something for the children. Find their father if possible or at least get something in motion that would provide them with a better future. Not that I had any idea how I would even get started doing that and still follow the Red Dragon on his quest in just two month, but I underestimated my friend as he added. “Having said all this, captain. If we do something, I am behind you. There should be no place in the universe where children are massacred for any reason. As a Union citizen and as a Dai warrior, I can not condone this or not do whatever it takes to stop this evil.”

I said. “Let us get our guests into the mountains to safety and forget about Itheamh. It is a number too big for us.”

We decided to use one of our camouflaged landing tanks. These marvels of Union technology could cloak.

Not that the Ithe maintained planet wide scans in the first place, but I wanted to make sure we could drop the woman and her children unnoticed by anyone.

Mr. Eeeryt, our chef, came almost running, carrying a big package. “We can’t have them leave without some provisions.”

I smiled at him and said, “I guess the whole ship knows about our guests?”

The Elly wiggled his short trunk like snout and said, “It was you who allow everyone to listen to what is going on. We are all very proud of you, Captain.”

I blinked and said. “What for?”

The cook pointed at the Ithe family standing next to the landing tank, the mother, holding her children close while she was talking to Har-Hi and looking on a PDD.

“Saving them, Captain of course. Isn’t that the real reason we are out here? Making a difference to those who can’t do it for themselves, that is what we are really about. It’s not the ships and the tech that makes our Union stronger and better, but that we don’t turn away from those who need help.”

I sighed and said. “I wish I could do more for them, but the situation is complicated.”

“We know Captain, we heard the XO. Still we know you’ll find a solution to all this.”

He said that with such conviction that I did not have the heart to contradict him. I said, “I try my best, Mr. Eeeryt.”

Har-Hi walked over and said. “It wasn’t easy, but she finally recognized the village she needs to go to. She has virtually no geographical knowledge of her own continent and there are quite a few mountain villages.”

“Well let’s get this over with.”

Har-Hi raised one eyebrow and said. “Captain, there is really no need for you to come along. We drop them at the bottom of the path and all they have to do is walk two kilometers and they are safe.”

“I promised the boy he will be safe and I want to see that through.”

Har-Hi piloted the landing tank with Narth sitting behind the mission control station checking sensors.

The Ithe woman held her infant and was very quiet. The boy, however, had lost some of his fear and shyness and first looked at Narth, then Har-Hi, before he focused both his stalk eyes on me. He said to me. “Will you find my daddy?”

I didn’t want to lie to the child but I also did not want him to lose hope so I said. “If we find him we will bring him to you.”

The woman turned her eyes to me and said, “They will drop us off at Nunu and Taru and then we will never see them again.”

There was bitterness in her voice.

What was there that I could say? She was right, but I wished she had not said it that way before the little boy.

He clutched his animal close and his stalk eyes sank in a heart breaking sad manner.

Har-Hi said, “We are almost there, I am taking us down.”

Narth checked his scanners and said, “There are no significant energy sources nearby.”

We debarked and stood before a steep mountain path. I could smell the smoke of a distant fire. It was just before dawn and the local sun was about to come over the horizon. The wind was very cold and dry and it tugged on the simple dress of the woman.

She pointed up the path and said, “Up there is the village of my grand-parents. I haven’t been here since I was a little girl; ever since they restricted travel, coming here is impossible.”

I shouldered the food pack our cook had given us and said to her. “Lead the way then, I am going to accompany you to the edge of the village so I can make sure the village and your grandparents are still there and you’ll find shelter.”

For the first time she smiled and said to me, “Underneath all that black leather and those weapons you do have a good heart, Captain Velvet.”

Har-Hi grunted something, sealed the tank, activated the cloak and then followed us too, as I began to walk behind the woman. The path was steep and the gravel crunched under our boots. He too, had a soft heart under all his tough Dai warrior exterior, as he scooped the boy off his feet and put him on his shoulders.

We had walked about a mile, Narth who floated effortless next to me said, “We are not alone.”

The next thing I heard was a sharp whistling sound and a ragged rock hit my friend with force against his hooded head, a second rock hit Har-Hi almost the very same time. A third rock grazed my temple, and made me see stars. I saw both of my friends falling to the ground, just as I went to my knees myself.

The boy cried and the woman screamed. “Stop, don’t hurt them.”

Out from behind boulders and rocks, appeared Ithe men wearing furs and swinging some sort of loop like slings. Out of the painful daze I counted seven of them. I recognized the weapons they used as sling shots, very primitive missile weapons our instructor at the academy had shown us once. Through all that, I wondered why Narth had not detected them earlier.

The woman was almost hit by a rock as well and again she yelled something in a language I did not understand.

The men were armed with big sword like weapons and those slingshots and they scrambled down the ravine and came closer with caution.

The woman spoke again, this time she used Squawk. “I am Narmoa, granddaughter of Nunuat and Tarnua. The Draak-Ithe have killed many and we had to flee. These are strangers of other worlds who helped us.”

One of them said. “Tarnua and Nunuat are dead for seven wind times already, but we remember them.”

Another said. “The Drak-Ithe have patrols on the mountain paths and we thought you were of the Drak.”

The tallest of them said. “We must hurry; a Shogotrz is on the hunt in this valley. Only Fire Beamers can kill a Shogotrz and if one is used the Drak can find us. Let us take them all to the village and leader Claramoa will decide what to do with them.”

I stumbled back on my feet, blood blinding my right eye, my hand on the blaster, the men drew their swords, from somewhere from behind another rock was hurled hitting me on the elbow and I dropped the weapon.

Three trained Union Officers, one of them a Narth and a Dai outclassed and outfought by a bunch of primitives with slingshots and we were in this situation because I wanted to help. The seven were not alone, there were more.

One of them came closer and kicked my blaster out of reach while holding his sword to my throat while there where others with whirling their slingshots. I was certain their swords could not cut through the micro mesh of my suit, but the blunt force trauma was just as effectiv as a cut.

While I was sure Narth was not dead, I could not reach his mind. I hoped for their sake, Har-Hi was alive.

The woman screamed and then the men looked at something behind me and yelled. “The Shogotrz.”

I managed to turn and saw a big, scaled monstrosity that somewhat reminded me of the snapper crabs of Nilfeheim. It stalked on eight spidery legs and had four long appendixes armed with sharp looking claws. I estimated it to be at least seven meters wide and three meters tall.

The locals pelted the thing with their rocks, but they bounced of the tough, shell like armor of the beast.

I witnessed the power of the thing as it grabbed and crushed a man like a weightless doll into a bloody gore.

The alien creature made a metallic hissing sound and it too, had stalk eyes, six of them, and a mass of whip like tentacles around a small mouth. It blocked the way down the hill, and my chances to reach the landing tank were nil. As I turned, I saw the locals had already scrambled a good distance away; one of them had dropped his sword. I cursed them and promised myself if I would somehow survive this, I would kill each and every one of those cowards.

I took the sword and backed further away from that monster, while I drew the 45 and fired. My aim was good and three slugs found their mark right into that open maw and a fourth shattered one of the stalk eyes, the last three bullets careened off the armor of the beast.

None of my shots had done anything to slow down the beast, or hurt it in a significant way.

After putting the empty 45 back in its holster, I grabbed the alien blade that was somewhere between a broadsword and a scimitar with both fists and jumped out of the way of a snapping claw arm.

The blade was heavy and looked sharp and it rang with a bright note as I hammered it against the other claw that was about to decapitate me.

The arms and legs of that monster were covered with the same tough armor as its upper body. But then the sword bit deep into a leg joint, there, where the arms and legs were articulated, was a small area without armor.

While my head was still ringing like the brass bells of the Thingstead Round House from the rock that had grazed my temple, I danced and jumped between the legs and claws of the monster, knowing even the slightest oversight would be my end.

Another sword blow against the joint right behind the claw showered me with a spray of dark green ichor and rewarded me with the painful, high pitched scream of the monster.

That claw dangled useless from its arm and this success made me careless and another claw almost caught my left leg, its saw like edges scraped painfully across my shin bone.

I clenched my teeth, ignored the pain and cut off two of the mouth tentacles.

The fight went on and, while I had no way of telling how long I was hacking and jumping, I noticed my own energies fading. I would not last much longer.

My monstrous opponent was no longer as fresh as it was before, missing two of his claw arms, two legs, and most of its mouth tentacles, but so far I had hit nothing vital and I had not seen any place or mark where I could sink the blade and end the bout.

I wished I had an arsenal like Har-Hi; one of his anti-matter pellet grenades would do the trick.

Here I was fighting for my life and that of my two best friends, against the toughest life form I had faced so far and I was in this situation not because of the Kermac or someone else’s fault but because of my own doing.

Yet I could not, I must not fail. My own life was not important but both Har-Hi and Narth lay on the ground not far behind me and for their sake I had to prevail. In all this I tried to keep a cool head, to keep my anger down. I knew my rage was a gateway for whatever was inside me and I told Narth the truth. I feared that even more than the Shogotrz before me.

Then I slipped on a smooth rock, stumbled and as I tried to regain my footing one of the remaining claws of the beast snapped around my left ankle.

It felt as if the beast had clipped my foot right off as it pulled me with irresistible force towards the remaining tentacles.

I successfully cut one more of these arm thick leathery tentacles before the last one sneaked around my neck. I could see the small feeler like things inside the creature’s maw reaching out like a hand.

I would not fail.

I choked as I had a hard time getting air. As I was struggling I could feel something growing inside myself, I knew it was my true self, but it was dark and felt so utterly cold. In all this I tried to prevent its rise, my own voice seemed to have changed. “Nay I say! I shall not be slain by a mindless foul creature! What Gods and the Elders of the Universe could not accomplish shall not be thy triumph.”

I raised my free arm. “BEREAVER TO ME!”

AMBUSH
I could not tell or recall what had happened as I found myself standing between the rubble and the smoking ruins of what once had to be some sort of mountain village. Most of the houses were utterly destroyed, nothing left but the foundation walls. The debris of heavy rocks, busted wood and household implements were strewn over the steep mountain meadows behind, as if a wind of tremendous gale force had blown the sturdy stone houses apart. It was eerily quiet, except for the crackling of a fire nearby consuming wooden beams. There were dead Ithe everywhere. Horribly dismembered, hacked and torn to pieces. The fine Ultronit mesh of my suit was torn to shreds, yet I felt no pain or injury, even though I remembered the monster grabbing my leg.

My wrist-com was gone and so were the mono whip and the belt I had worn. One boot was completely gone and from the other only the shaft remained. The only things that survived whatever ordeal I went through were my trusty old fighting knife, the empty 45 and a mini first aid kid in my left leg pocket. The right side of the leg cover was completely gone.

Before I could really collect my thoughts and search for Har-Hi and Narth, a stinging hot thermo blast peppered the ground before my feet and a dark green open top flyer came into view. I counted six Drak soldiers all aiming their weapons at me. An amplified voice echoed over the destroyed village. “No sudden moves, alien and drop that axe.”

Only now I noticed that I was holding that ancient battle axe that I had last seen hanging on the wall in my private quarters. I had no choice but to obey, they were too far away and too many. I had an obligation to stay alive and find my friends.

Two of them jumped over the sides and stomped towards me, while the other held some sort of scanning device and said. “I cannot detect any radiation or residual energies, yet this is the epicenter of the tremors we detected.”

The other kept his gun trained at me and said. “You, Alien Human female, don’t try anything or we shoot you on the spot. Now tell us what happened.”

I heard the soldier but I did not care what he said. I felt as if I had a terrible nightmare. All this destruction, the torn bodies all around, my right arm was encrusted with purplish blood and so was the axe. I noticed the shape of a child half buried beneath heavy rocks from a collapsed house wall and my throat went dry.

Was this the little Ithe boy? The last thing I could recall was my fight against the monster and I clearly remembered that I was about to lose the fight. I could remember my anger at the cowardly village men. Then there was nothing, just hazy, out of focus images and yet somehow I knew whatever happened to this village had somehow happened because of me.

Yet the carnage and destruction around me could not have been done by a human being armed with an axe. What force could shatter solid stone houses like that?

The Soldier spoke louder and this time he did not speak Squawk but addressed me in Standard Union, his accent was heavy. “You, Alien woman, drop that axe. We are taking you in for questioning.”

I turned and looked at him and said. “Do you know what happened here?”

He looked around. “Probably a blast from the ancient Karthanian Orbital Punishers, it is a miracle you are still alive. Now I won’t say it again, woman, drop that weapon.”

Something heavy rushed through the air, a gray Fangsnapper sized boulder dropped on the soldier’s flyer and crushed it like a nutshell, and both soldiers were pelted by a hail of slingshot rocks.

Ithe suddenly appeared from behind the boulders and rocks. To my surprise they were led by a huge brown furred Togar and a Dai warrior.

The Soldier with the handheld scanner went down with a smashed-in face. The other however managed to activate his suits shields. From the shimmering whitish color and the crackling energies I deducted it was a crude and quite primitive three dimensional force field. Still more than enough to deflect rocks, he fired his blaster and vaporized two of the mountain men.

The Togar cat yelled. “Alien Woman run and follow us, if you do not want to go to the Smelter Moons.”

More out of instinct than anything else, I threw my axe and it whirled through the air, slicing through the force field as if it wasn’t there and split the soldier’s head, helmet and all down to its shoulders. The energy field collapsed with a loud crackle.

I sank to my knees. What was I doing here, what had happened? Did I do all this? My friends were gone. Har-Hi and Narth they were here with me.

As formidable as Narth was, he could be hurt. He had been hurt before and almost died. Har-Hi was a Dai, a fighter to the last fiber of his body but he too could be overwhelmed. They both followed me into this trap; they both were hurt or worse because of me. Yet there was still a mission and still my ship, but without Narth and without my equipment the ship was unreachable.

The landing tank was cloaked and it was Har-Hi who cloaked the machine. Even if I could find it, it would not open or uncloak for me without my Com unit. The tank was not SHIP who would recognize me.

Kneeling there in the middle of the destroyed village, I felt helpless and frightened, not because of my situation but because there was the possibility my friends both were dead.

I pulled myself together and got up. I was still the Captain and my responsibility was to the ship and the rest of my crew.

The Togar warrior flanked by the Dai came closer with the mountain folks a few steps behind. The Togar said. “Female, I am Ninety. We must leave this place before the Drak coats come with more men.

I said to him. “I can’t leave. I must look for my friends.”

“The Dai and the hooded human?”

I whirled around and almost yelled. “Yes, where are they?”

“I am sure they are at the District Command Center by now. They will be interrogated and most likely sent to the Capital after that, and then by the next transport to the Smelter Moons.”

They are alive?”

“We saw them move on their own as the Drak arrested them.”

A rock as big as Nilfeheim rolled of my heart, I gathered the axe from the grizzly wound.

The Dai Warrior wore bits and pieces of various armor suits, but nothing was Dai. He did, however, wear an obviously handmade circular brass chest piece with a Clan Glyph. I looked at it and said. “You are a warrior of the For-Ka-Ti Clan. Is it not a clan that took the long way?”

He spoke to me in Squawk. “I do not speak the language of my kind very well. You are the first who knows things about my clan.”

The Togar gestured with urgency. “We must go fast. If they think we are too strong here they’ll loose another sky bolt from the Orbital Punishers. There is no escaping them if the sky eye can see you.”

As I followed them and around house sized rugged boulders, I noticed a primitive contraption made of what looked like aluminum girders. It was carried by eight men and I identified the thing as a trebuchet. It was this ancient siege machine they had used to defeat the modern flyer. I remembered our class on pre-industrial siege machines during my first academy year. I could almost hear cadet Applegate’s voice complaining why we would need to know about such primitive things and I saw the face of Lieutenant Aurelius before my inner eyes, patiently explaining why the fleet found it necessary to teach these things. In situations like this I realized how well the Academy prepared Cadets.

I followed the men, down the mountain path and we passed the carcass of the Shogotrz. The beast was hacked to pieces. The Togar was running next to me and said. “Naroma told us you attacked and killed the Shogotrz with nothing but a Mountain sword.”

“I don’t remember killing it.”

While I found the boots of my costume somewhat impractical at times, running bare feet over a rugged mountain path was even worse.

How did I always end up in situations like that? I doubted Captain Harris ever had to run around bare foot on an away mission. I was certain Admiral Stahl would have sorted it all out by now, found the secret Seenian base and be on his way to the next problem.

Maybe I had chosen the wrong path after all. If I had stayed on Nilfeheim to become a clan leader, I certainly would not be in this mess. Only now, as the mountain men turned to the left, I noticed a barely visible path that forked off the main route, snaking between boulders. I had completely overlooked it coming up.

“Where are we going? All I need is some sort of communication device to access my landing craft.”

“We are taking the high pass, where we have left the Grythers behind. Whatever craft you have, it will be useless and destroyed by the sky bolts, I am sure the Drak Sky lords are watching this area very closely right now.”

I didn’t want to argue with him, that there wasn’t anything the Karthanians could build to stop a Union Landing Tank under full shields or find it if it was cloaked. However without a signal device to uncloak, un-shield and access it, the tank might as well be on the other side of the world.

Staying with the locals was maybe my best chance to find the place where they kept Narth and Har-Hi. What I could not understand is how they managed to keep my friends.

To restrain and imprison a Dai was hard enough, but to do that to a Narth was an entirely different thing. The path was narrow and allowed only single file movement. It kept winding between sheer rock walls, overhanging boulders and small meadows of the same coarse grass we had encountered before. This kind however was somewhat shorter and green.

One of the Ithe mountain men behind me must have noticed me looking at the grass and said. “This is the reason anyone lives in the mountains, Gathr grass and water. It grows everywhere but only up here where there is water from the mountain springs it grows fast and becomes green. The Nuktur thrive on it and produce good Nuktur nectar and meat.”

One further behind him said. “It is the Drak who benefit from our hardship and labor. They take what they want.”

The Togar before me said. “You are very tough for a human woman, what makes you immune to the Depro-Waves?”

While I silently cursed as another stone cut into my bare feet, I growled at him. “I am too angry and too confused to feel much of anything. What do you mean, immune to Depro-Waves? What are those?”

He pointed first at the leather like skull cap he and everyone else was wearing and then he pointed sky wards. “Another one of the wonderful benefits the Karthanians have bestowed upon this culture. Modulated Theta Wave Patterns beamed from transmission towers all over this world affecting your psyche making you depressed and feeling hopeless. The only cure is to watch the official propaganda broadcasts of the Drak; it is one of the many ways controlling the masses.”

While I was walking behind him, trying to avoid the sharper looking rocks, I said. “I should be immune to most psionics.”

He made a growling sound that could have been the Togar form of laughter and he said. “I get it; you are Union, perhaps even fleet, psionic conditioned and all. No, human female, the Karthanians are not as advanced as the Union or the Kermac. To us and them, Psionics are more magic than anything and certainly not technologically controllable.”

The Ithe behind me added to the explanation saying. “That does not mean the Karthanian are primitive. They have developed very effectiv means to control their puppet civilizations. Theta waves were developed to to neutralize Kermac spies so I heard and are very effectiv controlling slaves from cultures that do have psionic abilities. These Theta waves affect even the best shielded Kermac agents. I should know I dedicated my life working on ways to neutralize them.”

The Ithe pushed something in my hands and said. “Put this on your head. Those skull caps generate white waves, neutralizing the Theta waves. Getting parts and batteries to make them is not easy.”

The leathery skull cap had a cable and a battery pack attached to it and there was a little switch at the bottom of the battery pack as well.

I put the cap on my head and switched it on. The depressing, lethargic feeling I had was leaving me as if a veil was pulled from my mind. It wasn’t me who destroyed the mountain village, what a ridiculous idea in the first place. Only a marine in a destroyer suit could have done such carnage and destruction, not a half-naked woman with an axe.

The Theta waves explained my friend’s condition and Narth’s inability to defend himself. They were alive and I was on my way to make sure those who captured and injured my friends would see the errors of their ways. I was cold and miserable and someone had to pay for that too! To Hel’s deepest pits with my own fears and me trying to curb my anger. There was another time to contemplate my future and what I might turn into. Right now I was Erica Olafson, Captain of the USS Tigershark.

The Togar warrior laughed his rough growling laugh as he noticed I was passing him, walking with renewed energy and driven by my eagerness do do something, he said. “It appears you weren’t immune to the effects of the waves after all.”

“No Togar, I was not. I can think much clearer now. I wasted too much time already on brooding and thinking. It is time for some action.”

As I said that, the path widened into a small mountain plateau and on it, at least fifty large creatures that somewhat looked like falcons crossed with dragons. I had seen images of both creatures in the heraldic symbols of my home world.

The Togar laughed again and said. “I hope you are not afraid of heights, Union Woman. These are not Arti-Grav fliers but they will carry us to our hideout.”

“I need to get to this regional headquarters. I must free my friends before they are shipped off.”

He stopped and his feline face showed amusement and respect. “I would say that is almost impossible. The compound is heavily guarded but then for someone who slays a Shogotrz with an axe the word impossible might not have the same meaning.

Your friends won’t be shipped to the city until morning. In our hideout you will be able to get clothing and weapons and perhaps you will find us willing companions in your endeavor.”

The Dai said. “You call a Dai your friend and you are willing to risk your life to free him. Let me risk mine to help you doing that.”

I approached the first bird like creature, it was big and the only all black animal and without hesitation I swung myself onto the leather saddle contraption right behind its neck and raised my axe. “Then let’s ride and show these Drak what it means to make me angry and take my friends.”

It was very much like when I rode the Ammutherathi on Pluribus, these Grythers weren’t nearly as big as the Saran Beast, but they were still big, fast and wild. I held on to the reins as the ice cold wind brushed across my exposed skin and made my long hair fly. Despite my new form I was still a child of Nilfeheim and used to the cold depths of our oceans. These temperatures would be considered a mild breeze back home.

Any conversation with the other riders was impossible, as we flew under a fast moving cloud cover into the last rays of the local sun. The landscape was rugged and harsh below us as we rode down from the mountain range and flew over what appeared to be an endless plain.

The landscape did change, the grass of the plain below grew taller and the stems became bigger, forming a dense thick forest. I noticed the hulls and bodies of alien looking shipwrecks strewn about, some of them overgrown with grass.

The Togar warrior who had taken the lead was circling down and we followed him as he steered his bird between the tree sized stems. His animal touched the ground, ran a short distance on its clawed legs, while it tilted its wings to aide its rapid slow down.

My Gryther reacted to the slightest tug on the reins and landed right behind.

The Dai who was right behind me on the ground said. “Galactic spirit, you ride the wildest Gryther as if you were born on its back.”

“I was riding something similar not all too long ago.”

The Togar who called himself Ninety said. “I am almost certain she is a Union Officer, their academy training is second to none in the universe.”

It was almost dark now and there was little light left here between the thirty or forty meter tall grass trees, but I could clearly see the a tunnel like entrance to an overgrown hull of a wrecked alien freighter ship. The men guided their animals inside and I did the same.

After the last one was in they closed the entrance with hinged doors. It was completely dark for a moment and then lumi-plates came on and illuminated the place in a weak yellowish light. The Gryther, I had guided behind me parted his huge needle sharp beaks and licked me across the arm. There was little talk. The men removed the saddles off the animals and guided them to individual boxes. I simply watched what they did and followed suit.

One of the Ithe pointed at an empty box and said. “That is where Rhaah Gryther goes. It used to be Jerk’s Gryther; he was one of the men that got shot.”

“I did not do something wrong, did I?”

He moved his stalk eyes so both were looking at me and he said. “No, not at all, I am amazed the Rhaah let you ride it. Black ones are very temperamental and hard to tame. Have you been here on Itheamh before?”

“No I have not.”

The Togar waved me towards a staircase and said. “Come, Human female, let us provide you with garments and weapons, with water for bathing, and food for sustenance. Then we will talk about how we will go about freeing your friends and sending as many Draks to the lowest circles of Roguth where Rogramm the Devourer may punish them forever.”

They had showed me to a spacious room that once might have been the equipment storage of this alien ship wreck. Since the ship was lying on its side, everything inside was strangely out of proportion. The corridors were wider than tall, as well as the doors were sideways and too high up for simple access. So they had built makeshift ramps to access the rooms and chambers.

The Togar pointed at a Fuel bulb that was cut in half and filled with water. “Water is precious on Itheamh and even more precious out here on the plains, where it has to be carried from the mountains.”

He took a big ladle from a hook and dipped it into the water and said. “Please do not use more than twenty ladles. There is the washcloth and soap. I will send someone to get you garments to wear.”

“I understand.”

After he had climbed back to the door and left. I stripped out of the remnants of my heavily torn suit and I blushed as I realized much of my lower back side had been exposed the entire time. My mask was completely gone. Even though the effects of those mood affecting waves were no longer influencing me, I still wondered what happened. If they fired some kind of weapon from the sky, did it knock me out? But why did I have the axe and why was I not wounded? I was so certain the monster had crushed my lower leg. What power could rip Ultronit micro mesh and not injure the person wearing it?

Right now was not the time to ponder all this, but I had to find answers to this fast. I had to be accountable for everything I did. As a Captain I could not have black outs and do things I could not remember. I needed to talk to Cateria to check me out as soon as possible. Or better yet, I needed to find a way to talk to Narth Supreme again. He would know what I needed to do.

After I had used as little water as possible to wash away dried blood and grime, I was very glad that one of my remaining things was the small first aid kit. The soles of my feet had quite a few cuts.

Now I had the time to switch the empty magazine on my 45 with one of the two spare ones I carried in a pouch on the leather holster. I almost lovingly patted the ancient gun; it had become such a part of me that I never wanted to lose it. In my imagination it also carried some of the unexplainable strength of Admiral Stahl and reminded me of him.

Even, or perhaps especially in a strange situation like this, it was good to be reminded of the Eternal Soldier. I would do my best to make him proud.

A sound from the door made me whirl around, rack the slide of the Colt 45 and aim it. There at the top of the door ramp stood an Ithe woman and a human male, not much older than maybe sixteen or eighteen. He stared at me with wide open eyes and I realized that I was female now and completely nude. I felt exposed and angry at the same time and pulled the hammer of the gun. “Turn around or I’ll put a bullet right between those lusting eyes of yours.”

He gasped and turned.

The Ithe woman said. “I am sorry Captain Velvet, he is the only human here and has never seen another human. We did not know there are taboos in that regard.”

I grabbed one of the short towels and tried to use it to cover as much of me as I could.

“You know me?”

“Yes of course, you saved me and my children, I am Naroma.”

She carried a bundle and came down the ramp. “Ninety told me that you were here and he thought that Mel, the boy here would be best to assist you as he is human like you are and that it would be good for him to see another human.”

I was still holding the towel and said. “What happened and how did you get here?”

“We were attacked by the men of the village, who thought we were Drak spies. They were out there looking for the Shogotrz when they saw us. They ran before I could reach them. I saw you fight the monster. I was hiding behind a boulder watching you and I was certain you were done for.

I also noticed two Drak Mecha-Walkers coming up the path.

When I saw them I took my children and ran. Ninety found me and his men guided me to the plateau with the ride birds. It is then when we heard a terrible thunder like noise. Ninety was sure the Drak called to one of the Sky punishers.”

The human boy was still turned. He was lean but muscular and I estimated him to be about 190 centimeters tall. He wore baggy brown pants with several pockets sewn to it and a blue shirt of coarse cotton or something similar. His hair was unevenly cropped and some strands reached his shoulders. He carried a compound bow and a quiver of arrows.

Naroma held out the bundle. “I’ve seen your style and tried to match it as good as I could with the things that are here. We do not have these magical dressing machines and no one here wears those long shoes with the heel extensions.”

I took the items and said. “I am sure it will be alright. I am not planning to go to a fashion show or to stay very long.”

She turned as well and I opened the bundle and found a pair of brown leggings that were made of leather-like material that had a soft shimmer to it. The top was dark grey and of the same material, but was definitely not made for a human female. It took some wiggling and effort to get my boobs situated.

At least it was so tight that I didn’t need a halter. While I dressed, I remembered the winter evening in the yard of our burg when I was sparring with Elena. My mind evoked her lovely rosy face and could hear her voice in my mind as she talked about her chest and said. ‘I am talking about these. They bounce around a lot and it is not very comfortable I tell you. It actually hurts sometimes’

Being female now for quite a while, I whispered “I understand you now, Elena.”

Naroma turned and said. “You said something?”

The bundle also contained a belt, a pair of flat heeled calf high boots and a long leather coat of the same kind I saw the Ithe magistrate wear. I was adjusting the shoulder holster and said to her. “I was just talking to myself. I am ready now and we can go.”

The boy spoke for the first time and said. “I am sorry too.”

I slipped into the coat and said. “I was just startled that’s all. Maybe later you can tell me how you ended up here on Itheamh, but right now I am eager to get started. I don’t want my friends to suffer much longer in whatever prison they are.”

The Togar, the Dai, a dozen Ithe men and women and a Karthanian stood in a loose circle inside what I suspected was once main engineering of this wrecked freighter. They all stopped talking and looked at me as I entered.

The Togar turned to me. “I am called Ninety and I was chosen to lead this cell. It may be the worst decision we made so far, but we all voted to help you get your friends out.”

“All I need is a communication device.”

The Togar pointed to Naroma. “She told me that you are not just an officer but a Union fleet starship captain and you have a ship somewhere in orbit. I am sure you have the means up there to do whatever needs to be done. The individuals before you and I are willing to risk our lives to free your friends. However I am not risking the lives of the families, children and women hiding here to make a transmission. The Drak monitor the airwaves very closely and answer with a barrage of sky bolts to any unauthorized transmission. We do not have those marvelous instantaneous and undetectable GalNet Comm. devices your society has.”

I sighed and said. “Alright then, fill me in so we can get started. I fear my friends are not being treated very gently at the hands of these soldiers.”

While I was talking I stepped closer to the assembled circle of beings. The human boy did not take his eyes of me; I tried to ignore his staring gaze.”

An Ithe woman said. “Your friends are safe and currently held in Cryo stasis. The local commandant identified the armor worn by one of them as a genuine Dai suit of the highest order and he is afraid of your friend so he keeps him in stasis until the authorities from the city arrive tomorrow. They also can’t explain the scans of the other individual, several soldiers became raving lunatics trying to take off his hood. It was decided to keep him in stasis as well.”

I could not help but smile. “He is a smart man, that Commandant, but can I ask how you know all this?”

She pulled on a gray leather coat, just like the one I wore and said. “I am that Drak Section Commandant.”

Ninety put his big paw like hand on her shoulder. “She is a trusted member of the underground and she risks even more than we all do. Not even all the Drak agree with the conditions.”

I said. “I have no doubt that this is so. I am afraid I know little about the local conditions in the first place.”

One of the Ithe mountain men said. “Maybe we find the time to rectify that. Your Union is far away and so lofty and mighty, if they knew what was going on here maybe they would change their mind and help.”

I did not want to dispel his hopes and tell him that there was nothing the Union could do legally as long as Ithe was not asking for membership with a united voice, so I said nothing.

The Drak Commander pointed at a metal shipping crate in the middle of their circle. On top was a selection of small boxes and objects arranged in a pattern. “This is a model of the Section command compound.”

She used a long thin knife to point at drink bottles places at each corner. “These bottles represent four watchtowers. They are manned with two guards at all times. There are motion sensors and infrared optics. Each tower has a mounted bolter gun, a powerful search light and is connected to the guard house with hard line communications.”

She then pointed at a larger box inside the square. “This is the guard house, there are 200 Drak troops. They patrol the region during the day, but most of them are in the guard house during the night.”

The Dai pointed towards an upturned soup bowl. “That central building is where the prisoners are held. Your friends and the eighty Ithe they have rounded up today. The Ithe are held in cells on the ground level. Your friends are held in the high security interrogation lab tract two levels below”

The female Commandant said. “Make no mistake, Human Captain. If High Command suspects any problems they would not hesitate to level the place with bolts from the sky and declare all dead Soldiers heroes of Ithe.”

I looked at the model and said. “I see no fences, how does the surrounding landscape look?”

“The surrounding area is flat and any grass or place to find cover is bulldozed for 2000 meters around the compound. There are no fences but automated Laser sentry guns fire at anything that crosses the boundaries between the towers.”

Again the Commandant said. “There is a well-armed convoy of forty Drak soldiers and trucks expected to arrive just before dawn. We need to be gone by then.”

I said. “Do you know where that convoy is at the moment?”

The Commander said. “Yes they are at the Ootoe Springs with four water trucks to do the daily water run, as I said they are well armed.”

The Togar looked at me. “What do you have in mind?”

I said. “Water trucks could be used as Trojan Horses.” I had to explain to them what a Trojan horse is and I told them about the legend of the battle for Troy.

The Togar warrior said. “Let us hope we never have to fight the Union. You Terrans are sneakier than the Shiss when it comes to war.”

The Drak Commander agreed. “It is a good idea. The water detail doesn’t expect an attack. They never have been attacked before. I think we could overwhelm them at the springs and drive right into the compound. I must return soon, as I am officially in town and I am expected to be back.”

I said to her. “Can you manage to deactivate the stasis field on the hooded human?

She looked at me. “Yes I can do that.”

I smiled at her. “If my friend is awake, everything will turn out fine.”

She buttoned her coat closed and put a helmet on her head. “I hope you will remember me and us, Union Captain. Itheamh needs friends out there, real friends that know what is going on.”

“I will do what I can, Commander. I have a feeling things will change on Itheamh.”

She walked past me and left.

One of the Ithe produced a map. It was not a projection but an actual roll of paper he spread out on the floor and said. “The Ootoe Springs are here at the bottom of the Oote Mountain about 300 Urbs to the north. The spring is inside a cave and feeds a small but deep pool. The Drak have a permanent small camp there, guarding it and a pump station to fill the trucks.

The convoy also brings the relief soldiers for the outpost camp.”

The Togar said. “We ride in one hour, so we will arrive there before the convoy and then we’ll figure out how we take the trucks from the soldiers.”

One of the Ithe men said. “I’ll send a messenger to the Oote tribe near the spring. They will help and they have catapults we can use.”

Ninety said. “Then let us eat. I prefer dying on a full stomach.”

I said. “Let’s not plan on dying, Togar.”

He looked at me and said. “I have no desire to do so, Union Captain, but forty Drak soldiers are no easy prey. They have energy weapons and wear armor that can be shielded. We only have a few energy weapons and if we use them we become targets for the Sky punishers. Even if we are successful, some of us will not return.”

I followed them up a makeshift ramp into another section of the wreck. There were benches and tables and the other side of this former engineering section was made into a community kitchen, with cooking fires burning in steel tubs with steel plates and grills suspended on chains. The smoke was funnelled into large pipes above. It smelled of seared meat and smoke.

A gaggle of children of various ages were playing, while women and men prepared food. Others were already sitting at the tables.

Naroma said, approaching me. “Only yesterday I had a home and a husband and now I am here and like everyone we live in fear that this place will be discovered by the Drak. It is primitive but it is better than being shot or sold to the Smelter moons of the cursed Overlords.”

The Togar said. “Come sit with us and have a share of food. We do have a little time before we ride and I am eager to hear about the Union and if all the legends and stories we hear are true.”

I sat down at the place he pointed out and said. “And I need to learn more about this place and why a Togar and a Dai are among these Ithe.”

He placed his large frame across the table from me and sat down. “There are many non Ithe here. We managed to escape the smelter moons and found refuge here. On the smelter moons, race and origin mean nothing. You become a number, nothing more than a living robot that when damaged is tossed in the fires or made into food slurry.”

He looked over the tables and then back at me. “There are no open hostilities between the Togr Empire and the Kartanian Conglomerate, but war looms close under the surface for many centuries. There are no treaties, no prisoner exchange programs. There is no trade and very little official contact.

The situation on the split planet of Kaliment does not help things either, but even if there would be a golden gate to take me back to Togr, back to my family and my command. I would still choose to remain here and fight with my friends until I die or until this place is free and no slave dies at the smelter moons.”

Naroma placed a plate with meat pieces and something that looked like green mashed potatoes before me and said. “This is Nuktur stew and Gathr Seedling porridge. I hope it will be to your liking.” She then placed a second plate before the Togar and sat down next to me, before her own plate.

I was hungry and used a spoon like utensil to scoop a piece of meat and some porridge into my mouth.

It was horrible and it took all my willpower not to show it. The meat had a very pungent, gamey, fatty taste that coated my teeth, tongue and throat with a greasy texture. The Porridge was somewhat eatable.

Ninety laughed deeply. “Yes Captain that is Nuktur meat. Only Ithe and Oghrs can really eat it, even after nine years I can barely stomach it. Now I am not a very good judge of human facial expressions but it appears Terrans are not among those who would call it a delicacy.”

I took a long sip of the sharp and slightly bitter tea someone had placed in a mug next to my plate and I said. “Perhaps not, but I am sure it nourishes and is prepared with care and served with the best intentions.”

One of the Ithe men said. “Naroma told us, you are a Union captain. Is it true that your fleet could really chase the Karthanians off Itheamh, despite all their technology?”

Before I could answer the Togar said. “I once was the Commander of a Queen’s Flight. That is a group of fifty Togar battle ships and support units.”

He pulled back his black chaps and revealed rows of formidable predator teeth and made a snarling sound. “I always believed there was nothing more formidable and fearsome in the entire galaxy. Fifty battle ships, ten frigates and 20 destroyers, a force strong enough to even take on a Dai Clan in an even fight, but then I have witnessed a Union battle group break to sub light speeds.”

His yellow cat eyes focused on something he saw in his mind and his finger claws came out as he clenched his right hand into a fist.

A small crowd had gathered around the table and they all looked at him.

His voice vibrated as he said. “Our sensor department was overwhelmed, I could not believe what we saw.”

He looked at me. “Tell them what a Union Battle Group contains Captain, please.”

I sat down the tea mug and said. “A standard Union Battle Group consists of five Arsenal ships, five carriers, five Dreadnoughts, twenty Ultra battleships, 100 battleships, 200 Super cruisers, 80 heavy destroyers, Marine troop ships and around 200 other support craft.”

The Togar glared at the Ithe who had asked the question. “Tartur my friend, a Union fleet has up to twelve battle groups. Union battle ships are as big as mountains.The biggest Togar battleship would fit in one of their hangars.

They have weapons that no shield can stop. Not even if the Togar, the Karthanian and all Oghr combine their forces could they hope to stop such terrible might. They do not fear the Kermac and they have beaten the Y’All. As mighty as Karthania appears to you and me, it is nothing but a spark compared to a sun. We Togar fear little, but those who seen Union fleets go into battle are afraid very much.”

I felt a little embarrassed at their stares and the Ithe warrior said. “Can you not tell your government to come and free us?”

Another Ithe said. “At what price, all it would do is replacing one master with the other. If the Union is as strong as you say, what chance would we have fighting them if they take over?”

I said. “This is not what we do. We are a society of many civilizations. The reason we cannot help is because Itheamh does not speak with one voice. Only if all Itheamh would want to become Union members and send a delegation to Pluribus would the Assembly consider membership. All the Union asks of its members is that they follow our basic laws that guarantee the freedoms and rights of individuals. The Union would give you as much or as little help as you want and not interfere with local matters.

However if Itheamh becomes a Union member, all that is Union would fight to the last ship and man to defend you.”

The Togar got up. “It is time, we need to fly. We can dream and talk about these things later.”

Naroma caught up with me in the former Cargo hold where the flying animals were kept and gave me a fur lined cape and handed me a helmet like thing that looked like the head of a Gryther, complete with sharp beak and long feathers on the neck. She said. “I think you like to hide your face and I know you are on a secret mission. This is a very old war lord flight mask; Legend has it that it bestows special warrior powers to whoever wears it.”

I took both items and thanked her.

Ten minutes later the black Gryther spread his wings and galloped behind the lead animal, gathered speed and took off.

After over an hour of flight, I saw Ninety stand up in his saddle and wave, then he pointed down and pulled a long lance with a wicked blade from a holder. His animal pulled its wings close to the body and dropped like a stone, the others around me did the same!

I looked down and saw several large vehicles on a dirt road. The lead vehicle was burning, and I could hear the crackle of energy weapons. The convoy was attacked by a small army of wild looking mountain men. They had crude looking war machines with them.

From what I could gather the Mountain tribe had not waited for us, and attacked the convoy before it reached the mountains. Their initial success was evident but the surprise element was gone and the soldiers fought back using their energy blasters. I cursed to myself and said. “So much for a planned and careful executed ambush.”

I pulled at the reigns and my Gryther followed suit, following the others in a steep dive.

The first energy blasts streaked into the sky, one missed me only by a few meters.

I heard the painful screech of another Gryther behind me and saw it tumble with burning wings past me.

I freed myself from the stirrups; my Gryther spread his wings, and flew at high speed over the ground, towards the armored vehicles and the soldiers manning it.

I leaned as far out of the saddle as I dared and swung my axe against a battle suited soldier, who was aiming at the attacking mountain men, burning several of them.

The marvelous blade of my axe split him armor suit and all down to the chest.

Just as my Gryther was trying to gain altitude again, an energy blast went through its left wing. It screamed and struggled and landed, managing to slow down enough, but cartwheeled as it had only one wing. I was lifted out of the saddle and thrown on the hard ground. It did not come unexpected and I had prepared myself to jump already, so I managed to lessen the impact by rolling over my shoulder, thanking my long martial arts training session for being able to do that. I was rattled, and had a few scrapes but was otherwise unhurt. Without a second thought I bolted right towards the armored vehicle that was closest to me. Like a silver flicker fish, I zigzagged left and right and evaded fiery blasts from a Drak soldier operating a mounted gun on the armored vehicle. This time I did not hold back my rage and fighting instincts. I let it all loose.

With a leap I was on top of the vehicle and swung at the weapon and blast shield that the Drak soldier was hiding behind. The axe cut through armor, steel and weapon as if it was butter. I actually felt cold satisfaction as I saw the utter terror in the Alien’s face before I beheaded him.

In all this I suddenly heard a familiar voice. “Captain, duck.”

I did and turned to see. There was Mao, holding a TKU and he fired. A Drak soldier that had appeared from a hatch in the vehicle already aimed at me, withered to atomic ashes as the TKU blast him and melted half the turret.

A massive figure stalked through the smoke, it was Hans wearing a destroyer suit. He lifted one of the armored vehicles complete off the ground and threw with an ear shattering crash onto another.

Our Nul prince tossing armoured soldiers like toys. TheOther, holding three TKU’s and a Y’All boarding sword walked through the Drak forces like a whirlwind of doom, it was over in moments. The Drak had no chance.

I yelled. “There is an orbital weapon it will open fire on this place at any moment!”

Krabbel de-cloaked wearing his version of an Atlas suit directly before me. “No Captain it won’t. Shea uploaded a nasty little virus into their orbital defense system. They are lucky if their life support systems come on in time.”

The only way I could relieve my tension was laughing. I hugged Krabbel and said. “It is good to see you. How in the world did you find me?”

Shea de-cloaked and hugged me. “That wasn’t easy Captain.”

AMONG REBELS
The Togar and his men came over and even the big Togar looked concerned at the huge Y’All towering behind me. His arm dangled from his left shoulder with a nasty burn wound and he said. “We need to leave fast. I am surprised the Sky punishers have not responded already.”

I said. “It looks like my crew took care of those and they won’t bother you for a while.”

He made big eyes. “You mean the Sky punishers are gone?”

I turned to my friends and said. “I am as much in the dark at the moment as you, Ninety. Let me catch up with the developments and then we need to roll and get Har-Hi and Narth.”

Shea took the lead. “We knew something was wrong when you did not respond to our hails and were overdue. We located the tank all right and saw the aftermath of a big fight not far away, complete with a huge monster hacked to death and a levelled mountain village with dead soldiers. All clear indications to us you’d been there. Finally we found your PDD and pieces of your suit, but no body.”

TheOther rumbled with his deep voice. “You had us really worried Captain.”

Shea said. “We intercepted communications of the local police that they had captured two aliens and from the description it was clear it was Har-Hi and Narth, but not mention of you.”

She was near tears as she said that, I could tell by her trembling chin. I, not giving a hoot about regulations, took her in my arms.

After a moment she said. “I refused to believe you were dead. Then an Ithe Commander called us on Har-Hi’s PDD and told us you were with the rebels and planned an ambush on a water convoy. She wanted to warn you that there was a much bigger force out here than 40 soldiers and a few water trucks. She also told us about the truly ancient network of sentinel satellites. We came here as fast as we could.”

Mao said. “Not that you really needed our help. I will never forget seeing you riding on that winged beast swinging an axe. You looked like a real warrior goddess.”

Krabbel chirped. “Maybe Sobody can make another action figure...”

I glared at him. “We can reminiscence about all that later, let’s go now and free Narth and Har-Hi; they are held in a military compound about 400 clicks from here.”

A sudden feeling of warmth flooded my mind and Narth appeared from thin air. “No need Captain, after the Commandant deactivated the Stasis field that held us, Har-Hi showed the Ithe authorities how unhealthy it is to make a Dai angry and I also expressed my displeasure in perhaps a more emotionally fueled fashion than usual.”

“Where is Har-Hi?”

“Our first officer is currently in sickbay under the care of Cateria. The rock projectiles that we both unfortunately intercepted with our craniums injured us both, but he should make a complete recovery.”

He was next receiving a hug from me and I asked. “And how about you?”

“I found the experience of being rendered unconscious by a rock quite fascinating, but an experience I would not want to repeat. I was able to meditate while in Cryo Stasis and mend my injury. Even without the Commandant’s aid I was almost at a point where I would have been able to affect our release. I also took precautions not to be influenced by modulated Theta-waves again.” He cocked his hooded head. “How curious to think that a primitive acoustic waveform would be so effectiv against Narth.”

The Togar was still holding his arm and said. “It appears you have all you came for. Your friends are safe.”

I said to him. “Not quite, Ninety, there is still some unfinished business and we need to take care of your wounded.”

To Shea I said. “How long do you think those sky things are going to be out of order?”

She shrugged. “If the locals work fast and replace the Computronic hardware, they could be up and running in a month or so.”

That was good news indeed, and then I asked. “Who holds the Con at the moment?”

“Elfi has the Conn.”

She handed me my wrist com and I said. “Captain to Elfi.”

My Saran Communications officer responded. “Captain, we were so worried.”

“It is good to hear your voice too. I’ll fill you all in later about the details. Right now I need a med team down here.”

“I sent a landing tank with a field med mission module; Cateria and her team are on their way to the hangar as we speak.”

“Thank you Elfi. I fill you in a.s.a.p.” Then I cut the transmission and said to the Togar. “How long do you think we have until this convoy is going to be missed?”

He looked over the carnage and said. “It is hard to say, but with their Sky eyes down they might send out flier patrols and it also depends if the soldiers here had time to use their radios. I am sure we have several hours, but who knows what they’ll do if they find the prisoners missing along with whatever your men did to the regional outpost.”

A rugged and strong looking Ithe mountain man said. “I am of the Oote tribe and I want to thank you for killing the Drak soldiers.”

The Togar growled at him. “Why did you attack out here, especially if you saw the convoy was much bigger than usual and had tanks with them?”

The Oote man lowered his stalk eyes and said. “The Drak convoy was larger this time because they were joined by those soldiers coming back from punishing our village for hiding a water source from the government. He made a gesture behind him and over perhaps 200 men. “This is what’s left of 1200. They shot everyone else and the sky punisher destroyed our homes. What else was there for us to do than fight and die?”

Shea swallowed hard and said. “They killed your wives and children, for water?”

“Water is precious and a water source like a mountain spring means wealth, power and control.”

Ninety put his good hand on the Tribe leader’s shoulder. “Forgive me.”

The Dai warrior also joined us and said to me. “Your Thaa Gryther is badly wounded. Do you want to shoot it yourself as Gryther warriors do or should I do it?”

I walked a distance and found the creature on the ground, both its large wings in broken disarray. I noticed not only the burned wing but a second blaster wound to his muscular hind legs. Shea knelt next to it and put an Auto Doc Unit against the beast’s neck, while I patted it and said to Shea. I rode it only twice and don’t really know it, but I sort of like it. I think it saved my life, by trying to land even after it was wounded.”

She checked the Auto doc read out and said. “No worry, the Auto Doc is stabilizing it and Cateria will have that thing fixed.”

It took us no time to clear the road with my Friends and the marines they had brought along as well. We burried the bodies and the scrap.

The Togar said the water trucks were valuable and would be taken back to the compound, especially since there were no sky eyes watching. The ones that came on flyers returned as they came. The now homeless men of the Oote tribe sat on top of the water trucks and some sat on top of our landing tank. TheOther, Hans and three marines carried wounded Grythers flying ahead.

Chapter 28
Cateria had arrived and with her came several Med Techs and five med bots. Ha-Hi himself had piloted the tank down. Now my XO came over to where I was standing and smirked. “The next time I am going with you on an away mission, I wear a helmet. That rock hammered me real good, you know.”

I squeezed his hand and put my other hand on his shoulder. “I am sorry, it was my fault. I should have listened to you.”

He chuckled. “No it wasn’t your fault. We all picked a dangerous profession and getting out of bed is dangerous.”

I sighed and frowned at him. “I guess you will lecture me now that we should not get involved in local affairs, right?”

“No Captain, I won’t. I am your XO and must be the devil’s advocate, but once you make a decision, I support it to my last breath.” He crossed his arms and said. “I am just glad it isn’t me who has to write the log book entry or explain what we are doing, to the admiral.”

We all arrived at the rebel hideout with the first rays of light of a new day, I had remained with the Togar and several marines to guard the trucks and make sure they arrived safe and unobserved.

There in the cavernous belly of the freighter wreck industrious and well organized was Cateria, med bots and med techs. They had triaged the wounded, set up treatment tents and processed what looked like endless line of beings.

To the Togar I said. “I was under the impression there were only a few wounded, where do they all come from?”

An Ithe woman came over and shook my hand with both of hers. “I can see again! I can see again! Dugos the benevolent Spirit has heard my chants, thank you!”

The Togar answered my question. “No one here has seen a doctor or got any medical aid in ages. The news of your miraculous med crew spread like a wildfire through this community of ours.” He looked to the floor and I sensed the big cat felt embarrassed. “I am sorry for us taking so shameless advantage of you.”

I said. “I don’t think you need to be ashamed or embarrassed. I am glad we can help.” Pointing at his bandaged arm, I added. “You should have that checked out by my CMO as well.”

“I will be last, if there any supplies left.”

“Ninety, I see you are a good leader with the wellbeing of your people foremost on your mind, but as a leader you are needed and you can do that best by being well. I am sure we can manage supply wise.”

I walked with him over to Cateria, who just came out of a treatment tent. I said to her, “Sorry for putting all this on you, but I have one more.”

She actually smiled and said. “Captain, I know I am not always the most emotional person and I am well aware of my reputation, but I became a Medic because I wanted to help. It was my idea to have those people checked and I tell you some of them really needed our help badly, lots of infected Taser and whip burns, gouged eyes and other wounds from torture. Captain, this is why I am a physician.”

While she spoke she scanned the arm of the Togar.

Just then Jolaj the white Togar girl came out of the treatment tent carrying a small Ithe child and handing it to its waiting mother. “He is fine now, I treated his skin infection.”

The big Togar fell to his knees and buried his head between his arms. “My life is blessed. I was privileged to gaze upon the Goddess with the innocent fur.”

Jolaj said.” Get up, Togar. Perhaps once I was a Goddess, but that changed. I became an outcast and a wanted criminal by the decree of the Queen and the high priestess. Now however I am med tech First Class Jolaj Grotha, Union citizen.” She actually raised her chin and her voice as she said that and she looked quite proud.

Ninety got up, but still bowed devoutly. “Neither jealous priestesses nor blind queens can change the fact, what all Togr kind knows. What joy and hope will you bring to the thousands of Togar slaves on the smelter moons if they hear the White Goddess, Child of Marmou is alive!”

She waved her white paw and said. “I would not want to return if the queen herself offers me all the treasures and honors the empire could bestow. I am a free Union citizen, have a purpose and friends.”

Cateria leaned over and whispered to me. “Her official CITI came over GalNet just a few days ago and Lt. Har-Hi made her conscription official. She tells that to everyone at least three times a day.”

Former commander Roghor holding a TKU carabine and wearing black pirate leather came from the entrance and said. “Captain, the recon sentries are deployed as the XO requested.”

Ninety bowed again. “Mighty Roghor himself, the brother of the Queen!”

“And as a male, accused by a female I had no chances and no recourse. Mighty Roghor is no more, Commander Roghor died when the Vighrr exploded. I am Roghor, of the Silver Streak and serve Captain Black Velvet.”

I thanked Roghor and said.”So you are the brother of the queen?”

“A fact that has not spared me demotion or humiliation, a fact that would not spared me an execution. No captain, I am like Jolaj. I care for Togr but not the Empire. My son and my daughter have made the same decision. We will be citizens of the Union and maybe my children or their offspring will see a free Togr.”

I motioned to the astounded rebel leader. “Why don’t you two catch up on things, while I make myself more representable?”

I had a shower in one of the inflatable hygiene modules that were part of the medical equipment brought down from the Tigershark and Shea presented me with a new leather suit. The greatest joy in days was to use a simple brush on my clean again hair that had looked like an old floor mob. Feeling much more presentable, I checked with the ship to make sure everything was alright and then had a bite to eat.

The medical treatment of the rebels was still going on, but the line was much shorter now.

Ninety intercepted me with Roghar at his side. “First the All White Goddess and now Roghor, the mighty among your crew. Who are you really?”

Roghor bowed. “She is my Captain. I told you I am the Mighty no longer and have been reduced and humiliated, many periods ago. That the Goddess found shelter aboard her ship surprised me not. She is indeed Joltaj the Goddess, but like me she found greater purpose and a new home.” To me he said.”Thank you for saving her and accepting me and my children.”

One of the Ithe joined us. “Your Gryther is doing well, and the other wounded animals will soon be fully recovered as well.”

I looked over to the stable boxes and said. “I am glad to hear that.”

Ninety said “You will leave soon I assume?”

“I am a little pressed for time and this is not what I am supposed to do, but seeing women and children executed; villages exterminated for water makes me thinking. I am also still hearing my Chef’s words. So I am not leaving just yet. However I am pondering what we could do right now.”

Har-Hi came out of the landing tank and came over. “I set up perimeter guards; I am sure the local authorities will discover the destroyed regional headquarters soon.”

I looked at him from the side. “You completely destroyed it?”

He tried to make an innocent face. “I did have a few Antimatter grenades left and I was not in a good mood, Captain. Besides you should talk to your Narth friend. I never saw anything scarier than him turning loose his powers.”

“All the troops are dead?”

“We did leave a few alive, but after we freed the prisoners, they armed themselves and showed no mercy. Most of the soldiers were killed by the prisoners. A few escaped I am sure and some were secret sympathizers.”

Ninety said. “It is hard to predict what they will do. They may retaliate against villages and small communities in the district. They may go into a full attack and round up everyone.”

The female Ithe commandant had joined us and she said. “I think the regional commander will keep it quiet and simply replace the soldiers and rebuild. I know him and he would not want to explain to the Magistrate how a military convoy and the regional HQ got destroyed. He will however terrorize the region even worse.”

I turned to her and said. “Thank you for keeping your word and freeing my friends and alerting my ship, Commandant.”

She declined her head. “I am a Commandant no more. To the world I am dead like the rest, but I am free.”

Cateria now also joined our small group and said. “We are pretty much done here, Captain. Everyone is treated. Jolaj and my staff are wrapping things up and then we can pack everything.”

Har-Hi made a snorting sound, looking at me from the side and said. “This concludes our involvement here, right?

Everything in me told me to stay and do something about the situation, but so far I had no clear idea what to do, that could have any effect on the local conditions.

A Karthanian who was the only one of his kind among the rebels, had fought alongside the mountain Ithe, but had not spoken much so far. I only really noticed him standing near the Togar as he spoke.

He said to Har-Hi. “You are Dai-Than and acts of mercy might not come as easy to you as to your female friend and Captain.

The medical help you provided has mended more than bones and healed more than wounds. It has raised hopes and reignited dreams, that we are not alone in this hopeless struggle after all. The fate of Itheamh and its people is closely linked to the conditions in the Karthanian Conglomerate and as long as the First Engineer is kept prisoner and asleep by the horrible Guild Masters, the Karthanian hand lays heavy on this world. Like the Ithe and the Drak, not all Karthanians are bad.”

The Togar rebel leader sighed and said. “My bone faced friend speaks of the realization we all have to face, that our rebellion movement has no chance of ever succeeding and freeing our world. It is this hopelessness that keeps us from speaking with one voice. I am certain even many Drak would follow us if we could make some headway.”

While I listened to them, somewhere in my mind, a spark of an idea, began to grow. I was not yet able to put it into thoughts or even words. I said to the Karthanian. “Tell me more about the Karthanian situation.”

The rigid face of the Kartanian could not show emotions, at least none I could identify, but his voice was full of emotions I could understand. “I still have hope. One day someone will break into the deep chamber underneath the Guild Hall and carry the lost key to awaken the First Engineer. He will wipe away all corruption and the filth that besmirches the noble and ancient halls of our trades. When this happens, the Smelter moons will go cold and no sentient being be it Karthanian, Togar or anyone else will be forced to work and die. We have been honest engineers and paid for labor. No slavery existed in the days the First Engineer guided us. When we are free once more, Itheamh will be free too. The Drak Magistrate who bases his power on Karthanian masters will be swept away.”

The Karthanian turned once more to Har-Hi and said. “Even you would rejoice, as there are many thousand Dai slaving and dying on the Smelter Moons. There are species that adjust to slave labor better than others. I can tell you, your kind is not one of them; they suffer greatly as their pride is hard to crush. Yet we still call them brothers.”

Har-Hi said to him. “You misjudge me, Karthanian. Dai are as honorable and able to feel compassion just as humans do, but I am the first officer of our ship first and foremost and in this capacity I must remind my Captain of our primary mission. We have little time and we are just a small ship, not a battle ship with thousands of trained marines to simply topple the regime and then have the time to stay and make sure you do not start to fight among each other. When you remove one force, the vacuum that is created cannot stay empty. Nation building is a difficult business, not to mention that it is against Union regulations to interfere in such ways.”

The Togar nodded slowly. “I understand your dilemma and we are not asking you to stay or fight with us, we merely hoped you would.”

Har-Hi again turned to the Karthanian saying. “You are correct, Dai-Than do not do well in captivity, but I doubt there are thousands of Dai slaves. Where would they come from? The Karthanian and the Togar are formidable but they are not capable of overcoming Dai Tribes and capture thousands.”

The Karthanian snapped back. “Who said anything about capture? They are sold by their own peers.”

Har-Hi pulled his swords, both of them and almost killed the Karthanian. “Do not insult my people, Boneface. We are not Karthanians. No Dai has ever enslaved another Dai. No Dai has ever sold another Dai!”

The Kartanian was braver than he looked and raised his head and presented his throat to the hovering blades and he said. “Then strike and kill me. My death does not change the fact that it is done, you can ask two of your kind right here. Where do you think they came from?”

I did not interfere as Har-Hi’s swords hovered less than a hairs width from the thin rigid throat of the Karthanian.

Har-Hi was taking a deep breath and I knew he performed a mental exercise to calm down. I trusted he would make the right decision. Har-Hi returned his swords into their scabbards and said between pressed teeth. “What do you know about Dai-Than being sold into slavery?”

The Karthanian said. “It is going on for almost twenty years now and used to be a great secret. It is done by a Dai tribe leader and his name is Cam Elf-Nah. This Clan leader made a deal with the Guild masters of the Chamber. In exchange for slaves he would receive raw materials and the right to hide his Clan fleets in Kartanian space. I know all this from my Dai slave brothers and it is from that source I know that this Cam Elf-Nah dreams of uniting all Dai Clans under his rule and anyone not accepting his rule, he declares Okthi-Dai.”

I could see in my friends face that he believed the Karthanian and he clenched his fists. “What has become of my race? Is this the true legacy of my father’s decision? If my father would have stayed, maybe he could have uncovered this atrocity.”

I put my hand on his shoulder and said. “He said twenty years, that was long before your father made his decision. The history of your people has just begun; the Dai will emerge from this even stronger than they are now.”

He said to the Karthanian. “You said there are two Dai, can I meet them?”

The Togar answered instead and said.” They are right here, mighty Dai.”

Ninety had a truly booming voice as he roared loudly and called the Dai. The Dai I had met before and a second even younger looking Dai came moments later down the ramp and walked closer staring at Har-Hi with wide eyes. Both had the characteristic red skin of Dai-Than and were tall and muscular, but they had their hair cropped short, unlike the black long hair of my friend who wore always carefully oiled and combed it back. Both of them wore a conglomerate of uniforms and armor pieces.

The older Dai wore his crudely made Clan glyph attached to a home-made harness across the chest like the broad armor plated straps all Dai Warriors wore.

He bowed before Har-Hi his fists crossed before his chest. The gesture I knew was called the Urst-Thanar and only done if a Dai Warrior accepted the supremacy of another and declared himself a servant and follower.

While I watched them I realized how much I already knew about the Dai Culture. The older slapped the younger one and he too then bowed in the same fashion.

Har-Hi removed the cover of his clan glyph and almost visibly he straightened his stance even more, his eyebrows rose a little over his now half closed eyelids as he mustered the boys. I was certain not even the grand wizard of the Kermac himself could have possibly look more arrogant. Yet Har-Hi added a flair of princely grace. He said to them. “You may identify yourselves now.”

The older one said. “I am Mar-For of the For-Ka-Ti tribe and this is Mar-Ta. He was born on the smelter moons so I made him my brother.”

Har-Hi said. “I am the first son of Tar-Ka-Hi, Champion of Thana Shoo, High Warrior of the Crimson Order and bearer of all seven honor blades. I have completed nine of the twelve steps to Juth-Ni of all Dai.”

I knew he did not do that to brag, it was his way to instil a little racial pride in the two young Dai-Than. It did not fail, their yellow eyes glimmered and their faces lit up with awe. The older furrowed his brow and said. “The Clan of Kar-Hi declared Okthi by Cam Elf-Nah?”

Har-Hi’s right hand went for his upper honor knife and he said with an ice cold tone in his voice. “I stand and deal death to anyone dishonoring my father and my tribe. As it appears that blinded fool Cam-Elf Na is doing more damage to the Dai and covers all that is Dai-Than with shame. Crawling and taking orders from the Shiss and now I hear he is selling Dai into bondage. No such crimes have been committed since the evil Ortha Okthi was defeated by the Sentient Spirit Warriors in the time before time and was sent to the darkest pits.”

I remembered him once telling me of this mythical battle between the God Spirits the Dai believed in and a horde of evil Dai that turned into demons by all the evil deeds they did. It was the origin of the world Okthi and synonym with all that was without honor.

Mar-Fo bowed again and said. “We have been sold to the Smelter moons, as we were very young and long before your father decided to go to the Union. We only know of these recent events from the Dai that are now sold in greater numbers to the Smelter Moons.”

Har-Hi kept the hand on the knife and said. “I could not believe the Karthanian as he told me many Dai are sold to the Smelter Moons. How can that be?”

“We don’t know many details, mighty prince. I was eight and Mar-Ta was born on the smelter moon.”

Har-Hi’s face fell even more and he said. “What enemy did your tribe face, back then? Surely it must have been a formidable enemy.”

Mar-Fo shook his head and said. “No High Prince, it was not. It was Cam Elf-Nah who ambushed us and destroyed our Clan. This is what my mother told me to remember.”

My friend could not hide his emotions as he heard this and he said. “Tribe wars do happen but they are declared and it is at Thana Shoo such wars are fought, in the arena warriors against warriors, not ships against ships.”

Mar-Fo answered. “I was still little back then, High Prince. I do not know anything of the details, other than what my mother told me. Our Clan Leader bested Cam Elf-Nah in the fights for the honor to be Champion of Thana Shoo. She said that Cam Elf-Nah swore revenge and ambushed our clan by sending warriors to our Dai Mother pretending to to partake in festivities. They used weapons of unknown origin to kill our warriors from within. After that they destroyed our defenses and killed anyone who resisted. Mother said he could not leave anyone alive to tell of his deed, so he sold all survivors to the Karthanians. Other Dai at the Smelter Moons tell us he used this same deception many times.”

Har-Hi shivered with barely contained rage. “Your story must be heard by the Pale Elders of Thana Shoo, it will end the reign of this demon. How many Dai-Than are on these moons?”

Mar-To raised his shoulders and said. “We know only of Olx, the moon we escaped from, but there are seventeen such places, all called Smelter moons. On Olx we think there are many times the number hundred.”

Mar-Ta held all fingers of his hands and said. “We are not very good with numbers and such but for each finger you can count hundred for sure maybe a little more.”

Har-Hi whispered. “A thousand Dai Slaves?”

The younger Dai nodded and said. “There are less now I am sure, only the women and the young ones survive. The warriors usually die very fast as the Overseers kill them for disobedience or for trying to fight and never let them out of the heavy chains.”

Neither I nor the others had said a word since the Dai talked. Har-Hi looked at me with pain in his eyes. “I am honor bound to you Captain and to my commission, otherwise I would go to war right now and not stop killing until the last Karthanian died for what they did to my people. I am Okthi; I am the son of my father, but I am also Dai and the blood in their veins is the same as mine. I cannot stand idle to see a megalomaniac destroy what is left of our culture and our heritage. With every Dai that dies the gene pool of my species shrinks. And what of the cultural treasures every Dai Mother carries, the precious antiques and artifacts rescued from our doomed planet.”

Har-Hi was talking himself into a rage, like I had never seen before. Mar-Ta said. “You speak with fire and honor, high prince, but why are you traveling with a weak human female and take orders from her and not be on the side of your father with a Dai fleet in orbit?”

Har-Hi grabbed the throat of the Dai. “I am Lieutenant Har-Hi of the United Stars Navy first and above all else. It was my father’s wish that I become the first Dai who serves the Union and set an example. I am honored beyond your grasp of understanding to serve with this Captain.”

The Togar growled. “She defeated a Shogotrz with nothing but an axe and I have seen her attack a Drak armored troop carrier and win.”

Har-Hi tossed the young Dai aside and looked at me with eyes that shimmered with tears of rage and sadness. “Captain, leave me here. I will fight. I must do whatever it takes to free my kind.”

I put my hand on his shoulder. “I am not leaving you behind and I am not leaving you alone in this, you are my friend.”

I knew he was close to tears and he said. “Captain that will end your career or maybe they’ll hang you first for abandoning our mission and disobeying orders.”

“Richard Stahl told me once that a Captain must first and foremost do what she thinks is right. Our mission is important and we will find a way to find that depot. Even if we have to capture the Red Dragon and squeeze the location out of him somehow, even if we have to fly to the other end of the Galaxy to find it. We will not leave here until the Smelter Moons are shut down and then we will fly to Thana-Shoo and talk to the Pale Ones.”

Har-Hi slowly put his hand on my shoulder and said. “Captain, are you sure?”

“You said you’d follow me to the gates of hell. Sounds like these moons are the next best thing.”

I then turned to the Togar and the Karthanian. “I guess we’ll stay here after all, at least until you all are no longer rebels and I think I even have an idea how we going to do that.”

The Togar said. “Whatever you need, Captain; whatever you want us to do we will do it or die trying.”

Mao’s voice interrupted us, coming from my wrist com. “Captain, there is an army marching towards the scrap field forest, at least a thousand men with tanks, battle walkers and bomber-fliers.”

The Togar glanced over my shoulder at the field screen image my PDD projected. It came from Mao, who had taken a surveillance post just five thousand meters from the regional district head-quarters which was over 500 klicks from our current position. The images relayed came from the high power optics of Mao’s battle suit and showed a force of about a thousand infantry soldiers riding on one of at least hundred armored personnel carriers accompanied by fifty battle tanks and fifty Mecha-walkers with missile launchers. The tech used was clearly of Karthanian origin. Above the troops hovered maybe fifty armored flyers.

The Drak army had just reached the demolished installation and we could see the soldiers dismounting their vehicles and swarming all over the place.

The Togar groaned and then said. “They know we hide in the Old Vaselkis-scrap field forests as we call this valley. It is big but they will find us with a force like this, we will fight but and then this will be the end.”

I said. “Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win, as a wise Terran once said.”

Har-Hi looked at the images as well. “Don’t worry Togar, we already have enough fire power down here to defeat an army ten times that size and, judging by their primitive equipment, it won’t even be much of a fight.”

I nodded and flicked the image to map mode, expanded the scale to see a bigger picture of the situation and overlaid it with a tactical map I had the Computronic generate.

While I did that I said to him. “Defeating them is not the problem, Ninety. Doing it without them suspecting Union involvement and going into general mobilization, that’s the goal we want to achieve; even better if we can defeat them and use the victory as a tool for our goals.”

While I was studying the map and formulating a plan in my mind I could hear the Karthanian whisper to the Togar. “Are they serious? What army did they bring to defeat that?”

I turned and grinned. “I brought my friends and Union Marines.”

Looking back on the map, I said. “You could defeat them even without us. This Scrap field of yours is huge. Almost three hundred square miles of grass forest and shipwrecks of all sizes strewn in between; they would need serious sensor technology or a whole lot more men to find anyone in here. It is also a perfect environment for guerilla warfare. Aurelius lost legions of Roman soldiers against German barbarians because he had to fight them on their turf and that is what we’ll make them do as well.”

Ninety spread his big, golden fur covered arms. “I am trained at the war academy for space combat on Togr and I don’t understand what you intend to do to defeat that force. We do don’t have enough Meghlors and Burry beetles, besides they may have shields.”

I said. “If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.”

Har-Hi added, “She is quoting Shin-Tzu again, that is an ancient Terran who wrote a book called the Art of War.”

The Karthanian flickered his black round tongue and said. “Did you say the art of war? Music is art, paintings are art, and dancing is art but war?”

My Dai friend said, looking at them both. “I graduated from the United Stars fleet academy not so long ago. Before I believed we Dai were the most warrior like species, then I learned about the Terrans. They have war gods, war music, war dances.Their favorite pastime is war games and yes, even though they don’t admit it, they raised war to their highest form of art

I interrupted them with a slightly annoyed tone in my voice and said. “We can compare civilizations at another time. I have a plan and we better get started.”

They all paid attention and I said. “We give them bait and lure them between the wrecks. Without their sky stations we don’t have to hold back using real weaponry. Their tanks are next to useless in this environment and we’re going to clean their bombers and flyers out of the sky.”

I pointed at several space ship hulls. “Ninety you take the bulk of your men out there and make sure they see you, and then you retreat to here.” I pointed at a spot of the map. “We will take care of their heavy equipment and then we attack here, but before we do all this. I want you to make a broadcast. I want you three to tell them to surrender.”

Ninety opened his maw and said. “We will do what?”

“I want everyone on Itheamh hear you. I mean you, the Karthanian and the former Ithe commander. I will arrange that images of the fight are broadcast and show that you win too

The Togar said. “I’ll do whatever you say we should do, but would that not make the Drak even angrier and ask for even more Karthanian help. Thousands will go to the smelter Moons.”

I grinned. “I am counting on that.”

The Karthanian said. “I do not understand. We are already wanted criminals and they know us; but they are the ones who control the airwaves.”

“Not much longer. I have very talented people in that regard. We must win this war fast and decisive and in order to unite this planet we need to galvanize the masses. I told you I have a plan and it becomes clearer by the minute.”

I was wearing an Atlas type battle suit in full Infantry configuration; this unit was hand checked by Cirruit and I was certain it would not malfunction. The weapons at my disposal were frightening and I was quite certain I could have stopped the enemy army all on my own. Not to mention that all my marines were deployed as well, each of them fully equipped and eager for a fight. Of course that was not part of my plan, but we were there to make sure Ninety and the Rebels would wind gloriously, with as few casualties as possible and everything in full color, high definition on every visual broadcast receiver on the planet.

My suit was fully cloaked as I hovered about three hundred meters above the ground of the former regional Headquarters.

Elfi’s symbol blinked and I activated the comm-link by looking at it. She said.” Captain, I’ve got Lt. Bergdorf. He and his team have infiltrated the enemy Command post and are reporting in.

“Patch them through.”

The Mini Terran officer said. “Captain, the enemy force is commanded by General Bruk Kning. He was holding maneuvers with his unit nearby when they more or less stumbled on the destroyed camp. He was ordered to kill every civilian in the entire district. He is very confident, and he does not yet know that he just uploaded a Trojan horse into the entire military communication network when he called his superiors.

Elfi still listening in said: “Shea and SHIP are ready to activate the broadcast at your command.”

I switched to the scrambled radio band I used to communicate with the Rebels and said, “Ninety, are you guys ready?”

“Yes Captain!”

The suit system linked with the Tigershark and in doing so I could see what every Ithe was watching.

Ninety, the Karthanian and the former Ithe Commander along with the Mountain man tribe leader appeared standing before a colorful flag and Ninety said. “Itheamh hear and see. Some of you have heard of me, I am Ninety and these are Nefkin Boneface, former Drak Commander Jutika and the village elder of the Oote Mountains. We are the Instigators and we are the Voice of Freedom. We speak for all Ithe, for all Drak and everyone else living on this planet. To those in power, oppressing us with an iron fist with the backing of your puppet masters the Karthanians, we say Itheamh is yours no more. We will stand and fight and sweep you away. The time of slavery has come to an end. The Smelter Moons will no longer run on Ithe and slave blood. We hereby declare the Oote Mountains and the entire East plain district as ours. The troops currently here have one hour to leave or we will destroy them.

I snickered inside my helmet. The Drak would scramble and try to locate the source of the broadcast but all they would find was the Command Post communications equipment of the General. The magistrate was likely to think that his own General was in cahoots with the rebels, and the General would be afraid to go back as he could not explain what happened and would fear for his own life, oh what a wonderful dilemma.

To Ninety I radioed. “Now take the bait group out so they can see you.”

From the tall grass trees and onto the dusty plain came a force of about five hundred rebels. They were riding an assortment of captured vehicles and animals. A force of fifty Gryther riders appeared as well.

The enemy General and his forces almost immediately spotted them. Yet there was confusion as the General barked orders in his communication device, but the soldiers heard something completely different. Elfi had much fun redirecting and mixing his orders. The enemy general ordered his fliers to open fire but what they heard was, “Hold your fire and stay back.” His ground troops got the order to advance and arrest the rebels on the official channels and from the general’s voice.

I almost felt sorry for the general and wondered what he was thinking as he saw his ground forces move, while his fliers stayed inactive.

I gave my own invisible marines the order to take out the tanks as soon as they reached the forest.

Har-Hi, Mao, Krabbel and I engaged the fliers and shot them down. It was not a fight, it was slaughter. The Drak fliers had no chance. Their shields, formidable enough to deflect rocks, simple projectiles and weak laser beams, collapsed with the first TKU blast impacts. My wrist cannon, in computronic assisted targeting mode, roared and bolts of superheated plasma accelerated to near light speed ripped the enemy air force to shreds. It took no more than maybe 30 seconds and there was no flier left.

I turned and accelerated like a projectile towards the forest. It was a rush that few experienced by flying very fast and close to the ground. I misjudged my speed and crashed like a cannon ball through several tree trunks, creating a deep furrow into the ground. Yet I felt nothing. The Suit protected me completely and was not damaged in the slightest.

My Marines were much better trained with the suits and tore through the enemy battle tanks using their chain swords and the augmented strength of their suits to tear the tanks to scrap.

The main fight however was done by the Rebels themselves, and they fought with utter determination. Now they fought on even ground. They had energy weapons and did not have to fear sudden death from the sky. They fought like demons let lose. My plan was to take prisoners and let as many of the soldiers live as possible, but there was no stopping the rebels. They had lost family members and their homes by the hands of these soldiers and they let them have it. To my surprise it was Ninety who curbed them and ordered them to show mercy.

It was over faster than expected. Of the thousand soldiers, about three hundred had survived and surrendered, among them was the enemy general.

Ninety had a hard time making them calm down. A large group of rebels had gathered inside the freighter wreck’s engineering section. The mood had changed completely. There was laughter; there were lively discussions, men telling other men about the battle and the fights.

I was back in my leather suit. Har-Hi, Shea and Narth stood next to me.

The Togar leader finally managed to get them quiet enough to speak and he said. “This my friends was only one fight and I am sure many will follow before we can lay down our weapons and build a free society where no one has to live in fear or hide.” He paused then threw his arms in the air and yelled. “But we won. Hope is no longer a fool’s dream.”

They yelled and chanted but fell suddenly quiet as two Ithe warriors dragged the Drak general in.

One of them yelled. “This is the butcher of Uthoo, he murdered and executed thousands and send many more to the Smelter Moons to a slow death.”

The general’s leather coat was ripped to shreds as was the rest of his uniform, and he showed signs of rough treatment.

Har-Hi leaned over and said to me. “It happened faster than I thought it would. While I can understand them, this world will not see peace for a long time

I wondered if he was right but I somehow had a feeling the Togar, even though he was no Ithe, would remain a leading force. As much as I hated to admit it, this Togar was as honorable as could be and had a sound set of morals guiding his actions.

It was the Togar who stepped forward. “Yes he is a butcher and deserves death, but we must not become the new Drak. We must resist going down the same road. We can only do what we need to do if Itheamh speaks with one voice and that includes the Drak

To the Drak he said. “General Kning, you know who I am. You have tortured and killed many innocents trying to locate me and this hideout. I was Ninety of the Instigators. We are the Instigators no longer, we are Ithe. I am Togar by race; I am Ithe by creed and soul. That Karthanian over there is Ithe by creed and soul and so is everyone here. We are the first voices and we won’t rest until this world speaks with one voice to outsiders, where every single person speaks with his or her own voice without fear.”

He gestured to the Ithe who held the General and it was evident that even they accepted Ninety as leader and instantly and without arguing let the Drak general go.

The general was a solider and officer I could tell, as he straightened his stance and tried to gather his shredded mantle into a more dignified appearance. “Yes I know you, and I don’t know how you did what you did, but I assume you found some kind of alien device in one of the wrecks to create havoc with our communications and disable the Sky punishers. I applaud your persistence and ingenuity. I am prepared to die; my life is worth nothing anymore.

If I return I face a firing squad for failure, so if you kill me or not, makes little difference. The magistrate has fifty Karthanian Ognix Mechas and I am sure they are already on the way. They can’t be stopped by your communication tricks or your captured weapons. You don’t fight the Drak who for the most part are as tired of the fighting and not being masters of our own world as you are, you fight the Karthanians who use this world and won’t let go. They will come and retaliate even if you manage to flee from the Ognix and hide. Many civilians will die.”

Ninety looked into my direction and I simply nodded. Not that I had any idea what an Ognix was.

Narth’s voice explained in my mind. “Eighty meter tall robotic machines, steered by the disembodied brains of Karthanian soldiers. These machines are heavily shielded with good Karthanian force fields and are armed with four large caliber Force projectors. The machines are incapable of flight and are currently marching in this general direction.”

I turned. “Not that I think we can’t handle them but when you said steered by brains, do you mean the actual biological brains of a living being?”

“Precisely that, captain.”

“And here I am with a Narth and a Leedei with tremendous psionic powers. Wouldn’t it be a shame to waste such talents in a situation like that?”

I could feel Narth’s amusement as he responded. “You have a particularly wicked mind

The Togar in the meantime said to the General. “We do not fear your Magistrate’s terrors. We lived under them for so long, one more terror makes no difference, but we will no longer be the victims. We will fight, it is better to die fighting for our freedom than to shiver in fear and hide like a coward and live.”

The general said. “Then let me fight with you. My life is over, what does it matter if I die by the hands of a lynch mob or if I die fighting?”

“There won’t be any lynch mobs. We are not the Drak. The only ones who must die are the ones in the Magistrate tower. They are beyond mercy.”

Ninety then came over to me and said. “I do not fear whatever it is they are sending as I have seen with what ease your invisible forces have rendered battle tanks and fliers to scrap; what do we do against those things?”

I put my hand on his shoulder and had to reach up to do so. “Ninety, I don’t want to sound arrogant or ring our bell. I don’t want make light of the situation as it is as serious as can be and we are only at the beginning of what we want to do, but let me assure you there is nothing in the arsenal of the Karthanians we can’t handle. Now you may not believe me, but there is nothing in the Karthanian Arsenals that could stop you.There is little to stop a determined man with a plan and cool head. Everything can be overcome if the cause is right.”

He straightened. “You are right Captain. I’ve been a rebel so long I forgot that I was a Togar Commander and fought in many battles. I am a warrior born and your words ring with truth, strength and confidence.”

He looked over at my friends and then added. “I also know now why they follow you, Dai-Than, Nul, Togar, and even a Y’All, Captain Velvet, because of that reason I too will follow you.”

Har-Hi who had his arms crossed smirked while he gave me a side glance. “Yes our captain has that effect on the strangest people; we keep collecting all sorts of strays and odd balls and haven’t even really started on our actual mission.”

Ninety spread his arms. “Come Captain and bring your friends and officers. Let us share a meal and then face what is coming.”

I said. “The approaching machines are no problem. We will deal with them and make sure they won’t be used by anyone again. So let’s eat and then get started on phase two.

Chapter 29
When we gathered at the tables in the community room, I told my friends to be careful with the served meat. I politely declined the meat and asked for porridge only.

Across from me sat the human boy and while I had little time in the last hours, I did notice his continuous stare. By now he should have been getting used to another human being and I said, pointing the spoon at him. “Listen, buster, I know you have not seen another human and I tried to ignore your staring until now, but it is getting ridiculous, you even forget to chew. Either say something and get it out of your system or get over whatever is bugging you!”

He blushed deeply to both his ears as he lowered his head and stared at his plate.

Shea giggled and I watched Narth as he actually held a spoon with a piece of the horrible meat. He probably didn’t want to scare the locals with an open display of Psionics.

I almost gagged as I saw Mao helping himself to a big chunk of the meat while he chewed with full cheeks. “Captain that stuff is delicious. It tastes like the most intense goat I ever tried.”

Mao instantly became the center of attention of several Ithe.

Shea leaned over and whispered. “That poor kid, you scared him half to death. He isn’t much older than you were when you left Nilfeheim.”

I pushed the plate away and sipped at the tea mug and said to her. “Yeah, maybe I was a little rough, but he keeps staring at me with an intensity that creeps me out.”

Shea patted my hand and said. “Pirates, monsters, generals and aliens don’t creep you out, but a teenage human boy does? I am sure he could care less if you were your old Eric self, you are not only the first human he has ever seen, but the first girl and just a few years older than him. You know yourself you look drop dead gorgeous and your choice of dress leaves little to the imagination.”

I got angry and felt the blood rising to my cheeks. “I didn’t pick this outfit. It was you and Cherubim, and besides I am not...”

I stopped as she looked at me with a deep smile. “Yes you are. You no longer refer to yourself as he and you haven’t used your old name. I think your transformation is almost complete and what you have called your old problem has vanished.”

“There is too much on my plate right now to think about all that. I have a mission and we are straying further and further away from it. Next stop is Tana Shoo and it is not where the Red Dragon wants to go.”

She wrinkled her nose and pushed the plate away. “That is worse than anything I remember eating even as a girl on Sin 4.”

To the boy I said. “I think your name is Mel right?”

He nodded without looking up or saying anything and I felt rotten for what I had said. I asked him. “So how did you end up here?”

He spoke with a meek tone as he answered my question. “I was able to hide on an ingot transport from Olx and it stopped here.”

“Olx is a smelter moon, right?”

“Yes.”

“So escape is not impossible?”

He shook his head and said. “No it is not impossible, there are scrap and ore transporters coming and going and there are now too many slaves and not enough overseers.That is how Ninety and the others escaped as well.”

I now felt even more guilt for snapping at him and tried to sound friendlier. “I guess I don’t mind if you stare at me.”

He did not move his head.

I sighed and said. “Now that explains how you came here to Itheamh but how did you come to Olx. From what planet did you come originally?”

He did raise his head now and looked at me with sad eyes and he said. “I was born on Olx, I think. I was raised by several slave women and I think one of them was my mother. When I was old enough to work the overseers pulled me out of the breeding cages and stuck me to a work gang unloading scrap metal and sorting the bad pieces that are not supposed to go into the smelters.”

I could not completely hide my feelings and felt a tear roll down my cheek. Compared to this boy, my childhood was paradise and I remembered Egill saying to me that there was always someone who had it worse, when I complained about my lot in life. Back then it was just another saying of a grumpy, wise old man. Now it became reality.

Being female had not only positive sides, it seemed to affect my emotional balance somehow and I hoped no one saw the tear.

When I was a kid I knew Viking boys didn’t cry. Now it was imperative that as a Captain I would not show such displays of strong emotion, at least not in public.

To Mel I said. “We will find out where you belong. I am sure there is family for you somewhere and we will find it.”

He cramped his fist around the wooden spoon utensil and actually broke it doing it. “My home is Olx and I will return there as soon as I can.”

That statement surprised me even more. “Why in Odin’s name would you want to return?”

He said while he touched his neck. “I am still getting used to walking without restrictor cables attached to my feet. I still can feel the steel collar scraping my neck sore, even though it is gone. I am still amazed about open sky and I can’t believe how big and clear it is.”

He pointed at the food bowl, “Or eating food that is not mud soup with ground up bits of brothers and friends floating in it.”

Mel’s eyes glowed with a fierce fire and he said. “I am going back there and kill the Overseers, free all my friends on my work gang that are still alive and then we are going to kill more Overseers.”

I said to him. “This is something we plan to do before we leave.”

Just then my wrist Com chirped. It was Elfi and she said. “Captain I’ve got Admiral Stahl standing by. I told him you are on an away mission. Do you want to take the call?”

The blood that had just rushed into my cheeks now sank to the bottom of my stomach and I said to her. “Yes, Elfi, I am going to take the call.”

I went to one of our landing tanks and took the call in the small cockpit. When the secure transmission was established I noticed it was not just Stahl, but McElligott and the mysterious Cherubim were there as well. It looked like the three immortals sat in Stahl’s office aboard the Devi.

The eternal warrior looked at me with his ice gray eyes and said. “We had a quiet meeting and my old friend thought it might be nice to call you and catch up with our special crew and Captain.”

He gave McElligott a side glance and then added. “Somehow I have a feeling you have quite a report for us.”

I straightened myself in the comfortable seat of the tank and said. “Yes, Sir, I think I do.”

I told them everything that happened so far and I left nothing out. While I spoke I uploaded my log book entries and also the reports of my departments. They did not interrupt and I finished saying. “Sirs, I am in a dilemma and I know it, but I made the decision to help as much as I can. I also must somehow go to Tana Shoo. Har-Hi is more than a friend to me and I could not look into his face if I did not do something to help the Dai Than. I know how important the Seenian depot is and the Red Dragon issue and I assure you I will find a solution to it, but it eludes me at the moment.”

Even though I had finished talking there was silence. The three immortals looked at each other and I was sure there was some sort of communication going on.

It was McElligott, the Admiral of the Fleet who folded his hands before him and leaned forward saying. “We send out a young crew, with untested officers on a mostly untested ship and all under the command of the youngest Captain in fleet history. We did that, mostly because my old friend here saw something in you.”

My stomach knotted as he paused for a moment and then he continued saying. “We thought it would be a nice easy assignment for a young crew. Act like pirates and suppress pirate activity. Little did we know you went out to change galactic history.”

He sighed and then smiled. “Your mission is not set in stone, Captain. You are out there all on your own. You are in command because we trust you to make those decisions and you did. We won’t hang you for that, or strip you of your command.

The Fleet you serve has many reasons to exist and many tasks. Protecting the Union from outside threats is one, exploration is another but our single most important task is to help others.

Your Elly chef was quite correct, that is the true core of the Union and its fleet.

It is not written, not mentioned anywhere in basic training or the manuals you have read so far, because it is expected. You are no longer in Freespace where fleet operations are prohibited. That you are technically undercover is a fact and a problem, but you are doing the right thing by helping.”

Stahl said. “These things are discussed in command school but you did not have the benefit to go there yet. You did not spend years as the XO of another captain and yet you do what we expect you to do. So I am very proud of you, girl.”

Now it was Cherubim’s turn to speak and she said. “Your XO is right, however, when he says nation building is very difficult, rarely successful and opens a can of worms of problems. Not many would try it, and even less on a schedule of a few weeks.”

She held up her hand signalling to me that she wasn’t finished as I tried to say something and she continued, “You are a very unusual individual Captain Olafson with a command and lead style all your own and you have the great fortune of having a crew that is not only second to none, but virtually worships the ground you walk on. Your science officer and your ship AI have prepared the most comprehensive political situation report I have seen in ages. Your intelligence officer and your special envoy from the Golden prepared a detailed intelligence dossier. All this is very helpful for us to develop a course of action.”

Stahl also leaned forward in his seat. “What the shadowy intelligence woman tried to say is that you are not alone in this. I know it must feel like this for you to operate under cover and without the benefits of regular fleet contact. We will discuss this and see what we can do from our end. In the meantime go and contact our intelligence contact in the Itheamh government. We will send him a message and transmit the details to you as well. When you have made contact we will speak with you again and tell you what we can do to help.”

The kilt wearing admiral of the fleet said. “Carry on then Captain Olafson. We put a big load on your small shoulders and you somehow have the talent to stir up things wherever you go and increase that load beyond anything we had foreseen. Now take care of your business and be assured you are indeed not alone in this and that we are very proud of you.”

They saluted me and the screen went dark.

I rarely felt more release of tension and stress than I was feeling right now. Having the blessing of the eternal guides and more so, having their backing, made me feel a million pounds lighter. The old Admiral of the Fleet was right, it really felt like a big load I had carried.

Shea stuck her head in and said. “Captain, you may want to tune in to the local propaganda channel.”

I did and saw towering machines that remotely looked like mechanical versions of a Karthanian being, stomping through a small town, releasing rays of energy, crushing and burning houses and the clear images showed scores of panicked people dying. Others were rounded up by soldiers. A voice only commentator spoke of the glorious victory of the government law and order against a hotbed of rebellious activity.

Shea said. “That town and many other communities had open protests on the streets. This is the answer of the magistrate.”

I said. “I am done playing it subtle.” I activated my wrist com and said. “Marines, men, saddle up. Full Destroyer Suits authorized. One squad stays here, the rest follow me.”

Without restriction I let my marines loose, but we did use the cloaking technology of our Atlas suits and projected the outer image of Ithe warriors in simple battle suit frames. Of course no initiated observer would believe that the carnage and destruction we dealt out to the Drak shock troops could have possibly done by Ithe manufactured Exo frames.

Despite the fact that I had an incredible arsenal of weapons at my disposal; I mainly used my strange axe. I knew it was not just my Neo Viking roots that made me favor a seemingly simple bladed weapon.

There was a connection between me and that weapon that went beyond preference. This thing was part of me and when I swung it, I felt more complete than ever before. This time there was no black out. I recalled every moment of my fight attacking and slaughtering Drak soldiers and I knew the vicious, intense and brutal way I was ripping through men and hardware was nothing the old Eric would have done, whatever was sleeping inside me was slowly but surely fusing with all other aspects of my complicated self. I did not stop it, suppress it, forget it or ignore it.

I could feel the entity that was inside me and it was colder than the coldest ice winds of Nilfeheim, it had no shape form or name.

It was more like an intense emotion, comparable to a feeling of fear or anger that began collecting somewhere below the stomach. It was as if staring into a mirror in a very dark room and only seeing bits and outlines; the reflection looking strange and alien and yet I knew the reflection was me.

I always liked the crisp clean feeling of cold water, of cold wind and there was a new desire of mine to embrace that coldness and make it rise and come to the foreground.

While I was contemplating my own condition; the augmented muscles of my Atlas suit made me jump on the top of a ten story building. Concrete and brick shattered upon my impact and I jumped again, dispensing a dozen Dragonfly Seek and Destroy Intelli-projectiles from the launcher mounted into the knuckle area of my left gauntlet. The projectiles programmed to seek out and kill anyone fitting the brainwave patterns of a Drak. The SII-Geyser Gatling on my left shoulder obliterated a Drak flier with light speed accelerated plutonium pellets over seven klicks away. At the apex of my leap, my boot thrusters came on and with my axe raised, I collided with one of the towering robotic war machines. Its force field collapsed in a crackling display of lightning.

The Drak soldiers sitting behind the cannon controls of the Ognix, screamed with primeval fear as I ripped the protective armor of their gun mounts to shreds and grabbed one of them by the short throat popping his head right of his shoulders while my axe, spilt the other. From there I fired my Main weapon, the TKU blast of my chest cannon cut to the center of the Ognix with the core heat of a white star vaporizing the command brain and much of the upper structure of the machine.

My battle optics identified Narth floating not far from me. He too wore an Atlas suit. Two of the giant machines abandoned their attack on the civilians and turned to fight each other, while a third one, thousands of tons begun to rise into the air, its armor crumble as if an invisible fist was squeezing it. Then it crashed with force and head first into the ground. It was not just I who was growing and changing. Narth’s powers clearly grew as well

A beam of energy, so bright my optics almost overloaded, zigzagged in an impossible pattern through the chests of three Ognix machines. No weapon beam I knew off could change its direction like that. Narth’s mental voice gave me the answer. “That’s Ensign Three-Four, our Non-Corp. He decided he could do more damage not wearing his suit and it is evident he is quite right.”

It was over soon. Looking at the carnage I realized just how formidable the crew was I commanded.

Our Leedei officer connected and said. “The rest of the Ognix are now marching towards their own headquarters and reducing Drak hardware and installations to scrap.”

Elfi’s voice added. “The Magistrate is calling Karthanians to stop them.”

Still floating above the burning city I saw Ithe picking up weapons and storm a city square where soldiers had rounded up civilians to be shot and turned the table on the soldiers.

I used the confusion of the local forces to have the Tigershark land among the wrecks. Shea and SHIP had programmed a new Janus mask and the ship looked like a burned out, rusty hulk and looked as if it was lying there for hundred years at least and even I could not tell her apart from the other wrecks and scrap ships.

Ninety walked over and gestured to my ship with disbelieve saying. “You flew with this thing?”

I said. “Remember my story about the Trojan horse? It’s something like that.”

He was still looking at the ship as he said. “After the broadcast you had me do last night, there are open revolts in several cities now and the Drak are holding back. They are afraid that if they act, they will get the same treatment as the troops and Ognix got last night in Craha city.”

I said to him. “That is good news indeed.”

“Karthanians had to drop their thinly veiled disguise of being non involved benefactors and use ship weapons to stop the turned Ognix walkers.”

He now focused on me. “It is still a different story in the Capital of course. I have heard the Karthanian requested Oghr assistance with ships and troops and the Drak prepare a large shipment of prisoners to the smelter moons. My sources say they have over 10,000 prisoners and want to use them to show the Karthanian that they still loyal and useful.”

“Wonderful, that is what I hoped for and it will help me with the next phase of my plan.”

He spread his arms in a confused gesture. “I used to be a Togar commander and yet I cannot see what you are planning. All I know is that what you did so far worked and I am fully behind you.”

“Do you think it would possible to go to the capital city undercover? I need to see the space port and gather intelligence.”

He said. “It will be difficult and dangerous but not impossible, I am sure. The authorities try everything to play down the events, especially in the capital and surrounding districts.”

The Togar said. “It will be best you go just before dusk so you arrive when it is dark. I’ll organize a guide and disguises for you.”

I felt like coming home stepping into my quarters and I realized how tired I was. I hadn’t slept in quite a while, eaten very little and had only the most rudimentary hygienic care. After checking with Cirruit who currently held the Con and a very short department meeting, I had a long and relaxing bath and almost fell asleep doing it. I could not believe how dried out my gills felt as I rinsed them with fresh cold water and hoped I would find time for an extended swim in our pool as soon as this was over.

I did not dress again. I sat down wearing a dressing gown and made a log book entry when the door chime announced a visitor. I expected Shea, but to my surprise it was Mr. Eeeryt carrying a tray and he said. “SHIP told me that you haven’t eaten in days, so I made you this Tyranno Fin steak. I have a few portions in my stasis freezer saved for you.”

“Mr. Eeeryt, how thoughtful of you.” The savory smell of fried fish and mashed seaweed buds wafted into my nose like the finest scent in the Universe as he uncovered the dish and put the tray down. “You must take more care of yourself, Captain. SHIP and I are concerned.” He rushed to the door saying, “Enjoy”, just before he left.

I doubted Odin and the Aesir ate better food at the eternal banquet of Valhalla than the fish that was just melting on my tongue. There were few pleasures more satisfying than the simple act of eating one’s favorite food after not having it for a long time. The taste conjured images and memories of Uncle Hogun, Elena, father, old Egill, of Elkhart the first keeper and of course of Midril and the kitchen of our burg.

SHIP, we are still in regular GalNet range right?”

“Yes Captain, especially since Alvor’s Cove just came online with a transponder station a few days ago.”

Only my AI would add such small talk information and I was very glad it was so. I said. “See if you can tune in on Nilfeheim Radio. It is almost yuletide and they play nice old music around this time. I think Egill told me in his last message that Nilfeheim Radio now has a GalNet channel

“Yes Captain he did and I saved the info.”

The sweet music of an old Yuletide song filled my quarters and I allowed myself a bottle of beer and felt quite content for the moment. I knew it would not last of course but that didn’t bother me right now.

After finishing the plate and leaning back with a cigarette and a glass of Aquavit. I reflected on the recent events and developments. Yes there was something happening to me, but as I listened to the music and remembered Nilfeheim, sitting here as Erica and even though I would not return to being Eric as he was; I knew Eric and Nilfeheim would always be a part of me, the part that defined my core. It was a good realization and as I lay down to sleep a few hours, I did so with a contented mind.

“Welcome,” said a deep voice that came from nowhere and everywhere at the same time. The last thing I remembered was going to bed and falling asleep. Maybe I was dreaming standing on a mirror like dark surface that stretched to all sides as far as I could see. As I looked up, the view I saw took my breath away. It was a crystal clear projection or representation of a galactic super cluster and I was almost certain I could identify our own local group.

One of these lights was the Milky Way galaxy and the other slightly larger one right next to it was Andromeda. I knew many of the others from astronomy class. Yet I was certain this was no artists impression, this was as it looked like for real, yet not one of the known species had ever sent out a space ship so far as to make a picture like that, not even the Seenians as far as I knew.

I saw my own reflection in the floor that had a glass like hardness. I was wearing a black shroud like garment, similar to those the Narth wore but different. This shroud had the hood attached, more like a hooded cape that left the face open and not like the mask like hood with eye holes the Narth wore. It was cut like a floor long dress, girded with a dark metal belt that had neither buckle nor any other distinctive features.

I could see my own face underneath the shadow casting hood. This had to be a dream, I would never look that arrogant, that lofty and somehow I could not think of it as anything else but utterly beautiful, cold and evil. It was not the face of a warm and loving woman, but more like the unmoving sculpture of a stone statue. Yet I recognized my features and my eyes.

Another hooded figure was suddenly there and despite its mask and hood, I knew it was the Narth Supreme.

He said. “Don’t be alarmed Erica, time and space has as you understand it have no meaning here.” He actually laughed with a warm tone in his voice. “I should say as you currently understand it, there will be a point where you understand it better than all Narth ever hope to comprehend.”

“I am dreaming all this?”

“Let us pretend you are for now and then who can say what the dreams of a God may be?”

“Please don’t call me a God, I am not and I don’t want to be a god.”

“Very well then, should I call you Erica or should I call you Imperia Regina Cerperum Orcus, Death and Darkness incarnate the devourer of life and light, the incarnation of eternal darkness and death? It is difficult to put it in human words what you are. The day will come when you have powers so far beyond mortal comprehension that there will be those who will call you a God or a Goddess perhaps. Entities with omnipotent power are often called that way.”

If I have to be something like that, why Dark One? Can I not rather be the Light One or the Nice one?”

He actually sighed. “This is a very serious problem. Because you do have the choice and if Darkness itself chooses to be light, the balance that keeps the Universe as it is will forever be destroyed. What is a Universe without darkness? Light would have no meaning. Without death, there would be no life. Yet all Narth does not know if it might be possible and if a Universe could exist without balance.”

“Why is it I feel like a fish out of water? All this is so beyond my level of comprehension. If entities like I exist, does it not make the struggle of the Ithe, the plans of the Union and all this useless. If Gods can snap their fingers and snuff suns, move Galaxies or simply change reality to their liking?”

“These are all questions that are beyond Narth. We are very old and comprehend on levels humans cannot, compared to you, however, Narth are like newborn children, but we are certain that the actions of everyone counts. That even the life of bacteria has meaning and contributes to the sum of it all.”

He came closer and took my hand. “I tried to ease your mind by taking your memories of all this, but how can I influence what is coming alive in you? I called you here to ease your mind, to tell you that you have time; the Dark One will not come into its own until twelve pieces are united. Your ax, this shroud, the sword your friend Tyr is guarding and your very body are parts of this. I am also certain that once you have found all the other pieces and you are the Dark One, you will not be the same Dark One that destroyed many Universes before. I am confident you will make the right decision.”

“How can a normal human being function in everyday life if she knows she will ultimately become something evil, look at my reflection, she looks like me and I know it is me, but she looks worse than a Kermac and Thauran combined.”

“You were born on Nilfeheim as Eric, a human boy. Now you are an adult and appear female. That is what all beings do, they grow and become adult. Their outlook and comprehension develops and changes. The same holds true for your true self, you are still at the beginning of a very long journey and even an entity must grow and learn and develop.

This is the very reason you reincarnated, I am certain of it. My advice to you is, do not dwell on it. Don’t try to run when you can barely walk. Don’t think of the future as set in stone as many events can and will happen that could change everything. For now you are not the Dark One, you are still Erica Olafson, Captain of a Union Starship and that is your current destiny and that is where you are needed.”

Simply talking and listening to the wisdom of the Narth Supreme made me feel much better. He declined his head. “I can no longer make you forget things, but you can if you want. You are in control and it is you who decides what you will become in the end; that is what the decision is all about.”

“Yes please help me to put all this in the background, it fills me with doubt and fear and I should not be distracted from my duty.”

“What is in you can no longer be be silenced, or manipulated by any force known to Narth, except you. Because it is you, but I can show you how it is done. Concentrate and relax at the same time. Get into a state of meditation like you do when you practice your martial arts, now you can adjust the balance...”

I had slept three good hours and got up despite the mild mothering complaints of SHIP that this wasn’t enough sleep and that it was still five hours before dusk. Local days were six hours longer than the Union standard day after all. I also remembered that I had talked to the Narth Supreme in my sleep. I knew that the strange axe was part of me and that it would come to me whenever I called it, no matter where it was. I remembered some of the advice and also knew there was more we had spoken about that I could not recall.

However all this brooding of my possible future was fruitless and I decided to let it all develop as it may. All I could do was try my best and be a good Fleet Officer.

I felt refreshed and I knew I would not be able to find real rest until I was sure my job here was done.

Har-Hi and I had disguised ourselves as Ithe, very tall Ithe, but Ninety assured us that tall Ithe were rare but not uncommon. Ninety insisted on going along, despite that he was now a crucial figure in the movement. How could I argue his decision, when my real place should be aboard the ship at the bridge and sending someone else?

I decided to let him inside so he could use one of our Saresii Auto-dressers making him look like an Oghr. He was simply too tall to even remotely be a convincing Ithe.

We had used Grythers to fly the five hundred kilometers distance to the capital city of the planet. After several rest breaks and dusk we landed not far from the tavern where we had met with the pirates. The sun was already behind the horizon and it would soon be completely dark. With us were Ninety, the Karthanian who I learned listened to the name Nefkin and Jutika the former Drak Commander. Ninety in his Oghr disguise chased our ride animals back into the sky and assured us the animals were used to this and would eventually find their way back to their stables.

He then pointed to the city in the distance and said. “We will walk until we reach the Croi district, there we will get additional disguises to blend into the general population so we can use the underground train.”

We started walking.

Har-Hi catching up to me said. “That was exciting, riding those flying beasts. If this place ever becomes Union, I bet they could make a fortune selling them as pets. I certainly would buy one.”

Jutika must have overheard him and said. “I spend a lifetime here and I too rode a Gryther for the first time. They are native to this world and only mountain tribes have learned to tame and ride them.”

Ninety turned as he was walking point. “Your captain already earned hers and she is welcome to take her Gryther along, I am sure we can get you one too, Mighty Dai prince.”

Har-Hi chuckled, amused and said. “Just what we need another flying dragon in our hangars, I think it would be cruel to perch up those animals in a spaceship, they need room to fly. I will however return to Ithe once it is free and when we have completed our mission and take you up on a ride for sure.”

The disguised Togar said. “This is what I admire most about you, this unshakable confidence, Mighty Dai Prince.”

We reached a wider road that was paved and had sporadic street lights. The buildings on each side looked industrial and desolated.

Har-Hi said. “I think I would prefer you simply call me Har-Hi, the whole Dai Prince thing is a tad too overbearing.”

While the two continued to talk about Grythers, the Ithe commander said. “These are the outskirts of the Croi district. It is where, until about ten years ago, a thriving private industry flourished. Then the new magistrate came into office and forbade most private enterprise because not all of the profit would go to the state and private enterprise could make demands and be a possible hotbed of dissent. Only small cottage industry, bars and small shops are still allowed to be in private hands.”

I said, as we walked past a boarded up warehouse like structure. “This magistrate sure is a piece of work.”

“I was raised to believe the Drak can only survive with the magistrate suppressing any notion of Ithe independence”

“I still don’t understand the difference. You look like an Ithe to me and the Ithe look like Drak.”

She said. “I am sure the differences are too subtle for an outsider to see.” She moved her right eye stalk to look at me directly and she continued. “The Drak are somewhat taller and we Drak have uniformly colored stalks while Ithe have spots and ring shaped areas on their bodies that are darker.”

I almost laughed as I said. “That’s all the difference?”

She squeezed the skin over her eyeball closed; I had learned that this was the same as a human nod. “To a being like you coming from this mystical Union it must sound ridiculous, I heard that race and appearance makes no difference there, is that true?”

We were still walking but now we could see an occasional ground vehicle or a flier. I said to her. “There are over 5000 member civilizations in the Union. We have Insectoids, silicone based life forms, amphibians and humans. In my crew I have an Arachnoid, living machines, Takkians, rodent like Holdians, humans and even a Non-Corp, living energy without a body whatsoever. If we would start making differences because of something so unimportant as appearance we would never get anywhere. Besides, it is thanks to our great diversity that we are as advanced as we appear since we benefit from the advances and the knowledge of others and every new member brings something new to the mix.”

She made a sound that was very much like a human sigh and she said. “What a wonderful place this Union must be. It was the Union delegation’s visit a few years ago that opened my eyes and I started to question our politics.”

She gestured towards an illuminated bill board with the picture of the magistrate in his entire gray uniform splendor. “We all once were Dryak. We came from third planet in this system. At the height of our own civilization we established a colony right here on Itheamh and the colonists were called the Ithe. Then war broke out on Draake our home world and it was fought with terrible and dirty weapons, making our own world inhospitable. The Drak that survived fled to Itheamh. Itheamh barely survived without supplies and help from Draake even before the war and was virtually doomed as it could not provide survivable conditions to the now increased population. We all learned in history classes that it was the benevolent Kartanians, our big friends who then came to help us with food, technology and support. All they wanted in return was use our world as an outlet for their wares and taking our criminals in return as workers. I believed all this for a long time. The truth was that the Karthanians instigated the war on Draake and gave the fighting sides the weapons that turned our home world to toxic wasteland. The truth is that the Karthanian were not satisfied with a few criminals but had need for many slaves. The truth is that all Itheamh business is really in Karthanian hands and that we are nothing more than a scrap yard and service station for broken spaceships from other species and civilizations.”

Nefkin the Karthanian had listened to our conversation as it turned out and he said. “We haven’t always been this way, it was the greed of the Guild Masters. They realized that there is a galaxy full of potential customers for our technology and ships, but how to tap that market? We have been very xenophobic ever since the First Engineer predicted our doom from the hands of a soft shell alien. The Guild Masters took charge ever since the First Engineer fell asleep and use planets like Itheamh for their shady business.”

We had walked a good distance now and the industrial area gave way to a depressing housing district, with dark gray concrete boxes, many stories high, dotted with small rectangular windows.

The disguised Togar stopped his conversation he had with Har-Hi and pointed at a simple looking one story building with a few large windows and a cheaply made sign, reading ‘Scraper Gear’.

He said. “There we will buy worker’s coveralls, the Underground trains are filled with thousands of beings wearing work coveralls working on one of the many scrap yards and dismantling companies. As soon as we all wear blue coveralls and work boots, we simply disappear and become as good as invisible.”

The store smelled of grease, dust and wet clothing. A smell I had not detected since I had left Nilfeheim.

We purchased simple one piece boiler suits of a dark blue, somewhat stiff fabric. The Karthanian handed us thick leather hoods out of tan colored leather and said. “These are Torcher hoods, many wear them when they use torches to cut the scrap, and it will obscure our identities even further

The hoods left the faces open and to complete our look we bought torcher goggles, gloves and a large tool bag for Har-Hi’s swords and weapons. The shop owner accepted a Union credits strip without hesitation or even looking up. Outside in a dark alley we put the suits on. The Karthanian tossed dust and dirt all over us and splashed the content of a bottle over Har-Hi and Ninety and himself. It reeked of something organic and not very pleasant.

Har-Hi and the Togar had even more sensitive noses than I and it was Ninety who complained. “What in the spirit’s name are you putting on us?”

His Karthanian friend said. “It’s a liquid so the dirt and dust sticks better to the new suits. We don’t want to look fresh and clean.”

Har-Hi nodded. “Yes, yes I understand that but I haven’t seen you buy any bottles. It sure does not smell like water.”

The Karthanian spread his arms. “I have no nose, sorry, I don’t smell anything. I found that bottle sitting over there behind that trash barrel.”

I gagged and said to Har-Hi. “Well the bright side is that anyone with a nose will think we are sewage workers and make a big circle around us.”

Ninety clenched his fists and said to his friend. “Nefkin I know it was with good intention, but never, ever pick up any open bottles near trash barrels and give me a shower with it.”

Jutika adjusted her torcher’s hood and said. “It smells just like Oghr...”

I stopped her. “Just pretend you don’t know what it is and don’t tell us.”

We left the alley and followed the street to an intersection. From there we didn’t have to go far and followed our guides and dozens of other beings all dressed in dark blue boiler suits, some with torcher’s hoods, some with jackets and helmets; down a flight of stairs.

The stairs led into an underground tunnel that was dimly lit, by a few light elements. The grimy walls were decorated with posters and slogans of the magistrate. The slogans told people to work as hard as they could for the common benefit of all.

Here in this tunnel, hundreds of beings stood in long rows waiting for something. There was a ledge that divided the tunnel: the other side was recessed and deeper.

Everyone was dressed like us. Many carried tool or lunch boxes. There hung an invisible cloud of sweat, oil and rusty metal smell over it all. It was also quiet, not many talked and those who did kept their voices down.

Someone did complain about Har-Hi’s smell and moved away.

Ninety said with a subdued voice. “Most of them are very tired from a long day of physical labor. They are not slaves and get paid, but very little.”

Har-Hi said. “I don’t understand all this need for slaves and laborers, could not that scrap be processed by robots and Nanite factories? I’ll wager a gang of S-55’s and a few Nanite disassemblers could do the same or more then all the beings here, and they’d do it around the clock too.”

Nefkin made a nodding motion and said. “It is the same question almost every Union slave I ever met asked the first time they arrive at the Smelters. There are not many robots on this world and very few are even used by my people building space ships. No one could ever really explain to me what a Nanite factory is, but from what I understand, what they do it is far beyond Karthanian capabilities and sounds almost like magic to me

Ninety said. “I once had a human prisoner while I was still a Togar commander. He told me that the Union uses tiny little robots, so small they can manipulate matter on a molecular level and they use billions of them to break something down into its raw materials. I did not believe him back then.”

I could not help myself and said. “You didn’t believe him, so you ate him. Right?”

He lowered his head. “Yes I did. It appears you know about this condemnable practice of the Togar.”

I could not keep the steely edge out of my voice as I said.

“I intercepted a transport ship with thousands of slaves and with human body parts butchered and ready for the Togar meat markets.”

He said. “Captain, forgive me. Back then I was a different being, I have changed a lot since then and I know there are voices among my species who want all Togar to stop eating sentient beings. As a former Commander of Togar space ships, I know how incredibly powerful the Union Fleet is and I know they will one day make us pay for every life we took of theirs. Maybe my eternal exile and slavery is fate’s way to make me pay for that.”

Har-Hi put his hand on my shoulder. “Captain I am sure he as not eaten a human since.

A long segmented vehicle squealed with shrill metallic sounds over a set of metal strips and came to a stop. Sliding doors opened all along its side. Everyone pushed inside and so did our guides we had little choice as we were basically pushed inside as well.

We found a place to sit on, rusty rigid benches bolted in rows to the floor.

The train passed into a dark long tunnel and made lots of noise while doing it. It was somewhat akin to a Trans-planet mover, but it was neither very fast nor very smooth.

Chapter 30
We had traveled a good hour on that train. The local transport thing stopped frequently and the train cars emptied a few beings at the time.

How the Kartanian knew where we were was a mystery to me, perhaps he had counted the stops or had some other indicator. He said, “We better get up, the next stop is ours.”

We resurfaced a few minutes later.

It was what the Karthanian called the Pulse district, a workers amusement section of the city. Jutika told us that this was for Ithe, and Drak would hardly ever find their way into this section of town. There was heavy police presence at every corner.

Our plan was to go to a local bar at an address Cherubim had transmitted. There we would be contacted by someone who in turn would guide us to the actual NAVINT intelligence contact. Of course I had not told Ninety or the others of that part. I could not trust our allies that much and expose an NAVINT agent. Whoever it was might even continue to be an intelligence contact if Itheamh changed governments.

Officially I wanted to do some general intelligence and check out the space port. At least that part was true as it was an integral part of my plan.

Ninety had come along to secretly meet with an underground cell. He said to me as we stood at the top of the escalator stairs. “Well this is the Pulse district. Seven blocks from here begins the space port district and there you find the offices of several Union based shipping companies.”

They turned to go back down as their destination was in another part of town and he said. “I know you are very formidable and capable individuals, but the central city Drak are elite and very brutal in their methods, so be careful.”

I said to them. “You be careful too. You do know how to activate the implant if you run into trouble right?”

They nodded and moments later Har-Hi and I were alone standing next to a concrete city center park with statues of previous magistrates and Drak heroes immortalized in bombastic statues made of even more concrete.

Har-Hi looked up at one particular big statue and said. “They sure like concrete around here. They use it everywhere.”

I also looked up and said. “I guess it is a cheap building material. Don’t tell that to Jutika but I personally find the Ithe look quite comical, and to see them blown up to such size in something that is supposed to be a heroic pose makes them even funnier looking.”

A steely voice accompanied by the clicking heels of boots interrupted us and said. “Magnificent is he not, Magistrate Rotraga?”

I turned and two Drak officers in dark grey coats walked up to us.

For the duration of maybe a heartbeat or two I forgot how to articulate and steer the stilt eyes of my mask, but then I managed to activate the correct logarithm with a blink of my real eyes. To a human mind it was very confusing to have two independent moveable eyes that sat at the same spot where a human had ears, so we decided during our mask making session with Shea and Cateria to make the stalk eyes mock eyes only and have our real eyes behind a patch of one way transparent bio-skin. The stalk eyes moved more or less on a random move program until we needed to interact with other Ithe and we switched the eyes to interaction mode. This was the best Shea and SHIP could come up with in such a short notice and it was as convincing and awesome as everything they made, but we had to switch manually between programs.

I answered. “Oh yes, this magistrate was always my favorite hero too, especially how he holds that saber.”

One of the officers came closer. “Is there something wrong with your eyes, Ithe cretin?”

The other said. “You both are very tall; you are not trying to sneak into the inner district posing as Drak, right?”

Har-Hi said. “Of course not, Officer.”

The one talking to me said. “What do you think was Rotraga’s greatest achievement?”

I asked. “Can two citizens not take an evening stroll and admire the statues of our heroes without being questioned about the deeds of Magistrate Rotraga who was among the greatest. He made sure there is law and order and we workers have work.”

The officer who had talked to Har-Hi said. “Your ID cards!”

The other snickered. “Pray that we find nothing wrong with your ID Cards, there are still seats available on the next flights to the Smelter Moons.”

Shea had hacked into the local computer system and our Nanite factory aboard the Tigershark had no problem to copy the old ID card of Commander Jutika and manufacture new ones that would match the data Shea had fed into the local security data net. So we handed them our ID cards. One of them pulled a blocky device from a belt holder and scanned our ID cards.

They both saluted and handed the cards back. “Sorry we didn’t know you were of the secret police.”

I barked at them. “What good would it be to have a secret police if everyone knew who’s in it?”

We simply turned and left them where they were.

Har-Hi said to me as we passed under the legs of a statue. “I wish we could stick those two jack-boots on one of those flights.”

I said to him. “We are planning to free the slaves, not add more.”

He grunted something I didn’t understand, but I was sure it was a colorful insult directed at the two Drak officers, and then he looked up and down the street and said. “Now where is this bar we are supposed to go too? I see dozens of bars and they all look equally uninviting to me.”

Thirsty Torch
I glanced at my PDD by pushing the sleeve of my boiler suit back and said. “Do you see a Thirsty Torch? If our map data is correct we should be about 20 meters from it.”

Finally we noticed a busted light sign where only the letters ‘Thi’ and ‘rch’ still worked.

We went in. The bar was packed but we managed to find a table. Har-Hi and I ordered something that looked like beer and when the unsavory looking waiter left, Har-Hi leaned forward. “Now what, how are we supposed to make contact and how would they know who we are?”

I said “Patience my friend, patience is an important trait in this clandestine spy business, besides we have already been contacted.”

He hissed. “It was you who ran around doing all these spy things while we thought you got killed or worse. I am just a simple Dai pirate who happens to be a Union officer.”

“Nobody asked me if I even wanted to be abducted and run around and learn the spy business.”

He pretended to sip at the beer and said. “I didn’t mean it that way and you know it. It is this place that gives me the creeps. So how did we get contacted, I saw nothing”.

“Look at your beer coaster.”

He looked at the glass and said. “I still see nothing, just some doodles and beer brand advertisement.”

“You don’t think that doodle there looks very much like a Union fleet chevron.”

“Yes now that you mention it, but it seems to be on every beer coaster, I think it is just a doodle and not a very good one. Besides how would the contact know we are the ones? We look like everyone else here.”

He is giving out the coasters to everyone, but only a Union contact would know that this is an unfinished Union Chevron doodle. I just completed it, dumped my drink under the table and ordered another beer.”

The waiter, a smudgy looking Ithe placed a new beer before me and took the glass along with the coaster.

He came back a few moments later and put a smaller glass with a clear liquid that smelled real strong before me and said. “Sorry for spilling your beer, here is a Rothir throat burner on the house.”

I said. “You better get me another Rothir throat burner; you know how ugly my domestic home partner is.”

He said. “Is she as ugly as her sister Tenea?”

“No Tenea looks like a Visualizer star compared to her.”

“Meet me in twenty minutes outside and keep a low profile.”

He left.

Har-Hi said. “You do have a knack for this. I read the same instructions Cherubim sent to us and there was no mention of Rothir throat burner or a Sister Tenea, or was there?”

“It was a variation of contact scenario seventeen. The booze name changes according to local conditions and the sister’s name is changed daily with the Day code transmission, but the rest is a predetermined NAVINT contact procedure.”

He sniffed at the Throat burner and said. “As I said you received specialized Intel training we did not.”

He was right of course, while the others enjoyed their first break, I was conditioned at Pauli Station and received Blue-Blue-Red clearance before my second year really started, not to mention my time with Mother Superior. Just then a fight started at a neighboring table. An Oghr and a very strong looking Ithe male started exchanging blows and kicks. The situation escalated to other tables fast.

It was all fine for us until an Oghr insulted Har-Hi and sloshed the content of a beer mug all over my friends face, calling him a coward and other names.

My friend tried to stay calm and out of the brawl, but after he had to block a fist aimed at his temple. He got up and of course I had to get up as well to keep his back.

About five or ten minutes later Har-Hi held the dazed Oghr by the throat and forced him to his knees and poured a glass of beer slowly over the greenish skull of his opponent.

I looked around but no one was left standing. Except for the painful groaning of an Ithe worker who hung over a support beam above the tables, it was very quiet.

The frightened bar keeper slowly appeared behind the bar counter and made big eyes. Har Hi pushed the Oghr away, who instantly crawled under the last standing table for cover and he buried his brutish face between his knees as Har-Hi turned once more to look at him.

I approached the shaking bar keeper. He had somewhat humanoid features and I wondered if he was an Oghr-human hybrid of sorts as he had features of both species. He was at least two heads taller than me and yet he was clearly frightened and as I approached he started shaking. I said to him. “Sorry about the damage. I think this got a little out of hand. How much would I owe you for the cleanup?”

He blinked with his reddish eyes and then said in a meek voice that didn’t really fit the tall muscular body. “You didn’t start the fight, I saw it. I don’t want to...”

“I am not going to hurt you; I really want to pay for the damage.”

He straightened out a little and then looked around and said. “I guess 25,000 Huthkarta or 2,000 Union Credits would do the trick.”

I pulled my credit box and said. “All I got is Unions.”

He became all business and friendly and deducted the sum into an ancient looking Union Bank Transferomat. The thing pinged and he now appeared really happy and said in a more jovial tone. “They tear up the place almost every week; it’s the first time someone pays. I get the place cleaned and throw the dead into the Composter and no worries; the Law never comes here.”

I also looked around and said. “I don’t think we killed anyone.”

Har-Hi grunted and motioned me to follow him outside and he pointed at an Oghr worker sticking head first in a hole in the wall and said. “He doesn’t look to fresh and the one you threw over the rafters isn’t moving either. Maybe this isn’t what he meant by keeping a low profile.”

I looked at him and said with a guilty tone in my voice. “Maybe I overreacted a tad, but you should learn to hold back just as well. What you did wasn’t exactly pulling punches either.”

He opened the door for me and said. “We better get out of here before they change their mind and call the local law enforcement after all.

We left through the front door, where we were intercepted by the smudgy looking waiter. “Quick, come and follow me.”

He scurried before us and made such a quick turn in a narrow, dark alley we almost walked past.

He didn’t speak but kept on leading us through a virtual labyrinth of alleys and back yards, until he finally slowed down at the back door of a desolate looking building. He said to me. “Day code?”

I answered. “Classic Red”

He knocked at the door in a particular rhythm. It opened and he urged us to rush in.

To the Smelter Moons

The door was opened by a greenish skinned being that looked like an Oghr, but was even shorter than the Ithe waiter who had guided us so far.

In my short time traveling the galaxy, I had already seen strange beings and the saying went that beauty lay in the eye of the beholder. I was certain someone in the universe would find this gnarled looking being pretty, but I could not find any other description than ugly. Har-Hi whispered. “She’s a Laurin Oghr, they are even shunned by other Oghr species, and their five star-system is the smallest kingdom and the closest from here if I remember correctly.”

Behind the door was a narrow corridor. The walls were as shabby looking as the doors and adorned with graffiti, cracked plaster and exposed brick work. The place reeked just like the liquid Nefkin had splashed on Har-Hi and Ninety. Light came from weak globe like things hanging on short strings from the ceiling, only two of the eight that used to be there still worked, the rest were missing or smashed. I heard the wailing of an Ithe child somewhere and the sound of alien Tele-entertainment coming from behind a door that had lost much of its original paint. The narrow corridor was even further restricted by a flight of creaking stairs leading upward.

Har-Hi whispered, “Beings actually live like that? The dungeons on our Dai Mother are a more cheerful place than this.”

The Ithe waiter who had heard him said, “This is how the majority of Ithe workers live. The rent here is barely affordable and takes about 50 percent of their meager pay.”

I looked around and said. “I’ve seen worse, even at home.”

Har-Hi said. “You tell me they have worse places on Nilfeheim than this?”

I turned my head while we ascended the creaking wooden stairs and said to him. “Yes, our own burg used to have tanneries that were much worse than this. I am sure there are still many burgs and clan chiefs that treat their Lowmen just as bad as slaves. I have also seen the tenant blocks of the Bottom-Low on Sin 4.”

Har-Hi stomped up a few steps behind me and then said. “Maybe when all this is done, we need to visit your Nilfeheim and make sure our own conditions are in order.”

I agreed with him and said, “My Grandfather and my former wife are working on this right now. Things change slowly on Nilfeheim but they are changing.”

“If there is Nilfeheim, I wonder if there are other places on Union side like that?”

“I never really thought about it, but I think there are. Remember the conditions on Thauran worlds forced a lieutenant to do bad things, the Union is so big. I am sure there are places like this. I am also sure they are the exception.”

“Still we should do something about it, I mean we as the Union society.”

The stairs were worn out and made a horrible creaking racked, but they were still better than the snow and ice covered stone steps hewn into the mountain side at Heswick. I looked over my shoulder. “As a society we can’t. We must uphold an individual’s society choice without projecting our standards. The big difference however is that anyone living in conditions like that can walk to a Union Citizen’s desk and complain. It might not always be easy but it is done all the time.”

He sighed and agreed with a frown.

The next floor looked just like the one below, our guide went on to tackle the next flight of stairs and I asked. “How many stairs do we need to climb?”

The gnarled Laurin Oghr who had yet to say a word held up both her claw like hands and showed me five of her fingers, she had three fingers and a thumb on each hand.

Har-Hi cursed and said. “This dump has five stories, doesn’t it have an elevator?”

Something strange happened, the Oghr woman was only looking at Har-Hi without saying a word yet and he seemed to answer to a statement she made.

He said to her. “You got to be kidding, fourteen levels and a permanently broken elevator; I pity those who live all the way up and have to climb these stairs every day.”

While we kept climbing I asked my Dai friend. “Was she whispering or something? I haven’t heard a word out of her so far.”

Har-Hi who was behind me on the stairs said with a strange smug tone in his voice. “She hasn’t shut up since she opened the door.”

I was still wondering about that as we reached the fifth floor. Oghr were not known to be psionic gifted and even if she was, Har-Hi was a Union officer and thus should have been shielded. But only Psionics could explain that he could hear her and I could not.This fifth floor did not look any different up here than it looked on the previous floor, except perhaps a little less graffiti. The old woman opened a door at the end of the corridor. It looked just like any of the other doors, peeling paint, exposed press-wood, that started to disintegrate at the corners.

The Ithe waiter said. “This is as far as I go; I need to go back to work and from the mess you both made it will be a long night cleaning up.”

Without waiting for a response and without turning he went back to the stairs and rushed down. We entered what looked exactly like a poor old woman’s apartment supposed to look. Pieces of wet laundry hung on strings. The walls were covered with a once decorative layer of papery material, which peeled in large sections off the wall. A moldy, organic odor with a slight sour and rancid smell hung in the air. There was a tiny living room that was decorated with cheap plastic and ceramic knick knacks of alien design and smudgy seat cushions instead of a sofa or chairs.

An old looking electronic boxy looking device with a flat 2D screen flickered grainy pictures of a military parade. A door led out from the living room onto a tiny balcony, with barely enough room for a person to stand. A flimsy looking rusty railing missing several pieces appeared to be an awfully inadequate safety measure. The vista from her balcony was as depressing as the rest of the apartment. All one could see was the brick wall of another building just like this less than five meters distance. I was sure this Ithe made canyon of brick and concrete created one of those narrow alleys we had rushed through coming here. I had my hand on the butt of my blaster I was carrying underneath the boiler suit and checked the rest of the small flat. There was a tiny hygiene chamber and a small bedroom with a pile of blankets on the floor that appeared to be the bed of the old woman. This was supposed to be a NAVINT contact and so far everything appeared all right, but I no longer trusted appearances and wanted to make sure we were alone in the apartment. This was only one safety measure of mine; I hated to be surprised in situations like this. As I returned to the living room, Har-Hi seemed in a conversation with the old Oghr woman, yet I could only hear his responses. She held up a framed picture of a much younger and somewhat less ugly looking Laurin Oghr wearing a dark gray uniform and standing next to a black flyer.

Har-Hi said. “Ah I see your son is the pilot chauffeur to the magistrate.”

I spread my arms and said. “Can someone tell me why I can’t hear a thing?”

I was certain Har-H I was actually grinning behind his Ithe disguise as he said. “Patience my Captain, patience is an important trait in this clandestine spy business. Someone told me that once and not too long ago.”

I wished I could actually stick my tongue out at him and said. “Right back at me, I know.”

He chuckled and said. “You can’t hear the woman because she is a Bunthik and has many methods of having a conversation.”

“Didn’t you say she is a Laurin Oghr?”

The old Oghr spoke for the first time in heavy accented Union Lingo. “They tell me you are a formidable Captain and all that, but it is apparent you haven’t spent much time outside the protected Union space of ours.”

I glared at her, forgetting that glaring was not really possible with stalk eyes and said.

“You are quite correct; it’s more or less my first time.”

Then I looked around and said. “We are able to speak freely. I made sure of that.”

She said. “So did you? This apartment is bugged and under surveillance like every other apartment, but here are even more bugs than elsewhere and when my son comes there are actual agents listening, not just recorders and machines.”

She pointed to her ceiling lamp. “Karthanian Intelligence visualizer” Then she gestured towards the window, “Laser ear picking up the sound vibrations of every spoken word.”

I completed her litany and said. “Drak audio amplifiers embedded in the wall. Your neighbor to the right only lives there to keep an eye on you. I might be a bit green around the gills when it comes to this sector of space, old woman but don’t mistake my apparent youth for foolishness.”

She cackled a dry laugh and said. “It appears that she who calls you Soja has trained you well indeed, how do you know all this?”

I said to her. “I won’t let you see all my rune stones before I know more.”

She laughed again. “Whatever you do to make this flat surveillance proof, please stop it. There are very advanced NAVINT devices that feed the listeners all sorts of information, just not the real kind.”

I exposed my Wrist Comm. and said. “Shea, you heard the woman I am sure, give the word to Cirruit and the others.”

Shea’s spoke directly through the tiny ear piece I carried and she said. “Yes Captain. Our team followed you and was busy securing the place. Cirruit is recalling his Nanites and Lt. Bergdorf who was right behind you is on his way back to base. However Narth and Ensign Three-Four have already neutralized the laser ear agents. They are happily lasering the neighbor’s window now and Lt. Fifcher made the neighbor watch a Tele-entertainment show instead of listening in, do you want them to do reverse that?”

I responded. “No, let it be and tell everyone to stand by for the next part of our plan.” “Aye Captain.”

The woman said. “Relax Captain we have been doing this for years now. Would you care for a cup of Young-grass tea? My son won’t be here for at last another hour.”

I declined, saying: “No I am fine.”

The little kitchen area was separated only by a different floor cover from the living room and she begun to boil water anyway and while she prepared tea she said. “Yes I am of the Laurin Oghr Kingdom.” She paused and made sure I saw her opening one of the shabby cupboards filled with miss matching cups and dishes, some made of faded plastic and some of chipped ceramics. With a gesture to the cupboard she asked again. “Something else perhaps, I have beer, ale or something to eat?”

I raised my hand. “No not at the moment.” I did not want to explain to her that the disguises we wore didn’t let us eat or drink as Ithe and human facial features did not line up. Besides I wasn’t a big fan of tea or the local cuisine.

She snickered and said. “Suit yourself then.”

The shelves inside the cup-board suddenly moved up, cups, plates and all, while with an almost inaudible humming sound a modern, expensive SII-MOLRECON Serv-Matic pushed into view. The machine produced a cup of tea in no time and it did not smell like the bitter grass tea that everyone on this world appeared to be drinking. She said: “Since we have a little time, I believe it won’t hurt if you learn a little about the Oghr kingdoms as they are strewn all over this region of space and some of them are quite big and a force to be recognized.”

I sighed silently and sat down in one of the cushions.

She pointed at her own face and said. “This is not a disguise, I am really that ugly and I am really of the Oghr race and I am well aware how other beings look at us. It is a curse we bear for a very long time. Even the other Oghr species usually shun us and don’t give us the time of day.”

She sipped on her tea and gestured towards Har-Hi. “Your friend is Dai. He knows much more about the Oghrs then the usual Union members. Yes you may know a little about your own Oghrs, the ones that were smart and joined our illustrious Union, but what about the Nine Kingdoms out there? Your Dai friend he surprised me, he even knows one of the ancient and quite secretive sign languages and knows about the Bunthik.”

She raised her hands holding the cup and her fingers moved in what I thought was just a nervous habit and now I saw Har-Hi who still had his arms crossed move the fingers of his right hands in a similar fashion.

He said. “Because the Laurin Oghr are smaller and weaker than any of the other Oghr species they do not hire out as mercenaries, heavy laborers or guards as many of the Oghrs you know do. The Laurin are however known to be good domestic laborers. You know the ones doing laundry, tailoring, gardening and being chauffeurs and such. They are ugly and they know it and because of it they learned to stay out of sight as much as possible, they do their work almost as if being invisible and have made an art out of that. This talent gained them a very good reputation and Laurin domestics often get better pay than domestics of other species.”

I listened as my friend told me about multi-cultural interactions of beings and species I barely knew existed.

The Oghr woman said. “Our kind is promoting and cultivating this reputation for a very long time. However as much as you can be a good domestic you can be a bad one. The talents my species cultivated over the millennia can also be used for other purposes. Those who leave our poor kingdom to seek employment as domestics elsewhere are known at home as the Ranthik. However those who use their skills for other purposes are called the Bunthik. When a Laurin is exposed as being part of the Bunthik he or she is executed in public and by the judgment of our Queen herself for the damage it could cause to the Laurin Oghr reputation.”

She sighed and sipped from her cup, before she continued saying. “Our kind has caught the short end of the stick in many ways after the big Oghr war that broke up the old Empire. We have been bred and used for domestics in the old days and the former Oghr Colonies that became the Laurin Kingdom are poor on natural resources. Being a good domestic is like a religion to us. It is a way of life for almost 5000 years.”

She put the cup down and looked at us for a moment as to see if we still paid attention. Satisfied with whatever she saw she continued to explain. “The Bunthik are like the worm in the Union, a secretive underground organization. They are among the best thieves in the Universe and they know how to obtain information from their masters without them knowing and use it for black mail for example or to sell information to the highest bidder. We Bunthik began our existence out of resentment to be nothing but domestics, barely above slaves. Shunned and dismissed as ugly, forced to dwell in the shadows or wear funny face masks and robes, so we don’t offend has been accepted as our lot in life by the Ranthik, but not by us. One of these days, Captain Velvet you need to learn why there are so many different Oghr species and why it is not nature that made us so ugly and weak.”

She sighed sounding quite human. The Bunthik are a small group, hunted almost to extinction and to stay alive and to give our skills and knowledge to new generations, we have developed many secretive ways, including forms of communication no uninitiated observer would ever even notice.”

Shea who was on the bridge of the Tigershark and holding the Con at the moment could see what we saw through the micro optics installed in the stalk eyes and she said into my ear piece. “She needs to be more careful. I have decrypted her finger language. She was asking Har-Hi how he knows that sign language so well and he told her that his nanny was a Bunthik who taught him many of their secrets.”

I turned and asked him. “So how come you had an Oghr nanny?”

The Old woman said. “She learns fast, your Captain.”

He sighed. “Yes she does especially since she has a Level 12 Intellect girlfriend peeking and giving her advice.”

To me he said. “My tribe once raided an Oghr convoy and a Laurin Oghr was one of the survivors. As you know my tribe never participated in slave trade and we never used any sentient beings as forced laborers. We set the survivors free, but she who later became my nanny wanted to stay with us. At first she acted as a spy for an Oghr king, but she really liked me and came clean to my father. She stayed with us and became the Nanny of all my father’s children.”

From the subtle tones of his voice I noticed how much he cared about that Nanny and I wondered why he had never told me about her before.

Our host got up and put the Serv-Matic away, then she said pointing at the Tele-entertainment viewer and the images flickered more than before. “My son has entered the building. He has two guards with him; they will come in for a short moment, check out the apartment and then leave us alone. So I must ask you to hide until they are gone.”

Shea said into my ear. “The apparent flickers of the visuals are a code as well.”

She made us go into the tiny hygiene room. It had only room for a body waste disposal unit that appeared to be made of concrete, a small sink with mirror and a shower stall. She said. “You can see and hear what is going from here and as soon as they are gone you can come out.”

Har-Hi said. “What kind of security goons would not look here first? It’s not exactly a very good hiding place. Not that your apartment has many other choices.”

She wiggled her fingers saying, “Silly Dai” and closed the door. We could hear her walking to the front door.

I whispered to Har Hi. “I have to agree this was a silly hiding place. They will check this place first.”

Har-Hi tapped me on the shoulder and I turned. The mirror above the small sink no longer reflected our images. Instead we could see a mirror image of the small bathroom but without us. We watched as two Ithe in gray coats opened the door looked into the empty bathroom, left the door open and we could even see them step out the front door. The old woman closed her flat door and now I noticed that the entire bathroom rotated 180 degrees. Har-Hi said. “I think this shabby apartment has more than one hidden surprise.”

I agreed. “This is pretty useful if you urgently need a second toilet too.”

A somewhat taller and younger version of the old woman stood in her small living room. That he was male I only assumed because she called him his son and that she was female was only because she was wearing things that looked like things an old woman would wear. Other than those hints there were no real differences between the two Laurin Oghr. Both their skin was greenish and they had big heads that sat on their shoulders without a visible neck. Like their big Oghr relatives they had big maws and yellowish tusks piercing their lower lips. Their tusks were of course much smaller than those of full size Oghrs.

What made them so ugly were the deformed faces, and humps that had the appearance of wart like growths. It looked as if the skin was more or less loosely draped over their skulls and was full of wrinkles and flaps. In appearance they reminded me of the Yotenen, the disguise Mother Superior had chosen as she helped me to escape the slave pen on Alvor’s Cove. I wondered how the old woman knew that Mother Superior called me Soja and the only explanation was they knew each other.

The Oghr in the black uniform held out his hand and said. “I am Cracktik. May I ask you to identify yourself and I insist on Blue-Blue-Red protocol.”

I wondered how this would be possible, but I pressed the biological sensor section that was part of my officer’s implant I had received at the academy. It transmitted a weak Trans Dim-scatter pattern message pulse from my CITI with a complicated code sequence that could only be received by military grade Computronics that were linked to MATA HARI the NAVINT AI.

The old Visualizer screen switched from the grainy flickering images to a crystal clear 3D field screen and the typical female computronic voice all Fleet systems had in common said. “Blue-Blue-Red protocol initiated. Correct sequence one received.”

The Oghr chauffeur must have done the same thing as the voice verified receiving sequence two. I swiped my code key against his PDD and he did the same to mine. Only after we also exchanged the basic day code was the procedure complete and he satisfied. He said. “Captain Olafson it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Lt. Commander Cracktik, NAVINT Section 912. Welcome to NAVINT Field Office Itheamh.”

He gestured to the old woman. “This is Lt. Commander Crackta and she really is my mother. I know this is a bit unconventional but things are never as easy and straightforward in the Intelligence business as they are in the Fleet.”

I acknowledged his statement with a nod.

He gestured us to find seats and took a cup of tea from his mother then he said. “I am a Lauran Oghr, my parents were domestics of a Drak officer many years ago and while they accompanied him and his household on a trip off planet, the ship was raided by Togar corsairs, my father did not survive the attack and we became Togar prisoners. The Togar consider us Laurin too ugly even for soup and sold us to a slaver. We were purchased by a Karthanian alongside with several Union citizens. We were set free on Outpost 175. My mother had no place to go; she was an ugly Laurin Oghr with a small child.”

The old woman seamlessly took over the story and her eyes glittered moist. “The Union immigration officers treated us kindly and showed compassion. For the first time in my life I was treated like a real being. I was asked for my needs, my child received medical care and no one looked down on us for what we were or how we looked. I was asked for my opinion, my wishes and when I asked if I could stay I was not turned away. I received my Union school right there on Outpost 175. There were Togar in my class and Bruth Oghrs, a Karthanian and other former slaves and all were treated equally by a Klack teacher. I learned that I did not have to be a domestic and could become whatever I want to be.”

She looked intensely at me. “I took the 10,000 credits start capital and went straight to Arsenal. I had only one wish and that was to serve the Union and repay them for that kindness. My son and I took this assignment gladly, as Laurin could easily mix and mingle with Drak.”

Her son added. “Now you know how two ugly Laurin Oghr became NAVINT officers and Union citizens. Mother and I have been here for over 15 years now and I steadily worked my way up and became the chauffeur pilot of the ruling elite. Two years ago I was picked to be the Chauffeur of the first Magistrate and he trusts me as much as a Drak can. I have no vices, no friends and no contact to the Ithe. The only thing I do is visit my old mother.

Not much has happened in those years. I collect information and mother prepares the weekly reports. A lot has changed in the past days however. The successful uprising of the Instigators and them defeating even the Karthanian war machines made the Drak very nervous. They fear that this might be the end of their reign. They fear the rebels to an extent, but they really fear the Karthanian and what the Bonefaces might do to express their disappointment and to insure their influence.” He waved at the Tele-entertainment device, the images changed and we could see the First Magistrate sitting in the back of a luxury flier. The angle of the visual was strangely off and appeared as if the visual sensor was mounted to the flier’s ceiling. We could see the Laurin Chauffeur and a second gray coated Draak sitting next to the Magistrate. The Drak had no rank insignia at all. I recognized the first magistrate by the big single medal he wore, he was the official we met right outside the pirate tavern; the monster who ordered the killing of women and children.

Cracktik said. “This is the most feared of all Drak; he stays in the shadows and leads the Secret Police.”

The visuals also had acoustics. The secret police chief said to the first magistrate. “Your Excellency, I am sure the Instigators around that cursed Togar have outside help. There is no other explanation as to how they managed to disable Karthanian Sky Eyes and defeat the Ognyx at the battle in Craha. We have very conflicting reports and none are too credible. Some reports claim the Ognyx started fighting each other. Others swear they saw one lifted into the sky only to drop onto another. No one can explain why nine of them flipped and marched against our forces. The reports are from the most part utter nonsense of course, but the fact remains they have been destroyed.”

The Magistrate pulled on his gloves and asked. “Who do you think is helping the rebel scum? There aren’t that many civilizations out there that could defeat Ognyx walkers. The Shiss and the Nul, then there are the always meddling Kermac. Of course the Union could defeat a planet full of Ognyx and then there are the Togar.” The secret police man opened a brief case and pulled a plastic sheet.

“We are too far from Shiss territory and if we can believe this Intel report I received from Karthania then they have other problems than a little planet like us. According to this rumor the Nul have come to an agreement with the Union and some say they have become allies and even join the Union.”

The Magistrate took the film sheet and glanced at it.

“What utter nonsense. I am truly not an expert in those things but everyone knows the Nul and the Union will eventually go to war against each other. The Nul trust no one, ever since the Shiss have betrayed them and the war mongering Union is only waiting for an excuse to go to war.”

“Your Excellency, I know it sounds very unlikely but I would not dismiss these reports. I have independent reports overhearing Union freighter captains in the foreigner district bars at the space port that collaborate this report. Even if the Nul and the Union simply sign some non-aggression pact then this is very bad news for the Shiss. I must remind you, we also believed the report that the Golden are Union now was pure nonsense and yet the Golden Outpost here is now officially a Union trading center complete with one of their fabulous GalNet terminals.” The secret police man was unfazed and pulled another sheet. “As much as our Masters in the Sky are big and mighty to us, the Karthanian are but a speck to both the Galactic Council and the Union. There are no indications of Kermac or Galactic Union activity in this region. Their spheres of influence are far away from this sector of space. The Kermac are way too busy dealing with a Union that is growing in leaps and bounds.

I am sure they would be interested if our Bone Faced friends finally get to blows with the Togar. But it is more likely that they interfere on behalf of the Karthanian as the Togar hate the Kermac as much as the Union does. What we do with the Ithe is what the Kermac do for millennia with their thrall species; I doubt they would interfere on a world as unimportant as Itheamh.”

Again the Magistrate took the page, this time he did not crush it and glance on it. He then said. “That leaves us with what?”

The Secret Police Chief said. “It leaves us with the Union and the Togar. Neither the Oghr nor the Dai who are also powerful forces in this region have ever interfered in such a way. The Dai so rumors exist are firmly allied with our masters and the Oghr don’t do anything unless they get paid for it and then they do it directly and with open force.”

The Magistrate kept looking at the plastic sheet. “The Union was here on official business four years ago. They could have interfered back then, but they left. Their own laws prevented them from taking the plea of the Rebels back then. The Union considers us the Drak the legitimate official voice of Itheamh and unless we go to them, this world is as unimportant to them as a speck of dust. Their Corporations do good business with our Karthanian Overlords and losing Itheamh as trade port would cut in their profits.”

The Police chief agreed. “Of all, the Union is the least likely source for the help. They consider themselves the good ones and are strict sticklers to their own laws. I too think it is the Togar, and this Ninety is not a slave but a Togar agent. Those cats itch for a fight against Karthania and the sooner the better as the Togar fear that the Karthanian will eventually outrun them in terms of technology.”

The Magistrate rubbed his stalk eyes and said. “That leaves us in between; our Overlords will not permit this world to fall under Togar control.”

With measured moves, the Police chief pulled a third plastic sheet from his brief case. “This is my greatest concern, Your Excellency. I have direct word from the Guild assembly at Karthania.

The Guild Masters want to send Oghr troops to pacify the entire planet and restore order. This time enslaving all Ithe and all Drak and put an Oghr military tribunal in charge as they have done on Moghd, a world quite similar to our planet and also one of their outlet and contact worlds.”

Har-Hi and I watched silently as the leader of this world asked his police chief. “How long do we have until the Oghr troops arrive?”

The police chief said. “I am not sure, but when they arrive. You and I are no longer needed. The Ithe and the Drak that survive will all become little more than slaves.”

The Magistrate put on his hat and said. “The last word has not been spoken. The puppet is about to cut the strings and we will show the Instigators and the Kartanians that we Drak are the masters of this world after all.” The recording stopped.

The Oghr woman added saying. “We don’t have very reliable intelligence assets inside Karthania but my Oghr sources say the Karthanians have secured the services of King Fithark of the Orkh-Oghr. King Fithark rules over the largest and most advanced Oghr Kingdom outside of those that are Union now. They are most closely related to your Oromals, the big ones.”

Har-Hi said to me. “Seven to eight feet tall, almost as strong as our Botnaar, tough enough to go toe to toe with a Shiss if necessary, very well trained mercenaries who take their reputation and soldiering very seriously. Their training is very good. Mercy and restrain are unknown to them and they approach Tech level 7 in many areas, especially weapons.”

The old woman continued saying. “Rumors have it, the Karthanians paid for five regiments, that’s one thousand Orkhs each; in full battle gear. We are almost certain five regiment ships left Ooh Planet yesterday. So we estimate them to arrive in ten or twelve days. Depending how active the Togar and the Dai are, forcing them to take a longer route.”

While I was listening and processing the information with all the attention I could muster, I wanted to scratch an itch on my nose so bad and silently cursed the mass of Bioflex syntho flesh before my face and said barely able to keep myself from sneezing. “Five troop ships you say, filled with vicious warriors, maybe we can intercept them before they become a problem here.”

The Chauffeur said. “This is not all the news I have for you, Captain, as this is what the Karthanian plan to do. The Drak also have plans of their own, they do not want to go without a fight. They see their star fading fast.” He gestured towards the Tele-Entertainment device and a new recording was shown. We could see the two Drak from before enter the flyer limousine.

The Magistrate leaned forward. “Cracktik take us to the Peoples Palace and take the scenic route.”

We could hear Cracktik respond and the flier taking off. The Police man gestured towards the driver. “Over two years I am trying to find anything on this ugly Oghr and yet all my efforts show him to be utmost loyal and most of all silent. He does not talk to anyone, doesn’t go to bars and does not socialize much with others. I wish I had a man so trustworthy in my employment, but I still think we should close the screen.”

A transparent divider slid into place, but the audio visual bug was still in the same compartment with the two Drak.

The Secret Police chief shifted his position and looked at the Magistrate. “I know we are in a serious situation, but do you really think we should consider?”

The Magistrate also shifted his position and said. “What else is there? The Ancient Terror will cost our lives and our souls, it might cost the lives of millions but it will confirm Drak rule that is the agreement.”

“You know me as the most ardent defender of our ways and yet even I shiver and fear the consequences. We do not know what it will really do, what it really is. We could simply leave, you know. I have a ship load of Polo coins and several thousand tons of Crystal. A fortune in any place, and I know you have a treasure more than equal.”

“And where would you go? Karthania does not allow strangers among their midst, not even us their puppets. The Togar will have a feast on our flesh and take our Polos.”

“The Union, we could go there.”

“Crystal has not much value there and I know there are Ithe who live free in the Union. They hunt us for what we have done, no old friend. I am the Magistrate and this is my world. I am the law and I tell who dies and who lives. We have a Terror, a weapon at our disposal that will consume all that stands against us and I will use it.”

Again the recording stopped and the NAVINT spy said.

“The Magistrate has spoken about an ancient terror before, something he believes, will secure their victory, but at the cost of thousand souls including his.”

The Oghr spread his hands. “Captain I am a trained Union Intelligence officer and I do not believe in the supernatural, but the way he speaks about it, makes it sound like a demon or something like that.”

Har-Hi glanced at me from the side. “We Dai are more superstitious and I am not so easily dismissing the supernatural. I have seen strange and weird things, but I too am a Union officer and I am certain it can all be rationally explained and always has a scientific base.”

I leaned forward. “We still need to know what it is. I remember the bugs and those face hugging bat worms and I fought something called a Shogotrz. I don’t think whatever it is he is talking about will stop the changes that will happen.”

Har-Hi asked. “Do you know what weapons were used to make the first planet inhospitable? The Drak destroyed their world. Could he not talk about a cache of whatever it was they used then?”

The old female Oghr rubbed her lantern jar. “No one really knows. Some say it was dirty atomic weapons. You know the old kind that leaves a lot of radiation for a very long time. Other sources say it was a biological weapon, a virus or a bacteria and some claim it was a combination of both. We do know it was the Karthanians who gave them whatever it was, out of two reasons, to force the Drak of their home world so they could mine it and to create the horrible conditions on Ithe so their help would be accepted.”

I said. “Whatever it is we better find out, neither biological weapons nor radiation could hurt us, but to an unshielded population...”

The Chauffeur said. “I am taking the magistrate there tomorrow. Wherever that is, as I never get the travel plans prior to departure.”

This time I cursed loudly and said. “I want to be on my way to the Smelter Moons by tomorrow.”

Har-Hi said. “Well that means you can’t be everywhere and have to trust your crew. Why don’t you and Narth tackle the Moons and have me, Shea and the others take on whatever the Magistrate is hiding. Whatever it is I doubt there is anything your crew can’t handle.”

An electronic sound came from the Chauffeurs body and he pulled a boxy looking device and said into it. “Cracktik here.”

A voice said. “His excellency will not need you today anymore and said you may stay with your mother if you wish. We will pick you up in the morning.” He acknowledged and pocketed the device again.

Then he said. “It seems I have a little more time. So I can show you our actual Intel HQ.”

I said. “But we don’t have all that much time. I still need to reconnoiter the space port and find out where the prisoners are kept that are to be shipped to the Smelter moons. I have a lot of things to organize and finally, I want to get out of this get up. I don’t mind costumes, but I really need to blow my nose!”

They both laughed and he said. “Just follow me and you can do just that. We can check out the space port much easier from here.”

He then gestured us to follow him. He walked outside on the small balcony and the rusty railing tilted away. He stepped onto thin air and vanished as he walked right into the brick wall on the other side.

Even though I was certain there was an invisible force field bridge and the brick wall had to be a hologram of sorts. I had to convince my feet it was so. I had flown and climbed, walked on greasy rafters under the high ceiling of the Halls of Hasvik, but walking over apparently nothing and a deep chasm took all my courage.

The brick wall did not feel insubstantial like a hologram. It was more like diving into a vertical surface of honey or water. The sensation was over before I really registered it and we found ourselves in a small but modern looking Command and Control room. With large field screens and several control stations. A human male and a purple throat Shiss manned two of the stations. They wore Union fleet uniforms with NAVINT patches on their sleeves. For a moment I lost my communications link with Shea and the ship. My PDD whispered through my ear piece. “Current location Trans Dim shielded, direct ComLink to ship lost. Rerouting through local authorized NAVINT system.”

The Oghr NAVINT commander pointed at the wall we just walked through and said. “Molecular Phasing as the eggheads at Terra call it. It is one of the latest developments Mothermachine came up with the concept.”

He sounded very proud and enthusiastic as he added. “It feels as if Union technology is developing even faster than usual.”

I agreed with him by nodding.

The old woman stepped through an auto dresser nearby and emerged still looking ugly, but her smudgy clothing was gone. She wore a crisp Fleet uniform with the stylized Eye symbol of the Intel branch on her left sleeve and she straightened her stance and looked several inches taller.

She said. “I have so little chance of wearing the uniform and it is the first time we are going to meet the Immortals.”

She tugged at her uniform blouse and said. “You might think of me as silly, but to me it is a very pleasurable experience, as it reminds me why I am doing all this and what we stand for.”

The old Oghr woman brushed her hand with a caressing gesture over the United Stars of the Galaxies flag patch on her right sleeve.

I said to her. “I know exactly how you feel Commander. We are undercover and for the most part wear costumes and disguises”

She gestured to the Auto Dresser and said. “Feel free to use it. It is Saresii technology.”

Har-Hi and I did.

I was sure I felt just like the Oghr woman as I stepped back out seeing myself in Union black, with the diagonal buttoned uniform blouse, actually called a bib shirt in the regulations hand book. It was worn correctly with the lower half buttoned down showing the white inner lining like a large triangle across my chest. I could not deny myself feeling pride, because my sleeve cuffs displayed captain’s gold. I was a little surprised to see Har-Hi not in Dai red but also in Union uniform and I had to admit, he looked very handsome indeed.

He said looking down on himself. “Who would have thought we’d end up in Uniform today?” He jerked at his sleeves and added. “It does feel good remembering that we are indeed Union officers, the Oghr woman is right, it makes you aware that you are part of something bigger.”

We followed them into a separate small conference room with a kidney shaped table and a dozen chairs. After the door closed three Avatar projections established and to us it appeared as if Stahl, McElligott and Cherubim were right here with us. The male Oghr called us to attention and we saluted them.

The eternal soldier looked as always, tall, imposing and even the avatar projection radiated his invisible aura of confident authority.

He looked at me and said. “What’s with the Uniforms and the parade ground antics?”

The Oghr woman said with sheer awe vibrating her voice. “We are in the presence of the highest ranking officers. The Admiral of the Fleet, General Cherubim and you Sir! We wanted to honor you by wearing uniform and adhering to protocol, Sir.”

Cherubim elbowed the Eternal Warrior. “That your protégé isn’t much impressed by us is one thing, but you do have that special presence Old Man. Even I still feel it after all that time.”

McElligott waved his hand. “He is way too overrated, besides they are right. A little proper spit and polish is just fine with me.”

Stahl’s expression was stern and his face as if chiseled in granite as always, but he was one of those people who could smile with his eyes only.

McElligott, as immortal and as old as Stahl, and usually an authority and dominating presence but it always got lost when he was with Stahl. The woman known as Cherubim was still an enigma to me, as I knew very little about her.

McElligott nodded pleased. “How nice you all look, unlike my friend here I appreciate the uniforms.”

The two Oghr still stood in attention even as Stahl gave us the sign to relax.

Stahl only raised an eyebrow towards the Admiral of the Fleet, while Cherubim said to all of us. “You may relax and sit down.”

The male Oghr said. “I never thought I would ever meet any of you and now I have the honor and the privilege to be in the presence of three of the Immortals at once.”

Stahl said. “Lt. Commanders, we are just a little older than others and I am a stern objector to this personal cult thing. Even though I understand it, so please let us get started.” He motioned to me to give an update and I did.

After I was finished the Oghrs handed in reports and uploaded their logs and data. While Cherubim actually started to scan through the reports on her PDD.

Stahl’s avatar looked at something that was not in this room and the Old Warrior said. “Keep going, I am listening but I’ve got something to do” and with that Stahl’s avatar disappeared.

Cherubim but her hand next to her mouth as if to whisper and said. “We all just came from a state banquet at Urgotoor, a new member species famous for their fermented foods and our Eternal Warrior overdid it, as tough as he is, he still does not have an iron stomach.”

McElligott giggled almost like a teenager and said. “You see we so called Immortals are still quite human.”

Har-Hi put his hand before his mouth to hide his grin. In all this seriousness I too had to agree this humanized these Immortals in my eyes as well and maybe if really had to be one of them, I too could remain human. This little episode was quite assuring to me.

The Admiral of the Fleet became serious again and said. “Now to the business at hand. Even though Karthania is a small fish compared to the Nul, the Galactic Council or the Shiss they are an old culture with decent technology. While there are no common borders between Union and Karthanian space, there is some trade and the Karthanian Conglomerate is one of the bigger players in the region you are in.”

Cherubim put the PDD away she was holding and said. “We do have very few reliable intelligence-assets inside the Karthanian Conglomerate and so we are forced to maintain this and similar Intel outposts on what the Karthanians call Outlet-and Service Worlds. As you know they do not allow any foreign ship inside their space and are xenophobic. Itheamh is only one of several such worlds we know of, that the Karthanians use as outlets and gateways for their wares and to buy scrap, ore and other raw materials and of course buying sentient beings.”

She got up and a projection of the world Itheamh appeared over the table surface. “We are well aware of the situation, but frankly we have no mandate to interfere, especially not openly.But technically it is not against Union laws, as the Itheamh are a spacefaring civilization and Prim culture interference laws do not apply. Still open interference in Non Union societies that are not at war with us is something we usually don’t do. However the possible presence of Union citizens enslaved on Smelter Moons gives you all the authority, by Assembly decision no less.”

Stahl’s Avatar established itself again and he interrupted right away and said. “That does not mean we want you run off and try to liberate all nineteen worlds, even though conditions there are quite similar to those on Itheamh.”

I said. “Sir and I did not come here to Itheamh to do that either but it sort of happened.”

McElligott looked to the ceiling and then said with a hint of a smile. “That is what should be written on your ships dedication plate: ‘USS Tigershark – We didn’t go out to change Galactic history, it just sort of happened’.”

I frowned at the Old Admiral, as his joke made the other two giggle. So I tried to ignore it and said. “I am going to the Smelter Moons myself tomorrow and hope to put an end to slavery.”

Stahl said. “Yes you told us you would. Anyone else saying that, I’d call insane, but since it came from you and the Olafson crew we take it very seriously and we are scrambling to get the assets in place, just in case things turn sour. Plans are a nice thing but there is much that can go wrong. There isn’t a thing more uncertain and complicated then trying to engage in nation building and believing that our values and ethical ideas are automatically theirs as well. So you decided to help and you already put a lot of rocks in motion. It is too late to stop for many reasons, but be aware that the Karthanians are not Sin 4. This is a Star empire stretching over ninety star systems and they are a star traveling civilization for a very long time, it will take more than a few revolting slaves and an angry Neo Viking in tight leather britches to change conditions there. You are too young to know this, but we have been in contact with the Karthanians while they still were under the control of that First Engineer. They were as Xenophobic back then as they are now and they have never been our real friends, even while the so called First Engineer was in charge, don’t forget that.”

I responded saying. “I have no plans to go to Karthania itself. I know too little about that world and have no idea who or what that First Engineer is.”

The last traces of amusement had left Stahl’s face. “Once you get things like that started it is very hard to find a good place to stop and once events are in motion, be prepared to see them through to the end. You decided to help and that is commendable, but that means you are in charge and responsible for the entire show. They have not been our enemy so far, but if they find out you are Union Officers this could change in a heartbeat.”

I had hoped for support and not this stern lecture, but I knew he was speaking the facts and I knew he expected me to be able to handle it.

Cherubim expanded the projection over the table with a gesture until it showed a strategic map of the Coreward sector of the Galaxy and said. “The Galacto-political situation in this region is not very stable. We know the Karthanians think about expansion after all, and so do the Togar. They hate each other about as much as the Nul hate the Shiss. The slightest spark could mean war.”

I nodded. “Someone told me that while I was on Kaliment.”

She glanced at me from under her white blonde bangs and her face, a bio flex mask and not her real face I was certain, did not show any emotion and she slowly nodded. “Ah yes of course, Kaliment could be the world where it starts, but the situation also involves the Nine Oghr Kingdoms, the Jooltar and the remaining Dai Than.”

McElligott waved his hand and several colorful spherical regions were added to the projection. “There are also smaller and very small civilizations strewn out there and they would suffer greatly from an Interstellar war in that region. Not to mention that beyond the Togr realm begins space we know very little about. Who knows what civilizations and empires are yet to be discovered, Coreward and Downward is very little surveyed by us and enemies like the Piostla have appeared from there. They sure gave us all a hell of a fight.”

The Old Admiral added saying what Mother Superior had said to me a while ago. “Wars have a tendency to spread, the Shiss or the Kermac and the Galactic Council might decide to take sides and that would more or less mean we would have to get involved as well.”

I had to admit to myself I had not thought of that. McElligott was not done and said now with a slight smile on his lips. “We did put your dilemma before the Armed Forces Committee of the Assembly. They actually agree with you and want you to rescue any Union citizen. This is not Freespace and there are no treaties hampering Fleet involvement.” He kept smiling. “As my esteemed colleague mentioned in the previous conversation, you are not alone, we do have your back and we hope we will be able to give you more concrete assistance. Also we think we can buy you a little more time in regards to the Red Dragon. You do remember Klotzky & Harris Freight and Exports?”

My voice sounded deeper than usual as I recalled the ship full of human body parts and I said. “How can I forget that ship of horrors?”

McElligott nodded and the projection changed. Showing uniformed police raiding a corporate office and arresting people.

“Federal Police had, thanks to you, enough evidence to get a search warrant and they found underground slave prisons and terrible conditions. There is also evidence that this went on for years. The press somehow got wind of it and it was blown all over prime time news. To make a long story short, the General Assembly took this news and they discussed it on Pluribus for almost three days.

Finally they stopped short of declaring war against Togr. A resolution was made and the Assembly decided that the Fleet should do something about this.”

Stahl’s eyes smiled again as he said. “So we decided to make a little trip through the Coreward sector. The Assembly tasked the fleet to send an Armada and perhaps engage in a few war games and “survey” missions. We are going to do that right there between the Karthanian and the Togar Empires.Maybe even establish a forward fleet base somewhere in an unclaimed system, after all that space is unclaimed and we are not bound by any treaties. Beyond that is the space of the Xandrao, who just received their welcome wagon. So a space bus route and GalNet is to be established. The Assembly wants us to show a little strength and remind all the locals in that neighborhood, just whose tail they are pulling by eating Union citizens and forcing sentient beings to work as slaves on Smelter Moons.”

He drew a glowing path with his finger over the reappearing sector map, to show us the path this armada would take and he made a small circle around Itheamh System.

“As part of those war games, a few ships will visit you there. Itheamh is after all officially an independent world and does trade with the Union and there are several Trade Company offices at the local space port.”

Har-Hi handed me a kerchief and I was certain he had read my mind because he did so just in time. I had to sneeze. Whatever caused the itch in my nose for so long had finally reached the point where I could no longer suppress it. I sneezed and thankfully made use of his kerchief.

While I was fighting my nose, Har-Hi said to the Immortals. “As I understand from the local rebels, there was once a Union ship here before but they left since the rebels did not speak for the entire planet. What difference would a new visit make?” Stahl’s smile now reached his lips. “I am not talking one or two ships, Mr. Hi. We are talking about the entire COWACOM or in other words the ninety Union Fleets that are assigned to that region command. In addition to that they will be accompanied by the First Fleet and of course the Devi. Finally to round things up, the Gray Nul and current ruler of the Nul found this a splendid opportunity to show the Galaxy that Nul and Union are the closest allies now and he is sending the 4th and the 5th Nul Armada for joint maneuvers.”

He could not suppress the glee he felt. It was one of those things that made the heart of the Eternal Warrior swell. “I am certain the Togar will think it is their time to pay for all their culinary choices, and mobilize everything they have. The Karthanian are forced to do the same as they have no clue what is going on and none of the Oghr Kingdoms will send mercenaries anywhere and keep their forces close if they think we are up to no good. Whatever we encounter in space and isn’t kosher will be dealt with.

Of course the Kermac will think we going to try to go at them from the rear. So in short this nice quiet area of space will be quite busy. And with a little over 100,000 Union and Nul ships in the region, I think your pirate friends will stay put on that second planet of theirs and pray to whatever gods they worship that we don’t take a closer look at that world.”

I could not fight the contagious grin and smiled as well. “And the Karthanians will be careful from openly committing any atrocities on Itheamh.”

McElligott said. “However, to take such a big show on the road takes time. The logistics alone are quite demanding so it will take us seven to eight days before the first forward units are anywhere near Itheamh. Don’t forget we also have to go around Freespace. So until then you are on your own.”

I still smiled. “What’s new, Sir?”

Chapter 31
Cirruit, like me was dressed completely in black, hiding his shiny chrome body as we hushed along in the stark shadow of a stack of shipping containers. While it was night, glaring flood lights kept the cargo area brightly lit. The lights however also created hard shadows that allowed us to get close to the parked transport ship. Shea was right behind me and I liked seeing her shapely body in skintight black material. She appeared like a razor sharp cut out against the metallic wall of a container before she melted back into the shadows.

I glanced around the container’s edge and Narth peeled out of the darkness right before me and almost gave me a heart attack. “One does wonder why we are hiding in the shadows when we have perfectly good cloaking technology.”

I whispered. “Because we are supposed to be Pirates engaging in assisting a local revolt and not Union Officers.”

He kept floating next to me as I rushed to the next stack. “And why are you whispering? There is no being near that could hear us? The wind and the ambient city and port noise would make no difference if you yelled.”

I said to him. “Because it is tradition, when you are dressed like that and sneak around, one whispers.”

Narth slid back in the shadows and he completely melted into the darkness and I heard him whisper. “Then one shall sneak and whisper right behind you.”

Cirruit who was right behind me said, addressing Narth. “It’s more fun like that anyway. Can I ask why you say ‘one’ again; haven’t you started to use ‘I’?”

Narth whispered. “I am experimenting with habits and saying one instead of I, is a typical Narth habit. I think habits are an important part of what defines humans. The Captain has certain idiosyncrasies and so do most of our crew mates. So I am testing which one is most Narth like and yet defines me as an individual.” I glanced back. “I don’t have idio ... things!”

Narth said. “You do have quite a few, Captain.”

Cirruit giggled. “Getting us in situations like this, Captain is one of them.”

With an almost angry tone I responded. “And you should get into the habit of respecting your Captain more. I bet no one ever says anything like that to Captain Harris.”

I had reached the last container and pointed to the large Karthanian freighter that was turned into a dedicated slave transporter. “There it is. Let’s take it over without anyone noticing, they’re going to load the slaves in almost exactly one hour.”

Narth said. “How can something be almost exactly? Either it is exact or it is not.”

Cirruit explained. “One second less than an hour is in human terms almost exactly an hour, for example. Yet humans are very flexible with that and even 45 minutes could still be almost exactly an hour.”

I turned again. “You two don’t take all this very seriously do you?”

Cirruit shrugged. “Our mission and us trying to end misery and slavery, yes I take this very seriously; us sneaking between containers like port rats, not so much.”

“What a fine crew I have.”

I once more pointed at the ship. “Do you think you can open this flying silver flicker can, without them noticing doing it?”

“No Captain.”

“You told me you could.”

“Because it’s already open. They didn’t lock it. There is no force field and only two...” he paused a second then said. “Correction only one...” again he paused for a heartbeat and then spread his arms. “I mean there are no guards awake. Krabbel is already there and he sent them sleeping.”

While we rushed over the concrete surface to the actual ship, I said to him.

“It must be nice to have android eyes and see everything.”

He said. “All you have to do is pull the multi spectral goggles over your eyes Captain.”

All I could think of was saying. “Smartass.”

Narth looked at Cirruit’s behind and said. “I was under the impression X101’s having their positronic component in their heads. Do certain X101 series have their brain there?”

I grinned. “You are a smart ass too.”

I rushed over to the ship and there in the dark shadow of the ship I noticed Krabbel and two tightly packed Drak shaped cocoons.

To Krabbel I said, still smiling. “When I said recon the area I didn’t mean you should go ahead and turn the guards into Christmas presents for Archa kids.”

I was poking one with the tip of my boot and asked my eight legged friend. “Are they actually alive in there?”

Krabbel raised his front legs and said. “I didn’t use a lot of poison I promise. I am sure they are only stunned, not dead, at least for now. If you want them alive we better cut them out in an hour or so before they suffocate.”

Shea peeked around the landing gear and pointed her gun inside the open ramp door. Cirruit was right, the ship was wide open.

She made the okay sign and said. “Clear.”

Narth floated right next to her inside and she complained. “Narth, I am having fun here. When do I get to do this secret spy stuff? You must duck and walk sneaky and then say clear.”

Narth stopped and turned in his smooth turn table manner. “Oh right!”

His shroud moved like a living thing and constricted around his body, until he too looked like wearing a cat suit.

He said to me. “Can I have a gun? I didn’t bring one. One needs a gun to be an authentic sneaker spy agent.”

I handed him my TKU and said to my friends while rolling my eyes. “This isn’t a Virtu-novel you know.”

Shea said. “We know, Captain, but it is you who had all the action lately. We sat in the ship more or less the entire time. Besides doing things as the Olafson Gang again, is simply making us giddy a little I think.”

I didn’t really know what to say to that. She was right; having my friends around me was very reassuring as I knew I could trust them blindly.

The Karthanian Transport was basically an unarmed version of the Silver Streak, the Janus mask my ship displayed when in Pirate mode. Unlike my ship, this one was of course Karthanian on the inside as well.

It reminded me of the Velorian slave transporter. It was cleaner, bigger and better maintained.

The rows of steel link cages with lock doors and the perforated reddish painted floors, shimmering wet from the last hose down; the chains and the neatly stored rows of prods and whips made this vessels purpose all too clear.

A half-naked leather clad, oafish looking Oghr stepped out of an overseer guard room right before me and stared in my masked face with wide open yellow eyes as my old fighting knife buried deep into his guts. He gargled and drooled blood over my arm as I twisted the blade and pushed him aside and went on to the ship’s main elevator shaft.

The elevator access was coded and secured, but it took Shea less than a minute to hack into the ship’s system. Narth stood behind me while she did her thing and said.

“There are nineteen individuals aboard. Three of them are on the bridge.”

I said. “Alright, Cirruit and Krabbel neutralize them. Narth, Shea and I take care of the bridge crew.”

Cirruit pointed with his thumb over his shoulder. “You want us to take care of them like that?”

I did not feel any guilt and said. “He startled me and besides he was a slave master, he probably whipped and maltreated thousands in his career. Neutralize them as you see fit, as long as they can’t interfere with our plans.”

I heard Krabbel say to Cirruit. “Remind me never to startle the Captain; she’s awful quick for a human.” Cirruit responded with something and then they were out of range.

That this was not a Union ship became very apparent. There was no way intruders would have found it so easy to reach the bridge, not even intruders as talented as my friends.

We made it unchallenged to the bridge. A big Oghr, a Drak and to my surprise a human being were present. The Oghr reclined in the command seat and made snoring sounds, while the human who I saw only from behind had her feet on the console before her and was dozing. The Drak, manned what I assumed was the helm position, saw us come on the bridge and jumped out of his seat. I drew the Colt, because Narth was still carrying my blaster and fired without a second’s hesitation. The projectile hit the Drak in the left shoulder. A spray of dark blood gushed over his console, while he spun around and went to the floor.

The Oghr and the human bolted out of their seats, looking into the three inch bore holes of my friend’s TKU blasters. Only now as she stepped more into the light I noticed the light blue skin and the coppery hair of the human, my trigger finger started itching, she was a Thauran.

Shea said. “I suggest none of you make any sudden moves, our Captain is in a bitchy mood today.”

I said slightly irritated. “I am not in a bitchy mood or anything.”

She didn’t take her eyes from the completely perplexed looking beings and said. “Tell that to the Drak or the Oghr below.”

The Oghr growled angry. “What is the meaning of this?”

I focused on him and said. “Your vessel is now mine. Your cooperation would be welcome, but isn’t really needed.”

He said. “I am Heaz Xford, the Asgruhr of this ship. You must be out of your mind. You instigators may have had a few good days in the plains playing with the weak Drak, but your silly revolution is coming to an end very soon. Put down your weapons and surrender and I will make sure you...”

He didn’t get further; I fired and perforated his ear. He was a tough Oghr but having an ear pierced that way was driving the point home. He yelped and reached for his injured ear. Shea raised the gun and the muzzle glimmered in pre discharge mode.

He froze in his move.

I nodded. “That’s better.”

Narth stepped forward and disappeared along with the Oghr.

This frightened the Thauran woman even more and she made a step away from us and said. “Who are you?”

I said. “I am your worst nightmare, Thauran slaver scum. Now lay down on the floor, arms spread, face down. Hesitate even for a heartbeat and I’ll drill holes in you in places you would find very unpleasant.”

She dropped to her knees, the muzzle of my gun trained on her forehead. All I had to do is pull the trigger and the Universe would have a Thauran less.

Her eyes looked up and found mine. Whatever she saw made her lips tremble and her small chin quiver. She was young, perhaps my age.

How I disliked these blue skinned traitors. Where ever I went I met one of these bastards and almost always doing something despicable. I took a deep breath, remembered my Thauran officer and thumbed the safety of the antique weapon. I told myself that I wasn’t an executioner and reminded myself of my apology to the Thauran bridge officer.

The Thauran woman knew how close she had come to dying and she started sobbing and went to lie down as I asked her to do.

Just then there was a soft soundless voice inside my head. At first I thought it was Narth, but the voice was different. It did not have the same warm and brotherly, affectionate quality. It was a cold, inhuman voice. I heard it for the first time at least consciously and it was not the voice of a stranger or some outside influence, it was the voice of my own thoughts utterly familiar and inside my mind it said. “Yes I am the executioner. I am the devourer of life and I am the wrath of death, life is chaos. Death is order, I am Darkness Eternal.”

With all my anger I yelled back. “This is not me! I will not go down this path and judge beings by their origin. I am a Union Fleet officer. Look for someone else to possess. I didn’t ask you to mess up my life.”

There was no response. It was no foreign influence, no external voice, but I swore to myself I would not become the slave of some kind of entity that decided to make me its tool. Whatever I would become, it was my decision.

Shea looked at me as if I was a stranger and she said. “Are you okay?”

I straightened my shoulders and said. “Yes I am.”

I took a can of stick and fix and glued the blue skinned Thauran to the floor plates.

“I am curious Thauran, what are you doing here?”

She could not move very much as her hands and feet were bonded to the floor, but she tried to move her head to the side and she said. “What do you think I am doing? CID and Federal Police are all over the Thauran space, ever since it became known that our Emperor had dealings with the Worm. I did do a few favors for the Worm. I have no desire to end up on a Federal Penal colony or worse. Good Navigators are in demand. I don’t care what the freight is, as long as I have a job.”

I knelt down and put a generous helping of Stick and glue across her mouth.

Whatever she responded turned into a mumbling sound consisting almost entirely of the letter m, intoned in various ways. I patted her head and got up. “Maybe I’ll even let you up after a while, but right now I like you the way you are.”

Krabbel and Cirruit came on the bridge and Cirruit reported. “We got everyone, the ship is ours. My Archa friend produced a few more of those packages.”

Just as he said that Narth also returned along with the Oghr captain of the ship.

The Oghr captain said to me. “How do you like this get-up? I really look like an Oghr. That Auto Dresser of yours is quite the machine.”

I grinned and said. “You look just like him, Mao, how about the Mind Dump?”

The disguised Mao touched his big teeth and said. “I am in direct contact with SHIP and should be able to answer all questions and know every code and procedure. Just tell me what these tusks are for?”

I laughed and patted his green shoulders. “Maybe it is better we don’t know.”

Narth pointed to the injured Drak and the incapacitated Thauran woman.

“Do you want them to remain here or can I take them to Cateria?”

I nodded. “Take them of course; we don’t want to mess up our schedule.”

The solvent can floated all by itself around the Thauran woman and Narth added. “Who are you going to be, the Thauran or the Drak?”

Mao sat in the Command Chair and I was sitting wearing blue skin and coppery hair, in the seat of the Navigator. As much as I disliked the Thauran, she was human in shape and form and the disguise was more comfortable. Narth impersonated the Drak and Shea remained out of the Visual sensors.

A high ranking Drak officer was hailing us just moments later and he said. “Our mighty friends requested that we transfer the criminals we have right away. Prepare for lift off, while we herd the scum into your freight bay.”

Mao responded with the correct codes and acted his part. Every one of this slave transports crew was now one of ours and the local authorities kept their word and herded almost ten thousand slaves into the freight bays. Stacked in inhuman little cages, filling the Cargo bays, there was the occasional sigh and I could hear pleas of mercy. The smell of ten thousand naked unwashed beings, along with the sharp stench of excrement wafted through the open doors and made me gag. To see the sad eyes from behind the cage bars and the hopelessness was getting to me. It reinforced my commitment to end this practice where ever I could.

Everything went just as I had planned and with the first light of day, we lifted off. Shea was certain that the orbital sensor grid was still offline and the Drak had no means of tracking the Slave transport once it was in orbit. Har-Hi who was flying escort in one of our Wolfcraft in full cloak, verified that there were no sensor activities detectable.

I still took the ship down as fast as I dared and landed it among the other wrecks close to the Tigershark. Rebels under the lead of Ninety came aboard and started opening cages and removing the control collars. At first the slaves and prisoners did not believe and trust their own luck, but they recognized Ninety and the lethargic acceptance of their fate, most of the prisoners displayed changed instantly into a joyous frenzy. It took us some time to get the former slaves clothed and fed. Cateria and her team worked hard to check them over. I noticed that my med team was no longer alone. I saw Ithe wearing Med-uniforms who helped triage and treat the mostly minor injuries.

One of the Ithe in med uniforms waved at me and said. “I know you have a hard time recognizing individuals, I am Naroma. I was just a seamstress but I know a little about first aid. As soon as we are Union, I am going to join the medical services.”

The half-naked former slave she was treating looked at the Derma-Patcher on his arm and he said. “I was a Drak doctor and sent to the Smelter moons because I treated Ithe with the same care and with medicine reserved for the Drak. I too want to help as soon as I can.”

He took my hand. “Thank you for my freedom, Captain Velvet. Is it true we are going to be Union members?”

I sighed and said. “That is a question you need to answer once this planet is united. It is not something I can decide for you.”

Naroma pulled the Derma-Patcher and the Drak doctor stared with amazement at the barely visible patch of lighter skin. Then his fingers grazed over it and he said. “How could we possibly decide otherwise? What good could I do with technology like that, this is a surgeon’s dream.”

I let them be and looked for Ninety, finding him standing with a large group of Ithe. To him I said. “We don’t have too much time, do you have enough volunteers?”

He wrinkled his snout and showed me his formidable teeth. By now I knew it was a Togar smile.”We have enough to fill ten ships.”

A Karthanian pushed himself to the front of the group and he said. “Remember me Captain Velvet?”

I said. “I am sorry but I am not able to differentiate between Karthanian Individuals.”

He said. “I am Grtonner Icylemh; I knew you would not turn your back on Ithe. I am here to help and I am here to go with you to the Smelter Moons and then to Karthania to wake the First Engineer.”

I said to him. “Mr. Icylemh we need to do things one at a time. I hope we can free the slaves on the Smelter Moons and get the ball rolling, but I don’t think we have the resources or the time to go to Karthania itself. Besides the First Engineer wasn’t too friendly towards the Union while he was in charge. What makes you think he will change his mind even if we manage to wake him?”

The Karthanian said. “That is not true and there is much misunderstanding. It is not the Union the First Engineer objected to, quite the opposite is true. It is the Mega Corporations, especially Schwartz Intergalactic that he objected to. We are engineers and builders and the Union is a huge market where we could sell our products, but as long as SII and the others manage to paint us as an outsider and an enemy we can’t.”

Har-Hi who had joined us said. “We don’t even know who or what this First Engineer is.”

Icylemh turned his bony head to Har-Hi. “The first Engineer is the minds of two-thousand Guild masters, linked to a Computronic and melted into a new being over the thousand years it has existed. It is your famous Mothermachine who helped creating it, long before the X101 became Union Members.”

I said. “Somehow I expected something like that, especially since we met those towering war machines with brains of Karthanian soldiers.”

The Karthanian space dock owner said. “Space ships need very advanced Computronics and we are not as successful creating completely artificial AI components as your Union tech are. We always used biotronic components based on living minds.”

Har-Hi gave me a long look and then said. “Well as it may be, I am ready to take on the local weapon mystery. Shea, Narth and I need to go and meet the Chauffeur.”

I wished him luck and I wanted to join them, but I had an appointment with the Overseers on the Smelter Moons.