Note transfer : Brhama Port Edit -3



Chapter 2: Brhama Port



The Half Kermac sitting behind his desk eyed us suspiciously as I placed a 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 do want to mine, buy a license from us.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">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."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">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 rifle over his back. His face and head hidden, behind a black helmet with mirrored face plate, he had borrowed from Three Four.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Har-Hi wore his red Dai Leather with all the knives, weapons and swords in place. He had covered the Glyph of his Clan with a skull and crossed bones. A symbol, Shea assured us was something Pre Astro pirates were famous for.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">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.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">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.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I said to him:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"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."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">He nodded.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"To tell the truth Captain Velvet, you will not get the same price you would get at Kaliment or Sin 4, but I am sending my brother Koornt, and he will check the ship. I will contact you later today with the price we are willing to pay."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I agreed that this would be acceptable and left the Asteroid Managers office.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">–""-

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">This time we were all ourselves as we entered the same tavern. The barkeeper eyed us with interest for about five seconds, took our orders and lost interest after we paid him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We found ourselves a table and sat down.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I had no clear plan what we should do next and at this point I decided to just stir the pot a little and then wait and see what would happen. One point on my agenda was to put the Bassett Family out of business permanently.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">If I could manage to somehow destroy this Asteroid Base it would take away a Pirate Base and Hideaway. 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.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">However I could not do it openly as Black Velvet. As well armed my Karthanian ship appeared to be; destroying a 300 kilometer asteroid was far beyond its capabilities. The real Tigershark on the other hand carried several P bombs, they most certainly would do the trick, but using one would expose our true identity. P Bombs were a distinctive Union weapon, but perhaps a few well-placed timed charges in their environmental machinery going off a day or two after we left would smoke out this nest of crooks.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Oghar Pirate and the Captain of the Swift Profit were still here and it looked like as if they contemplated talking to us.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Sure enough, Captain Swift got up and came over, made a theatrical bow, tipping his forehead: "I am Curtis Swift, Captain of the Swift Profit and I gather you are the famous Black Velvet. Since I assume we might be in a similar line of business, I thought I'd introduce myself."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I eyed him up and down and said: "And what line of business would that be?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"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 or their rules."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">He pointed at the big table:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"This is called the Captain's Table and I am sure Crimson would like to get to know you, just as I. He is the ugly Oghar over there."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Before I could respond, everyone turned to a sudden commotion at the tavern's entrance. A rowdy looking crew entered, led by a flashy dressed humanoid with blue skin. He was without a doubt a Thauran. I sighed deeply and muttered every curse I knew. How far did I have to go to not meet any of those blue skinned bastards?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">He was accompanied by two Oghar males and three most likely real, mangy looking Jooltar warriors. That there were also four more blue skinned Thauran three males and a female in that group explained the noise and the air of self-importance they displayed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">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 to who would win.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Narth responded to my question with his psionic voice in my mind:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"I doubt the Kermac would want a thrall species that is equally as good as they in the only field the Kermac really excel."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I expressed my surprise:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Never did I think you would say something like this. Not that I mind, but sarcasm wasn't something I associate with a Narth."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">His thoughts felt clearly amused as he said:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"One might point out that we shared the Hugavh and that is a two way process as I said before I slowly adapt some of your characteristics as you adapt to mine. Secondly it is we Narth who observed many of the civilizations for a very long time, and the Kermac have inherited this haughtiness and superciliousness from the UNI.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">This arrogant, self-importance is of course not completely alien to you 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."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">While I conversed with Narth on our silent mental level, I watched the new group and so did everyone else, including Captain Swift.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I said to Narth:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"I don't completely understand it, yet it is in a way also part of my heritage, being of an Old Clan on Nilfeheim is something similar. 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."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Narth didn't respond because I knew he was contemplating what I just had said and put it through his incomprehensible way of analyzing things.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Now he responded saying:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"My way of analyzing things is not completely incomprehensible, Shea understands it well."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I wanted to tell him, that not everyone had an IQ of 400, when Captain Swift rolled his eyes and said to me:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"That is Captain Dentar Bloom of the Roughnir. Even among our colorful and free society of space-faring professionals he is not what you would call good company."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Dentar Bloom yelled to the barkeeper:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Solik, Tambark and Brohmir Sweat to my table and bring plenty, you three armed cretin!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Bloom and his posse sat down at a table not far from us. Bloom was wearing a gaudy costume in bright red and blue colors, with golden buttons and a wide shimmering dark yellow sash draped from his right shoulder to his left hip. His wide belt held an assortment of blasters. He looked

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">around with a disapproving expression in his face and then waved at Crimson:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Of all the ugly sights in the Galaxy, you my dear Crimson are the ugliest. Be so kind and switch chairs so I don't have to look at you!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Oghr Captain spat an incomprehensible curse like response into Blooms direction. Even though I did not understand it, I was sure it wasn't a compliment.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Barkeep came to our table to serve the drinks we had ordered. The loudmouth Thauran complained:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"I ordered and expect to be served first. Don't waste time with the riff raff!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Barkeeper turned and said:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"First pay the tab you left from the last time, eighty Full weights!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Bloom put his hand on a nasty looking boarding saber.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"The Solar winds and the Blessed Blue Virgin were not with us the past few months as usual. None of the loot we gathered is cash, but I have a hold full of valuable merchandise. We will make good profit at the market on Sin 4, but I needed to stop here for fuel. So bring the drinks, I pay you when we come back. So I think you will extend our credit now!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Barkeep pointed with one of his arms to the ceiling and to a set of remote controlled Neuro Rippers.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"You don't scare me Captain Bloom, I may only have three arms but I assure you it isn't wise to agitate a Pertharian. Now pay up or leave. This establishment is for paying customers."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">This obviously didn't sit too well with the flashy dressed Thauran. He talked to one of his officers and the Oghar left. He then said:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"I guess I need to liquidate some of my assets now. I will hold a little auction.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. What I have to offer will satisfy both your appetites. “

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">It did not take long and the Oghar came back dragging a beautiful white Togar female behind him. She wore a metal collar and both her hands were attached to it with short chains, making her choke at every move. The cruel metal band had rubbed her raw and there was crusted blood all around the collar. Her legs were kept apart by a steel rod that had cuffs on each end, allowing her to move only with small circular steps.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I didn't like Togar and only a short time ago I wanted to kill them all, but seeing this poor female treated like that made me wish I could twist the head of that blue skinned bastard with my bare hands.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Her eyes were big and green, and she had a pink nose, that reminded me of the little Holdian Commander. This female could not talk as she was muzzled with several layers of tape around her short snout.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The three armed Pertharian protested saying:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Are you insane, Bloom? The Togar aren't too far from here and they can send war ships just fine if they think we allow Togar females to be sold."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">With a dismissive gesture, Bloom said:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"She is an outcast. She is a wanted criminal and I could get good money for her from any Togar male. She might be good in the Arenas but you all know how nice a Togar female can be to human males, if she is properly restrained of course. Now I know you, Captain Swift, and that's why I brought her in. The opening bid is 100 Polos."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">As disgusting as the sale was, the lusting gaze in Swifts face and the dirty jokes and unveiled shouted fantasies of the miners was even worse. It was one of the miners who said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"I give you the 100 Polos."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">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. Not for a Togar, I didn't like in the first place.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The bidding was at 600 Polos now and it looked like a burly looking human miner had the deeper pockets, as Swift was not raising his hand again.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I said:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"1000 Polos"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">and almost surprised myself, but I couldn't let her be sold into a fate so cruel. Maybe I could keep her in stasis and later let her go somewhere safe.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">My bid put all eyes on me and the Thauran Captain noticed me, saying:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Who are you? I sell to anyone but you have to have the cash."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"I got the Polo's anything else is unimportant."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Swift introduced me with a gesture.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"She's the famous and mysterious Black Velvet."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Thauran made a mocking bow and said:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"A Thousand Polos, Full-weight, have been bid for this wild, soft furred promise of pleasure. Do I hear any other bids?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Narth whispered:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Hans and the Golden are on their way with the money. What do you want done with the Togar female?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Have Cateria check her out and then I guess put her in Stasis till we can let her go somewhere safe. Maybe we can find out where she belongs and see if we can get her as close as possible."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"This might prove difficult, as she isn't what the Thauran claimed she is."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"She isn't Togar?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"She is, but I think we might have purchased what you would call big trouble."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I didn't like what I was hearing and silently responded:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Can you be more specific than that?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"I shall accompany her to the ship and probe deeper and then let you know."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Hans stomped in, and his massive appearance silenced the crowd.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The huge Saturnian looked absolutely frightening in his version of a pirate costume. He wore a crisscrossing harness similar to the one Har-Hi had, across his enormous chest, but his was made out of flat links of Ultronit plates riveted onto thick leather. A full sized Nul Gravitor Cannon across his back. His knee high boots, also reinforced with armor plates and thick soles, had the appearance that he could kick a battle robot to scrap. The knuckles of his gauntlet style gloves sported metal spikes; on his head he wore a skull tight leather mask that left the chin and mouth open, with a crest of needle sharp looking metal spikes. He looked like a demonic nightmare version of a dungeon torturer right out of the horror Visuals that Mao loved to watch.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Sobody who accompanied my security chief 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 signified him to be an outcast of the Golden society.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The metal grating of the floor was vibrating and made the glasses on the tables dance as Hans stomped across the room and to my table and placed a heavy steel reinforced chest before me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Sobody unlocked it with an electronic key he wore around his neck and bowed before me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Captain, your purse, as requested,

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Pay that Thauran a1000 Polos."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Captain Swift whistled through his teeth as Sobody opened the chest filled to the brim with Polo coins packed in clear plastic bags and handed the speechless Thauran two of them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Two bags of 500 each."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Narth got up and whispered to Hans, who took the struggling and terrified looking Togar cat like a toy doll across his shoulder, and left the place.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Until now it had been quiet. Bloom, looking at the two bags of money he held, said:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"By the blessed Blue Virgin, that I call no-nonsense business. You seem to run a tight ship and have gathered a capable crew, respect, respect!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The three armed Pertharian held out two of his hands.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Now that you have money, I think you need to pay your tab."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Since the Barkeeper held the remote control of the Neuro Ripper in his third hand and the projector heads moved with an audible hum, targeting the Thauran, the blue skinned Captain obliged, but he didn't like it one bit as was evident by his facial expression.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">After he had paid the Pertharian he came to our table with his crew right behind him. He eyed the heavy chest still sitting there before me and said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"You would not be in the market for 800 tons of fine Togar merchandise?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I sipped at my Dai Beer and said:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"No, I am not."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"You see, I have a hold full of that stuff, and it will sell on Sin 4 or Kaliment for good money. The trouble is, I am a tad short on fuel and these tight Bassett Bastards don't give credit."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I raised my head and looked at him:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"And why are you boring me with your problems? I am sure the miners here always have need for cheap laborers and after a year or two you'll have enough money to buy fuel, I suppose."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">He sucked in air and said pointing his finger at me:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"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."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Har Hi said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Touch that chest and you touch nothing ever again with your own hands."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">His men drew weapons and he said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Do the math, Dai, ten against three."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Barkeep yelled:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"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 any damages."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Now Crimson Curse got up, smashing his fist onto the metal table so hard it left a sizeable dent.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">   "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 is our custom."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">About twenty beings got up at once. It appeared Crimson was here with a sizeable part of his crew.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Bloom raised his arms.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Well, so be it then. I fight the female and get the Polos, what a splendid suggestion Ugly Crimson!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Har-Hi shook his head.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"That is a bad idea, reconsider. Fight me instead, I let you live/"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Bloom laughed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"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."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I got up so fast my chair flew and crashed into something behind me. I flanked over the table and raked both of my boot heels across his face and throat.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">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 were terrible weapons at close quarter.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Bloom staggered backward his hands trying to stop the flowing blood s from his throat wound. I pulled my Colt 45 and the ancient handgun roared twice and the heavy lead slugs tore into the head of the recovering Oghr I had kicked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Bloom had dropped to his knees, and there was an expression of pain and the certain knowledge of impending death on his face as he reached out with his other hand towards me. There was no mercy in my heart and no feeling of remorse as pointed the hot muzzle of the antique colt at his forehead and ended his misery with a gory explosion of blood and brain. Deep down in a far corner of my consciousness, I did remember the Steiner boy and wondered what I have become.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Har Hi had been right behind me with both swords drawn. He had torn through several of Blooms crew with lightning speed and beautiful almost dance like moves. His face was relaxed as ever as Bloom's men literally fell to pieces into a gruesome heap of severed body parts right behind him. The female pirate stared at her arm stumps, her hands lying on the floor still clutching the   blaster she had drawn only a second ago.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">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.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Even our Golden turned out to be much more than just an old man of a dwarflike 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 was deadly and gruesome. One of the Thauran crew members fell to the floor cut in half!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Sobody glared at the remaining men and said to his dead victim: "No one pulls a dagger on my Captain!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I looked around and said:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Anyone else thinking I can't play with the big boys? Step on up!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">All this had happened so fast that Crimson was still standing.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Swift whistled again.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Holy shit!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Har-Hi carefully cleaned his blades with a piece of silk he always carried and said as he put them away.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"I did warn him, I might have just clipped an ear of his head.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Crimson spat towards the dead pirates, sat back down and said:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"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."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">One of the surviving crewmembers of Bloom's group said:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"What of me and the rest of the crew? Are we to report to your ship?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I nodded.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“That’s right. Go get everyone and report to the Silver Streak."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Har-Hi said:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"I'll make sure they are properly accommodated."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I took a seat at the Captain's table as a representative of the Bassett family approached.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"I am Koomt Bassett and I can make you an offer for both ships."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I pointed to the Golden and said:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"My Quartermaster will take care of that."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Sobody grinned from ear to ear and went to a different table immediately starting to haggle with the Bassett man.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Swift looked at me with an expression of respect and a hint of fear:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"You certainly live up to your legend and then some."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Crimson quaffed another tankard of Oghar brew and ordered a plate of Lum-Lum Chews and then he said with his deep growling voice:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"It is a good thing you dealt with that Thauran. Otherwise I would have. He was just like that cursed Red Dragon and his Sinister Alliance, stirring things up too much."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">He looked around and leaned forward.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"He keeps poking the Union like he did and they might simply roll in. and then all our days are counted."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Swift shrugged.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"I was considering flying to Itheamh, finding out where their secret meeting place is and then joining the Sinister Alliance. There are rumors they plan for something big."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Crimson took one of the Lum-Lums but did not eat, instead he said:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"What need do we have for alliances? Is it not the very reason that we do what we do to be free of other men's rules? What good did his last big raid do him? He limped away with a singed aft and no one that went with him retuned."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I shrugged and played the uninformed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"I took a long tour and haven't been in touch with the news lately. Did they attack a Union outpost or something like that?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Crimson chewed with his massive jaws and gave Swift a side look from his small yellow eyes and said after he swallowed:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"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. Barely 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. If he has some personal vendetta against the Union, let him do it on his own. I'd rather be dead than fly with his Sinister Alliance."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">He grabbed another Lum-Lum and bit into it with resolve.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Swift drank a greenish thick liquid that smelled strongly of fermented fruits.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Maybe you are right, you're in this business longer than most."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Bassett Brother came to me sighed while pointing at Sobody who looked as pleased as a Nubhir wolf that got the big bone.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"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."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Sobody got up and came over as well.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"I am going with my new friend Kroon and make sure we get paid."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I smiled at him and said:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"You did well, I assume?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Considering the location and the small market, yes Captain."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">After they left Crimson finished a sixth Lum-Lum and said:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Well I am off to go back to business and I suggest you both do the same."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">He leaned forward once again and lowered his voice as much as he could.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"This region isn't going to be safe much longer."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Swift made a surprised face.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Why are you saying this? This is still Freespace!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Crimson touched his jeweled encrusted gold encased tusk.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"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 wrath. The Bassetts made a killing on Dai scrap, as you know, and he will need lots of raw materials for the Dai Factory Ships if he attacks the Union, which I am certain, is his next move."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Swift waved his hand.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">" I actually heard the same rumor on Itheamh, the Bassetts have a defense alliance with the Togar and those cats aren't far from here. Togar do keep their contracts, their Queen is known for it."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Crimson placed a few Iridium coins on the table and said:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"I care not what you believe, but it 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 such an unimportant partner as the Bassetts. I think Cam Elf-Na has the power to take on almost anyone in Freespace. 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 to be too hot for any individual space ship."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">With those words the Oghar Captain got up and left.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Swift said:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"I am heading for Sin 4. I got a hold full of loot and the pirate market there, is the best place to sell it. If you're heading that direction, Velvet, we could fly together. Two ships are safer than one."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I nodded in agreement.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"As a matter of fact, I am going that way too. So yes, it might be a good idea. I am leaving within the hour as well."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">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 Zero Stasis Box if he was lucky.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Pertharian cleaned the table of empty mugs and plates and pointed at the dead pirates.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Do you want them or can I clean up?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"No I have no need for bodies, what do I owe you for the clean-up."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"I sell their gear and whatever change and money they have on them will do for payment."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Swift stretched his arms.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"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."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">He gestured towards the Pertharian who loaded the dead onto a sturdy hover cart.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Besides the next batch of Lum-Lums might be ala Thauran. Care to join me for dinner?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Maybe some other time. I have a ship to attend to, and I prefer the fair served in my galley over anyway,"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">He laughed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"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 in the Harpir's Lion top tier. If not we will talk tomorrow when we leave for Sin 4."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">--“”—

<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">About twenty minutes after I too had left the tavern, I sat in my ready room and had a secure connection to Admiral McElligott and I finished my report saying.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"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."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">McElligott leaned back in his chair and in doing so allowed the visual sensors of his GalNet 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 books. There was a strange triangular brass object on his desk and a few PDD's strewn around. He noticed me looking and said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"This is a Sextant; it is a nautical instrument I had to learn to use when I was a Midshipman in his majesties Navy. King George that is, May he rest in Peace.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">   He then tabbed one of his PDD's.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">”The information on Cam Elf-Na confirms a few other reports I have and we are moving assets in the area to respond quickly if he decides to do that.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">If he attacks from that direction there we should be able to see that on our long range sensors and have an idea from where he might attack. 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.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I will be talking to Har-Hi's father right after we are done to see what he thinks we can do to prepare."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"I am sure Har-Hi will be glad to hear his father is consulted by you."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">McElligott smiled.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Kar-Hi is more than the leader of a new Union member. He is a direct advisor to me and Fleet Command. I consider him a friend and his advice is sound and tempered with wisdom and experience.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">He sighed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“The advice of our other friend I am sure you can guess."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"I would not be able to guess the tactical and strategic decisions, Admiral Stahl might make, Sir."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Tell me what you would do if you were me and faced with a possible Dai Incursion?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I shrugged.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"I am barely getting used to be in command of a ship, Sir."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Just humor me."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"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 Corps of Engineers beef up our outposts and every floating rock with Exo-Load Cannons and as much Loki Batteries as possible. I make sure the Devi and First Fleet is in the region as well. Certainly a group of Attikan Fast Battle ships to run first response would be a good idea too. Then spread a rumor of a juicy colony with lots of loot. After all this 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."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The old man actually giggled and wiped a tear out of his eyes and said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"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 is more or less exactly   what he wants to do."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I was certain I had grown a few centimeters in my seat with the deep pride that filled my chest.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"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."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The eternal Soldier walked into the visual pick up.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"You certainly are, Son. Stay with Swift, clip his wings if you can. Also we would like to get more intel on Bhrama Port. We suspect them to be way more than a mining community . There is significant Union Mil Tech Smuggling traced to that region. Remember your bearded friend from   Richter 4?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Yes Sir, his pet almost killed me.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“ We found evidence in his ship that what he dealt with the Bassetts. Whatever he managed to take from Richter 4 before you stopped him appears to have been delivered to that asteroid base.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">McElligott swiped his order authorization into the terminal on his end.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Neutralize   Swift and   return to Bhrama Port. Find out if the Bassetts are directly connected to the Mil Tech smuggling operations, where it went and if they still have some.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Stahl put both of his fists on the surface of Elligott’s desk and leaned forward.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“You know how I feel about all this cloak and dagger stuff, Son. However even I have to agree that some of it is necessary. The recent audit you kicked off on Arsenal not so long ago and the big audit the old highlander next to me has ordered, shows that we are missing more than we thought. “

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Translocators, Sir?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Thankfully not, the Translocator arsenal is complete and accounted for, but there are P Bombs missing, Loki Torpedoes of the latest type complete with launch systems. I don’t have to tell you but Kermac ships with Loki batteries would be bad news.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">No he did not, Loki torpedoes were the second best thing right after Translocator Cannons. These incredibly smart weapons had a tremendous range, could linger for years, cloak and accelerate so fast, it made a Wolfcraft look like a snail compared to a rifle bullet. Four or five were enough to bring down the shields of a Union Battle Ship and a volley of ten was its certain doom.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">McElligott poured himself a glass of Whiskey.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“You are not alone out there, girl and we are not in this business just since yesterday. You doing a good job so far and we going to send the Shadowrunner   your way so you can rendevouz with her. She will take all the prisoners of your hands, bring phys-mail and supplies. She will contact you when in the region, so don’t go too far.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Stahl helped himself to a glass as well.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"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 keep you posted if we get any additional information on that and of course do the same if you run across anything as usual."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Yes, Sir of course."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Stahl put the empty glass down.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"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. After that I think we can give you guys a break and you can come home to Richter Base and take that vacation we promised."