Eric Olafson, Captain Black Velvet 13

Chapter 13

After we had witnessed the end of Duke Donheer and had returned to the ship, I had one more grave and sad duty to perform.

I tugged at my completely black uniform jacket after I stepped out of the Auto Dresser. This uniform had no patches, no ribbons and did not have the white lining, only three golden rings around the cuffs of my sleeve. I did not look forward to what I had to do, but he was one of our own and it was a good and old tradition to take care of our own. The good and the bad. It was my duty alone and it would be on my consciousness alone. I straightened my posture and walked into the empty Hangar bay.

The entire crew except those who had to keep the most essential duty posts were assembled.

At my sign, two Marines brought in Wintsun. He had been dressed in a Midshipman uniform but all rank insignia had been removed.

He looked around and then he recognized Krabbel and I was sure he now realized that the Saturnian without his flashy helmet and arena armour was Hans. His green face paled as he saw Narth. Then his eyes found me and he spat on the floor. “I have nothing to do with your fleet anymore. I quit and I am going my own way. This is Freespace and your jurisdiction ended 1300 light years from here.”

I said. “Wintsun can you explain to me why you have changed so much, Limbur, Galmy, Olia, Narth and I were your friends. What made you go this way?”

He squinted his eyes. “I don’t remember ever seeing you before. Who are you?”

I answered him. “You knew me as Eric Olafson and we were friends.”

He looked me up and down and said. “I thought we sent you to the Kermac? What’s with the chick outfit? Did the Kermac turn your mind or something?”

I sighed. “The plan of Dent and his cronies did not pan out as they thought it would. They have all paid for their crimes and for their treason. I have your Mind Dump file and could check it, but I want to hear it from you.”

He shrugged. “I never liked that creepy Narth, you and him becoming buddies and all that, but it started on Perryton during our first leave right in the Data Head shop. That arrogant chick Galmy showing us all how rich she was and making me feel small by paying for my data head equipment. Then a guy approached me and asked if I would be interested to become rich on my own by doing a few favors for the Worm. In turn he promised me a prestigious spot at the Newport academy, fast promotion and lots of credits. Looking back at it, it might have been a bad decision, but it was fun for the most part.”

I didn’t really know what to say to that but I did say.”Galmy did that, not to put you down, but to show you her friendship.”

He rolled his eyes. “I spit on you all’s friendship. I wanted Olia but no, she only had only eyes for that brute Limbur and he was supposed to be my best friend. I spit on them and I spit on you,”

Then he made a disgusted face and said while looking at me. “I guess you posed as Black Velvet and that means I almost raped my own academy buddy, and a transvestite at that, what a hoot.”

I straightened my stance and said. “And now you will pay for all your deeds according to our laws and traditions.”

Wintsun shrugged. “So what? I know my rights, we are in Freespace. You have no jurisdiction to arrest me here or even be here with a warship and be in uniforms on Union business.”

I noticed the steel edge in my voice as I said. “You are a deserter. You have been found guilty in absence of treason and murder by a Military Court. You escaped Newport stealing a military transport, murdering two officers and four enlisted and selling Union Military Technology. In your short criminal career you really out did some who do that their entire life.You are board a vessel fully commissioned by the United Stars of the Galaxies and thus Union ground.”

I held up his memory chip. “I know it was you who whipped me at the post. I promised you then justice will prevail and now it has.”

He laughed. “Yes it was me and I enjoyed it. It took me a little but you cried and squealed like the pig you are at the end!”

I took my gloves from my belt and put them on. “Everything that needs to be said has been said and you show no remorse and therefore I deny you the mercy I could give.”

With a gesture I signalled the crew and everyone put on their hoods and I said. “No hand shall be soiled by the task of exterminating you from our society and no face will show sorrow for you. By the laws and traditions set forth in this our United Stars of the Galaxies Navy, you are a traitor to your society and it has been judged that you shall hang by the neck until you are dead.”

Wintsun stopped laughing as the Marines started the drum roll and he was dragged to the raised platform that was actually a Landing tank elevator. I followed and said to the Marine Sergeant, echoing Stahl’s words: “You may stand back, Sarge. I must do my own dirty work.”

“Aye Captain!”

Wintsun now saw the noose hanging down and his facial expression changed. His hateful expression left and now he looked just like I saw him the very first time. “Please, don’t do it. You always knew a solution to a problem. Can we not talk about it?”

I answered. “I would have tried to find another way but not now, since I know it was you who shot Narth. I gave you a chance to show remorse moments ago. The time to talk has passed. You are now paying for your crimes according to our laws.”

He struggled but the Marines manhandled him without problems and I said. “Do you want a blindfold?”

He nodded with tearful eyes and I placed a black hood over his head and then the rope. His breath was moving the fabric of the hood. I knew this image would follow me for the rest of my life. “May whatever God you worship have mercy on you.”

I stepped of the elevator platform and pressed the control that lowered it away from his feet. He kicked a few times and then hung still.

Gray Nul

CH 12: GRAY NUL

I could not even think about sleep after executing a living being. This was completely different than a combat kill. So I went to the pool and took a long swim. The clear cold water, as always did wonders to my state of mind. While I was submerged I wondered if there was something like an immortal soul and if that was so, did I add to my eternal damnation by executing Wintsun? I certainly hoped the visions I glimpsed on Coven were not the hell of sinners after all. If such a place existed, Hel might have already prepared a very special place for me. I was about to close my eyes a little and simply drift when SHIP’s voice reached me. “Sorry Captain, but you are needed.”

So I surfaced and Har-Hi stood by the pool holding a towel.

He said. “There is a situation outside the ship; I thought you’d want to know about it.”

I climbed out of the pool and dried myself and said. “SHIP give me a field screen, please.”

My Dai friend explained while the view screen established itself before me. “There is a grey Nul outside our force field and it looks like he is badly wounded. As you can see there is a gang of other beings hunting him.”

I saw the Nul, his left arm hung from his body and he was oozing yellowish blood from several wounds. He threw rocks and pieces of Duro Crete towards a horde of twenty beings mocking him and taking pot shots.

I jumped into the Auto Dresser and dialed for my Pirate Outfit.

Seconds later Har-Hi was running beside me to the next IST and said. “He is a Nul, Captain. They are our enemies. They have never shown any mercy. Remember Lt. Voglgard? I thought you wanted to see him die.”

I turned my head as we stepped into the IST. “Yes I remember the two Wolfcraft pilots and I know Voglgard was killed while he was in space. I was there, but that does not mean we have to be the same way. Let’s see what he wants. He did come here for a reason.You would not have come to the pool if you think the situation was as simple as you now make it sound.”

The IST shaft extended to the ground and released us below my ship. I ran towards the force field border where the Nul stood.

Below my ship and without a slide belt or other transportation I realized just how big the Tigershark really was. So I increased my running speed, of course Har-Hi had no problem keeping up and he said with grin on his face to me: “It is an unfair situation the Nul is in and that’s why you fought for him at the arena as well.”

He could not see my grin as I said. “I guess I am predictable after all.”

Har-Hi responded. “You are one of the biggest mysteries I came across in my life, but yes in certain situations I think I know what motivates you.”

We had almost reached the edge but there was time for me to say. “That is a strange thing to say. I thought we were getting to know each other pretty good by now.”

He chuckled and said. “True enough, but for one I can’t figure out how you manage to run in heels like that, I would break my neck and I know you didn’t have a lifetime of practice like Shea. And then there is this whole female part of you. I knew you as Eric and we served many months together and now you are a woman. You are still my best friend and I accept you like that just as I have before, but I don’t understand it.”

I slowed down as we were almost there and said. “I don’t think about the heels, I almost tripped as you mentioned them and for the other part, I can’t even answer that to myself. I feel guilty somehow every time I talk to Admiral Stahl.”

I stopped less than a meter from the Nul, all that separated us was the insubstantial, barely visible barrier of the shields. “SHIP can you make the shields transparent for sound where I am?”

She responded right away saying: “Yes Captain, you can talk to the Nul now.”

Before I could say something to the huge alien, a blaster shot hammered into the shield right before me, perhaps even aimed at me but only a few centimeters away from the Nul, his grey skin discolored from the intense heat to a scarred black.

I said into the same audio pick up I had addressed SHIP and said: “Tactical, fire a warning shot at those goons and I don’t mind if you singe a few of these cowards.”

Mao responded with a crisp Aye and an eye blink later, an arm thick bright white beam of energy pulsed from somewhere above us and converted a long trench of liquefied Concrete and trash into white hot glowing magma. Whoever was left of the now considerable smaller mob scrambled to find cover.

Having the pause I needed, I addressed the Nul. “What do you want here?”

He looked horrible, not because he was a Nul, but because he was injured all over his body and was barely able to stand. He said with a voice that was inhumanly deep but sounded weak. “I know you are human and we are enemies...” The Nul stumbled and it appeared he kept on his feet by sheer will power. “I have no place to go; the entire planet’s population appears to hunt me because I am Nul. You are an enemy but you are a warrior born as I have seen you fight and heard what you said to the Pertharians. I do not want to die by the hands of rabble and scum, so I am here to challenge you to a fight. I will die by the hands of an enemy that has honor.”

His pillar like legs buckled, and he groaned as he pushed himself back up.

I said. “SHIP, Med Bots to my position, stat. Also, alert two Marines in full Battle Armor and make me a structural gap where I am.”

Har Hi drew a sword and a blaster at the same time as SHIP responded to my orders.I stepped through the hole in our shield and said to the Nul. “I accept your challenge but there is no honor to fight you in this condition. My Med Staff is on the way and we will treat you.”

He groaned something I did not understand and then collapsed. The Med Bots arrived along with the Marines and to them I said. “Bots take the Nul to sick bay and you marines do not let him out of your sight. If he shows any hostile intentions, constrain or terminate him.”

DIMON

He finally got a break and came across a small crowd standing by several mangled bodies of various beings. He heard the word Nul and a Oghr pointed in the direction of the space port. “That Nul isn’t too fresh anymore. I think that monster went in circles before it decided to go towards the port.”

Dimon had to kill twice, as it was not a good idea to be on foot at Sin 4 at any time of the day.

He didn’t dare to go to his ship or some other resource to properly equip himself for the fear he might lose the trail.

This was the reason he didn’t hire a Taxi either, he had to follow the Nul on foot and hoped he would reach him in time. Sin 4 was a deadly place no matter what race you belonged to.

The Nul did first turn north and away from the port, but why was he running to the port? May trying to commander a spaceship.

Nul were neither common nor much liked by anyone, and the chances someone opened fire just to kill was very likely.

In all this he had to agree with his Nul contact. The Seer of Narl Gatu was right, the Nul was alive and in Freespace, but the chances he remained that way were very slim.

Dimon feared intergalactic war and the death of the Gray Nul on Sin 4 would almost guarantee it.

He also knew that he was far to self confident. He could have not bested that Dai, not with any weapon. That Dai was no mere Dai Than but had the training and even more the skills of a Juth-Ni. That Dai could have cleared the arena on his own, against them all. That this Dai Than warrior god followed her, was even more alluring to him.

A badly aimed pot shot burned a hole in the wall of a building only a handswith away from his head.

He had to concentrate on the situation at hand and tried to put his thoughts about the pirate lady into the back of his head. Dimon returned fire with a Kermac line blaster, he had taken of an Arena guard.

His shots were equally poorly aimed, as he did not even see who had fired at him. He just returned a few blasts into the same direction, while he ran across the street and up the stairs that led to the shallow crater rim, where the Gorotolah space port terminal used to be, most of it had been turned to ashes by a Union corporate security ship. Dimon wasn’t here but he had heard the story. Fools with a DE turret actually opened fire on a Schwartz security ship.

Dimon was only an identity, he really was the Purple worm. He was a criminal and he knew that, but compared to the secret, hidden evil of the SII corporation, the Worm was a club of saints. Rex Schwartz was much more of a criminal than he ever was.

He was on the right track as he came across two badly mangled bodies.One a Lapdir Oghr and the other looked like a Jooltar both clearly victims of a close combat attack of something much stronger.

The Jooltar gargled and showed that he was still alive. That the Lapdir was dead, there was no question. A heavy piece of duro-crete had rendered most of his head into a gorey mess.

“End it for me.” The Jooltar pleaded with a weak cough.

“The Nul?”

“No two Petharians. The Nul was in no shape to do much, I am sure you find him dead too.”

Dimon did the mercy killing and went on, rushing from cover to cover. Some half molten support beams and larger rubble pieces. He had completely forgotten about the Petharians. If they caught up with the Nul, they had no problem killing the wounded prince.

In the distance a sudden bright flash illuminated a Karthanian Armed Trader, the ship had fired some kind of Thermo plasma weapon. He could hear the loud crack and the screams of those close to be singed but too far from being killed.

Moments later, a wild mob of scavengers and low scum came running and limping. Some of them covered with blisters and nasty burn wounds. He grabbed a Fendrian, who was looking over his shoulder noticing the Half Dai too late.”Have you seen a Nul?”

“We chased that brute all the way to that pirate ship and then it opened fire. The Nul and many others are ashes. Let me go!”

Dimon did let the pelted Fendrian go and he too turned. He had lost, the Gray Nul was dead. Killed by Thermo blasts from the Silver Streak. Their crew probably still waiting for their feisty captain to return, nervous and trigger happy. Shooting at anything that seemed threatening. A Nul appearing running over the landing field certainly presented such a target.

Dimon wondered where the Gray Nul wanted to go, but then tracing his erratic escape path, he was most likely just running without knowing where to go.

Now Dimon faced the difficult task to inform the Nul that their promised new leader was dead.

The Nul was not the only visitor that night; the two Petharians arrived at our shield base minutes later. They too were wounded, but not seriously as far as I could tell. One of them said to me through the shield: “We are here, Pirate woman, you said to us to come here if we want to see the Union again. We are Union Citizens and do not want to be taken as slaves again, but even Pertharians have little options on this cursed world.”

I responded. “On my word I will not enslave you and I meant what I said in the arena.”

Narth spoke into my mind. “Those are first year academy cadets, very young and despite being Pertharians, quite frightened.”

With this information I had ship open the shield and I said to them. “Cadets, get in here on the double!”

They responded before they even realized what they were doing. One of them asked. “How do you know we are Cadets?”

Only after SHIP had the shields opaque to sound I said. “I am Captain Olafson and this is the USS Tigershark. I don’t know how soon we can get you home and back to the academy, but for now you are safe.This is a Union ship and we are Union officers.”

They both saluted and snapped into attention and one snarled. “Officer on deck.”

I sighed with a smile on my lips. “Don’t do the saluting out here, let’s get you inside.”

As they stepped out of the IST and into the main corridor of Deck 5 they saw two Marines waiting for them, one being a Petharian, too.

The slightly bigger one said. “The center be praised, this is a Union ship! Captain, Ma’am, I am Cadet Clubb and that is Cadet Dorth and we were abducted on Planet Perryton just as we went for our first R&R. Dorth and I followed a phony Master Chief who promised us a good time in an Orglatron. Instead we were paralyzed and sold here to the Arena.”

I said. “Sergeant Lemrr here will take you to sick bay, where our MD will check you out. Then you will report to Lt. Neugruber and give him a detailed report and a description so we can send CID to Perryton.”

Even though both of them were inhuman Petharians, I could almost physically feel their relief as they followed the Marines. Remembering my first adventure on this cursed planet I knew how they felt.

I ended the day with a late dinner at the Den and then I did find some sleep after all.

Shipmaster Turdin Masab had watched some of the action on the landing field. He saw the bright plasma bolt that dug a deep trench of liquified concrete, rubble and at least a dozen Sin 4 scavengers. He had missed the reason why they were there, but he had seen the results of the last altrucation. He didn’t know exactly what happened to the Hegor and the Tight Squeeze, but it involved agitated scavengers and surface pirate scum. He decided that the Gorotolah was becoming to dangerous for his taste, Sin 4 had other places to land. Although not as big or as convenient close to the upcoming market, but a good distance from the Donheer district.

He figured that the explosion that leveled the Donheer compound might had to do with all the comotion. The small landing field to the east, completely controlled by the Rillo syndicate might be a little more expensive, they did charge a landing fee, and had ways to collect it too. But they had much less of a scum and scavenger problem.

Turdin was an Armosian and didn’t like other species much, mostly because like all Armosian he was jealous about other species success, tech and everything else.

While Turdin Masab was quite a successful smuggler and pirate all things considered, he carried the same collective shame. The Armosians were rejected by the Kermac as a Thrall species for being useless, unreliable and unimportant. This was felt as the greatest insult and the Armosians hated everything Kermac. The Armosians also waited to this day for an invitation to the Assembly and being made Union members. That the Union never invited anyone but waited for applications was an important fact the Armosians overlooked and so they hated everything associated with the Union as well.

Turdin had an all Armosian crew and gave the orders to lift of under Arti Grav, to change landing ports.

At first everything went fine and it was total routine. Even though the Brazen Business had an engineer and several helpers, the engineer didn’t feel getting out of his bunk for a simple Arti grav hop.

As the Brazen Business reached about one thousand meters, dozens of tiny demolition charges went off, cutting energy to all ArtiCoils. The little charges went almost unnoticed, only an engineering helper wondered about the popping sounds behind the wall panels. But he had no chance of investigating or asking someone. A spaceship losing ArtiGrav at this height became basically a big stone and it dropped, reached terminal velocity just before it impacted with the cracked Duro-Crete surface, just a few hundred meters from where it lifted off. An experienced engineer could have activated the ships main engines and prevented that devastating impact, but that engineer never left his bunk.

At the time of impact it made no difference where everyone was, the Brazen Business was instantly reduced to scrap, some of it was neatly spread across much of the space port after a hefty explosion. Not that anyone was alive at that point, but the fire that followed the explosion and engulved whatever was left dashed the hopes of even the most optimistic onlooker to find anyone alive.

That the ArtiGrav failed aboard a sturdy Oghr Combat freighter actually surprised no one and jokes were made about Armosian engineering.

When I woke I realized I had missed the Forenoon watch and said to SHIP as I got up: “SHIP, why didn’t you wake me at 0730 hours?”

She responded. “You gave no specific orders to be woken, Captain and the XO said to let you sleep if you didn’t give specific orders.”

With a mild accusatory tone in my voice I said to her. “You shaded the viewports and dimmed the lights all on your own, so I would not wake on my own and you knew I scheduled myself for Forenoon watch. One of these days, you mother me before the crew.”

She actually managed to make her voice sound a little offended. “Captain, your wellbeing is important to the crew and mission. Sleep is important to humans. You know I follow any order you give and would never be disrespectful.”

I dressed myself instead of using the Auto dresser, since I wore the same outfit day in and day out. I did liked to select what I was wearing underneath and while I knew it was a mild form of narcissism, I liked the way lace looked on this body. I said to SHIP. “I know you were motivated by good intentions and I appreciate that.”

She sounded happy. “Thank you Captain, besides nothing happened that needed your attention while you slept.Other than that the Brazen Business fell out of the sky after lifting of. No one locally was surprised about that and blames it on Armosian engineering.”

I finished brushing my hair.”It fell out of the air?”

“One thousand and five meters. ArtiGrav mysteriously failed and it dropped onto the landing field surface. Five metal pieces impacted my shields, but did not cause any shield strain.”

“I decided to leave the hair like that instead of making braids.”You know ships falling out of the sky technically would require my attention, but then it was an expected event and its cause no real mystery to the crew and this SHIP.”

“Indeed Captain.”

I went to the bridge.

Har Hi got up from the Conn wished me a good morning and then pointed to the main viewer. “More Pirate ships have arrived. The Red Dragon has just arrived in the system and should make planet fall within the next hours.”

“But one fell out of the sky last night, so I heard.”

Har-Hi grinned.”Everyone knows about the shotty Armosian maintenance...”

“Uh yes. Actually quite scary how we neutralized two ships, without firing any shots.”

“It will not be that easy all the time.”

I acknowledged him and gave Narth a nod.

Narth turned back to his console. “I’ve got the Red Dragon on our sensors, Captain. The ship’s original signature has changed from the four ISAH pod configuration we had on file. It now has only two ISAH pods and two Karthanian engine blocks. It appears he could not replace the one you destroyed with the genuine kind.”

I acknowledged the reports and sat down on my seat. The Golden was sitting next to Elfi at Communications and he said. “The city is even more chaotic than usual, as the three remaining Cartel families now fight with each other over the void that the sudden decline of the Donheer Cartel has created.”

Shea also had a report and said. “Our Nul guest is out of surgery and Cateria hopes she did enough to help him.”

Hans stomped down from his security station at the back of the bridge and said to me. “I send the statement of the two Petharian kids to CID and they are investigating. Results are pending and via Cherubim on Richter we informed the Academy and the family of the Petharian brothers that they are alive and safe without revealing where they are. General Cherubim said she will take care of a cover story.”

Yeoman O’Connell handed me the morning report and daily order sheet to sign and handed me my coffee with her usual shy smile. I looked around my bridge and said. “You all have been busy so it seems while a certain Computronic I know let me sleep in.”

Har Hi grinned broadly. “To her defense, Captain, she did ask me and I agreed with her decision to let you sleep in.”

SHIP chimed in. “See Captain it wasn’t just me.”

I also smiled and said. “A fine crew I got, ganging up on me and making me look lazy.”

Har Hi said. “Well it’s not every day we share the bridge with a genuine GalNet celebrity. You made quite a splash, Captain and recordings of your fight went viral. It’s virtually on every blog, news channel and in hundreds of talk shows.”

Krabbel said. “Circuit and I ordered the Black Velvet Action figure with Ax chopping action complete with animated Stomper. Will you autograph mine when we get our mail on Richter?”

With a sour face I said. “Splendid indeed, how am I going to explain that to the Admiral when I deliver my next report and who would have an action figure so fast after the fight?”

The Golden tried to make an innocent face and spread his arms. “Sorry Captain, that was an opportunity too good to miss. I am going to make a killing on those.”

Mao interrupted and said. “The Red Dragon entered the atmosphere and should become visible any moment now. Mao adjusted the tactical screens. “Here she comes.”

More out of instinct I leaned forward as the red colored ship descended and settled about a klick to our port side closer towards the actual city. “I still have no idea what kind of ship that is; does anyone of you have more information?”

Shea answered. “Yes, there is a highly classified file in the orders we got from Cherubim and the Red Dragon could be a unique prototype that was made for a purpose not unlike the Tigershark but almost 500 years ago. It was never finished and the hull was transferred to a bone yard. From there it was stolen with a shipload of other forgotten tech almost two years ago.”

There is no information about who did the actual theft...” Her voice trailed off.

I turned to look at her and asked. “Something the matter?”

She looked puzzled. “I am not sure, but it looks as if part of that file was deleted after it was placed in our order file. The timestamp of the deletion is the day the Tigershark was delivered to Richter Base.”

SHIP established her Avatar, walked over to Shea and looked over my science officer’s shoulder and said. “I can see down to the memory level and the deletion was made with the authority code of the Admiral of the Fleet, Admiral McElligott.”

He was the highest command authority and he of course had the right to delete information. There were a million legitimate and logical reasons why he did not want us to see whatever had been erased, but I also remembered what Deepa had told me. I decided to keep this in mind and talk to her about that as soon as I could. I wanted to hear her advice before I asked Stahl. I trusted Stahl but I didn’t want to come to him with just a hunch that could be completely wrong.

Aloud I said. “He is the Admiral who gave us these orders. I am sure he had a reason for doing it was wrong info or something we are not supposed to know. Well, the Red Dragon is here and so are we. Let us fill in the blanks ourselves.”

Circuit came on the bridge, joined SHIP and Shea, and after a few moments said. “The Red Dragon’s hull is made of Compacted Ultronit, the same as our battleships armor. It is standard now, but back then it was state of the art. The main hull is 545 meters long and shows distinctive Saran Battle Cruiser lines. I think they recycled the frame of one from the looks of it. The remaining ISAH pods are of recent design, only about three or four year old Type IX, but he would need four to be fast. With the Karthanian replacements I doubt he can accelerate over 350 klicks.”

Mao added his expertise. “The main battery on top held a Translocator at one point but it from the looks of it, replaced with a double set of powerful Dai Than sputter cannons.”

He turned to face me and explained. “It is believed the Dai attempt to create Translocator cannons. They do fire fusion bombs but only near light and not TransDim like the real thing and even their mothers don’t have anything bigger than Mega Loads.”

Har-Hi sighed at that and said. “We are good Engineers, but we have not figured out how to maintain containment in an Antimatter charge while the casing is accelerated. The Union Translocator cannons do not have this problem as they transmit an explosion via another dimension.”

Circuit turned to Har-Hi. “I didn’t mean to put down Dai technology.”

Har Hi responded. “I know the feeling, I catch myself doing it because I am working day in and day out with Union tech.”

Mao said. “Technically Translocator cannons are not Union tech either, but Seenian.”

Shea disagreed by saying. “Our Translocator technology is based on Seenian technology but in the last 1500 years we have greatly improved on it. Translocator Gatlings, Sniper cannons and the reliability is at 99.99 per cent.”

I let them banter a little but then said. “Can we go back to the Red Dragon out there?”

They all returned to their readouts and scanners and then Shea said. “He has an array of other weapons; Shiss, Karthanian and Kermac tech including four Loki torpedo starters.” She paused again and then said. “I am not completely sure but it appears the Red Dragon has a Seenian technology weapon as a main spine core weapon, unknown design, but the materials conform to Seenian tech. It also conforms to the same sleeping energy readings I made from the ship Cateria attacked us with.”

I called Cateria to the bridge.

She looked very tired as she appeared six minutes later. “Sorry for the delay Captain, I was sleeping. That Nul patient of ours was more than a challenge.”

I made an apologizing gesture and said. “It is I who needs to apologize, Doc and I am sorry for disturbing you, but would you go over the Scanner data from Shea and see if you can confirm that?”

She went over to Shea’s console and worked with her. Finally she turned and said. “That is indeed a Zero Point Canon of a much bigger size than the one I had in my courier. He also has a Seenian shield generator. I know Terran weapon engineers are working on Zero Point cannons based on your tech scans of my ship, but the one over there is definite Seenian.”

I still looked at the red ship and could clearly see the repairs on the aft, where the red color looked different and the material did not have the same hexagonal pattern of Ultronit.

I said.”That explains why he could destroy the Glorystar so easily and shrug of Loki torpedoes without being completely destroyed.”

Cateria covered her mouth and yawned. “Initial scanner data shows he has neither Seenian energy providers nor the advance sensors needed to use this weapon. That means he cannot operate his shields or the ZPC at full capacity. If I interpret his power level readout correctly they can fire that ZPC once every twenty minutes at perhaps ten percent of its capacity at most and the same holds true for the shields.”

I gave my CMO a thankful look and said. “Go back to bed Cateria, I hope I can let you sleep but I might have to call you again, since he seems to have access to Seenian tech.”

She gave me a smile which was rare for her and she said. “It is all good Captain, I needed to get up anyway and check on the Nul. He should come around in an hour or so.Not that I ever have been a real weapon or tech expert anyway.”

I said to her “I hope you find some rest later then, you have already proven beyond any doubts that you are the best CMO a ship could have and I think even Seenians can get sick if they don’t sleep enough.”

She smiled even wider. “You should talk, even SHIP notices that you don’t sleep as much as you should. Besides I slept a million years. I got a lot to catch up on and I am more content with my new life than I ever was even back in my time. The crew is as healthy as can be, I have a very competent staff and the equipment is less primitive than I originally thought and I have a real purpose. There isn’t much more I need in life.I get real interesting cases. Togars, PSI talented girls with the strangest DNA and now a Nul. This is what I always wanted to do, thank you for having me.”

I smiled back at her as she went to the IST and I said: “Call me when the Nul is coming around.”

She said, just before she disappeared: “I will, Captain”

I returned my attention to the main screen and said: “I guess the best thing is we go to that Pirate market as well.”

I turned to look for the Golden and saw him with the little Holdian standing by the Navigation tank, which was right behind my seat in the back area of the bridge. They both were talking quietly, as the merchant saw me said. “I am sorry Captain, did you address me? I was just showing my roommate where the Depository is, the most secret planet of the Golden.”

I still smiled and said. “Your roommate? Do you share your VIP quarters with Mr.Warner?”

He looked at his furry friend and then at me and said. “I am a regular crew member and therefore don’t want any special treatment. Lt. Hi had me assigned to regular crew quarters and it is much better to share small quarters with your best friend than have big ones alone.”

His statement warmed my heart and said. “So you became friends I see.”

The Holdian blinked with his black button eyes and nodded. “Oh yes Captain. I am teaching Sobi how to fix stuff and he teaches me all kinds of Merchant secrets.”

The Golden put his hand on the head of the Holdian and said. “The friendships I’ve made on this ship make me a richer man than I ever was before, Captain. The only regret I have is that I did not think of this much earlier in my life, and yes I am particularly fond of this quite smart Holdian engineer.”

I changed the subject and said to him. “We need to go to the Pirates Market and you know most about it.”

He came down the ramp and into the main area of the bridge and said. “It is as much a market as it is a fair and social event. Pirates, privateers, Scavengers and the lot leading a solitary life. The Pirate Market of Sin 4 and the Free traders Festival on N’ger are the few social events they have to meet, share stories, trade wares and buy things they need. Show is everything, and I suggest we go with a large group, heavily armed and in our finest armor. I would even take TheOther along, that we have a Y’All in the crew will impress like nothing else and no one will dare to ask where he is from. We should take lots of money and buy expensive stuff as that will show we are successful. Maybe we can set up shop; we do have a few very nice items in our treasury.”

I grinned and said. “That we even have a treasury is thanks to you. So I guess the best thing is to put you in charge of this project as well, but at least one senior officer must remain aboard.”

Circuit said. “I stay. I am working on a new generation of Spy Nanites and am hoping to finish them and have them dispatched to the Pirate Ships out there. Besides, it would be hard to explain an X101 that turned Pirate

Shaka said. “I stay too. I can take the Conn. I don’t mind dirt side but I’d rather be aboard and I am helping Circuit anyway.”

My Chief Engineer padded Shaka’s shoulder. “He is getting to be quite the Nanite expert.”

Before I could say something, Cateria called and said. “The Nul is awake.”

I got up. “Mr Sobody, prepare our excursion to the market. I will be with you all shortly.”

The Grey Nul was one ugly and threatening looking life from, almost as massive and big as Hans. His entire body looked like it was made of coils of various sized ropes. He had a dome shaped head without a neck and only one eye as big as Dinner Plate but with two independent pupils. Underneath that truly alien eye was a vertical split mouth with rows and rows of needle sharp teeth. There was no distinguishable nose or anything remotely similar. A set of two fork like mandibles perhaps designed to hold whatever prey the Nul decided to devour stuck out from either side of that terrifying mouth. He had two arms without any visible joints, more like flexible hoses or tentacles, with claw like hands. He was standing inside a Holding Cell within an active force field and two Marines in full Battle suits aiming their weapons at him. A Fenris Robot in one corner seemed inactive, except for a dark red light in its Visual Sensor array. It was not too much security, if only half was true that I had heard about Nul.”

He still wore bandage patches all over his body. Cateria stepped next to me as I entered the high security detention ward and said. “Captain, I never worked on a Nul before and there was frightening little in our medical Data banks. There is no similar life form on file. There are no Nul on Union side, like the small Togar community or the Purple Throat Shiss colonies. He has an Endo and Exoskeleton, very tough armor like skin and an open Circulation with Organs more or less floating around. I would love to contact Nul and get some information how to help him better.”

The Nul’s single eye followed me and he spoke: “You are the Captain of this vessel?”

I looked at the Nul through the force field and said. “Yes.”

His voice was deeper than anything I ever heard and it no longer sounded as weak as it did before. “You were the one who fought for me in the Arena, a weak human enemy fighting in my behalf a very dangerous life form with nothing but a cutting tool.”

I shrugged at that and said. “Let me be frank with you. You are correct in saying that we are enemies. War between our species always looms just around the proverbial corner. Nul do not really communicate with us and they refuse any diplomatic contact, but all this does not mean I hate Nul.”

He growled with his deep voice saying. “But why have you fought for me? You risked your life for mine. I need to know.”

How could I explain my often impulsive and reckless behavior? I said. “I hate unfair situations. You having your eye glued and wearing that collar was a very unfair situation and I wanted to give you a fighting chance.”

He said very slowly. “Unfair...” he repeated it again and then he listened as SHIP chimed in and explained something to him in a different language. He then looked at me again and said. “This is a most intriguing concept. It is simply another way of defining one’s personal honor. You show to have honor and act like a warrior born.”

He raised his arms and immediately my Marines did the same with their weapons but all he did was talk and he said. “I had no place to go. I wanted to die from the hand of a worthy enemy, yet you saved me again. You have much honor and so have the beings among your crew that I met so far. Your CMO set aside all her fear and worked on me with great skill. She has, without doubt, also saved my life. You must let me communicate with Nul or there will be war. I am no mere Nul; I am the first Grey of the King. All Nul will go to war to find me. The announcer lied when he said the Union captured me. But if I cannot clear that up, there will be war.”

I suspected as much, as I remembered the conversation on Brahma Port quite well. To him I said. “It will be impossible for a while but I will find a way to get you home eventually.”

He made a gesture towards the walls. “I know this is a Union ship and we are not as stupid as the Union thinks we Nuls are. You are not a Pirate; you are here undercover on a clandestine mission. I am almost certain of that. No Pirate has such a well-trained crew and such an advanced sick bay. I will not compromise you or say anything to reveal your mission, but I need to prevent war while I can. I give you my word.”

I looked at him actually contemplating if I had to kill him but then I said. “Alright, I accept your word. How do you want to contact your king?”

He said. “While we do not have the same marvelous instantaneous communications as you do, I can use your GalNet technology to contact an agent of ours on Bokta World. That is a Union Planet very close to Nul-Nul, our realm. This agent then will use our communication systems to contact the King directly.”

I said to him. “If I let you out of this high security containment cell so you can make your call, must I fear for my crew and my life?”

He spread his arms in a universal understandable gesture of non-aggression and said. “Your honorable conduct is more effective than any technical means of restrain. Your words and the conduct of your crew make me also realize that we must change our policy and begin diplomatic contacts with the Union after all. Captain Velvet. I give you my word.”

I looked to the ceiling and said: “SHIP, deactivate the security fields and get me a GalNet connection on this security panel down here.”

I could not help but feel nervous and secretly question my own decision as the force field collapsed. I knew the Nul could change the molecular structure of their bodies at will and become almost unstoppable fighting machines. I was certain the collar he wore in the Arena was some device that prevented him from doing it there.

I waved to the Marines and said.” Sergeant take the robot with you and stand guard outside.”

The marine, a Pertharian hesitated for a second but then followed my order and ordered his partner and the Robot outside. Now alone with the Nul I said. “You know how to use a GalNet terminal?”

He bent his entire body forward and said. “Yes I do.”

I went to the door and said. “Tell the Marines outside when you are done.”

His voice sounded surprised as he said. “You will not remain to monitor my actions?”

I was at the door and said. “I will give you privacy to make this call. You gave me your word so why should I need to monitor it?”

He gestured to the terminal and said. “Please stay then, Captain. I would like you to hear what I have to say.”

He made a connection to Bokta World and called a Saurian Merchant there.

After the Saurian appeared on the screen, the Grey Nul said. “This is the one bound to travel to Holy Ashes of Narl Gatu, the First Grey One born to Orth Gatu na Gatu. I am Xon Gatu na Gatu. I have urgent news that needs to be conveyed to the One that leads us all.”

The Saurian bowed. “My days are blessed for seeing you, most adored of the House Gatu. We thought you lost, honorable Xon and the Nul are preparing for war. The seer of Narl Gatu said we have only a short time left before our Prince who is in strange lands transforms forever.”

The Grey Nul spoke. “The Seer was right as always. I am in strange lands and I am transforming as we speak.”

The Saurian bowed again. “The One that leads us will send fleets to scour the skies and descent upon those who did the foul deed, I am certain of it. The events that transpired on Sin 4 have been received.”

The Nul said with a loud voice. “Silence and do not assume. I was abducted but not by the Union or agents of that power, it was the Shiss who took me while I was in the purifying sleep. I am safe and shall return when I finish my journey. Tell him who gave life to me to abandon preparations for war against the Union and honor the Freespace treaty. Tell him Asla Nu Da Venfi and haste with your efforts to inform him!”

“I shall do as you command. My eyes are pained as they see you wounded, Grey One.”

The Nul made a swiping gesture. “If my wounds would be of significance I would have mentioned that. Now convey that message and prevent that war or I will come to Bokta World and assure you that you will not fail again.”

The Sauron bowed a third time and assured the Nul he would act with urgency.

The transmission ended and the Nul said to me. “Now I will be your prisoner.”

I said. “That is a dilemma, while we consider Nul hostile, there is no war between our nations but if I leave you unguarded I assume you will seek ways to escape and return home.”

He asked. “What will you do with me?”

“As soon as I can return to Union space, I will have to do what my superiors tell me to do, but that might still be a while, since I have a mission here I must complete.”

He bowed before me. “I will be your prisoner and will not seek to harm you or anyone aboard this ship as long as you are in Command. The moment you transfer me to others I must try to escape. On this you also have my word of honor.”

I sighed and opened the door. “I will have guest quarters assigned to you but there will be areas that are restricted to you.”

He was still bowing and said. “Your conduct is nothing I expected and more than I could have hoped for. I will show you that Nul are not the mindless brutes your propaganda makes us to be but that we value honesty and truthfulness beyond all else.”

Chapter 14 »