Now.odt



Har-Hi had left over two hours ago with the first twenty and reported the city was orderly. The crew members with him had a good time and the locals were used to visitors and merchants from other places. Hew also reported that there was market and Circuit elated. I warned him not to buy any mre eggs. Even though I had admit Fafnir had turned out to be liked by the crew and more or less fit right in.

Both Minis were out near the Red Dragon watching I suspected the Red Dragon sneaking out, perhaps even under water, as he had to expect that he was watched.

Sure enough Bergdorf came on. “Captain there is activity at the submerged part of his IST shaft. Four beings just left in what looks like Karthanian battle suits.”

“Starman Suit, are you sure you want to be worn?” “Yes Captain,I am trained to becone a security officer and how better could I provide security to my Captain.”

“Alright then let's go.”



A few moments later I caught up with the Mini Terrans who were following eight suited beings swimming under the surface of this shallow river. The water wasn't very clear and poluted with floating trash and swirling sediment. It was not completley life less, here and there I could small fish, that didnt look very healthy

The divers from the Red Dragon swam away from the city shoreline towards the distant shore on the other side

“Captain they are communicating among each other using a very low frequency radio wave.It is scrambled but SHIP just transmitted the decypher key.”

“Thank you, Lt.Bergdorf. Tyron can you patch me in?” “Yes Captain.” At first there was only someone breathing, then Red Dragon's voice said.”Another klick and we can increase speed.”



The group came ashore clear across this river delta ocean bay combination. The buidlings here had a shabby derelic character, The alien city across the river on the other side now shimmered with a thousand lights in the setting darkness. This side also featured lights, but only a few far and between and not very bright.

The group was met by four locals, the same spindly human shaped insect beings I had seen on the barge.

The beings spoke in an odd humming way, not using their mouths at all but small vibrating wing like stubbs on the back. It was more like a montone song, and even the gaps between words were filled with that humming sound, but it was actually not difficult to understand.

One of the beings said. “Welcome back to Cosporus, Red Dragon,”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“Greetings, Eline, good to meet you once again. I have finally obtained what the Old has asked for.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I travelled a great distance, but I have what the old man asked for.” “Then come and follow us”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">They climbed into crude looking flyer and took off.

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<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">–

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<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Har-Hi tried to relax a little.He and twenty crew members had done a little sight seeing. The City was reasonably clean and the amusement venues here near the spaceport were of the same kind you could find the galaxy over in places like this. Har Hi was convined that the one unifying development of space faring societies were not space ships but bars and taverns. This distict of the city had one such place next to the other.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">They had visited one of the markets and not only Circuit had made a few purchases.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">A specialist named Derek Simmon, was along by special recommendation of the captain.. He held an alien skull, decorated with gems and painted symbols before the X101. “The dealer said it bestows magical powers.It will be perfect for out Den.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Sobody snorted. “It's not the skull but the Black Leaf Gongrha that inside, that when chewed makes you believe all kinds of things.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“I just bought tox?”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“Very potent too and you made a fairly good deal, too.You could easily tripple your money selling it on N'Ger.” Circuit held up a arm long bone decorated with feathers and a crude edged blade on one end.. “This was a bargain too, a genuine TokTor cepter, of a long disapeared species of mystics .”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“Very nice, what are you goin to do with it?”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“Having it and be mystical. We X101 have nothing mystical.” To Har Hi the Golden whispered to Har Hi as Circuit went to another colorful stans. “I can't bring myself telling him but the dealer just made that up on the go, and the bone is made of raisin cast and not older than perhaps a month.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“Just like his real replica sword of Terra.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Shea said. “Well it makes him happy and that should count for sonmething.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Just then they ran into the shore leave group of the Executor and Captain Nocturna. Also about twenty beings, mostly of known Upward and Spinward beings. Har-Hi counted Eight Humans, four Jooltar, twoTogar, five Shiss and one Zarin.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Zarins were virtually unknown to Union science but well known to the Dai and native to even more distant regions of the Downward sector if he recalled right. Zarins had a somewhat similar society and culture and also conducted planet raids and used family based armadas. However they had, if he remembered his father speaking about them correctly, planets and planetary bases. They weren't as developed in terms of technology as the Dai, but also made use of space fighters.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Har Hi had never seen one for real and as far as he knew, the Hi tribe never ventured that far into the Downward sector. The information on the Zarin came from other tribes at meetings on Thana Shoo. The being was a little taler than HarHi and wore a kind of armor or battles suit that looked anachronistic with impractial spikes and ornamentation, but it was clearly the product of a warrior race. The being was humanoid in appearance as it walked on two legs and had two arms. The head was hidden underneath a helmet that matched the suit in style and ornamentation.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Captain Nocturna was a woman alright, but neither her body nor her style could hold a candle to his Captain. Har Hi realized that he was comparing that woman with Erica and realized that he started to think of Erica as a real woman.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Nocturna took stock of Har-Hi and the crew and said. “You I have seen before, you are the first mate of Black Velvet, and this diverse, well equipped crew must be crew of the Silver Streak. Come join us, we are about to wet our throats in that tavern over there.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Har-Hi was not too eager to mix with other pirates, but then this is what pirates did and maybe he could gather information.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“Alright, one or two drinks before we have to return to the ship.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Tavern was resonably clean and featured a large guest room with sturdy tables and a long bar tended by several bar tenders.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">One of the servers recommended Walkik and described some kind of alcoholic herbal brew.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Har-Hi had to agree it was not to bad and tasted somwhere between beer and Shea's wintergreen chewing gum.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The initial conversation was about the long months perched up inside ships and the atmosphere was getting a little more relaxes.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Just as the second rounds of drinks arrived, Captain Sandovahl in company with ten of his crew entered and went straight to the long table where Har-Hi and the otherr sat and without asking e and his men joined.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">They too ordered drinks and Sandovahl scanned across everyone present with his pierching cyber eye. “Oh how disapointing, I truly hoped mysterious Black Velver would be here. She isn;t spoken for,or is she”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“That is a question you need to ask her. I just recommend you do, when she is in agood mood.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“What a shame about Crimson. We still have no idea what it was that got him. Some sort of moving gravitation field.” “You would have had a hard time finding out what it was by the speed you, Red Dragon and the other's fled the scene and leving Crimson and us behind. Maybe you should paint your ship yellow.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“Watch your mouth Dai. Traveling with a female captain, must make you less than Okti, what real Dai would take orders from a female.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Har-Hi slowly relaxed his hand. “We are done here, crew. Let's go.” It took much of his self control but he remained calm.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Zarin, said. “She must have bought him as a bargain of a slave trader. Dai reputation is so overrated as it is.”

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<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">--””

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<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Following the flyer was no problem, Tyron Suit was fully flight capable and so were the Miniature Atlas suits of my Mini Terran companions.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">We had followed the Red Dragon and his local contacts at considerable speed and had covered a good distance steadily going in a Western direction over mostly featureless ocean.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">It never failed to raise my desire to bathe and dive when I saw an ocean.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I called the ship.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“Elfi give me a short status update, please.” “Our heavies had played a Steel container kicking match, Xon's team won. TheOther was in sickbay for the first time. Nothing serious and he is alright, they had something called an Arm wrestling match and he broke one of his wrists as he wrestled with Hans. Cateria said, he has an amazing self healing factor, all she did was sure it was set right.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Alice wanted you to know she passed the Citizen test given to her by Har-Hi.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Our XO is still on shore leave with twenty crew members. Nothing else to report.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“Well, so Hans is the Arm wrestling champion of the ship, no real suprise there.” “No Captain, Dusty won, not even Hans could compete with the twenty seven tons of pressure Dusty could apply.” “Twenty seven tons?” “Narth said so.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I smiled and said. “Well seems like a regular day on the Tigershark. We are still following the Red Dragon. He has met up with locals and we are currently almost 900 klicks from the space port. “

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<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">–

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Har-Hi had jumped up from his seat, and like greased lightning catapulted himself clear across the table, while doing so pulling one of his swords and cutting the right arm of the Zarin who just reacted pulling a bladed weapon of his own. His arm dropped to the floor and everyone of the Tigershark bolted up from their seats.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The other pirates followed suit and also rose. Before anyone could really say anything a fight broke out. As fast as it started it stopped the crews of Sandovahl and Nocturna were brawlers and ruffians, there were a few injurie, mostly just bruises and cuts among the Tigershark crew, while the others were sprawled out in various rather uncompfortable positions on the floor and hanging over tables,

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Just then a troop of locals in official looking uniforms and drawn weapons stormed in.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“Everyone stop moving, whoever moves get shot.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Trontigmakader speaking was apparently the leader of the guards and barked. “We welcome the business that you travelers bring to Cosporus, but we do not like the trouble. This is an orderly world.” “I appologize for any misconduct and we gladly pay for all damages and return to our ship and stay there.” Har-Hi said.” “That is a sensible offer and yes your offer to pay for damages will be considered a gesture of good will, but you are still all under arrest and the Decider of the Deathmaster will decide what laws have been broken and what form punishment might be appropiate.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“What form of punsihment could be appropiate?”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“Depending the charges and the severity anything from a fine to a death sentence.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“And what are the charges?”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“Property damage, public display of violence, disorderly conduct, causing bodily harm to another being. Thankfully no Trontigmakader was hurt or involved.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Sandovahl was getting to his feet. “This was just a friendly brawl among us, sort of a sporting event. If I offer you a substantial ammount of Polo coins could we not come to an agreement that does not involve an arrest?”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“Bribing a guard of the Deathmaster, is a very serious offense. Now please surrender your weapons.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Just then Hans and TheOther appeared in the door and made everyone look small. As alien the Trontigmakader was, he and his troops visibly shrunk in fear and grabbed their weapons tighter.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Har Hi said. “These are associates of mine, they have not been involved, We will surrender to you and Trontigmakader justice, but is it permissablet that they take custody of our weapons?”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The captain of the guard first wanted to disagree, but he did not want to object as he saw TheOther taking a step closer. “By the Sacred Four, has doom reached our world. Is this not a Yaaal?”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“Indeed this is a Y'All.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“No I have no objection.” Hans and TheOther collected the weapons and Har-Hi whispered. “Inform the captain as soon as possible. I am trying to solve this situation as smooth as posible.” “Aye Sir.” Twenty minutes later, stripped of all, or in Har-Hi's case most weapons and items that could be identify them as Union, they and the other pirates were marched with tied hands out the tavern and into a waiting transport vehicle.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Local medics or similar carried those who couldn't walk or still unconcious out on stretchers.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Hans approached the bar, where one of the bar keepers tried to hide. “What is the damage, I like to pay for that.”

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<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">--””--

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<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">We must have flown a good 1500 klicks as we reached the shore lines of a large island with an imposing mountain, possibly of volcanic nature. The island was covered with dense vegetation, rising up to the flanks of the central mountain.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The flyer touched down a few meters up on the beach shore line with coarse gray, dirty looking sand.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Red Dragon, his men and the Trontigmakader climed out the flyer. Only now I noticed that one of the Dragon's men had his hands on the back and imobilized with restraining shakles. That being was

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">the only one still wearing the suits helmet, the visor completley dark. Red Dragon shoved the mysterious being with a rude push forward and made it drop to its knees.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">We also noticed there was a building of sorts, made of rock and nestling between two big boulders.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Out from the door of that building a human, not a Trontigmakader appeared. He was tall for a human but well within standard human limits, Tyron Suits optics measured him to be 210 cm tall.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Tyron said with a slight alarm in his voice “This being is wearing a Seenian battle suit. It is not a command type, but a standard troop model. It is fully active.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“Can he see us?”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“No but he can detect the Atlas suits.” “Bergdorf and Sahlhof dive at once and return underwater to the ship.” “But...”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“Now.” “Aye Captain.” “Is he Seenian?”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“I have insufficent data to answer that. I would have to perfom an active scan and penetrate the suit, something he would certainly alert the suit to our presence.” “Is the suit sentient?” “While I can't say for certain as this would also require contact, but highly unlikley. Sentient suits like me are not the norm.I gained sentience on my own.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“Let's wait and see what happens. Before we take any active role and reveal our presence. I think whatever happens will be a major part in this quest.” “Aye Captain and on a personal note, whatever Seenian mysteries we are about to uncover, I am no longer Seenian, but a Union Citizen, Fleet member and loyal to you alone.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“I never questioned your loyality.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“No Captain but you were thinking it, you would not the leader I admire if you didn't.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“You can read my mind?” “No Captain, but being worn I can detect the faintest changes in body chemistry and language.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The man wearing the gray, belted and cowled Seenian suit had approached.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">His face was that of a very old man but not feeble or weak. He had a short gray beard and piercing eyes. “Ah you are back Red Dragon, you know I can't give you any more pieces of the Old Ones unless you bring me a person with formidable psionic talents.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Red Dragon stepped forward and removed the helmet of the still kneeling person, revealing a Saresii with a collar like device around her neck. “This is Bulega Santasi, he or she is the leader of the Saresii Black Cats and has an HPI of 9000. In other words a very powerful Psionic gifted person.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The old man got visibly excited. “If this is true, then we can open the passage and gain access to the temple of the Seekers.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“It is true, and this fine piece of Kermac technology keeps him a willing slave and will do our bidding.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“Then come, so we may gain access to a place that has been sealed before the Trontigmakader discovered the use of fire.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The old man turned on his heel and started walking towards the jungle. Red Dragon forced the Saresii back on his feet and made her walk and follow the old man like the others.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I also followed hovering a few meters behind.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">There was a narrow path meandering between trees and moss covered boulders.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">After following the path for about two klicks and then the group reached a the foot of the mountain. Completley overgrown, there was a stone temple or fortress structure build right into the side of the mountain.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The old man said

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“This is the old temple of the Seekers. The Temple and the ruins belong to a civlization that has existed here before the Trontigmakader became masters of this world. There are many legends of ghosts and unexplainable thingd about this place. “

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The beardless Kermac said. “Captain, the writing above that temple entrance is Celtest.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Tyron said. “He is right Captain, the words say. “The war is lost, may worthy children fight the darkness.With what we have left behind.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“Could that be the entrance to the depot already?” “I do not know, Captain.Only since I am a Union Citizen I am allowed to seek information before that I was only a thing.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Red Dragon and the rest stepped closer to the solid looking stone door half covered by rubble. He asked. “What does it say?”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Kermac said. “I don't know. Ever since I reeived my mindwipe, as faulty as it was. I forgot most what Ionce knew, but I know it is Celtest.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The old man's hand emitted a stream of fire and burned some of the obscuring vegetation away and revealed a massive door frame and solid looking door, that did not have the same crumbling character as the rest of the temple structure.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“The writing promisses great rewards to those worthy posessing them. This door can only be opened by a Telekinet. Neither the Seekers nor any species I know has this mystical power. If you accomplished this then let your gifted slave open this door. But before you do, I must warn you that the legends speak of great dangers and a long journey.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“I came this way twice because you said that this place holds the key to a Celtest depot. I will face any danger, kill you and anyone that gets in my way. “

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“Then we have a common goal.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Red Dragon grabbed the Saresii by the hair. “If you want to survive and see Sares again, you will now open that door.I will now turn of the inhibitor, but I hold the controls of the implant that will kill you if you try anything. As you know I am well shielded and immune to any telepathic tricks. Also I like toremind you, that my associates hold your daughter. Should I for any reason not call, she dies.Do what I say and Iet her and you go.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Saresii only nodded and I promissed myself to kill that bastard. He would not end up in a stasis box and have the chance to escape the executioner again.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Saresii stepped forward and closed her eyes. At first nothing happened, and the old man said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“I was afraid of that. These so called psionics died with the old ones.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">But before anyone else could sayanything, a grinding sound came from the door and the massive plate slowly moved into the door frame.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Saresii said. “It is very heavy and I had to find out in which direction it is supposed to move.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Red Dragon turned the inhibitor collar back on and whacked the Saresii. “I keep you for a little longer, maybe we need you again.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">They all filed into the dark corridor revealed behind the now open door and again I followed. Just as I passed the door it moved again and closed with deep thud.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“Captain I just lost communications to the ship,”

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<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">--””--

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Har-Hi and the rest were led into a large hall with a raised desk. The sides had bleacher like benches and on it perhaps hundred Trontigmakader on each side. Crude but big and armed battle robots flanked the raised desk.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">A Trontigmakader in a black suit and a scarf like piece of black fabric wound around his headsat behind that desk.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">After all pirates stood before that desk, the black dressed being said. “We don't know who you are but we know about the Dai and we know about the Zarin. Both arrogant and troublesome, both causing much trouble and death.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The judge stopped and touched his head. “Do I wan't to make an example of all of you? Yes...I mean no.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">After this rather strange sentence the judge said. “But I see this Dai is honorable and his associate paid generously for the damages. I think this Dai is a rather nice person so I say let them go.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The judge blnked with all his eyes and said. “What did I just say? Did I...ah yes let the Dai and his crew go. They only defended themselves against these savages.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">A big view screen blinked on behind the black dressed decision maker. Four Trontigmakader appeared, each in a different color robe. One golden, one blue, a red and a black robe.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">They all spoke at the same time in a strange chrous. “While we do not understand the decision of the Decider, the verdict has been spoken. You may go, but you are to return toyour ships and leave Cosporus within the hour you are no longer welcome. Remain and we will destroy your ships and put everyone to death, the Four have spoken.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The screen went blank.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The guard captain said. “You have heard the words and the decision, now make haste and leave.”

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<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">One of the Tigersharks landing tanks was already waiting for them.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Inside they were greeted by Narth. “I am sorry, but the mind of the Decider was a mess and I did not anticipate the four masters to interfere.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“That explains his strange behavior. The captain is going to rip me a new one.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“That is the reason for my rather hasty interference, without preparing better. We just lost all contact with the captain. I can only sense he is still alive but I do not know where he is.”

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<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">--**--

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<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The dark corridor was only about hundred meters long and led into a round chamber., lights came on as soon as Red Dragon and the rest entered.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">A flimmering column of swirling lights in the center started to solidify into the shape of a bald headed, muscular man. The being wore the same gray suit the old man did, but without the belt or a the tight fitting hood. He reminded me of Circuit as the humanoid looked artificial, his eyes had ared glow and no visible pupils. There were no ears and no nose. The mouth had no lips.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“I am the First Servant, guardian and preserver of the inheritance that Queen Cretea in her last command willed to a future generation. You have passed the first test by opening the entrance.Whoever completes all challenges and tests will become my master and receives the key to the depot and the owner of all that it contains.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Dragon

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<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Red Dragon said after Elfi opened the Channels." Captain Velvet we are going to land on the third planet. We need also to refuel and set up the Refinery. Hunter has to do some Engine maintenance. We will need to stay two days." "Alright!" To Muhammad I said." Set her down but out of sight from them so Shea can do some surveying and is not observed." "Aye Captain!" I wondered where did he get such a high quality Hypno block ? True everyone knew about Psionics and the Kermac were almost as good at it as the Saresii, and it might have been just very smart precautions. But he was, also according to Narth a Union Captain with all the Psionic shielding in place before. He could not have foreseen that he would come up against someone like Narth, able to penetrate such measures." Muhammad delay that order. Remain in orbit. Narth and Shea I would like you to scan this planet very carefully before we land." "Aye Captain." I leaned back once more and tried to make sense of it all. He did have genuine Celtest equipment. He said he had much more when I talked to him in that Container. But neither Suit, Cateria nor Shea could detect anything else aboard his ship. He knew that Suit was a Command Unit, yet he choose the lesser one that was somewhat broken. He must have known that he could not have worn Suit if activated. He was able to install Celtest Shields and a Weapon in his ship and tie them into his systems but was not able to reactivate them, or even realize they were off until he tried to use them. The more I was thinking about it the more it made no sense and was full of holes. Did Suit perhaps lie? Was it much more advanced than we all thought and manipulated him and us? Why did it suddenly come to life in storage and not aboard the Red Dragon? All I had was the word of a machine at least as smart as SHIP perhaps much smarter. Narth turned to look at me and I heard his mental voice." Captain I was thinking along the same lines for a long time, but Suit allowed Shea and me complete access to his