Chapter 6 Book 10 -Final



Death Fight



How did they manage to capture a Narth? Did I deal with the Kermac and the Worm? I somehow knew he was still alive but I could not feel anything else and that was more than disturbing.

TheOther who held the security post came over and said with a low voice.

"Captain we now have an asset inside the Donheer compound and we should be able to make contact any time now."

I turned and looked at the Y'All.

"An asset?"

"Yes Ma'am. Lt. Neugruber authorized additional personnel for Mehdi Senhadji and two of the NWC officers volunteered. They managed to follow one of the suspected Mil tech dealers onto the Donheer Compound Island."

I could not completely keep my anger out of my voice as I said.

"While I appreciate initiative I sure would like to be informed who is sent outside on a place like this."

Then I put my hand on his arm and added.

"Thank you Mr. TheOther. How soon can we make contact?"

Elfi said.

"They are calling now, Captain."

The main screen changed and we looked at an office from underneath a desk. We saw feet and the support projector for an old system hover chair. A voice spoke.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Lt. Bergdorf reporting, Captain. I managed to infiltrate the actual office of Duke Donheer. My associate Ensign Sahlhof is on its way to the security center of the island for detail assessment."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">."Be careful, you are not so small that you are invisible!"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Your concern is duly noted Captain. However we are wearing Atlas Battle Suits and we are both cloaked."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He stepped from under the desk and flew to a shelf unit with art objects and sports trophies. There due to his size and perspective between gigantic looking trophies he looked down into the room and I saw the fat white man behind his desk. Shea said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I got the scan data from the DNA residue Mr Bergdorf gathered under the chair of Donheer. He looks almost human but has very little human DNA. Most of it appears to be Kermac and there is also Shiss DNA. It looks like he is related to our friends at Brhama port as some of the markers match with the samples we collected there."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I looked at the man who sat behind his desk and a Communications Terminal. He had white, finely scaled skin. His head was hairless and he had reptilian Shiss eyes above a small nose with flaring nostrils over a wide mouth that was filled with small, needle sharp looking fish like teeth.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">While Captain Zezzh managed to show warmth and compassion in his completely alien reptilian face, there was not a hint of friendliness in this face.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">My friends were caught by this bastard and he was blackmailing me. I had a good mind to simply take my marines and raid his place, right through the front door. Of course he had captured Narth, Har Hi and the Golden, so a frontal assault could endanger my friends lives. I could not rely on the old Eric and jump in the middle of things. The main problem of it all this was that I had a ship and it had to come first, even before my best friends. We had a mission that also came before the personal safety of my crew.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Something happened on the screen, an old man came into the study and he looked much like Donheer did; only the Kermac features were much stronger and he said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Are you dreaming about expanding our empire again? You know the other families are getting nervous and a Syndicate war is never a good thing, son."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Donheer got up and said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"It is my empire, old man. Mine! You are old and weak. You are content with a quarter of a dirty planet. I am soon strong enough to take them on, all of them and then will I wipe them out!"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The old man who seemed to be the father of Duke Donheer replied.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You are part Shiss, part Kermac and your grandmother was a Saresii slave woman but you inherited none of her wisdom or psionic powers, but you certainly know how to be arrogant and self-inflated. You like eating of the finest things yet you have no class. The balance of the four families has served us well and made you rich. Maintain what we have and expand slowly and into areas that we know."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Duke slammed his fist on the table and pointed with his other hand towards the window behind him.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Sin 4 is a speck, an unimportant speck. There are bigger powers out there and I intend to play a part in the big games. I want all casinos under my control; I don't want a miniscule share of the Sojonit business. I want to control that Whorehouse temple. I am going to wipe the other cartels out then we build a new space port on the southern continent, mine the riches of our moons. Once I have put this system under my control, I will announce that we are part of the Shiss Empire. The White Nestling himself has told me that there could be a position for me in the Royal Nest."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The old man wrung his hands.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"The Death fight arena is our crown jewel; we make more money with the advertisement deals and the merchandising than with all the casinos and business of the others together. Leave those world conquering dreams, this is not what we do. Your plan with the Nul is madness. You speak of powers out there and try to play on their level and yet you do not comprehend."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Silence old man. The White Nestling will give me control over the whole quadrant, not just a measly planet and the plan is perfect! The Shiss have abducted the Nul who is very important to the Nul-Empire. He will fight in the Arena tonight and die. I will claim I purchased it from Black Velvet, a notorious pirate. I'll have her confess that she worked under direct orders of the Union that will hopefully start a war between the Union and the Nul. Of course the Union will win but at a high cost. I am almost certain the Kermac will not let an opportunity like that pass and will attack a weakened Union. No matter who wins, the Kermac or the Union, one of them will be gone and the other weaker than ever before and the galaxy is ripe for the taking by the Shiss. We will have a front row seat and riches and power beyond anyone's wildest dreams."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You are a fool, these things aren't as simple as dealing with other cartel families, and these things are way out of your league."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Be silent and be careful old man. I just might have you thrown in the arena for monster bait. I have a great show lined up for tonight."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The old man walked out and slammed the door behind him.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I was wasting time watching this. I needed to find my friends; nothing so far had told me how he managed to capture them and where he kept them. I was about to get up and call for a conference to hatch a plan when something happened on the screen that shocked me deeply. The next man that walked through the door was my former friend Wintsun.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Donheer greeted him saying.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You have been successful in capturing the Dai Warrior and I appreciate men who get me results, but then, you used to be a Union officer and they do train their people well."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Wintsun was the same and yet he had changed. He seemed much older than he was and his face had a lost all of the openness it had before. What was he doing here on Sin 4? Did he recognize Har-Hi?

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Yes they do and that is why I was able to use the P 4 Paralysator to get that Dai. He had his Clan glyph removed. He's a renegade for sure."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Wonderful, we have a nice full program for tonight. The Terror Hammer will make his great come back tonight and die heroically as I must punish him for deceiving me and running off, playing dead for so long."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Wintsun grinned.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I think he is a Saturnian. I never liked these brutes anyway."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You will enjoy the big fight tonight and I see a great future for you Wintsun. You have risen fast in my organization since you came here."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Wintsun sat down and said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I am your man Mr. Donheer."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Have you activated the Loki torpedoes?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Yes I have, and they are the full size Type IV, one will be more than enough to destroy that pirate ship and level most of the city as well."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Are they that powerful?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Four of them will buckle the shields of a battle ship and the sixteen you got would be enough to take on anything short of the Devi."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Splendid, the Kermac are very interested in those and made a generous offer and since you activated them and made them useful, I think I will give you a nice bonus as well."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I did'nt hear what Wintsun said as just then I felt Narth's presence in my mind.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Eric I am alright, but we were surprised by a Paralysator shot over a distance. Since there are so many minds out there I must have missed them. The person who captured us for the Duke is Wintsun."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I felt a wave of relieve and responded.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I know, I am watching that bastard right now. Where are you?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"We are held in a prison underneath the Donheer fight Coliseum. It is a state of the art containment facility to hold all kinds of life forms. Unfortunately there is a very strong Kermac Psi screen, effectively neutralizing most of my Psionic abilities."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Do they know you are a Narth?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"No they did not recognize us or me. I am not even scheduled to fight. They think I am a weak scholar and I am scheduled to be sold as a slave."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I was deeply relieved to hear my friends were not harmed and then I called my senior officers to a conference in the den and said: "Here is my plan..."

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

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Shea was brushing my hair out and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I am not sure if anyone has told you, but you are very beautiful, and tonight you look quite stunning."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Her comment touched the vanity of my female persona as I looked at myself in the reflection field. The long blonde hair had the same color as that of my mother and suddenly I was reminded of her and I felt guilty for no longer having nightmares or thinking much about that event. But now I saw her, right there in the mirror. Not that my mother would have worn something like this.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I wore a low cut clingy gown of thin black Saresii silk hanging on thin straps from my shoulders. To it I added a shiny black fur stole, gloves and a tiny purse. Shea was finally done with the hair and Elfi handed me a feather domino with veil. I sighed,

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Maybe I should simply wear an Atlas Battle Suit and we storm the place!"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Shea gave me a look from underneath her long lashes.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"We Sojonits say that silken underwear conquered more warriors than all swords combined. In some instances a dress like this can be more effective than a battle suit."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Elfi added.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"We can still change it if It is your plan."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I adjusted the gloves and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"No we better stick to the plan. I want this to be over with so we can concentrate on the Red Dragon. I want to leave this world. It really gets to me."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Shea said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"If everything goes well then we will have done our part to change this world and to me that makes it all worthwhile if there are no longer Skaakh girls seeing their mother torn apart by scavengers and no one else dies of hunger."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Looking at it in this way made me feel better and I said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You are right, we do make a difference and that is what counts. I just pictured my first mission as a Starship captain completely different, more uniforms and less silken underwear."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I am not wired that way but even I thought you looked extremely hot in your undies. Besides you enjoy every moment, so quit whining, Captain."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I was split in my opinion inside as always. While part of me extremely enjoyed the feel and the look, the other found it exposing, impractical and not what a Starship Captain should look like. Would I ever find true peace inside?

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

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">At the agreed time, a luxury skimmer approached and I left the ship via the ramp and not by the IST. I found out it was anything but easy to walk down a declining metal surface in stiletto heel pumps without falling.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">An Oghar and a Togar stepped out from the drive compartment and held big blaster weapons looking nervously around.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I was glad I wore a mask as I saw Wintsun getting out of the skimmer as well. I felt nothing but contempt towards this traitor. I wondered what had turned him so completely, or maybe it was always there and I was just too blind and naïve back then to see the signs. It was he who shot Narth while I was unconscious in the Crawler Cat. For that alone he needed to pay, not to mention that he was a traitor and now responsible for the capture of my friends. He had a crooked smile on his lips as he undressed me with his eyes and he said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"My, my what a scrumptious sight. I had no idea pirates could look that hot. Now I need to make sure you don't have any hidden weapons other than the obvious ones hidden under that thin dress of yours."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Touch me and you are dead!"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He laughed dirtily :

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Be civil, pirate whore. We have the better cards. Your crew mates die if you don't comply and we blow your rust bucket sky high. Now let me scan you or I'll have the Togar perform a manual search."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He did use a hand held scanner and his hands were sliding up and down my dress and legs, around my breasts and down my thighs. He as breathing harder and I had never felt so angry and violated. I also felt very vulnerable and cursed the thin dress that was such a great idea just a while ago. He finally stepped back and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"What a nice firm body you got, I think we will have some fun later, you and I, after the Duke is done with you. Now get in the Acron Skimmer, we do not want to make the Duke wait."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Elfi's voice came on over my tiny inner ear receiver. It was made almost completely out of organic components and was of the finest Saresii spy technology from the first Saresii Empire and beyond anything the crooks on Sin 4 could possibly scan for.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Teams are in position. Cirruit is almost there and the Marine Aqua Team is on its way too. We have you clear on the surveillance equipment."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I climbed into the skimmer and it took off into the sky.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">While we were underway Wintsun put his hand on my knee and said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"No worries Pirate whore I'll be gentle the first time."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I did not know where I got the strength to remain calm and say:.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"The time you wish you had not done that is soon at hand."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He laughed.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"It's over. You lost. Playing as a girl in a man's universe has its dangers. So accept it and you might get an enjoyable ride out of it, or two."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Coliseum was a huge ring shaped building bathed in multi colored lights. Hundreds of heavy armed Skimmers patrolled the sky around it.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">We approached a landing platform high above the ground and the fat Duke was standing there flanked by two Togar male warriors armed with Kermac Line Blaster Rifles.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He greeted me with what I could only describe as a slimy smile on his thin lips, revealing his needle like teeth.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Oh how lovely and mysterious. Well I am sure you will share your identity and show me what you have hidden behind those feathers and veil. You see I always get what I want."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Why this interest in me?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“Friends of mine told me what a strong woman you are and I love breaking beautiful, arrogant women."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Is it because you were rejected by one and couldn't get her? Or did you mommy spank you a little too much?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He pointed his finger at me, almost touching my nose and I knew I had touched a raw nerve as I he hissed:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You will beg for my mercy. I promise you!"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"The night is still young and might hold a few surprises for us all."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Now that you are here I think we can come to a business agreement where I get your ship and I let you live. It's a real good offer, I assure you. I am not always that generous."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I thought I was here to discuss a price for my crew members release and sell you the Froth Casters."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He raised his shoulders and said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I lied, I always do that and I've got you now. I am sure I can persuade you to give me all the necessary access codes."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I'll have my ship blown up before I give it to you."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Our little Pirate lady thinks she still has choices."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">His face became hard and the smile vanished.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I do not know who you are and frankly I don't care. Let me make it perfectly clear to you. You will die tonight in a most unpleasant manner if you don't do exactly as I tell you."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">One of the Togar extended his claws and growled.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Follow him or I will make you!"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">We went into the VIP box with the best view over the fight arena. I estimated at least 80,000 beings in the bleachers around the arena. There was a GalNet Team complete with a group of flying Robo Cams.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">An ocean of flags, project-a-signs and every surface that could hold advertisement was used to promote well known Union products.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He offered me a seat right next to him and said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Until I kill you I will be civil and you can enjoy your evening as it will be the last you have in such freedom. How about some Terran Champagne or something else perhaps?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I declined and sat down.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The lights went out and a single spotlight caught us, the fat Duke and me. He got up and said to me: "Get up and cling to my arm or I kill you right here."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Pure rage was building up and as always I felt it first in my stomach, and only because I used a mental calming exercise I had learned from Narth was I able to do as he asked.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He held up his arms and his voice was magnified to thunderous levels.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Ladies and Gentle Beings from all over our pretty Galaxy, I Duke Donheer, welcome you all here in person and via GalNet, Shiss-cpjt and all the other broadcasters that are here tonight. Welcome to another Fight to the Death night, here at the Donheer Coliseum, the home of the genuine Ultra Gore Kill League."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He made a pause to accept the applause and the cheers and then said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I appreciate you all and because you have been great fans I have prepared great fights for you tonight. As usual bets can be placed until the Fight siren that signals the start of a contest. Merchandise and Souvenirs can be purchased at the GalNet Donheer Site. Get them now because these will be collector items soon!"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The spotlight turned off and the lights came back on. An unseen promoter now spoke.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Tonight you will get your money's worth of blood splattering excitement. Men, women and beasts will die in the eternal sands of the arena to satisfy you. And what a spectacle our Duke himself has lined up, the return of the Super Fight spectacle. A Dai Warrior just captured from the most vicious Dai Clan sold to us by the Kermac who declared all Dai must be eradicated. A Half Dai Assassin from a far off world with a long list of skills. Will this sneaky dagger wielding coward have a chance in open combat?

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Into the mix and smuggled from the deadliest planet in the Universe, three monstrosities from green Hell, a real Stomper and two Insecto Saurus'."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The crowd cheers thundered. The speaker waited till the noise ebbed away somewhat and said speaking over a drum solo:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Our friends of the Union Fleet supplied us with a ghastly but powerful grey Nul warrior and to top this Royal Rumble to the Death we announce the return of greatest of all fighting champions this Arena had ever seen. The destroyer of life, the Terror from a far and unknown Galaxy, The one and only Terror Hammer has returned!"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">A sea of blue and yellow flags and streamers appeared, held by fans who chanted rhythmically "Terror Hammer!"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Duke Donheer said more to himself than to me or anyone.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"It is a shame to kill him, the crowd loves him, but no one defies me and makes a fool of me!"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The round arena was now lit and cages lowered from above. I saw Har-Hi in one and Hans in another. A third held a huge grey Nul. I had never actually seen a Nul in reality and I had to admit that being looked more frightening than a Y'All.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Of course truth to be told, ever since I knew TheOther I got used to the looks of the Y'All. The announcer presented six more ferocious looking beings: A Saurian, two Yellow Throat Shiss, a Togar fight champion and two Perthanian Union citizens who got captured and were forced to participate in this spectacle.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">What galled me most was that this Arena showed Union citizens kidnapped and forced to all this and according to Donheer, he had billions of viewers and lucrative advertisement contracts with Union companies.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Every advertisement director that Okayed this should be held accountable for treason and enabling criminals.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Duke said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Kiss me!"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Not in your lifetime."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He gave the Togar that stood behind me a sign and said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Defying me has consequences! Maybe that will make your Dai fight even more! There is nothing the crowd loves more than a Damsel in distress and monsters with slimy tentacles. The Togar aimed his weapon at me and snarled.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Get up, Pirate!"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">.The Duke said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"On your knees and beg for mercy, or I'll have you tossed in to the arena.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I vaulted over the railing of his floating VIP box and landed in the coarse sand about five meters below, rolling over my shoulder to lessen the drop impact.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Announcers voice spoke:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Captured by our very own Duke during a tremendous space fight. One of the Unions most wanted Criminals: The Lady Pirate known as Black Velvet. Special bets can be made by whom this slender weak human female is killed first."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Elfi spoke in my earpiece:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Team Aqua has breached the outer defences unnoticed and is in the process of neutralizing everything in sight."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">That meant my Marines had successfully landed on the Dukes Island and had begun searching for the Loki torpedoes.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Elfi then said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Team Blackout is also progressing towards their objective."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Narth said into my mind.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I have recuperated well enough. I am certain I can teleport."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Can you take the Golden along?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The answer came immediately.

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I was thinking.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Narth take the Golden home now!"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Then I whispered so Elfi could hear me.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Tell me when Narth and the Golden are safe."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The cages holding the fighters and monsters clapped open and a pile of swords, spears and sabres was uncovered in the center of the arena. The stomper a terrifying monster with eight legs with a mass of long tentacles on one end screamed and went straight for me. Hans was immediately attacked by one of the huge Insectos .Looking like a cross between a praying mantis, Scorpion and Dinosaur it had sharp looking scissor claws and a stinger oozing with greenish slime on a long flexible tail while it scurried fast through the sand on its six insect like segmented legs. The grey Nul, as big as Hans, was wearing a slave collar. It blinked and I knew someone was causing the Nul pain via remote controlled shocks and they had glued something over his only eye.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The huge Nul staggered as he tried to get rid of the gooey sticky mess over his eye.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I kicked the nice open toed pumps of my feet, and ran as fast as I could towards the pile of weapons. Barely escaping the Stompers attack I came close to the Perthanian and said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"If you want to see the Union again make your way to the space port and find the Silver Streak as soon as the lights go out."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I didn't wait to see if he understood and in my Ear I could hear Elfi say:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"The Golden has just popped out of thin air and now Narth is here as well."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Is Cirruit ready?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Almost, he needs 5 more minutes to hack into the power grid."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Stomper collided with the Nul and grabbed him with his tentacles. I never liked the Nul but even he wasn't here on his own free will. I threw a Vibro sword as hard as I could towards Har-Hi. He jumped and elegantly took it by the handle out of mid-air and swung it immediately against the Insecto severing its right claw arm right off. Hans had just shown what he could really do and grabbed the tail just behind the dangerously sharp stinger of the other Insecto and with a groan ripped it right out of the poor animal and used the tail like an oversized club beating the wounded animal with it. The spectators exploded in a frenzied uproar and chanted his name even louder. I threw a sword to the half Dai who was just as agile catching it as Har-Hi and attacked the Sauron. With a grim satisfaction I took a long handled battle axe with two sharp looking blades and swung it around. The weapon was not high tech. I did not have any Vibro or other function but it was made of a tough metal and had a razor sharp edge as I found out after slicing it through the upper thigh of the attacking Togar. The majestic looking cat warrior screamed and his shiny brown fur was dulled by his own dark blood.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I was no longer Erica or female. I was once moreEric a child of Nilfeheim. Neo Viking by blood and all layers of my complicated personality peeled back as I put every ounce of my strength into the second blow decapitating the Togar and sending his head flying.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Har-Hi was fighting the Insecto Saurus and he clearly had the upper hand but the yellow throat Shiss, who wore costumes like Hans, appeared to be experienced arena fighters and ganged up on my friend, attacking him from behind. Normally I would not have thought twice. in my opinion Har-Hi could clean the whole arena by himself, but he most likely was still fighting the effects of the paralysator and without any medical treatment must sti; fee; groggy also he didn't have his own swords and weapons.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I was bringing the axe down along the spine of the first four armed lizard that effectively took this Shiss out of the game.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The other Shiss turned and almost decapitated me but Har-Hi had evaded the stinger of his Insecto so skilfully that the sharp stinger of the beast hammered into the side of the Shiss's head. There was no need to help Har-Hi.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I looked around and saw the Nul, still unable to see clearly, being tossed through the air by the stomper and would certainly die during the next attack.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Stomper uncoiled his tentacles and one of them snatched the Nul.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He struggled against the pull of the tentacles. Any lesser being would have died between the maws of the Stomper.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I ran towards the Nul and yelled.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Nul Warrior lean as far back as you can, I cut you lose!"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I ducked at the last moment as one of the barbed tentacles whipped towards me. The axe was a primitive weapon indeed but I would not have wanted anything else at that moment as I drove it through the first tentacle. It proved to be razor sharp. Stinking ooze sprayed over me as I hacked through more tentacles like a maniac. The Stomper had forgotten about the Nul and focused now on me. I had to duck, jump and slice with the heavy blade, now sticky with the rancid smelling blood of the Stomper.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I knew the Saresii body changing process had changed my outer appearance but in order to pack my male frame into a female shape, the additional mass was compacted and the result were denser muscles, I never felt as strong even though I had thinner arms.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I marvelled at the agility of the female body that allowed fight moves a male body could only achieve with constant training.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Somewhere in the back I heard the roaring crowd but I had to focus now, one false step and I was toast.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I was a warrior again, unrestrained by rules. Reacting to my instincts more than to my thoughts, letting my senses guide my muscles.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The skin of the Stomper was hard as rock and it took heavy blows to make it even splinter, but there was a thin yellow line of skin between the top and bottom armour where the legs were atached that wasn't covered by the crystalline armour and the axe blade cut deep into it with each blow I managed to land.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Something scratched my back and I was certain the barbed tail of the stomper had not completely missed its target. I was bleeding from several cuts, but then I was close and with three strong chops I severed one of the stomper's legs.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Then I saw it, right behind the Stompers head, the same yellowish skin, a small area and I knew. This was the mark of that beast, the spot it could be killed and began hacking away; always avoiding the remaining barbed tentacles.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The sand was trenched with the stomper's blood and it stuck to my feet. The beast was now screaming and each blow with the axe cut deeper into the side, cutting chunks of flesh out of an ever deeper gouged wound.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Stomper now groaned and his remaining legs buckled! It was finished. I sjumped on the still breathing stomper, and with several chops split its skull. The stomper was dead

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I looked up, myself almost out of breath with a heaving chest and raised the axe. I could suddenly hear the crowd chanting my name in frenzy. "Black Velvet, Black Velvet..."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Elfi's voice sounded concerned.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Captain Can you hear me?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Yes I can hear you."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Captain, I was trying to reach you for almost five minutes but you did not answer. Are you alright?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I jumped of the Stomper and said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I think so. How far are we?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Everything is ready!"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Do it!"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The lights went out again. I felt Narth's presence and the faint pulling sensation of Translocation. As the lights came back on I stood in the Sky Box of the Duke. Four Special Forces marines disguised as Pirates were led by TheOther wearing what looked like a genuine Y'All battle suit. With terrifying weapons in each of his fists, the unnaturally twisted body of a badly mangled looking Togar lay before the feet of the giant with the charred remains of the other guard not far away. One of my marines held Wintsun, while the Duke was still sitting in its chair but all his flair of power and self-importance was gone.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Fat man's face showed panic.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">A glance down to the Arena showed me only the dead monsters. Hans and Har-Hi were gone and so were the Pertharians, the Nul and the man named Honshu.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I still held the bloody axe and I could not even imagine how I looked, I stepped forward and he cringed back.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Oh no I won't make it that easy for you!"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He held up a little device and said with a weak voice.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"One push and the torpedoes will launch."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I swung the axe and his hand along with the device flew in spray of blood.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Push your button now, if you can."

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

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">We had returned to the ship, our disguised landing tank was attacked twice, the hits not even registering on the tanks strong shields. Our attackers however were exploding in mid-air as I had ordered to return fire on anything that even appeared threatening. I felt sore, dirty and exhausted and my back started to hurt real bad.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I visited sickbay and Cateria shook her head as she saw me.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"In Gorhum's wisdom, Captain you look awful!"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I feel awful too, and why is the ship moving?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">A med bot put me on her diagnostic table and she begun to work on me and said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Stompers, like all creatures of Green Hell are poisonous and only because you somehow survived the sting of a Wurlag you are still on your legs. A little longer though and we would have a Dai for a captain!"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I was mildly amazed to see that she was assisted by the white furred Togar, she still wore the white dress but this time with the logo patches of the med team.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">While she derma patched my back, I said to the Togar

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Looks like you found something to do after all."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I am not a very technical person; my schooling was limited to theory, literature and arts but this art of healing appeals to me."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Cateria said. “She asked if she could help out in sickbay.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“It's all good, I approve of it fully.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Cateria declared me fit for duty, twenty minutes later.

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">After that I had a long shower and felt much better, then called for a debriefing in the Pirates Den.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I motioned to Mao first and asked.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You and Pure led the Aqua Team, how did it go?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Mao pointed to the two small Terrans who stood on the table before him and said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Thanks to Lt. Bergdorf we managed who neutralized the sensor grid so we could dive underneath the Donheer Compound shields and we found the Loki torpedoes along with the P Bomb and a cache of other Union Tech hardware. We destroyed everything safely and then detonated one Loki torpedo. The Donheer Island compound is completely destroyed and Sin 4 has one less island. Krabbel was very good at convincing one of Donheer's deputies to tell us all we wanted to know and we set off a much smaller charge in the city to blow up the HQ of the Donheer Syndicate in the city as well to destroy any Union mil tech there."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I was very pleased with that and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"That went well and I do appreciate the help of our New World Commonwealth crew members."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I looked towards Hans and continued.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"But I like to be kept in the loop who is sent outside. If we have to leave in a flash I do not want to leave anyone behind."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Hans face was unreadable but then he nodded.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Yes Captain, I understand, I should have asked for permission."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Hans we are friends and I rely on all of you to be innovative and spontaneous. We managed to get out of this situation so well because of it. So I should commend you and as a friend I do, but as the Captain I need to know those things. This is not a reprimand or anything like that."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">His face now showed relief and he nodded in his unique neck-less way and said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Yes Captain, I know what you mean."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I smiled in his direction and then looked over to Har-Hi, Narth and the Golden.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You almost made my heart stop when I heard you were abducted."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Narth said. "I did not know I could be affected by Paralysator rays. It severely impaired my Abilities for hours.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Har-Hi shrugged.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"There isn't much we could have done. That bastard used a F4 Paralysator, and stunned an entire City block."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I sighed and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I am not blaming you for anything either of course. I am merely trying to express how glad I am you are back and safe."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Har-Hi put his hand on my shoulder.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You are the best Captain and when I said I follow you to the Bad Lands I meant that. I know you don't like to send us in harm's way but you will have to do it again I am sure and you simply can't do everything by yourself. That you are concerned about us, be assured we know that."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"We never were in much danger, Captain. Narth recovered fast and told us your plan and Hans was there as well. They did not know we knew him. He could have freed us anytime."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Hans nodded.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"They never considered the Golden or Narth in his disguise as material for the Arena and wanted to sell them."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Then he spread his mighty arms and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Sorry Captain I have to say it, but I never have seen anything like you attacking that Stomper. You were the only standard human in that arena and yet you were the most dangerous creature of us all."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Har-Hi looked at me.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Not to mention a Togar and a Shiss and doing it all while barefoot and in a dress."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I tried to ignore them as I wondered about myself. Of course I knew that Warriors could go bezerk. I heard many stories about it back on Nilfeheim. But that it could happen to me, that while fighting that Stomper I felt an animalistic satisfaction, was disturbing, so I said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You should talk, Mr. Terror Hammer, ripping the tail out of an Insecto-Saurus."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He smiled and wanted to say something but I gave him a smouldering look and he swallowed whatever he wanted to say.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I liked those sling back pumps and I ruined a perfectly good dress, no wonder I was a little agitated,"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">They all laughed at that and then I became more serious again.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"We need to interrogate our prisoner and learn where he got these weapons and if there are any more hidden on this world."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Har-Hi said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"What about Wintsun, will we go by the book?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I dreaded my own answer.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Yes we will. He was a friend, but he killed and is a traitor."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Cateria got up.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I think it will be best we perform a brain dump on them and let the Computronics and Ship go over all their memories."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I agreed with her and then dismissed them and said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Let us hope that the Red Dragon shows up on time tomorrow so we can and rap this part of our mission up. I really want to get some vacuum under our keel."

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

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

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

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Duke Donheer found himself in a featureless white and brightly lit room. He had not imagined things, there stood a Y'All at the door with both his arm pairs crossed before his chest. He tried to move but found himself fixed to a diagnostic chair. A helmet like thing hovered over his head and he was certain he knew what it was: a Saresii Mind Dump machine.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Every single memory and every secret stored in his brain would be downloaded into a file that could be analysed. It was the most efficient interrogation method ever invented, and only the Old Saresii ever perfected it and made it work. These machines officially did not exist and their secret had been lost for eons, but he had heard rumors that the Saresii Secret Service known as the Grey Cat Society still had a few of them. He would have given half of his empire for one of these. He knew the Union had developed special techniques and implants to prevent a mind dump and it was said they equipped their Starship captains with such, but they were as impossible to get as these machines.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">To see a real live Y'All was even more amazing to him, even in his current situation he wondered how one of these beasts would fare in his arena. He still felt dizzy and a little numb, perhaps the machine had already done its job.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Only now he realized the Y'All there at the door wore a black Union uniform.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Could it be? Could the Y'All secretly be Union members?

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Everyone believed it was the Kermac who had something to do with the Y'All, but maybe it was the Union after all?

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">A sliding door opened and another no less massive figure came in making the floor vibrate. It was the Terror Hammer, but he wore the Uniform of a Union Lieutenant. A woman with short hair and cold features stepped from behind him into view holding a File Chip. No one paid any attention to him, something his ego could not stand so he said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Hey I am awake, what is going on here?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">They still paid no attention so he added.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You are Union and have no business here on Sin 4."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">A female voice behind him said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Dealing with Union Mil tech and killing Union citizens in your arena makes you our business."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The woman who had answered him also came into view from a place somewhere behind the chair he was fixed on. She wore a Sojonit Mask and the typical pink hair wig of that whore order, she too wore Fleet black and a Lieutenant bar on her collar and took the data chip from the other woman. Then she said

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Your compound is destroyed and we recovered or destroyed all the weapons. We have got everything you ever knew on file now and it will take our Computronic very little time to shift through all of it. You are welcome to make a statement but it is not necessary."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">His mind became clearer and with it emotions of fear.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"What are you going to do with me?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">She said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You know the penalty of dealing with Union Mil Tech!"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He protested weakly.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I am not Union. You can't do that!"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">She padded his cheek.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"As you see by analyzing your situation, we could, but our Captain had a better idea."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The woman with the short hair said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Making our Captain angry is a very bad idea and you did a marvellous job of doing just that."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">She shrugged.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"It would have been good advice, but I just realize I am giving it to you way too late."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Donheer swallowed and licked his dry lips.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"What is it you will do to me, kill me?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Sojonit said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"No, we will release you to the local authorities."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He started to laugh and said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"That's more like it and I am the local authority around here!"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">But as he saw three Stik come into the room, all three of them clean and in full feather and leather regalia his laugh became a choking sound and he swallowed hard, saying:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You can't be serious! That scum is lower than dirt and has no authority whatsoever."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">--””--

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

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">We were back on Trash Island in a valley between stinking mountains of waste about fifty kilometres away from the Skaakh village and I stood next to Har-Hi and Nestor Faller as we watched the Stik drag Duke Donheer, the once powerful patriarch of the Donheer family syndicate to a crater like hole. He no longer insulted the Stik and I heard him say.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Can we not come to an agreement? I can have food flown out to you every day and I even get you all the feathers you want."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">An old Stik standing there said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You have killed thousands of us. You and your kind came to our world, took away everything, and dirtied the Waters and lands. Your kind brought horrors to our world we had never seen or known. You will die now devoured by one of your gifts to our world."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He was pushed and fell into the pit and Donheer screamed at the top of his lungs as tentacles exploded out of the ground all around him. The Stik did not look away as he screamed while the monstrous life form tore him to pieces.

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

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The entire crew except those who had to keep the most essential duty posts were assembled.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">At my sign, two Marines brought in Wintsun. He had been dressed in a Midshipman uniform but all rank insignia had been removed.

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"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 300 light years from here."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I said.

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He squinted his eyes.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I don't remember ever seeing you before. Who are you?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I answered him. "You knew me as Eric Olafson and we were friends."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He looked me up and down and said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I thought we sent you to the Kermac? What's with the chick outfit? Did the Kermac turn your mind or something?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I sighed.

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He shrugged.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"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 is 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 prestigous 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."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I didn't really know what to say to that but I did say.:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Galmy did that, not to put you down, but to show you her friendship."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He rolled his eyes.

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Then he made a disgusted face and said while looking at me.

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I straightened my stance and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"And now you will pay for all your deeds according to our laws and traditions."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Wintsun shrugged.

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I noticed the steel edge in my voice as I said.

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I held up his memory chip.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I know it was you who whipped me at the post. I promised you then justice will prevail and now it has."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He laughed.

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I took my gloves from my belt and put them on.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Everything that needs to be said has been said and you show no remorse and therefore I deny you the mercy I could give."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">With a gesture I signalled the crew and everyone put on their hoods and I said.

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

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You may stand back, Sarge. I must do my own dirty work."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Aye Captain!"

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Please, don't do it. You always knew a solution to a problem. Can we not talk about it?"

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He struggled but the Marines manhandled him without problems and I said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Do you want a blindfold?"

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"May whatever God you worship have mercy on you."

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

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

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">THE GRAY NUL

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I could not even think about sleep after that and went to the pool and took a long swim. The clear cold water 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?

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I was about to close my eyes a little and simply drift when SHIPS voice reached me:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Captain, you are needed."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I surfaced and Har-Hi stood by the pool holding a towel.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"There is a situation outside the ship; I thought you'd want to know about it."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I dried myself and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Ship give me a field screen."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">My Dai friend explained while the view screen established itself before me:

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

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I jumped into the Auto Dresser and dialed for my Pirate Outfit.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Seconds later Har-Hi was running beside me to the next IST and said:

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I turned my head as we stepped into the IST.

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The IST shaft extended to the ground and released us below my ship. I ran towards the force field border where the Nul stood.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Below my ship and without a slide belt or other transportation I realized just how big the Tigershark realy 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:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Besides it is an unfair situation the Nul is in and that's why you fought for him at the arena as well."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He could not see my grin as I said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I guess I am predictable after all."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">We had almost reached the edge but there was time for me to say:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"That is a strange thing to say. I thought we were getting to know each other pretty good by now."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"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 life time of practice like Shea. However 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."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I slowed down as we were almost there and said:

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I stopped just behind the Nul; all that separated us was the insubstantial, barely visible barrier of the shields.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"SHIP can you make the shields transparent for sound where I am?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">She responded right away saying:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Yes Captain, you can talk to the Nul now."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">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 discoloring from the intense heat to scarred black.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I said into the same audio pick up I had addressed SHIP

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Tactical, fire a warning shot before those goons and I don't mind if you singe a few of these cowards."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">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 Concrete and trash into a tremch of white hot glowing magma. Whoever was left of the group of beings scrambled to find cover.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Having the pause I needed, I addressed the Nul:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"What do you want here?"

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I know you are Human and we are enemies…"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Nul stumbled and it appeared he kept on his feet by sheer will power.

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">His pillar like legs buckled, and he groaned as he pushed himself back up.

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"SHIP, Med Bots to my position, stat. Also alert two Marines in full Battle Armour and make me a structural gap where I am."

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

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“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."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He groaned something I did not understand and then collapsed. The Med Bots arrived along with the Marines and to them I said:

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Nul was not the only visitor that night;

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The two Pertharians arrived at our shield base only twenty minutes later. They were wounded as well, but not seriously as far as I could tell. One of them said to me through the shield:

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"On my word I will not enslave you and I meant what I said in the arena."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Narth spoke into my mind:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Those are first year academy cadets, very young and despite being Pertharians, quite frightened."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">With this information I had ship open the shield and I said to them.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Cadets, get in here on the double, that's an order.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">They responded before they even realized what they were doing. One of them said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"How do you know we are Cadets?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Only after Ship had the shields opaque to sound I said.

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">They both saluted and snapped into attention and one snarled:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Officer on deck."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I sighed with a smile on my lips.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Don't do the saluting out here, let's get you inside."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">As they stepped out of the IST they saw two Marines waiting for them, one being a Pertharian, too. The slightly bigger one said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"The center be praised, this is really 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 waited to go home for our first year's leave. 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."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Even though both of them were inhuman Pertharians, I could almost physically feel their relief as they followed the Marines. Remembering my adventure on this cursed planet I knew how they felt.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I ended the day with a late dinner at the Den and then I did find some sleep after all.

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

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">---””---

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">When I woke I realized I had missed the Forenoon watch and said to Ship as I got up:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Ship, why didn't you wake me at 0730 hours?"

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You gave no specific orders to be woken, Captain and the XO said to let you sleep if you didn't give specific orders."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">With a mild accusatory tone in my voice I said to her:

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">She actually managed to make her voice sound a little offended:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Captain, your wellbeing is important to the crew and mission and sleep is important to humans. You know I follow any order you give and would never be disrespectful."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I dressed myself instead of using the Auto dresser, since I wore the same all the time. I did like to select what I was wearing underneath and while I knew it was a mild form of narcissism, I liked the way lace looked on this body. I said to Ship:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I know you were motivated by good intentions and I appreciate that."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">She sounded happy.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Thank you Captain, besides nothing happened that needed your attention while you slept."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I finished brushing my hair and went on the bridge. Har Hi got up from the Conn, wished me a good morning and then pointed to the main viewer.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"More Pirate ships have arrived. Also we intercepted chatter that suggests the Red Dragon has arrived in the system and should make planet fall within the next hour."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Narth turned from his console and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I've got the Red Dragon on our sensors, Captain. The ships original signature you recorded fighting this vessel has changed from four ISAH pods to two.

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I acknowledged the reports and sat down on my seat. The Golden was sitting next to Elfi at Communications and he said.

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Shea also had a report and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Our Nul guest is out of surgery and Cateria hopes she did enough to help him."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Hans stomped down from his security station at the back of the bridge and said to me:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I send the statement of the two Pertharian kids to CID and they are investigating. Results are pending and via Cherubim on Richter we informed the Academy and the family of the Pertharian brothers that they are alive and safe without revealing where they are. General Cherubim said she will take care of a cover story."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You all have been busy so it seems while a certain Computronic I know let me sleep in."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Har Hi grinned broadly.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"To her defense, Captain, she did ask me and I made the decision to let you sleep in."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">SHIP chimed in.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"See Captain it wasn't just me."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"A fine crew I got, ganging up on me and making me look lazy."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Har Hi said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Well it's not every day we share the bridge with a 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."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Cirruit and I ordered the Black Velvet Action figure with Axe chopping action complete with animated Stomper; will you autograph mine when we get our mail on Richter?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">With a sour face I said:

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Golden tried to make an innocent face and spread his arms.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Sorry Captain, that was an opportunity too good to miss. I contacted a manufacturing friend of mine, I am going to make a killing on those."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Mao interrupted and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"The Red Dragon entered the atmosphere and should become visible any moment now.” Mao adjusted the tactical screens and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Here she comes."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I still have no idea what kind of ship that is; does anyone of you have more information?"

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Yes, there is a highly classified file in the orders we got from Cherubim and the Red Dragon is, according to these, 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.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I turned to look at her and asked: "Something the matter?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">She looked puzzled.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I am not sure, but it looks as if part of that file was deleted after it was placed in our order file. The time stamp of the deletion is the day the Tigershark was delivered to Richter Base."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Ship established her Avatar, walked over to Shea and looked over my science officer's shoulder and said:

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">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 certain information, 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

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Circuit came on the bridge, joined Ship and Shea, and after a few moments said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"The Red Dragon's hull is made of Compacted Ultronit, the same as our Battle ships armor. It is standard now, but back then it was state of the art. The main hull is 245 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 450 klicks.The main battery on top looks like it held a Translocator at one point but it blew and was replaced with a double set of powerful Dai Than sputter guns the Dai attempt to create Translocator cannons. They only fire Fusion matter bombs and only near light and not TransDim like the real thing and even their mothers don't have anything bigger than Mega Loads."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Har Hi sighed at that and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"We are good Engineers, but we have not figured out how to maintain containment in an Antimatter charge while the casing is accelerated to near light speed with these kinds of acceleration forces. The Union Translocator cannons do not have this problem as they transmit an explosion via another dimension."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Cirruit said:.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I didn't mean to put down Dai technology."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Har Hi responded.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I know the feeling, I catch myself doing it because I am working day in and day out with Union tech."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Technically Translocator cannons are not Union tech either, but Seenian."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Shea disagreed by saying:

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I let them banter a little but then said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Can we go back to the Red Dragon out there?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">They all returned to their read outs and scanners and then Shea said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"He has an array of other weapons; Shiss, Karthanian and Kermac tech including four Loki torpedo starters."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">She paused again and then said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I am not completely sure but it appears the Red Dragon has a Seenian technology as a main spine core weapon. Completely unknown design, but the materials conform to Seenian tech. These readings are similar to the sleeping energy readings I made from the ship Cateria attacked us with."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I called Cateria up. She looked very tired as she appeared six minutes later.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Sorry for the delay Captain, I was sleeping. That Nul patient of ours was more than a challenge."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I made an apologizing gesture and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I am sorry for disturbing you, but would you go over the Scanner data from Shea and see if you can confirm that?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">She went over to Shea's console and worked with her. Finally she turned and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"That is indeed a Celtest Zero Point Canon of a much bigger size than the one I had in my Courier. He also has a Celtest Shield Generator. "

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">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 hexagonal pattern Ultronit had.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"That explains why he could destroy the Glorystar so easily and shrug of Loki torpedoes without being completely destroyed."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Cateria covered her mouth and yawned.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Initial scanner data shows he has neither Celtest Energy plants nor Celtest Sensors. That means he cannot operate these shields or the ZPC at full capacity. As I see his power level readout they can fire that ZPC once every twenty minutes at perhaps 10% of its capacity at most and the same holds true for the shields."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I gave my CMO a thankful look and said:

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">She gave me a smile which was rare for her and she said.

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

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">She smiled even wider.

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I smiled back at her and she went to the IST and said: "Call me when the Nul is coming around."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I will, Captain"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I returned my attention to the Main Screen and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I guess the best thing is we go to that Pirate market as well."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I am sorry Captain, did you address me? I was just showing my roommate where the Depository is, the secret planet of the Golden."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I still smiled and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Your roommate? Do you share your VIP quarters?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He looked at his furry friend and then at me and said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Yes I did, but I am a regular crew member now 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."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">His statement warmed my heart and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"So you became friends I see."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Holdian blinked with his black button eyes and nodded.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Oh yes Captain. I am teaching Sobi how to fix stuff and he teaches me all kinds of Merchant secrets."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Golden put his hand on the head of the Holdian and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"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.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I changed the subject and said to him:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"We need to go to the Pirates Market and you know most about it."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He came down the ramp and into the main area of the bridge and said:

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I grinned and said.

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Circuit said.

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

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I stay too. I can take the Conn. I don't mind dirt side but I'd rather be aboard and I am helping Cirruit anyway."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">My Chief Engineer padded Shaka's shoulder:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"He is getting quite the Nanite expert."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Before I could say something, Cateria called and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"The Nul is awake."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I got up.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Mr Sobody, prepare our excursion to the market. I will be with you all shortly."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">--””--

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">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 forklike 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 the Nul.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He still wore bandage patches all over his body. Cateria stepped next to me as I entered the High security Detention Ward and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Captain, I never worked on a Nul before and there was frightening little in our medical Data banks. There is no similar life from on file. 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."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Nul's single eye followed me and he spoke:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You are the Captain of this vessel?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I looked at the Nul through the force field and said.

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

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I shrugged at that and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"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 communicate with us and they refuse any diplomatic contact. That does not mean I hate Nul."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He growled with his deep voice saying:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"But why have you fought for me? You risked your life for mine. I need to know."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">How could I explain my often impulsive and reckless behavior? I said:

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He said very slowly.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Unfair..." he repeated it again and then he listened as SHIP jumped in and explained something to him in a different language. He then looked at me again and said:

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He raised his arms and immediately my Marines did the same with their weapons but all he did was talk and he said.

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I suspected as much, as I remembered the conversation on Brhama Port quite well. To him I said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"It will be impossible for a while but I will find a way to get you home eventually."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He made a gesture towards the walls and said:

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

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"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. This agent then will use our communication systems to contact the King directly."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I said to him:

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He spread his arms in a universal understandable gesture of non-aggression and said:

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I looked to the ceiling and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"SHIP, deactivate the security fields and get me a GalNet Connection on this security panel down here."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I waved to the Marines and said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Sergeant take the robot with you and stand guard outside."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You know how to use a GalNet terminal?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He bent his entire body forward and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Yes I do."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I went to the door and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Tell the Marines outside when you are done."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">His voice sounded surprised as he said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You will not remain to monitor my actions?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I will give you privacy to make this call. You gave me your word so why should I need to monitor it?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He gestured to the terminal and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Please stay then, Captain. I would like you to hear what I have to say."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He made a connection to Bokta World and called a Saurian Merchant there.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">After the Saurian appeared on the screen, the Grey Nul said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"This is 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."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Saurian bowed.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"My days are blessed for seeing you, most adored of the House Gatu. We thought you lost, honorable Xon and the Nul-Nul are preparing for war. The seer of Narl Gatu said we have only three weeks left before our Prince who is in strange lands transforms forever."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Grey Nul spoke: "The Seer was right as always. I am in strange lands and I am transforming as we speak."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Saurian bowed again.

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Nul said with a loud voice:

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I shall do as you command. My eyes are pained as they see you wounded, Grey One."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Nul made a swiping gesture.

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Sauron bowed a third time and assured the Nul he would act with urgency.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The transmission ended and the Nul said to me:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Now I will be your prisoner."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"That is a dilemma as there is no openly declared war between our nations but if I leave you unguarded I assume you will seek ways to escape and return home."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"What will you do with me?"

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

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I sighed and opened the door.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I will have guest quarters assigned to you but there will be areas that are restricted to you."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He was still bowing and said:

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

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">--””_-

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Pirate market was not far from the space port, located on a cleared field of perhaps six thousand square meters completely surrounded by a ten meter high wall with several gates in each side.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The event was sponsored by the local syndicates and was still being held despite the recent turmoil in their ranks.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">A small city of tents, and other temporary buildings had sprung up inside the walls. Not only pirates set up shop, but also weapon dealers, scavengers, scrap and second hand commodities buyers. The sad tents and pens of Slave dealers as well as exotic live form merchants and ship part sellers intermingled with bar tents and food stalls where the guests and visitors to this market could drink and eat.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Sojonites had placed one of their pink tents at a prominent location near the main entrance and most likely did brisk business. Other establishments of similar business were represented in every flavor imaginable. There were tents of Mercenary outfits offering their services as well as places where the Assassin guilds and similar organizations recruited and offered their services.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Wares and Slaves from all corners of the Galaxy were displayed on carpets, pallets and platforms.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The tents were marked and advertised with an ocean of colorful flags and banners. Beings of every known world and quite a few unknown worlds mingled in the isles between. There was an air of commerce and a din of busy noise everywhere and the scents, smells and odors that wafted over the place formed a cloud of indescribable stench that was overwhelming.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Even though the diversity of beings here could not have been greater, our arrival caused a stir with many looks and whispered comments.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Looking over my crew I had to admit we were quite a unique collection of individuals. Krabbel, Hans in his frightening Dungeon tortuer outfit, four Pertharians a Quadiped, the Togar female who had her fur dyed black. Mao with naked upper body full of tattoos, Har Hi in Dai Armor bristling with knives and weapons. TheOther wearing a genuine Y'All armor that was a gift from Stahl himself, complete with a wicked looking lance and Y'All blasters. Sobody in a shiny golden robe looked regal despite the x shaped branding that was of course only simulated. Elfi in an outfit that consisted mostly of semi-transparent veils that highly contrasted to the H&K Missile rifle she carried like an afterthought over her shoulder. Circuit ame along after all, since he realized we went to a market where we could shop had disguised himself like Narth in a Non-Corp suit with mirrored face plates. The NWC Battle walker manned by the three Mini Terrans stomped at the end of our group, looking particular menacing with an added Missile launcher pack on its back.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Mr.Warner, our Holdian specialist, was riding on TheOthers shoulder and thus was able to tower over everyone. It was obvious he enjoyed both the view and the safety his big ride provided.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The rest was dressed in black leather and armor.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The eight human marines that also accompanied us had beards and wore black bandanas. Everyone was armed to the teeth with blasters, boarding axes, swords and other weapons. Hans carried a full size H&K Chain cannon with missile ammo that was normally carried in the field by Battle robots, easily weighing a full ton. One of the Pertharians carried a Nuc-Flamer, an almost forgotten weapon of the Piostla war, able to project the heat of a nuclear explosion in a devastating beam of fire. It was also usually mounted to landing tanks or used by robots.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Shea wearing a bathing suit like bodice with thigh high boots, was armed with her mysterious sword.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">As I saw her with it I remembered I wanted to ask her about it and she promised to tell me the story how she got it later.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Sobody had put a black leather vest over his golden costume and smirked: "Ah what an entrance! I wish we could be here for real business. We made quite an Impact already!"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The crowds parted before us as we walked through the aisles.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He did stop at a Scrap dealer and startred to talk to the tall Insectoid of a species I did not recognize.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Circuit also stopped at a tent, with colorful merchandise.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Shea approached me as I watched Circuit buying something that looked like a colorful plastic space ship toy.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“Captain, that slave merchant over there has a Delicate. I am almost certain the three women and that man are also Union Citizen.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I had only heard of the Delicates, never seen one. From what I knew they were from the Large Magellan Cloud, did not belong to the Attikan Commonwealth and had only joined recently. The being Shea pointed out was exotic alien yet humanoid female, thin tall and incredibly beautyful.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The four naked humans were clearly Homo Galactus, from the looks of it perhaps even of Terran descent.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The dealer was a fat Oghr, with only one gold encrusted tusk.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I wished we could simply free all of his slaves, and feed that nslave dealing bastard to one of the ferrocuius life forms on sale at the next stall,

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Sodoby came over, “I told you we make a good profit on the coils. I just sold our supply for 326 Fullweights, or 6530 credits if exchnaged. That's a profit of 181 Fullweights and a half. “

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“Good deal I say. Have Shaka send the disguised landing tank with your coils and see if you can help me buy those slaves.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I was glad Sobody did the dealing with the Oghr as I was not absolutley sure I could have stayed in character.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">We continued and stopped here and there and inspected the wares put out for sale and slowly approached the center of the market that way. A sales stand kept in a red and golden theme, with half tent and a big standard container caught my eye.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">A row of S 10 Robots stood in a half open shipping crate, with stacks of passenger luggage, bales of Saresii Silk and cases of Terran Liquors on one side. A large cage with about 20 Humans and four Klack was behind that. On the other side, a closed Shipping Container. In the middle was a raised podium with a throne like chair shaded by a red fabric roof held up by flag tipped poles on each side. On this throne like chair sat a red and gold dressed individual. He wore a deep red uniform richly adorned with golden embroidery drawing swirling patterns all over the shiny fabric. He had well defined muscles, broad shoulders and even sitting appeared to be tall. The man wore a wide brimmed hat of the same color as his uniform.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Like me, he did not show his real face to the world, but wore a disturbing looking skull mask with black eye sockets and a lipless grin made out of the exposed teeth.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He was flanked by a rowdy looking crew. I counted nine humans, five Togar two of them female, seven Karthanian, three black furred Nogoll, three Oghar, and two Insectoid beings looking like man sized mosquitoes with silvery wings on their backs. Narth as usual filled the gap in my knowledge and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"These are Frudians."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I acknowledged and then noticed a Kermac in the crew of the Red Dragon. He was beardless and I was almost certain he was the same Kermac I had met in the Slave pens of Alvor's Cove.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The man in the frightening mask got up and stepped in my way, made an elaborate curtsey and held his head before his chest.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"If your face is only half as lovely as your body then I am sure you are among the most beautiful women this side of the Orion arm. You must be the Black Velvet that I have heard so much about."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I put my hand on the heavy blaster that Har Hi was raising and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"And you must be either very brave or perhaps insane to step in my way, whoever you are."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He put his head back on. The jaws of the Skull masked moved only a little while he talked.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You must surely have heard of me, I am the Bane of the Union, the living nightmare of merchant captains and the new incarnation of the Dark One himself. I am the Red Dragon."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I made an airy gesture and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I don't keep up much with gossip and I don't subscribe to the Newsletter of the Self-help group of Delusionally challenged Egos, but I am sure this is what you are. Now that does not explain why you found it necessary to interrupt my business."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He put his hand on his chest.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Oh my, you are as cold and arrogant as they say you are. I love that in a woman. Besides I am in a good mood so I will overlook the insult for now. Our community of freelancing entrepreneurs is a small one and new players are scrutinized, especially one that operates under the identity of a 400 year old Pirate that suddenly reappears."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I looked him down and said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"So you decided to scrutinize me? I don't particular care what you do in your spare time, Red Dragon, but it can be very unhealthy to stick ones nose too deep into my business."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">His voice lost all friendliness and he said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I am very impressed by your display of fighting skills in the arena and I am certain it was you who clipped the fat Dukes wings. Rumors have it that you stole his Loki torpedoes, too, but make no mistake. I am not a little planet bound gangster. I am the Red Dragon and I command the Sinister Alliance."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I also put more edge in my voice.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Then it comes to no surprise to you that I am not impressed by Alliances and groups. Duke Donheer wasn't so little just yesterday. I wonder if you would have said the same thing three days ago. Now come to the point why you stopped me or make way. I intend to do business here."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He held up his hands.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Maybe this is going into the wrong direction. Come and see what I have to offer. I see three lovely ladies and I do have loads of Saresii silk and Union designer fashion."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I looked over his offerings and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I don't wear second hand cast offs, but I might be interested in these rolls of Saresii silk I see over there and perhaps the slaves."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He walked over to the silk and said,

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You have a fine eye, this comes from the Gahabee Looms of Sares-Four and would bring enough credits to buy a new ship if one had access to a Union Xchange. The slaves are all healthy. I got rid of the rubble at Alvor's Cove, those only good for the stew pots of Togrr. The liquor, the robots and most of the rest are finest Union wares."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I waved to Sobody and said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I'll have my associate check your offerings if you don't mind so I have a clearer understanding of the actual value."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He nodded and gave Sobody access.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">While my golden Friend checked the wares with obvious expertise the skull masked pirate said: "Having a Golden in the crew for such business matters must be a great bon."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I watched Sobody as he looked at labels and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"He is my quartermaster and has proven his worth many times."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Red Dragon looked over his shoulder.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Even I have not seen a crew like yours. Is that a real Y'All?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I waved at Sobody and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Let's go, the proprietors of this business are a little too nosy for my taste."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">To the Red Dragon I said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"It is no one's business to question the origins of anyone in my crew. If you really want to know, go ask him. I doubt you've brought enough men or weapons to survive the answer."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He spread his arms.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Captain Velvet, I am sorry. I admit I am a bit curious and I see you are as no nonsense as they say you are. Now let's do business and I promise I won't ask any more questions."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I nodded and Sobody haggled with the man and at the end we agreed to purchase the Liquor, the Slaves and the silk. Sobody said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"The Robots you can keep. Without the proper Factory registration codes over GalNet, they are as useless as scrap metal."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"He is quite correct. I guess I have to find another fool to get rid of those."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Even with his mask he could not hide his feelings as Sobody did his key routine and opened the Polo chest, carried by the NWC Battle suit.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Business must have been good for you Black Velvet and I wonder where you do business. I have never seen such a magnificent fighting robot outside of Union tech. This machine looks as if it could go toe to toe with a Union Cerberus and come out on top, yet I can't identify the society that might have produced it."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Before I could say something he said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"It was a rhetorical question. I don't expect an answer."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">One of his Oghar took the 20 bags of Polo coins and said after scanning them. "It is all there Red Dragon. The money is genuine and full weight to the last coin."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He still eyed the chest and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I heard how you dealt with Dentar Bloom and I know you sold the Mighty Nine. The Volting commanding her was an associate of mine. All this and your decisive action against the Duke show me you are not to be trifled with. Maybe you are the perfect addition to my plans. This peddling with second hand merchandise is not what you and I are about. You delegate it to a Golden and I do it out of necessity but I have bigger goals."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I said with a slight amused tone:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Ah right I think I heard of that one. Attacking a Union Outpost, from what they said at Brhama Port it wasn't exactly a very lucrative venture and very costly to those who decided to partake."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He almost hissed like a snake as he answered.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Yet I managed to do it. I attacked a Union Outpost and got away. I dared what no one dreamed to attempt. This was not an undefended colony and we managed to land troops. The prize would have been Translocator cannons, shiploads of Union tech and thousands of slaves. Yet I am no longer interested in Union tech, I found something much better and the day I will be able to fly openly all the way to Arsenal or any other planet in the Union and lay waste to their fleets is not so far away."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">As delusional as he sounded there was something in the way he said it, that I almost believed him. I said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"What makes you think you could challenge the cursed Union in a way not even the combined forces of Kermac, Nul and Shiss could?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He laughed silently.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"By doing the same thing as the eternal soldier did. Going somewhere and gathering technology beyond anything they have. "

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I gestured to the robots.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Sounds like the phantasies of a mad man who has to sell scrap metal to pay his crew. No one knows where Stahl got the Devastator or the Translocator tech."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Red Dragon cursed under his breath and then said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Maybe you are 400 years old, but you know nothing of the Union and the Devastator. It is a Celtest ship and the Translocators are Celtest technology. The entire Union military might is centered on a single weapon system. Imagine what would happen if an enemy shows up that is immune to that weapon? If that enemy had shields that neutralizes the TransDim abilities of that cannon? The entire Union fleet has suddenly no teeth and even Stahl could do nothing but run in his big ship."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He stepped towards the closed shipping container and said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Come Black Velvet, I will show you something that will change your mind about me."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He opened a secure door by touching a biometric lock.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Of course it was not the brightest idea to follow an obviously mad pirate with a violent temper inside a metal box alone, but I was well armed and my friends were outside so I followed him

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">It was dark inside the container except for a single transparent show case, illuminated by a single spotlight. Inside the showcase was a dark grey one piece coverall like garment. It was like a cat suit with shoes, gloves and a tight fitting hood that would leave only the face uncovered if worn. It hung in an ArtiGrav field and looked pretty unspectacular. I said after he remained silent.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Okay, so you like to display your underwear in a fancy manner. I fail to see the point."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He snickered and said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Very funny but if I tell you that this is a Celtest Battle suit, the Tech level 11 equivalent of a Union Quasimodo. It has more firepower than a shipload of Nul, better shielding than a Union Battle ship. It is deep space worthy and you can travel vast distances with greater speeds than a Wolfcraft. Its shields are completely immune to Translocator fire."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I knew of the powers of a Celtest or actually Seenian battle suit first hand and while he somewhat exaggerated the abilities of the suit. I was very concerned if he had access to this technology. He was right, an enemy with Seenian technology would be more than just a serious threat to the Union. I said to him:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"If this is all true, why are you not wearing it?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He opened the seams of his uniform blouse and said with pride in his voice:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"But I am! I am wearing a similar suit. This is but one of many pieces of Celtest technology I have. Not broken artifacts, but fully functional and well maintained."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I tried to keep the distress I felt about this information out of my voice and asked:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Why peddle scrap metal and petty things if you have Celtest artifacts worth billions?"

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Because I am going to use it. These things will be my sword of vengeance and my tools to true power. I was not joking when I said I will be the reincarnation of the Dark One. I will march right to Pluribus and give them a choice. Proclaim me sole ruler of the Union or be utterly destroyed! “

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He raised both hands to the ceiling.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I know the location of a Seenian War depot. An entire planet full of automated Seenian factories, continent sized warehouses full of ships, robots, weapons and more. Technology to gain true immortality and I will use it all and become the ruler of this Galaxy. Those, Black Velvet, are worthy goals and I'll soon have all the means of making them a reality! I will be the Power supreme."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I said to him:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Why are you telling me all this?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"So you know on which side to be. To show you how unwise it is to make me your enemy. Perhaps there might even be a place for you in all this. The Celtest Depot is far from here, almost 25,000 light years deep in the unexplored regions of our Galaxy. An almost impossible trip for one space ship alone. Fuel stops have to be made, engines repaired and overhauled and all this without any known places to stop and get spare parts But a small fleet, a convoy if you will, of eight or ten well equipped ships can make it and return in two years with a fleet of unstoppable Celtest ships loaded with the finest tech the Galaxy has not seen in a million years. Only I know where it is."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Are you asking me to participate in this expedition?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I will be here on Sin 4 for a few more days as I expect the arrival of another Pirate I want to talk to. Then I am off to Itheamh. Meet me there, and if you come and I haven't changed my mind about you, I might make such an offer."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">After we had finished our business at the Pirate's market we returned to the Tigershark. I went straight to my office and contacted Cherubim. I got her right away and after I started my report she asked me to hold on as she wanted McElligott to hear what I had to say as well and made a conference connection. So I repeated and finished my report to both of them.

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I just come out of a Staff conference of the highest level as our sources confirmed your initial Intel report. The Nul were preparing for war. Only a few days ago we received the first official communiqué from the Nul-Nul Empire in which they accused us of having committed an unforgiveable act of war by abducting their prince and selling him to the arenas of Sin 4. Just as we were about to end the conference and call for open preparation for war, we were contacted again, this time the Nul apologized for the misunderstanding, and offered to open diplomatic relations between our nations.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">While all this went on I had no time to check on you but I should have, since it turns out you were in the middle of it again!"

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Wait till you see the visuals of our female captain fighting in that arena! She managed to make the name Black Velvet a household name."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I cringed and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Maybe we could skip over that part?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">It was too late. Cherubim had obviously made the visuals available to him. While I could not see Cherubim's facial expressions. I clearly saw those of the Old Admiral.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He finally turned off the visuals and looked at me and then slowly shook his head.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You look so nice, so pretty just like a girl should and yet underneath it all is still a real Neo Viking."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Sir I am sorry if I acted in any way you disapprove."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He waved his hand.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Don't mind me, I am just an old Highlander that still needs to get used to the fact that you and your crew are out there. So far Project Fish has exceeded beyond the wildest expectations on my side and that is a compliment to you, Captain Olafson."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Thank you Sir."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"That the Red Dragon has access to Seenian technology is disturbing news to say the least. If he can equip his Sinister Alliance with Seenian technology he will indeed become a serious threat. Dr. Foster our foremost expert on Seenian Xenotech confirmed the sensor recordings made on the Red Dragon's ship,it is Seenian.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"We noticed that the file on the Red Dragon is incomplete and details have been deleted. Can I ask why?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">McElligott folded his hands and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"That was me, Captain. Because we think we know who the Red Dragon might be. However there is no evidence to that fact, just assumptions. These assumptions were presented as facts in that report and I deleted them. I did not want you to have information that could cloud your judgment if it wasn't absolutely true."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Cherubim said to him.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I don't understand why Captain Olafson should not have this information. I know the circumstances of the theft of the Red Dragon ship are somewhat embarrassing and the fact that he managed to escape from under the nose of the flagship might not sit well with you, but Captain Olafson sits at the front line and earned our trust many times over."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"The fact that she is part of this conference call and that I let you scold me before the Captain should show how much I trust him. It has nothing to do with embarrassment. You Cherubim know a lot and usually more than anyone, but in this case you do not. There is a chance that the Red Dragon is former logistics Admiral Swybar. He and Eric Olafson have a history together."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I could not stop myself as I raised my voice and said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I was there when he was sentenced, he should be dead."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">McElligott nodded.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"That was what I thought as well, Captain, but he was rescued by the Worm or Kermac Agents or perhaps by them working together.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">We know he survived the execution and we know he had foreseen his eventual exposure long before you arrived on the scene. As the head of logistics his department also supervises the Bone yard facilities we have and he used his influence and position to finish the Red Dragon project and equip the ship with technology we don't even knew we had.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Now there is evidence that he was responsible for taking the ship from the Bone Yard after we thought he was dead. However I also have reports that suggest he was killed for real by his associates as his usefulness ended and whoever is the Captain of the Red Dragon now is not the same man. I deleted that information not to deceive you but to make sure you are not clouded by personal feelings and the possibility that it is not Swybar."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He gave Cherubim a side-glance and said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I promised Eric Olafson justice and as far as I knew, it had been done."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"That the Worm is an enemy with vast resources I have learned myself and that they were capable of faking an execution does not surprise me as they have faked my death to mask my abduction. I am not the same angry cadet who questions the fairness or unfairness of things, Sir. I have learned that there are many shades between white and black and I know that you do your best to keep the balance on the white side."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He looked at me for a while not saying anything and then he said with a softer voice.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You have indeed grown up . To fight the Worm and all this scum is the very reason for Project Fish and why you are out there."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Cherubim said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"And you manage to teach me a lesson every now and then Old Man and it is received"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He got up and fetched himself a bottle from a shelf behind him.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"To hear that from you Cherubim calls for a drink. I also suggest we return to the business at hand."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Cherubim agreed and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"The Minerva will arrive tomorrow. Transfer the freed slaves, the Stik delegation and the Nul prince. The Minerva will also bring you mail and some additional supplies."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Old Admiral had poured himself a glass and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Good job dealing with that Duke and his weapons. After we are done with this meeting, I'd like to talk to the Nul prince myself. Call me direct as soon as you can have the call arranged."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Yes Sir."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Cherubim finished her part in the conversation by saying:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Stay on the tracks of the Red Dragon, him having Seenian technology and even knowing how to use it is bad news indeed. If discovering the Seenian depot means that we have to send you on a long trip like that was not planned but can't be helped if it is true. The existence of such a depot is a serious threat to the safety of the Union and we must make sure that no one, not he or anyone else can make use of it."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I nodded and said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I agree I have seen what a little courier ship can do. I will address my crew on that and prepare them for the possibility that we might have to postpone our vacation plans for two years or so."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Cherubim thanked me and terminated the call on her end.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Old Admiral said.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Play it by ear, girl and make your decisions based on what happens. I trust your judgment and now get me that royal Nul on the horn."

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

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I went down to the Deck where the Nul had his quarters. The Marine Guard at his door saluted. "Captain, our guest is well behaved."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I pressed the chime and was asked to come in. The Nul stood in the corner of the room. The bed untouched and the lights of the room dimmed to minimum. He looked quite terrifying with his slightly glowing eye standing there in a dark corner.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I asked him motioning to the bed.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Are the quarters not to your liking?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">His voice sounded like as if he was sitting at the bottom of a deep well as he said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"The accommodations are more than adequate. I expected a security cell, not this, but we Nul do not rest like you in the horizontal."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I touched the controls of the bed and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"These are vari-matic, I am sure SHIP can help you adjusted it to your physiology."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You are very kind Captain, but I am not tired. I passed the time conversing with your truly magnificent Ship AI. I learned so much from her."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">She came on right away and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I did not give away anything classified, just general, openly available info on the Union and such."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I looked towards the ceiling as I always did when I talked to her and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I trust you no worries, SHIP."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I know you do, Captain. I was just making sure you know the nature of our conversation."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"We have Ship AIs as well but I never thought one could have such a pleasurable and personal conversation with one. The way you talk to your system is truly amazing."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I think we are giving you wrong impressions. SHIP is unique in this regard and much more than just an AI."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Captain Olafson, I decided not to accept your challenge. I do not wish to fight you to the death. Even though I am nearly well and I feel I have a fair chance, but the result would be the death of one of us. In the last few hours I was able to observe your crew a little. I conversed with a Golden, a Dai and a Y'All and they all have told me much about you and why they are dedicated to you. They also told me that your looks and size are deceiving and fighting you would not necessarily mean me being the victor. I have seen you fight and I agree. Besides I owe you my life, twice."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I swallowed and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I am glad you decided against that, the idea of being torn limb from limb by a Nul Warrior is certainly not on top of my activity list. However the reason I have come is another altogether. My superior, the highest military authority in our fleer, would like to talk to you, if you agree."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He said with urgency:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"We are at war with the Union?

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"No, I believe your message was received in time and it appears as if war was prevented."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I am ready to talk to your Admiral."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"SHIP, have Elfi pipe the Admirals call down here."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Old Admiral appeared as a Holo Avatar and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Your majesty, I am Admiral of the Fleet McElligott. My government has authorized me to talk to you in their behalf as I had to keep your whereabouts a secret."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I understand Human Admiral."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"To ease faster communication we have sent a ship with long range GalNet equipment to your home world. This historic mission was approved by your supreme leader. As soon as the ship arrives you will be able to converse directly with your government. Also, one of our ships will arrive tomorrow on Sin 4. It will take you to Union space and from there we will provide transport to any destination you request. Be assured you will be treated according to your position as a highly welcome guest of state and not as a prisoner."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Nul bowed and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Thank you Admiral of the Union. However this is not necessary as I would like to evoke the conditions set forth in Fleet Regulation 4563, paragraph 12."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The projected Avatar of the Admiral was obviously baffled and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Your majesty. I am not familiar with that regulation at the moment. What are you trying to say?" The Nul surprised me as well as he said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"This regulation was used to conscript the Golden, and it states the right of a Captain of a Union Ship to conscript any being willing and able to perform all duties and swear allegiance to the Union."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He made only a very short pause and then said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I hereby request to be conscripted as I am willing to swear allegiance to the Union. This Captain has saved my life. The crew of this ship has not made me feel like an enemy and has treated me with respect. I want to learn about the Union and your fleet. I want to do it right here aboard this ship as it also gives me a chance to repay my debt. He who rules in good health will be King for many decades to come before I will climb upon the Rock of Gatu.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">McElligott coughed.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Your highness, this is a very unusual request and I…"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Nul said with a firm voice before the Admiral could finish his objection:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"In order for me as the future ruler of Nul-Nul to make the right decisions, I want to learn about the Union and its fleet. We Nul have trusted the Seenians and were paid with destruction. We have trusted the Galactic Council and were left alone. We trusted the Shiss and were betrayed. We have decided to trust no one that is not Nul and that is the reason we have resisted any contact. This time, however, I want us, the Nul, to ask someone else to trust us. I want to learn the truth and the depths of your society, not from records and diplomats, but at the source."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I believe, if I understood the Golden and the Ship's explanation correctly, this would also make me a Union Citizen, and thus improve our relationship more than words or contracts. I am sure you understand that I can only ask my people to trust and accept the Union beings as worthy allies and partners if I really believe it is so."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">McElligott wrung his hands and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Your Majesty, with all due respect, you are aboard the strangest ship in our fleet and they are in the middle of a dangerous mission. I could not guarantee your safety other than by ordering that ship home. Could you not do your fact finding tour on this nice big battle ship. I could arrange you to do this even on the Devastator."'

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Do not recall this ship on my behalf. I am certain their mission is vital and important. What message would that send to a society like mine, if I chose safety over honor? I know my life giving Leader will eagerly agree with my decision, and if battle on this ship claims my life, it will not end relationships but cement Nul commitment. I hope you too will learn more about Nul in the future, Admiral of the Fleet, and then you will see how important honor and acting accordingly is for us Nul. I spoke to Sobody the Golden, he too is the leader of his society and he was granted this privilege."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">McElligott threw his arms in the air.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Why not, one more totally unique crew member that fits perfectly in this collection won't make all that much difference. This ship of yours, Captain, seems to have some sort of magnet built in that attracts all the strays and outcasts. Your Majesty, I approver your conscription and give you the rank of an acting Ensign. That means however that your diplomatic status means little and that you are subject to all the Navy regulations you are so good at quoting, even the less pleasurable ones, like accepting orders."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I am aware of this and I am intellectually capable of understanding all the consequences of my request. I am a warrior born and from a space faring society that is very little behind yours in terms of technology and advancements. The Seer of Narl Gatu has been right as always as he foresaw my transformation. We distrusted others for a long time as we paid dearly when we did trust others. But this time it is not others to ask us for trust, but we ask yours. I hope we can normalize relations between our societies and end thousands of years of mistrust and hostilities."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">McElligott rubbed his chin.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"This is actually quite an historic event. Lasting peace, perhaps, even cooperation between the Nul and the Union will be received like thunder on a sunny afternoon. It will shake the Galaxy and could very well lead to panic decisions by the Shiss and the Kermac."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"The Shiss have abducted me and I am certain my Life Giver will not let this pass unpunished. However, whatever foes or enemies will emerge, we will meet them as allies. I have completed a message to my Life Giver; would you transmit it as soon as possible?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Admiral acknowledged when he received the file and then sighed:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Carry on Captain, the good thing out of all this is that you could not possible top that. So I should be good receiving your next report, McElligott out."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">As the Avatar blinked out of existence, I glared at the Nul.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You could have warned me and asked me about your intentions."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He actually sounded apologetic and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I am sorry Captain, but SHIP recommended that this would be a logical course of action, so I could remain aboard a little while longer. I assure you, I am aware of military hierarchy and shall perform and execute all duty and orders you give. I intend to show you that Nul can be trusted. Besides, I learned that I am not the only royal being serving under you and they all willingly accept your rule. I am very capable, having been trained since early childhood in all matters of space warfare."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I glanced towards the ceiling and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I think I need to have a word with SHIP about collaborating with the enemy. Now I know why she responded right away after you told me you talked to her. You Mr Natu are to report to the XO for quarters and duty assignment. After you get your uniform, I will swear you in and all that."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">SHIP responded with a hurt tone in her voice:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Captain, all questions he asked were non-classified. I also asked Lt. Narth for his opinion and he said answering these questions would not be against regulations. I would never collaborate with the enemy!"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"SHIP, you know exactly what I am talking about! You might be the most advanced Synaptronic but you are not a very good actor. You can barley keep your amusement and satisfaction out of your voice."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"One is amazed how well you know your SHIP."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"That is what I do; I am the Captain after all."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">--””--

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Minerva was an impressive, shiny golden water drop shaped, heavy, armed Ult freighter. It landed right next to us and I welcomed her Captain in our Pirate Den. He was a Karthanian. Like all Karthanians he was only remotely humanoid, having many similarities to a Terran Seahorse. External Bone structure, round always open mouth with a flickering tongue, four stalk eyes and short, fern like antenna on each side of his head. He did have two arm-like appendixes with very long fingers that started at what would be the elbow of a human arm.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">The Karthanian looked around and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Permission to come aboard. I am Sposhtrah, Shipmaster of the Minerva."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He then identified himself acroding to the Blue-Blue-Green protocol and I did the same. Only then did he take off his bejewelled jacket revealing a Union Uniform.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">" I have a load of Translocator bombs to restock you, two more modified Wolfcrafts in Spectre configuration and the Narth components for your shields that are still missing."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I offered him a seat at our table and our cook brought refreshments, showing that he knew even Karthanian cuisine as the Captain of the Minerva praised the brownish liquid he called Qugamt slobber served in a long thin glass that accommodated his long thin tongue.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I am thankful for the supplies and I know the Stik delegation is eager to get started with their application, but is it wise that we meet so openly?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He waved with his long fingers and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"No worries Captain, I am known as one of worst Slave dealers in the Galaxy. I do business with Pirates and the other scum all the time. I am here on Sin 4 at least five times a year. This way we are able to return at least some of the captured Union citizens back home. Of course not even the freed slaves know that and for me to remain effective it must remain that way."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Before all this I had no idea Slavery is such a widespread problem."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He put down the glass he just was sucking at and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Compared to the size of the Union and its population it is not a very big problem. Fringe Colonies that are not officially colonized through the Bureau are vulnerable to pirate and slaver raids. I would love for it to end as I seen more misery than I care to see and I estimate between 25,000 and 30,000 Union citizens are abducted that way each year. There is currently only one other under cover unit like the Minerva doing what I do as it is very difficult to built up a reputation and do this secretly. The RavE agency is also doing its best to return citizens. They are the true heroes in our society, sadly there aren't enough agents who can do what they do."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“I never heard of an agency named RavE.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“RAvE is a special branch of the Citizens Office. Not exactly secret but still kept out of the public eye as much as possible.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Criminals, Abductions, Slave and pirate raids affecting families and citizens that either happen outside Union jurisdiction or involve cases that cross into Freespace or regions controlled by unfriendly or hostile societies are handled by the Crime and Catastrophe Victim Assistance department of the citizens office. Rescue Avenge or Execute is what RAVE stands for by the way.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I toasted him and said: "I am glad to know that something is being done about it and I thank you for doing it. I had the ill fortune to see what it is like to be a Slave, thankfully only for a short time."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He returned the toast and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Thanks to you we might see the end of Sin 4 soon and that is a good thing. I often wish I could do something about the other slaves as well, the ones that are not Union, I mean. The practice and the demand is still big in Freespace and the whole region is so damn large. My own kind is doing a big part for keeping the demand up. Karthanian smelter moons and Mines always have a large appetite for slaves."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"At least one Karthanian is doing something about it."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Because this Karthanian was sent to the Smelter moons and was rescued by an undercover Union ship during a slave transfer."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">We finished our drinks and then he said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Let's get the transfer started. I heard you got a few slaves freed."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Yes, I purchased all available slaves at the Pirates Market. I think there are about sixty of them and they're all in Stasis."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">A conveyor bridge was placed between our ships and shields extended and synchronized. I stood next to the open freight door and watched the stream of cargo-tainers. I could not help but smile to see TheOther and the newly conscripted Nul compete with Hans and our cargo handlers to see who could lift the bigger boxes. The Golden who took his job as Quartermaster very seriously and held a PDD directing the flow of cargo to the right destination.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Krabbel hung from a thin thread over the Cargo door and waited eagerly for the mail container as he had ordered a new flavor of ice cream that he hoped it would be part of the delivery. To the side in the back of the Cargo hold stood Cirruit next to an open crate with technical parts. He had his fists stemmed into his side and I could see a bushy tail moving inside the packing material.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">While Shea and Three Four had already begun assembling a strange looking device. Now I also saw Narth, who held a big piece using his telekinetics, floating above them while he was reading a PDD most likely with assembly instructions.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">A deep voice next to me said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I could stand here all day long and watch your amazing crew work together."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I turned and looked into the face of Admiral Stahl.

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Permission to come aboard Captain?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">To see him was a great surprise and I said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Of course, permission granted, Sir. Where did you come from?"

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He pointed at an open Cargo box and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"The Devi is standing by in Union space with the entire First fleet to clean up Sin 4 as soon as the Stiks officially made their plea. I simply hitched a ride with the Minerva to see how things are with you."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I think everything is going well, Sir. I addressed my crew a little earlier today about the possibility that we might postpone shore leave and vacations for two years and instead of being angry they cheered and I think it was a genuine cheer at that."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I heard about that. I wish we could give you all the breaks and vacation you deserve, but if there is a Seenian depot we need to know where it is located.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Maybe the opportunity will presents itself and you can capture the Red Dragon and get the info that way. But if he really is Admiral Swybar then he received the Union shields and implants to make him immune to brain dumps and psionic interrogations."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I don't mind flying this ship to the end of the Universe, but I hope I can give my crew some R&R soon. Not that they actually want it."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He nodded towards the grey Nul and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"So you really have the Nul prince aboard. I have seen your fight on GalNet and I saw the Nul too. Somehow I had a feeling he would end up with you."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I looked away as he said that and mumbled.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I hoped you would not see that."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Why not? I am not really a fan of death matches, but the ancient adage of panem et circenses holds true still today. Bread and games is what the masses love and I can't say I didn't like what I saw."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He grinned widely.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Seeing a gorgeous blonde, half naked tear into a big monster with nothing but an axe certainly has some entertaining value even for me I must say. I guess the body shaping Saresii machine missed the Inner Neo Viking, besides, your action was the foundation of the Nul's decision to come to you."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"If he is serious I think there might be really peace between Nul and the Union."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Stahl nodded.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Yes, we have every indication they are serious. We've got diplomatic relations for the first time. It will of course make the others very nervous, but with the Nul and the Golden now on the Union side, I doubt they will try anything anytime soon. The integration of the Golden is a huge operation and keeps everyone busy but it is progressing smoothly. The data we are receiving will keep our analysts busy for centuries. Their ships are more advanced than we thought."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Stahl pointed to Sobody.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I never thought I would ever see the First Merchant actually working with load handlers aboard a Union ship."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I too watched Sobody and said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"He has become quite an asset to my crew and doesn't mind working at all. He shares quarters with a Holdian and follows fleet protocol more seriously than a first year Cadet."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Stahl said as he watched Har Hi talk to the little Yeoman standing by the door:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Cam Elf Na has visited Brhama Port and killed a few Scavengers, but a very large Togar fleet made him and his clans turn away. From the reports we have, the number of Clans he controls is vastly overstated.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">It is still an impressive force, prehaps in the neighborhood of twenty or thirty clans, but not 2000. Nothing our now beefed up border forces could not handle. We also found the other end of the worm hole and a smuggler nest. NAVINT has two assets on Brhama Port now to find out more about that alien tech.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">“Is it Seenian?” “No, as far as we know Seenians never built gates. Some experts think it is Itomarian. Just like the staff you found, but the verdict is still out.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">While I was talking with the Admiral we watched as one of our Pertharians kicked a spherical container, most likely an empty Bomb container and Hans kicked it back. TheOther caught it and threw it with force towards the Nul, who in turn boxed it with a crashing sound back to Hans who actually head-butted it. Moments later there was a tournament going, with Crewmembers in Load handler suits joining in as well. The cargo deck was vibrating as the now heavily dented metal case was kicked and tossed between two impromptu goals. Stahl held up a little device and said:" I need to record that. McElligott won't believe me otherwise."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I heard the elated laughter of the Y'All as he managed to score a goal, getting a high five from Hans. Only moments later the Nul managed to head butt the container over into the other goal and he in turn laughed and got celebrated by the Pertharians and Load handlers.

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"You know I am so tempted to put on a load handler suit and join them. It looks like lots of fun."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I raised my voice: "SHIP, get me two load handler suits. I think we have a Steel Container kick match to join."

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

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">How the match ended I could not say as I was called by Elfi who said: "Captain, the Red Dragon is calling and wants to talk to you as soon as you can."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">As I stopped playing the entire gang stopped. I said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Captain's business, you can go on."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">But then the spell was broken and they started to finish the cargo transfer.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">Stahl shook my hand.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"I have to go back with the Minerva, but I actually wish I could come along with you and this crew. I think it would be like old times before I was an Admiral."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">He sighed and then said:

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Good luck with your mission. Be assured I trust your abilities and I can tell you have become a real Star ship Captain, one I am very proud of. "

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">I felt elated; his approval meant more to me than any medal.

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Thank you Sir. I would not be here without your help."

<p style="margin-bottom:0cm">"Eric, I meant to say Erica. I actually doubt that. You would have become a Star ship Captain