U1.odt

Chapter 1: Into Free Space

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

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

The Big Four, the Blue and about seventy independent space faring civilizations discussed, argued and finally agreed on this region. It was to act as a buffer zone between the Big Four and give those who did not want to ally themselves with one of the big powers a place to exist after their own fashion. One of the stipulations was that no official ships or parties of any of the Big Four were allowed to enter Free Space, including Military ships, law enforcement or even science expeditions.

Free Space was meant to be a Free Trade zone for civilian commerce and traffic enabling commerce and slowly enable lasting peace.

The Big Four, namely the Shiss, the Galactic Council (Kermac), the Nul and the United Stars of the Galaxies watched that none of the others broke that treaty, but they all did, not openly of course.

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

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

The biggest independents were the Togar, the Kartanians and the Shattered Kingdoms of the Oghr.

The Kartanians hated the Togar and the Togar disliked everyone, except for dinner. The former ancient Oghr Empire, shattered into Nine Kingdoms were constantly fighting among each other, didn't get along with the Togar and considered the Kartanians hostile competition and agitators. To all the freelancing pirates and Renders came the Shiss sponsored, openly denied and condemned Shiss Raiders, Countless schemes and covered actions of the Kermac and the undercover fleet of the Union. Not to mention the not always legal dealings of private corporations.

So far it seemed only the Nul actually kept their part of the treaty and showed little interest in Free Space affairs.

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

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

Every star faring civilization had their own way to describe this incredibly beautiful spiral wheel. Stars were born and stars died. Black holes slowly rotated through it all, devouring energy and matter alike. It was a seemingly eternal process an yet there was a beginning and an end to everything. In cosmic terms this was a young Universe and this Galaxy had only completed about sixty rotations. For most living beings it was simply impossible to really comprehend the time of just one such rotation. 225 Million Years was simply a number, something abstract and beyond any understanding. Compared to that what significance were the 3000 years the Union existed? The Uni and the Pree rose and disappeared within one single rotation. The Saresii and the Seeinans clashed with the Dark Ones just about a Million years ago.

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

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

They had traveled further across the Star spiral than ever before and had arrived at space none of his kind has ever reached. His ship was the pride of the Xandrao Empire, bristling with weapons and crewed with the finest and best space warriors the Xandrao Star Academies could produce. There should have been no reason for concern, yet he was a seasoned Ship master and like many of his kind who were in such a position for a long time developed a sixth sense for conditions that weren't quite right. He felt that insubstantial, unexplainable tingling down his spine that told him something was not as it should be.

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

Behind these scanner operators sat the co-relator who typed the sensor reports into the Situation Calculator. It was a very demanding position and required much concentration. That this was an unnecessary complicated way of doing things, especially on a space ship was not entirely lost to the Ship Master but this was the way it had been done on Xandrao ships for a long time and no one really ever called the Xandrao a very practical race.

With a sigh he noticed Prince Albra step through the access doors and come up to the Command Center.

The prince was a favorite of the emperor and thus it was him who was sent on this perhaps most important mission in Xandrao history. The prince was no fool and quite intelligent, despite the centuries of inbreeding among the noble houses and approached Noldra Dorrx the ships head master. Compared to the gold and silver glitter laden uniform of the prince the ship masters red and gold trimmed uniform appeared quite plain and subdued. Albra masterfully swirled his cape and in a theatrical gesture and said with his high tenor voice. "I missed you at the table and had to entertain the Kermac envoys all on my own." The Ship master bowed slightly as it was required but despite the presence of the prince, he kept his eyes on the readout of the threat and situation calculator. Without making the necessary respectful gestured he said. "My presence would have not been noticed with you in the room. All eyes are on you, all ears are on you and all attention is given to you when you are present."

The prince looked down at himself and nodded, "Yes of course and I do look rather dashing tonight if I may say so. The Kermac envoy gifted me this cape. Don't you think it is fabulous?"

"It will be the envy of all the Beauty Boys at court no doubt." Nolbra hoped the prince would get bored and leave the command center.

However instead of the prince leaving; one of the Kermac envoys followed by two of his Dolbarian servants also decided to visit the command center of the ship. Nolbra could not suppress the annoyed snort that passed his nostrils. He didn't like anyone strolling onto his Command Center without having business there but there was not much he could do or say. The Prince far above him and as a favorite son of the Emperors he was in command whenever he wanted. The Kermac were important guests of state and the representatives of a mighty galactic power.

The Kermac, a bipedal being was much smaller than even the smallest Xandrao. Unlike the Xandrao he had no fur or hair at all and the alien's skin was snow white.

Nolbra, the Ship Master was covered with a coarse short brown fur form head to his hoofs. Two massive horns protruded from his forehead just above his fur covered ears. His arms and legs were bulging with rolling muscles. Compared to Nolbra the Kermac looked fragile and weak. That envoy did not even have a tail. Again a snort of disdain escaped his flared nostrils. The Ship master was certain the Kermac's man hood was just a small, there was certainly no room for a Xandrao sized penis underneath that flimsy robe. Everything was small and weak about the Kermac in his opinion. According to the Emperor they were an old species and if you believed their claims they were the undisputed and technically most advanced species in the Universe. That was a bold claim, but the Xandrao information department claimed that the Togar knew and feared the Kermac.

That Kermac also demonstrated at court, that he was able to somehow sense the thoughts of others.

The Kermac envoy made a sweeping gesture towards the view screen. "Why are we not trans-light, what is the meaning of this delay?"

Noldra flared his wide nostrils and curled his lips. "We just crossed the void between the spiral arms and it taxed our engines to the very limits. We must pause to service them."

The Kermac somehow managed to look down at the much taller Xandrao and said. "I forgot how childish primitive your technology is."

The Prince said. "Yet your ships seem to be unable to reach Xandr as you came to us aboard a Dolbarian ship and from what I have seen theirs are not that much superior to our technology. I know our Emperor and my beloved older brother thinks much of you but frankly so far we only seen visuals and recordings about that Kermac supreme technology. How easy is it, to manufacture such recordings can be seen every week in our Visual View Domes, where they show make believe stories."

The Kermac's smooth face was moved by an emotion of anger. "Your's is a childish race and you are but a servant tasked with providing conveyance. No explanation needs to be given to you. Yet I will lower myself to do so. We can not travel in our magnificent ships as this is Freespace, a region where Kermac ships cannot go. I explained that to your Emperor."

The white skinned envoy gestured towards the view screen and deep space. "You soon will see Kermac might and splendor and you will beg to become a serving member and shiver in fear."

The Prince standing behind his Ship master was used to speak his mind from birth and so he said. "Then explain to me again why the mighty Kermac cannot travel here. Who would dare to deny you, as you are the declared masters of all?"

The Ship master noticed the growing anger in the Kermac's face and the clenching fists. "No one of course, we Kermac are supreme. No explanations are needed as they are beyond your limited intellect to understand. Now get this ship moving so I can show you Kermac might indeed." With these words the Kermac left but the Dolbarians remained. The Prince actually sat down on the Command Seat, technically reserved for Noldra only, but if it kept the Emperors son out of his way it was a good thing. The prince stared after the leaving Kermac. "It almost appears as if he was afraid of something."

Noldra crossed his massive arms and stared through the view port in the eternal night of interstellar space, not responding to the prince's observation. As far as Noldra knew, the Kermac were the masters of a huge Star Empire with many member species that served them and in return received the benefit of protection and wise guidance.

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

Yet he had traveled more than most of his kind and he had seen the ships of the Togar and the Jooltar and he knew just how aggressive these cats could be and how incredibly advance their technology was. That the Xandrao weren't the most powerful or most advanced sentient species was a fact that was not lost to the Emperor; and so when the Kermac Envoy showed up, he agreed to send this mighty war ship and one of his favorite sons to establish closer contacts with the Kermac. The Kermac had told about an association of many sentient species called the Galactic Council. An association the Kermac ruled and if it all was true, it was a foregone conclusion the Emperor would decide to join that Galactic Council.

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

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

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

Then he said to his Engine Maintainer Chief who appeared on a viewer screen. "Don't give me excuses, tell me when will we be able to resume trans light?"

The technician down in the engine room had his horns cut to short nobs as every Xandrao of the working class was required to do. Despite this, the engine maintainer knew about his value and position and said without lowering his head as he should have done. "I am not making any excuses, Ship master, I am informing you that our engines were strained to the very limit and that I recommend we land at a suitable planet so I can exchange the Main Core with the spare we have along."

"Your recommendation is noted and dismissed. Will you be able to service them so we can reach this place called Kermac Prime?"

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

"I have your Man pieces cut from between your legs and make you a field tilling Grox if we don't. Now tell me how long until we can resume acceleration?"

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

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

The prince on his command seat had fallen asleep and started to snore. One of the pressed cakes made out of the finest herb infused grass, the prince liked so much had rolled out of his hand and across the floor. His jaws moved and chewed the cud returned from his ruminant stomach in a slow steady rhythm.

Noldra sighed as he watched drool from the maw of his prince dripping all over his chair. As he did he noticed the still remaining Dolbarian. Neither of the two small beings had said much during the entire visit and now they simply stood there, only their bushy tails twitching.

Noldra didn't like the Kermac much and he found these Dolbarians laughable small, but they had fur and they had tails and that was something positive in Noldra's opinion of things.

Dolbarian tails were not anything like the thick rope like tails with a paint brush end all Xandrao had. The Dolbarian tail was fluffy from start to end, but it was a tail and to him it was easy to decipher the tail language and knew the two were nervous. So he decided to ask and said. "You appear apprehensive, at least that is what I think your tails signals mean."

One of the Dolbarians gestured towards the viewer. "We arrived in Freespace, big Ship master If we read your Charts right we are in a region called the Devils Playground."

"Your masters have not really explained what this Freespace is and why is this called the Devil's Playground?"

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

The other Dolbarian said. "You Nift, they are from Downward and there is little contact. We are not supposed to tell them about the Big Four or the Union. The Kermac do not like to be reminded that there are others who do not agree with the Kermac self image."

"You are the Nift, you just did!" snapped the other back.

Noldra said. "You are guests on my ship and guests of my Liege. I can not order you to tell me, but if you know anything I should know about this region of space then tell me. It is your life too that could be in danger."

One of the Dolbarians looked towards the door as if to make sure the Kermac was gone and said. "We are lucky that our Kermac Masters are not of the highest order and their Psionics are mediocre at best and we are slowly learning to slip away from their control"

The other spread his arms and said. "This Area is called the Devil's playground because it is Pirate infested."

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

The two Dolbarian looked at each other and one said. "The Xandrao do not know..."

Noldra said. "I understand, you are small and weak. Pirates might be frightening to impotent and insignificant beings like you, but they do not attack war ships, only helpless merchants."

One of the Dolbarian put his small fur covered finger on the map display and said. "Over here are the Karthanians, more advanced than the Togar you fear, but far less numerous. Here are the Nine Shattered Kingdoms of the Ohgr. The Orkh-Oghr could easily eat you for breakfast so to speak. Their empire once was vast and mighty, internal quarrel tore it apart. Yet they fear neither the Togar nor the Karthanians."

His little paw moved to another spot and moved in a circle that included at least a thousand light years. "Here are the Nul, warriors that make you look small and weak. Not even the Kermac would want to anger them." Again his hand encircled a large area at a different section. "This is the space of the Shiss, mortal enemies of the Nul and fighting them for over 3000 years and they are not really loosing."

The other Dolbarian leaned over the map display and pointed with a small needle sharp claw on a single star. "That is where the Holdians are. Our distant cousins." Again the other Dolbarian scolded the slightly smaller one. "You are the greatest Nift I have ever met. I am trying to tell this ignorant Bovine about the Big Four before our Taskmaster decides to come back and prevent any further education of the ignorant and you tell him about the Holdians. They are insignificant."

He chirped something sounding very angry, Noldra did not understand and then the larger Dolbarian used his claw to draw an area that more or less included a quarter of the entire galaxy and then he repeated the move and added a sizable area of another quadrant. "This you ignorant Xandrao fool is the space the Union controls, it is them the Kermac fear like nothing else. The Kermac and all the Galactic Council together lost three war against them. Not the Nul, not the Shiss, not the Togar and all others I have mentioned could hope to prevail in a war against the Union even if they all banded together. Oh Xandrao Ship Master heed my warning and never anger the Union, they are slow to anger but if they do, they unleash the Terrans and if Terrans go to war, you will learn that anything you ever knew about war is a child's dream."

The other Dolbarian said. "The Union, the Kermac, the Shiss and the Nul are the Big Four and they have signed a treaty after the last armistice conference. It is called the Free Space treaty and it defines an area of space. We are in that region right now."

Noldra snorted. "I don't believe you. No Empire could be that big. It would take years to travel from one end to the other. Messages would travel for ages, it would be impossible to govern."

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

The bigger chirped defeated and said"I must concur and revise my statement about the Holdians. and you Ship Master of the Xandrao, it matters little what you believe. You will remember our words the first time you face a Union Battle Ship."

Noldra no longer paid attention to the wild phantasies of these furry aliens as the scanner operators reported. "Unknown ship contacts approaching."

-""-

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

At the Navigation sat a 12,000 year old Golden who had been the undisputed, absolute leader of his kind, and sort of still was. It was his first time on this posting. Krabbel the Archa spider and senior navigation officer was off duty, but was present anyway sitting right beside the Golden to supervise the Old Merchant handling this post. Since he was here anyway he had volunteered to take helm. While Krabbel was the ships Chief Navigator, he had a sufficient helm rating to steer the Tigershark.

An Attikan Marine officer named Fectiv manned tactical. That a Marine manned a bridge position aboard a Union Navy ship was about as unusual as the ship and while it was not against regulations, it was virtually unheard off. But then aboard the Tigershark were quite a few conditions stretched to the very limit of standard Navy regulations and procedures. Har-Hi smiled as he was thinking all this. He was certain there was no other Union vessel with a genuine Y'All warrior manning the communications console or anything else for that matter.

The Tigershark had its Janus masking system active. This unique device conceived by Narth Engineers and Mothermachine. This machine manipulated materials, energies and conditions allowing the USS Tigershark to appear as something else. This was no mere projection but a physical change that withstood the probing of any known sensor and scanning method, including of course sight and touch. The most advanced ship of the Union appeared to the world as a heavy modified old Karthanian armed trader, with crudely added ISAH pods and mostly Nul weaponry. The simulated hull featured a sloppy paint job, had welded armor plates patching battle damage. Some added in odd alignment and some even showing signs of genuine rust. The sides were decorated with a stylized silver lighting bolt and the name Silver Streak, known to be the pirate ship of the notorious and mysterious render captain Black Velvet.

As the Dai thought about the Captain, his subtle smile deepened. If anyone in the entire universe ever deserved the description mysterious then it was Captain Erica Olafson. Har-Hi considered that human from Nilfeheim his very best friend, there was no one he respected more. He had met Eric aboard the USS Devastator while they both were in their third year. Their first meeting was anything but smooth but their animosity turned into a deep friendship fast. That human from a wild and cold world full of humans calling themselves Neo Vikings was as honorable as a Dai Than warrior. Yet Eric had some sort of gender issue and wanted to be female. This was the reason, General Cherubim choose this old identity of Black Velvet in the first place. So Eric could become Erica and don't have this issue clogging his mind. Har-Hi did not understand why, to him it was strange why a accomplished warrior and blade master like Eric would have such desires.

Yes of course he knew about the Saresii who basically made gender bending the core of their society, but Eric was not a Saresii. Har-Hi shrugged at his own thoughts. Eric or Erica as he wanted to be called now, had changed only on the outside. He was the same ready to fight in a minute Neo Viking warrior he had always been and he would follow Eric or Erica to the gates of hell. Deep down however Har-Hi had the feeling that Eric's change was not permanent and he would eventually become Eric again.

Har-Hi turned his head and saw one of the ships engineering officers, a small rodent like fur covered Holdian and asked. "Everything alright with the tractors?" Because they were towing a Pirate ship.

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

Har-Hi said. "We once towed a full size Hospital ship with a Barracuda destroyer. Back then we were beyond any tolerance, but of course we had Circuit, holding it all together."

The Golden said without taking his eyes of his read outs. "I really want to hear all the adventures you and the Captain had. It seems there weren't many dull moments."

Har-Hi was both relaxed and highly alert and the tall Dai Than turned back towards the Golden. "Indeed, Mr. Sobody there weren't many dull moments since I met our Captain."

A black shrouded being, a genuine Narth, who of course like all Narth had no individual name, sitting at OPS said. "I have not yet managed to understand what the exact definition of a moment is. Is it more than a minute, less than 30 seconds. The expression of taking a moment or waiting a moment is quite confusing..." He interrupted himself and said. "Sensor contacts, at 7.9 degrees due course, distance 4.1. Hostile activity possible. It appears quite similar to our previous encounter."

Har Hi swiped over a field screen to get a visual of the scanner contact and nodded. "Pirate action from the looks of it indeed." He adjusted his posture and added. "This is why they call this region the Devil's Playground, Mr. Narth. " Then he said. "All stop, Mr. Krabbel. SHIP go to Yellow and be so kind and inform the Captain. She said everything that crosses our bow is fair game."

The voice of the ship AI responded. "She is on her way." And since SHIP was way more than just a standard ship Computronic she added. "Knowing our Captain she will make sure they cross my bow."

Har-Hi was sure even the shrouded Narth was smiling at that comment.



Yellow Alert and SHIP's voice caught me on deck R just as I was about to jump into the cold water of the ships swimming pool. "Captain we have three contacts on scanner horizon. First situation assessment suggests two pirates and a third ship of unknown configuration about to engage in hostilities."

"Nothing for days, but each time I decide to take a swim, there is something." I sighed and said. "Maintain yellow alert and I am on my way."

SHIP of course had her audio sensors open and since she wasn't like any other Ship AI I knew, she said. "It was you who wanted to be informed about any scanner contact. We could not even have to change course to give them a wide berth around it and you could go back swimming."

I gave the shimmering inviting water a last look and said. "I can swim anytime, this isn't a leisure cruise and I am the Captain and must set an example. Why I am even explaining such things to you? You know we can't leave things unchecked. It's part of our mission."

"Because I am your SHIP and I like have things explained to me by my Captain."

I jumped into the auto dresser and dialed for my usual pirate outfit. Of course I could have stayed and finished my swim and let Har Hi handle the whole situation, but this would have been highly inappropriate out of a number of reasons. I was the captain and it was my responsibility. We had standing orders to investigate any ship contact during our mission here in Free Space and besides this was what I lived for, I could swim anytime. While the Auto Dresser assembled the leather outfit around my recently altered body, I once more remembered Captain K'Tngnk lesson. He had told me while he let me steer his Pounder Class Battleship : "Encounters in deep space were usually extremely rare and most situations developed in or near star systems, the usual destination of space ships."

However this was Free Space and the region we traversed right now was called the Devil's Playground for a reason.

Our galaxy consisted of spiral arms. Each arm was made of billions of stars, but between these spiral arms were the so called spiral arm gaps with almost no stars. These gaps were thousands of light years wide. Ships using conventional, known propulsion systems were limited how far they could go. Civilizations using Hyper jump technology jumping from gravitation well to gravity took an enormous risk trying to jump a gap and civilizations utilizing ISAH type Quasi space FTL were limited by the fuel they could carry and the FTL engine maintenance cycles needed to maintain the utmost critical Quasi space super symmetry.

So ships that traveled from the down ward sector to this region of space needed to make the jump across the gap and then find a star system to refuel or drift in space until maintenance could be completed. Depending on the technology level such maintenance could take from a few minutes to a few days.

The Downward sector was virtually unknown to the Union, but it was safe to assume it was just as populated as the rest of the Galaxy or the known universe for that matter. From Har Hi and now from Sobody, the Golden I learned that there was steady trade and traffic between all these unknown societies and with the Togar, Oghr, Karthanians, Jooltar and many of the smaller independent species and societies.

The space closer to the Galactic core was dangerous because of the many young violent suns, terrible radiation and not just a few murderous singularities and white hole matter fountains and the space to the other direction was thinly populated in terms of stars. All this conditions concentrated cross spiral arm traffic in this region and made it rich picking for pirates ans privateers.

Our current course more or less followed the that outer rim of the Scrutum Centaurus arm of our galaxy. Several pirate nests, independent trade bases were suspected to be located here and somewhere in this region was Brhama Port our first destination to make my first official appearance as Black Velvet and introduce the Silver Streak to local eyes and establish ourselves as major player in this lawless region of space.

It was the core of our mission to identify these hideouts, gather intelligence and assess, identify and whenever possible engage and eliminate pirate activity.

Only a few days ago we intervened as we witnessed a pirate attack on what seemed at first a harmless civilian freighter. That freighter even belonged to a Union company and everything but harmless. After we captured and boarded the freighter, we found a horror freight consisting of human body parts and human captives intended to be sold on the Togar meat markets.

That horror freighter, it's crew and the human freight was on its way back to Union Space aboard corporate security ships send by Enroe industries and we were towing the pirate ship sans its crew behind us, with the intend to sell it at Brahma Port.

My ship, the USS Tigershark was currently disguised as a Karthanian armed Trader named Silver Streak. To disguise an entire Star-ship we utilized by a marvelous device called the Janus System. I was quite certain that the Tigershark was the most unique ship not only within the Union fleet but perhaps in the entire galaxy. It represented the very pinnacle of Union technology and had been in development as part of project FISH.

We operated not under regular Union Fleet authority but were part of the secretive X Fleet and under Command of NAVINT, the Intelligence service of the Unites Stars Navy.

Our disguise and our undercover approach was necessary due to the Free Space Treaty. This contract between the Big Four and about 70 independent civilizations, made it a war causing offense for any of the Big Four to operate war ships inside Free Space territory. No space ship operating under official authority of the Union, the Shiss, the Nul or the Galactic Council was allowed to cross these treaty defined boundaries of this demilitarized buffer zone between the Big Four.

This condition was used by pirates and criminals to escape pursuit and prosecution and Free Space had turned into the most lawless region of space.

Admiral McElligott, the immortal administrator of the Union fleet had foreseen this, right when the treaty was signed. He created the X fleet, secret outposts and the Chimera units and also initiated project FISH.

My ship was pretending to be pirate vessel and I had taken on the disguise and identity of a female render captain Black Velvet.

While all this went to my mind I reached the bridge simultaneous with Shea, Mao and Shaka.

Almost like choreographed, Har-Hi got up in a fluent move so I could sit down in the command chair and so did everyone else; my senior staff found their stations.

I sank into the leather of my Command seat and as always all doubts, all uncertain feelings left me. This is where I belonged. "Engineering disengage tractor fields and set the the Mighty Nine to drift. Tactical go to standby and pre load snipers. SHIP, Battle view."

Circuit, my X101 chief of engineering confirmed tractor projectors deactivated. Mao removed the safety locks of the weapon controls and my Command seat was pushed up into the battle view dome. I now had an unobstructed view of space, a simulated computronic enhanced view of course, bridge stations reduced to floating icons, ready to be accessed by eye blinks and the intuitive controls under my hands.

At 11 degrees towards galactic East and at 3.9 light years distance, three bright icons floated in deep space, representing the scanner contacts.

Har Hi spoke after he collected the different department reports. "The two contacts I am marking red conform with energy and material scan signatures to known pirate ships. One of tem is the 340 meter Anarkra and the other is the 360 meter Meronka. Operated and owned by a pirate sister duo known as the Terrible Twins. Hans is receiving detailed Intel as we speak. Both pirate ships are heavily customized DeNoir Balric Corvettes,legally sold surplus from almost 700 years ago. Shea's power distribution analysis on the board now confirms Mao's armament estimate. They both have very good Shimmer Shields in Union Standard triple layer configuration and both are armed with real Nul Froth Casters. Both ships would pose a serious opponent to the Silver Streak, together they would be more than a match to the ship we are supposed to be."

His voice made a short beak and the third symbol now changed to blue. "The third contact and apparently the focus of the pirate ships is a massive 1000 meter ship of unknown configuration. Energy signature and preliminary material scan data suggests it to be a product of Tech Level 6 ot even at best. Detailed weapon or material scans are not possible with the scanners and sensors we are simulating. The shields of the unknown ship appear to be standard energy and matter repulsors, no para- or trans-dim signatures present. Situation analysis suggests they are about to engage in hostile activities."

"Alright then let us welcome the strangers and reduced the number of pirates in these region by two. All hands Battle Stations. Raise Shields. Krabbel take us to the out most range of our Snipers. If at all possible I like to stay out of the range of those Froth Casters and clip their claws before we get any closer. Mao prepare for Micro TL and see if you can time your fire whenever the alien ship fires."

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

-""-

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

The Kermac had returned to the bridge and the Prince woke from his nap. Albra blinked with his big brown eyes. "What is the matter, how can anyone find some rest with all this commotion?" Noldra fumed. "Your excellency do you want to lead our vessel into combat against two unknown hostiles and remove me from command?"

"No of course not, I have full confidence in..."

Noldra was close to physically drag the Prince out of his Command stool. "Then get out of my seat, now and take that pale piece of Alien offense of my bridge, your Majesty."

The prince got up with a hurt expression and Albra sat down. "Raise our Energetic Fences at once and prepare to launch Revenge Bringers. Operator see if those Aliens can be raised on the Etherwaver."

The Kermac did not leave and neither did the prince, but the Command crew around Albra functioned and did their duty. The white skinned ambasador of the Kermac pointed at the visual viewer. "Don't waist your time talking to them. Commence all resources to propulsion and continue to approach Kermac space. That space rubble will not dare to follow."

"Kermac, you return to your quarters and remain there or by the First Emperors Holy Manhood I have you dragged there. We can't go trans light until we have serviced the engines."

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

The Operator of the Ether Set turned. "We made contact to them and they demand our surrender. They will spare our lives if we hand over all valuables. They have not identified themselves."

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

Xandrao ship to ship missiles were very fast and able to reach near light speed in a hurry and shut down their space cutting infra fields moments before impact, bringing 50 kilos of relativistic mass to bear traveling at 99 percent of light. They were equipped with the best computers Xandrao engineering could come up with and had the ability to split into multiple attack vector war heads. The missiles had just launched when the Xandrao flag ship vibrated from enemy weapon impact. Lights flickered and seat restrains activated as ship gravitation was lost. The prince and the Kermac neither of them restrained started to float.

One of the analysts reported. "Enemy is using a Gravitation based weapon of an unknown advanced technology and it collapsed our energy fences."

The enemy ships intercepted several Revenge Bringer missiles, but a good number impacted on their shields wearing them down. To the suprise of the weapon operator, his missiles had disarmed and disables the ships with the greatest precision. "Ship Master, our Revenge Bringers have disabled both ships. For some reason I can't explain our war heads have penetrated the enemy ships shields and armor and destroyed both enemies offensive capabilities and propulsion."

"Finish them off!" Yelled the floating Kermac.

Noldra really wanted to finish off the Kermac. He too saw the result of the Revenge Bringer attack. In all his years as a war ship commander had he seen a more surgical result. The two alien ships had their weapons, propulsion and shields destroyed, completely vulnerable and ready to be boarded. To his weapon officer he said. "By the six horned Rox that rules the fire meadows. Your targeting calculations will earn you a stoob of the Emperor. I make sure of that!" He added. "Reload the tubes and fire a second volley."

Another officer reported. "Ship Master Noldra we are being called from a third ship that just appeared on our instruments."

-""-

Mao grinned proudly over his wide face. He had just disabled both pirate ships with a series of high precission sniper shot and he said. "Those pirate sisters are using old Union DeNoir ships and I knew exactly where to aim."

I said."Good shooting Mao. Shaka get us closer. Elfi see if you can hail the unknown and establish communications."

Narth said. "The new comers are from Downward and it appears they are here for the first time, but they are not here for exploration reasons . I sense a Kermac among them."

I slapped my hand on my arm rest. "And here I was, wanting to spare new comers and what is it we find? Yet another GC thrall species. Not that they should be here with a war ship like that in the first place."

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

"Put me on."

"Comm Link open Captain."

"This is Captain Black Velvet of the Silver Streak. To avoid any confusion. I am a Pirate and we are here to make a profit. At first I wanted to let you go,but since you are Kermac associates you are violating the Free Space Treaty. Surrender and shut down all Energy consuming devices. This demand is made only once, Kermac Scum."

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

"Can we prevent that without blowing them to pieces?"

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

-""-

Mao's approach worked. All three ships showed no energy activity and life signs appeared inactive.

Sodoby threw up his little arms. "We continue like this Captain and we are done soon, cleaning all Freespace. We should open a used ship dealership. With this marvelous ship we going to make a killing."

Har Hi turned and smirked. "We going to run out of stasis boxes soon."

Krabbel said. "We can always pack them in spider silk, almost as good as stasis boxes and we can stack them nicely."

I cleared my throat. "Mr. Neugruber take two teams and secure the pirate ships. Har-Hi put an away team together we are checking out the alien ship and see what the Kermac have to say for themselves." -""-

Almost an hour later I had reached the alien ships bridge. Our tech stop and paralysators have worked like a charm this time, everyone was asleep and and none of the alien ships equipment worked.

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

Now as he said it I had to agree, and I remembered the large feed lots on Wichita Planet and the endless herds of cows."Yes, there is a resemblance."

Shea who had come along, pointed at a large alien strapped to the command chair. He was wearing some sort of colorful harness with lots of gold and a cape like mantle. Otherwise he was his furry self and she said. "At least we can be certain he is male."

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

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

"Yes I would have put it exactly the same way. I think they haven't invented pants or modesty ."

Narth stepped closer and also looked at the being in the central chair and then at Shea. "How can you determine he is male by visual inspection alone? This being is not registered on GalNet."

Shea pointed at the being. "They appear to be Carbon based life forms, and have physiological similarities to other mammalian species. The appendix like organic feature so dominantly displayed between the beings legs, make me very confident that he is indeed male."

Har-Hi had strange grin on his face as he said ."You identify as a male Narth right? Don't you have something like that as well?"

I held up my hands. "Here we are on the bridge of an alien species, and what is it my Senior staff is discussing?" I shook my head in a over acting theatrical manner then said. "Mr. Narth once you done examining and discussing the reproductive organ of our sleeping bovine beauty. I would like you to make sure we contain all Kermac before they have a chance to come around. Mr. Hi coordinate with our Security Officer and confine and secure the crew of this vessel; and you Ms Schwartz. I like to see a detailed assessment on their technology as soon as possible"

I tried to be all serious and professional, but I had a hard time to keep my amusement out of my voice as I saw Narth look down on himself saying. "Yes I was supposed to emulate a human male and accessing physiological data I just realized that the corporal shell I was given, is faulty and inadequate equipped."

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

I missed Narth's reply as Circuit who was working on the ships systems turned and said. "Sorry Captain their tech is very primitive, simple binary circuits, digital stuff and not well shielded. Our Tech stop melted most of it."

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

"I am replicating nanites as fast as I can, so we can restore basic life support first and then fix their systems. In terms of Computronics they are not Tech Level seven, more like five or six at most."

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

Circuit shrugged his shoulders. " Hard to say. We have maybe three to four hours, before temperatures drop to far. Their hull has a sufficient layer of lead to reduce radiation, but not completely opaque to ionizing radiation like Union Hulls. It's primitive tech and my nanites should be able to repair it, but it is a big ship and it will take a while before I can really make sense of it all."

"Keep me posted."

Fective, the Attikan Marine appeared from one of the access doors and stomped in his camouflaged battle suit across the deck. "Captain we have completed the survey of the pirate ships. We secured the pirate crews in Stasis boxes and our Golden is still checking for loot. The ships are inoperable and need dock time if they are to be repaired.

"Thank you, Lt. Fective. Tell Sobody to wrap up his scavenging and then destroy both ships. After that get every available hand over here and help Mr. Narth and Mr. Hi and fine tooth comb this ship. I want every Kermac in PSI Shielded Zero Stasis with Marine guards and robots watching them, if they are so much as twitch, you have the authority to eliminate. I really don't trust them."

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

I held up my hand showing two fingers. "I like Shiss, Pertharians, Klack and even Y'All. I am the most un-biased Norse ever to step of Nilfeheim. I have Elly friends, got squiggled by Garbinis, get hugs from Archa and trust our Shail. I even did the spooky thing with a Narth, but there are two species my spotted friend I do not trust: Kermac and Thaurans. We are deep in Free Space and what do we find Kermacs agitating a species of cows and very large squirrels."

With an elegant move Warner the Holdian pushed himself off a panel he was working at and floated before me. "Those are not squirrels, Captain. I don't know who those big things are but what you call Squirrels are Dolbarians. They have evolved from a lost Diobane colony and had the distinct fortune that their planets are close to the Galactic Council during the last treaty conference. The Kermac gave them no chance to decide."

"I stand corrected then Mr. Warner. I must confess I am not an expert, as we don't have any Squirrels on Nilfeheim. Now tell me how are we doing on the ships systems? If we can get their life support going, or we may have to move the entire crew of this big ship."

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

I sighed with a smile. "Then I better don't keep you from your work."

He chirped and moved back to the open panel.

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

I blinked at my Comm link and said. "Har -Hi how far along are we containing the crew?"

"This bucket they call a space ship has more than 600 crew members, thankfully our bio sensors have no problem finding them. Narth thinks we got them all except for the ones on the bridge . We confined them in a cargo hold. We also found 8 terminal casualties."

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

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

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

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

The bovine looking alien understood and responded with guttural sounds. She made fast progress. He made a snorting surprised and somewhat frightened sound as Narth appeared next to me and I felt sorry for the Alien leader. He had his ship invaded saw a real Y'All with guns and now a shrouded Narth appearing from thin air.

Narth spoke to me on our silent mental connection. "The Kermac is stripped of all devices and is in Zero Stasis. Cateria is confident his mind is compatible with our brain dump equipment."

"Good idea, have her conduct the procedure and have SHIP take a look at it."

He gestured towards the alien leader. "The being before you is a Xandrao. They know of the Togar and the Jooltar but have never heard of the Union, the Shiss or the Nul. From what I gather they are on their way to visit Kermac Prime to discuss Galactic Council membership."

"Discuss membership? Why aren't they using their usual Psi tricks on them?"

"I do not know for certain, but since I had to probe quite forcefully to get into the Xandrao mind, a certain natural resistance to Psionics might be the reason. The Kermac mind was much easier to penetrate, especially after we removed all Psi devices and the Kermac planned to capture and dissect most of the crew to devise a way to control the Xandrao and then turn the entire society into a new fighting thrall. The Kermac seeking to find a new physical aggressive fighter and warrior species to replace the loss of the Nogoll."

"That sounds exactly like a Kermac plan. See what you can salvage from the Xandrao computers in terms of data and have Hans prepare a detailed Intel report."

Shea also observing the now reanimated Xandrao who stared at us and said. "He understands some Kermac, but they have used translation software of their now defunct shipboard systems to communicate with them. I started Language analysis but SHIP was faster as she downloaded the Xandrao language data from the Kermac Beard and its incorporated computronic. You should now be able to talk to them."

I turned to the alien leader. "I am Captain Black Velvet of the Silver Streak. Your ship was severely damaged in the altercation and lost all electronics. MChief Engineer tries to patch rudimentary life support functions and is currently affecting repairs on your ship systems, we still might have to evacuate your vessel. Your crew is secured into one location and for the moment relatively safe."

He listened to me, not saying anything, yet I was sure he understood so I continued. "I wanted to spare you newcomers, but once learned you are sympathizers and planned to become thralls of the cursed Kermac, I am no longer so inclined. From you I want to know what your plans were and what kind of scheme you and the Kermac have cooked up to cause mischief and mayhem."

The Xandrao snorted angrily and said with his loud booming voice, "I am Ship Master Noldra Dorrx and this is the First Ship of the Emperor. We are on a mission of diplomatic importance. I will not declare anything to a spineless pirate, who form the looks of it is a disgusting female. A society that allows worthless females to talk and act in the presence of males is revolting. A society that allows females to command is not worth to survive. Now go away female and find me your male superior and I might talk to him."

I got closer and put my finger on his wide snout. "You are in no position to make demands and you talk to me, or you talk to no one ever again."

"You are only acting tough because I am restrained and you hide behind the guns of your four armed terror. There is no strength in you and as a female you have no concept of honor and matters of war and combat. I see you tremble already while I am bound."

I did hear Har-Hi saying. "Oh-oh. Not a good idea Ship Master..."

Just then Artificial gravitation came back on and some of the ships own lights came on and I cut away his restraints. "Go ahead Xandrao, chose the weapons. Right here and now!"

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

Har-Hi sighed loudly. "Captain, this is not..."

But I had already given my suit the Emergency release command and the battle suit opened and basically spit me out.

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

He was squeezing the very life out of me and yet I found enough air to gargle. "Stay where you are!" To Har Hi and the others.

I got angry, not so much at the Xandrao but about myself. No I had to correct myself, the bovine alien was really starting to piss me off. He had lifted me of the ground. I was holding to his massive arm with one hand and stabbed the fingers of my other hand into his right eye, that proved effective. He screamed in pain and as I attempted a stab at his other eye he instinctively raised his arms to deflect my second attempt, released his grip on me while doing so.

I ignored the throbbing pain of my squeezed throat and kicked upward as hard as I could at exactly that exposed feature of his anatomy we had talked about earlier. He was as it appeared quite sensitive and groaned in an ear shattering howl of pain. He wiped his big arm through the air and with enough force to rip my head clear of my shoulders a powerful swing. Now free I evaded and executed an axe handle blow with both fists right at his wide snout.

It did little more than perhaps dazzle the Alien.

He lowered his head and swiped his sharp horns through the air to the left and right, a perfectly natural move if you had horns like that, but to me unexpected and I was able to avoid them only in the last possible moment. That the horn tips were razor sharp was evident one of them gouged a long scratch across my collar, tearing the leather. Luckily for me unable to penetrate the micro mesh armor underneath. Again I managed to avoid his grabbing arms and the head swing that again brought his horns into play, by perhaps a hairs width away from my face. In all this I could have ended it easily. Narth was here and so was Har Hi, not to mention TheOther and all it would have taken was a call for help.

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

Yet I had to end this somehow on my own.

His head swung to the other side while the Xandrao drove me backwards as I tried to avoid his horn attacks and his fast grabbing attempts. He was fast, fast enough to prevent me from really getting away. He was mad and full of frustration and it became apparent that he was an expert and trained in hand to hand combat. There was not much room left to back up, the head swung again and the only thing saving me was the wonderful new agility my altered body seemed to have.

I acted on an instinct, grabbed the swinging horns just as his neck was at the out-most swing and I added all my body weight to twist it further; my weight and momentum magnified by the natural fulcrum his horns provided. I heard a crunching sound, then the big alien groaned in an odd way. He crashed hard on the deck plating almost burring me, I let go and rolled away in the last moment.

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

Har Hi rushed by. "Captain, let it be, you broke the Xandrao's neck . He is dying."

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

Har Hi shook his head. "Narth get the Captain to sickbay."

-""-

The next thing I remembered was seeing the face of my CMO and she wasn't pleased at all. "That was a close one, Captain. I don't even know how you kept fighting with a severely bruised larynx, the subsequent swelling was already causing asphyxia. Lt. Narth brought you in with not much time to spare."

I did not feel proud and as I sat up I saw Har Hi, Shea and Narth standing there. Har-Hi had his arms crossed and said. "I say it right out and in front of everyone, this isn't working. You are the Captain and you doing a great job, but picking physical fight with everyone and everything that comes along is anything but how a Captain should act. You almost died and in a situation that was not even remotely necessary." He spread his arms. "You know we follow you to hell and back, but I am the XO and I must say this."

I lowered my head and felt a shameful frown creep into my face. "I know, I can't even say anything to defend myself. That was extremely foolish."

"Captain, the warrior in me is full of awe of your fighting skills and I still can't believe you almost killed that Xandrao completley unarmed and despite an almost lethal injury, but I am not just a Dai Than warrior anymore but also a Union Officer and you are no longer just a Nilfeheim viking, but our commanding Officer. I know we do things differently than on other ships. Your instincts and your style is usually head on..." He stopped looked at Narth for help then continued. "I love you like a brother and I don't really know how to say it because of that, but out of the same love and respect and because you made me your XO I must say it."

Narth, not using his mental voice but speaking aloud said. "I wanted to agree with Har Hi, but once again your impulsive actions, guided by emotions and instincts Narth find harder to fathom than the secrets of creation itself, have yielded uprising results."

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

Har Hi sat next to me with a frown. "I wanted to scold you and tell you that Union Captains don't act that way, but I know some of them do. I wanted to use this incident as an example to persuade you to proceed with more caution next time." He paused and I wanted to say something, but he looked me in the eyes and then smiled. " The point I was trying to make is offset by the fact that your action was not as unnecessary. The Xandrao survived thanks to Shea putting him in stasis and Cateria saving his live. He hasn't stopped talking about you and swears undying allegiance to you."

He now grinned. "So while Cateria fixed your larynx, we had a little conference. Narth, Shea and the others. We came to the conclusion that you are not just our Captain and our friend but the leader of this group of ours, regardless of ranks and regulation. No one of us, not super smart Shea, not our mystical friend here and not I can explain how you do what you do.

This is what defines you and it would be easier to stop the Galaxy from spinning than keep you out of a fight.

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

He grinned. "Well it would help if you stop picking fights with the wildest, biggest opponents you can find."

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

-""-

Back in my usual outfit I was still turning Har-Hi's words in my head, knowing he was more than just right. I had reached the Command Chair of a Union ship much earlier than I could ever hoped for. Men like Stahl and McElligott trusted me and more so my crew trusted me. I acted like the a dumb Flicker fish. I could almost hear Egill's dry voice in my head. I sighed and entered the Marine guarded room, where the Xandrian Ship Master was recuperating.

He sat on a vari-matic chair, as I entered he dropped to his knees. "I apologize, Captain Black Velvet, you have earned my deepest respect and I pledge my services to you. An apparent weaker female of an apparent weaker race has bested me, nearly killed me without any weapons. You are indeed a mighty warrior. I will without reservation answer your questions and accept any fate you have decided upon me."

"There is no need to kneel. Ship Master Dorrx. I am not out to learn your secrets, but if you can tell me what business do you have with the Kermac? "

"They are not the unchallenged masters as they claim to be. I laughed at the Dolbrans just hours ago as they told me about the Big Four. I could not believe that there are Star Empires as big as the Dolbrans claim the Nul, the Shiss or these Unions occupy. We had a hard time to really comprehend what the Kermac claimed about the Galactic Council. We hoped to gain a strong ally."

I said. "The Kermac are an old species and they made deception and controlling others into an art form. They do rule over a a sizable region, but they are far from being the unchallenged masters. They let others fight, work and provide for them. It is not an alliance they offered, but absolute oppression."

"I begin to understand but we are a proud people, but we are not blind and we know there are others who are stronger and who control technology superior to ours. We have reason to believe the Togar are preparing to conquer us. I have seen many reports and know these Cats love hunting and eating Xandrao. Our Emperor is certain that it would be a costly endeavor for the Togar Queen, but we would still fall. We are in need of an ally who is strong enough to make the Togar reconsider."

He spread his big arms, the ones who had almost crushed me to death. "Captain Black Velvet, we are aware of our boisterous nature and officially we like to see ourselves as strong and unbeatable it is the core of our society." He now dropped his hands and snorted. "I do not know if you have already talked to my prince, but if you have do not heed him. He is a good prince but never an Emperor. Our liege is not as naïve as the Kermac thinks he is and neither am I, but we considered serving the Kermac as it would be better than losing it all and end up on Togar menus."

"I am a fugitive, a criminal and a Pirate bound to Free Space, but you might find a viable alternative to proceed to the Union. There you would not need to be servants, but could be equal partners. Of course Union member ship must be applied for and new members must accept to uphold Union laws. However do not take my word for it. It will be better if you and your prince and perhaps more Xandrao see for yourself and then provide your people and your emperor with the information you have gathered."

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

"I do not intend to abandon you and set you adrift helpless and without means . I will find a solution."

-""-

"Another one?" McElligott said as I finished my report."Not that I am complaining that you most likely prevented the Kermac gaining another Thrall species, but fighting a three meter Minotaur so he would change his mind and contemplate alternatives is not exactly the smartest way of doing things. I know you try to emulate the Eternal Warrior and his cursed impulsive, jump into the midst of danger way of doing things. There is no one daring to say it, but he should know better after 3000 years and you should too."

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

The old Admiral rubbed his chin. "He is a good man your XO and you will listen for a while and then you right back in the middle of things. I guess neither you nor that certain other can really help it."

His projection reached for a glass with a finger width of amber liquid and while he did that he flicked wit his fingers over an appearing mess of data bubbles and icons, the bluish light of these projections painted his face. Then a projection of a star map appeared and he said looking at it. "You are at the edge of GalCom and GalNet range and pretty far from Union Space. We don't have any Chimera units close to pick those Centaurs up." The old Admiral suddenly chuckled. "I guess my last sentence was only funny to me. Chimeras and Centaurs...ah well let me think."

His fingers moved icons and erased others, while he sipped at his drink. I realized just how privileged I was to watch the Old Admiral like that. I did not feel the same about him as I did about Stahl, but McElligott was an Immortal and the Admiral of the Fleet. He was more than a legend in his own right.

The old Admiral put down the glass and said. "I would love to get hands on that Kermac. If he is sent out on such an important mission he must be rather high in one of their ministries."

He flicked open an image of the Terrible Twins."And these ladies need to have an appointment with a federal court. See if your Engineer can't patch that Alien ship up, just good enough so it can limp to Auriga Xi and escort them until you know they are safe. We got Union Assets there and they can't go after you as long as you stay in Free Space. Commodore Casmik and six battle ships,officially providing system security for the Takkian scholars and priests. I will inform him and give specific orders to assist the Xandrao. That still leaves us with the Kermac and the pirates. Well I guess you might as well keep them on ice until we can arrange another rendezvous down the line.”

“Aye Sir, I am eager to get started on my actual mission.”

He sighed with a smile. "Well carry on and I hope we will have the chance for a real face to face in the near future, McElligott out." His projection vanished.

-""-

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

I briefed the Xandrao Ship master what I intended to to and escort him to a Union controlled star system and he agreed with this course of action.

I had both of our Gazelles out and fly a cloaked search pattern, to make sure no one else would come close while we repaired the Xandrao ship

Two days passed without incident. The Xandrao ship would now be able to limp to Trans light speed and make it to Auriga Xi in five days.

As the repairs was almost complete I met with the bovine Ship master on his ship's bridge. I shook the hand of the big alien and he said. "I have learned a lot in a short time, Captain Velvet. I learned that there are females that have courage and that there are trustworthy pirates . I learned that our galaxy is even more dangerous than we dared to think. I learned that your robot engineer is not a robot, but a true magician and a genius. However I also learned that my gut feeling about the Kermac was true. I am glad there is an alternative we can learn about and present to our Emperor."

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

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

"You can release your crew, but remember there still isn't any life support to most decks."

"Captain Velvet, I like to keep him in there as long as possible. I have more peace that way and can blame you, the pirates for his misery."

"I am not sure what this means, but I think I have an idea." I bode him farewell and went to the next air lock.

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

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

"What about the Dolbarians, Captain?"

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

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

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

"Of course I know that Captain. I mean that we are pirates. But we could keep them in a room. They won't eat much."

"When the Xandrao reach the Union System, I am sure Command finds a way to get them back to their home. It's not that we are at war against the Dolbarians. Union Command won't hurt or arrest them, I am certain."

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

I stopped just before the air lock. "Mr. Warner of course you can talk to me at any time, but we, I mean the Union won't torture them I promise."

"Captain I know that . I did not mean us. I meant the Kermac of course. If you look at it you see what I am trying to tell you, Ma'am. These two were sent to escort Kermac envoys to the Xandrao. What do you think will happen if they return home, while the Kermac they escorted do not and the Xandrao end up on Union side? The entire Dolbarian species is under Kermac Control, but not in the nice way where they are mentally controlled but in the demeaning, slave you do what I say way. The Kermac will torture them to find out what happened to their envoys and then kill them for not preventing the Xandrao to go Union Side."

I had to admit he did made sense. "I sure don't want them to be tortured, but if we take them we would have to keep them in Zero Stasis for a very long time."

"Could we not fly to their home world and then take a delegation Dolbrans to Pluribus? I am sure the Dolbarian want to be Union and free of Kermac tyranny."

I knelt down to be on his level and said. "Mr. Warner we have a mission, we are supposed to be Pirates. We can't simply fly into GC space, land on a Kermac controlled planet. Contact their government and take them to Pluribus."

His tail sank and so did his eyes and whiskers as he looked to the floor. "I know it seems impossible, but you are our Captain and you always find a way and besides it doesn't have to be right now." His tail went back to twitching and his button eyes looked directly at me. "I know you will think of something eventually, I just know."

Our Holdian specialist was nowhere near as cute as the little Holdian commander I once knew, but he too had these big black button eyes, a pointed black snout that shimmered wet. He sighed and kneaded his tinny fur covered hand."But of course you are right, Captain. What can we, what could you possibly do? I am sorry I bothered you with that."

I softly cursed and said to him. "You drive a harder bargain than that Golden Friend of yours. We really can't do much about the Dolbarian situation at the moment, but we can do something about those two. Go ahead and contact Mr. Neugruber and confine those two, we might indeed have to put them in stasis for a while. In the mean time I want you to find out everything you can about thre Dolbarians. I mean everything, the more we know the more we might find a way to do something after all."

His whiskers snapped up and his ears turned into a happier position. "Thank you Captain."

-""-

Once more we approached the Augria XI star system. The Xandrao battle ship was limping along as fast as they could.

Our sensors picked up several Takkian ships and the battle ship escorts. I said more to myself than to anyone else. “I wonder how they got here, without breaking the Freespace conditions?”

The answer came from an unusual source, not Narth, not Shea but Yeoman O'Connell said. “The Takkians claimed this system on the grounds that the Conck not only is the base of their religion but also somehow related to them.”

“And the others simply agree? I mean could we not simply claim every star system?”

O'Connell pointed at a small scanner signal. “This is a Dioban peace keeper, I almost certain there are observers of the Big Four and a few of the independents aboard and they carefully check everything. The Freespace treaty is a 6000 page document spelling out many details and conditions.”

The Xandrao made it, they jumped into the Auriga Xi system , where several Takkian ships and Union Battle Ships had arrived only a few days ago to further investigate the strange blue mountain and the Conck. I was surprised to see a a Nul Annihilator on our scanners there as well.

Of course we could not get closer to investigate, we were officially a Pirate ship. Not that we made much head way so far, but Shea told me that the Nul were there to officially observe the Takkian claim and make sure the Free Space treaty was not jeopardized. She was sure a Kermac and a Shiss delegation would do the same.

After we left the Auriga Xi system once more behind us. Har-Hi glanced at the rear facing view screen. Do you think we actually going to make it this time. I mean we haven't really started, been to this little star now for the second time." Mao giggled . "By the time we actually make it to Bhrama Port, most of the pirates we are supposed to hunt might have retired on their own."

Narth sitting at OPS chimed in. "But no one can say we were not very thorough, and after a certain time of us eliminating operators in this region it is conceivable they no longer call it the Devil's Playground."

I crossed my arms before my chest. "This is going to be a long assigment indeed. But since we are scheduled to rendezvous with the USS Boulder in four days. I suggest, Shaka steps on the accelerator and you Mr. Krabbel find us NC-85893."

-""-

We dropped out of quasi into the almost empty star system, that the transmitted orders designated.

Shea said. "It is a rather unremarkable M4Ve type. 10 Billion Years. No planets but an asteroid belt and a dense dust ring around the star. The star is nice and stable."

Krabbel added. "Captain we are the first Union ship to enter his star system as it is still unnamed in the Catalogs other than with its NC designation. You do know it is part of my duty to update Star catalogs with survey data and it is tradition to name new star systems once it is entered and surveyed."

Yeoman O'Connell silently approached next to me handed me a cup of coffee and said. "Legally we could claim it too, the Free Space treaty clearly allows individuals to claim a star system that is not occupied or claimed by anyone else." I smiled at her. "Well you forget that Black Velvet is not a real person in legal terms. Besides it is just an empty star system. We would need to remain and defend our claim too. Besides if we name it, our names will appear in the registry that is open to all even Non Union."

Sobody said. "I can claim it, we Golden are not signatory to the Treaty and we are not members just yet."

I smiled. "Okay Krabbel you name it and Sobody will claim it. Knowing him he finds something valuable even here." Shaka chuckled. "There is already a planet called Ice Cream and I think even a star. So you naming the star Ice Cream would not be very original."

Krabbel made a disappointed sound after he checked his catalogs himself. "Never mind then."

I looked to Elfi but she shook her head. "We are a little early Captain, the USS Boulder has not hailed us yet."

To Krabbel I then said. "You aren't serious right? You didn't really said all this just so you can name a Star Ice cream?"

The big spider raised four legs, but Mao turned and answered instead, "That was his plan Captain."

"Why don't you name it after an Ice Cream flavor, isn't there one that is red maybe?"

Krabbel shrieked happy. "What a good idea, the star will be entered as Orange Sherbet."

"What is Sherbert?"

Krabbel sounded all school masterly as he said. "Sherbet typically designates a fruity flavored frozen dairy product with a butterfat content between 1% and 2%. It's a less creamy ice cream."

Shea smiled. "Captain, our Archa Navigator is becoming quite an expert in frozen desert expert. Do you think we can use the time to closer examine the system, make a detailed survey? I would love to send a probe into the star, collect some of the dust and perhaps do a detail scan and survey some of the Asteroids. I bet all those Chimera Units do a lot of clandestine work but no one is doing any surveys."

"Elfi can you hail the Boulder and ask them when they will be here?"

Out beautiful Saran Comm Officer said, after working on my request. "Captain they are already here. I am receiving Priority Order from Fleet Command. They request that you identify to Blue Blue Red Protocol and Day Cypher."

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

Elfi turned and looked at me. "They signal protocol verified Captain. Regulations require that you need to take this in a secure location."

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

She put it on speakers and we could hear. "Code Sequence Verified, USS Tigershark you are to switch off your Janus Device and go under full shields. Then approach the local star and wait for vector and docking guide pulse."

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

I leaned back and watched us approach and I said. "They are hiding in the star."

Narth said. "Actually it is not very surprising . Terrans have thousand years experience with star based stations, ever since they established Sol Castle. Besides our Union can now freely make use of Wurgus solar engineering and then there is Bright Star, where the Non-Corps live."

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

I moved to the edge of my seat. "I remember a team of Water Polo players from Sol Castle and ever since my first days at the Academy I consider Two-Three one of my best friends. I know he told me about Bright Light, but are you sure our shields will hold? As old and cool this star seems to be, it is still a sun."

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

"Well they are in there." I said and Elfi confirmed receiving guiding information. The red star was already filling our entire view screen, even we were on zero magnification. Mao said. "Our real shields are fantastic, Captain, we are not even at 2 percent for the first layer and we are bathed in radiation and thermal energies of a son protuberance."

Shaka said. "But we are at 45 percent of thrust, to keep us approaching slowly."

Then a green circle appeared and pushed the red swirling energy masses away and created something like a 20 kilometer tunnel. "USS Tigershark,this is Station Nebuchadnezzar. You are fighting not just the gravitation but our tunnel tractor. Turn of your engines."

Elfi confirmed. "Codes verified."

"Shaka cut thrust. Circuit engines on stand by."

Our ship was caught by an almost visible greenish tractor beam and we were pulled past the turbulent and truly frightening swirling energies of the Photosphere and there just past the outer layer hung a Gigamon station,almost invisible behind bright glowing purple shields.

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

We were hailed again and a human male in black Fleet Uniform and NAVINT patch on his sleeve smiled at us from the main screen. "This is Union X Fleet Forward Recon Station Nebuchadnezzar, I am Commander Daniel Shadrach, welcome Tigershark."

I said. "Thank you, Commander."

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

Elfi confirmed. "Captain it is the Admiral of the Fleet."

The Commander on the screen was replaced by the face of Admiral McElligott who started to speak without much of a greeting and said."Initially we did not want to reveal Nebuchadnezzar to you. Simply we didn't want you to know all secrets, but with you this is more or less impossible. I am on my way to Station Nebuchadnezzar and I am aboard the chimera unit USS Boulder and will arrive in five days. Take the opportunity for some R&R for your crew and restock on supplies."

"Aye Sir."

"Unload your stasis boxed guests and hand them to Station Security. I am bringing the accumulated mail for your crew and a sizable container of packages for your chief Engineer."

-""-

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

He sat with his back to a big view point that showed the light filtered images of swirling energies. The Commandant was Human Terran so it seemed, bute had black hair slicked back in a very Dai Than looking style.

He greeted us friendly and said. "Captain Olafson, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, General Cherubim and the Old Man have briefed me, of course and as usual in our business without much detail. I heard of course of the Red Dragon Affair and I am briefed on the Xandrao situation."

I was wearing regular Union Uniform. I could not deny the feeling of bride seeing Captain's gold on my lower sleeves. To the Commander I said. "We are in space for a little while, yet to me it feels we haven't really started our actual mission and for every step forward we take two back, but my crew can use a few days of R&R and I thank you for making these facilities available."

He stapled his fingers and leaned back. "We take great pride in our Core Park it simulates a beach of Para Para, with 5 acres of sandy beaches and 20 acres of an ocean simulating lake."

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

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

He called up a holo projection of the star and the base inside. "This is Station Nebuchadnezzar, as advanced it may appear to you, it is just a matter of strong force fields and most of our tech is based on time tested systems. This Station is based on the same design as Sol Castle and Sol is much hotter and more active than this old..." He paused and looked at a readout on his desk. His face changed into a disbelieving expression. "Orange Sorbet?" He looked up." You named a Star system we wanted to keep as much quiet and unimportant, Orange Sorbet?" He pointed at his screen with an accusatory look in his face. "The Union Catalogs have just been updated."

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

The Commander made a crocked smile. "Makes no real difference, I doubt no one will come here just because the name has changed in the official catalogs. I guess I was just surprised to see a name change and technically it makes us, what?"

Narth raised his finger. "Orange Sorbetes?"

He shuddered and sighed then he continued gesturing once again towards the projection. "NAVINT has a three secret bases in Freespace and this one. As remote and lonely as it is in terms of system traffic, it is only 60 light years from Togar Space. Our main task is to monitor Togar Space traffic and coordinate Intelligence. We like to keep the traffic as minimal as possible of course,but we are occasionally provide logistics to Chimera Units and X Fleet ships."

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

He raised an eyebrow. "My name, Luitenant?"

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

He looked at her as confused as I was and he said. "I never heard of King Nebuchadnezzar." Then he got up, "Well as it might be, I do have a station to run and then there is the imminent visit of the Admiral of the Fleet. " He grinned weakly. "I want everything in tip top shape before his inspection. The Immortal himself will be here!"

-""-

The station was a full sized Gigamon. We learned that almost 40 percent of the base was geared towards shield generators and gravitation management, but even then it was a big place with an all military intelligence community.

We found ourselves in a real Officer's lounge a little later and sat on a table by a large simulated window displaying a beautiful mountain scene with meadows and snow capped mountains.

Shea tried to explain to us what she meant with her comments about Nebuchadnezzar and the Commandant. "He might not know the significance of his name, but I am sure he was picked for this station partially of it." She then told us about a so called Bible story.

A server came to our table and pointed at our drinks and my empty glass, "Captain Olafson, would you like another Holsteiner?"

I smiled. "Yes I like another. " Then I glanced to Narth who nursed a glass of water."You would not want to try again?"

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

Har-Hi quaffed a swell of beer in his glass and said. "Narth was drunk?"

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

This simple moment in that lounge was perhaps one of the finest moments so far. They were all my friends, Krabbel and Mao, Elfi and the rest, beings I would not hesitate to lay down my life, but these three: Narth, Shea and Har-Hi trans descended friendship by magnitudes and I realized just how deeply I loved these three.

I called SHIP and made sure there was a rotation in place that also allowed her to use her new body to roam outside the ship.

Har-Hi and Narth decided to return to the ship so Elfi and Mao who had stayed behind, could go. Regulations required that the Conn of a Union ship was occupied regardless of the ships location. The ship could only be completely abandoned if it was decommissioned.

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

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

We noticed even here was a small civilian population, most likely family members and a few shop keepers. We walked past a Project-A-Sign that hung over a row of concourse facing windows and a sliding doors. The sign read : Union School Neb 2 and through the windows we saw Klack, Ult, Spindlars, two Blue several Humans and a Takkian sitting in neat rows before a a Shail on a hover sleed facing that class.

Shea said."Even here far from Union Side, deep in hostile space and underneath the surface of a sun there is orderly Union life. I think this is the real secret of Union success."

"Yes I think so too."

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

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

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

We went on and slowed down at the window of a fashion store, displaying dresses and other fashion items. She pointed at a dress and said. "You know we could go in, this time you don't have to hide anything." She wanted to say something else and then she said. "Something bothering you? Your eyes usually would light up seeing things like that."

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

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

I sighed. "I can't put it in words. It is like something just outside my field of view. I guess it is nothing really. I can't put my finger at it but we have an old saying on Nilfeheim. "There is something rotten in Denmark." I looked past her down the corridor. "Something just does not feel right." I squeezed her hand. "Ah it is probably nothing. Yes let's go in and buy that dress. It will look lovely on you."

"Is it because we are in a Sun? As unusual it might be,it is not the only construct the Union operates near or on the surface of a star. Sol Castle exists for nearly 1000 years now and Bright Star City is there almost as long. Sol and Bright Star are much hotter and more violent than this old red star. Besides I seen four Wurgus Engineers just a few moments. That means they most likley worked on the design and keep it all running, there is no species with more experience in such things."

"No, that is not it."

"Do you have doubts again because of your gender?"

"No, I am quite content right now and I haven't even thought about it recently." I looked down the concourse once more that circled most all around the main deck. There were trees, isles with grass and benches. People of various species strolling like us. Others sitting on the grass or on chairs before Cafes. "It's nothing probably."

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

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

