CHAPTER 4: FIELD CLASS

CHAPTER 4: FIELD CLASS

The first thing I noticed when I regained consciousness was the face of a blonde woman that smiled at me. She wore the white of the medical Service branch." Good afternoon, Mr. Olafson. How do you feel?" I closed my eyes for a moment and thought I might have dreamed it all; I felt fine and had no pain at all. I sat up and said. "I am fine! " A spherical read out established itself next to her and she studied it for a moment. "You had quite a few broken bones, third degree burns and a sizeable chunk of Duro-Plast sticking in your back; luckily it somehow missed vital organs and nerve centers. All in all nothing problematic and you are as good as new. " "Captain Zezz. Did he make it?" She kept smiling and answered." Ask him yourself. He is right here!"

In a bed next right next to mine was the Shiss Captain and he too was sitting up. "I made it, Eric."

"I am glad Sir! Do you know what actually happened?" I didn't want to ask him about his brother Zuzzh because I was certain he was dead. But he said, perhaps guessing what I was thinking. "Zuzzh made it too, but he needs more time in the Regen-tank. They grow him new arms." Zezz swung his legs out of the bed. "As for what actually happened I am as much in the dark as you." A new voice said. "Why don't you let me fill you I then?" Through the door of the infirmary stepped an old man in black uniform. He had five golden stars above his Admiral rings,the Admiral of the Fleet himself." I literally flew out of the bed and snapped in attention. "At ease Midshipman, at ease!" Elligott sighed looked around and then said to the Med Tech. "Can I trouble you for a chair or something, I rather sit for this." A chair was carried in by a marine a moment later. The ancient immortal sat down, tugged on his kilt. "It almost becomes routine now meeting you, Mr. Olafson. Not that the circumstances have been anything  even remotley routine. It seems of all talents you have, able to turn up in the middle of trouble is foremost among them. " Zezz scratched his throat. "It was my fault. I dragged him along, Sir. " "True that, and I like to believe in coincidence Captain Zezzzzazhh but somehow I think if you dragged any other cadet along, you be back on Arsenal IV writing a Small craft report." He held up his hands preventing me or Zezz to say something and laughed. "I am kidding of course.It was me who send you to Tabernacle after all." Zezzh grunted. "With all due respect Sir, I think I if I had been with any other cadet, you would write my eulogy and that of my brother now. " Elligott became serious. "Getting to know Mr. Olafson and seeing what I have seen, I agree with you. I was on my way to this facility because of the unusual. I came to this infirmary to fill you two in what happened and that is what I will do now. " He produced his smoking device, I knew was a tobacco pipe and lit it. The Medic rolled her eyes but did not dare to say something to the ancient Immortal. McElligott looked at her. "It is highly classified what I am going to discuss with these officers. I must ask you to leave. " With a huff she left. To the marines that apparently were part of the admirals entourage he said."Make sure this place is secure indeed." The tough looking marines, acknowledged and left the room as well. McElligott waited till the door was closed. "As you know the space past Barrow System, was until recently controlled by the Galactic Council and off limits to us. "He paused and used a little tool to stuff the glowing material deeper into the pipe's bulb, and then after he was satisfied with whatever he was doing he continued. "About five hundred years ago and near the Barrow system, one of the last big space battles against the Y'All was fought. I am not sure how good your history is, but the Galactic Council led by the Kermac thought it would be a good idea to declare war against us; as we were severely depleted fighting those four armed monsters for several years, almost being defeated. During that subsequent Intergalactic war, this region again was the sight for a big battle. A damaged Union ship made an emergency landing on a planet that had never been surveid before. It was  the third planet of what you all know now as the Arsenal System. After they landed to make emergency repairs they found something remarkable on that world. "He puffed a dense cloud of smoke into the room, almot disapearing behind it for a short second. Something that made us put every resource we had to secure that system for us, but that is a completely different matter. Getting back to the story at hand, the USS Seneca was tasked to closely survey this section of space as that area is getting busier in terms of traffic and make a detailed tally of the star systems. The Seneca found a drifting asteroid. Such deep space rocks we call wanderers or dark objects. These things usually go unnoticed as ships pass them in Quasi Space rushing to the next star system. Such dark objects however are highly valuable. They can be developed into  Trade Lane forts or in this case It would make a perfect Listening post, as it is very close to Galactic Council space." He made a grunting sound as his pipe went out, and he cursed and said something about inferior tobacco and put the thing back in the fur pouch he was wearing attached to his belt. "The Seneca found what they thought was a recently abandoned Kermac lab complex. Complete with an intensive collection of salvaged, mostly damaged Y'All ships and technology and two Y'All warriors, completely intact and alive in suspended animation. During the actual Y'All invasion we never managed to capture a live Y'All. To make the find even more significant, very recently we fought Y'All in the Fornax Cluster. New Y'All, different from the ones we faced before. Smaller, more agile and more articulated but  not as brutally strong or vicious. To the misfortune of the Seneca, the base was not as abandoned as they thought it was. The Kermac knew of the base and tried to secure the things right under our noses and not too far from Arsenal sysem." He chuckled and grinned deeply."To the misfortune of the Kermac, a very special Neo Viking and his Shiss mentor was not too far away in one of our new prototypes when they tried to prevent the Seneca to make off with this important find. "I was informed about the incident and of all those involved in the incident, I knew Captain Zezz personally and consider him trustworthy and reliable." He pointed at me."And I do know you Mr. Olafson. Despite what I said earlier, I trust you as well and that's why I send you to take the two Y'All to Tabernacle. We have the ones we captured form our recent fight in the Fornax Cluster there and planned to compare and examine them. "He tugged at his kilt in an absent minded fashion. "We have strong suspicions that the Kermac have something to do with the Y'All and their repeated appearance and recent events and revelations put those suspicions on solid foundations. "What we did not know is that two Kermac Agents managed to infiltrated one of our most secure and secret Xeno Bio research facilities. Their mission was to monitor Union research and find out just how much we learned about their control and knowledge of that Warrior species. After all, if it became common knowledge that the Kermac had something to do with the Y'All invasions it would instantly turn every civilization against them, even those who are neutral now. Current generations don't know how wide scale and how brutal the Y'All invasions have been, and how many planets, civilizations and billions of individuals were destroyed and lost. Including the Nul, the Shiss, Togar, Karthanians and countless others." He had a grim expression on his face and I realized that he of course had seen it first-hand. To him 500 years was almost like yesterday to me. He looked up and kept speaking. "The Kermac needed to prevent us from gaining any proof of this. As I mentioned they had two agents here and aparently for quite some time. They managed to turn the professor and controlled him with their Psionics. Initial investigation shows that they turned Neuberger many decades ago during some science conference. He was their gateway into Tabernacle. When they heard about the live Y'All, the Kermac could no longer stay secretly hidden. Their intention was to steal the Y'All and eliminate all data we had collected so far. To this they needed three code keys  and three Officers with Blue-Blue-Red clearance. With all three keys they would be able to purge all data and activate the base self-destruct, while they escape in a ship. This is why there are normally only two officers with such keys on installations of this importance.The professor and two command level officers were needed. You, Captain provided them with the third. They had to act before you left. They had no idea, did not even expect you, Mr. Olafson to have one as well. "Thankfully this what if scenario never played out, thanks to a resourceful Midshipman who managed to raise alarm and make security aware of the situation. The Kermac had disables almost all door locks, but the fire alarm deactivated the lock-outs and the door could be opened." Zezz hissed angry "We know for sure, they have a device that controls the Y'All. Does this mean war?" "No it does not. Everything will remain as it is for now. The Kermac do not know what happened to their Agents. They don't know what we know and we have the device and can examine it. What happened here has not happened. You are under strictest orders to tell no one about this incident ever. Unlike a certain other Admiral, the Union Council and I believe that the worst peace is still better than the best war and if I can do my part to postpone it hopefully forever then that is what we do." "Sir I understand all this. I am in the Navy long enough, but with all due respect. That midshipman went hand to hand with two Y'All and foiled the Kermacs plans, Sir. I hereby recommend him for the Medal of Honor. I am sure my brother Rear Admiral Zuzzh will agree and sign such a petition." The old Admiral laughed silently. "I saw the Vid feed and I have never seen anything in all my long life. Throwing Y'All warriors in unarmed hand to hand combat that is indeed a feat like none I seen. You defeated them and almost killed one!" I gasped." The Y'All wasn't dead?" "I am sure you would have managed eventually but they have two brains and incredible regeneration abilities, but that does not take away from your achievement!" He turned back to the Shiss. "Captain Zezz, you are one of our best Captains and your recommendation carries much weight. I would grant him the Medal of Honor on your word alone, even if I hadn't seen what he did but he is a second year Midshipman, due at the Academy very soon and what happened here will have to remain top classified." Elligott got up, was about to leave, but thought of something and turned around looking at me. "Midshipman Olafson, this is the second time your actions saved us a lot of problems. It is the second time you seem to get nothing out of it and I might appear ungrateful but I will think of something to have your heroism recognized, I promise." "I didn't do it for any medals anyway, Sir. I hoped to prevent them from killing Captain Zezz and his brother and that I was able to do that is all the gratification I need, Sir!" "Given your nature and special talents, Mr. Olafson I am sure we meet again and maybe then I can show you that true heroism and gallantry will neither be forgotten nor ignored." He nodded and then without any further comments left the room.

Zezz was quiet for a long moment then he said. "Eric, you earned the right to call me Zezz, forget the Sir and the Captain. You and I are beyond that and I give a hoot what regulations say!" "Aye Sir, I mean Aye Zezz."

BACK ON ARSENAL 2

I was no longer an acting Ensign; Zezzh ha to revoke the temporary rank after we returned.

I was back at the Bachelors home reading the recommended books and wondered what specialization I should choose. I hoped to see anyone I knew from last year, especially Narth and my friends, but so far I did not even meet any of the others out of Camp Idyllic. At first I enrolled myself in Engineering and while it wasn't bad I soon found out I didn't want to become an Engineer. The Instructor agreed and after two weeks of intensive tech and Xeno tech study I stopped going to engineering classes. Then I tried Communications, also for about two weeks. The Communications instructor told me at the beginning of the third week that further classes would be held at the Xeno linguistics school on Nebula III and he recommended that I did not come along. I wasn't disappointed one bit and went to the next available study course. I did four weeks of tactical and weapons training next. This I liked best so far and would have kept with it, but again the Chief instructor took me aside and said: "I have to pick those in this class that advance and become tactical systems officers. I didn't pick you." This did disappoint me somewhat, especially since my test results were as good as those he picked. The most difficult and challenging specialization was Science. Every ship, even a Battle ship had a Chief Science Officer and a whole staff of scientists as well as lab facilities. A Science officer had to specialize in at least one field of science but also needed a good grasp of pretty much everything else. Science officers usually received their PhD in the third year. When I toyed with the idea to try science I learned I learned that most of the Midshipmen already studying this had one or two PhD's before they even joined the fleet, most of them were older. The Course instructor did not even accept my application. Helm Class had been full and there was no spot open. So it came that I stood at the Academy Class Schedule board with more than six month to go in the second year and I was as far as I was when I arrived. There was medical, but I would be too late for that. It was much like science and I would not catch up with those who started at the beginning of the year. Besides I never saw myself as a Medic. Even though the female side of my personality liked the tight white outfits female Med Specialists could wear. But wearing a cute outfit was not argument enough for me to make a career choice out of it. There where courses available for Logistics, cargo specialist, robotics, diplomatic corps, diet specialist, legal services, financial services but all those usually led to a desk job career on a planet or a base and rarely ended up aboard a star ship. I heard a familiar voice. "Midshipman Olafson why aren't you in class?" Admiral Stokes was walking towards me and with him was Captain Zezz. I remembered I had an appointment with the Ult this afternoon anyway. I snapped to attention. "Sir I completed my last class assignment and was hoping they let me sign up for Helm after all." The Commandant looked over the board. "There are plenty of seats left in financial services. Cargo Specialist classes are also available. "He glanced at the board. "It looks legal is also still available." "Yes Sir if you recommend one of those I will sign up." He turned his fish face towards Zezz." What do you think? This Midshipman went through several classes but didn't seem to find anything suitable." "I doubt he would make a very good JAG officer. Somehow a Neo Viking, as a lawyer seems wrong to me." If Admiral Stokes was laughing I could not really tell, but I almost suspected the blubbering sound to be his way of showing amusement. "Who knows it might be a refreshing approach to see the Skull Bashing Defense demonstrated in court." To me he then said. "There is no regulation that says you have to pick a particular field. There are certain Midshipmen that go into third year without clear specializations. You see most Cadets are approached at the end of year one and see a Career Specialist who talks to them and recommends the path of the career for the Cadet." I made a sinister face. "Sir, my first year did not exactly end the same way." "I know Mr. Olafson. I know what happened." The Admiral went back looking at the board. "Field classes are very rare but in this case might be the best." Zezz blinked one eye at me and I failed to understand what he tried to signal, then he sighed in his almost human way. "I would be willing to take this Midshipman for the remaining time on the Hyperion, and even for the third year." "Can't do that old friend. Mr. Olafson's third year posting has been decided on already. But I could let him go for the remaining time, but he has to be on Arsenal IV by January third and no later than 0900." Again the Admiral looked at me directly "Attention Midshipman!" I was burning to ask what my third year assignment was, but I was standing in attention now and could not speak unless directly asked. "You are to report aboard the USS Hyperion as soon as possible. There you will commence field class and Captain Zezzh will determine what your study fields are." "Aye Sir!" The Shiss looked me over. "I also recommend the man gets into his dress uniform." Stokes agreed. "Absolutely! Mr. Olafson. Go find the next Auto dresser and get into Dress Uniform. Then report at 1000 to me in my office. The clock over the class schedule board showed it was 0940 already. "You better hurry Midshipman, on the double!" "Aye Sir!" I knew about the auto dresser on the 8th floor of the Academy building and found the floor deserted, no Applicants today. I dialed Dress uniform and stepped into one of the Auto Dressers. I checked my shave and hair in a mirror. I made it with one minute to spare and slowed down approached the Commanders assistant behind her desk and said. "Midshipman Olafson reporting as ordered." She greeted me with a warm smile "Go in! They're waiting!" In the Commandant's office were Admiral Stokes, Zezzh, the Psi Corps General Lichfangh and the Holo Avatar of Rear Admiral Zuzzh. All wore Dress uniform and everyone was standing. "Attention!" Webb said I froze where I was and snapped into the required stiff stance and wondered what was going on. Admiral Zuzzh stepped before me and Stokes handed him a black velvet box. Zuzzh then addressed me and his hissing alien voice had a solemn tone. "I have the greatest honor and privilege to represent the Assembly of the United Stars in this scared and solemn act. In their place and on behalf of the United Stars of the Galaxy I hereby present The Medal of Honor. By resolution and command of the Great Assembly, to Eric Olafson who, while a member of the United Stars Navy, distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in action against an enemy of the United Stars. The deed performed was of great personal bravery and self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish you above your comrades. Incontestable proof of the performance has been classified and cannot be discussed with anyone!" He took a shiny medal out of the box and attached it to my chest. Then he stood back and all of them stood in attention and saluted me! Zuzzh broke first and took my hand. "Congratulations, Mr. Olafson. You earned that one! I am sorry it was only me who presented it and not the Speaker of the Assembly, but the circumstances…" "Sir I am not able to comprehend what just happened but receiving any praise or citation from you, fills me with humble pride, Sir." The others also shook my hand and the Ult said. "This isn't just any reward Mr. Olafson, it is the highest medal. I sure would like to know what you did, but I know… It's classified." I was speechless and glanced down at the medal. Zezz pounded my shoulder."Elligott sends his greetings as well and I am to let you know he has not forgotten." "Thank you Sir!" Was all I could think of saying as a reply." Stokes said. "Computronic link with Mr. Olafson' MITI  and Ribbon display. Commence update." The ribbon display flickered and changed and showed a bunch of colorful ribbons. More than thought I had. Zezz put his hand on my shoulder. "We better go now. I have a Ship that needs attention." Webb nodded." Go with him Mr. Olafson but be at Arsenal IV at the proper time." "Yes Sir! Thank you Sir." "I am taking my ship out for a shakedown cruise after we received some upgrades. I thought you might want to come along." "Yes Sir I sure would." "My crew is back and my ships upgrades and refits are done. I am eager to leave dirt side and go back where I belong." "I just started my Career I sure know what you mean!"

--""-- From a Trans Planet mover we went to an IST and after a ride straight up we emerged into a well-lit featureless tunnel and I followed him to a set of thick Ultronit reinforced air lock doors, currently wide open, guarded by two Marines. They snapped in attention as he approached and one barked: "Captain aboard!" The corridor was slightly curved, with air locks and force field curtains every ten meters all currently open or deactivated. Even the recycled air smelled differently than on base. The smell was a mixture of metal polish, coffee and that undefined scent machines always had. There was a faint hum in the background that transcended everything and spoke of the unimaginable energies harnessed deep down in Engineering. I tried my best to keep up with the Shiss when he stopped. A round massive metal door slid into the wall in less than a heartbeat and we stepped onto the bridge! The horse shoe shaped room had six duty stations arranged before a raised command module and eight more duty stations behind it. The Shiss said. "This is the bridge, Mr. Olafson and here are my senior officers." He made a gesture including the entire room "Yes Captain, Sir!" "Eric this is not the Academy. You don't have to salute on the bridge. That distracts. If you come up here, all you do is give a nod to whoever is at the Conn. But you do repeat any order given while manning any of these duty stations. It's an old tradition but a good one. Don't snap in attention when someone looks at you. This is not the parade ground, so relax." "Yes Sir." A Klack stepped down from the Command Chair and said. "I am Lt Commander Xt' Nartoo and the XO of this ship. Welcome aboard Ensign." Like all Klack, he looked very much like giant man sized ants. "Thank you Sir. I am Eric Olafson." The Klack XO then turned to his Captain: "The new ISAH Pods and all upgrades have been installed. The last Base engineer and technicians have left the ship. The board shows green and we're cleared by Command to take off as soon as you give the order Sir." "We spend too long dirt side my old friend. Let's get some vacuum under the keel." "Indeed Captain. Three Month in dock and I don't want to see another upgrade for a long while." "Did you have chance to go home to Klackt as you had planned?" "Yes, I went to celebrate the birthday of our dear queen, but I got enough of Klackt moisture and Klack ceremonial culture to last me a life time, Captain." The Insect spread its feelers." And it is right here where I feel at home." Captain Zezz padded the Klack on the torso." I hear you!" Then Zezzh walked me from station to station and introduced me to the other officers present on the bridge. I was surprised by the relaxed, friendly atmosphere on this bridge. Those where high ranking officers I always thought would not give a second thought to a lowly Midshipman. It was a completely different atmosphere than on Captain McKenzie's bridge or Captain K'Tngnk style of command. McKenzie appeared to be removed from her crew and her style was not so different from the parade ground. The Klack Captain of the Madrid was very efficient and experienced and his Bridge Crew respected him, but here I could feel comradeship, and an atmosphere of more than just respect but deep friendship. He began on the left. "This is the Communications Console and currently occupied by Lt. Miglar, he is a Takian but don't let his rocky exterior fool you he is an excellent linguist and intelligence officer." Takians came from a very hot planet and had a rocky scaled skin that made them look somewhat like walking pine cones. "Don't listen to the Captain, Ensign. I even have problems with standard." "But am sure it helps to have three brains to remember all those different linguistics." I said smiling. Miglar laughed. "Indeed it does!" Zezz went on to the next Console." This is the tactical station. Weapon and shield control. It's the domain of Lt. Rider and he is from the Sol system and a dirtball called Pluto. He is always here, even when he is supposed to be off duty, except perhaps when he crawls through gun turrets or torpedo tubes. You won't find a better ship weapon expert anywhere, not even on the flag ship, the Devastator." He nodded towards the next station." We are missing OPS right now. The Gentleman usually heading this department, missed his spacebus and is still stuck 122 light years waiting for a transfer." Zezz crossed his arms. "Now let's get this show on the road. Since we are missing this vital station, I am going to take OPS. Ensign you have the Conn. Take her out." "Sir?" "You are to take the ship out, Ensign.You did it with the Scorpion." "Sir you want me to take the ship out from the Con position and sit in the Command Chair?" "I want you to take the ship out. It makes no difference to me where you are sitting or standing. It is practical to do it from that seat, but can be done while on the John. So go where ever you want. I am at OPS and right here in case you need help. Consider this hand on training!" I swallowed and climbed into the Command chair. The Lizard Captain must have talked to Stokes. I sat down into the soft pseudo leather, the chair immediately adjusted to my body. The master command console swung under my right hand and the direct access panel under my left. A bank of smaller screens lowered from the ceiling. As before, sitting here felt right. This time I was not at helm and this time I was not alone on a small ship. This was a full size battle ship, but I knew what I had to do. "Mr. Miglar contact Port control and ask for the earliest departure window." "Aye Sir." "Captain, Sir OPS, inform all personnel of our imminent departure. Can I ask you, Sir to give me a crew completion count and a cargo transfer status, please Sir?" "I am on it, Mr. Olafson!" He turned. "Forget that I am the Captain. Don't give orders and then ask with a please. Just tell me and the others what to do!" "Aye, Sir!" Miglar said:" Sir, Arsenal Control gives us a departure window for 1200." I glanced at the chronometer. It was 1105 now. "OPS here. Crew count complete. Ground crew will complete all cargo activities in 2 minutes." My left middle finger moved the direct access slider of the board communication system to Main Engineering. A bearded face appeared on one of the smaller screens above me. "Lt Commander Woodstock here, Engineering." "Engine Status, Mr. Woodstock?" "We are ready to go Sir. All tanks are max and all reactors are on ready for standby!" "Cut all umbilicals and go to full standby. Make her Space-worthy Mr. Woodstock and button her up." "Aye Sir, Full standby in 3 minutes." "OPS sound final boarding alert and secure all hatches airlocks and run a level 5 hull integrity test." "Aye Sir." I glanced at the chronometer and at 1135 I said:" Sound General Quarters." The hull integrity board showed green, meaning the ship was hermetically sealed and space worthy. The regular bridge lights dimmed away, replaced by the eerie red light of the Battle station lighting. The Klack responded at 1142. All stations report battle stations sir!" I acknowledged with a nod. "OPS sound external lift off warning. COMM contact Port Control we are at T minus 18." "Port Control contacted." "Helm activate Grav at neutral zero. Stand by for position adjustment and retract landing gear." That command would activate the ships Artificial Gravitation field and hold it hovering. Battle ships were to usually too big for port tractor fields. The Arti-Grav effectively neutralized the ships weight to zero, but not it's mass and a slight wind could push a zero grav ship to the side. The Hyperion was a 3500 meter battle ship and even few meter moves to either side could make us collide with ground equipment or buildings and cause damage. That is why the helms man had to keep station with reaction thrusters and Arti-Grav Directional fields. At 1158 I said. "Mr. Rider activate battle shields." He turned with a questioning face. "Battle Shields, Sir?" Zezzh barked. "You heard the command Mr. Rider!" "Aye Sir Battle shields!" I ignored the exchange and at 1159 I leaned back: "Helm, Aft Grav to minus 5 Percent." The ship now had negative weight and was pushed by the planet's gravitation into the sky. This was called a gentle lift off. To push millions of tons of mass even at zero weight with standard thrusters would have caused a storm of biblical proportions on the planet surface. Only after passing through the thick sulfuric clouds I said: "Helm grav negative 12, Main thrusters at 1 percent. Comm.: Send port control standard lift off message!" After we passed the last traces of atmosphere I said. "Helm standard orbit. XO stand down from General Quarters, Tactical deactivate battle Shields." Zezzh turned. "Why orbit?" "Sir I don't know what course you want." Zezzh pointed to the main screen. This is a shakedown cruise. Pick one!" "Aye Sir, Helm lay in a course to the Vanderstraat Nebulae, engage all Engines full. After FTL threshold go to max cruise." Zezzh got up and so did I. The normal lights had come back on. "That was not bad at all, Ensign. I know you are  very good with small craft, but I had no idea they teach battle ship maneuvering this detailed at first year.I expected much less and gave you the lift off as a little reward of my own for what you did." "They do not sir as far as I know." The Klack wiggled his antenna. "All they get to steer are D12's" Zezzh pointed his clawed finger at Rider. "Mr. Rider that was bad! What was that all about?" The Tactical officer made a sheepish face." Sir I am sorry, but that Greenhorn ordered shields. Who ever heard of taking off with full battle shields?" The Captain looked at me. "Why don't you explain to us why you ordered General Quarters and shields?" "Sir, it was the first time I was at the Conn. taking a ship this size from dirt side into space. In the event I made a mistake or forgot something and you had to interfere all crew would be at their posts and no time lost. I asked for shields because in a high traffic place like Arsenal II there is a slim chance that a civilian craft, some automated cargo drone or other object comes into the flight path of a ship at lift off. I wanted to make sure we do not get damaged in case of such a collision also all shields automatically adjust to the best aerodynamic shape inside an atmosphere this would push any object in our path aside and reduce drag to near zero, reducing Grav strain, atmospheric disturbance and conserve energy." Rider stepped back. "Whoa you had a whole catalog of sound reasons. You aren't really a Sophomore Freshman, right?" He laughed. "You had me believe it too. What is he really? Commander, Captain?" "He really is a Midshipman and this is no joke, Mr. Rider. If you do this again and question a command given by the person at the Conn I have you removed from post! We serve a long time now and we are friends but don't test my resolve in this regard!" Rider lowered his head and nodded. "I won't Sir!" Zezzh looked over his shoulder turning his head almost to the back. "Why the Vanderstraat Nebulae?" "You said any course, Sir and I always wanted to see that Nebulae close up. It is deep in Union space and thus very unlikely we run into any trouble with untested systems. Besides we can test shields and sensors there." "Sound reasoning! Vanderstraat it is." Rider was still staring at me and after a while even Zezzh noticed. "What is it, Mr. Rider? Never seen a Midshipman before?" "I have never seen one displaying that kind of ribbon display and on top the Medal of Honor, Sir." That caught the attention of everyone on the bridge and all heads turned. The Shiss captain revealed his sharp teeth." He earned it; I was there when it happened. Now all of you, pay attention to your boards!" To me he said. "I release you from the Con now. Take OPS!"

--""-- The Vanderstraat nebulae was even more spectacular than I thought it would be. Every shade of red from deepest violet to the brightest orange glowed from the recent Super Nova in the ring shaped nebula and transforming the eternal night of space in something so beautiful that no one looking at it could be completely atheistic, at least in my opinion. OPS was a very demanding post and I had to keep my all my concentration at the tasks at hand and there were many. OPS was short for ship operations and OPS was an extremely confusing post. The officer on that duty post was responsible for coordinating ship activities so as to not overload any one system and distribute power in special situations. That post also handled inter-ship communication, allocated IST resources in times of need or in battle. Monitored and supervised Damage Control, Auxiliary Craft operations and coordinated Ship Command with the Flight Boss. A battleship like the Hyperion was also a carrier and had a host of Shuttles, Gunboats and specialized Small Crafts, Destroyers and Courier ships as well as two complete Wolfcraft Fighter squadrons. The OPS position had to fills in for Helm or Navigation when necessary and finally was also required to bring all the stations to work together. In short it was the post that managed all the operations of the ship and often called the XO's Desk. Given all these tasks, it was a complicated and very demanding position and took everything I had in terms of applying what I had learned so far and in concentration not to overlook or miss anything. Despite that I couldn't wait for rest periods to be over so I could be back on the bridge. This was real! No test, no school, not a simulation but a real ship in real space and real consequences. After we had visited the Vanderstraat Nebulae we got orders to patrol a region known for its Shiss raider activity. Escort a convoy of sensitive materials to Sares and then took part in a life fire exercise with the rest of the 41st fleet the Hyperion was part of. It was according to Zezzh, routine battle ship business. Nothing really spectacular happened yet I found even the night shifts exciting. In my down time I had to memorize the books of Zezzh's Captain Treasure, the very same Admiral Stokes had recommended. The very same books Stokes had recommended. He quizzed me daily and not just if I memorized the words but also what I was thinking and to what conclusions I came after finishing a chapter. After the exercise he had me write a battle analysis and wanted me to replay the situation in simulations and explain to him why certain orders had been given. I was certain I learned more in those weeks than in all my life before. One of the fighter pilots introduced me to the Wolfcraft fighter and I spend many hours in the onboard simulator. No one treated me like a low unimportant Midshipman but with a professional level comradeship I enjoyed very much. Time flew as if it was on fast forward. A robot technician showed me how to service a Cerberus robot. I learned how to inspect Loki torpedoes and service them as well.

INTERLUDE: EGILL

Egill leaned back in his seat overlooking the Assembly and sighed. It was a great life and he enjoyed every minute of it, but in moments like this he found himself feeling a little homesick and he decided to take a vacation from the representation business and visit Nilfeheim for a month or two. Algear his Saresii friend entered and sat down in what long had ceased to be a visitor's chair. "What is with the sighing? You look grumpier than usual even half asleep." Egill did not open his eyes. "I felt a little homesick. It is almost two years now since I have seen Nilfeheim." "Well when are we leaving? You promised me to show me that ice ball of yours for almost as long." The Nilfeheim Elder grunted something as he adjusted the seat in an upright position and then looked at the Saresii that had become his best friend. "Are you sure you want to see a planet full of skull bashing Neo Vikings?" "I am listening to you describe it, I doubt it will hold all that much surprises." Before Egill was able to give him a sarcastic reply the door opened once more and the Narth representative entered and found his chair as well. "One wishes to accompany you as well." Egill laughed. "I gladly take you two along; it will be a hoot to see Nilfeheim react to visitors like you." The Narth cocked his shrouded head. "Yes they will see ones hood, one is certain, but one fails to understand how a choice of dress would cause any reaction of a planet, an object unable to react." "No, not Hood, I said Hoot. That's an expression to describe the reaction of the population of Nilfeheim seeing a real Narth and a Saresii male in all its female glory." The Narth actually raised his hands in a very human gesture. "One is sharing sharing much mono directional time with you and yet your expressions and way of communication holds more mysteries to Narth than the chaotic energy and mass conditions of the Galaxies center." The Narth put his hand on where his chin would be and shook his head. "This was an ill chosen reference as the Center actually holds no real mysteries." Egill sighed again and smiled. "I still got the picture and yes you are both welcome to tag along. It is high time Nilfeheim gets a little more exposed to other Union civilizations anyway." "Maybe we do not have to elaborate on Saresii details." Algear suggested. "I respect your culture, Old Grump, but I think they have no clue what a Narth is anyway." "Don't sit on such a high Snapper yourself, I doubt even the entire sum of all Saresii could not really explain that either." The Narth held up his right hand."One gladly supply you with Clues if that is what it takes for you to understand Narth. I tried the direct approach and explain it to you without success it appears." Algear padded the shoulder of the Narth in a gesture he had copied from Egill. "No worries my hooded friend, your explanations are eloquent. It is our limited intellect that fails to follow you after the third sentence, but we like you anyway." "One is pleased that it is so. One thinks of you applying positive variables as well." "So you express your friendship to us in some sort of mathematical equation?" Egill asked blinking his eyes. "Yes mathematics is a very adequate term to describe this process, however it does not equate. You are too erratic and illogical to come to an equation." Algear rolled his eyes and turned to Egill." You did ask!"

Interlude: First Son of Darkness

For all his connections and all his psionic powers, for all his influence and knowledge, the First Son of Darkness was just a tool, another game piece in a cosmic game. Despite his blindness caused by a sense of unequaled self-importance, he was quite intelligent and was aware of this, but he had plans to elevate him above being just a game piece. The key to his quest for Godhood was knowledge. Here on Netlor, a planet in Free-space he planned to gain more. Long before the rise of the Union, almost 12,000 years ago, before the first appearance of the Y'All. When the Ult were still the most aggressive and savage civilization in this part of the Galaxy. Before the Saran started their civil war that led to them to be split into the Saran and Pan Saran empires, a Saresii ship landed on this planet to refuel and discovered on a desert valley of the only continent, the 500 meter tall statue of a stylized humanoid figure. The figure was bare of any details, it had two stretched out arms and stood on straight legs spread apart. The head of the figure was a perfect circle with five equal sized segments, dividing the circle like a pie. Each segment colored differently. There was red, blue, white, green and yellow. All made of a transparent material. The statue stood in a hexagonal frame upon a raised platform. The material it all was made of appeared to be metal but it defied all scanning and all analysis methods. It apparently was indestructible, all efforts to take a sample were unsuccessful. The planet itself was unremarkable at first, but after closer examination it turned out that this world had no orbital tilt and circled around a yellow sun at a perfectly spherical orbit. Even the sun, at first observation just another common as dust yellow Main Sequence star, turned out to be an enigma, it was among the oldest stars and should have burned out long ago, turned into a brown dwarf perhaps, it had not even turned into a Red giant. Yellow Stars were young stars; this sun defied all commonly accepted solar physics. No Solar flares, no sun spots. It was a perfect stable star. This fact was of another significance associated to the statue. Eight thousand meters behind the statue was a mountain range and one of the rugged mountains had a hole in it. Twice a day the sun would perfectly align with that hole and send a beam of sunlight aimed exactly at the color segmented circle. A circle of colored light appeared on the smooth metal surface before the statue. There was nothing else, no inscriptions. The Ruins found after an excavation around the alien monument turned out to be of a much less advanced civilization that set up a city around that statue a few million years ago and vanished or died out. The Y'All came and the planet and the discovery was more or less forgotten in the galaxy wide turmoil, but it was not forgotten completely. A religious sect formed with member of all spacefaring civilizations back then and the Church of the Golden whispering Spirit of the Universe exists even today. It was much more prominent than the First Sons Church of Darkness, but still far below the numbers or significance of the 2000 major religious movements. Union Scholars claimed to have been able to analyze the material and the Kermac were certain it was of Uni Origin. The planet was in Free -space and by Treaty none of the Big Four could claim the planet as theirs. It was declared a site of worship and accessible to all. Each of the Big Four maintained small permanent research sites on the planet, but big digs were by the same treaty only allowed if all four participated and agreed something that would never happen. A town had sprung up not far from the Alien Monument and near the crumbled ruins. It was home mostly to souvenir dealers, small hotels and temples of a several sects and churches, most prominent of course the Church of the Golden Whispering Spirit. Pilgrims would don golden flowing robes, flock to the statue and then bathe naked in the circle of light when it occurred. Believers claimed curative and healing effects, mind opening and spiritual experiences, yet to this day there was not a single scientific backed case that would verify these claims. The trip to this world was fairly safe, despite the fact it was Free-space and pirate infested. Civilian travel agencies paid protection fees and used civilian armed convoys. Of course once in a while a ship of pilgrims was attacked and seized by pirates anyway, but the syndicates raking in the protection fees, made sure it did not happen too often and punished the Freelancers. The First Son of Darkness did not make the trip very often, despite the fact that he had excellent connections to the Worm and to some of the Pirates and the Syndicate of this sector of space. He did not bathe in the light like the fools of the Golden Spirit. It would have been ridiculous anyway, he the Son of Darkness bathing in light. There was not much in terms of public transportation, here on Netlor. A red throat Shiss operated a Taxi service consisting of a dozen Arti-Grav floaters from the local Space port to the ruins and the statue. He did not want to draw any attention to where he was going, so he walked. The climate of the planet and the weather never changed, thanks to its perfect orbit and zero declination and it was always hot and dry. He knew little of the rest of the world or if it had any indigenous life forms, such details were not important. Thankfully the distance to his destination was only three klicks. He could have levitated himself or even teleported there, but that could have been noticed. There always were Kermac and Saresii around. Netlor was not only a destination for pilgrims, but it was in Free-space and unlike Sin 4 or many of the others, quite orderly and peaceful. The rouge and crime element was not tolerated by the Syndicates and the Temples. Nestor also was a place of much clandestine meetings. When spies were exchanged, when the Big Four had something to discuss that did not reach the official channels, they came here. That also meant that there were agents of pretty much everyone around keeping an eye on each other. He had agents of his own here. The town did not have an actual name. It was synonym with the planet. The buildings were made of shipping containers; local rock and dirt, there were even quite a few tents. He reached his destination, three boulders. A concrete roof had been poured over it and the gaps between the rocks, closed with bricks and mortar. He knocked at the Syntho Wood door. Not waiting for an answer he opened the unlocked door and went. There on a simple table sat an old man, mostly but not entirely human from what he could see. "I came to see the catacombs." The old man wore a faded, rough looking poncho and dust colored simple fabric pants. He had human proportions, but his pupils were slit like those of a Shiss and is exposed skin had a fine snake skin texture." Go then, Larthop. Go and talk to the dead." The Old man had used his old Saresii name. A name he did not even think about it anymore. He did not wonder how the old man knew, he had been sitting here just like that, the first time the expelled Saresii had come, over ninety years ago and he had said the same thing. The First Son of Darkness who once long ago answered to the name Larthop, placed a few Rad shield coated Polo coins onto the table and the old man pulled on a rope next to him, opening a trap door and revealing a flight of stairs leading down. Weak orang light from candle burning lantern illuminated the hole. Larthop raised the hem of his gold colored cloak, not to stumble on those steep and narrow steps and descended.

CHAPTER 4 Continued:

Here I was treated like a part of the crew. Aboard the Hyperion the only difference between enlisted personnel and officers was more or less only the rank pin on your collar. Captain Zezz treaded and acted the same around the lowest First Class Starman as he did around his bridge officers. He told jokes with them, participated in games and on board sporting events and most unusual. The ship used only one mess hall. Officers and enlisted ate in the same place. There wasn't even a specific seating order. Even the Captain sat down wherever there was space and not at a separate Captain's table. I also noted the fierce pride and love every crew member expressed about Zezz and their Hyperion. Men went out of their way to make him proud. One day I noticed two First Class Star men scrubbing an already clean looking corridor and I asked them what they did to be punished that way and they looked at me like I was insane and one of them explained to me that nothing but a spotless corridor would do, it's how the Captain would like it, and they went on with great effort. I did not have much free time. When I was not on duty, I was studying books or using the simulator, but every now and then I did have a few hours of leisure time. I used the excellent swimming pool facilities of the ship or used an unoccupied gym to practice my sword play. A Petharian Sergeant who belonged to the ships Marine contingent, his name was Throok often sparred with me and instructed me in the ancient fighting technique of his four armed society. They used swords that looked very much like oversized dinner knifes, with long handles and bean shaped serrated and incredibly sharp blades. Gripping the long handles to maximize the fulcrum effect on the blade, Petharian warriors used two at the same time. It was complicated and very stylized. Every attack had a name and a number and it was not unusual to go through all of the 3000 attack and 4000 defense moves in a single training session. I could of course only handle one blade as I missed the second arm pair. Even just using one sword was exhausting because the weapon was heavy and I barely felt my arms when we were done. He spoke little and told me next to nothing about his kind or his family, but he kept on showing up for training and patiently showing me their moves. A security officer from Earth and master of Terran martial arts called Kung Fu dazzles us with spectacular fighting moves. Almost like an aerial dance, he too taught a class and I wished I the day had more hours so I could train with him more intensively. The Hyperion did routine duty and most of it appeared to be boring, but I enjoyed every moment and there was not a minute time to get bored. Zezzh did run regular drills and the time it took for a ship to get ready for battle was diligently recorded. Fleet standard for a Battleship was 8 minutes and 9 seconds. That was not much time for a ship and a crew of that size to go from All Green to All Red. From Zezz I learned there was an unofficial contest between all Captains of the Fleet to beat these times and Captains would often exchange and compare the times for bragging rights. The Hyperion's best time was 2 Minutes and 16 seconds. Zezzh said that this was acceptable and put the Hyperion near the Champion time of 2 Minutes and 1 second, recorded aboard the USS Shetland. We just finished such a drill and my battle posting was the OPS station on the bridge. The Alarm had caught me twenty decks down, in a swimming pool. Thanks to Auto Dressers that automatically switched to emergency mode during alert and a complicated Inter Ship transport allocation program, I made it in two minutes and four seconds. As the acting XO I reported an overall ship readiness time of two minutes and fourteen, a new ship record. Zezzh was pleased. He addressed the crew and promised a party to be held in one of the big Cargo holds. He didn't finish his address as the Sensor Operator interrupted him. "Sir, eight Shiss Mehgar Class Cruisers under full shields and weapons appeared on the scanner horizon." Reports came in moments later from a colony within our patrol area that had been attacked with high casualties and damage. " The situation seemed clear and straight forward. Shiss raiders had crossed the line and attacked a Union Colony. They had taken a chance and went much deeper in Union space. Most likely because the Colonies and Outposts near the border were better defended. Now the eight ships high tailed it back to Shiss territory. It was unfortunate for them to run into the sensor bubble of a Union Battleship. Eight Shiss cruisers, even the feared Mehgar Class was no real match for a Union Battleship and they knew it, changed course and tried to outrun us. Six month ago it would have worked, but the Hyperion had new and faster engines and was catching up. The standard procedure was to hail and ask them to surrender so it came to a surprise to me as Zezz ordered his new Translocator Sniper canons to take aim and to take them out. Sniper Translocators were the latest and newest weapon development of the Union. These canons could only fire very small loads, siphoned twice the energy of the big batteries, but they had ten times the range of any previous TLC. Translocators had one major flaw; they could not be fired while the ship was in Quasi-space. With normal TLC's it was possible for an enemy who travelled FTL to escape. The usual procedure to intercept was to launch Wolfcrafts or Loki Torpedoes and engage the enemy with Energy weapons to force them to drop out of Quasi-space and then engage with the main batteries as soon as they were in range. The tactical officer had have his firing solutions ready and fire the Snipers the very microsecond we dropped, or the enemy would be so far out of range we would never catch them. The Plutonian was as good as Zezzh said he would be and six micro loads detonated inside the fleeing ships engine rooms. Even a very small Anti matter explosion inside the engines was devastating. Two of the Mehgar, lost their Quasi Space bubble instantaneous and both ships were instantly converted in pure energy. The others managed to drop controlled into Real Space, Zezzh still did not hail the ships but ordered his tactical officer to continue." Take out their Command Decks. Leave me one or two for boarding and pound the rest to ashes." Zezz got up and barked."Mr. Olafson, I am going to join the boarding party. Care to tag along?" This was highly unusual. A captain joining marines boarding an enemy ship, it was more than that. It was against the rules as far as I knew. "Yes Sir" He waited for me until another officer showed up to take my duty station. I never found it easy to keep up with the fast Lizard, but now it was almost impossible. I had to run, really run to keep up. There was no chance and no breath to ask him questions. Decks fourteen and fifteen were Marine Country and they all waited for him, all already wearing Destroyer Suits, with Deep space packs. The Captain didn't even slow down as he virtually jumped into an auto dresser. I had to look around for another one, but one of the marines grabbed me and more or less stuffed me into another unit. Moments later I stomped out wearing the heaviest, most advanced individual armor developed by Union Tech. We all looked alike and only identifiable by tactical symbols superimposed over the others inside my helmet. All suits were currently colored dull white and would chance colors adapting to their surroundings as soon as we went into battle mode, except Zezz's. His suit was deep purple, just as his throat and on his upper right shoulder was the logo of the Union Marine Corps, but below it the number 33. He stood there for a moment, listening to something. Then his voice came over the Suit Comm. "Eighty T Klicks away there are two Shiss Raider. Engines and defenses crippled, but filled with the cowardly Red Throats that raided that Colony. If you manage to capture a few Green Throats alive for questioning it would be a success and the official reason for this boarding action. I would not be disappointed if none survives. Give them no quarter!" His Marines cheered in a throaty rough manner. He gave the final seal check order and then the air lock opened and like a swarm of angry snapper fish, 200 Marines, 100 Cerberus Robots, me and the Captain left the Hyperion, the Pulse engine on my back humming at top output. Eighty thousand kilometers through deep space was not much, but a great distance in my mind and nothing I really wanted to do, but I had little choice and thankfully the suit was in swarm mode and followed the lead, so I had little to do. The swarm split into two groups. This was not something a Union Fleet Officer needed to know or do. Boarding action was for marines. I wondered what happened to the usually so laid back and easy going Captain Zezz. Was it the fact we attacked other Shiss? His own kind? We split in smaller groups of twenty, each led by a Marine Sergeant, except mine. I was in the same group as the Captain and he had taken the lead command. The Shiss ship was a six hundred meter unit and like all Shiss ships based on the shape of an Egg. The dull end was the aft section and had the Engine pods. Of the original six pods, it had only four left and they were mostly twisted shapes of scrap metal. As my boots made contact with the ship's hull, its size became perspective and it looked huge. It was an awesome sight and frightening at the same time. The descending marines and robots looked like insects. Now I noticed the turret not far from where I had come down. It was a weapon turret and it as firing! I only knew because the dual gun muzzles kept glowing in a fast pace. There was no way I could see the energy bolts with the unaided eye, but that cannon aimed at fired at marines still on the approach. Why I had been missed I could not say, but I was close. The fire power an individual had at disposal when wearing a fully equipped destroyer suit was incredible. I flew across the smooth surface and my augmented large suit hands bend the left barrel like butter. The suit automatically extended vibrating monofilament claws from the tips of the suits hands and with it, I tore a hole into the armor of the gun turret and released a dozen pellet grenades into the breach, as I jumped back the suit activated the boot thrusters, not a second too early. The grenades exploded and lifted the turret out of its socket. Someone I didn't know said." Well done, Soldier." My group entered through that breach and into the ship itself. The Shiss fought nail and tooth, able to go toe to toe with a Nul, but as famous their fighting skills were, their technology was inferior to Union Tech, and it became apparent, they needed concentrated fire of several weapons to collapse Union shields and then still there was the tough armor. Boarding was a messy, chaotic business. My suit Computronic tried to keep my HUD and Communications as uncluttered as possible, still there was the overall wire frame display of the enemy ship's deck layout, green and red signals, energy read outs, scanner results and squad orders. The Marines and robots worked like a well-oiled machine and more or less ignored me. I was an added asset, almost like an observer, but I fought myself down the smoke filled corridors. The Shiss barricaded every junction and resisted to the last. In all this I wondered why we did this. There was no need, the ship was crippled and the Shiss could go nowhere. Why did no one offer them to surrender? It was over after what seemed hours of constant fighting; checking the time I realized we had boarded the ship only 57 minutes ago. We had reached the alternative Command Deck of the ship. It's main command deck; the bridge had been destroyed by a TL load. Captain Zezz had fought like an unleashed demon, using his boarding chain sword more than his blasters. He held a struggling Shiss Officer with his upper arm pair while he used his lower arm pair to systematically rip pieces of the armor the other wore. Union Techs swarmed the command center moments later and begun to attach equipment to the alien ships consoles. Only after two marines took the captured Shiss officer from Zezzh did he calm down and brushed back his helmet. His face was alien to me and I was certain I could not begin to read the emotions displayed, but there was a wild, savage glow in his eyes. His small black tongue flickered back and forth. Now he noticed me and made a sound like a submarine blowing air. "It is the second time I had the fortune to see you fight, Mr. Olafson. We certainly showed that cursed breed how costly it is to raid Union Colonies."

I looked around shivering at the bloody carnage. "Yes Sir we certainly did."

"Let us go back to the Hyperion and see if we can assist the raided Colony." "Yes Sir." This time I had no trouble following him and as we flew back he said. "You question my actions, don't you?" "Sir I am not…" "I told you we are past those things and I begin to know you. You would not be part of my bridge crew, even temporary if I thought you don't question what happened." "Well Sir, I did wonder why we boarded those ships and why you participated. It is not very common I think for a Captain to lead a Marine boarding action." "I told you about the 33rd Colony lost. About the injustice done by Caste Shiss to those with Purple throats." "Yes Sir I remember and I did follow up a little on that, but…" "I know personal feelings and vendettas have no place on the bridge or should be the reason for command decisions of a Captain. Yet when it comes to Colony raiders I can't dismiss my history or my emotions. These Red throats raided the Colony not for riches or plunder as pirates do. They do it to drag the Union into a war. There is nothing I hate more than the lofty White Throats, but another war against the Union would mean the end of the Shiss Empire and cost the lives of many on both sides. You see the Red Throats attacked without the consent or the knowledge of the Shiss High Command. They want to overthrow the White Throats and restructure the Caste system with the Reds on top. Since they lack the political and military muscle to do it openly, they try to drag the Union in. Proof to this I could only find by boarding." We had reached the Hyperion and tractor beams collected us and dragged us inside. He added as we passed the Energy curtain. "There are regulations yes indeed and I agree it is highly unprofessional for a command Officer to leave the ship, especially during any sort of hostile situation. I am sure once you become a captain you understand that there are times you must act following your convictions and feelings and not what the printed regulations say." I nodded not really knowing what to say. He stomped towards the next Auto Dresser but turned and added. "As I said I know personal feelings and vendettas have no place, but knowing it and following it are different matters."

INTERLUDE: EGIL

Egill punched his PDD and tried to call Sif. He wanted to take her home as well. The girl must feel homesick as well. The system however responded. "Receiver PDD is not active. Account Arnske, Sif has been deleted." A sudden hot flash of guilt and a feeling that something was very wrong came over the Old Norse. He called Sif's aunt, this time the connection was successful. As soon as the woman saw him she started." Don't even get me started on that brat! She took over 12,000 credits from me. The police was here searching the place. She is wanted for Califerm dealing! Haven't seen the girl in weeks!" She added a few more sentences complaining about the girl and then simply disconnected, before Egill could really say anything. Now the guilt of his neglect felt like a big clump of ice in his stomach pit. He had tremendous psionic abilities, but Pluribus was too big and too busy with billions of minds, Psi shields and even Psi beamed commercial messages for him to isolate the girls mind. Almost simultaneous the Narth and the Saresii reached for his hands and the Narth said. "Let us share our abilities and add them to yours." The Old man lowered his barriers and defenses and felt the minds of the other two. The mind of Algear was familiar and he had often shared thoughts with the Saresii, but the Narth consciousness was more alien than anything he ever felt. He instantly knew he would only be able to share a minute fraction. The Narth mind simply took over and took the lead. For a brief instant it was as if he was thrown in the middle of a dark room with billions of voices screaming at the same time. The Narth so it appeared was scanning every mind on the planet in less time than a heartbeat using Egill's mind and familiarity with Sif's mind. The Narth retracted his hand and leaned back. Both the Saresii and the Human never felt more exhausted in all their lives. Algear tried to remember how to breathe and then swallowed dry." Until now I thought we Saresii were powerful and talented, this glimpse put it in perspective. We are nothing more than insects compared to that!" The Narth sounded apologetic. "You Saresii have still much time to develop and we are sure you might be able to join us in nine or ten Galactic revolutions." To Egill he said." The female mind you are searching is no longer on this planet." Egill's shoulders sank." I have lost her!" "Not so, Egill. Have you not noticed? We have located her mind. She is only 267 light years from here on a planet called Perryton." The Narth paused then added. "It was easy to miss, one must concede as the mind is not very active and seems asleep." It took Egill a while to recover and get a clear thought. "I must postpone our trip to Nilfeheim. I must go to Perryton and find the Girl!" The Narth and the Saresii simultaneously responded. "We will assist you of course and come along!" Algear used his PDD and ordered the fastest Saresii Ship to be at his disposal and said. "The Taigona is on her way and land in less than six hours." Egill thanked his friends with a nod and opening his emotions to them as no words could express the gratitude he felt.

Interlude: Sif

Sif woke, despite the sleep inducer that had been placed over her head. More out of instinct she rolled of the bed she was on and removed herself from the dazing and sleep causing Neuro-feed rays. Her mind instantly cleared up and she remembered.In her dreams she thought she felt a probing mind searching for her. In her dreams, Egill had not forgotten about her. But what would the old man say if he saw her like that? It was better he would never see her and besides those were only dreams of a sick mind. She had to get out of here and get to a GalNet terminal, call home. Just as she tried to examine the room with the mind of a warrior, the hunger returned! The pain of the Califerm addiction cramped her muscles, made her skin crawl and her head spin with blinding pain. It was useless, Egill would not find her, no one really cared about her.No one, not Egill, not her parents would have Califerm. She pressed her teeth so hard together that one tooth cracked and splintered. She was not just some Fad Kid, she was also from Nilfeheim! The Arnske clan looked back all the way to the landing of the Stockholm. She was the first female ever to make the pilgrimage to the halls of Hasvik. She was the first female to pass the Ancient Challenge. Deep down she was more than those spoiled brats of Pluribus. Her friend Gloria became hysterical after a few drops of rain. They said there was no cure for Califerm addiction, but all the addicts she had met were soft spoiled brats. She wanted to be as tough as the toughest Nilfeheim Warrior. She wanted to show them a woman could take it and now she was losing the battle against a chemical in her blood? She tried to fight it, she wanted to fight it and yet every fiber of her body screamed and burned for more. She barely noticed that she was throwing up, and nearly choked on the bitter tasting bile. Just as she was about to give up and think of suicide, she felt a presence. It was not one of her captors. It was not Egill. It was something very familiar, someone she should know but could not remember. A huge white undefined shape was somehow manifesting before her inner eyes. The pain completely vanished; there was a warm feeling of love and concern. Still her mind was numb and unable to put a name to the presence. "Poor child. I tasked my Old friend to teach you and to become the next Representative of Nilfeheim, yet I forgot that he never raised girls and is so old he forgot the sometimes impulsive behavior of the young. And while I have great plans for you, I never raised young or know all there is to know about human females." The voice was warm, full of authority and there was a hint of regret. "You stumbled Sif, but you have not fallen and you are not alone." In her state she did not question anymore who was talking to her. Maybe a figment of her imagination, maybe she was dead, there was no pain. "I have fallen. I have let Egill down. I let my family down and I betrayed Eric." "Egill is searching for you and with him are powrful friends. Their probing minds made me aware of your perill. eric is growing faster than anticipated and those who seek to harm have learned nothing substantial from you. I wish I could be with you but I must still sleep. I wish I could reveal myself to you but I must remain hidden. You young lady, must return to your way and relieve Egill when the time for that has come." "I am a failure! I am as far away from that goal as can be. Why must I become the next representative anyway?" "So the other child can remain free from obligations towards Nilfeheim. He has an enormous task before him." "Eric, you talk about Eric! " "Yes and he would shoulder the task of representative if Egill comes to the day where he can't. Eric must not be distracted. Everyone shapes his own future my child, but some have to play certain parts and do certain things, so there can be a future." She did not know what the voice was talking about, however she somehow understood and she wanted to return to her path." "That is the spirit, my child! I must return to my sleep and when your mind clears you will remember little of this, but the Poison that cripples you will have no power over you anymore and you will find the means for your escape and your revenge!"

Sif found herself lying on a cold Duro-crete floor, in a puddle of reeking body excrements. Yet her mind was crystal clear. The pain and the Califerm was nothing but a memory. She did remember that someone, something had helped her. Something connected to Eric and Nilfeheim, but that was all. She was in a small room with a vaulted ceiling and naked, crude looking Duro-Crete walls. There was a bunk bed and a Sleep Inducer suspended above it. There was a single Lumi-Plate giving cold light and there was a solid looking metal door. She was completely naked, and then her eyes fell onto a bundle on the floor. Nilfeheim warrior leathers, boots and a fur brimmed cape and as she took up the cape there was a broad belt with a broadsword and not just any, this was the sacred sword of the Arnske clan, Hämnd its mighty name.Hämnd meant venegance. Either Egill had more secret powers and the rumors that he was a Wizard were true after all or perhaps the Gods themselves had intervened. Yes, perhaps Sif, the Goddess with whom she shared the name had taken pity. She began to dress and each piece she put on, seemed to strengthen her and give her a little more confidence and connected her with her roots and her home. With a shiver, not caused by the cold air of her prison she girded the sword, but a shiver of anticipation. She just closed the buckle of the sword belt as she heard a sound from outside the door, someone was coming. The door moved to the side and a dark robed, bald headed man carrying a plate of food appeared."Dinner time for the filthy brat from Nilfeheim." He stopped in his tracks and stared at her with disbelieve. It was the last thing he did. First the plate of food dropped to the floor and then his head, the eyes still wide open. Sif did not wait to see the body collapse. She was out her cell and stormed down a narrow corridor. She hoped there were more.She wanted to kill, it wasn't the beserker rage, but a burning desire for revenge. Unlike the artificial desires of an alien drug, this one could be stilled with the bloodof enemies. She was eager to find the grey dressed man before she tried to escape this place. Yes she was a woman, but she was also Neo Viking, a Norse. A cold rage had taken hold of her and she thanked the Gods who had delivered her. She would not let them, Egill or her world down again. Sif the party girl was no more, she had died lying in a puddle of vomit, in her place was once again Sif Arnske, first female warrior of Nilfeheim. It was not her who had to adapt to the life on Pluribus, by Thor! No Pluribus had to adapt to her and woe to whoever tried to take her of that path again.

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