The USS Tigershark currently disguised

-""- My ship, the USS Tigershark currently disguised as a Karthanian armed Trader named Silver Streak by a marvelous device called the Janus System. The Tigershark was the most unique ship, perhaps in the entire Galaxy. It was the pinnacle of Union Technology and has been in the works under the Codename "Project Fish" for centuries. Since no Union Ship was allowed to operate in Free Space my ship was masked as Pirate ship and my crew posed as pirates, commanded by me Captain Black Velvet, a mysterious female Pirate of obscure origin, at least that was cover. Our mission was it to hunt down pirates as many as we could, gather Intelligence on Union Mil Tech trade, find pirate hide outs and suppress the Slave and Drug trade. Specifically We were to find out more about the Sinister Alliance and eliminate a Pirate Captain called Red Dragon. Our first foray into Free Space brought us in contact with a living mountain, living rocks and a ship full of human body parts and slaves bound to the meat markets of Togar. Now we headed clear across Free Space to a region called Demons Cauldron. It was where Free Space, Galactic Council space and the fringes of Union Space met. The region was close to what the Dai called the Thalim Nebula, where five Suns simultaneous went Supernova. The Nebula was claimed by the Union and much of what had been Galactic Council space in that area had become Union space only very recently after the Union Nogoll war and was still in turmoil and the final boundaries subject to heated dispute and new friction between Union and Galactic Council. Still in Free Space close to one of the Asteroid fields of the Thalim Nebula was an Asteroid base called Brhama Port. It was both a Miners base and a Pirate port and it was our next destination. Cateria our Chief Medical Officer rarely spend time on the bridge, stood with her arms crossed next to the Nav Tank Behind me and stared with a brooding gaze at the main viewer, currently showing a spectacular image of the Thalim Nebula. I didn’t know much about her and she always appeared cold, declinatory and not interested in social interaction. Har-Hi sitting on his seat doing his best Cateria impression also starting at the Nebula. I asked. “I know it is exceptionally beautiful with all the purples and yellows but I would think that you two have seen such sites before. What is so fascinating about that?” Har-Hi gestured towards the display and said. “Just a little over three standard years ago, my Clan and many others fought a terrible battle on the other side of that. Dai fighting Dai and it was my first deployment in a real battle. Not a Pirate raid but a full scale war against my own kind. just wondered how many Dai Spirits have been added to these colorful swirls that day.” Shea swiveled her seat and also looked at the main viewer image. “The probability that five Suns go supernova at more or less the same time and so close together is…” Cateria interrupted her with a coarse voice. “It was not a natural event. These were five vibrant Seenian Star Systems, with many billions in population. “She pointed at the screen. “That is where Ataci was, a world as beautiful as Para Para, my mother was born there.” She sighed.” If there are such things as spirits then your Dai have joined a few billion of my kind.” While she talked and told us about the Seenian worlds, I could almost see the planet sized Imperial War World firing her main weapons, obliterating the worlds of these upstarts. Before my inner eye I saw spherical ships fighting against entire fleets of Devastator size battle ships, reducing them to mere specks in comparison. Yes they would find the body of the true Master, they would tear heaven and space asunder to restore the Dark One to its rightful place. “Captain!” I heard Har-Hi’s voice. I turned to him saying. “Yes ?” He had a strange look on his face and said. “Are you alright?” “Yes of course, I am fine. I was just listening to Cateria and I was thinking about…” I could not really remember what I was just thinking other than listening to Cateria. Har-Hi shrugged. “ I was sure you muttered something about a rightful place.” “I was more or less daydreaming about what Cateria was telling and tried to imagine how these Dark Ones looked and what it would take to snuff five suns just like that.” Mao turned and said. “I don’t think we ,as in Union Technology are all too far away from that. I mean we do have Wurgus Solar Bombs, they are huge and need to be towed into place, but a hundred of them or so can turn a Main sequence star into a Supernova.” I wondered if a Translocator canon could be built large enough to transmit Solar Bombs or if the Bombs could be made smaller. Narth, shrouded as usual turned and said. “Considering our Captain's train of thought, it is good we Narth decided to be part of the Union. “ His response made everyone turn and despite his shrouded appearance I felt he was amused and Shea said. “What made you say that?” “Our Captain thinking like a real Terran and contemplating quite frightening realistic ways of accomplishing the feat of killing suns. The decision of Narth to join the Union and thus be allies instead of potential opponents is therefore a good decision. ” Har-Hi had his arms crossed high before his chest as he usually did, gave me a glance from the corner of his eyes. “From everything I know about you Narth, there should be nothing that could harm or threaten you but then knowing our Captain, I tend to agree with you. There is no race or civilization more warlike than those Terran Humans.” I sighed. “Not you too. I heard that accusation several times before. I don't think it is true. Terrans love peace and besides I am not a Terran. I am a Norse from Nilfeheim.” Cateria leaned forward so I could see her and for the first time I actually saw her grin. “Yes, that is such a peaceful society. “ She looked to the ceiling and said. “SHIP wasn't it you who told me about Nilfeheim. What is their favorite past time?” SHIPS voice too had an amused tone as she said. “Skull bashing if I heard the Captain,right.” Now it was me crossing my arms and pretending to be offended and said. “What a fine crew have, not even my own SHIP is helping me.” Shaka's raised his Virtu Helmsman helmet and said looking over his shoulder. “They always pick on us poor, defenseless Terrans, but they are sure glad to see us when they picked a fight with someone they can't beat alone.” Narth spread his arms. “Our Helmsman reinforced my earlier statement.” I wasn’t sure if I should scold him for telling them what I was thinking, if I should be proud and take it as an accomplishment or if I should be ashamed of my heritage and its reputation. My musings were interrupted by SHIP. “We are reaching the last way point before we drop out of Quasi Space and reach our destination.” I cleared my throat and said. “Well back to business guys.” I sat up straight and the Intui-Controlls were sliding under my hands. SHIP the AI was getting more and more in tune with me and she was able to read my body language, before I even consciously thinking what I wanted to do. “Shaka drop us out of Quasi, reduce to drift and keep emissions low. Shea, Ship and Narth scan the area and get me a tactical on Orb view. Mao please launch two KELPIE drones and park them on apex and nadir position above that brown dwarf.” Their sharp Aye Captains resonated in my audio relay as I raised the seat into the Battle dome position. Even though there were no indications

of any hostile contacts, we were about to approach a well known Pirate nest. The Battle dome gave me an unobstructed view of space. I could turn and see into any direction with a mere move of my eyes. The displayed images were simulated and computronic enhanced my limited natural senses so I could see what otherwise would be to fast, to far or to dim for me to see on my own. Our sensors picked up several energy sources right away and the system associated a cluster of symbols to each, giving me the analytical results from science and tactical. The KELPIE drones were another part of our special NAVINT equipment, football sized drones, cloaked with special diffuser fields scrambling their already minute engine trails and loaded with the most advanced scanner and sensor technology our society could engineer. It was the first time I used them, after getting a Neural Upload briefing o their capabilities just a few weeks ago. Narth reported first as it was his job as the OPS Officer. “ 57 artificial energy sources, 38 belong to fixed installations, consistent with Asteroid mining bases of Tech Level 6. Fifteen energy sources are analyzed and belonging to small space craft with very limited FTL capabilities. Three belong to larger signature space ships and the main energy source belongs a central construct consistent with the reported position of Brahma Port.” Now Mao delivered his report. “Hans has one of the Signatures on file. It belongs to a known pirate ship, the Bloody Mary of Captain Crimson Curse, a heavily modified Kartanian War Cruiser. The others are not on file.” Shea said. “It appears this is simply a failed star system, all science data suggests natural causes for the collapsed star. There is enough asteroid and planetary matter for a bout 12 planets .” Even though he was not a senior officer I still blinked at Sobody's symbol and he immediatley responded. “ The System is locally known as Bennett's Field referring to the large family enterprise running the local operations.” I lowered the seat and said. “I think I like to check things out, low profile before we officially make our entrance.” Har Hi said. “We could use the Tullerman Scull that came with the Mighty Nine.” Sobody said. “Tullerman Dinghies are very common around these parts, often used by Scavengers. Most likely a small crew of unlucky scavengers crossed the path of the Mighty Nine.” -""- The Tavern was called the Mother Lode and had been chiseled and burned directly into the rock of the Asteroid. The floor was made of metal grating placed in metal frames over more rough rock, Something small skittered between the pieces of waste and garbage that had fallen through the slots in the floor. The bar of the tavern occupied much of the left side of the tavern while a viewport with a good view at one of the Asteroid bases' mooring arms was on the other side. The shabby looking Tullerman brand 25 meter Dinghy we had used to come here was no moored there next to two much bigger ships and two ugly banged up looking miner tugs. The tavern was filled about to half its capacity with the roughest looking bunch of humans and non humans I had ever seen. The air was putrid not just because of the strong and alien drinks served and consumed but also of rancid body odors of unwashed and unkempt individuals of a dozen species or more. As per Har-Hi's suggestion we had taken the Tullerman ahead of the disguised Tigershark to get a feel of the situation. This would be the first official appearance of Black Velvet and her crew after all. I wanted to see and feel how other Pirate captains talked and acted. For this Har-Hi and I had disguised ourselves as Free Space Scavengers, a disguise suggested by Sobody. Scavengers were mostly ignored and at the bottom of the feeding order of the galactic space faring community and so it was we were pretty much ignored here on Brhama Port. We had settled down on a quiet table in a corner and nursed our drinks while keeping our eyes and ears open. Har-Hi was for the first time in a true disguise, Shea and Elfi had done a great job as he looked now like a dark red furred Jooltar, a canine species believed to be distantly related to the Attikans. Unlike the Attikans however they did not live in the Large Magellan Cloud, but were a small independent species that made their home somewhere in a small sphere of influence beyond the Kartanian Conglomerate. The Jooltar were only briefly mentioned in Xeno Class but as I understood it was generally accepted knowledge that they have stolen most of their technology instead of inventing it. To complete is fur covered body flex mask he wore an outfit that was diced together from several sources and didn't look new or in good repair. That the costume he chose had to be red was something he insisted upon. I was made up to look like a black Nogoll. Since Nogoll space was not far from, here, and the black Nogoll didn't fare to well in the still very recent Union Nogoll conflict, Sobody said it was a good choice for a costume, as encountering a black Nogoll in Free Space wasn't unusual. Har-Hi had dropped a few small Polo coins into a slot next to the table and selected a simple battle strategy game that was now displayed on the table surface. We played it and apparently paid no attention to the surroundings, but we both carried Nano fiber periscope optics and directional microphones. My Nogoll horns carried the optics and the large Nogoll ears the directional audio sensors. Har-Hi was similar equipped and that allowed us to focus in on any conversation and watch without appearing to watch at all. The barkeeper was a three armed Pertharian. Either his business was not very good or he had other problems saving money for a cybernetic replacement or a re-grow therapy but he tried his best to keep at least the glasses and the bar counter reasonably clean, as he kept polishing glasses whenever he did not serve drinks. Two more Pertharians came in and sat down at the other end of the taverns guest room. I was around those giants long enough to notice the Barkeep was not too pleased to see them and he didn't speak to them. The atmosphere of the taverns was not very cheerful or very lively, everyone kept to their business and while there was a constant din of voices no conversation was held loud enough to carry far. On a table not far from us were three Oghr, I was not sure of what subspecies, playing a game with dice. They appeared to be miners from one of the Asteroid mines in the system. It wasn't long after the arrival of the Pertharians when a man with distinctive Dai features appeared. He even wore Dai armor, however his was not red but black and adorned with purple panels. His harness did not carry a clan glyph. He looked around and went straight to the table of the Pertharians. I zoomed in on that table using a sub dermal sensor track on the side of my index finger and rubbing my thumb over it. The other Horn of my bio flex mask contained the latest in NAVINT communication technology, a picto-burst GalCom transmitter and with it I was connected with the Tigershark. So they could see and hear what we did. The images were directly sent to my visual nerve. Har Hi whispered in my ear piece and said without moving the jaws of his fierce canine predator mask. "That is a ancient Assassins armor suit, the long extinct Mar-Do tribe was famous for those, he wears it in a way that I am certain he knows how to use it, but he is no pure blood Dai from the looks of it." Through the crisp optics I saw him placing a complicated folded small piece of paper on the table and one of the Pertharians produced one that matched it. Hans voice spoke to me. “This is a Narly Angularity, this is how Nul agents identify themselves.” While I silently acknowledged the half Dai spoke and I could hear every word. He said to the two giants. "It is quite foolish to dress up like Pertharians. There is hardly a more loyal species to the Union and only a handful ever went astray and there is already one tending the bar and carries the price of his betrayal openly. His family most likely ripped out that arm and he has enough honor left not to replace it, seeing you with all four arms is not sitting well with him I can tell." So we weren't the only ones pretending to be someone else. I mused and wondered if there were even more like us and them. One of the giants spoke to the man."We are aware of this but our size restricts us to few species we can portray. It is however pleasant to meet you once again, Damon Honsu. We would not agree to meet anyone else." So the Half Dai had a name. Shea flashed a message over my retina display and it read. "Intel report on Damon Honsu is very sparse, but biometric analysis confirms he is half Dai and half Asian Human. Ship is certain to 99.99 percent that the voice is created and not natural. Chances are he is not what he appears either. Visual Data Analysis on the false Pertharians is more revealing and we are certain these are Nul Agents." I acknowledged her report with a blink and focused on the dialog on that table that turned out to be much more than a chance meeting of Pirates or Freelancers. The man named Honsu said. "This is Brhama Port, Guys. You could be all yourself, two Nul be less suspicious than two Pertharians. No one around here is a particular fan of the Union and Pertharians are as Union as Terrans.” “Let us not dwell on our choice of disguise Mr. Honsu. We are certain you are not always Dimon Honsu to the world either. You do business with us long enough to know that we are no fools.” The Half Dai sat down, folded his hands on the table and said. “Indeed I know and I am glad you have agreed to meet with me.” “We agreed as we too have an agenda we must discuss with you, but for now tell us why you wanted to meet us.” “ I am here to see what the chances are for you to meet with my Kermac contacts." The same disguised Nul answered. "We are not interested in meeting the Kermac. For it disgusts us to deal with these squealing, self important, meddling dwarfs. It is true We don't like the Union but we much prefer them over the Kermac and if the Union ever decides to move against them, we won't stop them." Now the second disguised Nul spoke for the first time. "However there are two recent developments of great concern to us and believe you can help us with the first and we might consider information exchange with the Kermac regarding the other event." I had to remind myself to move my piece and keep pretending to play as the conversation went on. Honsu said. "Can you be more specific?" The second Nul answered. "The First Gray born Nul in decades has disappeared. Grays, you must know are of tremendous importance to us. Decades can pass without one being born, and sometimes even centuries. Whenever a Gray is born an important event is about to take place. It always has been so. Sixteen Nul cycles ago a Gray One was born and not just to any family pod but he was the first offspring come to the plane of life from the loins and line of our Wise Leader. This event was hailed as tremendous omen. The Gray One was to be our next leader and he was trained in all things. The Gray One exceeded our greatest expectations and all Nul rejoiced as he would be our second All Gray ruler. The Gray One was sent to take the Purification bath in the Holy Ashes of Narl Gatu our first Civilization. To do so the Gray entered the purification sleep and was sent aboard the Narl Tompe barge on his way. The prince never arrived at Narl Gatu.” The first Nul spoke with agitation in his voice. “The Nul Realm left no trace unchecked and we came to the conclusion he had been abducted, captured by Pirates or Freelancers daring to infiltrate Nul space. We know he is still alive and somewhere in Free Space and we will pay you whatever price you demand if you find our Prince. You have six month to find him. After that we will search for him and no planet and no asteroid will be spared in our search. Of course that would mean the end of the Free Space treaty and war." I held my breath under the warm fur mask and for a moment forgot to play the game. There was the potential of Intergalactic war discussed on a shabby table inside a low class tavern only 30 meters away from us. The man in the dark Dai armor said. "I will do my best if he is alive and in Free Space I am sure I can find him. I somehow doubt it though. Could he not been taken by the Shiss or the Union?" "The possibility that it was the Shiss is still considered and if we find evidence it is so, then we will increase our efforts to unprecedented levels to annihilate all that is Shiss.” Again the second participated in the Conversation saying: “While it is not completely impossible

that it had been done by the Union, it is very unlikely as they much rather test our resolve with entire fleets and testing our strength provoking large scale skirmishes. The Union respects us, we know. They however do not fear us." "I will keep my eyes and ears open, if there is a Nul warrior kept prisoner or sold in Free Space I should be able to hear about it. Can I ask how you know he is still alive and in Free Space?" "It must be so. The seer of Narl Gatu said we have six weeks before our Prince, who according to the Seer is in a strange land will transform forever. The seer was brought to the last position we knew the prince was and the Seer pointed towards Free Space" Now the first Nul spoke again. "Our leader believes that the Prince is transformed from being alive to being dead." The Half-Dai snorted and made an amused facial expression as he said. "I thought your investigation was done with sensors and tracing engine trails. You place too much trust in a Seer. I know a thing or two about Psionics and no Psionic gift can predict the future. Maybe he simply went off course and burnt up exiting Quasi Space too close to a sun?" The first Nul in his disguise said raising his voice. “The Seer of Narl Gatu is no Psionic user. We Nul have no talent or use for Psionics. But the Seer is no mere Nul and he has been with us since we Nul rose from the Ashes of Narl Gatu. The Seer has always been correct, always!" Honsu did not respond to that but waved to the Barkeeper and ordered Thil. I knew Thil was a watery, weak beer like drink and I moved a game piece not even knowing if it was my turn and kept listening. The Half Dai said to the disguised Nul agents. "Let us talk about the second event then. The one you mentioned could make you consider a meeting with the Kermac." "We like to make it clear that we might only agree to a form of information exchange, nothing more. I personally would rather join the Union than deal with these meddlers." Honsu shrugged and said. "I am only the enabler, I make the connection. The Kermac have asked me to make contact with the Eye of Narl. What you then discuss or agree upon concerns me not." The first Nul said. "The Golden are no longer Neutral. As small as this Civilization appears to be, they have considerable technology, immense knowledge and contacts to species and civilizations none of us have heard off. Their resources easily equal those of any of the Big Four." Honsu put down the mug he had just received and waved his hand. "Are you sure this is correct information? The Golden are synonymous with neutrality and have been so for eons. Have they decided to join and side with the Kermac?" "We are surprised you have not heard of it, Damon Honsu. The Golden have applied for Union membership and it has been granted just a few days ago, they are full members of the Union. We just received message from our Diplomat at Pluribus The Message traveled per GalNet to Bokta World a Union Outpost where we maintain a trading post and was then transmitted via Myon Corresponder to Natu Toth our Throne world. Since we do not have the benefit of instantaneous messaging as the cursed Union all this it happened about 3 weeks ago." The voice of the Half-Dai was no longer sounding as certain as he had before as he said. "Could it be a trick, propaganda or false information? Sobody the First Merchant would never agree to something like that." "Would we be here and consider a meeting with the Kermac if it was a trick? Sobody the First Merchant never made a secret of his admiration for the Terrans. A delegation of Golden Elders is still on Pluribus. We still try to gather more details, but the entire Golden Fleet has been turned over to Union Fleet control and we know from reliable sources that the first Golden Spheres have been seen on their way to Arsenal to be fitted with Translocator Cannons, no doubt." Honsu cursed. "Violent gravitons, Gantoor's ghost be damned, Golden Spheres are almost equal to their Battle ships already and their sensors are second to none." “This is not just a one planet society joining the Union. This is as historic as the Klack making that decision.” The second Nul spread his upper arm pair. "Not to mention that we have information that the Narth are now active Union members and even sharing some of their technology. With all this they might listen to their Warrior Admiral and attack and be done with all Kermac and perhaps all Nul Nul once and for all.” Honsu leaned back playing with his glass. “It is true, the Narth are suddenly an active member. They have strengthened that cursed PSI Corps, and no spy, mole or traitor is safe from their powers.” The first Nul sounded just as concerned as his partner as he added. "With the Union that strong, and getting stronger by the day, all it takes is a spark or an incident and their Assembly will call for war. I have been a diplomatic guest during their last Union Week Celebrations and I have seen their parade. It takes a lot to frighten a Nul, but I won't forget the sight of Union Battle Groups.” The first agreed with his colleague and said. “Find the Nul Prince and if he is alive and returned to us we will agree to meet the Kermac and discuss what options we might have to address these developments. If he is not found, Nul will go to war and all diplomacy and subterfuge will end. The Nul will perish we know but until that day, the Galaxy will be a place of death and destruction never seen since the days of the Dark Ones, that is the word of our First Nul.” The Half Dai got up and said. "I will search for your prince with all haste and all efforts. Such a war must be prevented." With these words he left. I wished I could follow him and find out more about this character, but something else happened and prevented me even contemplating how to do accomplish that. The Barkeep stomped from behind his bar to the table of the two disguised Nul and pointed all three of his arms at them and said with a loud voice. "I don't like anyone mocking me or my species. I paid the price of looking to the Arcane Order and I live here in exile but you are not Pertharian; you are something else in disguise. Now why would anyone come to this station pretending to be Pertharians? I think you are spies of some sort!” Now everyone in the Tavern was paying attention and almost everyone was pulling weapons. Both disguised Nul got up, toppling the table doing it and the first raised his hands. "We are not Union!" The Barkeeper growled with anger saying "You are also not Pertharian!" "We are Nul. We had no intention to insult you, but we will not be threatened." “This is Free Space and since there are no Nul Traitors or Nul Freelancers, you are Government Spies. No real Pertharian would ever sit in a bar where a Tak like me serves drinks.” Before the situation escalated, three men in Kermac Battle suits stomped in, they looked exactly how I imagined Half Kermac half Shiss would look and their leader said." We are Bassetts and we welcome everyone on our Rock, except spies of any kind. Be it Nul, Union, Kermac or from wherever else. We also don't allow fights with power weapons, so we want you to leave now and don't you ever come back." I had the strong feeling that this was a staged show, pre-arranged in case the Nul would be discovered. The Barkeep however was satisfied and so were the patrons. This locomotion however also served the Half Dai to slip away. I gave Narth the signal to move the Tigershark. It didn't take long and one of the station's owners ,a male Shiss with distinctive Shiss features in his otherwise humanoid Kermac face, walked over to a big central located table where two beings sat and drank. One of them was Captain Swift. I remembered his face well from the recordings of the Danny Houston. My audio pick up overheard the Half Kermac say. "It might be of interest to you but we just retrieved the docking request of the Silver Streak, commanded by Black Velvet and she is towing in the Mighty Nine as a prize to sell." Captain Swift was human no doubt, but I believed he too had some non human genetics in his DNA as he appeared unusually tall, even sitting down and his skin had yellowish waxen hue. He looked up and said with surprise in his voice. "Are you sure it is the ship of that cut throat Volting?" An Oghar with elaborate decorated lower jar husks and rough scaled skin, sharing that big round table with Swift, touched one of his gold and jewel encrusted teeth and said. "I have heard much rumors and stories about Black Velvet, but nothing really substantial. No one has really seen her, no one knows if she is the same one that supposed to be active 500 years ago, or someone using the same name." Swift shrugged. "I haven't seen her either, but I know she is on the top ten wanted list of the Union and that takes some serious crime and they don't put ghosts on that list." Shea informed me silently. "The Oghar is Crimson Curse and his ship is the Bloody Mary. He is one of the most successful and experienced pirates of Free Space as he is in business for over 40 years." Now my disguised ship became visible in the bright flood lights of the mooring arm and despite the crudely added oversized ISAH pods and the shoddy welded armor plates around its nose cone, it looked quite dangerous. I loved the modern sleek and foreboding look of its true form as it was my ship, but even in its disguise as Silver Streak it looked very dangerous and like a ship that had been at least twice form one end of the Galaxy to the other. Right behind her the Mighty Nine slipped onto another Mooring point. Hans and Mao were aboard the captured Pirate ship and maneuvered into the parking position. Everyone in the Tavern was looking and the Oghar said. "It is the Mighty Nine alright, looks like she's missing one drive pod and someone clipped her claws real good, two turrets

gone and the third damaged, but leaving everything essential intact, looks like the Silver Streak has an excellent gunner." The Captain of the Swift pointed at my ship and said. "That old Kartanian has some serious fire power. Look at the size of those Nul froth casters. Those aren't easy to come by and even harder to install.” The Oghar kept fiddling with his tusks and grunted. “ Them ISAH pods look like the old Three-Ninety B series. State of the art 500 years ago and I bet my left tusk they are Type XI and with four of those I bet she is likely to make 350 to 400 klicks to the square second." “I'd take genuine ISAH Pods over that Karthanian Scrap I got anytime. “Swift added. Har-Hi and I used the distraction to silently leave our table and enter the ghastly washroom of the Tavern. Har-Hi covered the false muzzle of his mask and said. “By the lords, this stinks worse than the Enviro Tanks we had to clean.” We watched a burly Oghr leave one of the open stalls, trailing a gagging cloud of stench and said while trying to keep it down. “Can you imagine the Enviro Tank on an Oghr ship?” Narth popped out of thin air after we were certain we were alone, touched us both and teleportet us back to the ship. Shea who was dressed in my usual Black Velvet outfit to pose as me for the initial contact with Brhama Port greeted us on the bridge and said."There were no problems at all, they granted us mooring permit, but requested that we pay a mooring fee of 500 Polo full weights for each ship." I pulled the Nogoll mask and she waved her hand before her nose. “Say was the costume not enough, did you have to adapt the smell too?” I glared at her. “You should have seen or smelled what they called a Wash room.” Har- Hi was already halfway to the Elevators and I followed him adding. "After Har-Hi and I changed we will make our official entrance and then stay as long as the Swift Profit. That ship will be our next target.”

--””--



The Half Kermac eyed us suspiciously sitting behind his desk as I placed a plastic bag with the 1000 Polo Coins before him. He had the same paper white skin and the characteristic small nose and mouth of a Kermac, but unlike them he did have black hair and eyebrows. His eyes I noticed wee neither Kermac nor Human and looked more like the reptilian eyes of a Shiss. He also had pronounced throat folds and his skin featured tiny scales. He took the coins without counting and placed them in a drawer behind him, and then he said. "I am Nargo Bennett, the Station manager and since you have never been here, Captain Velvet, let me tell you the rules.” He got up and spread his arms. “They are actually quite simple really. We like the business your kind brings, but not the trouble. Fighting is allowed but not with energy weapons or similar destructive devices. I don't think you are interested in mining, but I tell this to all newcomers to Brhama Port. If you do want to scratch some minerals or metals out of an asteroid, let us know first and we sell you a Mining Permit. Don't raid other mining camps and leave mining ships around here alone. Part of the license fee the miners pay is for protection and we take that part quite serious and have the means to enforce it.” He took a plastic card from his desk and handed it to me. “This is a catalog of things and parts we sell. If you need fuel we sell that for 800 Polo Full weights per standard 1023 Nogto Bulb. That is about 500 Nul Roos or 992 Union Kilos." He spread his arms."That is about all there is, welcome to the Shattered Star system of the Bennett family." With that he sat back down. Har Hi, Shea and Narth had accompanied me to the Station Masters office after I was myself again and wearing the usual leather instead of the Nogoll costume. Narth actually wore a black leather and steel harness crisscrossing over his shroud and he carried even a Nul Gravitor rifle over his back. His head hidden behind a Golden Guard Helmet with polished mirror face pate. Har-Hi wore his usual red Dai Leather and micro mesh suit with all the swords, knives, weapons and guns in place. Instead of his Clan glyph he had skull and crossbones symbol on his chest, according to Shaka an ancient Terran symbol for Pirates. Shea wore a shoulder free bodice of white leather, matching over knee boots and a fur cape that that looked very much like my old Fangsnapper cloak. She had her hair tied to a pony tail and wore a white half mask up to her nose. Next to a long Attikan Sniper Blaster casually carried under her arm she also carried her mysterious sword across her back. She looked dangerous and very sexy at the same time. That there was plenty of human DNA left in the Half Kermac was evident as he had a hard time making eye contact with me and shifted his eyes from mine to Shea's chest. I said to him. "Indeed I am not interested in mining but I have a spare ship, I like to sell and I was told it could be done here." He nodded. "To be truthful, you will not get the same price you might get at Kaliment or Sin 4, but I am sending my brother Kooornt, and he will check the ship and I contact you later today with a price we are willing to pay." I agreed that this would be acceptable and we left his office. The Corridors of this Asteroid base were cut out of the rock. Supply lines and hardware directly bolted to the stone and light came from Lumi-Plates shining with a cold bluish light. There were living quarters, and a few shops. A tall Jooltan praised his collection of blaster weapons as we walked by and an orange skinned being I could not identify, looked as if it was made out of bread dough and shaped by a very unskilled baker in some sort of semi humanoid shape stared at us out of two black eyes and said. “Ship provisions, I sell ship provisions. I got Shroom Paste and Food Stuff...” Passing by a few other dealers and merchants we reached the main cavern and went to the same Tavern we had been before. The Pertharian barkeeper eyed us interested for about five seconds, took our orders and after we paid him lost interest. We found ourselves a table and sat down. I had no clear plan what we should do next and at this point I decided to just stir the pot a little and wait what would happen. One point on my agenda was to put the Bennett family out of business permanently. If I could manage to somehow destroy this Asteroid base it would take away a Pirate base and hideaway. The less bases and posts they had to hide the better. However I could not do it as Black Velvet. There was no weapon in a pirates arsenal that was strong enough to destroy an entire asteroid. We did carry a few P Bombs and one of them would do the trick, but not fast and instantaneous and using a P Bomb was like leaving a Union Calling Card. Shea leaned forward given me a very nice view down her cleavage and she said in a quiet tone. “I can smell that Washroom even out here.” Har-Hi pointed with his chin to a handful of miners sitting not far from us. “It's not the bathroom, it's them.” She said. “Next time I select a filter mask, don't they bathe?” Har-Hi shook his head. “Water is very expensive out here and even more a premium at these mining camps. Washing isn't a big priority to them.” Narth enjoyed himself greatly, to him it was all a part of his corporal experience outside the Narth Collective. His voice came into my mind. “You do begin to understand us, it pleases me. I too contemplate how a destruction of this base could be accomplished without revealing our true origin.” The Oghar Pirate and the Captain of the Swift Profit were still here and it was not hard to tell that I was the subject of their conversation. Captain Swift got up and walked over, made a theatrical bow and gesture by tipping his forehead. "I am Curtis Swift, Captain of the Swift Profit and I assume you are the famous Black Velvet. Since I assume we might be in a similar line of business, I thought I introduce myself." I eyed him up and down and said. "And what line of business would that be?" "Doing what we please and taking advantage of opportunities that might present themselves, a little of this and that and not particularly caring about anyone else or their rules." He pointed at the big table. "This is called the Captain's table and I am sure Crimson Curse would like to get to know you,as much as I. He is the ugly Oghar over there." Before I could respond, everyone turned to the sudden locomotion and noise at the taverns entrance. A rowdy looking crew entered, led by a flashy dressed human with blue skin. He was without a doubt a Thauran. I cursed silently and wondered How far did I have go, so I would not meet any of those blue skinned bastards. I always had been tolerant blind to another beings form, shape or color but those blue skinned Thaurans started to get to me. He was accompanied by two muscular Oghr and according to the information I received from Narth those were Orkh-Oghr, the strongest and biggest sub species of the Oghr race. Narth instantly corrected my thoughts. “No, the Orkh-Oghr are the physically strongest sub species belonging to the remaining Nine Kingdoms. The Ogr who are nearly three times as big and strong are a Union member and no longer a kingdom.” I raised my hands. “Could they not come up with less confusing names. I mean Oghr, Ogar, Ogr it appears the only difference is a vowel here and there.” “After the Oghar Empire fell apart into nine Kingdoms they fought each other with bitter wars over many decades about such naming issues.” While Narth educated me about the Oghr, I observed the new comers who were still standing at the open entrance area that separated the Tavern from the rest of the Asteroids main Cavern. Trailing the group were three, mangy looking Jooltar warriors. The new arrived group was joined by four more Thaurans, one of them female and all gaudily and colorfully dressed. If it weren't for the fact that the group was armed to the teeth one could have mistaken them for a traveling circus troupe. It was the five Thaurans that to me explained the noise and the air of self importance they displayed. I wondered why the Thauran did not join the Kermac, they could hold competitions of self importance and arrogance and my money wasn't on the Kermac as who would win such a contest. Narth said in my mind. "I doubt the Kermac would want a thrall species that was equally as good as they in the only field the Kermac really excel." I formed an answer and expressed my surprise."Never did I think you would say something like this. Not that I mind, but sarcasm wasn't something I associate with a Narth." His thoughts felt slightly amused as he said. "One might point out that we shared the Hugavh and that means I also adapt to your way of thinking characteristics. However it is us Narth who observe many of the civilizations for a very long time, and the Kermac are very good at being arrogant and self important. They have inherited this haughtiness and superciliousness from the UNI very long ago.” His thoughts paused for a moment and then his mental voice said to me. “This arrogant self-importance is of course not completely alien to humans, especially those who consider themselves of Noble origin. Now this is a concept I have spent much time analyzing and have yet to come to a satisfactory conclusion." I said to Narth silently and on our shared mental level. "I don't completely understand it, yet it is in a way also part of my heritage, being of an Old Clan on Nilfeheim is something very similar. My clan is considered very important only due to the fact that we carry an old name. I also don't think all nobility is bad. Look at our Princess, she can switch it on and off just like that, and then there is Shaka. He never makes a big deal out of it but I met his father, the Zulu King at the Diamond Ball and he radiates authority

in a way I can only describe as noble." Narth didn't respond but I knew he was contemplating what I just had said and put it through his incomprehensible way of analyzing things. Now he responded saying."My way of analyzing things is not completely incomprehensible, Shea understands it well." I wanted to tell him, that not everyone had an IQ of 400. Captain Swift, still standing next to me had also watched the newcomers and rolled his eyes and then said to me. "That is Captain Dentar Bloom of the Roughnir. Even among our colorful society of space-faring professionals he is not the most pleasant individual." The Thauran pointed out to me as Dentar Bloom yelled to the barkeeper. "Bottles of Solik, Big bowls of Tambark Broth and for me your finest Brohmir Sweat and bring plenty you three armed cretin!" They sat down at a table not far from us and the red and yellow dressed captain looked around with a disapproving expression in his face and then waved at Crimson. "Of all the ugly sights in the Galaxy, you my dear Crimson are the ugliest. Be so kind and switch chairs so I don't have to look at you!" The Barkeeper came to our table to serve us the drinks we had ordered and the loudmouth complained. "I ordered and expect to be served first. Don't waste time with the riff raff over there." The Barkeeper turned and said. "First pay the tab you left the last time, eighty Full weights!" Bloom put his hand on his boarding saber, but not pulling it and said. "The Solar winds and the Blessed Blue Virgin were not with us the past few months. No prey that carried Polos came our way. However we managed to liberate a collection of nice things that will bring me a hefty profit once I am able to reach the market on Sin 4. We had to stop here to get some fuel.” He made a jovial gesture .”I pay you double I owe you the next time I come by. Now I think you extend my credit, I anger easily.” The Barkeep pointed with one of his arms to the ceiling and to a set of remote controlled Neuro Rippers and said. "You don't scare me Captain Bloom, pay up or leave. This establishment is for paying customers only.” This obviously didn't sit too well with the flashy dressed Thauran. He talked to one of his officers and the Oghar left. He then said. "I guess I have to do a little auction. It looks like well heeled Captain Swift is here and so is the famous Crimson Curse. One likes to eat and the other likes to rape. So I am thinking I hold a little auction right here and now." It didn't take long and his Oghrs came back dragging a beautiful white Togar female on a chain behind them. She wore a metal collar and both her hands were attached to it with short chains, making her choke and at every move. The cruel metal band had rubbed her neck raw and there was crusted blood all around the collar. Her legs kept apart with a steel rod that had cuffs on each end, allowing her to move only with small steps. She had cuts and bruises all over her. I didn't like Togar and only a short time ago; I wanted to kill them all but seeing this poor female treated like that made me wish I could twist the head of that blue skinned bastard. Her eyes were big and green, and she had a pink nose, that reminded me of the little Holdian Commander. The Togar female could not talk as she was muzzled with several layers of memory tape around her short snout. The three armed Pertharian Bar Keeper protested loudly. "Are you insane, Bloom? The Togar Empire isn't far from here and they will send war-ships if they hear a Female Togar was sold here. Those cats don't kid around when it comes to their females.” With a dismissive gesture, Bloom said. "Don't you worry about the Togar. They have other things on their mind right now, besides she is a wanted criminal and I could get good money for her from any Togar male. She might be good in the Death Fight arenas but I am far from Sin 4 and need fuel, and you all know how nice a Togar female can be to human males, if she is properly restrained of course.” His last comment was answered by nodding heads and rough laughter. The Thauran enjoyed being in the center of attention and said. “Now I know your appetite Captain Swift, but there are many lonely miners here, so the opening bid is 100 Polos." As disgusting as the sale was the lusting gaze in Swifts face and the dirty jokes and openly described fantasies of the miners present was even more revolting. It was one of the Miners who said. "I give you the 100 Polos." Swift immediately countered with a bid of 150. I had forgotten my own drink and my hand was reaching for the butt of my gun, when Har-Hi put his hand on my arm and shook his head almost unnoticeable. He was right of course and I would not jeopardize our mission by starting a fight underneath looming Neuro Rippers, especially not for a Togar, I didn't like in the first place. The price was at 600 Polos now and it looked the burly looking miner had the deeper pockets, as Swift was not raising his hand again. There was a moment of silence and it seemed the Miner would take the pitiful looking Togar Female ans do all the things he said he would do to her. I said. "1000 Polos" and almost surprised myself but I couldn't let her be sold into a fate so cruel. Maybe we could keep her in stasis and let her go somewhere convenient and close to wherever she called home. My bid put all eyes on me and the Thauran captain noticed me, saying. "Who are you? I sell to anyone but you have to have the cash." "I got the Polo's anything else is unimportant." Swift introduced me saying. "That delectable package in skintight leather is none other than the the famous and mysterious Black Velvet." The Thauran made a mocking bow and said. "Thousand Polos, Full-weight have been called for this wild, soft furred promise of pleasure. Do I hear any other bids?" Narth whispered."Hans and the Golden are on their way with the money. What do you want done with the Togar female?" "Have Cateria check her out and then I guess put her in Stasis till we can let her go somewhere. Maybe we can find out where she belongs and see if we can get her as close as possible." "This might prove difficult, as she isn't what the Thauran claimed she is." "She isn't Togar?" "She is, but I think we might have purchased what you would call big trouble." I didn't like what I was hearing and silently responded. "Can you be more specific than that?" "I shall accompany her to the ship and probe deeper and then let you know." Hans stomped in and his massive appearance silenced the crowd for a moment. He looked frightening indeed in his version of a pirate costume. He wore a crisscrossing harness similar to the one Har-Hi had, across his enormous chest, but his was not made of leather but heavy looking links of Ultronit steel chain and a full sized Nul Gravitor Cannon across his back. His knee high boots were also reinforced with armor plates and he had the appearance as if he could kick a battle robot to scrap. The knuckles of his gauntlet style gloves sported metal spikes. To finish his look he wore a skull tight leather mask that left the chin and mouth open, with a crest of needle sharp looking metal spikes. He looked like a nightmare version of a dungeon torturer right out of the horror Visuals Mao loved to watch. No one dared to speak and there was open fear in quite a few of the rough faces. Sobody walking next to Hans was almost unnoticed. He looked the same as always but his bald head sported a ghastly cross shaped scar. From my adventure on Alvor's cove I knew it meant he was an outcast of the Golden society. The metal grating of the floor was vibrating with every step Hans made glasses on the tables dance as he came to my table and placed a heavy chest before me. Sobody unlocked it with a flair of importance and an electronic key he wore around his neck and bowed before me. "Captain as requested your purse." I was still sitting and said. "Pay that Thauran 1000 Polos." Captain Swift whistled through his teeth as Sobody opened the chest that was filled to the brim with Polo Coins packed in clear plastic bags and handed the speechless Thauran two of them saying "Two bags of 500 each." Narth got up whispered to Hans, who took the struggling and terrified looking Togar cat like a toy doll over his shoulder and along with Narth they left. Into the prevailing silence Bloom said looking at the two bags of money he held. "By the blessed Blue Virgin, that I call no nonsense business. You seem to run a tight ship and gathered a capable crew, respect, respect!" The three armed Pertharian held out two of his hands. "Now that you have money, I think you need to pay your tab." Since the Barkeeper held the remote control of the Neuro ripper in his third hand and the projector heads moved with an audible hum, targeting the Thauran, the blue skinned Captain obliged, but he didn't like it one bit as it was evident by his facial expression. Bloom came closer to our table with his crew close behind him. He eyed the heavy chest and said to me. "You would not be in the market for 80 tons of fine Togar merchandise?" I sipped at my Dai Beer and said. "No I am not." "You see, I have a hold full of that stuff, and it will sell on Sin 4 or at Kaliment for good money. The trouble is, I am a tad short on fuel and these tight Basset bastards don't give credit." I raised my head and looked at him."And why are you boring me with that. I am sure the miners here have always needs for cheap laborers and after a year or two you got enough money to buy fuel, I suppose." He sucked in air and said pointing his finger at me."I don't think you understand, female. I eat the likes of you for breakfast. I am going to take that chest now and if you try to stop us my men will do the same to you what we did to the Togar female. Har Hi said."Touch that chest and you touch nothing again with your own hands." His men drew

weapons and he said. "Do the math, Dai, ten against three." The Barkeep jelled. "I don't care what business you have among each other, but no Energy weapons. If you want to brawl with swords and knifes be my guest, but you pay for any damage." Now Crimson Curse got up, smashing his fist onto the metal table so hard, it left a sizable dent. "Enough of this! Free Space is shrinking by the day and the places our kind can rest and trade are not as common as they used to be. It is you trouble makers that spoil it for the rest of us. If you have quarrels duke it out Captain versus captain as it always has been the custom." Bloom raised his arms. "Well so be it then. I fight the female and get the Polos, what a splendid suggestion Ugly Crimson!" Har-Hi shook his head."That is a bad idea, Bloom. Reconsider and fight me instead." Bloom laughed. "If she wants to play pirate and fly with the big boys then she needs to fight herself. I have no problem spanking her into submission." I got up so fast, my chair flew and crashed against the wall somewhere in the back, while I was flanking myself over the table, and raked both of my boot heels across his throat and face. My training with Master Alamea and the Academy instructors, the instructions of Siegfrieda, Richard the Outcast and mental uploads I received from the Sojonit sisters merged into an instinctive, distinct style all of my own and I was at a point where I was able to act almost faster than I could think. My reaction was fueled by the old familiar Olafson rage and my growing dislike if Thaurans. Still in motion I hit the floor and spin kicked the Oghar right next to Bloom for good measure. The Ultronit heels of my boots were terrible weapons at close quarter. Bloom staggered backward his hands trying to stop the blood spraying from his throat wound, my 45 roared twice and the heavy lead slugs tore into the head of the recovering Oghr, Bloom had dropped to his knees, there was an expression of pain and the certain knowledge of impending death on his face as he reached out with his other hand. There was no mercy and no feeling of remorse as pointed the muzzle of the antique colt at his forehead and ended his misery with a gory explosion of blood and brain Har Hi had been right behind me, both swords drawn cutting three of Bloom's men down and a fourth stared at his arm stumps, his hands lying on the floor still clutching a blaster. Our constant cross training showed that Shea was no longer just a science geek but a force to be reckoned with as she had her strange sword at the throat of the second Oghar, cutting pieces out of his armor with little flicks of her wrist. Even our Golden turned out to be much more than just an old man of a dwarf like species. He moved his hand and arm in a strange motion almost as if he threw something and then pulled at an imaginary string; the effect of his pantomimic moves however was deadly and gruesome. One of the Thauran crew members fell to the floor cut in half! Sobody glared at the remaining men and said. "He should have thought twice before pulling a dagger on my Captain while I am around." I looked around and said."Anyone else thinking, I can't play with the boys. Step on up!" All this had happened so fast, Crimson was still standing. Swift whistled again."Holy shit!" Har-Hi carefully cleaned his blades with a piece of silk he always carried and said as he put them away."I did warn him, I might just have clipped an ear of his." Crimson sat back down and said. "Good riddance to Bloom, maybe we can drink in peace now. You Captain Velvet, of course are welcome to join us here at the Captain's table." One of the surviving crew members of Bloom's group said. "What of us now, are we to report to your ship?" I nodded." That's right. Go get everyone of your crew and report to the Silver Streak." Har-Hi got up and said. "I make sure they are properly accommodated." Har Hi proved just how strong he was as he shouldered the heavy money chest and he and Shea left followed by Blooms men. The Pertharian pointed at the bodies. “Is it okay if I get rid of these or do you want them?” “No you can clan up I don't want them.” Just as I was sitting down at the Captain's table a representative of the Bassett family approached and said."I am Kooornt Bassett and I can make you an offer for both ships." I pointed to the Golden and said. "My Quartermaster will take care of that." Sobody grinned from ear to ear and went with the man to a different table. Swift said. "You certainly live up to your legend and then some." Crimson quaffed another tankard of Oghar brew and ordered a plate of Lum-Lum Chews. Then he said with his deep growling voice."It is a good thing you dealt with that Thauran. Otherwise I would have, he is the kind just like that cursed Red Dragon and his Sinister Alliance stirring things up too much." He looked around and leaned forward. "He keeps poking the Union like he did recently with his stunt attacking a Union Outpost and they might start listening to the Eternal Warrior and roll in, and then our days will be counted,” Swift said. “Well the Kermac and the Nul will have a word in that as well, I doubt the Union will risk a war over pirates.” Crimson made a wiping gesture with his big hands. “They can't stop the Union. I tell you Red Dragon and his Sinister Alliance is bad news.” Swift shrugged. "I was considering flying to Itheamh and finding out where their secret meeting place is and joining the Sinister Alliance. There are rumors they plan for something big." Crimson took one of the Lum-Lums that had been served, but did not eat instead he said. "What use do we have for alliances? Is it not the very reason we do what we do to be free of other mens rules and laws? What good did his last big raid do him?" I shrugged and played the uninformed. "I played in another region of the Galaxy and haven't been in touch with the news lately. Did they not attack a Union outpost or something like that?" Crimson chewed with his massive jaws and gave Swift a side look from his small yellow eyes and said after he swallowed. "Aye he did, Outpost 96. Huge Pirate fleet, and a decoy fleet full of ground troops to boot, filled with every gun wielding scum he could hire on Sin 4 and Itheamh. Barley defended he claimed it would be and yet he got his arse kicked, by a bunch of Wolfcraft fighters. He was the only one escaping with nothing in his holds but air. If he has some personal vendetta against the Union, let him do it on his own. I rather be dead than fly with his Sinister Alliance." He grabbed another Lum-Lum and bit in it with resolve. Swift drank a greenish thickly liquid that smelled strongly of fermented fruits and said."Maybe you are right, you're in this business longer than most.” The Bassett Brother came to me and sighed, pointing at Sobody who looked as pleased as a Nubhir wolf that got the big bone, ad said. "Smart move, Captain Velvet to have a Golden do business for you. If we had continued haggling I would have been lucky walking out of here with my pants still mine." Sobody got up and came over as well. "I am going with my new friend Kooornt and make sure we get paid." I smiled at him and said. "You did well, I assume?" "Considering the location and the small market, yes Captain." After they left Crimson finished a sixth Lum-Lum and said. "Well I am off and go back to business and I suggest you both do the same." He leaned forward once again and lowered his voice as much as he could. "This region isn't going to be safe much longer." Swift made a surprised face. "Why are you saying this? This is still Free Space!" Crimson touched his jeweled encrusted gold encased tusk. "I have it on good authority that the Dai Lord Cam Elf-Na united over 2000 clans under his leadership into one massive mega clan. It is said he is out for revenge. Anyone guilty of dealing with Dai artifacts will feel their wraith. The Bassetts made a killing on Dai scrap, as you know. The big fight between Union and Dai happened not far from here. Cam Elf Na will need lots of raw materials for the Dai factory ships when he attacks the Union, which I am certain is his next move." Swift waved his hand."I actually heard the same rumor on Itheamh, but the Bassetts have a defense alliance with the Togar and they aren't far from here and the Togar do keep their contracts, their queen is known for it." Crimson placed a few coins on the table and said."I care not what you believe, but it would need more than two thirds of the Togar fleet, to defeat 2000 Dai Clans and I doubt the Queen will make such an effort to defend such an unimportant partner as the Bassetts. I think Cam Elf-Na has the power to take on almost anyone in Free Space now. No one is really safe. Not Sin 4, not Itheamh, not the Kartanians. It would take the reunification of all Oghar Kingdoms to stop him and that won't happen even if the Galaxy turns its spin; and if he moves across into Union Space he will cut a swath of destruction before the Union can stop him. In any case this area of space is soon to hot for any individual space ship." With those words the Oghar Captain left. Swift said."I am heading for Sin 4 and two ships are safer than one, if you heading that direction Velvet, we could fly together." I nodded. "As a matter of fact, I am going that way too. So yes it might be a good idea. I am leaving within the hour as well."