Captain Black Velvet Ch 1

Galactic Chronicles 

-Olafson Cycle-

Volume 10

Captain Black Velvet

© Vanessa Ravencroft 2014

'''The Year is 5022 (Old Terran Time). '''

'''The Milky Way Galaxy is teaming with life and sentient species. Earth is now known as Terra and part of the United Stars of the Galaxies, a multi-cultural mega civilization that now stretches across two quarters of the Milky Way Galaxy and has a foothold in the Andromeda Galaxy and both the Large and Small Magellan Clouds. There are over 5030 distinctive member civilizations calling themselves members of the Union. The United Stars Space fleet protects this mega civilization against external threats.'''

Eric Olafson, born on a cold world called Nilfeheim, raised under harsh conditions of a very traditional inward looking society of Neo Vikings left his planet to fulfill his dream to become a Star ship captain.

'''He reached that goal much sooner than he expected and is now the commanding officer of a unique starship, the USS Tigershark. The ship is state of the art and incorporates the finest technologies of the most advanced civilizations of the Union.'''

Together with his truly unusual crew he is sent into Freespace to hunt Pirates and Criminals.In order to hunt Eric and the Crew of the Tigershark pose as Pirates themselves.

'''Eric used to be 198 cm tall and weigh almost exactly 90 kilos. He still has gray eyes and some say he moves with the same purpose and grace as a Tiger or Nubhir Wolf.'''

'''Like everyone from Nilfeheim he has a greater tolerance to freezing temperatures and is able to stay submerged under water for a very long time because of gills and eyes that are adapted to see well under water thanks to a second set of clear eyelids. His muscles are denser than that of a standard human, allowing him to swim longer and deeper. Due to that he has great endurance and is much stronger than he looks.'''

'''He loves fish, has a very clear sense of honor and hates unfair situations. Even though he doesn't like to admit it, he carries the same short temper of his father and is more often than not ready to face a challenge with his fists or weapons.'''

'''But all this has changed. Eric now lives as Black Velvet, a female pirate captain of mysterious background and feared by merchants and other pirates alike.'''

'''Currently he appears to be a gorgeous female with beautiful long blonde hair and a killer body. His greatest wish fulfilled and his secret desire no longer a secret, he isn't so sure anymore what or who he is. That he now looks like the fairer sex has done little to change his general approach to problems, head-on.'''

He is still oblivious to the fact that he is destined to play a central role in an ancient conflict of cosmic proportions, but something is stirring…

After encountering a living mountain, floating rocks, a Kermac scheme to move an entire moon and finding a ship full of human body parts, the USS Tigershark was now making her way to Brhama port, a well known pirate port.

The Author

Chapter 1: Xandrao
'''Freespace was not a natural region, it existed only on maps, in Nav-Tanks and Computronic files. Its boundaries had been defined by diplomats and delegates during the last Armistice Conference on the Planet of Intergalactic Peace.'''

The Big Four, the Blue and about seventy independent space faring civilizations discussed, argued and finally agreed on this region.

'''It was to act as a buffer zone between the Big Four and give those who did not want to ally themselves with one of the big powers a place to exist after their own fashion. One of the stipulations was that no official ships or parties of any of the Big Four were allowed to enter Freespace, including of course military ships, law enforcement or even science expeditions.'''

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

The Big Four, namely the Shiss, the Galactic Council (Kermac), the Nul and the United Stars of the Galaxies watched that none of the others broke that treaty; but they all did, covertly of course.

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

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

The biggest independent societies were the Togar, the Karthanians and the Shattered Kingdoms of the Oghr.

'''The Karthanians hated the Togar and the Togar disliked everyone, except as a main course for dinner. '''

'''The former ancient Oghr Empire, shattered into separate kingdoms, of which nine were at the far reaches of Freespace were constantly fighting among each other. They also didn't get along with the Togar and considered the Karthanians hostile competition and agitators. '''

'''To all this came a host of Freelancers, pirates and the lawless element of the entire galaxy. To this volatile mix came the Shiss sponsored, openly denied and condemned Shiss Raiders and  the tribal fleets of the Dai.'''

'''No doubt there were countless schemes and covert operations of the Kermac. Of course the Union was not idle and conducted undercover operations. Not to mention the not always legal dealings of private corporations.'''

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

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

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

'''Every star faring civilization had their own way to describe this incredibly beautiful spiral wheel. Stars were born and stars died. Black holes slowly rotated through it all, devouring energy and matter alike. An eternal process, and yet there was a beginning and an end to everything. '''

'''In cosmic terms this was a young Universe and this Galaxy had only completed about sixty rotations. '''

'''For most living beings it was simply impossible to comprehend the time of just one such rotation. 225 Million Years was simply a number, something abstract and beyond any understanding. Compared to that what significance were the 3000 years the Union existed? The Uni and the Pree rose and disappeared within one single rotation. The Saresii and the Seeinans clashed with the Dark Ones just about a Million years ago.'''

'''Such time spans meant little to the beings in the shiny cone shape spaceship that just dropped out of Quasi Space here at the edge of one of the spiral arms of this galaxy. '''

Inaudible to living ears it extended electronic feelers in all directions testing and scanning the surroundings.

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

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

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

'''Behind these scanner operators sat the correlator who typed the Sensor reports into the Situation Calculator. It was a very demanding position and required much concentration. That this was an unnecessarily complicated way of doing things, especially on a spaceship was not entirely lost to the Shipmaster but this was the way it had been done on Xandrao ships for a long time and no one really ever called the Xandrao a very practical race.'''

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

'''The prince was a favorite of the Emperor and thus it was him who was sent on this perhaps most important mission in Xandrao history. The prince was no fool and quite intelligent, despite the centuries of inbreeding among the noble houses and approached Noldra Dorrx, the Shipmaster. Compared to the gold and silver glitter laden uniform of the prince, the Shipmasters red and gold trimmed uniform appeared quite plain and subdued. Albra masterfully swirled his cape and in a theatrical gesture and said with his high tenor voice, “I missed you at the table and had to entertain the Kermac Envoys all on my own.” '''

'''The Shipmaster bowed slightly as required, but despite the presence of the prince, he kept his eyes on the readout of the Threat and Situation Calculator. Without making the necessary respectful gesture he said. “My presence would have not been noticed with you in the room. All eyes are on you, all ears are on you and all attention is given to you when you are present.”'''

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

“It will be the envy of all the Beauty Boys at court no doubt.” Noldra hoped the prince would get bored and leave the Command Center.

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

'''The Kermac who had just arrived was much smaller than even the smallest Xandrao. Unlike the Xandrao he had no fur or hair at all and the Kermac's skin was snow white.'''

'''Noldra was covered with a coarse short brown fur from head to his hoofs. Two massive horns protruded from his forehead just above his fur covered ears. His arms and legs were bulging with rolling muscles. Compared to him the Kermac looked weak and sickly and that envoy did not even have a tail. Again a snort of disdain escaped his flared nostrils. The Shipmaster was certain the Kermac's manhood was just a small as the being itself, there was certainly no room for a Xandrao sized penis underneath that flimsy robe. '''

'''Everything was small and weak about the Kermac, but he knew they were an old species. If you believed their claims, they were the undisputed and technically most advanced species in the Universe. That Kermac also demonstrated that he was able to somehow sense the thoughts of others.'''

'''The Kermac made a sweeping gesture towards the view screen. “Why are we not translight, what is the meaning of this delay?”'''

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

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

'''The Prince said. “Yet your ships seem to be unable to reach Xandr as you came to us aboard a Dolbarian ship and from what I have seen, theirs are not superior to our technology. I know our Emperor and my beloved Prince thinks much of you but frankly so far we only seen visuals and recordings about Kermac supreme technology.”'''

'''The Kermac's smooth face was moved by an emotion of anger. “Your's is a childish species and you are but a servant tasked with providing conveyance. No explanation should be given to you, but we can not travel in our magnificent ships as this is Freespace, a region where Kermac ships cannot go. I explained that to you. But you soon will see Kermac might and splendor and you will beg to become a serving member like so many.”'''

'''The Prince standing behind his Shipmaster was used to speaking his mind from birth and so he said. “Then explain to me  why the mighty Kermac cannot travel here. Who would dare to deny you?”'''

'''The Shipmaster noticed the thinly veiled and growing anger in the Kermac’s face and the clenching fists. “No one, Kermac are supreme. No explanations are needed, now get this ship moving so I can show you Kermac might indeed.” '''

'''With these words the Kermac left but the Dolbarians remained. The Prince actually sat down on the Command Seat, technically reserved for Noldra only, but if it kept the Emperor's son out of his way it was a good thing.'''

'''The Shipmaster crossed his massive arms and stared through the view port in the eternal night of interstellar space. As far as Noldra knew, the Kermac were the masters of a huge Star Empire with many member species that served them and in return received the benefit of protection and wise guidance.'''

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

'''Yet he had travelled more than most of his kind and he had seen the ships of the Togar and the Jooltar and he knew just how aggressive these cats could be and how incredibly advanced their technology was. '''

'''That the Xandrao weren't the most powerful or most advanced sentient species was a fact that was not lost to the Emperor himself; so when the Kermac envoys showed up, he agreed to send this mighty war ship and his favorite son to establish closer contacts with the Kermac. '''

If it was true what the Kermac had told about an association of many sentient species called the Galactic Council, it was a foregone conclusion the Emperor would decide to join that Galactic Council as well.

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

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

He moved his spoon shaped ears and they twitched just as the ears of his far distant ancestors did to shake of the flies that had troubled his kind for so long it had become a genetic habit; he said to his Engine Maintainer Chief who appeared on a viewer screen, “Don’t give me excuses, tell me when will we be able to resume translight?”

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

'''“Your recommendation is noted and dismissed. Will you be able to service them so we can reach Kermac Prime?”'''

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

'''“I will have your man pieces and make you a field-tilling Grox if we don’t. Now tell me how long until we can resume acceleration?”'''

'''“If the main core fails before we reach that destination, Shipmaster, none of us will have enough bits left for anything. To answer your question, we should be ready in six hours.”'''

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

The Prince had fallen asleep and started to snore, one of the pressed cakes of the finest herb infused grass, the prince liked so much had dropped out of his hand and rolled half way across the floor.

He looked at the Dolbarian, neither of the two small beings had said much during the entire visit and now they simply stood there, only their bushy tails twitching.

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

'''Dolbarian tails were not anything like the thick rope like tails with a paint brush ends all Xandrao had. '''

'''The Dolbarian tail was fluffy but it was a tail and to him it was easy to decypher the tail language and knew the two were nervous. So he decided to ask and said. “Why are you nervous? “'''

'''One of the Dolbarians gestured towards the viewer. “We arrived in Freespace, big Shipmaster. If we read your charts right we are in a region called the Devil’s Playground.”'''

'''“Your masters have not really explained what this Freespace is. Why is this called the Devil’s Playground?”'''

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

'''The other Dolbarian said, “You Nift, they are from Downward and there is little contact. We are not supposed to tell them about the Big Four or the Union.”'''

“You are the Nift, as you just did!” snapped the other back.

'''“You are guests on my ship and guests of my liege. I can not order you but if you know anything I should know about this region of space then tell me. It is your life too that could be in danger.”'''

'''One of the Dolbarian looked towards the door and said. “We are lucky that our Kermac masters are not of the highest order and their psionics are mediocre at best.”'''

The other spread his arms and said, “This Area is called the Devil's playground because it is pirate infested.”

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

'''The two Dolbarians looked at each other and one said. “The Xandrao do not know...”'''

Noldra said, “I can understand if you are small like that, pirates might be frightening, but they do not attack war ships, only helpless merchants.”

'''One of the Dolbarians put his small fur covered finger on the map display and said, “Over here are the Karthanians, more advanced than the Togar you fear, but far less numerous. Here are the nine Shattered Kingdoms of the Ohgr and the Orkh-Oghr could easily eat you for breakfast so to speak. They fear neither the Togar nor the Karthanians.” '''

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

'''The other Dolbarian leaned over the map display and pointed with a small needle sharp claw on a single star. “That is where the Holdians are. Our distant cousins.” '''

'''Again the other Dolbarian scolded the other. “You are the greatest Nift I have ever met. I am trying to tell the ignorant bovine about the Big Four before our taskmaster decides to come back and prevent any further education of the ignorant and you tell him about the Holdians. They are insignificant.”'''

'''He chirped something sounding very angry, Noldra did not understand and then the Dolbarian used his claw to draw an area that more or less included a quarter of the entire galaxy and then he added a sizeable area of another quadrant and said. “This, you ignorant Xandrao fool, is the space the Union controls, it is them the Kermac fear like nothing else. The Kermac lost three wars against them. Not the Nul, not the Shiss, not the Togar and all I have mentioned together could hope to prevail in a war against the Union. Oh Xandrao shipmaster, heed my warning and never anger the Union, they are slow to anger but if they do and their Terrans go to war, you will learn that anything you knew before about this most terrible of all exercises is a child's dream.”'''

'''The other Dolbarian said. “The Union, the Kermac, the Shiss and the Nul are the Big Four and they have signed a treaty that defines what is called Freespace.”'''

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

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

'''“I must concur and revise my statement indeed about the Holdians and you Shipmaster of the Xandrao, it matters little what you believe. You will remember our words the first time you face a Union battleship.”'''

'''Noldra no longer paid attention to the wild phantasies of these furry aliens as the scanner operators reported. “Unknown ship contact approaching.”'''

'''The Tigershark had its Janus masking system active. This unique device, conceived by Narth Engineers and Mothermachine, manipulated materials, energies and conditions in such a way that it allowed the USS Tigershark to appear as something else.'''

'''This was no mere projection but a physical change that withstood the probing of any known sensor and scanning method, including sight and touch. The most advanced ship of the Union appeared to the outside world as a heavy modified old Karthanian armed trader.'''

'''An old ship with crudely added ISAH pods and Nul weaponry. The simulated hull featured a sloppy paint job and welded armor plates patching battle damage. Some of that apparent repair patch work was added in a seemingly uncaring and hasty way. Some of the hull damage patches even showed signs of genuine rust. The sides of this simulated ship were decorated with a stylized silver lightning bolt and the name Silver Streak was painted by hand across its bow. '''

The Silver Streak was known to be the pirate ship of the notorious and mysterious pirate captain Black Velvet.

Behind this disguise was the USS Tigershark, the pinnacle of Union spaceship technology and had been in the works under the codename "Project Fish" for centuries.

Since no Union ship was allowed to operate in Freespace, my ship was masked as a pirate ship and my crew posed as pirates, commanded by me Captain Black Velvet, a female pirate of obscure origin.

'''Our mission was to hunt pirates, gather Intelligence on Union Mil Tech trade, find pirate hideouts and suppress slave and Union mil tech trade. Specifically we were to find out more about the Sinister Alliance and eliminate a pirate Captain calling himself  Red Dragon.'''

'''Our first foray into Freespace brought us in contact with a living mountain, floating rocks and a ship full of human body parts and slaves bound to the meat markets of the Togar empire. '''

'''Now we headed clear across Freespace to a region called the Devil's Playground. It was where Freespace, Galactic Council space and the fringes of Togar and Karthanian space met.'''

The region was not so far from what the Dai called the Thalim nebula, where five suns apparently went supernova at the same time about a million years ago.

'''The nebula had only recently been claimed by the Union and behind it was the former space of the Nogoll, a Galactic Council member and Kermac thrall. The Nogoll had fought a war against the Union, and this region was still in turmoil with the final boundaries subject to heated dispute and new friction between Union and Galactic Council.'''

'''Cateria, our Chief Medical Officer, rarely spent time on the bridge, but today she stood with her arms crossed to my left and stared with a brooding gaze at the main viewer, currently showing a spectacular image of the Thalim Nebula. I realized how little I knew of her, as she always appeared cold and not interested in social interaction.'''

Har-Hi sitting to my right  doing his best Cateria impression, as he also also stared into the view screen and the beautiful nebula with a brooding expression on his face.

I looked at him from the side and 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 it that makes you look as if you contemplated the fate of the universe while staring at that nebula?”

'''Har-Hi gestured towards the display and said. "Just a little over five standard years ago, my clan and many others fought a terrible battle on the other side of that nebula. It was my first deployment in a real battle. It was not a pirate raid but a full scale war against our own kind. I 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.

"It is the largest matter gas nebula known in the Upward sector. The probability that five suns go supernova at more and more or less at the same time and so close together is astronomical..."

'''Cateria interrupted her with a coarse voice. "Because it was not a natural event, these were five vibrant Seenian star systems." She pointed at a darker area with deep purple shades. "Around that region was Ataci, a world as beautiful as Para Para. I was born there." She sighed. "If there are such things as spirits then your Dai have joined billions of my kind."'''

'''While she talked and told us about the Seenian worlds, I leaned back and also stared into these almost hypnotic colors. I could almost see a planet sized Imperial War World firing her weapons, obliterating the worlds of these upstarts.'''

'''Before my inner eye I saw that Imperial Warship fighting against entire fleets of Devastator sized battleships, reducing them to mere specks in comparison. Yes, I was certain they would tear the galaxy apart and  they would find the body of the true Master, to restore the Dark One to its rightful place...'''

'''"Captain!" I heard Har-Hi's voice.'''

I turned to him, "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 might have looked like and what it would take to snuff five suns just like that."

'''Mao turned. "I don't think we, I mean we as in Union technology are all too far away from that. We do have Wurgus solar bombs, they are huge and need to be towed into place, but thirty or forty of them can turn a main sequence star into a supernova."'''

As Mao said that I wondered if a Translocator cannon 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 with 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?"'''

'''SHIP’s voice 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 got up. ”Since all things are well in hand and the sensors show nothing all the way to our sensor horizon, I think I have dinner and indulge myself with a few hours of shut eyes.”'''

'''Har-Hi got up as well. “It’s another hour  time the next watch. I will follow your example shortly.”'''

'''Har-Hi the Dai had switched to the Command Chair of the Tigershark. It was another hour to midnight and the end of his shift. '''

'''At the Nav station sat a 12,000 year old Golden who had been the leader of his kind. It was his first time on this posting. Krabbel the Archa spider and senior Navigations Officer was off duty; but was present anyway, sitting right beside the Golden to supervise the Old Merchant handling this post. Since he was here anyway he had volunteered to take Helm. While Krabbel was the Chief Navigator, he had a sufficient Helm rating to steer the Tigershark.'''

'''An Attikan Marine Officer named Fectiv manned Tactical. That a Marine manned a bridge console was about as unusual as the ship and while it was not against regulations, it was unheard of. But then aboard the Tigershark there were quite a few things stretched to the very limit of standard Navy regulations and procedures. '''

Har-Hi was certain there was no other Union vessel with a genuine Y'All warrior manning the Communications console.

The Tigershark had its Janus Mask active and looked like a Katharian armed trader and pretended to be the pirate ship Silver Streak.

Har-Hi turned a little to face the engineering officer, a small rodent-like furry Holdian and said, “Everything alright with the tractors?” He asked because they were towing a pirate ship.

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

'''Har-Hi said, “We once towed a full size hospital ship with a Barracuda destroyer. Back then we were beyond any tolerance.”'''

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

'''Har-Hi was both relaxed and highly alert and the tall Dai Than turned to look towards the Ready room door. “Indeed Mr. Sobody, there weren't many dull moments since I met our Captain.”'''

'''Narth, sitting at OPS, said, “I have not yet managed to understand what the exact definition of a moment is. Is it more than a minute, less than 30 seconds. The expression of taking a moment or waiting a moment is quite confusing. Yet I too agree with our XO, the time we have shared...” He interrupted himself and said. “Sensor contacts, at 7.9 degrees due course, distance 4.1. Hostile activity possible. It appears quite similar to our other encounter.”'''

'''Har-Hi said. “All stop, Mr. Krabbel. SHIP, go to Yellow Alert and be so kind as to inform the Captain. She said everything that crosses our bow is fair game.”'''

'''The voice of the ship AI responded. “She is on her way.”'''

'''The sounds and lights of Yellow Alert and SHIP's voice caught me on deck R just as I was climbing out of the ships swimming pool. “Captain we have three contacts on scanner horizon. First situation assessment suggests two pirates and a third ship of unknown configuration.”'''

“Nothing for days, but each time I decide to take a swim, there is something.” 

'''I sighed and said. “Cut engines and go to drift, maintain yellow alert and I am on my way.”'''

'''SHIP of course had her audio sensors open and since she wasn't like any other Ship AI I knew, she said. “It was you who wanted to be informed about any scanner contact. We could make a big bow around it and you go back swimming.”'''

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

“Because I am your SHIP and I like have things explained to me.”

'''I jumped into the auto dresser and dialed for my usual pirate outfit. Of course I could have stayed and finished my swim letting Har-Hi handle the whole situation, but this would have been highly inappropriate for a number of reasons. I was the captain and it was my responsibility. We had standing orders to investigate any ship contact during our mission here in Freespace and besides this was what I lived for. While the Auto Dresser assembled the leather outfit around my recently altered body, I once more remembered Captain K'Tngnk’s lesson while he let me steer his Pounder Class battleship. He had told me that encounters in deep space were usually extremely rare and most situations developed in or near star systems, the usual destination of space ships. However this was Freespace and the region we traversed right now was called the Devil's Playground for a reason.'''

Our current course more or less followed the the outer rim of the Scrutum Centaurus arm of our galaxy, somewhere in this region was Brhama Port, our first destination to make my first official appearance as Black Velvet and introduce the Silver Streak to local eyes and establish ourselves as major player in this lawless region of space.

'''A few days ago we intervened as we witnessed a pirate attack on what seemed at first a harmless civilian freighter. '''

The civilian freighter belonged to a Union company but it was everything but harmless and after we captured and boarded the freighter, we found a horror load consisting of human body parts and human captives intended to be sold on the Togar meat markets.

The freighter, the pirate crew and the human freight was on its way back to Union space and we were towing the pirate ship sans its crew behind us, with the intent to sell it at Brahma Port.

'''I reached the bridge simultaneously with Shea, Mao and Shaka. Like a dance move practiced a million times, Har-Hi got up in a fluent move and so did everyone else, switching and occupying their stations.'''

'''I sank into the leather of my command seat. As always, all doubts, all uncertain feelings left me. This is where I belonged. “Engineering, disengage tractor and set the the Mighty Nine to drift. Tactical give me a full 360. SHIP, Battle view.”'''

'''While Circuit confirmed tractor projectors deactivated, my command seat was pushed up and my surroundings changed. I now had an unobstructed view of space, a simulated computronic enhanced view of course, bridge stations reduced to icons floating just at the edge of my field of view.'''

At 11 degrees off our intended course and at 3.9 light years distance were three bright signals.

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

'''Their opponent is a massive 1000 meter ship of unknown configuration, but energy signature suggests Tech Level 6. Detailed weapon or material scans are not possible with the scanners and sensors we are simulating. '''

'''The shields of the unknown ship appear to be standard energy and matter repulsors, no para- or transdim signatures present. Situation analysis suggests they are about to engage in hostile activities.”'''

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

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

'''Shipmaster Noldra was actually glad the uncertainty was over and his gut feeling had once more proven to be more accurate than the scanners. Two ships of unknown configuration were approaching. That their intentions were not friendly, he simply knew.'''

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

“No of course not, I have full confidence in...” 

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

'''The prince got up with a hurt expression and Noldra sat down. “Raise our Energetic Fences at once and prepare to launch Revenge Bringers. Operator, see if those Aliens can be raised on the Ether waver.”'''

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

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

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

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

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

'''Xandrao ship to ship missiles were very fast and able to reach near light speed very fast and shut down their space cutting infra fields moments before impact, bringing five kilos of relativistic mass to bear traveling at 99 percent of light. They were equipped with the best computers Xandrao engineering could come up with.'''

'''The Xandrao ship shuddered at enemy weapon impact. Lights flickered and seat restraints activated as ship gravitation was lost.'''

'''One of the analysts reported. “Enemy is using very advanced gravitation based weapons. Our energy fences are gone. We have hull damage and casualties.”'''

'''The enemy ships intercepted most Revenge Bringer missiles, but a small number impacted on their shields wearing them down then one of the Scanner operators reported. “Shipmaster, our Revenge Bringers have disabled both ships. For some reason I can't yet explain warheads must have penetrated the enemy ships shields and armor and destroyed some vulnerable spot. The enemy ships lost propulsion and weapons as it appears.'''

“Finish them off!” Yelled the floating Kermac.

Noldra wanted to finish off the Kermac but he said, “Reload the Missile tubes and fire a second volley.”

“Ship Master Noldra we are being called from a third ship that just appeared on our scanners.”

'''Mao grinned proudly over his wide face. He had just disabled both pirate ships with two micro TL loads. “These pirate sisters using old Union De Noirs, and we knew exactly where their computronic cores were. No computronic...nothing works.”'''

'''“Let's make sure they don't find time to activate some sort of back up. Shaka get us close and cut their weapons. Elfi see if you can hail the unknown and establish communications.”'''

'''Narth said. “The newcomers are from Downward and it appears they are here for the first time indeed, but they are not here for exploration reasons. I sense two Kermac among them.”'''

'''I slapped my hand on my arm rest. “And here I was wanting to spare newcomers, and all we find is yet another GC thrall species. Not that they should be here with a war ship like that in the first place.”'''

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

“Put me on.” 

“Comm Link open Captain.” 

'''“This is Captain Black Velvet of the Silver Streak. To avoid any confusion, I am a Pirate and we are here to make a profit. Normally I would have let you go, but since you speak Kermac you are violating the Freespace Treaty, you are to surrender and shut down all Energy consuming devices.”'''

'''Shea said. “Captain, they are about to release another volley of their missiles.”'''

“Can we prevent that without blowing them to pieces?”

'''Mao said. “The missiles are released manually so it appears, but we could hit them with Tech Stop and Paralysators, their shields are down and maybe a microload into their computer core. I think I can see it.” '''

“Alright do it.”

'''Mao's approach worked but not before the strangers released a few of their missiles. Both pirate ships were the target and without shields they were defenseless, both ships were heavily damaged. A lonely missile was intercepted by our point defense system.'''

'''“Alright, Fective take the Marines and see if there any survivors on those pirate ships. Har-Hi, TheOther  and Shea, let’s check those Kermac lackeys. Shaka you have the Conn.”'''

We reached the bridge of the alien ship about two hours later.

After breaching an air lock and climbing several decks, our Tech Stop and Paralysators have worked like a charm this time; everyone was asleep and and none of the alien ship’s equipment worked.

Har-Hi came up beside me and said, “Don't you think they look like Terran cattle?” He pushed a sleeping alien aside who was floating in mid air, as there was no artificial gravitation either.

'''Now that he said it, I had to agree as I remembered the large feedlots on Wichita Planet and the endless herds of cows. ”Yes, there is a resemblance.”'''

'''Shea was pointing at a large alien strapped to what had to be their version of the command chair. He was wearing some sort of colorful harness with lots of gold and a cape like mantle. Otherwise he was his furry self and she said. “At least we can be certain he is male.”'''

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

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

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

'''Narth appeared next to me and also looked at the being in the central chair and then at Shea. “How can you determine he is male by visual inspection alone? This species is not registered on GalNet.”'''

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

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

'''I held up my hands. “Here we are on the bridge of an alien species we just boarded, and what is senior staff discussing?” I shook my head in a over acting theatrical manner then said, “Mr. Narth make sure we contain all Kermac before they have a chance to come around. Mr. Hi coordinate with our security officer and confine and secure the crew of this vessel; and you Ms Schwartz, I like to get a detailed assessment on their technology.”'''

'''They confirmed my orders. I had a hard time to keep a serious face as I saw Narth look down on himself saying. “Yes I was supposed to emulate a human male and accessing physiological data I just realized that the corporeal shell I was given, is faulty and inadequately equipped.”'''

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

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

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

'''“I am replicating nanites as fast as I can, so we can restore basic life support. In terms of Computronics they are not Tech Level six, more like five at the most. Quite interesting solutions but...”'''

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

'''“Three to four hours, before temperatures drop too far. Their hull has a sufficient layer of lead to reduce radiation, but not completely opaque to radiation like Union Hulls.”'''

“Well it gives me a little time to think what I should do with them.”

'''Fectiv, the Attikan Marine, appeared from one of the access doors and stomped across the deck in his battle suit. “Captain, the Golden and I have completed the survey of the pirate shipwrecks. There is not all that much left, but we secured nineteen survivors who managed to jettison or close their suits in time and be far enough off the explosion centers. We secured the survivors in Stasis boxes and a few boxes of loot.”'''

'''“Thank you, Lt. Fectiv. Now please get every available hand over here and help Mr. Narth and Mr. Hi and fine-tooth comb this ship. I want every Kermac in PSI Shielded Zero Stasis with Marine guards and robots watching them, if they so much as twitch, you have the authority to eliminate. I really don't trust them.”'''

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

'''I held up my hand showing two fingers. “I like Shiss, Pertharians, Klack and even Y'All. I am the most unbiased Norse ever to step of Nilfeheim. I have Elly friends, got squiggled by Garbinis, get hugs from Archa and trust our Shail. I even did the spooky thing with a Narth, but there are two species my spotted friend I do not trust, Kermac and Thaurans. '''

'''We are deep in Freespace and what do we find? Kermac agitating a species of cows and very large squirrels. They have no business here in Freespace in the first place.”'''

'''Shea looked up and smirked. “Well technically we don't either, but I agree with you on the rest.”'''

'''With an elegant move, Warner the Holdian pushed himself off a panel he was working at and floated before me. “Those are not squirrels, Captain. I don't know what those big things are but what you call squirrels are Dolbrians. They have evolved from a once lost Diobane colony and are somehow related to us. They are a small society and had the distinct fortune that their three planets and two systems were located near Galactic Council space during the last treaty conference.”'''

'''“I stand corrected then Mr. Warner. I must confess I am not an expert on squirrels, as we don't have anything comparable on Nilfeheim, but I remember seeing a similar kind in the forests of Green Eden. Now tell me how are we doing on the ship’s systems? Can we get their life support going, or do we have to move the entire crew of this big ship.”'''

'''The little Holdian sighed. “As Lt. Circuit said, our Tech Stop fried whatever electronic systems they had and having a Micro load detonate in their computer core made a real mess of their mainframe.” '''

'''The Holdian reenacted the explosion with a big gesture and was quite successful. “Give me three month, tweezers and a microscope and the original construction manuals and I might get them working again.”'''

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

He chirped and moved back to the open panel.

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

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

'''“This retro tech bucket they call a spaceship had more than 600 crew members, thankfully our biosensors have no problem finding them. Narth thinks we got them all except for the ones on the bridge. We also found 85 casualties.We have the survivors confined in one of their cargo holds.”'''

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

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

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

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

'''The bovine looking alien understood and responded with guttural sounds. She made fast progress. He made a snorting, surprised and somewhat frightened sound as Narth appeared next to me.'''

'''I actually felt sorry for the Alien leader. He had his ship invaded saw a real Y'All with guns and now a shrouded Narth appear from thin air. Narth spoke to me on our silent mental connection. '''

'''“The Kermac are stripped of all devices and are in Zero Stasis and the being before you is a Xandrao. They know of the Togar and the Jooltar but have never heard of the Union, the Shiss or the Nul. From what I gather they are on their way to visit Kermac Prime to discuss Galactic Council membership.”'''

“Why aren't they using their usual Psi tricks on them?”

“I do not know for certain, but since I had to probe quite forcefully to get into the Xandrao mind, a certain natural resistance to Psionics might be the reason.”

'''Shea said, “He understands some Kermac, but they used translators of their now defunct shipboard systems. I started language analysis but SHIP was faster, she downloaded the language data from one of the Kermac Beards. You should now be able to talk to them.” '''

'''I turned to address the alien leader. “I am Captain Black Velvet of the Silver Streak, we are an independent group of beings seeking opportunities. Your ship was severely damaged in the altercation and lost all electronics. While my Chief Engineer tries to patch rudimentary life support functions, we still might have to evacuate your vessel. Your crew is for the moment secured but relatively safe.”'''

'''He listened to me and I was sure he understood so I continued. “I wanted to spare you newcomers to this side of the galaxy, but once learned you are sympathizers and thralls of the cursed Kermac, I am no longer so inclined. From you I want to know what your plans were and what kind of scheme you and the Kermac have cooked up to cause mischief and mayhem.”'''

'''The Xandrao snorted angrily but tried to keep his dignity and said with his loud booming voice, “I am Shipmaster Noldra Dorrx and this is the First Ship of the Emperor. We are on a mission of diplomatic importance. I will not declare anything else to a stinking pirate, who from the looks of it is a disgusting female. Not that your species seems to have many redeeming features, so go away female and find me a male and I might talk to him.”'''

'''I got closer and put my finger on his wide snout. “You talk to me, or you talk to no one ever again.”'''

'''“You are only tough because I am restrained and you hide behind the guns of your four armed terror. You would never dare such boisterous behavior, without males protecting you. Not that they stand a chance against a Xandrao male, no one does. Not even that four armed beast.”'''

'''Just then Artificial gravitation came back on and some of the ships own lights flickered and brightened the bridge. '''

'''“Go ahead Xandrao, chose the weapons. Right here and now!”'''

'''“You are a weak female, hiding in armor and behind muscle of your male slaves. You are a cowardly pirate. Go ahead tell your monster to kill me.”'''

'''Har-Hi sighed loudly. “Captain, this is not...”'''

But I had already given the suit the Emergency release command and the battle suit disintegrated into assembly parts and basically spit me out.

'''The Xandrao slapped on the restraint release that now worked again and lunged forward. He was almost as big as Hans and had his hands immediately on me. Instead of evading him, I grabbed him by the wrist and tried to execute an Aikido move that served me so well so long ago against the lumbering Y'All. '''

'''It did not work as I hoped, the Xandrao was, so I had to realize, a trained fighter and not a brawler. His other hand closed around my throat. '''

And yes once again I was in trouble and it was trouble I could have easily avoided, I certainly did not act like a Union Captain should act, and this was not how first Contact was made.

'''He was squeezing the very life out of me and yet I found enough air to gargle. “Stay where you are!” to Har-Hi.'''

'''I got angry, not so much about the Xandrao but about myself. However the bovine like alien was really starting to piss me off. '''

'''He had lifted me of the ground. I was holding to his massive arm with one hand and stabbed my fingers into his right eye. He screamed in pain and as I feigned a second stab against his other eye, he instinctively raised his arms to deflect my second attempt, to do that he let me go and I dropped, ignoring the throbbing pain of my squeezed neck and kicked upward as hard as I could at exactly that exposed feature of his anatomy we had talked about earlier. '''

'''He was, as it appeared quite sensitive, and groaned in an ear shattering volume. He wiped his big arm through the air, a powerful swing, thankfully far off target. '''

An axe handle blow of mine across his wide snout however found its target.

All my attacks had been done with all my strength, but had done little more than perhaps dazzle the Alien.

'''He lowered his head and swiped his sharp horns through the air, a perfectly natural move if you had horns like that, but to me unexpected. I moved back and managed to avoid his grabbing arms and the head swing that brought his horns into play, by perhaps a hair’s width. In all this I could have ended it easily. Narth was here and so was Har-Hi, not to mention TheOther. All I had to do is call for help.'''

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

Yet I had to end this somehow on my own.

'''The head swung to the other side while the Xandrao drove me backwards as I tried to avoid his horn attacks and his fast grabbing attempts. He was fast, fast enough to prevent me from really getting away. He was mad and full of frustration and it was apparent that his kind trained hand to hand combat. '''

'''There was not much room left to back up, the head swung again, his big hands swinging with powerful blows. The only thing saving me was the wonderful agility my altered body seemed to have. Then I acted on an instinct, grabbed the swinging horns just as his neck was at the outmost swing and I added all my body weight to twist it further. '''

'''I heard a crunching sound and the big alien groaned, even the Xandrao had to follow physics and his big body had to follow the momentum and he crashed hard on the deck plating almost burying me. I let go and rolled away in the last moment.'''

'''The big alien was making strange gurgling sounds and did not try to get up. '''

I came to my feet shaking with exhaustion and with a coarse, laboring voice I rasped.”Get up!”

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

'''I wiped the sweat of my brow and tried to straighten myself into a more dignified position. “Call Cateria.” Only now I noticed the bleeding cut along my left arm.”'''

'''Har-Hi shook his head. “Narth get the Captain to sickbay.”'''

'''I did not remember the teleportation and realized I must have passed out. The next thing I remembered was seeing the face of my CMO and she wasn't pleased at all. “That was a close one, Captain. I don't even know how you kept fighting with a severely bruised larynx, the subsequent swelling caused asphyxia and Lt. Narth brought you in with not much time to spare.”'''

'''I did not feel proud and as I sat up I saw Har-Hi, Shea and Narth standing there. Har-Hi had his arms crossed and said. “Captain I say it right out and in front of everyone, this isn't working. You are the Captain and for the most part you doing a great job, but picking fights like that is anything but smart. You almost died and in a situation that was not even remotely necessary.” He spread his arms. “You know we follow you to hell and back, but I am the XO and I must say this.” I lowered my head and felt a shameful frown creep into my face. “I know, I can't even say anything to defend myself. That was extremely foolish.”'''

'''“Captain, the warrior in me is full of awe of your fighting skills and I still can't believe you almost killed that Xandrao, despite an almost lethal injury, but I am not just a Dai Than warrior anymore but an Union Officer and you are no longer just a Nilfeheim viking, but a Commanding Officer. I know we do things differently than on other ships. Your instincts and your style is usually head on...” He stopped, looked at Narth for help, then continued. “I love you like a brother and I don't really know how to say it or what to say. Just be a little more careful.”'''

Narth said, not using his mental voice but speaking aloud, “I tend to agree with Har-Hi, but once again these impulsive actions, guided by emotions and instinct all Narth find harder to fathom than the secrets of creation itself, have yielded surprising results.”

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

'''Har-Hi said. “The problem is your action was not as unnecessary as we would like it to be, so we could use it to persuade you to take a different approach next time. The Xandrao survived thanks to Shea putting him in stasis and Cateria saving his live. He hasn't stopped talking about you and swears undying legiance to you.”'''

'''I took his hand. “I promise I will listen to you and try to be less impulsive.”'''

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

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

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

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

'''“There is no need to kneel. Shipmaster Dorrx. I acted out of proportion. I am not out to learn your secrets, but what business do you have with the Kermac? “'''

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

'''“The Kermac are an old species and they made deception and controlling others to do their bidding into an art form. They do control a sizeable region, but they are far from being the unchallenged masters. They let others fight, work and provide for them.”'''

'''“I begin to understand but we are a proud people, but we see there are others who are stronger and who control technology superior to ours. We have reason to believe the Togar are preparing to conquer us. I have seen many reports and know these Cats love hunting and eating Xandrao. Our Emperor thinks that we could make it a costly endeavour for the Togar Queen, but we would still fall. We are in need of an ally who is strong enough to make the Togar reconsider.”'''

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

'''“I am a fugitive, a criminal and a Pirate bound to Freespace, but you might find it a viable alternative to proceed to the Union. There you would not need to be servants, but could be equal partners. Of course Union membership must be applied for and new members must accept to uphold Union Laws. However it be better if you and your prince see for yourself and then provide your people and your emperor with the information you have gathered.”'''

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

“I find a solution.”

'''“Another one?” McElligott said as I finished my report. ”Not that I am complaining that you most likely prevented the Kermac gaining another Thrall species, but fighting a 3 meter Minotaur so he would change his mind and contemplate alternatives is not exactly the smartest way of doing things.”'''

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

'''The old Admiral rubbed his chin. “You are at the edge of GalCom range and pretty far from Union Space. I can't send any Chimera unit to pick those Centaurs up.“ The old Admiral suddenly chuckled. “I guess my last sentence was only funny to me. Chimeras and Centaurs...ah well let me think.” The Admiral spoke with me over a 2D connection and the image was projected on a field screen. Due to the fact that we were at the very edge of GalCom reach and already beyond GalNet, he could no longer establish an Avatar. “I also would love to get my hands on those Kermac.” He rubbed his chin. “See if your Engineer can't patch that Alien ship up, just good enough so it can limp to Auriga Xi and escort him until you know they are safe. We got regular Union Assets there and they can't go after you as long as you stay in Freespace. Then I arrange a rendezvous with a Chimera unit to take the Kermac off your hands.”'''

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

I briefed the Xandrao Shipmaster and he agreed with this course of action.

I had both of our Gazelles out and flying a cloaked search pattern, to make sure no one else interrupted.

'''The day passed without incident. The Xandrao ship would be able to limp to Translight speed and make it to Auriga Xi in five days.'''

'''Back on the Xandrao ship I shook the hand of the big alien and he said, “I have learned a lot in a short time, Captain Velvet. I learned that there are females that have courage and that there are trustworthy pirates. I learned that our galaxy is even more dangerous than we thought it would be and that your robot engineer is not a robot, but a true magician and a genius. However I also learned that my gut feeling about the Kermac was true. I am glad there is an alternative we can present to our Emperor.”'''

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

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

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

'''“Oh no Captain Velvet, I like to keep him in there as long as possible. I have more peace that way and can blame you the pirates for his misery.”'''

“I am not sure what this means, but I think I have an idea.” I bade him farewell and went to the next airlock

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

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

“What about the Dolbarians, Captain?” 

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

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

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

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

'''“When the Xandrao reach the Union System, I am sure Command finds a way to get them back to their home. It's not that we are at war against the Dolbarians.”'''

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

'''I stopped. “Mr. Warner of course you can talk to me any time; but we, I mean the Union won't torture them I promise.”'''

'''“Captain, not us, the Kermac of course. These two were sent to escort two Kermac envoys to the Xandrao and what do you think will happen if they return from somewhere Union side? The entire Dolbarian species is under Kermac Control, but not in the nice way where they are mentally controlled but in the demeaning, slave you do what I say way. The Kermac will torture them to find out what happened to their envoys and then kill them for not preventing the Xandrao to go Union Side.”'''

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

'''“Could we not fly to their home world, take a delegation Dolbarians to Pluribus? I am sure the Dolbarians want to be Union and free of Kermac tyranny.”'''

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

'''“I know it seems impossible, but you are our Captain and you find a way, besides it doesn't have to be now. Maybe after our mission and when you think about something.”'''

'''The Holdian specialist was nowhere near as cute as the little Holdian commander I once knew, but he too had these big black button eyes and a pointed black snout that shimmered wet. His whiskers hung down and his round ears had a somehow sad looking position. He sighed and kneaded his tiny fur covered hand. ”But of course you are right, Captain. What can we, what could you possibly do? I am sorry I bothered you with that.” '''

'''“You drive a harder bargain than that Golden Friend of yours. We really can't do much about the Dolbarian situation, but we can do something about those two. Go ahead and contact Mr. Neugruber and confine those two, we might indeed have to put them in stasis for a while.” His whiskers snapped up and his ears turned into a happier position. “Thank you Captain.”'''

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

'''Of course we could not get closer to investigate, we were officially a Pirate ship. Not that we made much headway so far.'''

We scheduled rendezvoused with the USS Boulder thirty hours later in a planetless red star system, known on the charts only as NC-85893.

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

'''Shea said. “It is a rather unremarkable M4 Ve type. 10 Billion Years. No planets, but an asteroid belt and a dense dust ring around the star.”'''

'''Krabbel said, “Captain we are the first Union ship to enter his star system as it is still unnamed in the Catalogs. You do know it is part of my duty to update Star catalogs with survey data and it is tradition to name new star systems.”'''

Yeoman O'Connell silently approached next to me handed me a cup of coffee and said, “Legally we could claim it too, the Freespace treaty clearly allows individuals to claim a star system that is not occupied or claimed by anyone else.” 

'''I smiled at her. “Well you forget that Black Velvet is not a real person in legal terms. Besides it is just an empty star system. We would need to remain and defend our claim too. Besides if we name it, our names will appear in the registry that is open to all even Non Union.”'''

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

'''I smiled. “Okay Krabbel you name it and Sobody will claim it. Knowing him he finds something valuable even here.” Shaka chuckled. “There is already a planet called Ice Cream and I think even a star.”'''

'''Krabbel made a disappointed sound. “Never mind then.”'''

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

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

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

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

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

“What is Sherbert?”

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

'''Shea smiled. “Captain, our Archa Navigator is becoming quite a frozen dessert expert. Do you think we can use the time to closer examine the system, make a detailed survey? I would love to send a probe into the star, collect some of the dust and perhaps detail scan and survey some of the Asteroids. I bet all those Chimera Units do a lot of clandestine work but no one is doing what we should and what is the prime charter of our Fleet.”'''

“Elfi, can you hail the Boulder and ask them when they will be here?”

'''Out beautiful Saran Comm Officer said, after working on my request, “Captain they are already here. I am receiving Priority Order from Fleet Command.” She made an adjustment and we could hear. “Code Sequence Verified, USS Tigershark you are to switch off your Janus Device and go under full shields. Then approach the local star and wait for approach vector and docking guide pulse.”'''

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

'''I leaned back and watched us approach and I said. “They are hiding in the star.”'''

'''Narth said. “Actually to be expected. Terrans have thousand years experience with star based stations, ever since they established Sol Castle. The Union can now freely make use of Wurgus solar Engineering and we got a city on Bright Star.” He turned and looked at us with his glowing eye slits. “No other society known to the Narth has ever occupied, colonized or utilized the very stars like the Union does.'''

Our banter was interrupted by SHIP.

"We are reaching the last waypoint 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-Controls 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. If nothing else I like to have a clear picture of that system and from what I can see already, it is a mess of asteroids and dust.”

'''Sharp 'Aye Captain' responses resonated in my audio relay as I raised the seat into the Battle view 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 too fast, too far or too 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 on their capabilities just a few weeks ago. The Kelpies used passive mass detectors and ultra low emission hyper band energy sensors, in concert with the Tigershark sensors a detailed three dimensional scan image of the shattered star system established without using the normal high powered and easy detectable Union science scanners.”'''

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 spacecraft with very limited FTL capabilities. Three belong to larger signature space ships and the main energy source belongs to 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 Karthanian War Cruiser. The others are not on file."'''

Shea said, "There is insufficient data to speculate, why this star system is destroyed as is.There is enough debris and dust for about 12 planets. The star itself is healthy and shows no signs of instability. However analyzing the orbits, whatever catastrophic event caused the destruction, happened only recently, in cosmic terms, perhaps five or six million years ago.”

'''Even though he was not a senior officer I still blinked at Sobody's symbol and he immediately 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 suggested, "We could use the Tullerman Dinghy that came with the Mighty Nine and do some recon in disguise."

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."