Eric Olafson First Journeys Vol 2 Chapter 2 Consequences
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I arrived at Corri-Door nine days after I had left Austin. The System was on the very edge of Union space. The declared space Kermac/Galactic Council space begun right beyond its helio pause towards the gneral direction of the galactic center, or in te old astronavigation terms, towards Galactic East.
Two so called transit corridors, marked only by marker buoys and defined by the Armistice treaty that ended the last big war originated from here. One of these corridors connected Magnitude, the home system of the machine species called the X101s and the other ended at Arsenal a nine planet system that was now one of the Union Navy’s biggest fleet bases.
Corri should have never been an important system would it not have been for its strategic position. It consisted of Corri an Orange K III star and three rock and ice planets and one gas giant with only one sizeable moon.
Yet every rock and surface of the system was occupied or utilized. The Sixth and the seventh fleet had their permanent headquarters here.
Border Control was stationed here. Responsible for logistics, intelligence and patrols for the 22,000 light years of border space the Union shared with the Galactic Council and Nul. Due to the recent events the system was busier than a flicker fish hatchery at feeding time as we arrived.
The planets were named Corrosive, Corri-Door Corri Giant with Moon Corrode, and Corri Rock. Our destination was a Class A port on Corri Door, even though this world was on the second orbit around it star. It was too far out to receiv.e enough heat and was mostly composed of a methane and water ice mantle over a rock core. It no minerals or metals worth mining, a very thin atmosphere and it was almost as cold on its surface as it was in deep space.
The Space port and sub planetary city of Corri-Door was completely different from Twilight, while there were a few civilians among the milling crowds of beings, almost everyone was wearing some kind of military uniform and there were no Gal Drifters, or Bottoms to be seen anywhere.
I could not help but smile as I noticed an Arthur’s Swine and Dine restaurant. This one the biggest I had seen so far and everyone of the hundred or so tables were occupied with soldiers, space crews and marines. I was told space bus traffic to Arsenal had not yet resumed but the Grey lines Info bot was certain, they would resume regular scheduled flights witin the next four to five days.
I went into a recruiting office and they confirmed by Pre Entry appointment and I was assured, this time by a life officer that I was still way to early and had be plenty of time to make my application once the connection was re established.
So I had at least four days to kill.
With no particular destination I went to the huge view ports allowing a view over one of the landing fields. Six battle ships were currently serviced by towering robots with dozens of flexible metal tentacle arms. Marines in precise columns marched to board a Marine drop ship. Another Marine ship landed and at least two hundred Dai Than pirates and twenty or so black Nogolls wearing prisoner control suits restraints, guarded by battle robots and armed marines were herded into a waiting transport skimmer.
I watched for at least two hours before I got tired standing and decided to sit somewhere and have something to eat. I also needed a hotel.
A fur covered Attikan behind the counter of the Holiday Inn made an apologetic gesture. “I am sorry Sir, we are booked solid and I am afraid all space port hotels are as well. I doubt you find anything in town right now. It looks like half the Union is here and you might have to take a Shuttle to Corri-Rock or Corrosion.”
I turned and considered the options, looking for an Info Bot when a tall red haired woman with a dark green velvet dress said to me. “Excuse me, Sir, but I too needed a room and I heard you were as unsuccessful jst as me. I just found out the Cloud Castle on Corri-Giant has rooms available. I just called an Inter System Cab. You are welcome to share the cab fare with me if you like.”
“Yes that would be great. I don’t really want to sleep three nights in the Space Bus lobby.”
“I was afraid I would have to do something similar.” She said. I guessed she was between fourty and ninety years old. Her hair was long and curly in a dark coppery shade. Her eyes were as green as her dress and she had a nice feminine curved body under that velvet knee long dress. Over she wore an open matching dark green coat. She held out her hand.” I am Dawn Blythe by the way.”
“Eric Olafson.”
She wore thin leather gloves and a bunch of silvery bracelets tingled as I shook her hand.
The Inter system Taxi arrived moments later. It was a large D 4 flier capable of Intersystem space flight and piloted by a very tall humanoid being.
Dawn said to him:”Cloud Castle on Corri-Giant pleases.”
The pilot waited till a robot put the ladies luggage in the cargo box and answered. “It’s my sixth trip today, to the Gas Planet, every room is booked solid. Not just military, there are going to be a lot of people coming to see the executions. “He queued his cab behind a row of other taxis and fliers heading for a force field membrane to get to the outside of the planet’s surface. He switched to auto pilot and asked.”So you are here for the executions as well?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know anything about any executions. I am on my way to Arsenal but the buses have not resumed service.”
The woman answered. “ I am here for the executions, yes.”
I was not really interested but said. “Someone famous getting hanged or something?”
“Seventeen Dai Than Clan chiefs are getting executed. They have been identified as slave traders and responsible for many deadly attacks and raids. Most of the captured Dai are processed and released but these seventeen were identified as especially cruel and selling Union Citizens into slavery.”
The Taxi passed through three energy curtains and we were outside. The pilot pulled the shuttle into a steep climb and accelerated fast. I was distracted for a moment as I saw a Union Battle ship take off not too far from us and the immense ship climbed faster than we did, and a feeling of great pride filled my heart as I saw the Lettering and read the ships name, USS Ragnarsson.
The Shuttle pilot changed course and kicked in the small ISAH drive and I could not see the ship anymore. The pilot and the lady were talking and I paid a little attention, but the pilot had other ideas He turned his seat. “Andoria my home world is clear on the other side of Union space and we never had any Dai raids, but my nephew was killed in a pirate attack and I think we should hang them all, no mercy for pirates.”
The Woman simply nodded but didn’t say anything. I figured she too was here to see those hanged because she might have lost someone. Then she said. “Watching a hanging is not something that should be done for entertainment.”
He shrugged. “It was a citizen decision to have executions shown to the public. Over 80% voted for it, if I remember correctly. If only one person thinks twice about murder and slavery after seeing an execution then it was worth it. We Andorian have a long history of slavery both as slavers and as slaves and I tell you lady, I am a proud Union citizen there is because we are doing it anymore. Our society is rich of sad and horrid tales. My own family had been sold as slaves. Being sold and used against your will is worse than death. I am going to watch it for sure and send my aunt and uncle a recording of it.”
She sighed.
The Cab reached the huge gas planet after about 20 minutes. He turned to us again. “We are almost there now. This DeNoir Planetjumer does eight percent ovr light speed after all.”
“This is the fasted it can go?”
“Unfortunatley yes, Sir. This is not a FTL shuttle able to reach other systems and am not licenced to go past the system. You do know about the shipmasters licence required by Union law for any conveyance going past the light threshold. Inters system traffic skims only a few percent above light speed so we can use ISAH drives, take our time along and make it within reasonable time to other celestial bodies.” He sighed. “If Corri stays as busy as it is, we bound to get a Space Tram or even TMT connections. No need for inter system cabs.”
He shrugged. “Anyway, welcome to Corri-Giant. The floating cities on Corri Giant are as pretty as the ones on Saturn I have been told.”
I suspected the Hotel to be on a moon and said surprised. “The hotel is on the Gas giant itself?”
“Oh yes. There are many gas planets with floating cities. It all started with the Terrans, who simply settle and occupy everything, building Nuc-Gas refineries on Saturn and Jupiter. Those are the names of gas planets of the Sol system by the way.” He made a few control adjustments and continued. “You know gas planets are the best source for Nuc Gas, the stuff we use to power Isah Pods. The refineries grew, permanent crews brought their families and they wanted to shop and have schools and before you knew it, floating cities came into wide spread use. Corri System being an important fleet depot and traffic hub and all, thats why we have refineries on Corry Giant. The Cities down there float on a thin layer of liquid water vapor actually and below is metallic helium and hydrogen and all the good stuff. No worries the Floating cities are quite safe and nothing ever happened to them. Cloud Castle is a Five Star Hotel.”
The gas planet was enormous and reminded me of Big Ball the planet I had seen in the sky of Twilight. The pilot activated shields and dove into the swirling atmosphere of the giant. Even though the Shuttle was stabilized it was tossed around by violent winds and some of the motion came through. He laughed,” I always love this part. Makes you feel you actually fly.
Then a city appeared and it looked as if it was sitting on a huge dinner plate, floating on an purple and grayish chasm of fog like nothingness. There were lightning bolts crackling over a sky in every shade of red and blue, the clouds whirled like milk stirred into black coffee and I wondered if someone stared long enough at this swilling madness could turn insane.
With a last shudder the taxi slipped inside a protective force field and dropped us of before the doors to a big Hotel. Only a mostly invisible force field separated this drop off area from an environment that was absolutely deadly in so many ways, but then I was almost certain I saw life forms outside, looking very similar to Nilfeheim jelly fish but without the filament strings below the body and I saw humans in suits with wings soaring outside the city.
The woman also noticed them.” No matter where humans go they find a way to use their surroundings for sports and recreation. I think this is the secret of the terran humans. They are neither the strongest, fastest or smartest species but they seem to be able to adapt to every environment.”
I agreed with her. Learning that there were floating cities in the upper atmosphere of a Gas giant was really something and I had to agree with the Ancient, the Union truly was an amazing place. The lobby of the Lux Hotel could have been anywhere with its marble floors, indoor plant islands and water fountains. An Ult sat behind an Ultanium that was somewhat akin to a terran piano and played Ult harmonic melodies. Humans and non-humans in business suits, dresses, and robes walking back and forth; standing together in small groups talking to each other. Most of them ignoring the whirling elements outside the view ports.
A Thauran receptionist in a tight fitted black suit and purple shirt underneath smiled at us. “Welcome to the Hilton Cloud Castle on Corri-Giant. What can I do for you?”
I motioned the woman to go first and she said: “I would like to get a room for four nights.”
“I am sorry Ma’am but all our standard deluxe rooms are booked or reserved. I do have one suite left however.”
“How much is that?”
“18,000 per night.”
“Are there any other hotels or accommodations?”
He looked at a screen and raised his hands.” It looks like the Snorkel Intake City has bunks left, but I would not recommend them to a lady. The Sylvain on Far Out still shows three rooms but that is almost a day inter system from here.”
Her mouth twitched and she said to me. “I do have a temporary office on Corri-Door, I guess we could share. I don’t know how big it is but it might still be better than the Space bus lobby.”
I smiled.”We also could share the suite. I am certain it has separate bed rooms.”
The blue faced Thauran looked at his read out after I swiped my CITI and Credit Chip he said. “It is always a pleasure to welcome executives of Enroe Corp. Do you wish human or robotic butler service?”
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“Have we been hailed?” Harris shook his head.”No not yet, but the sphere is transmitting genuine Union Transponder Codes.” The screen changed and a hooded Narth became visible. The Comm. Officer looked at his console and shrugged. The Narth spoke. “This is the USS Narth. “There was a pause and the Narth moved his shrouded head as if he was looking at someone then he nodded and said.” One hopes to be forgiven, by the one who has command. One was uncertain of the correct address. It is the...
I had slept a few hours at Uncle Hogun’s and went to the clinic to check on Litfas Arnske and I found him, in a low gee bed. Two elders, Adolph Lindbergh and a young man perhaps two three years older than me was with him, most likely Sif’s brother I had not yet met. As he saw me, he first smiled and then his face dropped. “You have saved my life, and it looks like my very own daughter has tried to end it. The daughter I promised, my honor is in shambles and I am not sure I want to live...
The lights flickered and Astrid said.” Looks like his Tech stop has trouble to get through our armor and hardened systems. She then pried open an access panel and said.” I am sure I can fix this!” Her hands pulled chip connectors and reset them and then she turned. Eric flip open your left armrest. Beneath is the Code sequencer. They could not have altered your Command Codes, without your permission! All they did is bypass it and tying in their own!” I did and pressed my hand on the now...
We arrived in Halstaad Fjord and were greeted by a group of elders accompanied by twenty beefy looking men, all were dressed in the traditional Neo Viking way with leather vests and trousers and shirts. They all wore identical helmets and swords and all were dressed in the same dark brown color. Egill was also with them. As we stepped ashore he said to me, I know what happened, Eric and I will take it from here. You may have noticed the men; these are the first members of the Nilfeheim...
Jolaj was no longer bound and her fur was once again as white snow. She was treated like a princess, but there was no doubt, she was a prisoner. They did not allow her to leave her quarters. She learned that the ship was not a Togar product, but a luxury yacht made by Enroe. None of her captors had given their names, they simply identified themselves as the Resistance. A group she had learned called themselves, Children of Malmoru.” The female, with a light brown fur and puffy cheeks,...
When I came around, I was still lying under that purple thing. The armed and fully armor suited men were close now holding their weapons ready pointing them at my friends. The bearded dark skinned man wearing a battle suit of unknown origin argued with Cardwell. “I want you to open those Translocator storages now. We do not have much time.” Cardwell barked back and pointed at me. “I told you that two command codes are needed to open them, the only one able doing that was killed by your...
Swybar lounged in the comfortable chair behind the conference table aboard the Red Dragon. Soon the requested supplies would arrive and make him a very dangerous man. The table was laid out with a light dinner. Both of his associates had joined him and both of them had been very respectful and lauded his genius. Swybar loved it when others realized just how smart and resourceful he was. Even the disguised Kermac treated him like an equal, as it was proper. He was no fool however and knew...
Green Eden appeared to be a beautiful green, white and blue sphere. From space it looked as inviting as any garden world. The transport descended through moderate clouds and approached a heavy forested land mass. We landed on a simple dirt field that had been cleared in the jungle. At the edge of the dirt field I saw a collection of primitive looking buildings made of wood. There were no machines, no robots, no ships or vehicles and no one waiting for us. Someone from the flight deck...
I took a shower as well and used the Auto Dresser and then checked my messages as I saw she was still in her part of the suite. There were two messages waiting. The first was of Egill and Sif. Egill had changed much, he wasn’t as thin anymore and his hair and beard was clean, white and well trimmed. He did not wear braids and his clothing was all black leather with broad silver seams. Sif also had changed; she was much more a woman than a girl now. Her facial expression seemed even cooler...
In this complete darkness. Something inside me made me close my eyes, just as I did riding on Tyr’s back. I could sense my surroundings, felt every heartbeat of Plemo and I learned that Elly had two hearts. I felt the stairs and the faint electric residue in the lamps. The stairs transformed with a metallic hum, into a steep declined slide. Plemo had no warning and was sliding away before I could warn him. I managed to hold onto the hand rail and prevent the slide, but Plemo and most likely...
I saw the Yokuta running towards the podium and my first response was to the dagger they had given us with the uniform. Of course I had a blaster, but my reflexes were still geared toward sword and knife. A burning foreign thought exploded like a yell in my mind.” Stop!” It was a telepathic command and while it was given I knew it had been said by a commanding officer. My hand froze, before perhaps a microsecond before I was to throw. The Yokuta ripped off his snouted gray head, ears and...
Wulf activated his cloak and put the suit in flight mode. Like a human missile he flew towards the ware house. Another energy beam emitted from the alien craft and slammed into the ground, where he had been a second ago. “Rusty, activate weapons and open remote control. He slaved the ships weapon control to his suit and a pair of green crosshairs appeared before his eyes. As soon as he lined up the cross hairs he pressed with his thumb on a small contact on the side of his index finger and a...
The woman that stepped through a shimmering portal of dark red light, had dark grey skin, long white hair and wore a skimpy outfit which was an odd combination of bikini, medieval armor, and wispy veils. Her eyes had no pupils but glowed in the same dark red light as the now dissipating portal. Stahl suddenly remembered Sunday school and stopped himself to actually make the sign of the cross. However, he was never really intimidated, by anyone. The Eternal Warrior got up, like the old...
Hans and Mao had received UWASPS. That stood for ‘urban warfare protective security suits’. Not the Quasimodo super bulky frontal assault battle armor but a sleek body shaped suit with a vast array of sensors, very smart weapon systems and advanced stealth and camouflage capabilities, normally only used by NAVINT Counter Intelligence and Elite Special forces. Much of the suits capabilities were highly classified and a source of professional pride to those considered good enough to wear...
Cherubim had left the ship a few moments ago and I was on the bridge and together with the others went over the technical specs of our ship. Circuit had to explain to me again why we had no ISAH pods. “The reason we do not have ISAH Pods is that this ship uses TransDim Gravitonics as propulsion. Energy is tapped directly from Quasi Space and we have no need for fuel.The ISAH field too keep us in real time is generated by the same system. This ship could fly to the end of the known universe...