Eric Olafson Captain Black Velvet Vol 6 Chapter 4
- 3 years ago
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AT THE TAVERN ONCE MORE
We went once more to the Tavern, this time however openly to make our entrance as the pirate crew we pretended to be.
The barkeeper eyed us with interest for about five seconds, took our orders and lost interest after we paid him. We found ourselves a table and sat down.
I had no clear plan what we should do next and at this point I decided to just stir the pot a little and wait to see what would happen.
One point on my agenda was to put the Bennett family out of business permanently. If I could manage to somehow destroy this asteroid base it would take away a pirate base and safe haven for all sorts of space faring scum.
The fewer bases and posts they had to hide at the better, and these so called ‘miners’ aided and enabled these crooks by providing these services.
However I could not do it openly as Black Velvet, but perhaps a few well placed timed charges going off a day or two after we left would do the trick. However there weren’t many options. To destroy a huge object like this asteroid required serious fire power; more than even the Tigershark had. Of course a few well placed Translocator shots into environmental engineering would make this place quite inhospitable. Another option was to set of a P Bomb, but that was like leaving a Union tech calling card. But then there were quite a few things in our arsenal, I haven’t really checked out yet.
Shea leaned forward giving me a very nice view down her cleavage, while she said in a quiet tone.
“I can smell that wash room even out here.”
Har-Hi pointed with his chin to a handful of miners sitting at a table next to us. “It’s not the bathroom, it’s them.”
She produced a little atomizer, and sprayed some of its content before her. A fresh flowery scent suddenly tried to mask the sour, musky scent that wafted almost visibly into our direction.
“Next time I select a filter mask, don’t they bathe?”
Har-Hi shook his head.
“Water is very expensive out here and even more at their mining camps, it has to be bought from ice miners and water merchants. Washing isn’t a big priority to them.”
Narth enjoyed himself greatly, to him it was all a part of his still new corporal experience outside the Narth Collective.
His voice came into my mind.
“You do begin to understand Narth, it pleases me. I too contemplate how a destruction of this base could be accomplished without revealing our true origin. We have quite a few options available to us. As you so correctly identified, our collective societies went all out to provide us with very lethal and destructive options, but I must also be a voice of warning as it wold be against our license and charter.”
“Our what?”
“We are here in Freespace clearly violating a treaty signed by representatives of our Union. Now it is true that the Assembly has given us license via the Security Council to eliminate piracy, hunt known criminals and suppress arms and slave trade. However neither the owners of this asteroid nor the many miners living here appear on any wanted list or are known to have committed crimes against the Union.”
“Did Cherubim not say that eliminating pirate bases was one of our tasks?”
“Bhrama port is not a pirate base per say.”
He was right of course. We were already walking a very thin line and I was certain Admiral McElligott had twisted and bent more than just one rule to make our mission possible.
However Stahl also knew about it and for his trust in me alone, I had to heed Narth objection and think of another way to take this Pirate base out of business.
Aloud he said. “Can I ask you a question that puzzles me greatly.”
“Of course, you never asked permission before.”
“Why did you find pleasure in looking at Shea’s breasts. You do have now almost identical ones, do they differ in some other way than size that affects you in this way? I stared at both sets and compared them and could not detect any emotional effects.”
Har-Hi coughed and the Thill beer shot out of his nose. Shea started to giggle and I was glad for my mask, as I must have turned cherry red.
“Ah ... well because I am still getting used to them.”
Har-Hi wiped his nose. “Narth, with you around I have a real hard time remaining a stern, always serious Dai Warrior.”
The Oghar pirate and the Captain of the Swift Profit were still here and it was not hard to tell that we were the subject of their conversation.
Before Narth could say something else.
Captain Swift got up and walked over, made a theatrical bow and tipping his forehead. “I am Curtis Swift, Captain of the Swift Profit and I think you are the famous and mysterious Black Velvet. I also assume we might be in the same line of business, so I thought I introduce myself.”
I eyed him up and down and said. “And what line of business would that be?”
“Doing what we please and taking advantage of opportunities that might present themselves, a little of this and a little of that and not particularly caring about anyone else and their rules.”
He pointed at the big table across the room.
“This is called the Captain’s table and I am sure Crimson Curse would like to get to know you, as much as I do. He is the big and ugly Oghar over there.”
Before I could respond, everyone turned to the sudden locomotion and noise at the taverns entrance. A rowdy looking crew entered, led by a flashy dressed human with blue skin. He was without a doubt a Thauran.
I cursed silently and wondered how far I had to go, so I would not meet someone of these blue skinned bastards. I always had been tolerant and blind to another beings form, shape or color but those blue Thaurans started to get to me.
He was accompanied by two muscular Oghr and according to the information I received from Narth those were Orkh-Oghr, the strongest and biggest sub species of the Oghr race.
Narth instantly corrected my thoughts, by saying in a low voice.
“No, the Orkh-Oghr are the physically strongest sub species belonging to the remaining Nine Kingdoms. The Ogrwho are nearly three times as big and much stronger in physical terms are Union members for 403 years. The Oromals who are also of the same group of species, are just as big and also Union members for 394 years.
I raised my hands. “Could they not come up with less confusing names. I mean Oghr, Ogar, Ogr it appears the only difference is a vowel here and there.”
Har-Hi chimed in. “After the Oghar Empire fell apart into separate Kingdoms they fought each other in bitter wars over many centuries about such naming issues.”
While Narth and Har-Hi educated me about the Oghr, I observed the new comers who were still standing at the open entrance area that separated the tavern from the rest of the asteroids main cavern.
Trailing the group were three, mangy looking Jooltar warriors.
The new arrived group was now joined by four more Thaurans, one of them female and all gaudily and colorfully dressed. If it weren’t for the fact that the group was armed to the teeth one could have mistaken them for a traveling circus troupe.
It was the five Thaurans that to me explained the noise and the air of self importance they displayed. I wondered why the Thauran did not join the Kermac, they could hold competitions of self importance and arrogance and my money wasn’t on the Kermac as who would win such a contest.
Narth said in my mind.
“I doubt the Kermac would want a thrall species that was equally as good as they in the only field the Kermac really excel.”
I formed an answer and expressed my surprise.
“Never did I think you would say something like this. Not that I mind, but sarcasm wasn’t something I associate with a Narth.”
His thoughts felt slightly amused as his answer resonated in my mind. “One might point out that we shared the Hugavh and that means I also adapt to your ways of thinking. It is us Narth who observed many civilizations for a very long time, and the Kermac are very good at being arrogant and self important. They have inherited this haughtiness and superciliousness from the UNI very long ago. Of course only with our new gained knowledge and understanding of emotions are we able to quantify our observations in such terms”
His thoughts paused for a moment and then his mental voice said to me. “This arrogant self-importance is of course not completely alien to humans, especially those who consider themselves of Noble origin. Now this is a concept I have spent much time analyzing and have yet to come to a satisfactory conclusion.”
I answered Narth silently and on our shared mental level.
“It is also part of my heritage, being of an Old Clan on Nilfeheim is something very similar. My clan is considered very important only due to the fact that we carry an old name. I also don’t think all nobility is bad. Look at our Princess, she can switch it on and off just like that, and then there is Shaka. He never makes a big deal out of it but I met his father, the Zulu King at the Diamond Ball and he radiates authority in a way I can only describe as noble.”
Narth didn’t respond this time but I knew he was contemplating what I just had said and put it through his incomprehensible way of analyzing things.
Now he did respond. “My way of analyzing things is not completely incomprehensible, Shea understands it well.”
I wanted to tell him, that not everyone had an IQ of 400 but my silent conversation with Narth was interrupted as Captain Swift, still standing close to our table also watching the newcomers, rolled his eyes said to me.
“That is Captain Dentar Bloom of the Roughnir. Even among our colorful society of space-faring professionals he is not the most pleasant individual to deal with, but then he is Thauran. Never really met one I liked.”
Strangely I found that Swift and I had actually something in common.
The Thauran pointed out to me as Dentar Bloom yelled to the barkeeper. “Bottles of Solik, Big bowls of Tambark Broth and for me your finest Brohmir Sweat and bring plenty you three armed cretin!”
They sat down at a table not far from us and the red and yellow dressed captain looked around with a disapproving expression in his face and then waved at Crimson. “Of all the ugly sights in the Galaxy, you my dear Crimson appear to be the ugliest. Be so kind and switch chairs so I don’t have to look at you!”
The Barkeeper came to our table and asked if we wanted more drinks and the loudmouth complained.
“I ordered and expect to be served first. Don’t waste time with the riff raff over there.”
The Barkeeper turned and said with an edge in his voice.
“First pay the tab you left the last time, eight Full weights!”
Bloom put his hand on his boarding saber, but not pulling it.
“The cosmic winds did not blow much in terms of prey across our path and the Blessed Blue Virgin was not with us the past few months. Nothing that carried Polos came our way. However we managed to liberate a collection of nice things that bring a hefty profit once I am able to reach the markets on Sin 4. We had to stop here to get some fuel.”
“Save your excuses and tell them to someone that cares. Eight Full weights or there won’t be any drinks.”
Dentar Bloom made a jovial gesture.
“I pay you double I owe you the next time I come by. Now I think you extend my credit, I anger easily.”
The Barkeep pointed with one of his arms to the ceiling and to a set of remote controlled Neuro Rippers.
“You don’t scare me Captain Bloom, I am Pertharian. Pay up or leave. This establishment is for paying customers only. Make any kind of trouble and I might settle for what the scavengers pay me for your carcass.”
This obviously didn’t sit well with the flashy dressed Thauran. He talked to one of his officers and the Oghar left.
Bloom then climbed on his chair and spread his arms.
“It looks like well heeled Captain Swift is here and so is the famous Crimson Curse. One likes to eat and the other likes to rape. So I am thinking I hold a little auction right here and now.”
It didn’t take long and the Oghr came back dragging a beautiful white Togar female on a chain behind him.
She wore a metal collar and both her hands were attached to it with short chains, making her choke and at every move. The cruel metal band had rubbed her neck raw and there was crusted blood all around the collar. Her legs kept apart with a steel rod that had cuffs on each end, allowing her to move only with small circling steps. She had cuts and bruises all over her otherwise completely white fur.
I didn’t like Togar and only a short time ago I wanted to kill them all. However seeing this poor female treated like that made me wish I could twist the head of that blue skinned bastards neck.
Her eyes were big and green, and she had a pink nose, that reminded me of the little Holdian Commander. The Togar female could not talk as she was muzzled with several layers of memory tape around her short snout.
The three armed Pertharian bar keeper protested loudly.
“Are you insane, Bloom? The Togar Empire isn’t far from here and they will send warships if they hear a female Togar was sold here. Those cats don’t kid around when it comes to their females.”
With a dismissive gesture, Bloom said. “Don’t you worry about the Togar. They have other things on their mind right now, besides she is a wanted criminal in the realm of the Togar. I could get good money for her from any Togar male. She might be good in the Death Fight arenas but I am far from Sin 4 and need fuel, and you all know how nice a Togar female can be to human males, if she is properly restrained of course.”
His last comment was answered by nodding heads and rough laughter, coming from Miners and Pirates.
The Thauran obviously enjoyed being in the center of attention and said. “Now I know your appetite Captain Swift, but there are many lonely miners here, so the opening bid is 100 Polos.”
As disgusting as the sale was the lusting gaze in Swifts face and the dirty jokes and openly described fantasies of the miners present was even more revolting.
It was one of the Miners who said.
“I give you the 100 Polos.”
Swift immediately countered with a bid of 150.
I had forgotten my own drink and my hand was reaching for the butt of my gun, when Har-Hi put his hand on my arm and shook his head almost unnoticeable. He was right of course and I would not jeopardize our mission by starting a fight underneath looming Neuro Rippers, especially not for a Togar, I didn’t like in the first place.
The price was at 600 Polos now and it looked one of the miners, a fat unkempt fellow, apparently human had the deeper pockets, as Swift was not raising his hand again.
There was a moment of silence and it seemed the Miner would take the pitiful looking Togar Female and then do all the things he said he would do to her.
I said. “1000 Polos”
I almost surprised myself but I couldn’t let her be sold into a fate so cruel. Maybe we could keep her in stasis and let her go somewhere convenient and close to wherever she called home.
My bid put all eyes on me and the Thauran captain noticed me, saying. “Who are you? I sell to anyone but you have to have the cash.”
“I got the Polo’s anything else is unimportant.”
Swift introduced me saying. “That delectable package in skintight leather is none other than the the famous and mysterious Black Velvet.”
The Thauran made a mocking bow and said. “Thousand Polos, Full-weight have been called for this wild, soft furred promise of pleasure. Do I hear any other bids?”
Narth voice in my head said. “I informed the ship. Hans and the Golden are on their way with the money. What do you want done with the Togar female?”
“Have Cateria check her out and then I guess put her in Stasis till we can let her go somewhere. Maybe we can find out where she belongs and see if we can get her as close as possible.”
“This might prove difficult, as she isn’t what the Thauran claimed she is.”
“She isn’t Togar?”
“She is, but I think we might have purchased what you would call big trouble.”
I didn’t like what I was hearing and silently responded.
“Can you be more specific than that?”
“The Togar hunting her for some reason. From what I can gather she is more than a criminal. I shall accompany her to the ship and probe deeper and then let you know.”
Moments later Hans stomped in and his massive appearance silenced the crowd. He looked frightening indeed in his version of a pirate costume. He wore a harness similar to the one Har-Hi had, across his enormous and otherwise bare chest, but his was not made of leather but of heavy looking links of Ultronit steel chain. Pants of thick leather, stitched together with steel rivets. A full sized Nul Gravitor Cannon across his back and a pair of Y’All boarding swords was his weapons of choice. To all this he had on knee high boots, reinforced with armor plating and he had the appearance as if he could kick a battle robot to scrap. The knuckles of his gauntlet style gloves sported metal spikes, gleaming razor sharp. To finish his look he wore a skull tight leather mask that left his chin and mouth open. The mask had a crest of needle sharp looking metal spikes. He looked like a nightmare version of a dungeon torturer right out of the horror visuals Mao loved to watch.
No one dared to speak and there was open fear in quite a few of the rough faces.
He carried an Ultronit band reinforced Strong box over his left shoulder and with his right he swiped one of the Oghr out of his way, with about as much effort as if swatting an insect. The Oghr hurled several metes, crashed between tables and chairs and instead of getting up he crawled further out of Hans way.
Sobody walking next to Hans was almost unnoticed. He looked the same as always but his bald head sported a ghastly cross shaped scar. From my adventure on Alvor’s cove I knew it meant he was an outcast of the Golden society.
The metal grating of the floor was vibrating with every step Hans made; glasses on the tables danced as he came to my table and placed the heavy chest before me.
Sobody unlocked it with a flair of importance and an electronic key he wore around his neck and bowed before me. “Captain, as requested your purse.”
I was still sitting and said. “Pay that Thauran 1000 Polos.”
Captain Swift whistled through his teeth as Sobody opened the chest that was filled to the brim with Polo Coins packed in clear plastic bags and handed the speechless Thauran two of them, saying “Two bags of 500 each.”
Narth got up whispered to Hans.
My terrifying looking Security chief nodded and took the struggling and horrified Togar cat like a toy doll over his shoulder and along with Narth he left.
Into the prevailing silence Bloom said looking at the two bags of money he held.
“By the blessed Blue Virgin, that I call no nonsense business. You seem to run a tight ship and gathered a capable crew, respect, respect.”
The three armed Pertharian held out two of his hands.
“Now that you have money, I think you need to pay your tab.”
Since the Barkeeper also held the remote control of the Neuro ripper in his third hand and the projector heads on the ceiling moved with an audible hum, targeting the Thauran; the blue skinned Captain obliged, but he didn’t like it one bit as it was evident by his facial expression.
Bloom came closer to our table with his crew close behind him. He eyed the heavy chest and said to me.
“You would not be in the market for 80 tons of fine Togar merchandise?”
I sipped at my Dai Beer and said.
“No I am not.”
“You see, I have a hold full of that stuff, and it will sell on Sin 4 or on Kaliment for good money. The trouble is, I am a tad short on fuel and these tight arse Basset bastards don’t give credit.”
I raised my head and looked at him.
“And why are you boring me with that. I am sure the miners over there have always needs for cheap laborers and after a year or two you might have enough money to buy fuel, I suppose.”
He sucked in air and said pointing his finger at me.
“I don’t think you understand, female. I eat the likes of you for breakfast. I am going to take that chest now and if you try to stop us my men will do the same to you what we did to the Togar female.
Har-Hi said.
“Touch that chest and you touch nothing ever again with your own hands.”
His men drew weapons and he said.
“Do the math, Dai, ten against three. Your leather clad monster isn’t here.”
The Barkeep jelled.
“I don’t care what business you have among each other, but no Energy weapons. If you want to brawl with swords and knifes be my guest, but you pay for the damage.”
Now Crimson Curse got up, smashing his fist onto the metal table so hard, it left a sizable dent. “Enough of this! Freespace is shrinking by the day and the places our kind can rest and trade are not as common as they used to be. It is you trouble makers that spoil it for the rest of us. If you have quarrels duke it out Captain versus captain as it always has been the custom.”
Bloom raised his arms.
“Well so be it then. I fight the female and get the Polos, what a splendid suggestion Ugly Crimson!”
Har-Hi shook his head. “That is a bad idea, Bloom. Reconsider and fight me instead.”
Bloom laughed. “If she wants to play pirate and fly with the big boys then she needs to fight herself. I have no problem spanking her into submission.”
I got up so fast, my chair flew and crashed against the wall somewhere in the back, while I was flanking myself over the table, and raked both of my boot heels across his throat and face. My training with Master Alameda and the Academy instructors; the instructions of Siegfrieda, Richard the Outcast and mental uploads I received from the Sojonit sisters merged into an instinctive, distinct style all of my own and I was at a point where I was able to act almost faster than I could think. My reaction was fueled by the old familiar Olafson rage and my growing dislike of Thaurans.
Still in motion I hit the floor and spin kicked the Oghar right next to Bloom for good measure. The Ultronit heels of my boots, now razor sharp were terrible weapons at close quarter.
Bloom staggered backward, his hands trying to stop the blood spraying from his throat wound.
My Colt roared and the heavy lead slug tore into the head of the recovering Oghr, proving once again what a deadly weapon this old gun really was.
Bloom had dropped to his knees, there was an expression of pain and the certain knowledge of impending death on his face as he reached out with his other hand. There was no mercy and no feeling of remorse as I pointed the muzzle of the antique colt at his forehead and ended his misery with a gory explosion of blood and brain.
Har-Hi had been right behind me, both swords drawn decapitating two of Bloom’s men in a dazzling lightning fast move. A third stared stared at his arm stump, his right hands fallen on the floor still clutching a blaster.
Our constant cross training showed that Shea was no longer just a science geek but a force to be reckoned with, as she had her strange sword at the throat of the second Oghar, cutting pieces out of his armor with little flicks of her wrist.
Even our Golden turned out to be much more than just an old man of a dwarf like species. He moved his hand and arm in a strange motion almost as if he threw something and then pulled at an imaginary string; the effect of his pantomimic moves however was deadly and gruesome. One of the Thauran crew members fell to the floor cut in half.
Sobody glared at the remaining men and said. “He should have thought twice before pulling a dagger on my Captain while I am around.”
I looked around and said. “Anyone else thinking, I can’t play with the boys. Step on up!”
All this had happened so fast, Crimson was still standing. Swift whistled again. “Holy shit!”
Har-Hi carefully cleaned his blades with a piece of silk he always carried and said as he put the swords away. “I did warn him, I might just have clipped an ear of his.”
Crimson sat back down and said. “Good riddance to Bloom, maybe we can drink in peace now. You Captain Velvet, of course are welcome to join us here at the Captain’s table.”
One of the surviving crew members of Bloom’s group said. “What of us now, are we to report to your ship?”
I nodded. “That’s right. Go get everyone of your crew and report to the Silver Streak.”
Har-Hi got up “I make sure they are properly accommodated.”
Har-Hi proved just how strong he was as he shouldered the heavy money chest and he and Shea left followed by Blooms men. Just as I was sitting down at the Captain’s table, a representative of the Bassett family approached and said.
“I am Kooornt Bassett and I can make you an offer and if you want for both ships.”
I pointed to the Golden and said. “My Quartermaster will take care of that.”
Sobody grinned from ear to ear and went with the man to a different table.
Swift said. “You certainly live up to your legend and then some.”
He touched his throat and then glanced at the body of Bloom.
Crimson quaffed another tankard of Oghar brew and ordered a plate of Lum-Lum Chews. Then he said with his deep growling voice. “It is a good thing you dealt with that Thauran. Otherwise I would have. He is the kind, just like that cursed Red Dragon and his Sinister Alliance stirring things up too much.”
He looked around and leaned forward. “The Dragon keeps poking the Union like he did recently with his stunt attacking a Union Outpost and they might start listening to the Eternal Warrior and roll in giving a hoot about treaties and Freespace, and then our days will be counted,”
Swift said. “Well the Shiss, the Kermac and the Nul will have a word in that as well, I doubt the Union will risk a war over pirates.”
Crimson made a wiping gesture with his big hands. “They can’t stop the Union. I tell you Red Dragon and his Sinister Alliance are bad news.”
Swift shrugged. “I was considering flying to Itheamh and finding out where their secret meeting place is and joining the Sinister Alliance. There are rumors they plan for something big.”
Crimson took one of the Lum-Lums that had just been served, but did not eat, instead he said. “What use do we have for alliances? Is it not the very reason we do what we do to be free of other mens rules and laws? What good did his last big raid do him?”
I shrugged and played the uninformed. “I played in another region of the Galaxy and haven’t been in touch with the news lately. Did they not attack a Union outpost or something like that?”
Crimson chewed with his massive jaws and gave Swift a side look from his small yellow eyes and said after he swallowed.
“Aye he did, Outpost 96. Huge Pirate fleet, and a decoy fleet full of ground troops to boot, filled with every gun wielding scum he could hire on Sin 4 and Itheamh. Lightly defended he claimed it would be and yet he got his arse kicked, by a bunch of Wolfcraft fighters. He was the only one escaping with nothing in his holds but air and a hole as big as planet in his ship. If he has some personal vendetta against the Union, let him do it on his own. I rather be dead than fly with his Sinister Alliance.”
He grabbed another Lum-Lum and bit in it with resolve. Then he pushed the plate over and invited Swift and me to take one as well.
Swift declined and sipped on a glass with a greenish thick liquid that smelled strongly of fermented fruits and said.
“Maybe you are right, you’re in this business longer than most.”
The Bassett brother came to me and sighed, pointing at Sobody who looked as pleased as a Nubhir wolf that got the big bone, and said. “Smart move, Captain Velvet to have a Golden do business for you. If we had continued haggling I would have been lucky walking out of here with my pants still mine.”
Sobody also got up and came over as well. “I am going with my new friend Kooornt and make sure we get paid.”
I said. “You did well, I assume?”
“Considering the location and the small market, yes Captain.”
After they left Crimson finished a sixth Lum-Lum and said.
“Well I am off and go back to business and I suggest you both do the same.” He leaned forward once again and lowered his voice as much as he could. “This region isn’t going to be safe much longer.”
Swift made a surprised face. “Why are you saying this? This is still Freespace!”
Crimson touched his jeweled encrusted gold encased tusk.
“I have it on good authority that the Dai Lord Cam Elf-Na united over 2000 clans under his leadership into one massive mega clan. It is said he is out for revenge. Anyone guilty of dealing with Dai artifacts will feel their wraith. The Bassetts made a killing on Dai scrap, as you know. The big fight between Union and Dai happened not far from here.
Cam Elf-Na will need lots of raw materials for the Dai factory ships when he attacks the Union, which I am certain is his next move.”
Yeoman O’Connell came down the ramp from the back of the bridge carrying my monster cup said. “Itheamh is no longer in Freespace, Captain. No more loopholes or justifications necessary. No treaties with the Union exist or limit what we can or cannot do.” I smiled at her and asked, “What do we know about Itheamh, anyway?”` Sobody sitting in the Observer seat that was rarely used on Union ships but had become his station. He even had a console raised from its usual stowed away position....
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Chula survived, his men did too, because most of them ran as fast as they could. However the prince regained consciousness, with a broken jaw a broken sword and swollen eye. His armor flex suit in tatters. A bird like being kept laughing.”Never seen such a lucky fool, threatening a Juth-Ni and surviving it.” Someone else in the onlooking little crowd said.”You and your goons better get up and get back to your ship or hotel. When the Karthanian street patrol shows up, you will dig for...
Two hours later I too had boarded the alien ship had reached what must have been the bridge. Our Tech-Stop and Paralysators have worked like a charm this time, everyone was asleep and none of the alien ship’s equipment worked. Har-Hi stood beside me and said. “Don’t you think they look like Terran cattle?” He pushed a sleeping alien aside who was still floating, as there was no Artificial gravitation either.” Now as he mentioned it I had to agree, and I remembered the large feedlots on...
As I came back to my senses I sat at a long wooden dinner table laid out with fine china and silverware. The room looked like a natural cave of sorts. The place was elaborately and expensively decorated. The art and decoration was selected by a talented interior designer and the shelves and furniture had been expertly blended into the rough cave walls. Wall sconces and crystal ceiling lights illuminated the place and fireplace radiated warmth from what seemed to be burning gas. The place, the...
White Fur The USS Shadowrunner was another Chimera unit, a disguised ship. On the outside, a fairly old Oghar Ulmgar cruiser operated by an independent privateer named Kekotraa and on the inside, a state of the art Union ship. Kekotraa was a genuine Diechsen. A 350 centimeter tall Reptilioid of the Sauro kind. Warm blooded, fast and strong, a former GC species. Just like a regular Ulmgar, this Oghar cruiser was well armed and shielded but had bigger cargo holds. Captain Kekotraa explained...
HAR-HI Har-Hi still felt groggy as he came around. He found himself wrapped in plastic tape. A strong looking green skinned Oghr of one or the other subspecies before him, holding the Jooltar mask in one hand and a Kermac Neuro Ripper in the other. “Since you awake, you can hear me Dai. I want answers.” Now that his head began to clear he saw Elfi, still unconcious, also unmasked and to his great dismay a Kermac, who stood behind the Oghr. This Kermac was more gray than white and he did not...
Cateria had arrived and with her came several Med Techs and five med bots. Ha-Hi himself had piloted the tank down. Now my XO came over to where I was standing and smirked. “The next time I am going with you on an away mission, I wear a helmet. That rock hammered me real good, you know.” I squeezed his hand and put my other hand on his shoulder. “I am sorry, it was my fault. I should have listened to you.” He chuckled. “No it wasn’t your fault. We all picked a dangerous profession and...
The Minerva was an impressive, shiny golden water drop shaped, heavy armed ancient Ult freighter in excellent repair and with genuine ISAH pods of recent manufacture. Despite its apparent bulk this freighter was most likely the fastest thing within a few light years. It landed right next to us and I welcomed her captain in our pirate den. He was a Karthanian. Like all Karthanians he was not even remotely humanoid, having many similarities to a Terran Seahorse. External Bone structure, round...
Trash Island Circuit had done a terrific job, gluing and welding armor plates over the sleek form of a Landing Tank. Rusty steel chain curtains covered the wide Ultronit Tracks and the whole thing looked like an old, many times repaired, all terrain crawler with an ArtiGrav. The main cannon was still there but looked like an old artillery piece and not like the High energy QGP it was. The Mission Pod module on this tank had been changed from Combat to surface survey and science. Instead of...
We had traveled a good hour on that train. The local transport thing stopped frequently and the train cars emptied a few beings at the time. How the Kartanian knew where we were was a mystery to me, perhaps he had counted the stops or had some other indicator. He said, “We better get up, the next stop is ours.” We resurfaced a few minutes later. It was what the Karthanian called the Pulse district, a workers amusement section of the city. Jutika told us that this was for Ithe, and Drak...
Fivecheer and I arrived moments later at our Den. I was just sitting back down at the table as our little Holdian Engineer jumped out of his seat with a panicked shriek. I turned to see what had spooked him. It was Cateria and the white furred Togar standing in the door. The Togar had her hands demurely folded before her and she looked to the floor. She was wearing one of the white dresses female Med-techs liked to wear and she looked strangely alluring and quite attractive. Warner pointed...
The next day he did as he promised and took me with is rugged freight bed flier to the southmost tip of Bifrost island a deserted dark pebble beach. Most of the rocks where about fist sized but there many much bigger and a few almost house sized. “These are carried by the glaciers from the mountains and after every Longnight they go a little further till they end in the sea.” He explained, “Eventually carrying our small mountain range away to the sea.” He took the metal box with him, handed...
5009, OTT The days after her death were like a haze. I woke in the Union Clinic. It was the first time I could remember being away from the Burg. When I first regained consciousness I was floating in some kind of gooey liquid, whatever I tried I could not move and through the liquid I could see people moving. I was certain one of the shapes was father. When I woke again, I was no longer in the liquid but in the same room. All was gleaming white and clean. A man with a broad smile greeted...
The weeks to summer break went by faster than I liked. Mr. Walters came into class this morning and said after we greeted him. “Tomorrow will be your last day of school and you have three month to prepare for the next year. Everyone in class will advance. While your grades and results have much room for improvement, they are satisfactory. Today I want to ask if you know why we keep time the way we do?” He pointed his finger at Yngve.” You will not speak.” Since Mr. Walters gave positive...
I sat in the Den to eat a light lunch with lots of iced tea. That planet always made me very thirsty. Narth and the Golden came back and they both looked very dusty. The Golden helped himself to a big glass of Iced Tea and said after he had drained most of it. “I am not sure what we can do to change conditions here. I guess we could buy all the slaves for now and see if we can stack them in our Cargo bay until we can transfer them. Maybe we could assassinate the Local Lord or try Narth’s...
Two days later, the Elders placed Ragnarsson flags and a shield with the Falcon symbol in a ritualistic ceremony into the Caves of Extinct clans and had the alcove bricked shut. An Elder smashed my Grandfathers signet ring with a hammer on an anvil and tossed it into the ocean. The Ragnarsson clan was no more. After the Ceremony Hogun took me downtown again, he explained that a lawyer had come to open my grandfather’s will. The building where Hogun landed the floater had three floors and...
Prelude Part 6: Naming Day A new egg-shaped stone cut from a single two-ton boulder marked the grave of the little girl. The stone had been dug out from underneath the snow; a stonemason had chiseled the name Freya Olafson and the date into the stone and then it was carried to the cemetery behind the community roundhouse. There, also under a thick layer of snow, were the rock mounds and rock markers of the graves of the most revered. On a planet with so little land, the dead usually...
Cateria, with a totally uncharacteristic warm smile on her face, handed the older kid a sparkle bright gum. Only after the big-eyed mother nodded did it take the offered candy and unwrapped it. My CMO had a reputation of being unable to show positive emotions and many considered her arrogant and cold. I knew she could have that effect, especially since she considered almost everyone primitive and far below Seenian development. Once I got to know her better, I knew much of her Seenian...
I found the Halls of Hasvik easily enough as they could not be missed. Next to the huge doors ;which were as I could see now, were made of dark wood with large Ultronit bands holding large timbers together; was a smaller metal door and I knocked there. It did not take long and another man opened, he too was dressed like the other one but he was the stark opposite of the Old man I met the day before. He was fat, Midril would have appeared like a weightless Elf compared to this man. His woven...
Non Union ships wanting to do business in Union space have to stop at one of these Checkpoints that dot the imaginary border between Union and Free space to get Customs clearance and a transponder code. While civilian ships could freely enter Union space, they could only land on Union Worlds with the proper Customs documents. Detected warships of other civilizations would result in a border alert and cause an immediate response from the fleet. Checkpoint 96 was a small ice planet with a...
The Devastator was an enormous ship and the outer corridor of Deck 54 circled the ship at the horizontal equator of the main hull. It was almost seventy clicks long. There were IST (Inter ship transport) stations in regular intervals, every 20 meters was a security door, open during normal operations that could be closed in an eye blink and reinforced with force field curtains. Dividing the entire ship in millions of individual sealed compartements.All Union military ships had the same...
Lothar’s beam burned through my chest. It felt as if my entire torso was on fire, but I was alive. I did not faint or pass out instead fulled by burning rage I ran towards him, his face was pure horror he still held the small weapon he did not fire a third time. I reached him in mere seconds, buried my knee in his groin and smashed the palm of my hand against his nose with the hope I would shove his nose bone up his brain. Something completely impossible f course, but I was furious and kept...
The Tavern was called the Mother Lode and had been chiseled and burned directly into the rock of the asteroid. The floor was made of metal grating placed in metal frames over more rough rock, Something small skittered between the pieces of waste and garbage that had fallen through the slots in the floor. The bar of the tavern occupied much of the left side of the tavern while a viewport with a good view at one of the Asteroid bases’ mooring arms was on the other side. The shabby looking...
The image of Ardalf’s face as the sword slipped into his body would not leave me and I dreaded going to sleep even more than before. When I finally was so tiered I had to sleep I would dream and see the scene all over. One particular dream was especially disturbing as I saw my mother standing by the dead boy and shaking her head. Father was busy integrating the Steiner clan and he left me completely alone, even when I was at the burg and he was there. I spend most of my time at Uncle Hogun’s...
The last thing I remembered was the stinging prick into my neck and then a nauseating spinning sensation that dragged me into nothingness. I was supposed to perform an Orbital assault jump as part of the final challenge and to win the Reagan trophy for the Devastator. My friends and I equipped with heavy battle suits had boarded a Drop ship. Strapped into the drop rack, my suit malfunctioned and nothing worked. At first I believed I was dead, but I felt still nauseas and I opened my eyes....
Even though I had little medical knowledge, my time serving in the Devi’s sick bay and getting basic med training at the Academy I was helping with the triage of wounded and somehow remembered Dr. Dwyer my old Nilfeheim doctor as I derma-patched an eleven year old’s scrape wounds he had suffered falling while running and hiding inside an service crawl. The Casualty numbers were depressing. “943 dead among them many civilians and 1532 wounded of which more than 500 were very critical. Over...
Har-Hi and I returned to our dorm and Mao greeted us.” Have you two decided to kill each other at a later time?” “Yes we decided to postpone that.” Har-Hi answered. “That is good. Because we are complete now and I am tired to be behind in everything.” I said.” We are complete in what and where are you behind?” “First things first.” Mao replied.” You got to meet the rest, just in case so you don’t bust furniture across someone else’s back.” Mao stepped into the middle of the dorm room.”...
He remembered the last moments of his life quite vividly. They had led him up to the scaffold, after they had removed all his rank insignia. Commander Stone before him actually collapsed and the marines had to drag him to his spot on the scaffold. It took all his will power not to do the same and set one foot before the other. The solemn beat of the drums stopped and the Executioner asked him if he had any last words. He had none, the night before he had written a letter to his son Swybin and...
The ‘American Spirit’ was nothing I expected a space ship to look from the inside. It was more like a luxurious villa, complete with garden, swimming pool and green lawn. We stepped through a glass sliding door under a blue sky with a single yellow sun and on the green plant surface he called grass, was a table with umbrella and a few garden chairs. Rolling hills with forests in the distance. “All simulated of course,” Alex explained. “The walls are actually only 30 meters from us, but I...
The best day in my life was when I turned seven and I could go to Union school being away from the Burg and away from my father was like breathing lighter air. Everyone had to go to Union school. That was Union Law and it superseded local law. Union school was such a long part of our society that it too became an Old Tradition and therefore was good. At school I learned that Nilfeheim was a Water-World and that we all originally came from a Planet named Earth and settled here long time...
It was the last hour of our last school day. Mr. Walters handed out the final grades and said.” This is the last time I am doing this for you. When you return next year, a new teacher will try to pound some knowledge into your thick skulls. I am going to be transferred to another school, still on Nilfeheim but they thought I be best suited to try my hand on the even wilder Neo Vikings of the South Pole.” He then shook everyone’s hand and said a few words to everyone. When he reached me he...
We entered the outmost orbit of the Dover System ten hours before the deadline. Har-Hi who stood next to me sighed. “I wished it would have taken longer. This is what I am born for, to be aboard a ship and roam the stars’”. I felt the same way and agreed with him, saying. “Me too.” The doors opened and Wetmouth stepped through, taking her seat behind the small science station at the rear of the bridge. I observed Har Hi who acted as the OPS officer of our little crew dedicating sensors...
I went down the narrow stair case to find out if there was a God living in the Old Man’s basement. Now I had reached the bottom of the narrow stair case and it expanded into a large natural grotto. The old man had a very large, and from the looks of it a natural Sub Pen under his rock. It was cold and moist and without my light it would have been pitch dark. There was no god and no mystery down here. At least there wasn’t any more garbage either. I did for a moment see a movement in the water...
Mr.Flensburger was now gone for a week and we had a new teacher. Mr. Walters was his name and he was much different to the jovial and gentle Mr. Flensburger. He was stern and had a no nonsense approach. This Monday morning, right by the main doors I saw Yngve Lofdahl waiting for me. He had a busted; bleeding lip and his left eye was swelling. Like me he was wearing a fur vest over a linen tunic that reached halfway to the knees, linen breeches and boots. Usually he always looked like he wore...
(List of Characters) Eric Olafson – A teenage Neo Viking leaves his home world for the first time. To travel and eventually to join the Union Navy Elena Olafson – technically a cousin to Eric, but since she was adopted by Eric’s father, she is now known as his sister. Isegrim Olafson – The current clan chief of the Olafson clan, and Eric’s father Lothar Olafson – Eric’s half brother The Ancient – aka Elkhart the Keeper. An old man claiming to have forgotten to die. Officially he is the...
The Devastator had excellent recreational facilities and offered something for almost any taste, but the most liked recreation area was called The Village. It was a small down town area complete with shops, cafés, micro breweries, night-clubs, restaurants, Virtu-show halls and theatres. The sky appeared real with moving clouds and a warm yellow sun. It would even rain or snow once in a while. The Village centered on a park with grass, trees, flower patches and narrow duro-crete walking paths....
I was still as tired as a Tyranno during Longnight when the lights came on and a voice barked via the PA system: “0400 hours Cadets rise and shine. 0430 is Breakfast. At 0500 you will receive your first class in the Elbhard Auditorium.” And we found ourselves in said Auditorium at that time an hour later. Clean, fed and still tired. Again I tried to find a place in the back, so I could perhaps close my eyes for few moments. The Pan Saran Officer was already there. “Good Morning Class.” We...
Prelude Part 4: Volund 4999, OTT The crumbling walls of Olafson Burg were no longer on his mind. Volund was now the steward of Ragnarsson Rock. Erik Gustav had kept his word and had given him the stewardship and rule of all that was Ragnarsson on this world. There were tanneries in the extensive basements, several Nubhir farms on the permanent ice of the southern polar region, and large Fangsnapper herds. Best of all, there were five modern and well-kept fishing boats and three hunting...
The Hyperion approached Arsenal IV just as Captain Zezz said with only eight hours to spare before I had to report for my third year posting. The extended time of my stay aboard the battle ship appeared to have gone by even faster. The Klack XO touched my face with his antennae. “You have been outstanding at the OPS station. I have seen many others struggle with that position.” “Thank you Sir. Your guidance and the tutor ship of the other bridge officers was the real reason I managed.” To...
The Attack came totally unexpected. The scanner operator of the American Dream was watching GalNews about the space battle between Dai, Nogoll and Union forces like everyone else on the bridge and thus missed the fast approaching contact. I was still sitting in the Command chair, while the main viewer showed high definition recordings of the space battle of Union Fleet against the Dai and the Nogoll. Titanic fists shock the yacht so violently that Calia Lethra, Alex and everyone else...
The Space bus came out of FTL and approached the blue and white sapphire sphere that was Nilfeheim. I had 6 month before I had to return to the Academy. This was my home world and I was longing to take a long deep dive and feel the fresh cold water all around me, it was of course still Longnight. That I had left Nilfeheim just a little over a year ago was something I could hardly believe. So much has happened since then; it felt I had been gone for much longer. “I wonder how Nilfeheim is...
Harris watched the young man disappear in his quarters and then went back to Stahl who was still there. “You know this was an exceptionally cruel test. I felt like an idiot acting that way.” “And he had the guts to tell you.” Stahl responded. “That is a first one.” “He is the first one I know off who went to the end, all the way to that triple rotten Light gag. I would have pissed myself without those Saresii Sonics, looking in a TKU and suddenly seeing a light.” Stahl raised an eyebrow....
“No need to be afraid First Daughter!” the Old man said and the gun spun out of Freydis hand and floated in mid air. “I am Egill Skallagrímsson, the Eldest. I am sure some of you have heard of me. My friend here is Elkhart the First Keeper of Hasvik. We are not here to harm you, arrest you, kill you or stop you from what you are doing! We came because this world of ours is in grave danger, because we too believe it is high time all citizens of this world are heard and because together we are...
I tried to get up and managed but I was stiff as a frozen snapper fur in Longnight, I was more sore than I realized and colder than I ever was. This time he let me get in. The door led into a short tunnel shaped corridor passing through the tall massive rock wall. Judging by the length of the tunnel, the walls must have been at least 10 meters thick. The steel door swung close behind us, making absolutely no sound as it did. Two boys perhaps my age, wearing dark long fur coats were behind the...
The commander stood at the window of his spacious office overlooking the lake and jungle with his hands clasped behind his back watching a group of cadets struggling with a heavy wooden log. They had to carry it over an obstacle course and only by working together could this task be achieved. This ancient time tested exercise promoted team work, group coordination and leadership. This exercise had been used by Navy trainers even before the Galactic Ascent on good old Earth. Of course it...
“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...
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...