Erica Olafson Adventures of the Tigershark Vol 7 Chapter 14 Kilkam
- 4 years ago
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I was with Sodoby and Warner in our Den trying to find a prominent spot for my latest souvenir, the creepy golden mask, when Narth came in.”Captain, I am certain we have the locations of all Seenian worlds and depots. I correlated my memorized visuals with the data copy of Tyron and SHIP created a set of time adjusted Nav targets.”
“We still need to follow the pirates and take them out. I was also told that finding the inheritance does not mean you can access it unless you have been judged by the Anagoge.”
“I must say this is a favorable answer.”
I pulled the mask over a head-form, Warner had fabricated.”Do you favor my answer? That is a strange response indeed.”
“It is not so and reflects the sentiment of 96 percent of your crew.”
Specialist Warner who had climbed to the fourth tier of this souvenir shelf.”I think it is more like a hundred percent, but maybe Lt. Narth is calculating Holdians and perhaps Mini Terrans differently.”
“No, Mr. Warner. I assigned a value of one to all sentients, I can read and a value of zero to those I can not or who have a different opinion. The ninety-six percentage is Holdian inclusive.”
I stepped down from the chair I had used to reach the upper shelf tier and said.”I still have no idea what are you saying. Why would my answer is seen in a positive way?”
Warner explained. “If we find the inheritance and eliminated the pirates, we are all bound to return to Richter. Some going to be re-assigned. Your captain will go to command school or perhaps serve as an XO on a different ship so they can make your acting rank real. It means the end of the Tigershark crew as it is now.”
Narth actually nodded.”96 percent of our crew hopes we go on for a long time till that happens.”
“Paint me an Ult, and I thought most of the guys want to go home and have a nice vacation or something.” But I realized he was right.”I was only an acting captain after all and completing our mission meant, I reverted to be a lieutenant like the others. This was what McElligott said when he made me acting captain. I didn’t even think about all this until now. The USS Tigershark was a prototype and might be decommissioned or receive a new captain. The need for an unknown captain and crew was becoming obsolete once the Red Dragon was slain.
I tried to suppress a sigh and said.”Let us cross that bridge when it comes to being crossed. The Dragon is still there and we have not taken possession of the Seenian depot. I am very glad however that my crew is in good spirits.”
I looked at the mask for a moment and then said.”SHIP, seal that information in a special file and put in your most secure spot. Then erase all other files that mention the locations of these Seenian places.”
“I am storing it in the NNNTH interface.No one but you and I can access it.”
Sodoby who had not said a word also looked at the shelf that held some of the souvenirs and artifacts we collected so far.”You might be young in years Captain, but you are very wise indeed.”
“You know why I decided to do so?”
“Yes, Captain. Those minds who decided to seal what they found on Arsenal III had the same concerns. Someone might decide to use the Seenian inheritance to accelerate Union technology and use it to expand it by military means. Some groups might decide it is time for a single ruler.”
Our conversation was interrupted by Har-Hi stepping into the Den, carrying a big steel banded box and followed by a tall dignified and old looking Dai.
My Dai XO wrestled the obviously heavy case onto our big table and said.”Captain, please let me introduce you to Kai-Do, he is Okthi but I find honor in him. He is the last of the Do tribe as far as he knows.”
Har-Hi crossed his arms before his chest and gave the old man an honor greeting.”He is also a Laro-Gy.”
I repeated the Dai gesture of respect and said.”My friend has invited you, so let me add my welcome.”
“I am the one honored, Captain Velvet. Prince Hi has told me much about this ship and you, he asked my vows to keep all secrets I am exposed to.”
“Master of Masters, welcoming a Dai that has the right to carry the Gy is the rarest of privileges and if Har-Hi trusts you and decided to expose you to our true nature, then so will I.”
The old Dai glanced at Har-Hi.”She speaks perfect Dai and knows much about us.”
Har-Hi said with a proud voice.”She is my best friend and ever since we are friends, she eagerly learns about Dai Than.”
Kai-Do crossed his arms.”I am presenting myself as a conscript and desire to be more than a passenger. Prince Hi refused to go to Thana Shoo and ursup the evil that spreads from the hand of Cam Elf-Na and spoke of bonds that are deeper than everything. I was skeptical inside and asked him to grant me passage on your ship, so I may see this Union and speak with Tar Ka-Hi. Now meeting you, I sense the bond that exists between you and the prince. I am skeptical no more.
“It might be a while till we return to Union space, Master Do. I am also not sure when we are going to Thana Shoo and tackle the Elf-Na issue, but we will.”
“I have no doubts.”
“Har-Hi why don’t you show our newest addition to appropriate quarters and make sure Master Do is aware what it means to be conscripted. He will be honored and a welcome guest if he chooses not to.”
Har-Hi nodded and was about to take the big trunk when the old man said.”Not this one, Prince. It contains my gift to the captain.” To me he said.”If time permits, I like to see your blade skills and then I want you to have what is inside that trunk.”
I had given most of my crew shore leave. I told them to stay in groups. Warned Circuit from buying any souvenirs that might be alive and decided to trust them, not to cause trouble.
This was an orderly world, but also the center of a sizeable space traveling society. The planet offered the usual recreation options but also mountains, oceans, forests and beaches and most of all open skies.
It gave me a sense of delight seeing Ensign Orkis spreading his wings and soar into the sky. He promised to fly to the port complex to be scanned and cleared before he explored the beautiful vista of this world.
It was then when I was contacted by Crimson. He told me about his experience inside the Wisdom Hall and that he knew where the library was and that he had the key for it as well.
He then said.”Captain Velvet, I am taking the lead and you are welcome to tag along. Neither the Dragon nor the Bassett woman speaks for all of us.”
“But she seems to express the sentiment of the majority.”
“I am not begging or asking anything. Either you decide to come along and I honor my word or you go where ever you want. I am sure you did not leave the Hall of Wisdom empty handed, you know where the library is just as I do.”
“Alright, Crimson we will follow you to the library and see what develops. When do we leave?”
“The locals holding court over Captain Carrhrh and decide upon his fate tomorrow. Captain Lemakr is still in a hospital, they say he not only lost his arm but also his mind. I will go there this afternoon and see about him, he is a crook but he is part of us and I think I owe him that.”
The Oghr shrugged and added.”After we know what will happen to them and their crews, I guess we can go.”
“Alright, I stick around for a bit.”
Mao said.”For a pirate and criminal, he seems to have a decent streak and holds to a code of honor.”
Shaka sitting relaxed behind his console agreed.”I think he is the only real pirate of the group anyway. The others are just crooks. They say he is in that business for over forty years.”
Hans standing by his security console said.”He is wanted for piracy alright, but he doesn’t do slave raids or kill for fun.”
I got up.”Guys we have at least two days on the first decent planet. Find rotations and enjoy a little time under an open sky. I take a break and take the Conn for the next shift.”
The day passed without incidents. I could not be prouder than about the report of Har-Hi. Our crew was rotating through shore leave without a single incident and they all returned right on time.
I had written my daily log and for the first time left out some details. I was not even sure why I did it, but the closer we got to that inheritance the more I felt unsure as to what to do when we found it.
Crimson called again telling me about his hospital visit. “Lemakr was stable in physical terms, but he claimed to have seen a Goddess. He is abandoning the quest and wants to return to Togr and join some sort of reformation movement, revolving around someone with a white fur. Not that it made any sense to me. However, he’s out, no need to wait for him.”
I knew of course what Lemakr was talking about, he had seen Jolaj. What the deal was with that reformation movement, I did not know but I figured it was also related to the Queen’s conduct regarding Jolaj.
I was about to slip out of my robe to go to bed and sleep a little when SHIP announced a visitor, Shea was outside my door.
Of course, I let her in and said.”You don’t have to use the chime, love. We are both out of uniform and we are more than friends. We are right?”
She rushed into my arms.”Of course, we are. I just needed to be held, I had a very emotional day yesterday with that dead brother telling me about my real father. It made me so mad, hearing that he is some sort of ancient demigod and still found it appropriate to leave my mother and me on Sin 4.”
“I never understood or forgiven my father Isegrim for murdering my mother. To this day I am wondering if I made the right decision to let him live. I could not even kill my stepmother when I had a chance. I have no words for you that make it easier, but I found a new family and all the bliss in your arms.”
She nuzzled against my cheek and sighed deeply. I could smell her wonderful scent and feel her warm body underneath her velvet suit.
It did not take long and we found ourselves in my bed and from hugs and kisses it led to much more. Exhausted, deeply satisfied and stimulated to the tips of my nerves I caressed her thick soft tresses as her head rested upon my chest.
She looked up and whispered.”You are no longer confused about it all, right?”
“More than ever in some regards, not during the day or so but loving you makes me wonder and question it all. Not as much as it has.”
“I am happy just the way it is.
“You could move in with me you know. There is enough room in my quarters and there are no official regulations prohibiting it.”
“But there are many unwritten ones and maybe as a captain, you need your solitude once in a while.”
“Tell me one regulation written or unwritten we haven’t bent to their maximum or right out ignored. Now it was only a suggestion of course. If I want solitude I find that in my office.”
“He is some sort of entity, my father that is.” She told me everything she experienced at the grave of her father’s brother and then she said.”Maybe I am some sort of non-human creature as well.”
“You are an angel to me, girl. I told you all about that strange journey I am supposed to be on and it scared the living daylight out of me. It does no longer, I am who and what I am and I give a hoot about what others want me to be, including whatever is inside me. I am not going to change or submit to be a plaything of other forces. Our journey has taught me a few things, my love. Chief is the realization that I am indeed not alone. That whatever we face, whatever I face there is something that can be done about it.”
She softly caressed my chest.”That is good advice and I hoped for a little while now, that you ask me to move in.”
“You should also talk to Narth. Through him, you can access the wisdom of the Narth Supreme. Of all the entities I met, the Narth Supreme is the one I trust most. Maybe he has answers or advice for you as well.”
“I will.”
“Now should we get some breakfast or resume our earlier activities. You touching my boobs for some reason makes me hungry as hell, but not for food.”
Her thoughtful face was suddenly graced with an elfish grin.”You’re not hungry but horny and I think we can skip breakfast for lunch...” Her voice trailed off as she kissed me while her hands...
Narth and Circuit had taken the opportunity to take shore leave. Narth of course because he was infinitely curious about the physical universe and was eager to experience more of the Porsthir civilization and why Circuit wanted to go was no secret to anyone aboard the Tigershark, despite him insisting on just going along with Narth for the sights. That he carried a substantial amount of Polo coins and Iridium chips was simply a coincidence.
Neither one had the slightest problem clearing the port controls. There was nothing alive in or on the X101 and of course, there were none on the Narth.
As they emerged from the controls. Narth pointed out a glowing sign and said.”Your first visit should be that establishment.”
“Why? I don’t even know what they selling. I was just thinking I could risk a look over there. That spaceport business seems to sell souvenirs.”
“Because they are selling the local currency in exchange for other valuables, such as that vast quantity of coins you carry and the additional funds you asked me to place in my subspace pocket.”
“Now I know why the captain always picks you to come with her. You are a good resource to have as a friend.”
“I think there are other parameters the Captain uses to pick those who accompany her, but this Narth is glad you think of me as a good resource.”
The Centmac’s eyes glowed a little brighter. “I know you can’t really read me, but I hope you know how I meant it.”
“I don’t read any of my friends, I trust them. I trust you, Circuit. Besides you have skills that make you a good resource to have around as well.”
The Narth added.”However, you should not trust the money exchanger. Our Iridium coins are much more valuable than he will make us believe.”
“That is why I brought a secret weapon, Narth.”
He turned and pointed at a Holdian that just came through the airlock door that separated the landing field facilities and the hygiene inspection station from the rest of the concourse. Warner shook his small fist.”Those overgrown mutts insisting on scanning me twice. I deal with machinery and not with biologicals and I am on top of my species grooming habits.”
“Yet you insist on eating fermented Ornti Chew Leaves whenever you can. I bet a hundred credits it was a bag of that stuff that set their scanners off.” Circuit said managing to modulate his artificial voice with a friendly mocking tone.
“Keep your money. I am not betting with my boss who is in cahoots with a Narth. He probably heard the inspectors.”
“I am also in cahoots with you, Specialist Warner as I convinced the inspector to let you keep those Leaves. I have however not mentioned anything to Circuit.”
“That explains his sudden change of mind and completely forgetting about them. I would have hated to give them up. None came aboard while we met the Devi and it might be a long time until we see Union stores.”
“This is because you forgot to buy them while you were at the Devi village, too busy flirting with that Holdian beauty.”Circuit kept mocking his friend.
Narth asked.”Do you resent this long deployment? We might not be home anytime soon.”
“Resent being aboard the Tigershark, me? Narth didn’t you hear what I explained to the Captain. I rather chew on nothing than missing one minute. I’d fly with her to the end of time.”
Circuit stopped Narth from correcting the Holdian.”If you start with your lectures on temporal and spatial conditions, we will stand here till that mentioned end for certain.” To the sentient rodent, he said.”There is a money changer, can you help us get a good rate?”
The Porthir money changer cursed after the transaction was done.”Whatever species you are, little one. You’d give a Golden a run for his money.”
Circuit took the sizeable stack of Porthir money which was in elongated strips of woven gold pads of different sizes and values.”He is hanging out day and night with one and I knew he had to pick up some of the skills.”
The Holdian was visibly proud.”Sobody will be very pleased if I managed to learn a little of him.”
True to his word, Circuit went straight to the souvenir dealer. Narth and Warner remained outside as they noticed a group of Tigershark crew apparently returning from their shore leave. Ak Fective was with them and so were two Petharian marines in pirate disguise of course. directed them to the best shopping district and recommended to get there with an underground tram that was free of charge to use.
While they were talking to their crewmates, Circuit came back out of the store and held up a metal disc.”Ten local money credits, a genuine Token.”
Ak Fective made a gnarling sound.”Maybe there is a store where they sell the location of the depot.”
That caused laughter and Fective said.”It looks like they saving the Union the cost of an execution too. Every local I talked to thinks Captain Carrhrh will be executed.”
While Fective and the other crew members went back to the ship
The three beings, one a rodent, one a Sentmac and one a real Narth who were more than just comrades, leisurely left the spaceport concourse.
But before they could use a declining transport belt to get to those trams, a familiar person stepped into their way, it was Kilkam.
Narth said even before the old man could speak.”You toyed with the life of my best friend and my captain. Did you come to find out that I am indeed Narth and that your psionic talents are inadequate?”
Warner dropped his right paw on his blaster.”Don’t worry about the littering. I burn you to atomic ashes, traitor.”
“The captain said we need to stay out of trouble and we will, but if you ever step in our way again. I show you what nanites can do to a living being.”
Kilkam raised his hands.”I know how protective you are about your captain. I came to apologize and explain, I know she will listen to you.”
“I fail to see the reason, why I should advocate on your behalf. Would your actions caused her harm, you could not find a place to hide from my anger.”
“The mask I have given her is a priceless artifact with the potential to find the other cache. There is more to this quest and to the inheritance. She might have hesitated, we needed to know if she is the right one. I must talk to her.”
“Then go ask her yourself. She is the captain and no one but her has the authority to grant you what you request.”
I actually wasn’t surprised about the call Elfi received. It was the former Keeper Kilkam who tried to get in touch.
That he played his games was no longer a mystery to me. That wearing his mask put me in mortal danger was a fact I did not forget, but he was an important figure in this quest and I felt I had to hear what he wanted to say.
Elfi established the connection after I agreed to speak to him.
“Alright, Kilkam. You are a central figure in all of this and I am sure you have more to share, but don’t think I will trust you again. That boat left the harbor.”
“Captain Velvet, I apologize for all it is worth, but like you, I have a mission that takes precedence and the consequences of me failing mine will change the course of history and shift the balance of powers.”
“I don’t dismiss these concerns and notions, Kilkam. That a successful completion of our quest and my mission has wide-reaching consequences lay heavy on me. I have no issue with your mission but I despise dishonesty. I have beings in this crew that in power and might are beyond me by magnitudes and yet I trust each of them. If you want to test me. Say so, and I decide if I want to be tested or if the price is too high. I then walk away and you find another subject.”
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Shea tried to catch her breath, her suit was in restore and repair mode and the system assured her that it would be fully functional in less than an hour. Krabbel was not so lucky and her Archa friend was missing a leg. Hans and the Y’All and the marines were unharmed, except for a few bruises. The island was destroyed, and the shaft leading into the deep had collapsed. Hans was sitting by Krabbel who assured her that the Auto-Doc of his suit kept him pain-free and that losing a leg was not...
After we had triaged the wounded and contacted the Union Carriers, the news spread fast. There was an intense but very short space battle. The Na tribe and their closest allies had used their ships to bring the non-Dai troops to Thana Shoo, with many Muta-Kerr and Shiruti still in the ships. They were intended to take over the mothers and battleships of the non-compliant tribes. The Dai were fired up with anger and flew their fighters with a merciless vengeance. However, the true difference...
Not just a destroyer showed up, but the entire Hi tribe and a substantial part of their allied and associated Tribes. Jarsumat Port was now filled with ships of the Hi tribe, unloading surface tanks and troops. Har-Hi and I had passed the time talking, playing the local game of dice and having a meal of spicy stew. We were a bit surprised seeing surface troops and tanks land instead of the expected destroyer. The Tar himself had come dirtside and greeted us. That the Tar felt embarrassed...
The Stellaris scientist-led us through several connecting tube tunnels and stopped at another airlock module. Space is limited, unfortunately, and we can’t accommodate Nul or ... is that a Y’All?” I put a firm tone in my voice.”Is there a problem with that?” “Oh no, I voted for their admission. I just noticed the Ensign rank insignia and wondered how it managed to get to be an officer that fast.” “He joined the Union as an individual ahead of his kind. This is Ensign TheOther, a valued...
The thing didn’t move. Narth said. “I am holding it. It is strong but not unmanageable. “SHIP called. “The asteroid has revealed previously unknown weaponry. It is taxing our shields to almost 20 percent. ““Are you in danger?” “Oh, no captain. That tech is quite advanced, and I think it is Orlan but Mao took those weapons out with kilo loads. I was just reporting. “I dialed my TKU to 10 and said. “It’s going to get mighty hot in here. Narth your shields are on, right?” “No, captain. I...
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...
The words of the Pale Ones almost seemed to linger as a hushed silence took hold of the assembled Dai. It appeared everyone was waiting for the Cam’s response. Completely out of character for a usual stern and serious Dai Than, Elf-Na grinned. It was an evil smile no doubt. “And I intend to do just that, but not in the arena. The Arena is sacred and for Dai Than only. You question my word calling that traitorous Hi tribe, Okthi and reject it. I reject his declaration that this Union female,...
Lia and her crew of outcasts, dropped out of Quasi-space at a star system eighteen light-years from the trans-spatial gate. According to her admittingly outdated information, this was the homeworld of the Farnok. They were hailed almost immediately and after a few moments, Squack language communications were established, confirming the fact, that this was not the first trans-galactic contact. The being appearing on the viewer was covered with short brown fur and had general similarities...
Har-Hi was led to a Wisdom keeper, who was without question an old Dai. The revelation that there was a Dai was quite a surprise for Har-Hi. He had not expected that, but since he had become a Union officer and traveled with Erica, he had met and seen the unthinkable. Living dust clouds, planet surface covering creatures and a planet-bound, desert scavenging Dai. He had met Dai that were born in captivity and knew a Dai tribe leader was engaged in selling Dai Than as slaves. Meeting a Dai...
The Dai Nest so I learned a week later, was a huge space station in an otherwise empty star system. It was deep in Union space. The star had been named Dai-Core. The station was made of several Gigamon stations, interconnected with girder-like structures that acted as docks and mooring arms for Dai ships and the humongous Dai Mothers. The system and the station were busy. From my visually unaided vista, a simple viewport I counted eleven Dai Mothers, I was sure there were many more outside...
The Thauran now known as Red Dragon cursed at the Situation and cursed his Sensor Operator.”You said you detected the Silver Streak in Orbit. Where is it?” “I swear to you it was there one second and now it’s gone. I think she went over the Pole. Adjusting for magnetic interference now.” “What a worthless idiot are you? Is she there or not?” “No Captain I cannot detect her ship anywhere in the system, maybe our Sensors were damaged.” “Of course your sensors are damaged. She can’t simply...
I had been in deep space before and knew how cold space was. Yet standing here on that frozen plane with these bizarre tooth or needle-shaped rock formations, with a bright star just over the horizon giving it all a bluish shine, made it look colder than anything I had seen before and I came off a very cold world myself. Not that I felt any of it, I wore a disguised Atas battle suit, made to look like a piece of undefinable alien hardware and I also wore Tyron Suit. While he assured me I...
Har-Hi had finished his report and waited for Stahl’s response. There was none, at least not right away. The Old Admiral was staring at the Dai and then wiped his mouth. “You guys found the source of the Y’All?” “Yes, Sir we are quite confident that the Crucible is indeed that source. Along with my verbal report, I have transmitted all data we were able to gather. “While we are all confident, our Captain will succeed in destroying this source. She felt that this was a number too big for...
Deep in the bowels of Quarva, Meeze reached a rock chamber, no outsider had seen since the Mara had left so long ago, There was very little light, the faint lumination that came from dim glowing mushrooms did little to reveal more than vague shadows. Meeze had little need for light, his species was well adapted to dark places and lightless crevices. There in the darkness, something big lingered, then moved and shifted. A malleable, mass oozing with stringy goo shifted its position and a...
We didn’t have to fight the Merrimac destroyer. The mercenaries immediately signaled surrender. They all were Union citizens, and according to Hans, checking the files. They did have a notice to appear issued, but were still citizens and not yet charged with anything. The ship was bristling with illegal mil-tech, but it was registered to Nick Harlequin and not to any of the surrendering mercenaries. They also reported the demise of Chucky Harlequin and wanted to know if there was any bounty...
I knew I should have paid more attention to the Laurin Oghr, especially since I knew about the Bunthik subculture. The only excuse I had was the fact that I was drunk, but then this was no excuse because I should not have left my guard down like that in an environment that was less than familiar to me. I should have suspected the presence of more than one spy. If the situation was as serious as I believed it was, the opposing actors namely this Cam Elf-Na would not give up easily. All this...
The USS Braddock swung into orbit around one of the most mysterious worlds in the entire Universe, Narth Prime. She was the first Non-Narth vessel ever to do that in over a thousand years. Captain Mike Anderson was very aware of that. No active scanning was done. He gave strict orders not to activate any probing rays or scanners other than the passive ones needed for spaceship operations. The planet was as unusual as its inhabitants and reputation. It had no visible surface features from...
Hans due to his size and strength was often seen as a bruiser with tremendous strength but little else. This was not the case since he was with the Olafson gang. He was asked about his opinion about other things. The woman across him was about as opposite as a being could be to a Saturnian, she was a Delicate. While Brana was certainly not a member of the original gang, she like the rest became like family. She had just stepped into his security office and without any hesitation floated...
A muscular being covered with a brown shroud came running our way. It had a nonhuman snout sticking out from under his hood. What was exposed of him was covered with a short gray fur. In his right, he held an elegant looking weapon. It appeared to be an energy beamer of sort, he had fired it twice into the direction he was coming from. Now he turned and with it his weapon and he aimed at me. Lucky for me I was close, unfortunate for him, I had already drawn the Dai blade. I moved fast into...
After I was reunited with my friends and my ship we left Karthanian space and returned to the space dock of Fantlemo Brthail. The Karthanian engineer had returned with us. He told us, that with the First Engineer active, the old Guildmasters would be swept away; and he realized that he no longer wanted to be a Guild leader. He rather returned to Itheamh and helped rebuild it and run his space dock. In order to maintain our cover, he reverted to his alter ego of Fantlemo Brthail and only...
The incident with the dust cloud was now over six weeks ago. Down here in completely unexplored space, it really hit home how big our galaxy really was. Back home in the Upward sector with Hyper Highways and Space trains; with known planets and systems and of course with everyone connected to GalNet space did not feel as empty and vast. We had crossed the gap and now steadily went further down the Coreward sector. Our sensors picked up some space traffic now and then, but in general, this...
The Thauran behind the altar thundered with a deep voice.”What is this?” “Itz ze Meeze, stoopiz. Meeze goez now, whenz the Meeze comz backz. Ze girlz Soburz iz bettzer reazy zo goez.” Men drew weapons, none appeared to be of Union origin and aimed it at the Wheeze. One of them said.”I never have seen a creature like that, and I can not identify the hardware it is wearing but it speaks a very garbled version of Union standard.” “Pffz youze triez to doez ze speakiz witz a ringmouz, noz...
I returned to the table where Har-Hi was talking with the former pirate captains and a former Union fleet petty officer, who had dealt with the Worm and now paid the price. “We need to get back to the ship, right away. “Har-Hi didn’t lose a second and got up, tossed a few Iridium coins on the table and was ready to follow me. Lemakr, the Togar said. “What about us, Black Velvet?” “I have all the crew I need and I am in a hurry, figure it out. “I was torn between showing them some sort of...
The disguised Tigershark dropped out of Quasi-Space and as it has become our routine just beyond the utmost Elfi said. “Looks like they had contact with our galaxy before. Communication is now possible. They respond to Squack.” I got up, Har-Hi held my mask. “You should wear it, it is part of your Black Velvet trademark and flair of mystery.” “You think I have that? I mean a flair?” “In spades, Captain and I begin to learn to like this Do suit, complete with mask. It gives me that...
He had been here once before, time of other realms had no meaning here. The ground he stood on, was a polished hard surface of highly reflective properties and stretched into every direction and into infinity. The universe with all its clusters and superstrings reflected in it from the infinite sky above this surface. This was the Plane of Eternity, a place beyond the Omniverse itself. Lumis remembered when he was brought here the first time. Then, he did not listen to the name of Lumis....
This situation reminded me of my first visit to Sin 4. I did not know where I was, brought here against my will. Abducted, stripped of everything I owned. I was once again bare feet, had several blisters and burn wounds. My hair was a mess, at least In didn’t have to go pee. Darn it thinking about it, made realize I actually did. I was still running across that landing field, not knowing where I was going, but I knew I still stuck out like a sore thumb, being the only pin skinned human. The...
I was sitting on the main diagnostic table of our sickbay. Cateria had taken me out of a regen tank just moments ago and was now examining me. “What did you do, Captain? Fight a blast furnace” I could not find the emotions to smile, Tyron’s demise was heavy on my mind. “What I faced was certainly hot enough to melt metal. “Har-Hi was standing outside the privacy bubble and said. “Whatever you guys did, worked the run-away Orlan equipment is inactive and we can no longer detect any random...
The USS Gromsmaro was not a supply transporter and not a unit of the Science Council. She was a full sized, late model Union battleship under the command of Captain Bronbohr, a four meters tall Vvolti. Bronbohr was not the most liked commanding officer in the Union fleet, but there was hardly one more correct or fair. His ship and crew were among the top ten vessels in the entire spatial navy in terms of response to alert times, simulated battle honors, efficiency ratings and so forth. The...
The news of Eric Olafson being on trial had reached Nilfeheim. First noticed by Lars Igvarhein the owner and operator of Nilfeheim Radio. That Eric had become Erica was not widely known, but his legend had grown. Isegrim, Siegfrieda, Exa, and Elenna had traveled to Hogun’s Tavern. The place was packed to standing room only. Hogun had his GalNet terminal active on GalNet One and the system displayed the proceedings on the largest field screen setting possible. Aunt Freydis was assisted by...
The latest development transmitted in the tightly packed guest room of Hogun’s Tavern was greeted with cheers and raised tankards. Gunnar Peerson said. “I guess we only hear now, what a hero our Eric Olafson really is.” “It is the strong arm of an Olafson and the sharp mind of a Ragnarsson paired with the virtues of a true Norse that is at the core of Isegrim’s firstborn that enables such deeds.” Proclaimed another. Isegrim shouted. “Mighty brother Hogun, open barrels and let your kitchen...
Rex Schwartz, now fully aware of his ancient dual personality, known as Invictus Rex had, of course, witnessed the approach and the initial attack of the Tomradi. He was confident, that the latest TransDim shields would hold against anything these aliens could throw at them from surface weapons. The appearance of these huge disc-shaped battleships however caused great concern. He brought along a sizeable army of Seenian Sentmacs. Cloned humans that had been altered to be the perfect...