I wondered if she had done such clandestine things before, as it seemed she had quite the experience, but I decided not to ask. I spotted the credit box on the nightstand and just out of curiosity, checked the readout and almost fell over. The readout showed a secure account with ten million Union Creds.
She came out of the bathroom and looked around. “As good as it gets. Let’s get out of here and pay for the room and for extra cleaning.”
We left the suite and went down a glass elevator into a plush decorated foyer. A truly white-faced humanoid with sunken eyes wearing a tuxedo-like outfit bowed slightly behind the counter and greeted us as we approached. “We are always very grateful for Sojonit patronage. I hope everything was to the Sister’s satisfaction?”
Moistpromise declined her head gracefully. “The Velvet Pasha meets the expectations of our customers, as always. We had a rather extensive session, and I would like to order immediate room service and book the room for the rest of the week.”
He pressed a contact and nodded. “Room service has been dispatched right away.”
The read out on his terminal showed 1900 Creds, and I swiped the box and left a hefty tip. I lowered the lashes behind the mask and said, “That is for you. Your attention to excellent service is well received.”
He pushed his chest out and smiled proudly. “You are too kind! Thank you so much. This is very generous.”
Just then, six beings came through the main entrance door. They wore armor-plated uniforms and were armed to the teeth. One of them came straight to the counter, touched a control on his left gauntlet and a projected holo of my face appeared floating above it. He barked at the white-skinned man behind the counter. “Have you seen this man?”
The desk attendant looked the man down. “This is the Pasha! We are operated and owned by the Maroni family! We would not divulge such information if we had it!” On his signal, a big Quadiped appeared from behind an alcove and planted his massive body behind the desk clerk and rasped with his steel barrel voice, “It is very unhealthy to mess with the Maroni. I suggest you bounty hunters leave now!”
“We have permissions from the Cartel to search. So, tell us, have you seen this man?”
The desk clerk shook his head, “No, I have not.”
Moistpromise took me by the arm and guided me toward the exit, one of the bounty hunters—more cyborg than man—stepped in our way, and he, too, produced the holo. “Have you seen him? There is a nice reward on his head!”
“We serviced no such man!” she said. “Now let us pass!”
He grunted something unfriendly, but one of his colleagues pulled at his shoulder. “Let the Sojos go. They are protected in ways you do not want to mess with.” I could feel their eyes on my back as we left for the park deck.
Her pink Mercedes was already waiting and only after she piloted it in a steep curve above the peaks of the skyscrapers and protected by its powerful shields did I relax. “Whew, I thought he noticed something.”
She giggled. “Yes, he did, your ass! He had lots of machine parts, but he was still a man.”
The city was as dirty and gray during the day as it was at night. The air was full of smoke and soot, and I looked around and sighed. “What a place!”
She looked at me from the side and said, “Sin 4 is not just casinos and prostitution. It produces lots of illegal wares. Drugs and weapons being on top of the list and companies take advantage of the cheap labor Lows, Skath, and slaves provide, and there are no regulations, no laws. All waste is simply dumped anywhere. The city as you see it below us spreads almost over the entire continent, and there are estimates that there are between eight and twelve billion beings living here, and most of them living at the bottom of the social feeding chain. Not even counting the true owners of this world, the native Sticks.”
I asked, “Who are the Sticks?”
She answered, “A tribal pre-industrial species that is native to Sin 4. They are treated even worse than the Skaakh. Most of them live on the Southern continent, but often they round them up for meat, for slave labor. It is very depressing.”
“I wonder why anyone wants to live here!”
“Because Sin 4 is within reach of the four big powers, not to mention the Kartanian, the Togar and dozens of smaller civilizations not associated to any of the big four.” She must have noticed despite my mask that I wondered who the big four were because she added, “Out here in known Free Space, we call the Union, the Kermac, the Nul-Nul, and the Shiss simply the Big Four. You know by treaty of the last cease-fire agreement; this is Free Space. None of the four powers are allowed to send warships here and all four watch closely the others don’t violate this treaty.
“So this world became a haven for the scum and criminal elements of the galaxy, and it is big business. Anything that is illegal in any of the four powers can be bought or sold here. It is a neutral meeting ground, hostages and blackmail money can be exchanged, as you learned yourself.”
I sighed. “Whenever I think I know a little about the universe, I find out I know really nothing.”
She steered the flyer toward the open ocean and said, “I think you need to be one of those mystical Immortals the Union claims to have, to really know and understand it all.”
I agreed with her, “Yes, I think you are right. Maybe Stahl and McElligott have a chance to do that.”
Moistpromise said, “Not that anyone believes they are real, but you mention the name of the Eternal Soldier around here in a spacers bar, and you can see real fear in the eyes of hardboiled privateers and pirates that usually fear nothing. Some believe he is just well-done propaganda or some kind of avatar projection, but there are quite a few who think he is a demon or a god.”
“He is real, and he assured me he is no god, even though he comes pretty close to a deity aboard the Devi.”
Her eyes went wide behind the slits of her mask. “You actually met Admiral Stahl and saw the Devastator?”
I could not help but feel a deep surge of pride and said, “I am a midshipman aboard the Devastator, and I have talked to the Immortal in person.”
Just as she wanted to respond and we were almost over the ocean, two armed skimmers came close; one was open and filled with rough-looking warriors. They looked us over, then they waved and yelled obscene suggestions, turned around, and left.
She said, “That is why we use open skimmers. So they can see we never have anything to hide. It is part of our agreement with the Cartels. In exchange, we are untouchable, and no one dares to attack a Sojonit.”
I noticed the gray unhealthy looking water of the ocean around the continent’s shore turned to a beautiful shade of azure green. There were small islands in the distance with expensive villas. She made a big circle around them and said, “Those are the family villas, belonging to the top bosses of the Cartel. They have any weapon money can buy, the best mercenaries and they shoot first and rarely ask questions if you get too close without being expected.”
After a few minutes of flight, we approached a larger green island, and I realized what a feat it must have been for a little girl rowing a little makeshift boat all the way out here, and Wetmouth’s story took on a whole new dimension in my mind.
The Island was covered with well-tended green parks, and in its center was an immense statue of a reclined naked woman in a very provocative position. The statue’s face looked exactly like the masks all Sojonites wore.
I estimated the statue to be at last 200 meters tall.
She chirped with a happy tone in her voice, “Welcome to Sojo Island. This is our sanctuary and our temple!”
Small structures that looked like frilly garden pagodas turned with us, and I saw the muzzles of modern FTL projectors extending from white roofs following our flight path.
She noticed it, too. “The island is perhaps the best-defended place on this planet, and this fact is well known. Here you are as safe as can be, as no man is allowed in the inner sanctuary. You will be the first. Do not reveal your tr
ue nature to anyone, even other sisters, till we met the Mother Superior!”
“I won’t.”
“Your mask and wig are registered, and you can freely move. Anyone trying to use a fake disguise would not make it that far!”
I said, “I am glad to wear the real thing then.”
She steered the pink flyer toward one of the gigantic perky breasts of the statue and a hidden door opened at its base and admitted us.
We landed in a spherical hangar, and there was a small fleet of these pink Mercedes flyers parked.
I knew the price of a used Opel flyer and could only guess at the price of these, especially here so far from Union markets. “Well, it seems business is good!”
She laughed. “It is often called the oldest business in the universe. No matter the times, we always have a steady stream of customers. Our reputation is old and well earned.”
It was cool in here, and the air smelled of a faint feminine perfume, the same scent I always noticed on Wetmouth and the same perfume Moistpromise and I now wore. The corridors she was leading me through had no straight lines and had an organic round asymmetric design. The floors covered with soft carpets muffled our steps. Even though I did enjoy the staccato of our heels in the hangar we just left.
There were Sojonites everywhere, and only a few wore masks. Some wore simple white robes and others nothing at all. Moist explained to me as we walked, “Here in the temple, we do not have to wear our masks. But some of us wear them for so long they became such an integral part of us that we feel naked without them.”
I could understand that and kept on looking around, taking in the sights of this unusual place. Antiques and artwork from all over the galaxy depicting humans and non-human species in all forms of sexual contact were displayed everywhere. I noticed a statue of a Quadiped in the middle of a quite obvious act and asked. “How is it you can offer your services to let’s say to a Quadiped, and yet I see no non-human species here?”
She responded, “These are secrets I cannot reveal to you, but a fully educated Sister can service any being, and we know all about the most intimate practices of every known life form as well.”
We stepped into a small elevator that followed the arched body of the female statue into its head and from there she guided me into a very tasteful decorated room with antique-looking furniture. A Sojonit awaited us. She was the first I’d seen who did not wear pink but a deep red gown. The hair of her wig was much longer but cut in the same style, and it, too, was not pink but had a deep red shade. The lips of her mask were closed.
The masked woman inspected me with glittering eyes and then said, “Welcome Eric, I am the Mother Superior of the Order of the Sojonit Goddess who is the Mother of the universe and source of all pleasure.”
I instinctively bowed and said, “It is an honor, ma’am!”
She said to Moistpromise, “Thank you for bringing him here and keeping him safe.”
Moistpromise spread her arms and curtsied. “I live to serve the goddess!” With these words, she turned and left the room. I was alone with the mysterious woman.
She gestured toward a soft and comfortable looking seating group arranged around a low table with a single big candle on top that appeared to be the source of the sweet perfumed scent of the room. “Have a seat and get comfortable. You are welcome to take off the mask, of course.”
I sat down and took the flexible mask off.
She walked to an expensive-looking, delicate carved armoire and asked, “Would you care for something to drink? I have real Terran Line Aquavit here and a nice selection of beers!”
I wanted to decline, but the prospect of a cold beer was quite alluring, and I said, “A beer would be great.”
She opened the armoire, revealing a modern Union-style Serv-Matic, produced a frosted mug, and handed it to me along with a bottle of Budsteiner, one of the most common and quite good Union brands. “I am sorry, I don’t have Holsteiner but I will have it on hand if you ever return here.”
I thanked her and poured the golden liquid into the mug, producing a nice white crown. My mouth became dry in anticipation and I took a long drought. If there was a heaven or a Valhalla, I was near that state at this very moment.
A little ashamed, I put the glass down; there was nothing left but some foam in the bottom. She laughed with a pearly, silvery voice, “By the goddess, you are the first Neo Viking Sojonit and it clearly shows.”
I squinted my eyes. “Ma’am, it appears you know a lot of details about me.”
She sat down and crossed her legs. “I believe your security clearance is Blue-Blue-Red. You are a midshipman in the third year, and you are currently posted aboard the Devastator. Your graduation is only two months off if I am correct.”
She knew more than a person outside the fleet should have known about me, and I became suspicious. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, ma’am, but are you associated with those who brought me here?”
She shook her head. “No worries, young man. I know Richard and O’Brock. I know both of them trust you very much and had lots to say about you when I informed them you had been found.” She made a gesture that incorporated the room and everything around her. “You see, this is not only a Sojonit temple but an outpost of the oldest known intelligence service, known to an elect few as the Gray Cat Society of Sar.”
I was surprised by that; I had never heard of the Gray Cat Society or even knew the Saresii had an intelligence service. I said, “I thought all national military and intelligence services had been consolidated in Fleet and NAVINT at the signing of the National Resource Unification Act of 3000.”
She nodded. “That is the official line, but we still exist, and so does the elusive Terran Space Intelligence Service that is still operating under the command of another Terran Immortal.” She shifted her position and tugged on the skirt of her dress. “Because you are here and because I think you need to know, I am going to initiate you into our most guarded secrets over the next few weeks.”
If she was more than just the head of a religious order, I thought she might know and so I asked her, “Do you know how and why I ended up here?”
She nodded. “Yes, I do. Admiral Dent was a deeply entrenched agent of the Worm. The Worm fears the new activity of the Narth and their willingness to boost the ranks of the PSI Corps and so do the Kermac. The Kermac have tried to abduct you before; if you recall your ordeal at Camp Idyllic.”
She knew everything about me, and I said, “Why me? I am just one of many and come from a very unimportant planet.”
“Because you are the first who can claim to be the friend of a Narth and, more so, the Narth confirmed that by making you a high representative of their species. You are young and new to all this, I know, but regarding galactic importance, there isn’t much above the Narth. They are not only the most enigmatic species known; they have been around for longer than even the mythical Pree and the Uni. Now comes along a human, from as you say, an unimportant planet and befriends the first Narth to ever join the Union Fleet. They tried to abduct him to study him, to use him as a tool to lift the secrets of the Narth and when that failed, you became the next target. They think that you hold a key, that you are important enough for the Narth to reveal their secrets. As much as the Worm fears the Narth, the Kermac are truly terrified, and they believe their very existence is threatened if the aggressive Earthers gain access to Narth knowledge and technology. So, they worked through their agents and are paying the Worm to get you.”
I frowned. “Little good would it do; I know very little about the Narth and there is nothing they could do to me to sell out my friend and tell them what little I do know.”
The mysterious woman leaned forward and patted my knees. “I can only imagine how terrifying and big these things must appear to you, but you have managed to stand on your own, and you are far from an average midshipman. Do you know just how many people have ever met both the Eternal Soldier and the administrator?”
Before I co
uld answer, she continued, “It is a small group, for most of these men are nothing more than legendary figures that have existed at one point long ago. Others believe these are titles bestowed on new beings, but you have met them, and they know you. You rubbed shoulders with the Queen of Saran; the Queen of Klack and the Pan Saran Emperor know of you. Not to mention that your great-grandfather Egill is known to be one of the wise men of the Assembly. All of this, Eric, makes you far from average.”
I had held my breath as she said all this and somehow I knew she was right; I was different from the other cadets in that regard. “I never thought of myself as anything but normal and average.”
“How many average cadets do you know who have the Medal of Honor and are cleared to the highest classification level? There have been less than fifty individuals who ever commanded the Devastator since Stahl came back with that mighty battleship. I have it on good authority you even commanded her during a space battle.”
Her pointing all that out made me actually feel quite uncomfortable, and I wondered what this all meant. “It sort of happened; I did not plan any of this.”
Mother Superior laughed again. “I am certain you didn’t. No one can plan their destiny; only go their way as good as possible. I don’t know what destiny waits for you, but Algear told me to give you some tools and knowledge that will help you in the future.”
“Who is Algear?”
“The best friend of Egill. He is a Saresii and when I told him of you, he wanted me to reveal all this to you. In the hopes this knowledge might come useful to you one day.”
I tried to digest all this and then I said, “If Dent is an agent of the Worm, he could put his goons everywhere! Admiral Stahl must be informed!”
She had an assuring tone in her voice as she said, “He knows. Admiral Dent has been killed by a certain Dai you know, and your friends know you are alive. Your friend Narth is with them. You will be reunited with them soon.”
Eric Olafson: Space Pirate Page 6
