"Sounds like a colorful group and I am glad you made friends."
"They respect me for who I am and never make an issue out of me being a Sojonit. It is never even a subject. Well, sometimes I get grief from other Midshipmen and crewmembers, but they never try when I am with my friends. Just the other day a load handler made some bad comments and Har-Hi, that is the Dai-Than I mentioned, made him apologize. Trust me, Dad, when Har-Hi asks someone to apologize they do."
Rex brushed over her hair. "Well he is a Dai, they are the best fighters and they are very strong."
"Har-Hi is strong but you should have seen Eric as two other Midshipmen tried to force me to unmask during a gym break. One of them needed to have most of his teeth replaced in sickbay and the other was on his knees crying for his life. He is special, Dad. Eric I mean."
The flyer approached the SII Needle and he said with a warm tone in his voice, "How so?"
"He has an IQ of only 130 and yet I always feel he is my equal intellectually. If you would need a picture for the word honorable and straight, you could use his image. I doubt there is anyone aboard the Devi who is a better fighter. Did you know he has the Medal of Honor?"
"No, I didn't know."
"Admiral Stahl let him command the Devi and he did real well too!"
"Oh yes, I heard the Old Battleax does this crazy stunt once in a blue moon and you sound like the number one fan of this Eric."
As the flyer parked itself and the doors opened she sighed, "I guess I am."
INTERLUDE: HANS AND MAO
Hans and Mao had received UWASPS. That stood for Urban Warfare and Security Personal System. Not the Quasimodo super-bulky frontal assault battlesuit, but a sleek body-shaped armor with a vast array of sensors, very smart weapon systems and advanced stealth and camouflage capabilities, normally only used by NAVINT counter intelligence and elite special forces. Much of the suit’s capabilities were highly classified and were a source of professional pride to those considered good enough to wear them. Commander Fleming, the Security Chief of the Devi, greeted them as they came out of the auto-dresser. "I know the Wolfcraft flyboys in your group think they are the cream of the crop, but I tell you boys, there aren't many allowed to stomp around in these puppies, both of you have shown me over the last weeks you have what it takes."
"Sir we are very grateful and very proud of the praise, but our flyboys are not like that. Eric and Har-Hi are our best friends." Hans said.
Mao simply nodded.
Fleming raised one of his bushy eyebrows. "Do I detect some real comradeship in a Midshipmen team? I am impressed at you, standing up for your buddies even when they are not around. I really like that!"
The Commander checked his suit and added, looking up to towering Hans, "You are a good security man, Mr. Kleinschmitt, and I wanted you permanently attached to security but I was denied." He then padded Mao on the shoulder. "You are a good man, too Mr. Mao, so don't feel left out, but your talents are wasted anywhere else except on Tactical."
Mao grinned. "No worries, Sir. I know Hans is the best and I am not jealous or anything like that, I am proud for my best bud."
Fleming completed his check and inspected the two. "What is the secret of the Olafson Gang anyway? You guys really take the cake."
"No secret Sir, it’s Eric. We got real lucky with our team leader, that and the fact that we are all real friends."
"Come on, that is an act. You can't tell me there are no rivalries and fights in your group. You got a real Sojonit, with a killer bod, perhaps the hottest-looking girl aboard the Devi with your Saran girl and several human males – that should cause friction."
Mao shrugged. "Except for Eric busting a chair over Har-Hi's back and the resulting fight, there is no rivalry or jealousy."
"You say you’ve had no quarrels, no fights the entire time?"
"None Sir," Hans and Mao answered almost at the same time.
The man sighed. "I don't need to dig further. I believe you and it confirms my investigation. Everyone I asked told me about the almost magical unity of the Olafson Gang."
"Sir, what investigation?" Mao asked.
Hans answered, "He has to investigate all angles and avenues. Any one of us could have planted the slime thing in the sink, or at least is a potential suspect in his eyes."
"You're not serious?" Mao snapped. "Not one of us would have done that!"
Fleming said, "That is why he is a good security man. He thinks like one."
"I was explaining to Mao your motivation to include us in your investigation Sir. I trust my mates with my life, all of them."
Mao scratched his chin. "Didn't you arrest Merkus and the Attikan for that anyway?"
"I can't share anything regarding the case with you but I know what is going on with Deck 54, but knowing and proving something is not always the same."
"The truth will come out eventually," Mao said. "It always does sooner or later and I sure don't want to be the guy responsible. Eric is going to dice whoever hurt Elfi before I can make a shrink head out of him." Hans pressed his immense hands together. "Unless I get to him first."
Fleming stretched out his own right arm and pointed at his gloved hand with the other. "You got a neural upload about the main functions of the suit and most of it is intuitive, but there are a few features I need to go over with you two." He then pointed at the slight bulge above the wrist."This is the smallest but perhaps most advanced Translocator Cannon there is. Please don't use it if at all possible, but it is one hell of a shield breaker. The left wrist contains your personal scanner sensor suite and it is the most important tool. Unlike the TLC I want you to use it as much as possible. Scan everything and everyone as much as you want, just don't mix up your left and right!" He laughed.
Hans and Mao grinned too.
Fleming smirked. "Follow me then. I think it good that certain folks are going to see you in those slick wasp suits." Along with Fleming came six security men and they all went to Hangar One.
The Captain's yacht, a large modified Sturgeon class, was ready.
Suppor had, of course, picked Clusen and not one of his teammates. They and the members of the Brown and Red Team waited in parade dress for the Captain to arrive.
Fleming leaned over to Mao. "You won't notice much since your suit is fully temperature-conditioned, but I asked a friend of mine in Environmental to raise the temperature of this deck to a balmy 39 degrees and raise the humidity a little."
"Commander, if anyone in parade dress would have to stand here and be human they would not be very comfortable."
"Probably not," the Security chief grinned. "The Captain won't be here for another hour at least."
Mao could not help but feel a little sorry for them, but just a little. To see Clusen, Suppor and the guys of the Red Team sweat and feel miserable was not very professional he had to admit, but still satisfying.
Fleming said, "We are going to do a little security inspection, make sure they don't carry anything unauthorized or illegal. You use the scanner suite in your left palm to scan each individual and the Computronic will analyze and tell you if there is anything to be concerned about. If you get a positive result pull the individual aside, repeat the scan, pinpoint what it is and alert me."
He was talking more to Mao than to Hans and added, "Mr. Kleinschmitt knows the details anyway so follow his lead. The rest of the team and I will double-check the ship." The Commander and the rest of the team went to the ship.
Hans folded his hands. "Let us find something on Clusen, please!"
"He won't be happy that it is us who checks them out," Mao said as they approached them.
"Probably not, but while we are on Security Detail he has absolutely no authority over us."
"I am more worried about the time he does again!"
"You are?"
"Nah not really, we can handle whatever he dishes out."
Clusen noticed them approaching and his face dropped. "What are you two doing here?"
"Persona
l security scans, Sir," Hans said, trying to keep his voice professional. Please spread your arms so I can make a detailed scan. Do you carry any items not approved by Security?"
"Mr. Kleinschmitt, I will deal with you on Monday. Now leave us."
"Sorry Sir, I can't do that, please be aware that I am here on official Security detail and everything is recorded for my duty log. Do you refuse to be scanned or answer my questions, Sir?"
Mao bit his lip as he approached Suppor.
Clusen was steaming and not just because of the temperature. "No, I am not refusing."
Suppor protested. "Get these idiots away from us!"
"Be silent!"
***
The landing platform was above the clouds, but some Pluribus architecture was much taller than the cloud ceiling and from the edge of the platform I had a magnificent view. The local sun was setting and produced a deep golden shine across the wispy clouds and the tall buildings. The cloud cover was light and I could see much of the breathtaking city below. It stretched as far as I could see and there was flyer traffic everywhere.
The white-uniformed man said, "Sir, I know how mesmerizing this view is, but we must now go inside, you are expected."
The black-dressed women had disappeared as we walked through a guarded gate.
Inside, everything was cream-colored marble, gold brass and statues of gods and queens. Light was provided indirectly and there were braziers with smokeless fire floating in midair.
I decided I did not like the dress boots at all, unlike Nilfeheim leather boots they had hard heels and it was evident they did not have all-terrain soles either. I made an awful racket as I walked next to the man through opulently decorated halls and a maze of corridors. After a small odyssey over slide belts, more corridors and elevator rides, we reached a hall, where much of the decoration was covered with gold. Arched windows below the clouds allowed me to see more of the incredible spread of buildings and not all too far in the distance, the white dome of the Assembly.
Tall statues of black-skinned gods with animal heads and golden garments lined the other wall, each at least 10m tall. One with a bird-like head had slightly glowing eyes and I was certain I saw movement. Those were not just statues but most likely, disguised sentry robots.
A bald-headed man with heavy eye make-up approached me. He wore some sort of animal skin over his left shoulder and a white dress-like garment with a short skirt. On his feet were simple-looking sandals. A heavy golden collar circled his neck and much of his shoulders were full of blue and red jewels. He eyed me with a disapproving stare. "I am Amun, first Eunuch and High Servant of Her Most High Majesty and Daughter of the Gods. She who rules supreme over all that is and will be, requested your presence."
"Nice to meet you Amun, I am Eric Olafson and I guess that is one of the reasons I am here. So let's get it over with, shall we?"
He gasped. "Get it over with? You are most blessed to crawl before the throne of the Most high! Once we go through those doors you will drop to your knees, hold your head to the ground and crawl across the floor until you reach a golden line. There you will wait until you are addressed. At no point are you to raise your head. To gaze upon the Most High without permission of Her Majesty is an offense that is punished by death!"
"I was ordered to accompany the Princess to a ball. My orders say nothing about meeting the Queen. Tell Elfi I’ll wait outside for her when she is ready. I respect your culture and all, but I am not Saran. She is certainly not my Queen and this is Pluribus and I am a lawful citizen of the Union."
He almost fainted, then he said with a hoarse voice, "You are on Saran ground and everything and everyone here is subject to her will and so are you. She who is the Queen, requested your presence and you can crawl yourself or I will have you dragged."
One of the statues moved and stepped down from its pedestal and several sword and blaster-armed guards appeared from hidden alcoves.
He glared at me and wrapped his fists around the fur he wore. "What shall it be, little Midshipman?"
I was not entirely sure if my behavior would cause trouble, but I did not like to bend my knee to anyone but Thor.
"I’ll abide for Elfi's sake, but I won't forget that Mr. Amun."
"On your knees now and crawl, she who is the Queen ordered your presence and she shall not be denied or wait till a worm as low as you decides to abide!"
He waved and two of the guards grabbed me and pushed me to the ground. I had to recite the names of the Aseir to keep calm and let them do it.
So I crawled, escorted by guards, through the opening door.
A female voice full authority spoke. "By Isis and Osiris, what is this?"
I heard Amun speak. "Your Highness, sun of my life, this is the Union peasant you wished to see. This person did not want to crawl as it is proper before her who is the Queen."
The female voice said. "Mr. Olafson, please rise."
I got to my feet. Here in a temple-like throne room a woman that looked very much like an older sister of Elfi stood before a raised golden chair. She wore an almost-transparent white gown, a similar collar as Amun, a crown-like headpiece that looked like a blue cone with golden ornaments. She came down the three marble steps leading to her throne. Everyone present immediately dropped to their knees and burrowed their heads between their outstretched arms. The Queen said, "My deepest apologies, my now-doomed servant has obviously failed to check your credentials as I expected he would."
To Amun she said, "Prepare for your execution. He is not only an honored guest and personal friend of she who is the Princess Most Precious, but he is also the high representative of the Narth! Never has the Saran Empire failed to greet envoys of other civilizations in a proper manner until today. Now leave my sight!"
He made a sobbing sound and crawled away.
She was a beauty and her godlike authority over her people clearly showed in her eyes and a barely noticeable cruel curl around her otherwise beautiful lips. "So you are Eric Olafson. I have heard a lot about you." She hooked into my arm and said, "Come, Eric, let us talk in a more private setting."
She had let me into a somewhat smaller chamber with several divans, much velvet and silk and a big floor pool with scented water, a small gargling fountain and floating flowers and candles. Behind a veil-like white curtain I saw a trio of females playing a soft tune on stringed instruments and a flute.
She pointed to one of the divans and said, "Please make yourself comfortable as much as you can in that stiff uniform of yours."
I sat down and wondered what this was all about. I was expecting Elfi and a ballroom full of rich and influential people dancing and talking, not a private audience with her mother the Queen, but then Elfi was not just Elfi, but a princess and her true importance and position became clear to me. Seeing all this, I respected her even more to serve like everyone else in the Fleet and never make a fuss about anything.
The Queen sat down in a flowing move of gown and legs on the divan across from me. "Please let me repeat my heartfelt apologies. I had ordered that you would be led to me as soon as you came down. I wanted to meet you in a private setting like this, but I was caught up in state business in the throne room and that doomed servant of mine miss understood my will."
"No apologies necessary, Your Majesty. I must also apologize for any misstep; you are the first queen I ever met. Maybe I was a bit headstrong and this servant meant well and I feel partially responsible now for his sentence."
"You want his life spared?"
"I sadly do not know enough about the Saran culture to understand what implications my actions and then my wish, would have, but if his life could be spared without causing any complications I would indeed not want to be the reason for his demise."
"You are not the reason, of course, it was his failure to check all facts and execute my will as I wanted it done, but I see you are very much like how my daughter describes you."
She clapped her hands and a scantily clad woman appeared, bowing de
eply. The Queen said, "Send for Amun!"
It took less than five minutes and the bald-headed eunuch appeared, kneeling in that floor-hugging manner. The Queen said to him, "Our guest most honorably has wished that you be spared and so it shall be. Thank the Gods for his presence as I would have found no mercy without his counsel, now go and resume your duties, learn from this and be more diligent."
He got to his feet, still bowing deeply. "My life and my death, my soul and my afterlife are in your hands, you who is the Sun of A."
As he turned to leave he managed to send me a look of thanks.
Servants brought trays of fruits and drinks and placed them on small tables next to the divans. She gestured. "Please partake of the refreshments and feel as if you are at home. I love my daughter very much and she praised the members of the Olafson Gang, describing a friendship that is most heartwarming to me and she speaks with authority and great admiration when she speaks about you. For this reason, you and your friends are considered not only friends of the Saran Empire, but part of the Royal Family. So this Embassy and all that is Saran will always be a home to you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. It is an honor beyond comprehension and Elfi is more than a friend to all of us."
"So, Richard really let you command the Devastator?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"My daughter told me much, but of course not all. She takes her career in the Fleet very seriously and I must admit she surprised me with her progress and sticking with it so long. I was not completely happy with her choice in the beginning, as I am sure you can understand, but she has changed much since she joined the Fleet. She is more mature, the spoiled princess she was is gone and I must say I like what she has become."
I wondered why the Queen was telling me all this and I was not sure what she wanted me to say. "She never was the spoiled princess since I've known her, Your Majesty. I didn't even know she was a princess until recently and I did not realize what that meant until now. What I do know about Elfi, is that she is highly talented, never minds to do her share in any chore or task and that I can trust her with my life."
Eric Olafson Series Boxed Set: Books 1 - 7 Page 30
