At the Nav station sat a 12,000 year-old Golden, who had been the leader of his kind. It was his first time on this posting. Krabbel, the Archa Spider and senior navigation officer, was off duty, but was present anyway, sitting right beside the Golden to supervise the old merchant handling this post. Since he was here anyway, he had volunteered to take the Helm. While Krabbel was the ship’s chief navigator, he had a sufficient Helm rating to steer the Tigershark.
An Attikan marine officer named Fectiv manned Tactical. That a marine manned a bridge console was about as unusual as the ship. While it was not against regulations, it was unheard of. But then, aboard the Tigershark, there were quite a few things stretched to the very limit of standard Navy regulations and procedures. Har-Hi was certain there was no other Union vessel with a genuine Y’All warrior manning the communications console.
Har-Hi turned a little to face the engineering officer on duty, a small rodent-like furry Holdian. “Everything all right with the tractors?” he asked, because they were towing a pirate ship.
The little Holdian answered, “Yes, sir, once the mass is in motion, it takes very little to keep it going. The material stress and shear forces are well within expected tolerances.”
Har-Hi said, “We once towed a full-size hospital ship with a Barracuda destroyer. Back then, we were beyond any tolerance.”
The Golden didn’t take his eyes off his readouts. “I really want to hear all the adventures you and the captain had. It seems there weren’t many dull moments.”
Har-Hi was both relaxed and highly alert, and the tall Dai Than turned to look toward the Ready Room door. “Indeed, Mr. Sobody, there haven’t been many dull moments since I met our captain.”
Narth, sitting at OPS, added, “I have not yet managed to understand what the exact definition of a moment is. Is it more than a minute, less than 30 seconds. The expression of taking a moment or waiting a moment is quite confusing. Yet I, too, agree with our XO; the time we have shared—” He interrupted himself and said, “Sensor contacts, at 7.9 degrees due course, distance 4.1. Hostile activity possible. It appears quite similar to our other encounter.”
Har-Hi said, “Drop us out of Quasi and cut thrust, Mr. Krabbel. SHIP, go to yellow alert and be so kind as to inform the captain. She said everything that crosses our bow is fair game.”
The voice of the ship AI responded, “She is on her way.”
***
SHIP’s voice caught me on Deck R, just as I was climbing out of the ship’s swimming pool.
“Captain, we have three contacts on scanner horizon. First situation assessment suggests two pirates and a third ship of unknown configuration.”
“Nothing for days, but each time I decide to take a swim, there is something.” I sighed and said. “All stop, maintain yellow alert: I am on my way.”
SHIP, of course, had her audio sensors open and since she wasn’t like any other SHIP AI I knew, she said, “It was you who wanted to be informed about any scanner contact. We could go around it and you could go back to swimming.”
I gave the shimmering inviting water a last look and said, “I can swim anytime. This isn’t a leisure cruise, and I am the captain and must set an example. Why am I even explaining such things to you? You know we can’t leave things unchecked. It’s part of our mission.”
“Because I am your SHIP, and I like to have things explained to me.”
I jumped into the autodresser and dialed for my usual pirate outfit. Of course, I could have stayed and finished my swim and let Har-Hi handle the whole situation, but this would have been highly inappropriate for a number of reasons. I was the captain, and it was my responsibility. We had standing orders to investigate any ship contact during our mission here in Freespace and besides, this was what I lived for. I could swim anytime.
While the autodresser assembled the leather outfit around my recently altered body, I once more remembered Captain K’Tngnk, who had let me steer his Pounder Class Battleship. Encounters in deep space were usually extremely rare and most situations developed in or near star systems, the usual destination of spaceships.
However, this was Freespace, and the region we traversed right now was called the Devil’s Playground for a reason.
Our current course followed the outer rim of the Scutum Centaurus arm of our Galaxy. Somewhere in this region was Brhama Port, our first destination, where I would make my first official appearance as Black Velvet and introduce the Silver Streak to local eyes and establish ourselves as major players in this lawless region of space.
A few days ago, we’d intervened as we witnessed a pirate attack on what seemed at first a harmless civilian freighter. The civilian freighter belonged to a Union Company but it was anything but harmless. After we captured and boarded the freighter, we found a horror freight consisting of Human body parts and Human captives intended to be sold on the Togar meat markets.
The freighter, the pirate crew, and the Human freight were on their way back to Union Space and we were towing the pirate ship, sans its crew, behind us, with the intent to sell it at Brahma Port.
Our disguise and our undercover approach was necessary, due to the Freespace Treaty. This contract between the Big Four and about 70 independent civilizations made it a war-causing offense if any of the Big Four operated ships inside Freespace territory. No spaceship operating under Union Authority was allowed to cross the treaty-defined boundaries of this buffer region between the Big Four. This fact was used by pirates and criminals to escape pursuit and prosecution. So, my ship looked like a heavily modified Karthanian trader and was known as the Silver Streak and I had taken on the disguise and identity of a female pirate captain called Black Velvet. A female pirate of that name had raided ships and colonies 400 years ago and then had vanished under mysterious circumstances. No one outside a very exclusive circle of individuals knew that Black Velvet and the Silver Streak from back then had also been a NAVINT cover operation.
The region we were traversing was close to what the Dai called the Thalim Nebula. A region of space where five suns simultaneously went supernova.
Part of that nebula had been claimed by the Union. Much of what had been Galactic Council space in that area was now also considered Union Space, claimed after the recent events following the war against the Nogoll. The region was still in turmoil and the final boundaries subject to heated dispute and new friction between the Union and the Kermac-led Galactic Council.
We now were clear on the other side of the Thalim Nebula.
I reached the bridge at the same time as Shea, Mao, and Shaka. Like a dance move practiced a million times, Har-Hi got up in a fluent move and so did everyone else, switching and occupying their stations.
I sank into the leather of my command seat and, as always, all doubts and uncertain feelings left me. This was where I belonged.
“Engineering. disengage tractor and set the Mighty Nine to drift. Tactical, give me a full 360. SHIP, battle view.”
While Circuit confirmed that the tractor projectors were deactivated, my command seat was pushed up and my surroundings changed. I now had an unobstructed view of space, a simulated, computronic-enhanced view with the bridge stations reduced to icons floating just at the edge of my field of view.
At 11 degrees off our intended course and at 3.9 light years distance, were three bright signals.
Har-Hi collected the different department reports and said, “The contacts I am marking red are known pirate ships. The 340-meter Anarka and the 360-meter Meronka. Operated by the Terrible Twins. Hans is receiving detailed intel as we speak. Both pirate ships are heavily customized DeNoir Baltic Corvettes, legally sold surplus from almost 700 years ago. Shea’s Power distribution scan confirms Mao’s armament estimate.
“They both have very good Shimmer Shields in Union Standard triple-layer configuration, and both are armed with real Nul Froth Casters. Both ships would pose a serious opponent to the Silver Streak. Together, they would be more than a match to the ship we are supposed to be.
>
“Their opponent is a massive 1,000-meter ship of unknown configuration, but energy signature suggests Tech Level Six. Detailed weapon or material scans are not possible with the scanners and sensors we are simulating. The shields of the unknown ship appear to be standard energy and matter repulsors, no transdim signatures present. Situation analysis suggests they are about to engage in hostile activities.”
“All right then, let us welcome the strangers and reduce the number of pirate ships in this region by two,” I said. “All hands, battle stations. Raise shields. Krabbel, take us to the outmost range of our snipers. If at all possible, I’d like to stay out of the range of those Froth Casters. Mao, clip their claws before we get any closer. Prepare for Micro TL and see if you can time your fire whenever the alien ship fires.”
Har-Hi said, “That’s not a bad idea. They’ll never suspect us. They’ll think it was the alien ship.”
***
Shipmaster Noldra was actually glad the uncertainty was over and his gut feeling had once more proven to be more accurate than the scanners. Two ships of unknown configuration were approaching.
The Kermac had returned to the bridge, and the prince woke from his nap. Albra blinked with his big brown eyes. “What is the matter? How can anyone find some rest with all this commotion?”
Noldra fumed. “Your excellency, do you want to lead our vessel into combat against two unknown hostiles and remove me from command?”
“No, of course not, I have full confidence in—”
Noldra was close to physically dragging the prince out of his command stool. “Then get out of my seat. Now! And take that pale piece of alien offense of my bridge, your majesty.”
The prince got up with a hurt expression and Noldra sat down. “Raise our Energetic Fences at once and prepare to launch Revenge Bringers. Operator, see if those aliens can be raised on the Etherwaver.”
The Kermac did not leave and neither did the prince, but the command crew around Albra functioned and did their duty.
The white-skinned ambassador of the Kermac pointed at the visual viewer. “Don’t waste your time talking to them. Commence all resources to propulsion and continue to approach Kermac space. That space rubble will not dare to follow.”
“Kermac, you return to your quarters and remain there or, by the First Emperor’s Holy Manhood, I will have you dragged there. We can’t go trans-light until we have serviced the engines.”
The Kermac was outraged but knew when it was a good time to remain silent.
The operator of the Etherwaver turned. “We made contact with them, and they demand our surrender. They will spare our lives if we hand over all valuables. They have not identified themselves.”
“Then our answer will be clear. Let us hand out something valuable indeed. Launch Revenge Bringers one through 20.”
Xandrao ship-to-ship missiles were very fast and able to reach near lightspeed very fast and shut down their space-cutting infra fields moments before impact, bringing 500 kilos of relativistic mass to bear, traveling at 99 percent of light. They were equipped with the best computers Xandrao engineering could come up with and had the ability to split into multiple attack vector warheads.
The ship shuddered at enemy weapon impact. Lights flickered and seat restraints activated as ship gravitation was lost.
One of the analysts reported, “Enemy is using a gravitation-based weapon, and it collapsed shields.”
The enemy ships intercepted several Revenge Bringer missiles, but a good number impacted on their shields, wearing them down.
One of the scanner operators reported, “Shipmaster, our Revenge Bringers have disabled both ships. For some reason we can’t yet explain, our warheads must have penetrated the enemy shields and armor and destroyed some vulnerable spot. The enemy ships lost propulsion and weapons.”
“Finish them off!” yelled the floating Kermac.
Noldra wanted to finish off the Kermac but he said, “Reload the missile tubes and fire a second volley.”
“Shipmaster Noldra, we are being hailed from a third ship that just appeared on our scanners.”
***
Mao grinned proudly. He had just disabled both pirate ships with micro TL loads, timing them with the impacts of the primitive missiles.
“The problem these pirate sisters had is that they were using old Union De Noirs, and we knew exactly where their computronic cores were. No computronic … nothing works.”
“Let’s make sure they don’t find time to activate some sort of backup,” I said.
To my helmsman, I added, “Shaka, get us closer. Elfi, see if you can hail the unknown and establish communications.”
Narth said, “The newcomers are from Downward, and it appears they are here for the first time indeed, but they are not here for exploration reasons. I sense two Kermac among them.”
I slapped my hand on my armrest. “And here I was, wanting to spare newcomers from being victims of a pirate attack, and all we find is yet another GC thrall species. Not that they should be here with a warship like that in the first place.”
Elfi said, “I have made contact, captain. They are using a simple audio-only Tachyon Radio. I sent greetings in all common languages, and they responded to Kermac right away.”
“Put me on,” I demanded.
“Comm link open, captain.”
“This is Captain Black Velvet of the Silver Streak. To avoid any confusion, I am a pirate and we are here to make a profit. Initially, I wanted to assist you and keep you unharmed, but since you speak Kermac, you are violating the Freespace Treaty. You are to surrender and shut down all energy-consuming devices.”
Shea said, “Captain, they are about to release another volley of their missiles.”
“Can we prevent that without blowing them to pieces?”
Mao said, “The missiles are released individually, but we could blow their force field generator and then tech stop the whole ship.”
“All right, do it.”
Mao’s approach worked but not before the strangers released a few of their missiles. Both pirate ships were the targets. Without shields, they were defenseless and both ships were destroyed before we could board them.
Two hours later, I had reached what must have been the alien ship’s bridge. Our tech stop and paralysators had 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 aside a sleeping alien, who was still floating, as there was no artificial gravitation either.
I remembered the large feedlots on Wichita Planet and the endless herds of cows. “Yes, there is a resemblance.”
Shea pointed at a large alien strapped to the command chair. He was wearing some sort of colorful harness with lots of gold and a cape-like mantle. Otherwise, he was his furry self and she said, “At least we can be certain he is male.”
I gave her a side look. “And you noticed that huge thing right away.”
“A purely scientific observation and conclusion of conducting a visual examination.”
“Yes, I would have put it exactly the same way. I think they haven’t invented pants or modesty.”
Narth appeared next to me and also looked at the being in the central chair and then at Shea. “How can you determine he is male by visual inspection alone? This being is not registered on GalNet.”
Shea pointed at the being. “They appear to be carbon-based lifeforms and have physiological similarities to other mammalian species. The appendage-like organic feature so dominantly featured between the being’s legs makes me very confident that he is indeed male.”
Har-Hi had a strange grin on his face as he said, “You identify as a male Narth, right? Don’t you have something like that as well?”
I held up my hands. “Here we are on the bridge of an alien craft we just boarded, and what is my senior staff discussing?” I shook my head in a theatrical manner. “Mr. Narth, make sure
we contain all Kermac before they have a chance to come around. Mr. Har-Hi, coordinate with our security officer and confine and secure the crew of this vessel. And you, Ms. Schwartz, prepare a detailed assessment on their technology.”
They confirmed my orders, but I had a hard time keeping my amusement out of my voice as I saw Narth look down on himself saying, “Yes, I was supposed to emulate a Human male. Accessing physiological data, I just realized that the corporal shell I was given is faulty and inadequately equipped.”
Har-Hi put his hand on Narth’s shoulder as they walked out. “Next time you go to your Narth place, that is something they need to fix.”
I missed Narth’s reply as Circuit, who was working on the ship’s systems, turned and said, “Sorry, captain, their tech is very primitive, simple binary circuits, digital stuff and not well shielded. Our tech stop melted most of it.”
“Can we hook up something of ours? If life support does not come back on soon, they won’t survive.” I pulled a floating Kermac down so I could examine him closer.
“I am replicating nanites as fast as I can, so we can restore basic life support. In terms of computronics, they are not Tech Level Seven, more like five or six at most. Quite interesting solutions but—”
“Do we have to evacuate them before life support conditions deteriorate and become life threatening to them?”
Circuit shrugged his shoulders. “Hard to say, but maybe three or four hours before temperatures drop too far. Their hull has a sufficient layer of lead to reduce radiation, but is not completely opaque to ionizing radiation like Union hulls.”
“Well, that gives me a little time to think about what I should do with them.”
Fective, the Attikan marine and a good friend, appeared from one of the access doors and stomped in his camouflaged battlesuit across the deck. “Captain, the Golden and I have completed the survey of the pirate ship wrecks. There is not all that much left, but we secured 19 survivors who managed to jettison or close their suits in time and were far enough away from the explosion centers. We secured the survivors in stasis boxes. We also found a few boxes of loot.”
Eric Olafson Series Boxed Set: Books 1 - 7 Page 98
