“I do not know what a black sheep is, but I think I know what you mean. Neither one of us are very high in the family hierarchy, and we are only a little above non-related miners and visitors. We must pay for almost everything, just as them, except that in case of an emergency, we are supposed to fight for the family. I have been digging through these rocks for more than 40 years, Black Velvet. A few weeks ago, I stumbled across a rich deposit of Kalimun. Every scoop worth more than all the metal ore I managed to scrape together in the last four decades, and I estimate there are a few million scoops in that ‘roid of mine.”
“Kalimun?” I stopped myself, remembering what Deepa had told me while we were on Kalimant.
He nodded and steered the sled up a long steep inclining corridor that was actually the interior one of the mooring arms. The gravitational directional pull changed as we passed inside the corridor. It now appeared level and the area behind us was in a steep incline.
“Yes, Kalimun, and I am no longer just a face among many. I am rich, very rich, and that means I am moving up the family ladder. However, a family member who used to be rich is sitting on that spot where I am going to move, and he is trying to get my claim to keep his spot and deny me mine.”
He stopped the sled at the last air lock door. “To be honest, Ms. Velvet, after 40 years of digging, I realized there isn’t really much else I want to do. I have my peace when I dig. Truth be told, I would simply give him all that Kalium. I don’t care much about family politics, have little need for much of anything, and I’d rather be dead than kissing the arses of the sons of the Mother.”
“But since that Ilkesh used strong-arm tactics instead of simply asking for it, you’d rather take a beating even if they kill you than give or sell it to him, right?”
He climbed off the sled. “You aren’t Bassett under that mask? You understand me exactly!”
I helped him unload the supplies into the airlock. “No, I am not Bassett, but I am from a place with large families and similar stories.”
He wiped his hands on his pants and held it out. “I am Mikesh Bassett.”
“Black Velvet, but then you knew that already.” I took his hand.
“I never thought to get to know a real pirate captain. They usually never give us miners the time of day.”
His ship was smaller than the Tullerman and not much cleaner than his suit. The smell immediately took me back to the USS Rosinante I had captured from scooper raiders.
“I know it is not up to par, Ms. Velvet, but it is a short trip and what I want to give you will make it worth your while.”
“If it is Kalium, I don’t really need any.”
“I would not drag you out to my rock for Kalium, but if you want to fill your freight bays with a few hundred tons, I’ll throw that in as well.”
He steered the small boat away from the asteroid and accelerated in my estimate with only marginally better acceleration than his hoversled.
I called Har-Hi and told him quietly what I was doing and where I was.
Har-Hi cleared his throat. “That explains the call we got from local security about two dead and two very seriously injured local thugs, not that this was a very big mystery to us. Any specific orders while you do the local sightseeing tour?”
“Keep an eye on our friend, just in case he decides to leave earlier. Other than that, stand by. I should be back soon.”
***
Har-Hi deactivated his wrist PDD with an almost angry slap.
Elfi, who stood next to him on the bridge of the Tigershark, said, “Be careful with your IRTC module. They say it is sturdy enough for Saturnians to use, but I doubt they designed it with agitated Dai in mind.”
They were both on duty aboard a Union ship and Elfi should have addressed Har-Hi by rank, as he was the XO of the ship, but in this regard, no one aboard really acted in accordance with the rules.
He gave her a stern look. “If Hans can’t break it, what chance would I have? Wasn’t it you briefing me on these Intelligence Recon Tactical Communicators? I recall you said they work in any environment and are nearly indestructible.”
Before Elfi could respond, Hans, who stood at his security post, pulled a mangled piece from out of a pocket. “Sorry, sir, they are not indestructible and most certainly nor sturdy enough for Saturnians.” He made an apologetic face and grinned weakly toward Elfi.
Shea patted Har-Hi’s shoulder. “The captain will be fine; it’s a harmless trip to an asteroid mine.”
The Dai XO of the Tigershark sat down in the command seat. “Do you recall one single trip our captain has taken anywhere without running into some kind of situation?” He threw his arms in the air. “It took the captain less than 20 minutes and just walking out of the tavern to run into local thugs.”
Everyone on the bridge and the entire ship knew that Har-Hi was not disrespectful of the captain but vented his concerns. Har-Hi loved the captain like a brother.
Narth popped out of thin air and said, as if he had listened to the entire conversation, “There are no conditions known to all Narth that could quantify such concepts as luck or fate, but I personally begin to question that knowledge and come to the conclusion our captain has some sort of unexplainable talent in that regard.”
He then sat down behind the OPS station and carefully arranged the folds of his shrouds. “I sense no danger or distress. The captain appears to be in no danger.”
Har-Hi leaned back. “Well, since we are all here, I’d like a situation report. The captain might want to know when he comes back.”
“She. The captain is now a she, sir,” Krabbel corrected the Dai while lingering behind the command seat and next to the nav-tank.
Har-Hi turned to face the Archa Spider. “Of course, I’m still getting used to this change. Now let us begin with you, Mr. Krabbel. Report, please.”
“I analyzed all the NAV data we recovered from the pirate ships we recently acquired and created a new info map of Freespace and regions beyond. With the intel data and pirate incident reports from Hans, I correlated it all.”
Har-Hi noticed the red-haired yeoman standing next to the spider, holding a PDD, and said, “And Yeoman O’Connell is using it to prepare legal documents so the individuals we have in Zero Stasis custody can be charged in court later, I assume?”
She nodded. “Yes, sir. I am preparing dossiers on all our guests.”
Elfi was next and said, “I am monitoring the local channels. They are all abuzz about Captain Black Velvet and the Silver Streak. I say we made quite an impression. I’d also like to comment that TheOther is becoming a real asset to my department. He is currently in the Comm Lab and diligently sorts through the transcripts, preparing a signal intel report for Fleet Command.”
“So noted, Ms. Petetis. I will place your recommendation into the log and have the captain sign it.”
Shea pointed to her science console. “I am mapping the orbits of the asteroids in this system, using our Kelpie data. My department also works on a solar profile, analyzing the DNA micromatter I collected in the Bassett office.”
Shaka lifted his helmet. “While we are idle, I am running simulations with Mao and SHIP.”
Har-Hi suddenly felt proud of the ship and its crew, and he had to admit the pride he felt was for the Union way of doing things. Even here, attached to a mooring arm of a pirate base, the crew of the Tigershark continued their work with initiative and efficiency. This, to him, was the one of the reason why the Union was so successful.
“Good work, you two. I expect a full department report on my desk by 09:00 tomorrow, Mr. Narth.”
He then motioned toward Hans. “Mr. Neugruber, you are not off the hook. After I hear your security report, I want you to explain to Ms. Petetis how you managed to utterly destroy Fleet equipment worth hundreds of credits.”
The titanic Saturnian, who just recently frightened the toughest cutthroat pirates and spacers, somehow managed to look a little smaller as he addressed the XO. “Sir, all prisoners are safely
secured. We received 68 individuals from the Roughnir. They all have been molecular-scanned, stripped of all belongings, and placed inside prisoner control suits and in Zero Stasis boxes. The Togar female is currently still in sickbay under the care of our CMO. Two marines stand guard.”
Hans tried to look apologetic as he handed Elfi the mangled communicator. “It dropped as I changed into my pirate outfit and TheOther accidently stepped on it and was surprised it survived. So, I sort of accidently stepped on it, too.” His face lit up. “It still sort of works.”
Elfi took the thing and glared at him. “That the emergency power light still blinks does not mean it still works, Mr. Neugruber.”
To Har-Hi, she said, “These are prototypes, and we are the first to receive them. Each of these simple-looking devices are fully operational military PDDs with picto burst GalCom and a range of five light years. They are also the smallest avatar-enabled devices, can self-destruct, can launch a remote-controlled spy drone the size of a pinhead, and have a three-shot micro-rocket launcher, not to mention the capability to engulf the wearer in a contour Para-Dim shield for 10 minutes.”
Narth added in his detached, completely emotion-free voice, “The development budget of the first 500 units, of which we have received 490, exceeds the estimated GDP of your entire tribe by 67 percent, Lt. Hi. So, your estimate of a few hundred credits per unit is perhaps not entirely correct.”
Har-Hi looked at his own wrist com. “It has rockets, you say?”
Elfi handed Hans a new one. “The use and activation of the unit’s offensive capabilities are described in section eight of the user manual.”
Har-Hi didn’t want to admit he never read past the first page and said to Narth, “How would you know the GDP of my tribe?”
“Your father met with the Finance and Commerce committee of the Assembly, four years ago. Financial and Commerce advice and assessment is part of the process to integrate new members into the Union. The GDP assessment of all Union members is public record and—”
Har-Hi groaned. “And you, of course, know that, probably of all Union members.”
Narth’s voice had the tiniest hint of amusement as he said, “Naturally, sir.”
Har-Hi listened to the rest of the reports. The ship was in perfect condition and nothing indicated any imminent problems. “Is the Tullerman still there?”
Hans answered, “Yes, it is still moored where you left it, when you and the captain returned with Narth.”
“I think I’ll change into my Jooltar costume once more and take a look around the base and take that thing out. Shea, you have the Conn.”
“Sir, may I ask why are you doing that and where you are taking that contraption?” Shea asked.
“I want to be out there, just in case. Besides, it needs to leave.”
“Sir, what help could you give in the Tullerman? We do have a Spectre Class Gazelle. It is not as well armed as a Wolfcraft, but still a terrible Union war machine and faster than anything within a thousand light years.”
“You are a very smart girl, Shea, but how would you explain to the captain that we blew our cover by opening a hangar and launching a craft that screams Union? The Gazelle can only cloak once outside.”
“Sorry, sir. I just think you are worried about the captain, and we should do something.”
“The captain is fine. He … I mean, she called. Narth says she is fine.” Har-Hi turned to Narth. “She is, right?”
“I feel no emotions other than boredom.”
Har-Hi got up and motioned to Elfi. “Can you assist me with the costume again? This Saresii autodresser is not like our regular units.”
“Of course, do you mind me tagging along, sir? I will look just as convincing as the captain in the Black Nogoll costume.”
He agreed. “Yes, that is a good idea. No one really noticed us, but someone might and it is good if they see us leave together.”
***
Once more looking like a mangy Jooltar and a Black Nogoll, they slipped into the mooring arm corridor after Narth assured them no one was around to see them coming out of the Silver Streak.
They were about to enter the Tullerman, when Har-Hi suddenly got weak knees and an intense sensation of burning pain engulfed his entire body. He and Elfi collapsed right before the airlock.
Har-Hi could see two beings that had been hiding inside the airlock; one of the shapes was holding a Kermac Neuro Ripper. “Let’s get them inside before anyone sees them.”
Everything went dark after that.
***
We finally approached a sizeable asteroid, at least six light hours from the pirate base. My new friend had told me much about the Bassett family and the details of a ‘roid miner’s life.
I had learned that the Bassetts did not built the asteroid base. It was originally built by an unknown alien civilization and discovered by the Togar. The cats of Togar refurbished it and used it as a mining base and outpost. Why the Togar abandoned it about 600 years ago was not known to him. He claimed that the ghosts of the original aliens had chased the Togar away. At least that was a popular legend and horror story the ‘roid miners loved to tell each other.
We approached the irregular-shaped rock, which looked to me almost like the head of a Nul.
Mikesh hadn’t really shut up since we left and some of it was mildly interesting. Most of it, however, almost put me to sleep.
However, I listened more actively as he began to tell me more about the Bassetts. “You know where we Bassetts come from?”
“No, but I do wonder why some appear to have Kermac and Shiss features. Those species are not exactly compatible.”
“The details are kept secret by the inner circle and I am sure only the Old Bird herself really still knows the real story, but the tale goes like this: The Kermac Ministry of Information needs spies that can infiltrate other societies. Now, in the case of the Union, it is relatively easy, but neither the Shiss nor the Nul are a multi-species society. So, the MOI simply took Kermac and started experimenting with plastic surgery and DNA tailoring to create Kermac that look like other beings, including Shiss and Nul. It is said that the original clones were a failed experiment and managed to flee before the Kermac could destroy them.
“The legend also claims that these clones made their escape by the tiniest margin, their escape ship damaged and more a wreck than anything. They ended up here, where they met a pirate or some other type of crook. He came from the Union and his name was Bassett. The Old Bird, that is the female leader of the Kermac, and that Human somehow formed an alliance.”
He steered the small ship past the opening iris-type doors, set right into the surface of the asteroid. “Now you know.”
I planned to have Hans check on that name, and I was sure that it more or less was exactly how it happened. “Well, Mikesh, now there is one mystery less in the Universe.”
“I know you are a busy pirate and all this might not be the usual pace of things you are accustomed to, but to me, it is amazing to have your company for a little while. When I meet the other miners and tell them the famous Black Velvet has been here, they will call me a liar and all that; it will give me something to talk about for years to come.”
The ship had docked, and he was getting out of the pilot’s seat. “I was not kidding, Black Velvet. I found something in this rock of mine. I am sure it is from the same beings who originally built the base, could even be Celtest.”
I followed him and was no longer just mildly interested. “Celtest, you say?”
***
Har-Hi still felt groggy as he came around. He found himself wrapped in plastic tape. A strong-looking, green-skinned Oghar 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’re awake, you can hear me, Dai. I want answers.”
Now that his head began to clear, Har-Hi saw Elfi, still unconscious, also unmasked, and, to his great dismay, a Kermac, who stood behind the Oghar. This Kermac was mor
e gray than white and he did not wear an artificial beard. Still, he was certain that evil, grinning hairless man was a Kermac.
They were still in the Tullerman.
The Oghar wore some kind of spacesuit, quite old and repaired and patched several times. The Kermac wore something quite similar.
The Oghar held the Jooltar mask before Har-Hi’s face. “I don’t know if I can make a Dai talk, even with a Neuro Ripper, so I might revert to old-fashioned torture and rip you and your companion into small pieces. Before I discovered that you are not at all what you pretended to be, I wanted to know why a mangy-looking Jooltar and a Black Nogoll came into the possession of the Yukitri.”
The Kermac spoke for the first time. “They were good friends of ours, Vaokk and Fundr. Scavengers like us, and missing for many months. Now you show up in their Tullerman. We knew right away you weren’t scavengers and now what do we find?”
The Oghar shook the mask. “A Dai and a Human woman disguised in fancy costumes. Tell me, Dai, who are you and why did you come to Brahma Port like that?”
Har-Hi was angry at himself. He had been way too relaxed about his surroundings, way too preoccupied about the captain and not paying attention. In his own Dai suit, he would have had a dozen ways to escape the bondage, kill the two, and return to the ship, but right now, he was as helpless as a Dai woman during her first bedding. He growled at them, “You let us go and I won’t kill you!”
“Let you go? A real-life Dai? Even if you don’t talk and survive my questioning, you’ll bring a pretty profit at Sin 4 or Alvor’s Cove.”
The Kermac shook his head. “I can’t read him. He is well-shielded and the woman is still unconscious, but I am sure she’s Saran.”
A beeping sound from the ship’s control deck interrupted them and the Kermac said, “We’ll leave you to think about it.”
They both left and Har-Hi could hear the Isah Pods of the Tullerman whine louder, and then the tone changed to a deep vibrating hum. He was certain they just went trans-light.
Elfi opened her eyes, showing that she wasn’t unconscious after all. “I think this time it isn’t the captain who’s in trouble, sir.”
Eric Olafson Series Boxed Set: Books 1 - 7 Page 106
