“Ah, yes, I remember you telling me about her. She is sort of an enigma, named after a pirate who was active some 400 years ago, right?”
“Not much is known about her, but she is on the Top 10 wanted list in the Union; the Goldens claim she raided several ships of theirs and her old ship is modified and carries modern Nul weaponry. Stuff you can’t really buy, like Nul-Froth Casters and six pods with Nul-Nul Gravitation Torpedo tubes. All this and a military-grade FTL projector, probably Kermac, also not very easy to get.”
“That ship would be a nice prize to get. Now about that Dai?”
“I was informed that she purchased scrap from Gothar. You know that little dirty bird dealing with Skaakh and Stiks on Trash Island. She paid with polos and bought a few tons of scrap and I think she bought it for a Dai Clan. They always need resources like that.”
Wintsun checked something on his PDD. “One of our guys has seen the Dai with a Golden earlier today near the Coliseum.”
“Get him for me!”
“For that, I need that P4 Paralysator you got. Going against a fully armed Dai and capturing him alive is otherwise not possible.”
“Take what you need.”
***
Circuit stood by the huge pile of scrap Gothar had just delivered and said, “What in the world would you want with that?”
I shrugged. “Don’t ask me. I did only what the Merchant told me.”
The Merchant heard us talk about him and came over. “It was actually good business. Do you know how many million tons of scrap and secondhand materials are bought and sold every day and then shipped all over the Galaxy?”
Again, I had to confess ignorance. “No, not really.”
He pointed at the open boxes. “These Arti-Coils contain valuable materials and are very expensive when new. There are companies in Freespace, and I know of several on Union side as well, who do nothing but recycle or rebuild them and sell them for much less than new ones. We can easily make 6,000 creds on those alone, right here on the Pirate Market. If we bring those things to my bazaar, I guarantee a profit of 12 to 14,000 creds.”
Narth pointed to the cases with the alien spheres. “Not to mention a treasure that cannot be evaluated in credits.”
Sobody rubbed his bald head. “I would not go that far. I am sure we can get a billion credits for those, easy. It looks like most of the data spheres are broken but some are intact and there is nothing more valuable than rare artifacts from long-gone civilizations.”
Narth bowed slightly, and I knew he was smiling behind his hood. “To some, the collected knowledge of a long-gone civilization might be beyond monetary values but I am still learning and now, thanks to you, I can actually revise my estimate of priceless with a more accurate figure.”
Sobody looked at Narth and his eyes sparked. “We might not be around as long as you Narth, but we Goldens have traveled across this Universe farther than even you, who hardly ever left the Upward Sector as far as I know. We built our society on the fact that almost any species we ever encountered has need for some sort of money and almost all spacefaring societies understand the value and benefits of trade. Trade is a wonderful tool of understanding and making profit is one of the few universally common concepts.”
Narth bowed again. “I yield to this quite correct statement, my Golden friend.”
TheOther stood quietly to the side and I asked him, “I do not know you well enough yet but I think something is bothering you. I am your captain but my offer that my door is open also includes you.”
He said with a sad tone in his voice, “It is the Stik. I almost killed him and caused him serious pain and harm, right after I told you that I abhor unnecessary violence. I hope the Lord forgives me.”
I put my hand on his side as I could not reach his shoulders. “It was an accident and not done on purpose. I believe it is the suit that augments your already incredible strength to truly astronomic levels. I think we should ask Circuit if he can’t adjust that a little down with the help of a computronic routine.”
He straightened and sounded less depressed. “This is true. I did not do it on purpose, and the suit is magnifying my strength, thank God.”
I was curious. “What religion do Y’All have?”
He answered, “Y’All battle drones do not have any religion or even the concept of faith.” He lowered his voice again. “I told you that I changed and questioned our ways. I didn’t do that out of the blue but because of something that happened while we were destroying a Human colony. It truly affected me. A man stepped fearless and unarmed before me and just held out a little symbol and a book. I’ll never forget his words. He informed me I was trashing a House of God and that it was a sanctuary for peace. Even though we were not allowed to communicate, we still understood Human languages. I am deeply ashamed that I killed that man. Why I kept his book could not say. With the help of our computronics, I translated it and began to read it.”
He pulled a silver chain with a little cross out of his uniform. “It suddenly made sense to me, the teachings of that great master changed my life and made me realize I, too, have a soul and would be held accountable for what I did.”
I was quite floored by that. I knew of the ancient Christian faith he was talking about, and it was one of the reasons my ancestors left Earth so they could freely worship Odin and the Aesir. I knew many, especially Human Union captains, had a copy of the Bible on their shelves where I had a copy of the Edda.
To learn that a member of the fiercest and most brutal enemy the Galaxy ever faced had become a believer in that faith was quite touching and made me think even more differently about the Y’All and him in particular.
I said to him, “I suggest you get together with Circuit now and see what can be done about your battlesuit.”
“Aye, captain,” he said and stomped away.
Sobody was talking to his Holdian friend and as he saw me he hastily came over. “Captain, with all that Trash Island business, I almost forgot to tell you that Hans and I followed a lead Mehedi send us, and we found a weapons dealer in the Uppers controlled by the Donheer Clan. There are two dealers claiming to have access to Union mil-tech and one of them assures me he can get his hands on a stockpile of Loki torpedoes and even a P-bomb.”
This was serious Union hardware and a P-bomb in the wrong hands could mean the end of a planet. While the technology of these weapons was not as tightly guarded as the secret of the Translocator, it was still highly classified and the Kermac, Shiss, and Nul would be eager to get their hands on these.
I said to Sobody, “Do you know where they keep them or when they plan to sell these items?”
Sobody shook his head.” Sorry, captain, I don’t, but since we are talking about a deal that could reach a billion polos, I am sure the duke himself is tightly involved and it would only be him who knows where they are kept.”
“Is there a way we can find out?”
“Hans was received like a king and they have scheduled a championship match to celebrate the return of the Terror Hammer. This is one of the occasions for which the patriarch himself will leave his island fortress to attend the spectacle in person. It might be the best chance to catch him, interrogate him, and find out where the weapons are. We would surely blow our cover if we have to attack his compound openly. These cartel islands are well defended and shielded.”
I digested the information and then nodded. “All right, do you think you can get some sort of plan of that coliseum without putting yourself in too much danger?”
Har-Hi said, “I can go along and make sure he is safe. No worries. Dai Than are not uncommon on Sin 4 as we are pirates, too, and occasionally do business here. Maybe Narth can keep a psionic eye on us.”
Narth nodded. “I could also keep my actual eyes on you by coming along. My abilities might prove useful and it would further satisfy my curiosity to see Sin 4 and participate in a clandestine operation.”
I didn’t object. Har-Hi was as experienced as one could be, S
obody seemed to know the ins and outs, and I doubted there was anyone on Sin 4 who could stop a Narth. “Just be careful to make sure they do not recognize you as a Narth.”
Narth managed to sound excited. “I shall obscure my nature by utilizing a costume.”
I watched them leave and went to my own quarters to put on the Sojonit costume and go with Shea to the Temple to visit the Mother Superior. I was looking forward to seeing her again as I had grown to like the old Saresii woman.
Shea was already in our quarters and wore her old Sojonit outfit, but had not yet put on the wig or the mask. I opened the package she had brought back from her visit to the temple and it revealed a black outfit.
Her eyes widened. “I wonder why she sent you the outfit for an Avenging Angel? That is a very secretive special group within our order. This one even has a mask registered to the name of Nightshade.”
I didn’t want to lie to Shea but I was under strict orders to keep the details of this for myself. “I am sure she had a reason and maybe she will tell us why.”
She nodded and accepted my answer, but she was way too intelligent and I felt she suspected I knew more.
“How do you know it is a genuine mask?” I asked.
“Put on your mask and if you focus your eyes just above the eye slits, you can see two little eye blink switches. Look at the left one and blink twice.”
I did and computronic information was displayed right before my eyes. I could scroll through the menu by simply moving my eyes. “Genuine Sojonit Sister, registered mask name: Wetmouth. Status: retired.”
She said, “You can even activate the weapons and the shield that way. Those masks are way more than just disguises.”
“Weapons, too?”
“Yes, the basic equipment is a Neuro Ripper, Micro Needler, and Lip Poison. I am sure the ones for the Avenging Angels have even more options.”
The pink Mercedes came and picked us up. After an eventless flight, we reached Temple Island and were brought right to the private offices of the Mother Superior. She greeted us and said, “Sister Wetmouth already told me the happy news and I wholeheartedly agree and wish you the best of times together.”
After we thanked her, she said to Shea, “Please go to the temple stores and get your new retired outfit. You will like it as it has a closed mouth like mine.”
Shea bowed and left. Despite her mask, I knew she was not completely happy to be sent away. After Shea was gone, Mother Superior said, “You can tell her everything in due time, but right now it is not a good thing. Emotions and secrets do not always go together.”
I had to agree to this basic wisdom, but I wondered and asked her, “Shea is in control of her emotions, and she is way more than a friend. I am going to marry her and share the rest of my life with her.”
She took off her mask and looked at me with a soft smile but sad eyes and shook her head. “No, my dear, you won’t. If everything goes well, she will spend her life with you, but she will fade away and you will go on. I am certain now you are one of us, one of those where age and time means little. However, you are young and what I say now will fade in the background until many years have passed. I hope you both will be truly happy, as you deserve it.”
“What has changed from when we met last time? What made you certain?”
“Listen to yourself and you will know it, too. We all do, and we recognize each other.”
I knew she was right, even though the idea, the very concept of immortality, was incomprehensible. Why would a Neo-Viking of no special purpose become immortal? I had not met a Guardian. I did not find a rainbow palace nor had I psionic powers to slow down my cell decay. Heck I was barely adult and yet I somehow knew beyond all doubt that she was right.
I sighed deeply, as it was a heavy load of questions that pestered me and there were no answers in sight. “Yes, I feel it and I am sure you know more than you let on.”
She put her hand on my cheek. “Yes, Eric, I know more. We Immortals all have a task; some sort of purpose the Universe needs. Some of us know the task right away and others will only become aware of it after thousands of years. I don’t know your task, Eric, your true purpose, and I don’t want to influence your decisions with theories and opinions of my own.”
“You are already influencing me, and I don’t mind it. I feel you have good intentions.”
She nodded. “I do, Eric. I have good intentions and I really like you but Immortals are not always friends. They can be terrible enemies, and I hope one day when you know who you really are, you will see me as a friend and not an enemy.”
I stared at her in disbelief. “I might be one of you Immortals, but I will not become something else. I am Eric of Nilfeheim and I will never turn my back on my friends. I trust my feelings. I do think you have your own agenda, something that goes beyond all this but I know you are a friend.”
“Are you really the same Eric Olafson who left Nilfeheim? You live day in and day out as a female now and the world perceives you that way. You are not a young cadet but a starship captain. Yes, you are very young but do you think Stahl and McElligott would have given command over such an important mission to a child? No, Eric, you are changing and developing, and who knows what comes out at the end.”
Again, she removed all the patina and revealed the truth to me. I could not even use my first name anymore and yet as she said it, I knew the female part of me was only a phase as well. It would not be the end of my transformation. Maybe I really was slowly turning into a Narth.
She held up my mask. “This will be your friend, Eric. It helps us disguise our emotions, hide our true nature to those who do not understand us, allow our friends to see us and not fear us and eventually allows you to become someone else while fading from the memory of others.”
I shivered. “Will you be my guide? I am new to this Immortal business and it frightens me more than anything ever before.”
She declined her head. “Yes, Eric, I will be your guide as long as you let me and as far as I can. Richard will be there, as well as the Coven. Of course, the Narth Supreme will eventually supplant us all and be the guide you need.”
She got up with an open smile that now reached her eyes. “How do you feel anyway in your new life and role?”
“Much has changed and I find myself more and more content with my new role. I have not really missed my old body much.”
“That is good to hear. Being content in oneself is a big part of true happiness. Now let us talk a little business and after that we will go into the basement.”
From her table, she took a small PDD, looked at it and said, “I have intel that the Red Dragon will be here soon. He has left Alvor’s Cove and is on his way. Also, a mercenary and assassin named Damon Honshu arrived recently and asked many questions about the Silver Streak and Black Velvet. TSI believes he is an agent for the Nul-Nul or has close ties to the Triangle that is the Nul intelligence service. He was seen talking to two Nul agents. You might want to keep an eye open for him. I am giving you information on him in a data file so you can check it out.”
I updated her on what I had on that and she raised her shapely eyebrows. “It seems the training you received and your marvelous crew dug up some serious intel here. I think it was a great idea to go to Brahma Port first in disguise and with surveillance equipment.”
She was right again. I would not have even considered something like that before and perhaps all that clandestine spy stuff I had learned really changed my approach to things.
She seemed to know what I was thinking. “Now let us go downstairs and call a mutual friend of ours who is eager to hear your report.”
In the secret intel outpost deep below the actual temple and in the briefing room that was already familiar to me, she activated a secure link and McElligott appeared right away. “You are Captain Olafson, right?”
I forgot I wore the Sojonit mask again and took it off. “Yes, sir.”
Mother Superior laughed. “Who else would it be? I am here, to
o.”
“Mother Superior, I never get used to the fact that I have never seen your real face. Now dealing with your two masked doll faces is just too creepy for me. I want to see facial expressions.”
“All right, old man, when this is over I will come to Earth and show you. But the captain wants to give her report and go back to the ship.”
McElligott waved his hand. “I am always eager to hear these reports, but what could there to be to report? That pirate has not arrived yet and I read the report you filed with Admiral Stahl just the other day.”
I delivered my report about the hidden weapons and the Stiks, the Itomarian Staff and the boxes, about Fusionbeam and the psionic girl. “That’s all, sir. I wanted to wait till tomorrow after we had tried to recover the Terran weapons and had more on this Honshu guy.”
The Sojonit leader laughed out loud. “What could there be to report? Indeed, you forget who you are talking to!”
McElligott had his face buried in his hands then looked up. “All right, captain. I am sending the Minerva. That is a privateer ship that is one of our secret units. By the time this is over, you’ll know all our secret assets.”
He sighed. “As it may be, you are to transfer the Itomarian relics and the Stik Delegation to the Minerva. We will bring the Stik to Pluribus and as soon as the Stik have made their case and we confirm their claim, we will inform the other three members of the Big Four that Sin 4 is now a Union world and move in and clean-up that cesspool. If you can determine the whereabouts of those Terran weapons and maybe find out how they got there, that would be a priority.”
I acknowledged his orders and the masked woman added, “I bet Richard will want to come with the Devi.”
“We have had the Sin 4 problem now for quite some time and all we had to do is send in the Olafson Gang.”
He sighed. “Remind me to sit down and have a drink before you deliver your next report!”
“Sir, I am not sure what I should have done differently.”
“It is all good, captain. All is good. Continue just as you have done before. I trust in your abilities and judgements, as Richard and Cherubim do. One thing is for sure, Mr. Olafson; your reports aren’t boring to say the least. Carry on.” With these words, he cut the transmission.
Eric Olafson Series Boxed Set: Books 1 - 7 Page 114
