Eric Olafson Series Boxed Set: Books 1 - 7

by Vanessa Ravencroft

  I sighed. “I guess staying cool and safe inside the ship won’t get things done. This time, you take three marines along and stay in contact all the time.”

  “We can do that.”

  Circuit wanted to use the time to work on the bridge systems and tinker them back to his specifications. We could use the auxiliary bridge if we had an emergency in the meantime.

  Shaka and Three-Four wanted to help Circuit.

  Elfi and Shea wanted to use the communications laboratory to monitor and analyze the local comm traffic, so it came that everyone had something to do except me.

  A spaceship was like a small town and everyone had a task. I watched the Golden and Narth leave the ship. Wearing a brown instead of a black robe and hood, Narth would not even have to disguise himself to blend in. Two marines were with them, and a third, well-camouflaged, would be somewhere near. Having an elite marine in full camouflage watching over them made me feel much better. I knew we had to take risks but we also had wonderful tools to reduce them as much as possible.

  The afternoon watch took their stations, as forenoon watch went off duty to eat, sleep, and spend their free time.

  “SHIP, who has the Conn right now?”

  “Lt. Krabbel just went on duty, captain.”

  So, I decided to explore the Tigershark a little more.

  There were plenty of areas I had not seen yet. The ship had eight main decks. Some were subdivided in sub decks. The hangar deck in the middle of the ship was the largest deck. It also contained freight bays, main engineering in the back, and our recreation facilities, including our pool. The other recreation facilities included a gym and a lounge that was all the way to the front of the ship. It was something like a bar and tavern with access to our Virtu-Chambers and various gaming machines and socializing areas. Ever since we’d created the Den, it was not frequented as much.

  As I walked in, I found only a few crew members playing chess. I had been told most such activities now took place in the Den.

  The deck directly below was called Deck Seven and contained marine quarters, the main armory, the brig, and Han’s Security Office. There also were the smaller hangars for the landing tanks and the main ammunition storage bunkers for the Translocator cannons. In the rear was Auxiliary engineering with the alternative ISAH drive and conventional engines.

  Then came the lowest deck, officially called Deck Eight, but usually referred to as the basement. Here was Environmental Engineering with the obligatory waste tanks, recycling facilities, water, and material storage. It contained stasis freezers, storage bays for food and supplies and the machinery and systems needed for the Janus Device. Why I went down here, I could not really say, other than the fact that I had only once been down here during our training on Richter Base.

  I’d seen most of the ship but had spent next to no time down here. The Tigershark was still a new ship and had a huge swarm of nanites, teams of robots, and my crew to keep everything clean as can be.

  To the left and right down the central corridor of Deck Eight were heavy doors in regular intervals. Signs designated them as access to such areas as: Environmental Engineering, Stasis Freezer, Supply Factory, Ship Store Office and the like. A double slide belt in the middle of the corridor, one for each direction, activated as I entered. Other than the slight hum of the belts and the background vibration of our main engines on standby, it was very quiet down here and no one else was around. I stepped on the slide belt and was carried down the corridor. Then I heard voices from an open door. The icon sign read: D8 SB Perimeter Control Ground. I knew it was not exactly the finest manners but I stopped to listen.

  A male voice I was sure I had heard before said, “I don’t think she wants to hear from us, she is the captain. I am just enlisted. I tried to become an officer but it wasn’t for me.”

  Another male voice responded, “But she said she would listen to every suggestion, regardless where it came from. I think our captain is different. I even ate on the same table in our cool den with her just the other night.”

  The first voice said, “Yeah I heard that, too. She is a mighty fine captain, and we’re on the best ship, but she didn’t really mean that. Besides, it might be a stupid idea.”

  The unseen second man said, “I am sure she meant it exactly like that. In what other ship can you hear and listen to what they decide to do on the bridge? I think I’ll walk straight up there and tell her about your idea. What can happen? Either she listens and likes the idea or she doesn’t.”

  “She laughs at us.”

  I stepped around the corner. There was a steep ramp leading down into an inverted dome-shaped small control room that appeared to be extended from the ship’s belly. A double-barrel directed energy cannon was sticking out from the middle and one had a great view of the underside of the ship and the entire landing field.

  The two men sat in comfortable recessed seats. One was operating a scanner-type instrument panel, while the other kept visually magnifying areas of the landing field and focusing on movement outside our shield parameters.

  The one behind the scanner said, “I have a positive live form scan, sector 45, grid point six.”

  The other magnified a section on the ground near one of our starboard landing gears and the resolution became so fine, one could see individual pebbles and small rocks. The visuals focused on an arm-length snake that was well camouflaged with its color against the same colored ground.

  The man on the scanner said, “Scans confirm, local lifeform known as Jathori Snake. Very poisonous and known to attack anything that causes ground vibrations.”

  The other said, “I’ll notify OPS and Security with a low priority message.”

  I felt pride in my efficient and diligent crew as I watched them perform their duty.

  I said, “I really appreciate your meticulousness approach in performing perimeter security, and I promise I won’t laugh at any idea you bring before me. I really did mean what I said.”

  The two turned, and I recognized the left one by the rosy face and blue eyes as Derek Simmons, the academy aspirant I had met in the space bus flying to Arsenal Gate for the first time.

  He blushed even more and they both got up. The other man I did not recognize other than the fact I had seen him a few times somewhere in the corridors of the ship. He snapped in attention. “Captain on deck!”

  Despite being in attention, Derek tried to hide a pin-up poster attached to the side of his station’s wall.

  I said, “As you were, I am just making my rounds.”

  I stepped closer and inspected the poster Derek could not possibly hide even if he wasn’t at attention. It was a picture of me, or actually a graphic artist’s rendering, showing me in skin tight leather, but with a deep plunging neckline, exposing much of my breasts. In the picture, I was swinging an ax in one hand and coiling a whip with the other. A flashing title in bold red letters read, Black Velvet, the sexiest pirate of the Universe. Mysterious Battle Amazon of a far distant Galaxy.

  The poster had smaller inserts of moving visuals that constantly repeated the scenes of my fight with the Stomper. Below, a moving ticker line read, Black Velvet, notorious pirate fights monsters and evades the authorities. There are merchants praying never to cross her path and men dreaming to be captured by her …

  I cleared my throat. “Interesting choice of wall decoration, a bit perhaps on the kitschy side, but I guess I should be flattered.”

  The other enlisted had a hard time keeping a straight face while it looked as if Derek wanted to sink into the floor in embarrassment.

  I repeated, “As you were, at ease, guys.”

  To Derek, I said, “Mr. Simmons, I bet you did not find that poster in one of your National Galactic magazines. How are things on Harvest 12?”

  He gasped, “Captain, ma’am, you know where I am from?”

  I said, “Harvest 12 has no seasons because weather control and collector mirrors see to that, but there are wheat fields as big as continents, right?”


  Derek’s eyes almost popped out. “Captain, have you memorized all the personnel files or are you psionic-gifted? No one ever knows about Harvest 12.”

  I smiled. “No, but you told me about it yourself sitting next to me in a shuttle to Arsenal Gate.”

  He blinked and then snapped his fingers. “Ah, yes, I told that fellow from Nilfeheim where I am from! I remember him, but I would have remembered a hot looker like you … Ah, I mean, a nice-looking female being in that shuttle with us.”

  I smirked. “I was the fellow from Nilfeheim. I wasn’t female back then; it might be a little complicated to explain though.”

  He waved his hand. “Not really, captain. I read an article about that in National Galactic, and my Uncle Samuel is now Aunt Samantha. He looks pretty good, too, now, and even married.”

  I smiled. “Well, that saves me to explain to you the details then!”

  “Wow, you made captain. Now that explains where I heard the name Olafson before. I remember you saying you wanted to become a starship captain and you already made it.”

  “How about your plans to become an engineer?”

  He smiled. “Right there at Arsenal Gate, I talked to the career advisor. One of those guys in those gray rooms suggested an enlisted career path for me and he was right. I am exactly where I want to be. I am a Direct Energy Weapon Specialist and also added Ship Security Specialist to my résumé.” He made a gesture around the room. “You can’t believe how happy I was when they picked me for a special mission and it turned out to be this ship. Now it looks like we’re going into unexplored space just as I have always dreamed. I bet we are going to see things no one else ever has!”

  At first, he talked to me like a buddy and then it was clear he realized who he was talking to and his cheeks turned red again and he added sheepishly, “Sorry about all that, captain, ma’am.”

  I put a hand on his shoulder. “I told you guys that I am not going to rip your heads off, if you forget to say captain or do something else not exactly by the book as long as the work is done and that it is done very satisfactorily, as I could see a few moments ago.”

  The other specialist with the name Harper on his uniform said, “Yeah, she did! I told you she meant it!”

  I widened my smile. “Mr. Harper is quite correct. I also would never laugh about anyone coming to me with an idea. My door is open for everyone and not just for ideas, but anything that bugs you or simply to talk. For example, I really do want to know how the crew feels that we might have to extend our mission for at least 24 months.”

  Harper, who was much less inhibited by my presence, said, “Everyone I know can’t wait to get it started, captain. I mean, that’s the real reason most of us have joined. Not to fly from A to B in Union Space, but to see new things and occasionally kick some behind. I don’t mind if we fly to the other end of the Galaxy and it takes five years.”

  Simmons nodded. “Same here, captain!”

  I felt much better knowing that. “Now, why don’t you tell me of your idea?”

  Simmons said, “Well, I was thinking about your shipwide message about this planet and you wanted ideas. I mean, I’ve seen our treasure. Could we not simply buy that planet? It’s done all the time. I mean, corporations buy planets and I think this Local Lord bought this world from the Togar. You could say you are interested in operating your own pirate base, especially with Sin 4 gone it might be good business. Then, when you own it, we do whatever we want with it.”

  Now it was me who gasped for a moment and then I said, “You know, I think you are on to something. It is certainly worth a shot.”

  I turned to leave and went up the ramp and then said to them, “Never hesitate to come to me.”

  “I will remember that, captain.”

  As I was in the corridor, I could hear Harper say. “She’s pretty damn cool, our captain, and sure nice to look at, too.”

  Derek said, “Why do you think I got that poster from Sobody?”

  Still smiling, I went back to the bridge. Circuit was there and had a few access panels open around the navigations chair. I did not have to wait long to see the Holdian appear from one of them, holding a tool and a handheld diagnostic device.

  To my surprise, I saw the Nul sitting at communications and Elfi standing next to him, looking like a small doll compared to his size, and she was instructing him.

  Krabbel rose from the Conn position but I said, “As you were, Krabbel. I just came to make a local call.”

  Elfi turned. “Oh, hi, captain. I am just instructing the prince in basic comm protocols.”

  The Nul turned his entire body so he could look at me. “I decided to specialize in communications and pursue a real Fleet career before my ascent. My Life Giver approves this decision.”

  “Not Tactical or the marines?”

  “I am sure this will be the choice of many Nul, but I think communications is a good choice as it could lead to an OPS position.”

  I sat down on a chair next to Elfi and asked, “Any news on the Golden and Narth?”

  “Yes, they are calling in every 10 minutes. They are still just walking around.”

  “How about Har-Hi?”

  “He called about five minutes ago telling us that he is all right and will contact us with news soon.”

  I pointed to the communications console and said, “Can one of you see if this Local Lord can be called over the local network?”

  Elfi, with her fine hands, guided the brutish fingers of the Nul giant over the input panel and showed him what to do then she said, “Yes, I am in their rather primitive comm network and have his comm unit isolated.”

  “Call him, please.”

  I got up, masked myself, and stepped before the main screen.

  I heard Elfi say to Xon, “This indicator shows that the bridge background is replaced with a background that matches our Janus disguise.”

  To me, she said, “He is answering.”

  A Karthanian appeared on the screen. He looked as alien as the Captain of the Minerva but appeared much older. He also seemed surprised by my call.

  “I think you are the captain of the Silver Streak. It shows you have some good hackers aboard your ship able to overwrite the comm securities of our network so effortlessly. You better have a good reason to call me like this.”

  “Yes, I do, Local Lord. I was wondering if your entire world might be for sale. I am thinking of getting into the pirate base business.”

  He said nothing for at least one whole minute, then he responded, “You sure don’t talk around issues and come straight to the point. I am assuming this is no joke.”

  “No, I am quite serious.”

  “If you can come up with 80 million Union credits on a safe account and add a million in polo, you got a deal!”

  “I’ve got the money right here!”

  He sat down, almost as if he was dizzy and said, “You are serious! For this money, I can get me a real nice place on one of the water moons of Kartheee and even buy me a non-voting seat in the Guild and once more be a respected Karthanian with nothing to worry about, except how well my qugamt is mixed.”

  He put his hand-like extremities on the table before him and made a wiping gesture. “Come on over and I’ll sign the deal. I’ll tell the Lord Guards they have a new Local Lord or in your case a Local Lady in charge of the place. If your money is real, I’ll give you the codes for the Planetary Defense Forts, too.”

  An hour later, I arrived at the Local Lord’s office, with two marines and Hans in my wake. Hans slammed the big box down and opened it. “One million polo coins.”

  The Local Lord’s tongue flickered and he made a whistling sound. “I still don’t believe it, you are serious!”

  I pulled out my credit box and said, “I am ready to transfer the credits, too.”

  He pulled his credit strip and said, “One might not like the Union but their money is as good as polos and so much safer. You are not kidding around. I never heard of anyone buying a pla
net that fast and just like that.”

  I swiped the amount on his strip and noticed that even this big transaction made no serious dent in my personal funds. It had been steadily growing. It looked like Mr. Silverzweig invested my money very wisely.

  He stared at his credit strip and then clasped it close to his chest. “I can’t believe I just became a multimillionaire.”

  He glanced at it again and then at the polos. He unhooked a device from his belt and handed it to Hans. “This is the control device for the three Kermac Planetary Defense Forts this planet has. The access codes are open and can be reset by you.”

  Then he pushed a piece of paper across the table and said to me, “This is the purchase contract we got from the Togar when my grandfather bought this place. It is signed by the Togar queen and declares anyone in possession of this contract the legal owner of this world. I just crossed out my grandfather’s name and added yours. I also signed it that you legally bought it from me.”

  I took the paper and folded it and thanked him.

  He got up and extended his long fingers. “You are the Local Lady now, so don’t worry about asking me or my family for the water tax. We will pack and be gone today.”

  He then brushed off the seat he had been sitting on. “What a pleasure doing business with you. There is a nice Karthanian moon waiting for me, complete with oceans.”

  I went around the desk and sat down as he went to the door and barked for his guards. As they appeared, he said, “Your new boss is sitting behind the desk. She is to be obeyed, as she owns the world.”

  The three guards, two Oghar and a man who looked more like a big primate than Human, stared at me.

  The Karthanian slapped one of the Oghar. “Pay her respects, you oaf, or she might be selling you to the slavers.”

  I waved them in and said, “You are?”

  The primate-looking man and the other, an Oghar, looked quite perplexed.

  The Oghar finally said, “I am Stronht, the security chief around here. My brother Feifht is the tax collector and that big guy is Ste. He isn’t talking much but he is really good at keeping order.”