While I was contemplating my own condition, the augmented muscles of my Atlas suit made me jump on the top of a ten-story building. Concrete and brick shattered upon my impact and I jumped again, dispensing a dozen Dragonfly Seek and Destroy Intelli-projectiles from the launcher mounted into the knuckle area of my left gauntlet. The projectiles were programmed to seek out and kill anyone fitting the brainwave patterns of a Drak. The SII-Geyser Gatling on my left shoulder obliterated several Drak flyers with lightspeed-accelerated plutonium pellets over seven klicks away. At the apex of my leap, my boot thrusters came on and with my ax raised, I collided with one of the towering robotic war machines. Its force field collapsed in a crackling display of lightning.
The Drak soldiers sitting behind the cannon controls of the Ognix screamed with primeval fear as I ripped the protective armor of their gun mounts to shreds and grabbed one of them by the short throat, popping his head right off his shoulders while my ax split the other. From there, I fired my main weapon and the TKU blast of my chest cannon cut to the center of the Ognix with the core heat of a white star vaporizing the command brain and much of the upper structure of the machine.
My battle optics identified Narth floating not far from me. He, too, wore an Atlas suit. Two of the giant machines abandoned their attack on the civilians and turned to fight each other, while a third one, thousands of tons of it, begun to rise into the air, its armor crumbling as if an invisible fist was squeezing it. Then it crashed with force and head first into the ground. It was not just I who was growing and changing. Narth’s powers clearly grew as well
A beam of energy, so bright my optics almost overloaded, zigzagged in an impossible pattern through the chests of three Ognix machines. No weapon beam I knew of could change its direction like that. Narth’s mental voice gave me the answer. “That’s Ensign Three-Four, our Non-Corp. He decided he could do more damage not wearing his suit and it is evident he is quite right.”
It was over soon. Looking at the carnage, I realized just how formidable the crew I commanded was.
Our Leedei officer connected and said, “The rest of the Ognix are now marching toward their own headquarters and reducing Drak hardware and installations to scrap.”
Elfi’s voice added, “The Magistrate is calling Karthanians to stop them.”
Still floating above the burning city, I saw Ithe pick up weapons and storm a city square where soldiers had rounded up civilians to be shot and turned the table on the soldiers.
I used the confusion of the local forces to have the Tigershark land among the wrecks. Shea and SHIP had programmed a new Janus mask and the ship looked like a burned out, rusty hulk and looked as if it had been lying there for a hundred years at least and even I could not tell her apart from the other wrecks and scrap ships.
Ninety walked over and gestured to my ship with disbelief. “You flew with this thing?”
I said, “Remember my story about the Trojan horse? It’s something like that.”
He was still looking at the ship as he said, “After the broadcast you had me do last night, there is open revolt in several cities now and the Drak are holding back. They are afraid that if they act, they will get the same treatment as the troops and Ognix got last night in Craha City.”
I said to him, “That is good news indeed.”
Karthanians had to drop their thinly veiled disguise of being non-involved benefactors and use ship weapons to stop the turned Ognix walkers.
He now focused on me. “It is still a different story in the capital, of course. I have heard the Karthanian requested Oghar assistance with ships and troops and the Drak prepare a large shipment of prisoners to the Smelter Moons. My sources say they have over 10,000 prisoners and want to use them to show the Karthanian that they are still loyal and useful.”
“Wonderful, that is what I hoped for and it will help me with the next phase of my plan.”
He spread his arms in a confused gesture. “I used to be a Togar commander and yet I cannot see what you are planning. All I know is that what you did so far worked and I am fully behind you.”
“Do you think it would possible to go to the capital city undercover? I need to see the spaceport and gather intelligence.”
He said, “It will be difficult and dangerous but not impossible, I am sure. The authorities try everything to play down the events, especially in the capital and surrounding districts.”
The Togar said, “It will be best you go just before dusk so you arrive when it is dark. I’ll organize a guide and disguises for you.”
I felt like coming home stepping into my quarters, and I realized how tired I was. I hadn’t slept in quite a while, eaten very little, and had only the most rudimentary hygienic care. After checking with Circuit, who currently held the Conn, and holding a very short department meeting, I had a long and relaxing bath and almost fell asleep doing it. I could not believe how dried out my gills felt as I rinsed them with fresh cold water and hoped I would find time for an extended swim in our pool as soon as this was over.
I did not dress again. I sat down wearing a dressing gown and made a log book entry when the door chime announced a visitor. I expected Shea, but to my surprise it was Mr. Eeeryt carrying a tray. “SHIP told me that you haven’t eaten in days, so I made you this Tyranno Fin steak. I have a few portions in my stasis freezer saved for you.”
“Mr. Eeeryt, how thoughtful of you.” The savory smell of fried fish and mashed seaweed buds wafted into my nose like the finest scent in the Universe as he uncovered the dish and put the tray down. “You must take more care of yourself, captain. SHIP and I are concerned.”
I doubted Odin and the Aseir ate better food at the eternal banquet of Valhalla than the fish that was just melting on my tongue. There were few pleasures more satisfying than the simple act of eating one’s favorite food after not having it for a long time. The taste conjured images and memories of Uncle Hogun, Elena, Father, old Egill, the Elkhart, the First Keeper and, of course, of Midril and the kitchen of our burg.
“SHIP, we are still in regular GalNet range, right?”
“Yes, captain, especially since Alvor’s Cove just came online with a transponder station a few days ago.”
Only my AI would add such small talk information, and I was very glad it was so. “See if you can tune in on Nilfeheim Radio. It is almost yuletide and they play nice old music around this time. I think Egill told me in his last message that Nilfeheim Radio now has a GalNet channel.”
“Yes, captain, he did and I saved the info.”
The sweet music of an old Yuletide song filled my quarters and I allowed myself a bottle of beer and felt quite content for the moment. I knew it would not last, of course, but that didn’t bother me right now.
After finishing the plate and leaning back with a cigarette and a glass of Aquavit, I reflected on the recent events and developments. Yes, there was something happening to me, but as I listened to the music and remembered Nilfeheim, I knew Eric and Nilfeheim would always be a part of me, the part that defined my core. It was a good realization and as I lay down to sleep a few hours, I did so with a contented mind.
***
“Welcome,” said a deep voice that came from nowhere and everywhere at the same time. The last thing I remembered was going to bed and falling asleep. Maybe I was dreaming standing on a mirror-like dark surface that stretched to all sides as far as I could see. As I looked up, the view I saw took my breath away. It was a crystal-clear projection or representation of a galactic super cluster. I was almost certain I could identify our own local group.
One of these lights was the Milky Way Galaxy and the other slightly larger one right next to it was Andromeda. I knew many of the others from astronomy class. Yet I was certain this was no artist’s impression, this was as it looked like for real, yet not one of the known species had ever sent out a spaceship so far as to make a picture like that, not even the Seenians as far as I knew.
I saw my own reflection in the floor that had a glass-l
ike hardness. I was wearing a black shroud-like garment, similar to those the Narth wore but different. This shroud had the hood attached, more like a hooded cape that left the face open and not like the mask-like hood with eyeholes the Narth wore. It was cut like a floor-length dress, girded with a dark metal belt that had neither buckle nor any other distinctive features.
I could see my own face underneath the shadow-casting hood. This had to be a dream. I would never look that arrogant, that lofty, and somehow, I could not think of it as anything else but utterly beautiful, cold, and evil. It was not the face of a warm and loving woman, but more like the unmoving sculpture of a stone statue. Yet I recognized my features and my eyes.
Another hooded figure was suddenly there and despite its mask and hood, I knew it was the Narth Supreme.
He said, “Don’t be alarmed, Erica. Time and space as you understand it have no meaning here.” He actually laughed with a warm tone in his voice. “I should say as you currently understand it; there will be a point where you understand it better than all Narth ever hope to comprehend.”
“I am dreaming all this?”
“Let us pretend you are for now and then who can say what the dreams of a god may be?”
“Please don’t call me a god. I am not and I don’t want to be a god.”
“Very well then, should I call you Erica or should I call you Imperia Regina Cerperum Orcus, Death and Darkness Incarnate, the Devourer of Life and Light, the Incarnation of Eternal Darkness and Death? It is difficult to put it in Human words what you are. The day will come when you have powers so far beyond mortal comprehension that there will be those who will call you a god or a goddess perhaps. Entities with omnipotent power are often called that way.”
“If I have to be something like that, why Dark One? Can I not rather be the Light One or the Nice One?”
He actually sighed. “This is a very serious problem. Because you do have the choice and if Darkness itself chooses to be light, the balance that keeps the Universe as it is will forever be destroyed. What is a Universe without darkness? Light would have no meaning. Without death, there would be no life. Yet all Narth does not know if it might be possible and if a Universe could exist without balance.”
“Why is it I feel like a fish out of water? All this is so beyond my level of comprehension. If entities like me exist, does it not make the struggle of the Ithe, the plans of the Union, and all this useless? If gods can snap their fingers and snuff suns, move galaxies, or simply change reality to their liking?”
“These are all questions that are beyond Narth. We are very old and comprehend on levels Humans cannot, compared to you. However, Narth are like newborn children, but we are certain that the actions of everyone count. That even the life of bacteria has meaning and contributes to the sum of it all.”
He came closer and took my hand. “I tried to ease your mind by taking your memories of all this, but how can I influence what is coming alive in you? I called you here to ease your mind, to tell you that you have time; the Dark One will not come into its own until 12 pieces are united. Your ax, this shroud, the sword your friend Tyr is guarding and your very body are parts of this. I am also certain that once you have found all the other pieces and you are the Dark One, you will not be the same Dark One that destroyed many universes before. I am confident you will make the right decision.”
“How can a normal Human being function in everyday life if she knows she will ultimately become something evil. Look at my reflection. She looks like me, and I know it is me, but she looks worse than a Kermac and Thauran combined.”
“You were born on Nilfeheim as Eric, a Human boy. Now you are an adult and appear female. That is what all beings do; they grow and become adult. Their outlook and comprehension develops and changes. The same holds true for your true self; you are still at the beginning of a very long journey and even an entity must grow and learn and develop.
“This is the very reason you reincarnated, I am certain of it. My advice to you is, do not dwell on it. Don’t try to run when you can barely walk. Don’t think of the future as set in stone, as many events can and will happen that could change everything. For now, you are not the Dark One, you are still Erica Olafson, captain of a Union Starship and that is your current destiny and that is where you are needed.”
Simply talking and listening to the wisdom of the Narth Supreme made me feel much better. He declined his head. “I can no longer make you forget things, but you can if you want. You are in control and it is you who decides what you will become in the end; that is what the decision is all about.”
“Yes, please help me to put all this in the background. It fills me with doubt and fear, and I should not be distracted from my duty.”
“What is in you can no longer be silenced or manipulated by any force known to Narth, except you. Because it is you, but I can show you how it is done. Concentrate and relax at the same time. Get into a state of meditation like you do when you practice your martial arts, now you can adjust the balance—”
***
I had slept three good hours and got up despite the mild mothering complaints of SHIP that this wasn’t enough sleep and that it was still five hours before dusk. Local days were six hours longer than the Union standard day after all. I also remembered that I had talked to the Narth Supreme in my sleep. I knew that the strange ax was part of me and that it would come to me whenever I called it, no matter where it was. I remembered some of the advice and also knew there was more we had spoken about that I could not recall.
However, all this brooding of my possible future was fruitless, and I decided to let it all develop as it may. All I could do was try my best and be a good Fleet officer.
I felt refreshed and I knew I would not be able to find real rest until I was sure my job here was done.
Har-Hi and I had disguised ourselves as Ithe, very tall Ithe, but Ninety assured us that tall Ithe were rare but not completely uncommon. Ninety insisted on going along, despite that he was now a crucial figure in the movement. How could I argue his decision, when my real place should be aboard the ship at the bridge and sending someone else?
I decided to let him inside so he could use one of our Saresii autodressers making him look like an Oghar. He was simply too tall to even remotely be a convincing Ithe.
We had used Grythers to fly the 500 kilometers’ distance to the capital city of the planet and landed not far from the tavern where we had met with the pirates. The sun was already behind the horizon, and it would soon be completely dark. With us were Ninety, the Karthanian who I learned listened to the name Nefkin, and Jutika the former Drak commander. Ninety, in his Oghar disguise, chased our ride animals back into the sky and assured us the animals were used to this and would find their way back to their stables.
He then pointed to the city in the distance. “We will walk until we reach the Croi District, there we will get additional disguises to blend into the general population so we can use the underground train.”
We started walking.
Har-Hi said. “That was exciting, riding those flying beasts. If this place ever becomes Union, I bet they could make a fortune selling them as pets. I certainly would buy one.”
Jutika must have overheard him and said, “I spent a lifetime here and I, too, rode a Gryther for the first time. They are native to this world and only mountain tribes have learned to tame and ride them.”
Ninety turned as he was walking point. “Your captain already earned hers and she is welcome to take her Gryther along, I am sure we can get you one, too, Mighty Dai Prince.”
Har-Hi chuckled, amused. “Just what we need, another flying dragon in our hangars. I think it would be cruel to perch up those animals in a spaceship; they need room to fly. I will, however, return to Ithe once it is free and when we have completed our mission and take you up on a ride for sure.”
The disguised Togar said, “This is what I admire most about you, this unshakeable confidence, Mighty Dai prince.”
We reached a wider road that was paved and had sporadic streetlights. The buildings on each side looked industrial and desolated.
Har-Hi said, “I think I would prefer you simply call me Har-Hi, the whole Dai prince thing is a tad too overbearing.”
While the two continued to talk about Grythers, the Ithe commander said, “These are the outskirts of the Croi District. It is where, until about 10 years ago, a thriving private industry flourished. Then the new Magistrate came into office and forbade most private enterprise because all profit should go to the state and private enterprise would make demands and be a possible hotbed of dissent. Only small cottage industry bars and small shops are still allowed to be in private hands.”
We walked past a boarded-up warehouse-like structure. “This Magistrate sure sounds like a piece of work.”
“I was raised to believe the Drak can only survive with the Magistrate suppressing any notion of Ithe independence.”
“I still don’t understand the difference. You look like an Ithe to me and the Ithe look like Drak.”
“I am sure the differences are too subtle for an outsider to see.” She moved her right eye stalk to look at me directly. “The Drak are somewhat taller and we Drak have uniformly-colored stalks while Ithe have spots and ring-shaped areas on their bodies that are darker.”
I almost laughed. “That’s all the difference?”
She squeezed the skin over her eyeball closed; I had learned that this was the same as a Human nod. “To a being like you coming from this mystical Union it must sound ridiculous, I heard that race and appearance makes no difference there, is that true?”
We were still walking but now we could see an occasional ground vehicle or a flyer. I said to her, “There are over 5,000 member civilizations in the Union. We have insectoid, silicone-based life forms, amphibians, and Humans. In my crew, I have an Arachnoid, living machines, Takkians, rodent-like Holdians, Humans, and even a Non-Corp, living energy without a body whatsoever. If we would start making differences because of something so unimportant as appearance, we would never get anywhere. Besides, it is thanks to our great diversity that we are as advanced as we appear, since we benefit from the advances and the knowledge of others and every new member brings something new to the mix.”
Eric Olafson Series Boxed Set: Books 1 - 7 Page 143
