No one dared to speak and there was open fear in quite a few of the rough faces.
He carried an Ultronit band reinforced Strong box over his left shoulder and with his right he swiped one of the Oghr out of his way, with about as much effort as if swatting an insect. The Oghr hurled several metes, crashed between tables and chairs and instead of getting up he crawled further out of Hans way.
Sobody walking next to Hans was almost unnoticed. He looked the same as always but his bald head sported a ghastly cross shaped scar . From my adventure on Alvor’s cove I knew it meant he was an outcast of the Golden society .
The metal grating of the floor was vibrating with every step Hans made; glasses on the tables danced as he came to my table and placed the heavy chest before me.
Sobody unlocked it with a flair of importance and an electronic key he wore around his neck and bowed before me. “Captain, as requested your purse.”
I was still sitting and said. “Pay that Thauran 1000 Polos.”
Captain Swift whistled through his teeth as Sobody opened the chest that was filled to the brim with Polo Coins packed in clear plastic bags and handed the speechless Thauran two of them saying “Two bags of 500 each.”
Narth got up whispered to Hans.
My terrifying looking Security chief nodded and took the struggling and horrified Togar cat like a toy doll over his shoulder and along with Narth he left.
Into the prevailing silence Bloom said looking at the two bags of money he held.
“By the blessed Blue Virgin , that I call no nonsense business. You seem to run a tight ship and gathered a capable crew, respect, respect!”
The three armed Pertharian held out two of his hands.
“Now that you have money, I think you need to pay your tab.”
Since the Barkeeper also held the remote control of the Neuro ripper in his third hand and the projector heads on the ceiling moved with an audible hum, targeting the Thauran; the blue skinned Captain obliged, but he didn’t like it one bit as it was evident by his facial expression.
Bloom came closer to our table with his crew close behind him. He eyed the heavy chest and said to me.
“You would not be in the market for 80 tons of fine Togar merchandise ?”
I sipped at my Dai Beer and said.
“No I am not.”
“You see, I have a hold full of that stuff, and it will sell on Sin 4 or on Kaliment for good money. The trouble is, I am a tad short on fuel and these tight Basset bastards don’t give credit.”
I raised my head and looked at him.
“And why are you boring me with that. I am sure the miners over there have always needs for cheap laborers and after a year or two you might have enough money to buy fuel, I suppose.”
He sucked in air and said pointing his finger at me.
“I don’t think you understand, female. I eat the likes of you for breakfast. I am going to take that chest now and if you try to stop us my men will do the same to you what we did to the Togar female.
Har Hi said.
“Touch that chest and you touch nothing ever again with your own hands.”
His men drew weapons and he said.
“Do the math, Dai, ten against three. Your leather clad monster isn’t here.”
The Barkeep jelled.
“I don’t care what business you have among each other, but no Energy weapons. If you want to brawl with swords and knifes be my guest, but you pay for the damage.”
Now Crimson Curse got up, smashing his fist onto the metal table so hard, it left a sizable dent. “Enough of this! Free Space is shrinking by the day and the places our kind can rest and trade are not as common as they used to be. It is you trouble makers that spoil it for the rest of us. If you have quarrels duke it out Captain versus captain as it always has been the custom.”
Bloom raised his arms. “Well so be it then. I fight the female and get the Polos, what a splendid suggestion Ugly Crimson!”
Har-Hi shook his head. “That is a bad idea, Bloom. Reconsider and fight me instead.”
Bloom laughed. “If she wants to play pirate and fly with the big boys then she needs to fight herself. I have no problem spanking her into submission.”
I got up so fast, my chair flew and crashed against the wall somewhere in the back, while I was flanking myself over the table, and raked both of my boot heels across his throat and face. My training with Master Alameda and the Academy instructors; the instructions of Siegfrieda , Richard the Outcast and mental uploads I received from the Sojonit sisters merged into an instinctive, distinct style all of my own and I was at a point where I was able to act almost faster than I could think. My reaction was fueled by the old familiar Olafson rage and my growing dislike of Thaurans.
Still in motion I hit the floor and spin kicked the Oghar right next to Bloom for good measure. The Ultronit heels of my boots were terrible weapons at close quarter.
Bloom staggered backward, his hands trying to stop the blood spraying from his throat wound.
My Colt 45 roared and the heavy lead slug tore into the head of the recovering Oghr, proving once again what a deadly weapon this old gun really was.
Bloom had dropped to his knees, there was an expression of pain and the certain knowledge of impending death on his face as he reached out with his other hand. There was no mercy and no feeling of remorse as I pointed the muzzle of the antique colt at his forehead and ended his misery with a gory explosion of blood and brain.
Har Hi had been right behind me, both swords drawn decapitating two of Bloom’s men in a dazzling lightning fast move. A third stared stared at his arm stump, his right hands fallen on the floor still clutching a blaster.
Our constant cross training showed that Shea was no longer just a science geek but a force to be reckoned with, as she had her strange sword at the throat of the second Oghar , cutting pieces out of his armor with little flicks of her wrist.
Even our Golden turned out to be much more than just an old man of a dwarf like species. He moved his hand and arm in a strange motion almost as if he threw something and then pulled at an imaginary string; the effect of his pantomimic moves however was deadly and gruesome. One of the Thauran crew members fell to the floor cut in half!
Sobody glared at the remaining men and said. “He should have thought twice before pulling a dagger on my Captain while I am around.”
I looked around and said. “Anyone else thinking, I can’t play with the boys. Step on up!”
All this had happened so fast, Crimson was still standing. Swift whistled again. “Holy shit!”
Har-Hi carefully cleaned his blades with a piece of silk he always carried and said as he put the swords away.
“I did warn him, I might just have clipped an ear of his.”
Crimson sat back down and said. “Good riddance to Bloom, maybe we can drink in peace now. You Captain Velvet , of course are welcome to join us here at the Captain’s table.”
One of the surviving crew members of Bloom’s group said. “What of us now, are we to report to your ship?”
I nodded. “That’s right. Go get everyone of your crew and report to the Silver Streak.”
Har-Hi got up “I make sure they are properly accommodated.”
Har-Hi proved just how strong he was as he shouldered the heavy money chest and he and Shea left followed by Blooms men. Just as I was sitting down at the Captain’s table a representative of the Bassett family approached and said.
“I am Kooornt Bassett and I can make you an offer and if you want for both ships.”
I pointed to the Golden and said. “My Quartermaster will take care of that.”
Sobody grinned from ear to ear and went with the man to a different table.
Swift said. “You certainly live up to your legend and then some.”
He touched his throat and then glanced at the body of Bloom.
Crimson quaffed another tankard of Oghar brew and ordered a plate of Lum-Lum Chews . Then he said with his deep gr
owling voice. “It is a good thing you dealt with that Thauran . Otherwise I would have. He is the kind, just like that cursed Red Dragon and his Sinister Alliance stirring things up too much.”
He looked around and leaned forward. “The Dragon keeps poking the Union like he did recently with his stunt attacking a Union Outpost and they might start listening to the Eternal Warrior and roll in giving a hoot about treaties and Freespace , and then our days will be counted,”
Swift said. “Well the Shiss , the Kermac and the Nul will have a word in that as well, I doubt the Union will risk a war over pirates.”
Crimson made a wiping gesture with his big hands. “They can’t stop the Union. I tell you Red Dragon and his Sinister Alliance are bad news.”
Swift shrugged. “I was considering flying to Itheamh and finding out where their secret meeting place is and joining the Sinister Alliance. There are rumors they plan for something big.”
Crimson took one of the Lum-Lums that had just been served , but did not eat, instead he said. “What use do we have for alliances? Is it not the very reason we do what we do to be free of other mens rules and laws? What good did his last big raid do him?”
I shrugged and played the uninformed. “I played in another region of the Galaxy and haven’t been in touch with the news lately. Did they not attack a Union outpost or something like that?”
Crimson chewed with his massive jaws and gave Swift a side look from his small yellow eyes and said after he swallowed.
“Aye he did, Outpost 96 . Huge Pirate fleet, and a decoy fleet full of ground troops to boot, filled with every gun wielding scum he could hire on Sin 4 and Itheamh . Lightly defended he claimed it would be and yet he got his arse kicked, by a bunch of Wolfcraft fighters . He was the only one escaping with nothing in his holds but air and a hole as big as planet in his ship. If he has some personal vendetta against the Union, let him do it on his own. I rather be dead than fly with his Sinister Alliance.”
He grabbed another Lum-Lum and bit in it with resolve. Then he pushed the plate over and invited Swift and me to take one as well.
Swift declined and sipped on a glass with a greenish thick liquid that smelled strongly of fermented fruits and said.
“Maybe you are right, you’re in this business longer than most.”
The Bassett Brother came to me and sighed, pointing at Sobody who looked as pleased as a Nubhir wolf that got the big bone, and said. “Smart move, Captain Velvet to have a Golden do business for you. If we had continued haggling I would have been lucky walking out of here with my pants still mine.”
Sobody also got up and came over as well. “I am going with my new friend Kooornt and make sure we get paid.”
I said. “You did well, I assume?”
“Considering the location and the small market, yes Captain.”
After they left Crimson finished a sixth Lum-Lum and said.
“Well I am off and go back to business and I suggest you both do the same.” He leaned forward once again and lowered his voice as much as he could. “This region isn’t going to be safe much longer.”
Swift made a surprised face. “Why are you saying this? This is still Freespace!”
Crimson touched his jeweled encrusted gold encased tusk.
“I have it on good authority that the Dai Lord Cam Elf-Na united over 2000 clans under his leadership into one massive mega clan. It is said he is out for revenge. Anyone guilty of dealing with Dai artifacts will feel their wraith. The Bassetts made a killing on Dai scrap, as you know. The big fight between Union and Dai happened not far from here.
Cam Elf Na will need lots of raw materials for the Dai factory ships when he attacks the Union, which I am certain is his next move.”
Swift waved his hand. “I actually heard the same rumor on Itheamh , but the Bassetts have a defense alliance with the Togar and they aren’t far from here and the Togar do keep their contracts, their queen is known for it.”
Crimson placed a few coins on the table and said.
“I care not what you believe, but the Queen would need more than two thirds of the Togar fleet, to defeat 2000 Dai Clans and I doubt the Queen will make such an effort to defend an unimportant partner as the Bassetts. I think Cam Elf-Na has the power to take on almost anyone in Free Space now. No one is really safe. Not Sin 4 , not Itheamh, not the Kartanians .
It would take the reunification of all Oghar Kingdoms to stop him and that won’t happen even if the Galaxy turns its spin; and if he moves across into Union Space he will cut a swath of destruction before the Union can stop him. In any case this area of space is soon to hot for any individual space ship.”
With those words the Oghar Captain left.
Swift said. “I am heading for Sin 4 and two ships are safer than one, if you heading that direction Velvet, we could fly together.”
I nodded. “As a matter of fact, I am going that way too. So yes it might be a good idea. I am leaving early in the morning as well.”
That suited me just fine and if everything went according to plan, he would arrive on Sin 4 inside my Cargo bay and inside a Zero Stasis Box.
The Pertharian cleaned the table of empty mugs and plates and pointed at the dead pirates. “Do you want them or can I clean up?”
“No I have no need for bodies, what do I owe you for the clean up.”
“I sell their bodies and gear. wThis and whatever change they have on them will do for payment.”
Swift stretched his arms. “Well I am hungry too, but the stench of death soured my appetite, This asteroid has a few decent restaurants in the upper tier. This is where I am headed.”
He gestured towards the Pertharian who loaded the dead onto a sturdy hover cart. “Besides the next batch of Lum-Lums might be Ala Thauran . Care to join me for dinner?”
“Maybe some other time. I have a ship to attend to, and I prefer the fair served in my galley anyway,”
He laughed. “You are lucky then. We take turns preparing meals on the Swift Profit and none of us is a gifted chef. This is the main reason I come here, to eat something that isn’t raw or burned. What would I give for a decent food printer , an automated galley or a robo chef .” He got up. “Well if you change your mind, I will be in the Harpir’s Lion top tier. If not we will talk tomorrow when we leave for Sin 4.”
He rapped his knuckles against the table, got up and left.
Chapter 7: Mikesh
I suddenly found myself sitting pretty much alone in the dimly lit tavern.
I got up too and decided to check out the Asteroid base a little more. I still contemplated ways to put them somehow out of business, since destroying it was off the table.
The tavern was not the only business on this level. There was a ship parts dealer, a merchant selling water and food items in bulk to replenish ship stores.
Next to it a place that sold mining tools and supplies.
There I observed a big human miner in a smudgy yellowish coverall or maybe some sort of utility space suit standing before the supply store, he was half way surrounded by a group of four unsavory looking characters. A Jooltar , a being that looked like a smaller sized Shiss with two arms only and two humans. They wore armor and battle suit pieces and they were armed.
At first I paid no real attention and wanted to go on and explore more of the base , or maybe go back to the Tigershark and see about the Togar female but the way the four beings crowded onto the miner told me that there was trouble brewing. The corridor was not wide enough for me to pass by unnoticed or in a safe distance.
I could hear the Jooltar say. “Didn’t we tell you not to come to the station anymore? It is simply not safe for you.”
“I have a right to be here, just as you. Tell him that I will not sell my claim.”
“That is the problem. If you let us have your claim all problems disappear. You struck it rich didn’t you?”
“What is it to you? I am digging for 40 years now..”
The lizard being raised a club to strike the man.
“I think you need a lesson and then we will walk to the Claim office.”
The four started to beat the man, who tried to shield his face with his arms. They were merciless and brutal.
I shouldered myself past the four and said. “Would you mind clearing the entrance, no one can get in that store with you crowding the door like that.”
For a short moment they all were so surprised about my sudden appearance in their midst that they forgot what they were doing.
The Jooltar muttered . “She is right you know we are blocking...”
One of the humans whacked the Jooltar. “You stupid mutt, of course we are.”
The same human grabbed me by the arm. “You beat it and disappear very fast, or you join this stubborn Roid digger in the infirmary.”
“I was in the market to buy one of these things with the yellow handle over there, not that I know what it is but I needed exactly one of those. Now there is two things I hate. Unfair situations and being touched unasked.”
They started to laugh, “You are quite cheeky...”
I grabbed his hand that still was on my shoulder, right by the wrist and gave it a powerful twist and buried my knee between his legs,
The Yoltaar was the fastest, reacting while I still dealt with the human, but still slow enough for me to stomp on his foot. My heel digging deep into his boot.
They weren’t a real challenge and a few moments later they littered the ground and didn’t move.
Now I should scold myself. Killing Bloom earlier on was not really necessary, and fighting four brawlers about a local affair that didn’t mean a thing to our mission was even more foolish. This was not how a Union Officer behaved, not even undercover.
The miner came staggering to his feet and stood there unsteady and wobbling.
I said to him.”Well mister, they won’t bother you for a while. Why don’t you find that infirmary they talked about and have yourself fixed up?”
He pulled a ghastly looking rag from a belt pouch and pressed it on a bleeding cut over his right eye. “I am going to be alright, Captain Velvet. Thanks to you!”
Eric Olafson Series Boxed Set: Books 1 - 6 (The Galactic Chronicles Series) Page 105
