McElligott, as immortal and as old as Stahl, and usually an authority and dominating presence but it always got lost when he was with Stahl. The woman known as Cherubim was still an enigma to me, as I knew very little about her.
McElligott nodded pleased. “How nice you all look, unlike my friend here I appreciate the uniforms.”
The two Oghr still stood in attention even as Stahl gave us the sign to relax.
Stahl only raised an eyebrow towards the Admiral of the Fleet, while Cherubim said to all of us. “You may relax and sit down.”
The male Oghr said. “I never thought I would ever meet any of you and now I have the honor and the privilege to be in the presence of three of the Immortals at once.”
Stahl said. “Lt. Commanders, we are just a little older than others and I am a stern objector to this personal cult thing. Even though I understand it, so please let us get started.” He motioned to me to give an update and I did.
After I was finished the Oghrs handed in reports and uploaded their logs and data. While Cherubim actually started to scan through the reports on her PDD.
Stahl’s avatar looked at something that was not in this room and the Old Warrior said. “Keep going, I am listening but I’ve got something to do” and with that Stahl’s avatar disappeared.
Cherubim but her hand next to her mouth as if to whisper and said. “We all just came from a state banquet at Urgotoor, a new member species famous for their fermented foods and our Eternal Warrior overdid it, as tough as he is, he still does not have an iron stomach.”
McElligott giggled almost like a teenager and said. “You see we so called Immortals are still quite human.”
Har-Hi put his hand before his mouth to hide his grin.
In all this seriousness I too had to agree this humanized these Immortals in my eyes as well and maybe if really had to be one of them, I too could remain human. This little episode was quite assuring to me.
The Admiral of the Fleet became serious again and said. “Now to the business at hand. Even though Karthania is a small fish compared to the Nul, the Galactic Council or the Shiss they are an old culture with decent technology. While there are no common borders between Union and Kartanian space, there is some trade and the Karthanian Conglomerate is one of the bigger players in the region you are in.”
Cherubim put the PDD away she was holding and said. “We do have very few reliable intelligence-assets inside the Karthanian Conglomerate and so we are forced to maintain this and similar Intel outposts on what the Karthanians call Outlet-and Service Worlds. As you know they do not allow any foreign ship inside their space and are xenophobic. Itheamh is only one of several such worlds we know of, that the Karthanians use as outlets and gateways for their wares and to buy scrap, ore and other raw materials and of course buying sentient beings.” She got up and a projection of the world Itheamh appeared over the table surface. “We are well aware of the situation, but frankly we have no mandate to interfere, especially not openly.But technically it is not against Union laws, as the Itheamh are a spacefaring civilization and Prim culture interference laws do not apply. Still open interference in Non Union societies that are not at war with us is something we usually don't do. However the possible presence of Union citizens enslaved on Smelter Moons gives you all the authority, by Assembly decision no less."
Stahl’s Avatar established itself again and he interrupted right away and said. “That does not mean we want you run off and try to liberate all nineteen worlds, even though conditions there are quite similar to those on Itheamh.”
I said. “Sir and I did not come here to Itheamh to do that either but it sort of happened.”
McElligott looked to the ceiling and then said with a hint of a smile. “That is what should be written on your ships dedication plate: ‘USS Tigershark – We didn’t go out to change Galactic history, it just sort of happened’.”
I frowned at the Old Admiral, as his joke made the other two giggle. So I tried to ignore it and said. “I am going to the Smelter Moons myself tomorrow and hope to put an end to slavery.”
Stahl said. “Yes you told us you would. Anyone else saying that, I’d call insane, but since it came from you and the Olafson Crew we take it very seriously and we are scrambling to get the assets in place, just in case things turn sour. Plans are a nice thing but there is much that can go wrong. There isn’t a thing more uncertain and complicated then trying to engage in nation building and believing that our values and ethical ideas are automatically theirs as well. So you decided to help and you already put a lot of rocks in motion. It is too late to stop for many reasons, but be aware that the Karthanians are not Sin 4. This is a Star empire stretching over ninety star systems and they are a star traveling civilization for a very long time, it will take more than a few revolting slaves and an angry Neo Viking in tight leather britches to change conditions there. You are too young to know this, but we have been in contact with the Karthanians while they still were under the control of that First Engineer. They were as Xenophobic back then as they are now and they have never been our real friends, even while the so called First Engineer was in charge, don’t forget that.”
I responded saying. “I have no plans to go to Karthania itself. I know too little about that world and have no idea who or what that First Engineer is.”
The last traces of amusement had left Stahl’s face. “Once you get things like that started it is very hard to find a good place to stop and once events are in motion, be prepared to see them through to the end. You decided to help and that is commendable, but that means you are in charge and responsible for the entire show. They have not been our enemy so far, but if they find out you are Union Officers this could change in a heartbeat.”
I had hoped for support and not this stern lecture, but I knew he was speaking the facts and I knew he expected me to be able to handle it.
Cherubim expanded the projection over the table with a gesture until it showed a strategic map of the Coreward sector of the Galaxy and said. “The Galacto-political situation in this region is not very stable. We know the Karthanians think about expansion after all, and so do the Togar. They hate each other about as much as the Nul hate the Shiss. The slightest spark could mean war.”
I nodded. “Someone told me that while I was on Kaliment.”
She glanced at me from under her white blonde bangs and her face, a bio flex mask and not her real face I was certain, did not show any emotion and she slowly nodded. “Ah yes of course, Kaliment could be the world where it starts, but the situation also involves the Nine Oghr Kingdoms, the Jooltar and the remaining Dai Than.”
McElligott waved his hand and several colorful spherical regions were added to the projection. “There are also smaller and very small civilizations strewn out there and they would suffer greatly from an Interstellar war in that region. Not to mention that beyond the Togr realm begins space we know very little about. Who knows what civilizations and empires are yet to be discovered, Coreward and Downward is very little surveyed by us and enemies like the Piostla have appeared from there. They sure gave us all a hell of a fight.”
The Old Admiral added saying what Mother Superior had said to me a while ago. “Wars have a tendency to spread, the Shiss or the Kermac and the Galactic Council might decide to take sides and that would more or less mean we would have to get involved as well.”
I had to admit to myself I had not thought of that. McElligott was not done and said now with a slight smile on his lips. “We did put your dilemma before the Armed Forces Committee of the Assembly. They actually for the most part agree with you and want you to rescue any Union citizen. This is not Freespace and there are no treaties hampering Fleet involvement." He smiled. "As my esteemed colleague mentioned in the previous conversation, you are not alone, we do have your back and we hope we will be able to give you more concrete assistance. Also we think we can buy you a little more time in regards to the Red Dragon. You do remember Klotzky & Harris Freight and Exports?”
<
br /> My voice sounded deeper than usual as I recalled the ship full of human body parts and I said.” How can I forget that ship of horrors?”
McElligott nodded and the projection changed. Showing uniformed police raiding a corporate office and arresting people.
”Federal Police had, thanks to you, enough evidence to get a search warrant and they found underground slave prisons and terrible conditions. There is also evidence that this went on for years. The press somehow got wind of it and it was blown all over prime time news. To make a long story short, the General Assembly took this news and they discussed it on Pluribus for almost three days.
Finally they stopped short of declaring war against Togr. A resolution was made and the Assembly decided that the Fleet should do something about this."
Stahl’s eyes smiled again as he said. “So we decided to make a little trip through the Coreward sector. The Assembly tasked the fleet to send an Armada and perhaps engage in a few war games and “survey” missions. We are going to do that right there between the Karthanian and the Togar Empires.Maybe even establish a forward fleet base somewhere in am unclaimed system , after all that space is unclaimed and we are not bound by any treaties. The Assembly wants us to show a little strength and remind all the locals in that neighborhood, just whose tail they are pulling by eating Union Citizens and forcing sentient beings to work as slaves on Smelter Moons.” He drew a glowing path with his finger over the reappearing sector map, to show us the path this armada would take and he made a small circle around Itheamh System.
“As part of those war games, a few ships will visit you there. Itheamh is after all officially an independent world and does trade with the Union after all and there are several Trade Company offices at the local space port.”
Har-Hi handed me a kerchief and I was certain he had read my mind because he did so just in time. I had to sneeze. Whatever caused the itch in my nose for so long had finally reached the point where I could no longer suppress it. I sneezed and thankfully made use of his kerchief.
While I was fighting my nose, Har-Hi said to the Immortals. “As I understand from the local rebels, there was once a Union ship here before but they left since the rebels did not speak for the entire planet. What difference would a new visit make?” Stahl’s smile now reached his lips. “I am not talking one or two ships, Mr. Hi. We are talking about the entire COWACOM or in other words the ninety Union Fleets that are assigned to that region command. In addition to that they will be accompanied by the First Fleet and of course the Devi. Finally to round things up, the Gray Nul and current ruler of the Nul found this a splendid opportunity to show the Galaxy that Nul and Union are the closest allies now and he is sending the 4th and the 5th Nul Armada for joint maneuvers."
He could not suppress the glee he felt. It was one of those things that made the heart of the Eternal Soldier swell. “I am certain the Togar will think it is their time to pay for all their culinary choices, and mobilize everything they have. The Karthanian are forced to do the same as they have no clue what is going on and none of the Oghr Kingdoms will send mercenaries anywhere and keep their forces close if they think we are up to no good.
Of course the Kermac will think we going to try to go at them from the rear. So in short this nice quiet area of space will be quite busy. And with a little over 100,000 Union and Nul ships in the region, I think your pirate friends will stay put on that second planet of theirs and pray to whatever gods they worship that we don’t take a closer look at that world.”
I could not fight the contagious grin and smiled as well. “And the Karthanians will be careful from openly committing any atrocities on Itheamh.”
McElligott said. “However, to take such a big show on the road takes time. The logistics alone are quite demanding so it will take us seven to eight days before we are anywhere near Itheamh. Don’t forget we also have to go around Freespace. So until then you are on your own.”
I still smiled. “What’s new, Sir?”
***
Circuit, like me was dressed completely black, hiding his shiny chrome body as we hushed along in the stark shadow of a stack of shipping containers. While it was night, glaring flood lights kept the cargo area of the brightly lit. The lights however also created hard shadows that allowed us to get close to the parked transport ship. Shea was right behind me and I liked seeing her shapely body in skintight black material. She appeared like a razor sharp cut out against the metallic wall of a container before she melted back into the shadows.
I glanced around the container’s edge and Narth peeled out of the darkness right before me and almost gave me a heart attack. “One does wonder why we are hiding in the shadows when we have perfectly good cloaking technology.”
I whispered. “Because we are supposed to be Pirates engaging in assisting a local revolt and not Union Officers.”
He kept floating next to me as I rushed to the next stack. “And why are you whispering? There is no being near that could hear us? The wind and the ambient city and port noise would make no difference if you yelled.”
I said to him. “Because it is tradition, when you are dressed like that and sneak around one whispers.”
Narth slid back in the shadows and he completely melted into the darkness and I heard him whisper. “Then one shall sneak and whisper right behind you.”
Circuit who was right behind me said, addressing Narth. “It’s more fun like that anyway. Can I ask why you say ‘one’ again; haven’t you started to use ‘I’?”
Narth whispered. “I am experimenting with habits and saying one instead of I, is a typical Narth habit. I think habits are an important part of what defines humans. The Captain has certain idiosyncrasies and so do most of our crew mates. So I am testing which one is most Narth like and yet defines me as an individual. ” I glanced back. “I don’t have idio...things!”
Narth said. “You do have quite a few, Captain.”
Circuit giggled. “Getting us in situations like this, Captain is one of them!”
With an almost angry tone I responded. “And you should get into the habit of respecting your Captain more. I bet no one ever says anything like that to Captain Harris.”
I had reached the last container and pointed to the large Karthanian freighter that was turned into a dedicated slave transporter. “There it is. Let’s take it over without anyone noticing, they’re going to load the slaves in almost exactly one hour.”
Narth said. “How can something be almost exactly? Either it is exact or it is not.”
Circuit explained. ”One second less than an hour is in human terms almost exactly an hour, for example. Yet humans are very flexible with that and even 45 minutes could still be almost exactly an hour.”
I turned again. “You two don’t take all this very seriously do you?”
Circuit shrugged. “Our mission and us trying to end misery and slavery, yes I take this very seriously; us sneaking between containers like port rats, not so much.”
“What a fine crew I have.”
I once more pointed at the ship. “Do you think you can open this flying silver flicker can, without them noticing doing it?” “No Captain.”
“You told me you could.”
“Because it’s already open. They didn’t lock it. There is no force field and only two…” he paused a second then said. “Correction only one…” again he paused for a heartbeat and then spread his arms. “I mean there are no guards awake. Krabbel is already there and he sent them sleeping.”
While we rushed over the concrete surface to the actual ship, I said to him. “It must be nice to have android eyes and see everything.”
He said. “All you have to do is pull the multi spectral goggles over your eyes Captain.”
All I could think of was saying. “Smartass.”
Narth looked at Circuit’s behind and said. “I was under the impression X101’s having their positronic component in their heads. Do certain X101 series have their brain there?”
I gr
inned. “You are a smart ass too!”
I rushed over to the ship and there in the dark shadow of the ship I noticed Krabbel and two tightly packed Drak shaped cocoons.
To Krabbel I said, still smiling. “When I said recon the area I didn’t mean you should go ahead and turn the guards into Christmas presents for Archa kids.”
I was poking one with the tip of my boot and asked my eight legged friend. “Are they actually alive in there?”
Krabbel raised his front legs and said. “I didn’t use a lot of poison I promise. I am sure they are only stunned, not dead, at least for now. If you want them alive we better cut them out in an hour or so before they suffocate.”
Shea peeked around the landing gear and pointed her gun inside the open ramp door. Circuit was right, the ship was wide open.
She made the okay sign and said. “Clear.”
Narth floated right next to her inside and she complained:
“Narth, I am having fun here! When do I get to do this secret spy stuff? You must duck and walk sneaky and then say clear.”
Narth stopped and turned in his smooth turn table manner. “Oh right!” His shroud moved like a living thing and constricted around his body, until he too looked like wearing a cat suit.
He said to me. “Can I have a gun? I didn’t bring one. One needs a gun to be an authentic sneaker spy agent.”
I handed him my TKU and said to my friends while rolling my eyes. “This isn’t a Virtu-novel you know.”
Shea said. “We know, Captain, but it is you who had all the action lately. We sat in the ship more or less the entire time. Besides doing things as the Olafson gang again, is simply making us giddy a little I think.”
I didn’t really know what to say to that. She was right; having my friends around me was very reassuring as I knew I could trust them blindly.
The Karthanian Transport was basically an unarmed version of the Silver Streak, the Janus mask my ship displayed when in Pirate mode. Unlike my ship, this one was of course Karthanian on the inside as well.
Eric Olafson Series Boxed Set: Books 1 - 6 (The Galactic Chronicles Series) Page 152
