The Speaker of the Elder applauded." Wonderful demonstration of skills and powers! We do know about Psi powers but we do not have them. I think we should give our guests a little time to rest and freshen up, so they can all join us later at the state-banquet while our citizens vote online if we, the elders go with you and stand before your assembly to apply for membership or if we rather risk to stay independent."
I realized I too could not move! Some external force had enveloped me like solid air. I still was in considerable pain from the knife wound. The Admiral thanked the Elder and waved into the cameras and then he turned, looked at the black smoking hole and at us and his face was unreadable." Yes I think it is a good idea we return to the ship to freshen up and discus this demonstration in more detail."
We returned to the ship. Wade and I were both shackled and guarded by marines, and separated from the others. Back aboard and after I was patched up at sick bay, I was stripped of belt and weapons and placed in a holding cell of the brig. I had no illusions about my future in the fleet or what sort of punishment I was to receive. While I was not sure what else I could have done, I was certain I had violated regulations and perhaps the fact that I did touch my weapons which they told us not to, was one of the charges. What would I do if they kicked me out? Go back to Nilfeheim, was an option of course but I never really made any other plans than to join the Navy. Maybe the offer form Alex was still good.
I did not spend long time in the cell. Both Wade and I were fetched after perhaps thirty minutes and brought before the Admiral. He first addressed the other cadet and said." Why did you apply to the Academy if you felt so strongly opposed to Non Human life?"
Wade glared at the Immortal and said." I know there are officers who think just like we do at home! I wanted the chance to kill as many as possible. Where better than in the fleet would I get a chance to perhaps command a ship?"
The Admiral sighed and his shoulders dropped visibly." Yes it is a sad fact that even after 3000 years of multi species interaction; racism could not be stomped out completely. It is not against the law or wrong to have a strong opinion in these matters as a civilian. Here in the fleet it is unacceptable and I know there are officers that think like you, but there are very few and none of them will ever make it into the command chair of a ship. Why did try to kill me?"
"That Xeno loving freak who almost killed me, over there wanted to report me, so my chances to make a difference were over. I aimed at the Elder not at you. That would have certainly ended these sickening procedures and these Dick Faces would not join."
"Do you know the consequences of your act?"
Bennet laughed hard." We are not in Union space and therefore Union Law means nothing! Even a five credit lawyer will get me off the hook. I want to make a GalNet call anyway!"
"You are not subject to civilian laws as you were told right at the beginning; you are a Cadet and as such face a court martial." He waved at the Marines." Get him out of here!"
Then he focused on me."So you are Eric Olafson?"
I frowned."Yes Sir."
"Do you have anything to say about what you did?"
"I accept responsibility for it, and I know I probably violated orders and such. What will be my punishment?"
He motioned the Marine."Take off his shackles and give him back his things." To me he said, you walked a fine line out there and twice in less than a day. Yes you violated a direct order, but we want our officers to question every order given and if necessary make a decision to violate it. There is a fine line between insubordination and obeying strict orders, and if you become an officer you will be asked to walk that line every day. That is why we have sentient beings and not robots in charge."
He looked around and sat down on a chair someone had established via hard light holo."Now this does not mean I invite you to disobey orders." He slowly shook his head." Here I am trying to tell a first week Cadet who doesn't know the very basics, about the command order philosophy of the Navy." Then he looked me directly into the face." You need to finish your Academy training and should we ever meet again, we will continue this conversation. Right now I want you to tell me about that Space Bus versus Submarine thing, we do have a little time and I am curious about that one!"
I girded my weapon belt back on and gasped as he said that."Sir you know about that?"
"Yes, lad I do. A Union Planet attacked in peace time and so deep in what we deem safe space was brought to my attention and so the subsequent events. Now please take a seat and tell me about it."
I finished closing the belt and the marine handed me my second knife. I sat down and began to tell him, while I put the knife back into the sheath on my back.
He had not interrupted me once. I had left out Tyr's part and only mentioned that I heard someone mentioning the possible attack.
The old Admiral got up and nodded." It is a fine story indeed, young lad, you did well. I thank you for your action today. You saved us quite some trouble. Now I need to find out how that other boy managed to get through base evaluation and why his intentions weren't caught today." Then he snapped with his fingers and waved at one of the present officers." Commander would you be so kind and send a note to the academy, that I would prefer if they adjust the auto dressers, so cadets cannot make independent weapon choices." With a twinkle in his eyes he then said to me." It is nothing personal, Lad. I just think it is not a good idea if you guys can make such choices even before basic training."
I got up as well and thought it might be a good idea not to shake the Admiral's hand but to salute as they showed us in one of the classes." Thank you, Sir!"
"We are not done yet. We still have a state dinner to attend, and you need a new uniform, the crusted blood on your jacket is not very appetizing"
Interlude: Terror Hammer dies
"Isn't she a beauty?" Said one of the guests adoring Hans new Braddock Flyer." This is one brutish beast, just like you Hammer. Fast, powerful, well armed and tough. Money can't buy a nicer piece of personal transportation outside the Union than this."
His new manager said."Why don't you take it around the tower for a spin? So our press guests can make a few recordings, just remember not to stray too far. The remote triggers automatically if you go beyond fifty kilometers."
He hoped his grin did not look forced as he said." Why would I go anywhere? It seems you are treating me quite nicely."
It had the desired effect, the Manager bought it. "We will work well together, your attitude is commendable."
Mr. Kelpie and the Duke watched the Terror Hammer roar with thundering turbines in a tight loop around the sky scraper, much to the delight of the reporters and media people. They also watched as two bright red painted Tantrum Fighters appeared, expensive military Kartanian hardware, one opened fire on the roof top, hyper accelerated uranium slugs, peppered the party crowd and everything else, causing terrible carnage and chaos. Duke Donheer activated his personal force field and saw his Togar cats take the flyer under fire. The other was attacking the Braddock flyer. Now the Braddock should have been well protected and more than a match to the Tantrum fighters, but it showed that the Terror Hammer was as bad an aerial combat pilot as he was good in the arena. The Braddock flew strange erratic maneuvers. The duke then saw Mr. Kelpie lying on the floor perforated by at least two slugs, and in his open hand the Poison activator, it was blinking red! He had triggered while he died! The Terror Hammer was already dead. The Braddock was hit several times, and then crashed in a steep ankle into a neighboring tower engulfed in a cloud of fire and debris.
Defense guns had been activated and one of the Tantrums got shot down while the other escaped with one burning turbine.
The luxurious penthouse was a mess with dead and wounded all over, the swimming pool drained and the careful maintained roof top garden in ruins. There were small smoldering fires and thick belching black smoke. Donheer had a good look at one of the fighters before it was shot down, the paint job was hasty and under the red paint was the g
reen and gold of the Rillo Syndicate, he would have to have a serious word with that old man. The Rillo senior always had been a sore looser. All in all it was just a regular day on Sin 4. Perhaps a little more violent and death came a little to close today for his taste, but he already had been paid a hefty down payment and it would be non refundable of course. The Terror Hammer was dead, but perhaps he could make some money on selling the left over merchandise as commemorative collectibles and find himself a new champion.
The banquet was almost as bad as I feared it would be, but at least the salad like dish called Carax wasn't too bad and I warned Ninio not to tell me what the little dark brown things were that nested between the dark red leaves and tasted a bit like raw fish, old raw fish that is. I was hoping it was only the bad lighting that made me think one of those dark brown bits had moved.
The Yokuta then announced that most of the votes had been counted and the result was an overwhelming approval to go ahead with a Union Membership application.
Much to my disappointment, we would not return to Arsenal aboard the Shetland, but a destroyer that was to arrive for that purpose shortly. Elligott would take the Yokuta delegation with the Flagship to Pluribus. The entire city was celebrating and I overheard the business men and civilians that also belonged to our civilization already making plans and talking to local business and finance people. They drove us back to the Space port where we were supposed to await the arrival of the USS Kilroy.
We waited in a sparsely decorated Space Port lobby, the place seemed deserted as most, if not all the locals celebrated or partied somewhere. According to our Instructors the Kilroy would be here in six to ten hours and all we had to do was sit tight and wait.
I had to tell Two Three and the others what happened at least ten times. Then Ninio asked if he could find an open store in the space port to buy some souvenirs. The instructor shrugged and said."I doubt they take credits and most likely the stores are closed but I see no harm for you to check out the space port. Just do not leave the building and be back here in an hour, take someone with you. "
Ninio, the Garbini and the other human Cadet went. The tall Elly, Deadan said to me as if he knew what I was thinking." Ninio is determined to find some Yokuta Recordings. Tescor, the human for some unexplained reason likes it too!"
"You are kidding!"
"No I swear to you. He thinks it could be mixed into Psycho Plank Punk whatever that is."
"I don't know either."
A while later four high ranking officers came into the lobby and someone yelled." Commander on deck!"
By now we knew we had to stand in attention when this command was given. I recognized one of them as the Commander who was with the Admiral while he talked to me and the other was the PSI Corps officer I had seen briefly on the podium.
We were told to stand in a row and then the Commander said." In recognition of your first mission, you all are herby decorated with the Diplomatic Mission Ribbon 1st Class. The Yokuta Government wanted you all to be called Friends of the Yokuta and a special ribbon has been created for that, you will also receive. Before I have the honor to decorate you with your first ribbons and awards, let me tell you that I am very proud of your conduct, especially due to the fact you are barely a week in Union Service and at the very beginning of Academy training. I see six very promising individuals before me and I am certain you all will be fine officers one day."
He came down the line and activated medals on the ribbon display of each cadet. As he reached me, he said." Due to the fact that your quick action prevented much tragedy I am herby authorized by the Admiral of the Fleet to bestow upon you the Iron Star, congratulations Cadet Olafson. Well done."
All of them then saluted us and we were allowed to stand at ease. The PSI Corps officer also shook my hand. "I am the face behind the voice you had in your head earlier on. You are incredibly quick, your thought to action threshold is remarkable, and it is usually the hall mark of species and individuals raised in a martially oriented society."
"I am from Nilfeheim, Sir."
"I heard you say that before. I never heard of Nilfeheim, is it a Union planet?"
"Yes it is, Sir. It is in the old Xunx area, as some Terran books call it. Long ago they called us Neo Vikings and…"
"Ah of course, I think I have heard that term before. Well my colleague was actually already onto Wade. He was called away to be there when they interrogated the Nogoll, so it was actually my fault not to act on his report and do something about it. I suggested to the Elder that it was a planned demonstration and he thankfully announced it that way as well. I personally owe you one and this is why I wanted you to know what happened."
He shook my hand, congratulated me and returned to the others. The Commander said before he left." The Kilroy will be here in four hours and the Destroyer Mess sergeant was informed to serve you a special dinner as a little thank you from us."
They left and I sat back down, remembering I was quite hungry, especially after only sampling that weird fishy salad. Two Three kept looking down on his chest." I got three now! My life deciding parents will be so proud."
"I am still fascinated about the things you told about your home star. I really would like to take that Virtu Experience one day, and hopefully with you so you can explain it all to me!"
He leaned forward in his chair." This would make me very proud Eric. If we find time and the opportunity and perhaps you can visit me and my parent Units as well on Bright Station."
"I would love to do that."
"I bet Ninio and the other two will be disappointed missing getting their medals."
"I am sure they will get them, but should they not be back by now?"
"I don't think it is an hour yet. They might have found a Yokuta restaurant or something." Then he said."You know the Iron Star is the sixteenth highest award the Fleet gives! I am glad you got it for smacking Wade."
"I should have reported him right away you know."
"It turned out well and four hours wait time means this energy being is going for some shut eye."
"You don't have any eyes."
"I like the expression never the less and I can see you, but you are right not with eyes. Besides if I would say I disengage my ability to receive and interpret reflected photons into visual data would not make much sense to you."
"I might just do the same and disengage mine for a while."
The mission was over, and it did not end me being in a situation I didn't want to be in. The bad guys were caught, the bigot was in the brig and we were all soon on our way back to the academy and basic training. Just before I closed my eyes to take a nap , I wondered why Ninio and the others weren't back, unlike Two Three I was certain over an hour had passed.
Interlude: Distant Events – Several weeks ago
Deep space, minus 270 degrees Celsius, the stars were sparsely seeded in this region of space and these suns were generally very old stars. This near vacuum had not been disturbed, since this universe began. An observer would have seen the sudden glimmering disturbance and then it was there!
Out here was no light to reflect of an object but this shimmering light gray thing with bright light behind tiny space ports brought its own light. It was shaped like a huge wedge and on its wide end it had four big box like extensions. If that observer could read it would see the bold lettering on its side: USS Ivanhoe. Right below a stylized symbol of a white spiral arm galaxy on a blue field with red and white vertical stripes on the side, a triangle superimposed forming the logo of the United Stars of the galaxy. The beautiful sleek looking visitor to this place in time and space paused for a moment. Sensor beams whispered and reached out from the object, tasting, sensing and probing. Collecting vast amounts of data, then it accelerated again, stretching as if elastic for the time span of a second and then it was gone again.
Captain Flowar Saxa brushed over his dull bluish bald head as he always did when everything seemed alright and nothing was out of the ordinary and yet, somewhere d
eep inside he had the feeling there was something the sensors had not picked up or somehow over looked. Something that was a potential danger to his crew and ship.
Saxa was a Plato, and one of a small handful of this species living as free beings in the Union. He was certainly the only Plato Union Captain. To the Kermac, the Plato were the lowest class of slaves, only good for the most primitive labor. No Plato knew where they originated from, their home planet either destroyed or lost, but there where hundreds of millions of Plato serving on every Galactic Council planet, ship and installation. The Kermac breed them in slave camps, sold them to other species as laborers and cheap workers. Plato Nan taakte meant lowest useful life form in Kermac.
Plato were strong and tough and had a legendary endurance, needed little sleep and could tolerate temperatures on both ends of the scale most other humanoid life forms could not.
Eric Olafson Series Boxed Set: Books 1 - 6 (The Galactic Chronicles Series) Page 247
