"Tell me about it!"
Letsgo told Stahl about Swybin and Admiral Swybar and said after completing the story." I never heard anything more of this. I expected some sort of report or official message explaining to me how Swybin could circumvent the Psych Evaluation in the first place and what happened to him."
The old Admiral had a serious look on his face. "This is news to me. I have heard nothing about that. I will personally check on that and make sure you do get a closing report on this."
"I do believe in our Navy, our rules and the system. I am only a Commander, my experience might be nothing compared to yours, but I seen and experienced injustice, Officers abusing their power and I have seen the workings of the Worm more than once."
"So have I, old friend. This is one reason why I have not retired yet."
Chapter 6: Maritime
Narth was very quiet since he had recovered from his drinking binge.
We both sat in one of the cargo holds of a civilian Meteor Type IV freighter and were on our way to Maritime. De La Lupe had left the bay to organize something to eat and talk to the Captain of this ship. Commander Letsgo had organized the trip on this freighter, since we could not use official navy transport resources.
The ship was on its way from Olivio to Maritime and had only to go 10n light years out of its way to accommodate us. According to Letsgo the Captain was a former Cadet and a friend glad to help. There were a few Vari Matic Bunk beds, a bolted down hygiene cube, a simple table and a few chairs. It seemed the freighter captain did occasionally take a few passengers along. The rest of the cargo bay was stacked to the ceiling with standard containers. Most of them were bright green and according to the freight management robot filled with Olives, Nuts and other tree fruits, destined to a food product factory on Barabbas. Twenty containers with booze and beach chairs were destined for Maritime, just like we were.
Since Narth was not speaking I wondered if I did something that angered him."Did I do anything to offend you?"
"No Eric. I was just very much occupied relaying my experience to Narth. It was an extreme unpleasant experience and quite fascinating. All of Narth is sharing it now!"
"You are telling me that all Narth feel what you felt?"
"Indeed I am relaying all my experiences. This is part of my mission if you will. Narth wants to learn more about humans and other civilizations. It was decided that observation from a distance was inadequate. So I was chosen to become an explorer of sorts. My original mission has not changed even though I do now want to become an officer."
"I should have warned you about the ill effects of Alcohol. I know it is illegal for telepaths to pry into other minds, but what if I expressly allow you to go as deep in my mind as you need at any time? I am human all my life and maybe through my memories, my experience and emotions it will help you to understand better without putting you at risk about things I should have known to tell you about."
Narth looked at me directly, his glowing eyes no longer bothered me and it seemed the glow had lost much of its intensity since I met him the first time. He stared at me and again didn't say a word. I couldn't even feel him for a moment. Then he finally said." You are giving me the greatest gift possible. To Narth nothing is more sacred than what we call the Innermost Shell. While we Narth share all the outer shells with the condition that is Narth, this innermost shell is what makes us individuals and it is not shared with all Narth ,only with those close to us and of course with the Narth Supreme. It is an area of a thinking beings personality is located. It is where the most private memories and most intimate part of ones being is located. No Narth ever touched the Inner Shell of any being outside of Narth, are you certain you want this? Is this what you have offered?"
"Narth you know the answer."
"It has never been done. Therefore I do not know if there are any risks for you."
I shrugged." Diving after a Tyranno Fin is risky. Getting out of bed might get you killed. If it helps you I am all for it. Besides what risk could there be, you knowing my deepest secrets? I would tell them to you anyway if you asked."
Narth eyes glowed even brighter and suddenly so bright I didn't really see anything else but the bright yellow light. It was brighter than sunlight and yet it did not hurt my eyes. For a brief moment it was as if I was brushed by something immense. It was as if I would float in the ocean in complete darkness and touch a Tyranno Fin just with just a fingertip. You would never know how big the thing is, by this touch alone but somehow you knew it was big. Then it was over, the light subsided and I was still sitting on the floor leaning against a Shipping container and Narth floating across me his legs folded underneath his robe, hands on his lap.
"That was it?"
Narth nodded his head very slowly."Your perception of time might have been suspended while your Innermost shell was in awareness of the Narth Supreme, an hour has passed since we began to associate your Innermost shell to me and in doing so also associated with the Narth Supreme. It is magnificent! Primitive and incredibly complex at the same time, and I barely touched the surface. Your mind is so completely different and alien from Narth. Chaos and confusion without end, time not seen or felt. No concept of spatial levels and yet there is a clear direction and purpose to it all. I cannot express adequately you how thankful I and the Narth Supreme are."
"No need. At least now I know how I look from the inside. The Chaos and confusion part needs a little work I guess. I didn't expect visitors and forgot to tidy the place a little!"
"I believe you will in time do just that."
He handed me a piece of dark red cloth.
"What is this?"
"A hood like mine, your eyes and face radiate Narth. It is only for a little while of course."
"Are you saying my eyes glow like yours?"
"Not just your eyes, Eric. What makes Narth so dangerous to look at is radiating from you as well."
"Cool! Now we can both do the spooky thing and freak out Galmy and Olia!"
"I doubt the glow will last very long."
I pulled the cool fabric over my face and head and it was quite comfortable." How do I look?"
"Like a Neo Viking wearing a Narth Hood!"
"I look no different to anyone wearing a shroud like that. How could you tell?"
"We are sharing the innermost shell. You no longer need a name either and will be recognized by Narth."
"I don't think I really understand what you are saying."
"I know, but I am confident you will in time and then you will be capable of seeing my innermost shell, as I have opened it to you."
Lupe had returned with food and left again. He told us that he was teaching the captain of the freighter some fencing moves, which was part of the deal for the free transport.
Then the freighter captain's voice came over the PA." Just so you know we are about to land on Maritime."
I wondered what kind of place Maritime was and Narth responded almost immediately:" It's the third planet of the Palapos System. It is mostly a vacation planet; it is not as popular or famous as Para-Para but comparable. It has several Vacation Colonies, meaning the houses and apartments are owned by beings not permanently living here. The planet has a small fishing industry and produces a high grade mineral sea salt. Its Capitol Pearl Rose is a domed city under water and in the middle of the largest ocean. The Class C space port is suspended on a scaffold above the water surface and directly above the city. Other communities are usually small village type places to be found on one of the eight small continents and thousands of islands."
I thanked him as it was actually not only nice to have a friend but quite practical if he was a Narth and a walking encyclopedia.
The freighter landed and we debarked. Two suns in a cloudless blue sky, there was a mild breeze of warm air and I could instantly smell the ocean all around the landing platform. White birds croaked in the sky and the gray bulky freighter we came with shared the platform with a beautiful green and yellow Cruise Ship resting o
n a central single landing strut, elegantly shaped almost like flower with five pedals and it had lots of large viewports. A slide belt carried us towards the Spaceport buildings, a collection of fragile looking transparent spheres hung suspended from a framework of filigree looking metal girders. It reminded me of a mobile hanging decoration. The different sized spheres were connected with tube tunnels.
La Lupe said as we approached the construct." It looks pretty but I just don't care much for Saresii architecture."
"It certainly looks different from the rock and duro crete buildings on Nilfeheim." I said. The Instructor looked to Narth and said." Do the Narth have a certain architectural style?"
"No, there are no constructs of any particular style on Narth Prime. But if we need any sort of solid construct it is usually a sphere as it is a logical form."
There where robots and crowds of beings in colorful clothing moving back and forth from the Cruise ship and it was as if I could feel their carefree vacation mood.
At the Customs point where two humanoid beings checked the CIT implants of the arriving tourists our arrival causes a stir. I was not able to determine what exactly caused the commotion but the crowds parted and let us approach the Control point ahead of them. The Officers checked De La Lupe but not us and simply waved us through.
"What was that all about?" I wondered aloud and De la Lupe said. "I think they thought you both are Narth and since even Eric's eyes glow as much as Narth's since this morning I am almost convinced as well."
"We conducted a Narth ritual and Eric's eyes will return to human standard in a short while." Narth explained.
As we walked past huge mirrored window panels I checked myself and while I did look quite uncanny and I was glad the robe and hood did look differently from the Executioners robes, I was a little disappointed that I did not see them glow.
Narth whispered with an amused tone in his voice." You can't see your own psi shine and in time you will cease to see mine as well and when this happens, I no longer need to wear the hood when you are present."
I smiled as I saw the waving pig of an Arthur's Swine and Dine and I hoped we had time to eat there before we left.
The Lieutenant walked determined across the space port sphere, it looked like he knew where to go. We left the main sphere opposite the landing field and we followed him to Taxi stand.
Moments later we flew in an open floater only a few meters across the sparkling surface of a deep blue ocean and I had to restrain myself from not simply jumping over the side and plunge deep into the water, just to dive and swim once more.
Narth leaned closer." I now understand your desire to dive and swim. Your emotions make sense! To see the world through the eyes of a human is more fascinating than expected."
"Whenever I dive and I am under water I feel like I belong there."
"I do understand and it am sure your love for water has to do not only with your genetic alterations but with the fact that you humans have evolved from water borne creatures on Terra and for all its land masses, Terra is almost a water world."
"Do you have oceans on Narth?"
"There is a body of a substance that can be liquid and it is as vast as an ocean but it is not water. It is an essence."
"Narth sounds like a very unusual place."
"There is no similar place in the entire Universe."
"And I am really allowed to see it?"
"Narth will be your home, Eric. All Narth welcomes you."
"I might even fit right in. Hooded robe, mask and glowing eyes!"
"We do not wear these robes on Narth. There is no need for them. Besides you are not radiating anymore."
"I was so looking forward to freak out Galmy, Wintsun and the others!"
"I am sure we can find a way to make them glow again! I too think it might provide a comical situation!" He cocked his head to the side and then said. "I believe Lt. Aurelius is right. I am developing a sense of humor. The concept of a comical situation is no longer completely alien to me! This is a day of achievement!"
"Speaking of comical situations, if you do not wear your robes back at Narth Prime, you are all float around in your birthday suit?"
"Birthday suit..." He paused."Oh a way to describe nakedness. Yes in a way Narth are naked when not with other beings. I also realize how much you need to learn about Narth before you understand what Narth is, but it will be a pleasant task to educate my friend about Narth. I also see you begin to understand."
"I will do my best to understand." I handed him the hood." It is odd how fast I got used to it. It makes me feel somehow exposed suddenly."
"The process of touching the inner shell is not a one way affair. The more you open to us the more you share my Inner Shell as well. This feeling is of such nature. Maybe you should wear it a little longer then."
Lupe turned to us."Why are you both so quiet. You didn't say a single word since we left the Space port!"
"We did talk Sir, just quietly I guess."
"Oh okay I thought you have second thoughts about the duel."
"No not at all."
Lupe had to talk to the human pilot and returned to his forward-facing position.
The taxi carried us towards a green island with white beaches and between the foliage almost hidden a few buildings, designed in an ingenious way to blend in the surroundings without being camouflaged. They simply looked as if they belonged there.
The Taxi dropped us off on a sandy beach. About fifty beings awaited us next to a smoothened, round arena marked with rocks.
De la Lupe turned to us before we got out the taxi. "Remember to let me do most of the talking. You are welcome to answer questions but you do not have to reveal anything you so not want.
This is a private affair and the ranks of any present Navy member mean nothing to this duel. Most of them are here to observe the bout and to witness it. I suspect there is a reporter here for Squadron News and over there I am sure you will recognize that Ult to be Admiral Webb Stokes of the Arsenal Academy but he is here just like we all as private person. He was accepted by both sides as the Impartial."
He shook both of our hands." Thank you for coming with me and good luck to both of you."
We followed Lupe through the fine sand and approached a group of beings, standing separated from the rest. One of the beings was an Ult and I was sure him to be Admiral Stokes. Instead of a uniform he had on a colorful shirt, like the tourist at the space port, and nothing else. His scaled skin and huge hind legs exposed.
Next to the Ult stood a tall sandy haired man with a three point beard wearing a dark gray advanced Flex armor suit, we had learned about those form fitting flex metal suits developed and marketed by the X101 in Xeno Tech class. He was flanked by a four legged being of at least two meters to one side and a Spindlar to the other.
Spindlar where somewhat humanoid but had very long arms and thin legs they could extend in a telescopic fashion. I had seen Virtu-Documentations in school about the amazing race competitions they held each year on their home planet.
It could tell Lupe was very concerned as he saw our opponents. "A Spindlar and a Quadiped, I should have known you could not play fair."
The man in the armor suit I was certain was Milieu, sneered." You are piling insult upon insult. I might not be satisfied with first blood if you insist on questioning my honor!"
"You are going to fight in that armor suit?"
"Of course, no stipulations have been made regarding armor or dress. I fully expected you to show up in a Quasimodo!"
"The Spindlar and the Quadiped are your best students?"
"What better swordfighters can you think of? Quadipeds train the art of edge weapon fight from the moment they can walk, and being four legged they can walk very early on. They are strong and can lift swords of tremendous weight. Spindlars are the fastest beings alive with a reach both of us can only dream of! Yes they are my best fighters. I wager they might be the best bravado fighters in the galaxy already. This is in no small
part due to my instructions of course. That they will also use their naturally given abilities in the coming Duel is something you can hardly hold against them."
It was Webb who spoke." I recorded your conditions. The natural abilities of the combatants are allowed in the duel."
"Yes, yes. Now introduce us to your hooded men you brought along. A nice show effect I must say."
Lupe smiled."You heard the opponent, Narth you are welcome to use your abilities."
Milieu lost his smile and gasped." Real Narth?"
A Saresii bystander bowed deeply." Yes I can sense a vast Psionic presence, Narth without a doubt."
"Psionics are not allowed!"
Narth spoke with his deepest voice." You declared that natural abilities are permitted. Do you say my abilities are not equally natural as those of your contestants? Shall I demonstrate to you the full extent of my natural abilities right now? Shall I disembowel you, from the inside out? Do you wish to examine a star from the inside? Perhaps I simply simulate pain to your nerve endings. I cannot guarantee how long you will last, but you might appreciate the natural abilities of a Narth. I shall not stand here and have you insult my honor and those of all Narth!"
Milieu looked suddenly very frightened and tried to back up. The Ult agreed." You did question the Narths abilities. So it would only be fair if he did demonstrate them to you! You did question his honor and heritage."
Narth stepped forward and Milieu and both of his students where pushed by an invisible force through the sand.
The Spindlar cried in fear."Master, what can we do against that?"
Then Narth put his hand on Lupe shoulder." To show you how well our Master trained us. I shall refrain from using my natural abilities and fight your student with the skills learned from Master De la Lupe alone."
I took my hood of f. "I am not Narth. I am just dressed that way since I was short on civilian clothing at Camp Idyllic. I have no Psionics whatsoever. I am just a Neo Viking from Nilfeheim and there is too much talk! Let's get this thing over with."
Eric Olafson Series Boxed Set: Books 1 - 6 (The Galactic Chronicles Series) Page 261
