Eric Olafson, First Journeys (Vol 2 GC 28)

by Vanessa Ravencroft

Copyright© 2018 by Vanessa Ravencroft

Description: The year is 5017 in Old Terran Time (OTT ) or more precisely 2051, UST in Union Standard Time (UST ). The United Stars of the Galaxies now commonly referred to as the Union is a huge multi cultural society consisting of over five thousand members. The Union is spread across the M-0 galaxy , know to Terran Humans as the Milky Way galaxy , parts of the Andromeda galaxy and several satellite galaxies of the local group. This is the second part of the EO saga

Tags: Minimal Sex, Ma/Fa, CrossDressing, TransGender, Fiction, Military, Science Fiction, Aliens, Robot, Space

Published: 2018-08-05

Size: ≈ 172600 Words

Foreword

Foreword by the Author

This is the second volume in the Eric Olafson Volume. (Eric Olafson, First Journeys (Volume 2 GC 28).

The first volume in this cycle: Eric Olafson, Neo Viking tells about the birth and the story of Eric coming of age. While he faced daunting challenges and terrible abuse by his father, he also met amazing teachers and friends along the way.

The Milky Way Galaxy is teeming with life and sentient species. Earth is now known as Terra and part of the United Stars of the Galaxies, a multi cultural mega civilization that by now stretches across two quarters of the Milky Way Galaxy and has a foothold in the Andromeda Galaxy. There are almost 5030 distinctive member civilizations calling themselves members of the Union. The United Stars Spatial Navy protects this mega civilization against external threats.

Eric Olafson, born on a cold world called Nilfeheim raised under harsh conditions of a very traditional inward looking society of Neo Vikings will soon leave his homeworldto fulfill his dream to become a Star ship captain.

Eric is 198 cm tall and weigh exactly 98 kilos. He still has gray eyes and some say he moves with the same purpose and grace as a Tiger or Nubhir Wolf.

Like everyone from Nilfeheim he has a greater tolerance to freezing temperatures and is able to stay submerged under water for a very long time because of gills and eyes that are adapted to see well under water thanks to a second set of clear eyelids. His muscles are denser than that of a standard human, allowing him to swim longer and deeper. Due to that he has great endurance and is much stronger than he looks.

He loves fish, has a very clear sense of honor and hates unfair situations. Even though he doesn't like to admit it, he carries the same short temper of his father and is more often than not ready to face a challenge with his fists or weapons.

He fights an inner battle against his own confused identity and hopes it will remain his secret.

Eric is still oblivious to the fact that he is destined to play a central role in an ancient conflict of cosmic proportions,.

With that I like to welcome you to the Galactic Chronicles universe and hope you enjoy your stay.

The Author

At Astra, to the Stars,

yours truly,

Vanessa Ravencroft

Personae Dramatis

(List of Characters)

Eric Olafson - A teenage Neo Viking leaves his home world for the first time. To travel and eventually to join the Union Navy

Elena Olafson - technically a cousin to Eric, but since she was adopted by Eric's father, she is now known as his sister.

Isegrim Olafson - The current clan chief of the Olafson clan, and Eric's father

Lothar Olafson - Eric's half brother

The Ancient - aka Elkhart the Keeper. An old man claiming to have forgotten to die. Officially he is the Oldest Keeper of Hasvik, but there is much more to him than he lets on

Egill Skallagrímsson - Distant relaive of Erik. Known as the Hermit of Nilfeheim has now become the Planet Representative of Nilfeheim

Tyr, the white Tyranno - An enigmatic ancient creature, appearing in the form of a white Tyranno Fin. He is now, like all the other Tyrannos asleep and rests in hibernation for the end of the long winter of Nilfeheim, called Longnight.

Uncle Hogun - Brother to Isegrim and uncle to Eric, he owns and operates a Tavern on Nilfeheim

Aunt Freydis - the wife of Hogun, officially a midwife but secretly the leader of an all female underground organization, called the Sisters of Nifleheim.

Sigfrida - she appears in the company of Elkhart and lives with the True Keepers, but who she is really is, has not been revealed.

Carl, the Swordsman, an old mercenary friend of Hogun, who came to live on Nilfeheim. He is a master swordsman and thought Eric

Obrock McElligott - An immortal human and the Admiral of the Fleet. He was born long before the Ascent in the Highlands of Scotland

Richard Stahl - Another immortal human from Earth. He is known throughout the Galaxy as the Eternal Warrior

The Dark One - A Godlike entity waiting for eons to reincarnate.

(for more Character details you may want to navigate to the GalNet Wiki )

Introduction

The year is 5017 in Old Terran Time(OTT) or more precisely 2051 in Union Standard Time (UST). The United Stars of the Galaxies now commonly referred to as the Union is a huge multi cultural society consisting of over five thousand members.

The Union is spread across the M-0 galaxy, know to Terran Humans as the Milky Way galaxy, parts of the Andromeda galaxy and several satellite galaxies of the local group.

This is the next part of my story, I had begun to tell in the previous part.

While the first part told you about my birth and me growing up on a planet called Nilfeheim and in a somewhat isolated and very inward looking traditional society. This part tells you about my First Journeys. It also introduces you to those beings that eventually become my friends and those who become way more than that.

Almost a year has passed since the events that culminated in the attempt of a large corporation to destroy Nilfeheim and thus erase all evidence of their involvement.

The Dark One

Chapter 1: Longnight

Longnight had once again descended upon Nilfeheim, the second planet in the Solken system. Nilfeheim was a water planet with with very little dry land. During Longnight, the winter period that could last up to seven standard years, the oceans froze over, except for a region called the Uhim grounds. Hot vents and underwater volcanoes kept the water temperature above freezing.

Nilfeheim had been settled by colonists from Earth almost 3000 years ago. The settlers, belonging to the Viking Movement and the Church of Odin, brought along their own brand of rigid traditions and cultural ideas based on both traditional and romantic sources.

The origins of these traditions brought from distant Earth had more or less been forgotten and had over the ages developed in a very unique society with anachronistic rituals and rigid traditions of their own.

Much had happened on Nilfeheim during the last Shortsummer.

My Grandfather, the representative of Nilfeheim had been murdered. His death was part of a plot conceived by an Off World company seeking to gain the planet for their client, a large Seafood Company.

Their plan was to instigate a clan war and it almost succeeded as they were aided by the greed and the misguided ambitions of local clan lords and of course by the schemes of my step-mother, Gretel Hemstaad. She was driven by her hatred towards the Olafsons and her thirst of revenge.

The whole affair culminated in a planetary attack. A pirate hired by that criminal organization to erase all evidence attempted to drop a Planetary Incendiary bomb on Nilfeheim.

With the help of my friends I was able to stop the attack, virtually in the very last moment. We paid a very high price as my friend Astrid Mossberg had given her life while extinguishing a fire in the engine room of my space born submarine, the Poseidon.

The boat was so heavily damaged, it was not repaired, but had been cast in a block of transparent Duranium and sat on a base of Duro-Crete in the former Aesir Park of Halstaad Fjord.

The Aesir Park was now known as Astrid Mossberg Park.

It was intended as a monument to Astrid and to remind everyone how close Nilfeheim came to be completely destroyed.

The street passing Astrid Mossberg Park once called Siegfried lane was now named Erik Gustav Ragnarsson Lane and I was told a statue of him was ordered and would be placed before the entrance of the space port.

I had spent a lot of time with Tyr, the White Tyranno, riding on his back, exploring the vast oceans and seeing or rather feeling a world completely unknown to the Nilfeheim Norse.

As little variety Nilfeheim showed on its surface, it was rich of breathtaking features below the surface of its oceans.

Tyr was the largest Tyranno Fin in our Oceans, a huge white fish, sentient and alive long before even the first settlers arrived.

Tyr posessed vast psionic abilities and spoke to me telepathically, but now as Longnight had arrived he had to, just like the other non sentient Tyrannos retreat into their sleep mountains and would spend the cold period in a state of suspended animation.

Father had changed, since he was no longer under the spell of the psycho drugs his second wife had administered to him over so many years, but I had also learned that he was indeed responsible for the death of my mother and much of the torture he had put me through as the drugs only enhanced what was already there. Some of his evil deeds happened before Gretel got a hold of him with those drugs. I could never be certain if mother would be alive if he had not been under the spell of these nasty Shail will bending drugs. I knew I would never forgive him, but he tried to amend his ways by treating Elena like a real daughter.

My decision not to end his life was still tormenting me, and there was not a day going by I questioned it. My decision was founded in the council of Egill and Tyr and the fact that I did not want to be the next clan chief.

I hoped to leave the planet soon and apply at the Union spatial navy academy. Killing my father would mean of course that I had to take the reins of the clan and remain.

Elena was as it turned out, gifted with some psionic gifts of her own and Tyr had helped her to discover them. Or perhaps, as I suspected was the source of them.

She enjoyed her new role as first daughter greatly and father declared her to be in line to be the first female clan chief in Nilfeheim's history if I decided to stay off planet, which was more than alright with me. Elena had become like real a sister to me just as if she would have born that way. I loved her very much.

I had married Sif in a pompous ceremony the day after Yuletide, but it was only a symbolic wedding and she had left with Egill to Pluribus, where she would complete Union school and then go to the University to study Political Sciences.

Egill the Hermit had become Nilfeheim's Planet Representative at the Assembly and taken the post that had been vacant since the death of my grandfather.

Now, in retrospect, most everyone on Nilfeheim realized just how important planet representation was. I too understood what my grandfather had told me as he took me to Hasvik.

Sif and Egill had been gone now for almost four months now.

At first she had called me every other day, then every other week and finally she told me that she still liked me, but she had found a woman she wanted to marry after she was a full Union Citizen and then her calls stopped altogether.

Much had changed on Ragnarsson Rock, our Burg as well.

We still had Tanneries and we still manufactured leather the traditional way since it fetched higher prices, and the quality so I was told was superior to any modern process, but the stinking, revolting process was now done by machines and we even had twelve S-10 robots.

The bots didn't mind the smells and worked around the clock. Taking a page out of Brunar Bendixen's book, the Olafson clan was run much more like a business now and we exported fangsnapper meat, fur, leather, pearls and crab meat.

Father still insisted that we hunted for Tyrannos, but it was no longer the main focus and no hunting was done during Longnight anyway.

Elena, so it turned out, had a keen sense of business and loved helping active in that clan activity. The Olafson clan was the first who abolished the class of Low men and all families were raised to the level of Freemen and received fair salaries.

It was one late Friday afternoon; father was in town drinking with other clan chiefs at Hogun's Inn.

Carl, the outcast and mercenary friend of Hogun, now was an Olafson Warrior, wore clan red and lived in our Burg. He had not stopped, but intensified, my training and advanced me to real fencing and with the more elegant rapier. This sword was much lighter than the traditional Nilfeheim broadsword, but it was much faster and when used in concert with the Main Gauche, a left handed dagger type weapon, it was very deadly. A fencing master could easily defeat a trained warrior with broadsword and shield. Carl was an expert and this way of fighting was quite different from the hack and slash technique used with the broadsword. Every stance, every move had a name and a counter move. To a Neo Viking it looked almost like dancing and caused much laughter and ridicule. It however changed quickly when the razor sharp tip of the rapier hovered before their eyes while the broadsword attack was still in full swing.

Of course a skilled broadsword fighter was not defenseless, and a heavy blade had its advantages as well.

I learned how to use Saresii blades, old Terran Katanas and a plethoria of other weapons. Carl seemed to know them all and was an expert usimng them.

Today I was fighting with my new sister in the snow covered yard before the High Hall. We wore protective leather, but used real steel weapons. Elena was learning fast and fencing with her was great fun. After an extended conversation (back and forth play of the blades) I attempted a successful "attack au fer" meaning I deflected her blade in the opposite direction of her attack and moved in and landed the coup lancé. My blade point sliced a little in the tough leather armor she was wearing and she stepped back curtsied and took off her fencing mask. She caught her breath and smiled. "You are becoming a real master, Eric. I would be dead now. You were playing with me the whole time."

Even though it was bitter cold, I felt warm and bowed to her."Don't sell yourself short, dear sister. Your skills improve daily and I doubt there are many fighters on Nilfeheim who would stand a chance against you now."

Her face lit up with her charming smile that made her eyes sparkle."There is no one left on Nilfeheim who could best you. Even Carl said that."

"Let's go to Midril and see if we can score some hot chocolate."

She agreed and then said as she walked beside me, "Besides you are not as handicapped as I am."

"I sure didn't notice any handicaps."

She touched her breasts. "I am talking about these. They bounce around a lot and it is not very comfortable I tell you. It actually hurts sometimes. I bet you be half as good having a pair of these."

I sighed and lowered my voice "You know my secret and sometimes I wish I had, but I am sure there has to be some sort of support. I remember Sif telling me something about bra's and maybe there is something like that for doing exercises or friend Sigfrida has a hard leather armor shaped for women. She fights like a true Aesir. I ask her if she can spare one or make you one."

She kissed me on the cheek."Lucky me, I have a brother that knows more about these things than most girls."

We entered the kitchen and Midril, who had raised Elena like her own, smiled at us warmly. "It is amazing what you two do out there. Everyone coming in telling me about how you two slicing good Nilfeheim air. I bet it got even too cold for you two out there. Go sit down I get Elena some Hot Chocolate and for Eric I make some coffee. If you wait a little, I got fresh sweet rolls in the oven as well."

She left us alone after she had served the drinks as she was busy preparing dinner. Many things had changed on the Burg. Midril's kitchen, however, remained the same and she was the undisputed queen in her own little realm. Elena watched her with a warm smile on her face."I do remember Gudrun my real mother, but she hated me because I reminded her of the things Harkun had done to her. Midril raised me after mother died."

I put my hand on hers. "When I was at the Pillar Burg, Egill or maybe Tyr gave me a glimpse of what it is like to be raped, while I was spared the actual act, to this day it has not left my mind and I can smell Harkun's breath. Don't hate your real mother for it. She died trying to defend you"

She turned with her eyes glittering with moisture. "I do not hate my mother but she hated me, sometimes I wish she would have been able to tell me otherwise. Harkun is dead, and before he died he lived through every crime he committed."

For a while we sat there simply looking at each other then she said. "Come let us go to the space port tonight.

A girl's night out. I like to go shopping and I would like to have Freya with me and we can remember the good times we had with Sif, Hedda and Astrid."

I sighed. "While I try so hard to suppress it I want to be Freya again so bad, yet I hoped this sickness would leave me. I promised myself to go to the clinic and have it checked out."

She got up.

"I think it is part of what makes you the person you are and I would be sad if you eliminate that part of you somehow. Neither Tyr nor Egill asked you to change. I am sure they would have."

I sighed and got up as well."Well one time more could not hurt I guess."

Elena smiled."I don't think we are too old for Retro Emo either. Let's go Sister."

After we had our hot beverages and enjoyed the piping hot, sweet rolls, we went to the High Halls, No longer was I denied access and Elena was now living in what used to be Gretel's rooms. It was completely re-decorated. Elena did not have any handmaidens either.

As always I got deeply excited when I shed my male persona and slipped into my female alter ego. I had not done so ever since we left the Bredenberg Burg.

Elena returned to her old looks just like when I met her at the space port, with the wild red pig tail wig. She had chosen a skintight black shiny mini-dress with a dangerous, plunging, laced neckline and a matching black jacket. Her legs encased in black fishnets and high heeled boots. "How do I look?" She asked, turning once around.

"Like a New Age Vampire on the prowls for male victims, the other word that comes to mind has four letters and starts with an S and ends with a T."

"Perfect. That's exactly what I was aiming for. Now it's your turn and don't be jealous, we can make you look just as slutty.'

"I am not jealous."

"Oh yes you are. Remember I can read minds now. Not very good but yours is very familiar to me."

"You know that is illegal. I wish folks would stay out of my mind."

"Even me?"

"Since you can read minds, you know the answer."

She went to her closet and leaved through her things." Too demure, too small, too long ... ah just perfect. Try this on."

"You are not serious?" I said, looking at the red patent leather dress she held up.

Huddled in long fur cloaks with the hoods drawn deep, we rushed to the roof hangar and I prayed that no one would spot us. I relaxed as my red Opel flier was in the air and then I said." I don't think I take off the coat. I can barely sit down in this."

"Oh don't be such a sissy. You look gorgeous and just as slutty as I do."

Again I could not fight the feeling and started to enjoy to be Freya. It was, as always, as if I stepped out of a cage and into a palace and somehow felt free.

It was Friday evening and the Space Port and Shopping mall was very busy. The Space bus had arrived and also the weekend shuttle of the Miners from the mining Colony on Balder. Elena insisted and I did leave the cloak behind. I felt very exposed and kept tugging on the way too short skirt and hoped it would not ride up too far. Yet it was this idea of doing something forbidden, that electrified me to the core. Elena had hooked her arm into mine and we strutted down the main concourse. We weren't the only girls of course. The Space Port was still the meeting point of most women and girls, and on a weekend the more modern minded Neo Viking Families and couples of Halstaad Fjord came here to visit the Virtu Theater or go to have dinner at one of the two fine restaurants that opened at the mall only recently. Groups of miners gave us cat calls and I could not help but enjoy every one of them. Elena leaned closer. "See I knew you would get pleasure from this."

"I should not, but I do."

We shopped and while it was perfect, I was reminded of the others and of Astrid who was no longer with us.

She nodded."I miss her too, but wherever she is now, I bet she would want us to have fun."

Elena purchased a neat little device called a shape field bra. The sales woman praised it as truly invisible and perfect for sports as well. I had to decline of course as the sales girl wanted to fit me one as well.

I had no care in the world and just as we planned to go to the Coffee shop, Elena suddenly cramped her hand around mine, her legs buckled and she fell. The black shiny material of her dress had a small burning circle. A woman screamed and I turned and saw Lothar holding the silvery weapon I had seen his mother use. He aimed at me and fired.

---

Interlude 1: Noticed

Captain Dennis Miguel of the USS Galveston had been called to Union Naval headquarters Annapolis City on Arsenal IV. His ship was currently refitted and would be in dock for a few weeks.

While it was not uncommon for a ship commander to receive such orders, he still wondered what the reason was to be called there. Especially since he wanted to meet with Lt. Commander Anya Cruse, he knew her since the academy. Even while they were lovers, they never gotten into a tight relationship, partially due to the fact that he was a star ship captain and she was the tactical officer aboard the most powerful ship known to exist, the USS Devastator. Neither one really wanted to give up the career they had. It was very rare they both found themselves in the same quadrant, much less in the same system. It was sheer luck that the Devi was on Arsenal IV as well. While the Galveston was in space dock and tied up for six months, the Devi would leave in a few days.

There weren't many reasons a captain was called to Fleet HQ. One of them was to be stripped of the command due to some grave errors; another was to be transferred to a new command or to receive a promotion. He could not think of a reason why they would strip him of his command, and he was fairly certain he was not in line for a Rear Admiral Star. He would hate to lose the command over the Galveston. Even though she was only a Merrimack Class Destroyer, she was his first command. On the other hand if they would offer him the command chair of a cruiser or even a super cruiser he would certainly not decline. The chances to get command over a real battle ship or a carrier were slim at this point of his career, but one never knew. He did hear the scuttlebutt about the four brand new battle ships that would be delivered any day now to Arsenal IV.

He walked into the cool marble and brass lobby, with the warm wooden paneling. It was an impressive place in a very subdued elegant way. To the left a wall with the golden name plates of every ship ever lost. Like a giant conveyor belt the plates kept slowly moving up, it had to be many thousand names. To the right a floor to ceiling field screen listing all ships currently in service along with the name of the commanding officer. Against all hope he paused for a moment and wondered if the Galveston would scroll by. The listing was alphabetically sorted and currently at Letter K. It would take many months before it reached G again. The ceiling was a projection of the M-0 Galaxy displaying the Union territory in blue. He stepped up to the horseshoe shaped reception desk and a Kilonian with Lieutenant rank bars wiggled its antennae and greeted him. "Good Morning Captain Miguel, the Admiral of the Fleet is expecting you, please take IBT 4, it is dedicated and will drop you of at the top floor."

Captain Miguel thanked the Centipede and went to the designated IBT. He did feel more than a little nervous. Being called by the Admiral of the Fleet was very much like being called by God. Admiral McElligott was an immortal and in charge of the Fleet ever since it all began. Over 3000 years old.

First, only Admiral of United Earth, but after the Union was founded, he became the highest authority in the Union Fleet and had remained in that post ever since.

Dennis had never seen or talked to the Immortal Admiral, and as he rode the Inter Building Transport up to the top floor of this gargantuan building of 12,000 meters height, he thought hard if he had done something that would warrant the interest of this legendary, almost mystical Flag Officer.

An officer of Commander Rank greeted him and said. "Please step right on through. The Admiral knows you are here.

Dennis saluted and went through a set of wooden doors into an austerely furnished office with a modest old fashioned wooden desk. The Union flag in one corner and the Flag of the Spatial Navy in the other. He snapped into attention. The Admiral of the Fleet stood by the windows that gave a spectacular view over the sprawling modern town below and the austere cold desert beyond. The admiral turned. "At ease, Captain Miguel and good morning."

Dennis relaxed only a fraction and said, "Good Morning Sir."

The Admiral was not very tall and a little on the chubby side. He had almost completely white hair and the face of someone looking between hundred fifty and two hundred years of age, but made a very vital and healthy impression otherwise. He wore a simple black uniform with the five star cluster rings on his sleeves and collar and a skirt exposing his stubby knees. Of course everyone in the fleet knew, this was not really a skirt but a kilt. The traditional dress of the Admiral's home region on Earth.

As he looked into the Admiral's eyes, he knew this man was far beyond the age of any normal human being and there was more to this man than just a very long life span.

"No reason to be alarmed. Richard and I were just discussing your response to that planetary attack incident a year ago." The Admiral pointed his flat hand to a person sitting in a leather couch he only now noticed. Dennis could not help but swallow. The man so casually introduced as Richard, was none other than Admiral Richard Stahl, another Terran human, made immortal during the same time as McElligott.

Admiral Stahl was known the galaxy over, respected by friends and enemy alike. Also known as the Eternal Warrior.

Physically he appeared much younger than McElligott. Muscular and tall. He had short blonde hair styled into an extreme short marine corps hair cut. His face could best be described as heroic, with a hard distinctive pronounced jaw line, piercing blue eyes and a scar from under his left eye to his mouth. Stahl nodded a greeting and pointed at a free, comfortable looking, visitor's chair.

Dennis could actually feel the authority emitting from this man.

McElligott sat down behind his desk and a printout appeared floating above his desk. "As I said Captain, we just came across your report and I am sorry it took so long. The attempted destruction of a Union world with a classified Fleet weapon is nothing that should have been simply filed away, but raised many alarm bells." He spread his arms in an apologetic gesture and added. "We are currently upgrading our Computronic Main System, but it will be a while till NELSON II, our new system, will be online."

Captain Miguel was not sure what they wanted him to say, but he decided to be candid. "That is a problem we are facing for a while, Sir. The information processing is taking too long and goes over too many desks without anyone having enough authority or the guts to escalate some of them. I expected a hearing, an investigation and the Assembly going nuts. Yet nothing appeared to happen. The theft of a P Bomb should have been on every news channel and the thieves hanged"

Stahl cleared his throat in a theatrical way and McElligott agreed.

"Yes Captain Miguel we are aware of that and that is why we are implementing Project Nelson II in the first place. Our Union is growing faster than anyone really anticipated and so does our fleet."

"At no point in the history of any society known to us has an organization as big as our spatial navy existed. All time proven methods of administration are simply inadequate. Everyone lauds the battle and combat victories of my esteemed colleague, but no one really has any idea what it means to keep it all working. Do you know how many personnel transfers we are processing every day? How many promotions?" McElligott sighed. "However this is neither here nor there. We asked you to come here to clarify a few things in your report and since you were in the system we thought we ask you in person."

Stahl interrupted. "Did you really write submarine in your report?"

"Yes Sir. It was an old SII Mil Tech Product for the Markan Wars. Designed to be a Submarine and fight primarily in and under the oceans of these twin planets, but it was Space flight enabled to go between those planets."

Stahl looked in the distance."Ah yes, the Markan Conflict, I remember it well. Nulofan the Fourth was finally arrested but only after he nuked the daylights out of Markan II."

He refocused on Miguel."We got the reasons and the outcome out of your report. I am more interested in the details of this little engagement of Submarine versus Space Bus. That has to be a first."

Dennis actually laughed. "Yes Sir, I am sure it was a first, but the young commandant of that boat has my deepest respect, Sir. The space bus was armed and carried a P Bomb. The Sub had only very rudimentary sensors, no ISAH pods and much of its space systems had not been used in 550 years and was on the verge of giving out. Yet the guy and his all female crew of three managed to shoot the P Bomb, manual targeting I might add, survive a direct double blast of a Class four FTEs. Then, without weapons or shields left, rammed that space bus head on and basically plowed right through it. No hesitation, no fear about their own safety. They did save their planet and over two million inhabitants. The boat lost one of its crew, a girl fixing the busted fuel lines after extinguishing a plasma fire and dying as a hull fracture sucked the air out of engineering."

"Nilfeheim you say? Never really heard of that planet." Stahl said.

McElligott responded before Miguel could. "It is an ocean world, P191 Culture, very restrictive on tech and very little contact to the rest of the Union compared to other old Colonies. Remember the Neo Viking Pirates? They came from there."

"Oh right now I remember. They actually tried to board a battle ship at one time, If I recall correctly."

McElligott looked at a readout. "You know they have their very first Academy applicant. He signed up in the Pre Pool program at the age of 15 and renewed every year. He should be ready to join this year and if I read that right he is the same name as the commandant of that Sub, Eric Olafson."

Stahl leaned forward with a sudden glitter in his eyes. "What did the recruiter write he is interested in?"

Obrock McElligott also smiled knowing his old friend well. "It says here, he wants to become a Star ship captain."

"I think I will keep an eye on this Olafson."

Chapter 2: Consequences

Lothar's beam burned through my chest. It felt as if my entire torso was on fire, but I was alive. I did not faint or pass out instead fulled by burning rage I ran towards him, his face was pure horror he still held the small weapon he did not fire a third time. I reached him in mere seconds, buried my knee in his groin and smashed the palm of my hand against his nose with the hope I would shove his nose bone up his brain. Something completely impossible f course, but I was furious and kept pounding him until strong fists dragged me away. Space port security had arrived and they took me and Lothar into custody. Med bots carried Elena away.

I was brought to the clinic and it turned out that the water filled plastic bags I had used to simulate boobs, had saved my life. The Thermo blast energy vaporized most of the water and turned it to steam, which had burned my entire chest and face.

Elena had suffered a life threatening trauma but the fast arrival of the med bots putting her in stasis saved her life.

One of the Space port security men turned out to be a former Lowman of the Olafson clan talked to me with a snickering cackle in his voice. "I didn't recognize you until I ran your CITI. What a hoot. The hero of Nilfeheim dresses up like slut out for a cheap date on Friday nights. Who would have thought?"

I was embarrassed and felt very ashamed. Elena hissed at him. "Did we break any laws?"

"I don't know yet. The chief is reviewing the security footage and questions the assailant." He kept laughing. "This is too funny. You are a joke. Oh man look at you fagot."

Another security officer entered. "I am sorry we detained you here at the clinic for a little longer. We reviewed the security footage and I interviewed Lothar Olafson. He recognized Elena Olafson and admitted his intent to kill her. He had no knowledge that you were Mr. Olafson. It all was analyzed by Legal Central and a duty judge on Holstein court confirmed neither of you have broken any laws. Mr. Olafson acted in self-defence.

"Lothar Olafson however will be facing serious charges and will see a Union judge on Holstein planet. You are of course free to go. We will keep you informed in case we need you for the court procedures."

Then he turned asked. "What is so funny Officer Brimhilf?"

"chief look at that dressed up Tranny. It's Eric Olafson, the oh so famous Tyranno slayer and world saver."

He slapped his knees. "I can't wait till I tell this to the guys."

"You will do no such thing. Have you forgotten your oath and training? You know you can't discuss duty related things in private and what you are doing right now is highly unprofessional."

"Not to mention illegal." Said the space port doctor. "What your officer is doing, chief could be considered cruel and unjustified and I will testify to that as witness if they press charges."

"I will take care of this." The security chief promised. "Since he finds this so funny he will like the idea to be transferred to Pit Moss Planet, immediately"

To Elena and me the doctor said. "I was informed your grandfather is waiting outside to pick you up."

I looked at Elena and she shrugged. I had no Grandfather, and she did not know hers. I knew Egill called me Grandson because he was a distant relative, but he was on Pluribus as far as I knew. In the waiting room of the clinic sat the Ancient One, the Old Man of Muspelheim and he did not smile or looked pleased at all. "I brought a flier to the entrance. We can leave when you are ready."

We went out the side door and he rushed us to enter a black Mercedes and I noticed Richard the swordsman behind the control.

Elkhart motioned to the back seats. "Go sit down you two. Richard, we are in and ready to leave."

Only after the flier was in the air and he sat across us he explained his serious mood. "Eric did I not tell you to be careful with your desire? I warned you not to go in public like that. It makes no difference to me or the true keepers living in Muspelheim, but this world is not ready for this. If this becomes public you will ruin everything you have gained. Our population in general has very little tolerance for what they think is not normal."

He hushed me as I tried to say something. "I am not done Eric. The practice of killing deformed or otherwise handicapped children is still done here on Nilfeheim.

"They will try to put Nilfeheim logic to it and perhaps accuse Sif putting you under some spell to gain her position and subdue the most prominent hero of Nilfeheim." Elkhart sighed and dropped his arms. "You are a celebrity a warrior. The young ones want to emulate you and they play Eric Olafson, fight imaginary Tyrannos and bad space pirates. Can you imagine what Nilfeheim would say if that comes to light? They will ask questions and then find out that you are not really married to Sif. Sif is not ready yet and won't be for many years to come. The recent events were powerful enough to move our encrusted society a little forward. Give Low Men and women a little more rights, what you did tonight could destroy it all."

Everything he said hit me harder than the whip of my father and I felt very much ashamed.

He sighed again "It happened in public and I do not have the wonderful mental gifts Egill or Tyr have to make them forget." He stabbed his finger in Elena's direction. "And you are neither trained or gifted enough to do that."

Elena cried. "We meant no harm. Eric's mind is so much at peace when he can be Freya. No one would have noticed or recognized him."

He nodded. "Thankfully no one but the Security guards and the doctor have. I am not blaming you for what you are or what you desire Eric. I do not understand it, but you find in me the most open minded person and if I would be younger I might even try it for a change, but this planet is at the brink of a new future and a better one for everyone. Hasvik is suddenly alive again with many applicants and both girls and boys from all walks of life and social standing. The fighting schools are overwhelmed with young women wanting to emulate Sif and the Elders discussing openly how to integrate a few women in the circle of Elders. All this is thanks to Egill and you."

I tried to make my voice sound firm but failed. "What can we do?"

He said. "Carl has killed Lothar. Officially your brother committed suicide, Carl is very good at that. So it won't come to a court case that anyone could watch on GalNet, where you would have to appear as witness.

"Sigfrida is also taking care of the security guard, he will have an accident. She too is very good at those things. No one will expect Lothar's death as anything else as a suicide. For the Union the case is closed and they won't release any security footage or names to the public, that was all we could do, but I don't like having to kill people to protect your secret.

In a week school ends for summer break and your basic school is finally over and Mr. Valthim will make you citizen, After that you will leave Nilfeheim. Out there you can be Freya to your heart's content, Eric, but not on Nilfeheim at least not for many decades to come."

I nodded. "I will do that."

"You wanted to leave anyway and join the Fleet, now you leave a little early. It will give you time to travel a little."

He leaned back and smiled a weak smile. "I know you did not mean any harm and I can attest you look fabulous as Freya. Your clan could not be in better hands, Elena will make a great clan chief and break another barrier and you can trust her."

She took my hand and said. "Yes you can I promise."

--""--

The next day I went to the Clinic and asked for an appointment with Dr. Dwyer. After a short wait, I was seen by the old Terran doctor and it was hard to actually tell him what my problem was. To actually put it in words was more embarrassing than I realized, but then I told him and he listened to my problem. He leaned back and said. "What you call a disease or a sickness is a psychological disorder that occurs in genetic predestined people, well at least in your case. I checked your DNA and found you have all the triggers necessary for it to occur and this combined with your traumatic childhood most likely caused this.

"It is very rare in this form in the Union in general. The DNA triggers are usually recognized early and prenatal and if the parents agree they are removed. About a thousand years ago it became so popular that you could find a gender change studio in every mall across the Union, but some made the changes every other week and that led to wave of suicides and psych problems."

He folded his hands and leaned back. "It is still perfectly legal and easy to change ones gender and there is no law or cultural requirement that tells you how to dress or how to feel or to what gender you feel associated or attracted. There are so much more curious things out there; it would not even raise an eyebrow on most other worlds."

"Can I get rid of it?"

His face became serious. "Every Psycho Surgeon would jump in and say yes of course, a little psycho surgery will forever cure you of this desire."

I said. "Why is it then you do not recommend it?"

He sighed. "With all our knowledge and all our advancements in medicine, the human psyche is still not completely understood. Even if the Psycho hacks say otherwise. It will forever change your personality, Eric. You would no longer be you. Whatever you think about your desire it is part of you and you should aim to find an answer, a balance or perhaps a place to live that is less restrictive. I have seen the results of Psycho Surgery and without exception they all turned out to be smiling and happy but totally empty and hollow. They would display whatever personality the Psycho Surgeon thought would be good. This is my professional opinion on Psycho Surgery and I cannot recommend it with a clear consciousness to anyone. All this said I have not even touched the meta-physical aspects of soul, higher awareness and spirituality."

"It almost destroyed everything I had gained last year and it might bar me from entering the Academy."

"I am sure they have your Medical School Exams on file ever since you signed up and they also saw the triggers.

"The specialists looking over those applications and files are not fringe world MDs but Navy scientists. They would have rejected you if this is to be a handicap. However, I can tell you that if you opt for Psycho Surgery, it will most certainly bar you from ever becoming a Commanding Officer, which I know for a fact."

Interlude 2: Dai-Than

Every fifth Nutho-Cycle, which was a calculated time fragments of a Galactic Year and maybe three or four times in the life of a Dai-Than all the tribes would meet at Thana-Shoo the remnants of their once proud and beautiful home world. Officially destroyed so long ago by the ferocious hordes of the Y'All. But the most secretive rumors spoke of another reason the world was destroyed, but that was part of the Forbidden Past and perhaps only the Pale Ones knew the truth. Nothing but fragments of the planet remained, one such fragment the continent sized Nak-Thana-Shoo, meaning the heart of Thana-Shoo, was the site of that meeting. No outsider, no one not Dai had ever seen this place.

During four Nutho cycles this place was abandoned, except for the mystical Pale Ones that guarded this place, but at the end of the fifth cycle the system would fill with the fleets of every Dai clan. Dai Mothers and millions of ships would crowd the system. For ten Thana Shoo days all Dai celebrated highly ritualistic festivities, traded among each other, forge alliances celebrate weddings and do other tribe business. The tribal chiefs, tribe lords and their oldest children come together in the stone and rock amphitheater on Nak-Thana-Shoo. A force field bubble erected over it and filled with breathable air.

The Tribal chiefs brought forth their most formidable warriors and pit them against each other in highly regulated and deeply traditional fight events. The warrior who won the most fights was then called Champion of Thana Shoo and it was an honor like no other.

Tar Kar-Hi, the mighty lord of the Hi Dai-Than tribe, one of the oldest and most powerful of all stood in his tribes stair section of the amphitheater and looked over the many other Dai Than tribal lords, either already in their section or on their way to it, it was an impressive sight, but to him it was a sad one.

There were still many tribe lords but nowhere the number there once were, many seats remained empty and there were already more empty seats than occupied ones.

Bor Hat-Je an old friend walked over to him and greeted him by putting his hands on both of Tar-Kar's shoulders and Tar did the same to him. "Good to lie hands on your shoulders again, my old friend, Bor Hat. How did the endless darkness treat you and your tribe over the past Nutho Cycles?"

Bor Hat looked like a brother to Tar Ka, both tall and athletic, despite their age. The arms bulging with sinew and rock hard muscles, their skin bright red and the black hair slicked back into a very tight pony tails apparently pulling the already angular arched black eyebrows up even further.

Clad in deep red almost maroon colored leather suits with intricate stitching and leather carvings. Lined beneath with metal micro mesh armor and fully seal-able in seconds to become a functional space suit.

Each of them carried a vast arsenal of blades, guns, mini bombs and other weapons openly as well as hidden all around their bodies.

Prominent were the double swords across their backs. These single edged mono filament swords were not just traditional decoration of ancient past but terrible weapons wielded by perhaps the best sword masters in the Galaxy.

Where the leather cross straps of their chest harness met, was a circular metal disc decorated with the Tribal - glyph, and behind it the disc shaped Alti-karr knife. Mastery of this throwing weapon was practiced by the Dai from as soon as they could walk and developed a deadly accuracy with it. The best experts could make it bounce of walls and ceilings and decapitate a being twenty meters distance and around a corner.

Above and to the left in a richly tooled and decorated knife sheath was the Okthi-karr, a knife which should never be drawn, as it was only used for ritual homicide of a family member that brought shame to the tribe. And on the other strap was Nak-Karr, the one to end shame. The knife meant to commit suicide in case of committed sins that brought dishonor.

Hat-Je kept his hands on Kar-Hi's shoulders. "The hunting is more difficult and more dangerous than it ever was. I must decide after this Meeting if I will relocate to the distant low sector or take the secret way the Golden offer to another Galaxy altogether." He then used one hand gesturing over the theater. "Look at this old friend. When it all began 75,000 tribal chiefs filled these ranks. Today there are less than 18,000 thousand tribes left. Our mighty civilization is dying."

Kar-Hi who had thought in very similar lines said "Mur- Yuu-Hr the one we always called the truly tall one, have you heard of him? I do not see him present."

Hat-Je also looked over the seats and said. "I was thinking the same thing just a moment ago, and yes I remember Yuu-Hr. I cannot see him yet, he must be late."

A Trial chief, one step higher behind them, Kar-Hi recognized him as Are-We, an old and experienced chief; said. "No he won't come. He met the USS Devastator and that cursed waste land demon Stahl. Another Dai-Mother destroyed with many children, women the old and young gone. The Mur-Hr tribe is no more and so are two others I know."

Kar-Hi was not too proud to show his sadness as he heard about this and added his own bad news. "The Union is getting more powerful every cycle, not only did they add the Klack but I heard the Attikan Commonwealth has joined. All 96 member civilizations went along."

A fourth Tribal leader joined their small impromptu conference. His name was Tar Bas-Co, his thumbs hooked in his belt. "The Attikans are Union members for a good while now. I heard your words and I am only here because I retreated."

He hung his head. "I retreated and still lost two thirds of my fleet. My Mother barely made it into free space severely damaged. I am broken as it is too much loss, too much damage for me to rebuild." Kar-Hi put his hands on Bas-Co's shoulders. "Then join my tribe. I shall welcome you as foremost lord among all families in my tribe."

"A member of the Hi tribe I am then, so be it."

Their little group had swollen to about twenty Tribal chiefs when Kar-Hi said. "We cannot fight the Union, not even if we combine all clans in one fleet. It would be a mighty battle and cost them much but they will still prevail and then there be no more Dai Than."

Everyone in their round agreed.

One of them said. "You are known to be wise and your tribe is without question the biggest. I will listen to your council, what are we to do? We do not have planets like other races. We do not want to settle down. We are Dai Than. We are warriors, we have lost Thana Shoo so long ago, and we are a space born race ever since."

Another one said. "Maybe we must find a world and settle it, it is not our way but it will guarantee the survival of our kind."

Kar-Hi said. "I see our numbers dwindle. What good are our best ships against the Terran Translocator cannons? Our best shields cannot stop these cursed weapons. The Kermac have so much more resources and yet they have not found a way in 1500 years to defend against it. The Nul, no one here will deny their strength and fighting powers, will never admit it in the open but they fear the Union and most of all the Terrans."

Hat-Je frowned. "I dislike the Kermac most of all space born civilizations, but I tend to agree with them. The Sarans committed a terrible crime unleashing these barbarians upon the Galaxy. No species fights wars like them. They are not warriors, no. They are born soldiers. Soldiers are not much good without a leader. Unfortunately, to us, and the rest of the galaxy they have the very best. I am not impressed by their cannons and torpedoes. However I have the deepest respect for the one they call the Eternal Warrior."

Bas-Co held up his fingers. "The Xunx, the Freons, the Ferons, the mighty Alakarr, the Piostla all were mighty empires, advanced species before the Terrans ascended. You will not find a single member of any of these species alive today. They dared to stand against the Terrans and paid the price and I do not have enough fingers and toes to count all the species and civilizations perished and wiped out by the Unions mighty onslaught."

Another clan chief added. "Don't forget the Y'All. It was the Union and the Terrans chief among them who not only stopped them but wiped them out."

Kar-Hi crossed his arms behind his back. "The Shiss once one of the most feared warrior races, a shadow of their former might. But there are the Purple throat Shiss, they thrive. And do you know why?"

One Tribal chief said. "They joined the Union."

"Yes they did. As you know the Shiss traditionally expand their Empire by sending their lowest cast the Purple Throats with virtually no support on the most harsh and barley suitable planets and if they manage to survive and build a successful, thriving colony, the Higher color throats take over, reap in the benefits and make the Purple throats their slaves.

"About eight or ten cycles ago. A region of space with 32 Purple throat Colonies developed a very nice little empire of their own, built up from scratch and they wanted to keep what they had built and rebelled.

"The Upper caste Shiss sent war ships, and destroyed one colony with orbital bombardment. Was this the end of the Purple throats? No. They asked the Union for help. It was granted right away. The next time the Upper caste Shiss came to make another example, they were faced by Union Battle ships and I know there is no one here who hasn't seen those sleek wedge shaped behemoths in action. The Purple Throats became Union Members."

"Today these colonies are thriving, and would be a great prize for any of us."

"And there are Shiss captains commanding Union Battle ships." said Bas-Co. "Facing these ferocious lizards was never easy but them commanding Union ships, I lost half my tribe to the USS Hyperion under the command of Captain Zezzazzzzz, a purple throat Shiss."

There was silence, now over sixty tribal chiefs stood in a circle and Cam Elf-Na who hated Kar-Hi as he had lost to him, six Nutho Cycles ago the title of Champion, said aloud. "Go stand in the middle of the Heart so all can hear your words. It seems you have the answers."

Kar-Hi went down the stairs, past his oldest son Har-Hi who a day before had won the right to call himself the latest Champion of Thana Shoo, looked in his sons eyes and knew that he needed to say what he contemplated for so long. His son and the generations to come had a right to live and assure the survival of the Dai Than.

He reached the center of the Amphitheater and spoke. "Look around you. Look beside you and recognize the many empty seats. Once occupied by the likes of us.

"There are more now as there were at the last meeting and there will be more during the next. Not even a fool or a blind Dai can deny this steady decline. The day when no one will return to Thana Shoo is not so distant if we let this go on.

"We are a mighty race and few equal us in fighting skills and valor, but it takes us much longer to build ships as we take the resources we need, from others. This is our way. They call us Dai pirates and equal us with criminals. It mattered little to us what others called us in the past, but now we are facing an enemy who kills and destroys any Dai on sight, be it a single individual or an entire tribe. There is not one among us who can deny their ships grow bigger and stronger, their weapons and shields getting better and their territory expands every time you hear. What was Free space yesterday suddenly is Union Space. But not just the Union, the Kermac and their thrall species also make it harder for us to take what we need."

He saw that many who listened nodded.

"The Nul hunt us with powerful fleets. Those who know me will attest I am no coward and have fought many hard battles both in the arena, right here and with my ships in space, but I too did not manage to attain all the resources I need to feed my tribe, to build new ships or find the leisure to pause and give scientists the chance to research and improve our technology."

He came to the hardest part of his speech, and he knew it would change his fate and that of his clan forever and most likely change Dai Than history forever, but he steeled himself. "One Nutho Cycle ago, an epidemic disease of unknown origin was killing many of my tribe and my Medical Staff did not know what to do to stop it. I decided to cross Union Space to reach Karthanian space. In the hope their scientists had a solution or cure. Going around Union space would have taken too long."

There was dead silence in the ranks of the chiefs as they listened to Kar-Hi's story.

"I was less than a Light Nutho away from Kartanian space when we were engaged by the USS Devastator and five Union Battle ships, part of their First Fleet, with the rest of it approaching fast. Our worst enemy hailed us to surrender and I simply told him, that I was not out to attack a colony or planetary system, but needed urgent medical help from the Karthanian. Do you know what our worst enemy did then?"

It was Bas-Co who spoke. "He is our worst enemy but he has honor. He let you pass."

"No my friend, he offered a Flag of truce and six Union Hospital ships arrived within the hour. Within the same day they had isolated the cause, and treated every one of us. There was not one word of hate or disrespect spoken by any of them and not a single weapon or bomb had been brought to our ships. They simply accepted my word that I would honor the truce as well. After that he let us pass."

A clan chief, Kar-Hi did not know said. "I will leave this meeting right now. My tribe too suffers from a deadly fever we cannot control. I do not care if you call me a coward or a traitor, or even Okthi-Dai. I will ask the Union for help. My tribes well-being comes first."

Many agreed and many called chief Okthi-Dai, Outcast.

Kar-Hi raised his arms and it became quiet again. "We have three options as a species. We can leave this region of space and see if we can find better conditions in unknown regions far from here. We can continue to fight and raid and be decimated and go the same way as the Xunx, the Freons and all the others, or we can do as the Purple throat Shiss did and join the Union.

"I was assured that on the day we Dai become members, our past is forgotten and a new chapter is written. Instead of being decimated by Translocator cannons we will have them aboard our ships and if there is one thing to be said about the Terrans and the Union, they keep picking fights and we can do what we always do, with our ships refurbished, repaired, equipped with their marvellous instantaneous communication and fight. While our children, the old and our families are safe. It is the most important duty of a clan chief to ensure the survival and well-being of its tribe and in a wider sense of our kind. There is no greater task and no goal more important. I have made that decision for my tribe. You may join me or call me Okthi-Dai but after this Meeting my tribe will head for Union space."

Almost instantly about twthousand clan chiefs got up and marched down and then stood behind Kar-Hi.

The rest however started chanting Okthi-Dai, led into the chant by Kar-Hi's old rival, Cam Elf-Na. His old rival now raised his hands and the chanting died down. "By the ancient traditions this place is sacred and only ritual fights may be fought. You and your cowardly followers may leave, but as soon as you have left this most holy of places and you are beyond our old suns circle we will hunt you down, destroy every one of you as there is nothing more disgusting than an Okthi-Dai who is alive."

Kar-Hi responded. "Then so be it. Let it be known I already have applied for Union membership and I have not only gained access to free medicine but guarantees by Stahl himself that will make this a costly hunt for the intended hunter. It is not your opinion that makes me Okthi Dai. Your decision to doom what is Dai however firmly plants this term of shame upon you."

Kar-Hi left the circle and then put his hands on Har-Hi's shoulder. "I have done this for you and the ones that come after you."

Chapter 3: Orphan

School, at least Basic Union School had ended for me six days ago.

Almost everyone of my class had graduated and received their CITI implants in a festive ceremony in the schools cafeteria. It was a very strange experience for me. Father was present in full clan chief regalia, standing with other fathers and this time he was not there to ridicule or hurt me, but to witness the event just like the others. I always believed I would be the only one that was going to leave Nilfeheim after school, but Yngve was gone now for almost two years already.

He had messaged me once or twice telling me how much better everything was, and that he was no longer bullied or afraid. Gunnar who had lost his fight against Sigvard and was officially no longer a member of the Peerson clan had left right after graduation to serve his twenty two month Union service as a food service provider for a Union Fire Department station and then was invited by Arthur's to their company college. It wasn't a big surprise that Peter, the son of a Freeman and seafood merchant left for college. But that Sigvard decided to serve the twenty two month with the Spaceport Authority, serving it on another planet, was as unexpected as a Tyranno sighting in the middle of Longnight.

Two days later, Elena and I visited our Fangsnapper herds on our South Pole.

All the larger clans maintained a herd or two there. The Fangsnapper herders were regarded the wildest and most rugged Neo Vikings. Living at the edge of the ice, tending Fangsnapper herds for the clans that owned them, protecting these often angry and dangerous animals from wild Fangsnappers, Rock sharks and Tyrannos while the animals dove for fish was about as harsh as life could be.

These men lived in tents and primitive condition for most of the time and had their families in small ice top villages where conditions were only slightly better than in the moving herder camps.

Once every year was the big round up. It was then the herds were driven to Isen Lansby. The herders received their pay from the clans they herded the animals for.

Then they sold the market ready Fangsnappers. Bought and traded animals for breeding

The animals were either slaughtered on the spot or flown live to the Xchange in Halstaad. It was also a festive carnival like occasion with performers, rodeos and all kinds of competitions. It was then when Elena was attacked by a wild Fangsnapper that somehow got loose tore through the fair ground and bolted straight towards my beautiful sister. While I tried to get to her, I was not close enough to prevent the attack.

Yet my sister stood her ground and Elena slew the beast with her sword.

This warrior feat was not only seen by dozens of men but it was also witnessed by two Elders who happened to attend the Round up.

The Elders declared that she completed a feat worthy of the Ancient Challenge and declared her to be a Nilfeheim warrior.

The oldest son of the Thingstal Clan, Armin Thingstal challenged her, saying

"If the elders declare weak and useless women to be warriors, then real warriors must stomp out this foolishness."

He also demanded to gain whatever riches Elena had in her name. My offer to fight as her champion was denied by the Elders and Elena herself.

During the fight, she cut off both of his hands.

The fight that was transmitted from the roundhouse where the challenge took place to every Nilfeheim home.

During the same event I was forced to discuss my disapproval of Beowulf Thingstal's interference in the fight.

Beowulf, the brother of Armin jumped in the ring after he witnessed the defeat of his sibling brandishing a sword attacking Elena.

Unfortunately my argument with that coward was not as elegant as Elena's. This time however, I did not feel the same guilt as I did when I killed the Steiner boy in the very same ring. Beowulf attacked without challenge and from behind, I never liked cowards.

One surprising development of that day was the fact, that Isegrim my father jumped from his seat into the fighting ring and actually challenged the Old Thingstal to a duel if he did not recognize Elena as a warrior and accept her

Otmar Thingstal threw his sword into the ring and recognized Elena as a warrior and her victory.

Father then revealed openly that Harkun had been his half brother thus making Elena a real Cousin of mine. Now I had a sister that was also my cousin.

Father told everyone that her feats could of course be easily explained due to the fact she had Olafson blood in her veins. He also announced before the Elders that, he as clan chief had the right to elevate Elana to be the first daughter with rights of command and to be a foremost honored member of the Olafson clan.

None of the Elders could find a single line in the Book of Traditions, that forbade a daughter to be in such a position.

Nilfeheim had a new hero and a female one.

Then, about a week ago, I was visited by two officers of the Union police. As surprising their visit was, I had a bad feeling about it and suspected it had to do with the incident at the Spaceport.

The two told informed me that, the investigation into Lothar's attack at the Spaceport was now officially closed. Lothar, so they told me had committed suicide, apparently after he learned what penalty he would have faced, by an attempted double homicide on Union ground.

They did ask me a few questions about Lothar and took a statement on the events that led to him attacking Elena and me.

One of them also questioned Elena.

Both men said that crime on Union ground required a closing report and since there was an ongoing federal investigation into the planet bomb affair, they had to make sure it wasn't connected.

I learned that Lothar had survived the beating he received from the hands of Lowmen and had stayed at the burg the entire time, still being an Olafson. I simply hadn't wasted a thought on him since I left him behind on the floor of the High Halls.

I was still unsettled by the Union Police visit and realized how close it was for Elkhart's predictions to come true, when I was told another Union official wanted to see me. This time however it was a Union Post office courier delivering me the official documents that confirmed my appointment date at the Union fleet academy on arsenal.

He recommended that we should keep our GalNet terminal turned on, so he would not have to make delivery runs.

--""--

My last days on Nilfeheim were over faster than I realized.

For the longest time I dreamt of the day I could finally leave. Now that it was at hand, I was no longer sure if it really was the right thing to do.

Elena and I stood by the large view ports looking over the snow covered landing field. The space bus was sitting on its single landing foot and a flexible covered gangway attached it to the terminal.

To me it was as if Elena became more beautiful every day.

She wore black knee high boots red leather pants and shirt over a sweeping fur rimmed cape with the Olafson Wolf heads on the back. The leather modeled her curvaceous body in a very appealing way. Her rich thick black hair contrasted in a lovely way with her blue eyes and rosy complexion. I was very proud of my sister. On her hip hung Hevnen, the great broadsword of the Olafson clan and perhaps as famous as Mördaren.

Father decreed that she earned the right to wear it.

With us also were Uncle Hogun, Aunt Freydis. the Ancient One and Sigfrida.

The almost two meter tall woman that was a constant companion to the Ancient, was a close friend yet I knew next to nothing about her.

In her black leather outfit and fur cloak and the long blond braids reaching to her hips, she looked very much like a Valkyrie of ancient lore.

She turned every head. in the spaceport.

Sigfrida was now a constant guest at the burg and had started to train Elena, just as she had trained me.

Elena and Sigfrida had become close friends.

Uncle Hogun gave me one of his trademark bear hugs."Take care of yourself out there." Then stomped away.

Aunt Freydis whispered. "Don't think bad of him. He is a big tough Fangsnapper on the outside, but soft as kitten on the inside. he didn't want anyone to see him cry. He hates to say good bye."

"I know Aunt Freydis. There isn't a gentler soul on all Nilfeheim"

She shook my hand. "Keep your honor as you always have and do what your heart tells you to do, sometimes the heart is a better councilor than the mind."

She then followed her huge husband.

The Old Keeper took my underarm and said. "Be careful out there Eric. I traveled a bit last year and will do so again as soon as I can. I tell you this galaxy of ours is a marvelous place and you will see amazing sights, but it can be much more dangerous as a Rock shark infested stretch of ocean."

I nodded." I try to be careful."

Sigfrida pointed at Mördaren I was wearing."Even though there isn't anyone your equal with this on Nilfeheim. Out there a simple steel sword is not even considered a weapon anymore. Don't try to pick any fights with someone having a gun."

"I am only wearing it for the benefit of Lars Igvarhein standing over there. Father asked me to wear Clan colors and the sword. I am not planning to stand out like a sore thumb and advertise to everyone I am a Neo Viking primitive of Nilfeheim." She kissed me on the forehead.

Father did not come. He disapproved of me going off world and seeking to become a fleet officer

A few days ago he has handed Elena the Clan ring in a symbolic gesture. Perhaps trying to change my mind.

But Elena wearing the ring and thus becoming the declared heir was perfectly fine with me.

Elena embraced me with a tight hug, she felt wonderful and smelled of shampoo, fine soap, a hint of perfume and warm leather.

"Don't you worry, you are the first born and I won't take anything that is rightfully yours."

"Sister, I am so proud of you. I never really wanted to be a clan leader. Whatever destiny the Norns have decided to be mine, I know beyond any doubt it is not on Nilfeheim.

You are everything the Olafson clan needs and so much more.

You look regal and stunning at the same time, you are smarter than me, have a knack for business and father is melting every time you there."

"I love you my brother, always have. Be safe and call as often as you can."

I promised.

A voice blared. "Last boarding call for Grey Lines coach 554. All passengers please come to boarding gate two in the Grey Lines lobby. Last..."

She kissed me warmly on the lips closed her eyes, as a tear pearled down her cheek.

"You better go now, I might change my mind and not let go."

I brushed a strand of shiny black hair from her forehead, took a last lingering look of her gorgeous face; then I turned and went to the lobby.

Lars,, our local news man had a partner now, instead of a cheap hover-cam he used before. He directed his Cam-man with a sweeping gesture behind me and then stepped into my way.

"Eric Olafson, foremost hero of Nilfeheim is leaving our world today to further his education off planet.

Eric you still have a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions?" "Lars I am not much for interviews and all this high-brow media stuff and I do have a bus to catch."

"Who is this stunning blonde with your magnificent Warrior Sister? I am getting calls from all over Nilfeheim."

"She is a close friend. It is not very manly or very honorable to call in. Whoever is interested in Sigfrida should come forward and make proper advances."

I was halfway through the lobby and close to the boarding gate, but Lars kept following me.

"There are rumors your sister might be the next clan chief of the mighty Olafson clan, is that true?"

"There is only one Clan chief and that is Isegrim my father. He is healthy and full of strength and if you make news out of rumors. I will challenge you."

Lars stepped back. "It is my duty to follow up on rumors."

"It is your duty to report facts."

"Why is it, you are leaving Nilfeheim? Why does the heir to the mightiest clan leave and leave it to a female of uncertain heritage?"

"What did you just say?" I slammed my fist as hard as I possibly could into his stomach and then hit his chin with an uppercut that sent him to the floor.

"I hope your camera man got that too. If you ever dishonor my sister, spread rumors or question her honor. If you ever say something like that about the Olafson clan again, I come back faster than you can say Olafson and kill you without mercy, do you understand?"

He spat blood wiped his mouth and nodded.

I made it as last passenger to the boarding gate and the security officer at the gate asked me to present my brand new CITI implanted (Citizen Identification Tag Implant) under the skin of my right arm.

After I was cleared, I stepped on a slide belt, the only one I knew off that existed on Nilfeheim and it carried me through the flexible connector tunnel to the space bus.

A robot greeted me at the Airlock. "Good afternoon Citizen. Welcome aboard Gray Lines Coach 554. Your seat is upper deck, starboard row seat 44A; please follow the blue pulse light to your seat."

A blue blinking light appeared on the floor and guided me up a flight of stairs and to a window seat. I took off my fur coat and the sword belt and stowed it all in my seat locker and sat down. From the view port next to my seat, I could see the spaceport building and I hoped I would see Elena and the others, but all I saw was the reflection of the terminal of the space bus and the gray sky of Nilfeheim in the smooth surface of the terminal complex.

After a few moments the air pressure changed noticeable and the air started to smell different.

A legless robot floated down the middle isle. "Captain Ruthneck and his crew would like to welcome you aboard Coach 554 Afghan ... Please familiarize yourself with the safety features aboard this SII- Quadstar 400.

In the event of a catastrophic hull breach your seat will activate its life capsule mode, please make sure you have all limbs and other body parts inside the yellow outline around your seat when the emergency lights come on.

You will also find emergency space suits under your seats. Union species with special body features or environmental needs should ask one of the robots for an appropriate model.

The consummation of tox drinks and legal drugs are permitted only while the bus is in space. Due to the various local laws to these matters, Gray Lines generally prohibits these activities while landed.

Our next destination will be system Lichthaus and the planet Holstein. Estimated time of arrival will be Fifth hour on Blue Day or in about 6 hours and 12 minutes. The on board restaurant welcomes you to try our various menu offerings. Have a pleasant flight."

We lifted off moments later and the spaceport, Halstaad Fjord disappeared fast beneath us and then disappeared below the heavy cloud cover.

Then we were through the atmosphere and the SII- Quadstar accelerated to gain the necessary speed to trans light threshold and after about 15 minutes, the stars suddenly disappeared, and the background hum of the engines changed to a faint whistling sound then the stars reappeared.

This all meant the bus had slipped into Quasi-Space, the thin layer between real space and the next continuum, where faster than light travel was possible and time did not exist. Inside the ISAH field we brought our own time with us.

While it was only a space bus, this was my first time on a real spaceship traveling faster than light.

The viewports now showed a simulated view of real space as seen by the so called Trans layer sensors. They were necessary as humans had no sensory organs or means to perceive Quasi-Space.

From the brochure displayed in the field screen before me I learned that the space bus service was heavily subsidized by the government.

While there were other, faster ways to travel of course and space buses offered very little comfort or luxuries, no other travel service existed that reached all occupied worlds and places in the Union and for little money at that.

It was intended to facilitate the easy interaction between all Union worlds. A grandmother could easily visit her grandchildren clear across Union space for less than two hundred Credits.

Students were able to travel to visit other places and tourists could visit every point of interest.

The space bus service and the instantaneous cheap communication available to all Union citizens were considered the main reason why the Union existed for over 2800 years and kept on growing.

Not even the most distant fringe world colony felt cut off and colonist revolts that were a common occurrence in many other known trans galactic cultures had never happened in the Union. Not that anyone was forced to stay a member anyway.

I looked around and didn't see many passengers. Even thought the bus could accommodate over 1000 travelers.

The multi entertainment unit mounted in the backrest of the seat before me flashed with the GalNet logo and a sexless voice said. "Mr. Olafson you have a call from user identified as Mr. Silverzweig. Do you accept the call?"

"Yes I accept."

My grandfather's old friend and legal adviser appeared and said.

"Shalom Eric. You left faster than I expected. I wanted to see you on Nilfeheim regarding your Inheritance. Your Grandfather wanted me to give you a recording. I also wanted to inform you that you now have complete access and control over the funds he left you."

"I forgot all about that, Mr. Silverzweig. Can I see the recording from here?"

"Yes I upload it to your PDD if you have one."

"Yes I do." I held my PDD net to the GalNet terminal, the connection was made and the file transferred.

The lawyer nodded pleased and then said. "I took the liberty to invest your inheritance and retained a portion of the stock in your late grandfathers company for you and it keeps earning you a little money on the side. You are quite a wealthy individual now and if you like I offer you my continuous services as financial and legal adviser."

"Yes Mr. Silverzweig I like that a lot. I would have asked you that if you had not offered."

"In this case I suggest transferring only one billion in your private use account and letting the other four billion work for you."

"Mr. Silverzweig, to me hundred Credits is a lot of money. I can't grasp the idea of having that much money.

There is nothing I really need, other then maybe some less auspicious clothing, and a GalNet enabled PDD. Please deduct whatever fees you charge and do what you feel is right. My Grandfather trusted you and called you friend and that is all the reason I need to do the same, Sir."

He smiled and bowed slightly."You are no longer n Nilfeheim and you will soon realize the universe runs on money. I already deducted my fees Eric and I consider it a personal pleasure to serve you. Good luck with your Union Fleet application."

I thanked him again and he disconnected. My Credit strip made a pinging sound and as I looked at the read out, I noticed a very long number with lots of zeros.

I really had no idea what a billion Credits meant.

I started Grandfather's recording.

"Hello Eric my grandson. If you see this recording I didn't make it to see you off on your quest to become a star ship captain. I heard it is a hard journey but I know you will succeed. Also be assured I will be be proud of you no matter if you succeed or not. I know you will try your best as you always have and no one can ask for more. I left you a little bit of money in case this career choice turns out not to be to your liking and with it you have the means to try something else.

I wish I could have been there for you, but I assure you I am with you in spirit. Farewell my grandson. For the short time I was allowed to know you made me a very proud grandfather. I know I failed you and your mother in so many ways, I will rest easier in whatever place I am now, knowing you have forgiven me."

"I have grandfather." I hoped no one seen my tears I hastily wiped away.

-""-

Holstein planet was the closest settled system to Nilfeheim and also the seat of the sector council.

It had been settled by mostly German immigrants from Earth at about the same time as Nilfeheim.

According to the brochure that listed trivia knowledge of all the stops along the way, it was called the -Planet of Meadows- and was famous for its rolling hills covered with deep green grass.

Grass so it seemed to be some sort of sea weed that grew on land.

Holstein had a population of nearly one Billion and exported mainly dairy products. The cheese and milk sold on Nilfeheim came from here. Its main city Lunebeck had a Union Police station and a sector court.

I decided to skip Holstein planet, as a sightseeing destination and stay aboard.

Lay over time was only three hours anyway.

The list of tourist attractions was short and none really peaked my interest:

Tour of a dairy farm, tour of a brewery, hiking in the moors and visiting genuine replicas of German medieval castles were on the top of that list.

We had burgs at home and the rest was not what I considered interesting.

Our next destination would be Twilight, a moon that was tidal locked.

Only a strip where both sides overlapped had a climate and sported conditions for standard NiOx breathers.

I activated the Privacy-Bubble and set the Sleep-Inducer for arrival Twilight and went to sleep.

-""-

Twilight so I learned from the same multi media brochure displayed on the entertainment unit was a moon in orbit around the fourth planet of the Yutoo System.

Twilight was tidally locked around that fourth planet, named Gigaball, an enormous gas planet with nine planet sized and hundreds of smaller moons. Twilight was unique among them as it had a Nitrogen Oxygen atmosphere, acceptable to most NiOx breathers in the Union.

A strip of about 6 kilometers width and 12,200 km long follows the permanent terminator line between the planet and the space side.

The information displayed told me that the day side was the one facing the planet and the night side opposite and whenever the moon swung around the big planet, the night side was facing the distant sun of the system and technically became the day site.

However the distant sun was not providing all that much light.

I sighed, this sounded more complicated than the winter seasons of Nilfeheim.

I was swiping ahead a few pages and learned that the planet facing side could experience temperatures up to 250 degrees on the old C-scale. While the temperatures on the night side and while behind the big planet could go as low as minus 60 degrees.

A strong permanent wind circulation between the two sides had smoothed much of the moons rocky surface and created valleys with lakes of mile deep micro dust. Fresh and liquid water existed at the terminator and there was indigenous plant life.

No mobile plants or actual fauna life have been discovered so far.

Twilight was settled by colonists from many different regions and no particular dominant culture about 1500 years ago.

According to the brochure, most cities and settlements were located on or under the terminator strip but there was a Sunside city and a Planet Side city.

It seemed noteworthy for whoever wrote this, to mention that the Sun Siders did not like the Planet Siders and vice versa.

Both sides consider the Termis (those living in the middle) to be snobs and weaklings.

There was short but violent local war about 300 years ago between the two sides until the Termis in the middle called for Union intervention.

Main export items were mushrooms that grew in caves as well as minerals and metals.

Twilight was also considered a Union traffic hub for this region.

Some of the Tourist attractions listed were: Dust skimming, White water boating and a traditional Amusement Park.

I yawned and stretched a bit, maybe the Ancient was exaggerating, the Universe so far sounded quite boring.

--""--

There was not all that much to do on a space bus. On the main deck was a restaurant, with very basic and mostly printed food offerings. Of course there were GalNet terminals, part of the seat entertainment system. Most passengers kept their Privacy-Bubbles and Sleep-Inducers activated. Since this was my first space flight, I explored the bus, but found nothing that really peaked my interest.

So I read the GalNet entry about Twilight and again and found I was still not too interested in the local attractions, but the bus would be there for eight hours, time enough to stretch my legs and perhaps have a bite to eat.

Besides I had left Nilfeheim much sooner than originally planned and now I had to kill four month before I was to report at the Academy for my entry exam.

So I was not exactly in a big hurry

TWILIGHT

The spaceport was much bigger and busier than the one on Nilfeheim. Two other space buses had arrived simultaneous with us and I was told they all waited for a fourth one to arrive.

This was the reason for the eight hour layover. So passengers of these buses had a chance to board connecting flights to their destinations.

My first change of bus routes would be in two more stops at the OXR-Hub, which stood for Old Xunx Region.

The space bus to the right had just arrived from Brennans World, forty four light years from here. The other one was from New Sweden. The fourth one yet to arrive from Ne Plejades. Across the terminal were a bunch of smaller bus bays connecting hourly to destinations within the Yutoo system.

I learned from a friendly Info Bot that all nine moons and two rock core planets in the System were colonized. The bus from New Sweden and would leave for He Mang. The one from New Plejades would continue to Cascade system and my space bus next destination was a place called Halifax system.

An even bigger bus than ours, all the way in the last docking bay serviced an Outward Fringe Region almost a thousand light years distant and thus had cabin accommodations.

It would soon leave to Galia in the Halifax system then proceed to Nightlive. From there I could either catch a fast clipper to Alconyne or Neo Nebula. Both destinations had Space Train connections to Blue Moon.

Behind the Space Bus bays was the vast open area of the spaceports landing field. The patient Info Bot explained that the fish shaped space ship taking off was a luxury liner named Blue Dolphin with over sixteen port of calls on its trip,. With final destination Sol Hub. Seeing that elegant ship climb into the yellowish sky I was actually considering booking a voyage too.

Once on Sol Hub it was only a short inter system trip to Earth and the home of the original and first Vikings.

Seeing all this gave me a first glimpse of how big the Union really was.

Many passengers and locals weren't human and I saw members of non humanoid species, but could identify only a few.

Four insectoid Klack loaded with shopping bags, had a lively conversation with a four meter tall Andorian and a frightening looking Kilonian who used eight legs to walk and its upper pairs as arms, looked like a segmented Sausage with legs.

A Wurgus, wearing a rainbow colored neck to floor shimmering robe, bumped into me. His head really reminded me of a freshly butchered and plugged chicken with two onions stuck to it for eyes.

Mr. Flensburger one of my teachers told us in Xeno Class that the term Chicken head was used in many jokes but should never be said in front of a Wurgus.

He mumbled an apology and rushed on.

In all this there were robot vendors, message bots, info bots and security drones. Everyone seemed to be in a rush and had urgent business.

I smiled as I saw an Arthur Swine and Dine, complete with waving pig. A thin looking dirty boy wearing a shoulder bag grabbed the shopping bag of a woman who had set it down to talk to an Info-Bot and then bolted.

He was stealing that ladies bag.

And he ran my way, not seeing me as he glanced back.

I grabbed him by the shirt. "I don't think that bag belongs to you."

He turned tried to worm himself out of my grip and screamed.

"Let me go."

Now I noticed it wasn't a boy but a girl. Her hair was cropped short and she was perhaps twelve or thirteen years old. Wearing a one piece stained and smudgy coverall that maybe was white a century ago.

I twisted the collar making it tighter. "Not before you gave back what you have stolen."

She kicked me on my shin bone and I felt her kicks even through my padded Fangsnapper leather boots.

Two similar looking but much older teens and male for sure, approached us trying to blend in the crowd.

"Now you are in trouble Mister, my brothers are coming and they will shank you, better let me go now."

"I don't think they will."

They had spotted the security officer just as I had.

The girl changed her tune."Please Mister, don't turn me in. I don't want to go back to Mother Moore's happy Orphanage. Please."

Tears glittered in her eyes and I said. "We give the lady back her belongings and I let you go."

"You don't understand. If I don't bring my share I get beaten and kicked out of the nest."

"I tell you what. We give the lady back her stuff and I buy you dinner at Arthurs after that I buy you something you can use for loot. Stealing is not the answer and unfair to that woman who paid for whatever you stole."

"You aren't for real. Are you?"

"I always keep my word."

"Dinner and twenty Credits and you got a deal."

"Alright. I give you ten now. You give back the bag and I give you ten more and buy lunch."

She nodded. "Deal." with her free hand she fished a battered scratched looking Credit Chip form her pocket and I swiped her ten credits in the thing.

She stared at the read out." You give me ten more?"

"When you done your part of the deal."

I let her go. At first it seemed she was about to bolt but then she went to the lady who was still arguing with the Info Bot and had not even noticed her missing bag. The girl put it right where she took it and came back, first on distance with a distrusting expression on her dirty face.

"You earned the second ten and I keep my side of the bargain."

She approached and I swiped another ten in her strip.

On the far left of my field of view I noticed one of her smudgy friends coming closer. The security officer had moved on and was now out of sight. The thin humanoid was holding his right hand under his jacket and I turned fast, as he was only a step or so away.

He flashed a knife and hissed." Don't interfere with the Port Roaches. I brushed aside my mantle drew Mördaren and held the blade under his chin.

"Don't threaten a swordsman with a knife."

He paled and tried to flee but a suddenly appearing Security robot grabbed him by the shoulders and a police man arrived moments later.

"Traveler did this Non citizen harm or steal from you?"

"No but he tried to stab me."

"I have scanned your weapon. It appears to be a simple metal sword without energy signature and is therefore permitted. You may however put it away now. Can I also scan your CITI?"

I slid the sword back into its scabbard and let him do it.

He thanked me and said. "Thank you for your cooperation Mr. Olafson. Have a nice stay on Twilight."

"Do I have to do anything else?"

"No Sir. It's a clear cut case. Legal Central gives you all green. This thief and would be stabber will see a Judge however, attempted armed attack isn't a misdemeanor.

It's either Ma Moore's if he is a minor or a Dust camp if he is old enough. He won't bother travelers for a while in any case."

The cop left with the robot dragging the young man along.

I didn't see the other boy or the girl.

I decided to check out the shops get me some different clothing, a better PDD and maybe go outside and see how the air felt on another world and did not think much further about the incident.

But the girl suddenly stepped in my way. "You still owe me a dinner."

"Of course, and I will keep my promise. We can go back to Arthurs or go that Pizzeria there or any other restaurant. I see there are many choices here."

"Any restaurant?"

"Sure."

"We go to 'Chong's-All-You-Can-Eat' then. But I must warn you it's 12 credits a nose for humans."

"It's okay I think I can manage it."

She led the way to a set of black lacquered doors with golden symbols and two ferocious looking golden animal statues sat on each side of it.

A sign informed me that the restaurant served LSLD food only and charged extra for Ba Phy XL, whatever that meant.

Inside behind a counter was a woman; her face looked very much like that of the Off-world assassin I had fought in my submarine.

She bowed slightly and smiled at me but glared hostile at the girl. "Your kind is not welcome. You have no money and steal much food."

"She is with me and I pay for all the food she eats or steals."

"This is fortunate and acceptable to me. She is now welcome."

The restaurant consisted of rows of tables and in the middle a long buffet with rows of tubs of steaming foods.

I was thinking the lady would have to change her sign, if Neo Vikings would ever find this place. A grin crept into my face when I imagined how the buffet would look after a crowd of Nilfeheimers descended upon it.

The girl took a tablet and a plate and looked at me.

"You pay for the food I steal too?"

"Yes."

She first loaded her plate with a white cereal of little steaming kernels and filled bowls with stew like meat dishes.

Then she filled her bag with rolls, and chicken pieces.

"Don't you want to wash your face and hands first? I am sure they have a wash room and maybe they could wrap the food before you put it in that bag? Remember I pay for it."

"Can I eat first and wash later? I am really hungry."

"Sure, it was just a suggestion. So what's good here?"

"Everything is good. Do you like chicken or duck, spicy or not so spicy? Get little of the rice and much of the meat. It's all natural sourced at He Mang, not far from here and not printed. Nothing exotic just human standard food."

I simply did what she did and went to a table.

To my surprise she used two sticks instead of a knife or spoon.

Luckily there was a spoon like contraption made of ceramics. She ate like there was no tomorrow and then pointed at my plate.

"Have you never eaten with chopsticks?"

"No not really. We actually advanced to spoon and knife."

"They have regular silverware too; you don't have to use the rice spoon."

After she went for the third time she finally slowed down, chewing she looked at me, "So what world are you from? You wear furs and leather and a sword and all that."

"I am from Nilfeheim. Not that far from here."

"Never heard of Nilfeheim."

"And you? You are from Twilight?"

"You are not some law man right?"

"No I am Eric Olafson from Nilfeheim. I am a Neo Viking, the first time off planet and on my way to Arsenal."

"Oh right I heard of the Neo Vikings. Rough barbarians from some water planet, galactic west from here, right?"

"I think so."

"I am Exa, don't know if I have a real last name and I think I was born on Blue Moon if my mother told me the truth, but she stowed when I was real little to here and that's how I ended up on Twilight."

"Stowed?"

"Stowed away, hid in a freight crate, you know. That's how Gal Drifts get around. It's not easy and sometimes you get stuck on a planet for a while, the Freights are pretty tight secured these days."

"It's not really my business and I have no idea what a Gal Drift is, but why are you stealing to get by and why are you hungry? Aren't you going to school?"

She poked the sticks in her food and then said without looking at me.

Galactic Drifters, it's a subculture.

They don't believe in CITIs and think it's not right to be tagged like cows so Big Brother can keep tabs on you.

They don't believe in Union laws and that includes schools. Citizens of the Universe, they call themselves and believe all war is wrong, weapons are for evil purposes only and think if the Kermac want to rule over us then let them, instead of fighting them. Gal Drifts would not accept them as authority either."

She sighed. "My mom got hooked on God-Dust, you know Califerm. She got caught and shot. They often shoot Califerm addicts here on Twilight when they get caught outside of Union ground. Only the spaceport is Union ground."

"So you are a Gal Drift? How about your father?"

She pushed the plate away. "No I am not a Gal Drift. I am the product of one. I told you Mom left Blue Moon or whatever planet when I was very little. Gal Drifts don't marry or keep track of their lovers.

Of course it is easier on the men they don't get pregnant.

I am no Gal Drift. I am a frikkin' Below sometimes they also call us Bottoms. Below everyone else. Below the high and mighty Citizens, below Non Cits and Drifters.

Without Union school you don't become a Union Citizen and the only school I can go to as an orphan is Mother Moore's Happy Orphanage.

It's the worst place there is, it is pure hell and I ran away three times. It isn't easy to get away.

They have security like a State Pen and if I am sent back now I go to the inside on Slammer Moon. No chance of escape there."

"Seems you caught the short end of the stick. If you want you could go to Nilfeheim at our place and go to school there. It's not a very sophisticated planet but it is quiet and boring for the most time."

That was a preview of Eric Olafson, First Journeys (Vol 2). To read the rest purchase the book.

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