Eric Olafson, Midshipman (Vol 4 GC 30)

by Vanessa Ravencroft

Copyright© 2008 by Vanessa Ravencroft

Series:Galactic Chronicles
Cycle: Olafson Cycle
Order: Volume 4 GC 30
Previous Book: Fleet Cadet, Eric Olafson (Volume 3 GC 29)

Description: Midshipman, Eric Olafson This is Volume 4 in the Eric Olafson Cycle and Galactic Chronicles Book 30

Tags: No Sex, Ma/Fa, Magic, Mind Control, Slavery, CrossDressing, TransGender, Fiction, Science Fiction, Aliens, Extra Sensory Perception, Robot, Space

Published: 2018-10-17

Size: ≈ 198800 Words

Foreword

This is the 4th Volume in the Eric Olafson saga. It begun with Eric Olafson, Neo Viking. Continued in Eric Olafson, First Journeys and Eric Olafson Basic Training (also published as Eric Olafson, Fleet Cadet). It now continues with Eric Olafson, Midshipman.

Eric spend time with the nether plane witches of Coven and is now on his way back to Arsenal to continue his Academy training.

Eric begins his second Year at the Academy and as usual things don't work out as he planned or expected. While most of the other Midshipmen work and learn the ins and outs of their chosen specialization, Eric is now firmly on the scanner screens of the Immortal Admirals. There are forces plotting to get to his friend Narth through him and there is a former Admiral that wants him dead. He is about to meet new friends and enemies. Eric Olafson, born on a cold world called Nilfeheim raised under harsh conditions of a very traditional inward looking society of Neo Vikings left his planet to fulfill his dream to become a Starship captain.

Eric is 198 cm tall and weighs almost exactly 90 kilos. His usually long blonde hair now cut short according to regulations. He 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. This and a secret desire he tries so hard to suppress, get him in more trouble than the average guy. He is still oblivious to the fact that he is destined to play a central role in an ancient conflict of cosmic proportions.

Vanessa Ravencroft

---

It is the 51st century and the Milky Way Galaxy is teeming with exotic species.

The majority of the known civilizations have formed a multi-cultural mega organization called the United Stars of Galaxies.

Eric Olafson returns to Arsenal II to begin his sophomore year at the Academy, training to become a member of the United Stars Space Fleet. While most of the other Midshipmen work and learn the ins and outs of their chosen specialization, Eric's friendship with a Narth, the Universe's most powerful and mysterious known species, puts him on the scanner screens of Immortal Admirals and powerful enemies.

When a former Admiral wants him dead, and an entire species is trying to get to he Narth through him will Eric and his comrades of the USS Devastator be able to fight back?

Part 1: YEAR TWO

Arsenal Gate

I turned the viewer to aft view as we emerged from the Igras Nebula and the USS Rosinante was in normal space once more. I had christened the Katharian Raider after the horse of Don Quixote. Like the old lame steed of that fictitious character it was hapless piece of junk. Bolted and glued together from parts of of at least seventeen different space ships, each ship from a different space faring civilization no less. Somehow it all worked and the ship did not let me down when I needed it to work.

Only two weeks ago I had arrived here, in a shiny new Sturgeon Courier ship and nothing that should have worked. The Command seat in this rust bucket had been a leather sofa, bolted down onto the deck plates with actual screw bolts. That sofa floated somewhere in space between here and Coven, the secret planet of the Netherworld Witches, along with whatever vermin was hiding between the cushions. The red scaled lizard, that was there to hunt the vermin tuned out to be a coward and as soon as I let the thing out, it gorged itself on the Vac Packed supplies and hid inside a ventilation shaft when it heard the sharp teeth vermin squeal between the cushions.

I had learned, the red scaled pirate pet was called a Hantkit and it had a better home now. I had sold him along with everything loose and not absolutely essential to a Vendor for pretty much everything aboard a Scooper station two days ago. They let me land, and it turned out the Karthanian ship of mine had a few tons of Good Scoop aboard, it and the rest of the things gained me a small bag full of gold and Platinum chips. Union Credits had no meaning out here as I found out. For the chips they sold me something like an old fashioned dentist chair that was now my command chair, a big bucket of Scrub-A-Deck and seven bulbs of fuel. Hopefully enough to take this piece of junk back to Union Space.

It had felt like a cold shower, like being evicted from a castle to turn back to my male persona, but I really wanted to complete my Academy and not complicate things even more. But my experience on Coven had shown me what I wanted and what I would do as soon as I could. The doubts and the pain of not knowing what I was were gone.

Gwen, like me wore uniform once more. It was her who knew how to find the Scoopers base.

The Karthanian version of Isah Pods, called Nuran Enticers kicked us past the transluminal threshold and while the Karthaninans called it Nuran Space, it was the same thing as Quasi space. The transluminal speed of the ship was not exactly fast and it would take us eleven days just to reach Union space and another seventeen to make it back to Pauli Base.

Gwen sighed as she saw the Nebula turn smaller.

"Would you like to have stayed longer?" I asked her.

"No not at all. I told you that I feel home at Lorman's Starbase. To many it is just a dust ball, but I have my career there and my friends and colleagues. It might surprise you but I really like being a JAG lawyer." She pointed at the fainting image of the Nebulae.

"I was thinking about the lives of the Scoopers. Now that the Coven has decided to join the Union, this part will become Union space and their way of live will chance and I don't think they will like it."

"Well it is up to you how much exposure you want for Coven. It's not going to be a big industrial or cultural center in the first place and all that chances might be a Union Post office, a public GalNet station and perhaps a monthly visit by the space bus. The Narth have none of that, they opted for a Space station called Narth Gate and pretty much all Union interaction ends there and never reaches Narth Prime."

"Well of course you are right and I don't think we do want much official exposure, but once the Union becomes truly aware of the Nebula and the conditions there, they send scientists and technicians. It's what they always do. You Terrans are especially nosy and inquisitive."

"You keep saying that and yet it is you who shares a human host body and it seems very Terran human at that."

She laughed. "It seems you did learn something about us and it does sometimes take an outsiders eyes to see the obvious."

She then added."Not that you would ever be perceived as outsider on Coven. You would always be welcome."

---

Part 2: INTERLUDE: COVEN

The Circle of the Coven watched the Human leave and with him went Gwen, the youngest.

This time she would travel all the way to Pluribus and represent the Coven and ask for Union Membership. The decision had been made.

The Human was a great surprise. He had seen them all in their true form and was not terrified or afraid. The Oldest had left the side of the Warrior and had returned to Coven and to the Circle to witness the event.

The Oldest of the Coven said. "He is brave and he carries the essence of duality. His female side is as complete as his male side is. There is no middle ground. He is not the third way as the Narth hope he would be."

The Oldest who listened to the name of Alycia and was the leader of the PSI Corps for the Union objected. "Sister Luci,, the Narth do not hope. It is a concept alien to them. The Narth say there is a third way, then we who want to be wise, should heed and consider that there is indeed a third way.

We are the Coven and we are bound to the Nether world which stands for the way of darkness and chaos. But we are free to make our decisions and we choose the way of right and good. We made the decision to join the Union. We made the same decision as the Narth did.This seems to be a third way indeed."

The others in the Circle nodded and one said."This is so. We made the decision and we shall abide by it."

---

Part 3: ARSENAL GATE

Only a week ago we were intercepted long before we made it to Paui Station by the USS Shetland no less. I had to give Admiral McElligott a detailed account of my adventure. He simply listened, shook his head and and then dropped me off at Corri-Dor from where I caught a space bus to Arsenal Gate.

Once again wore my uniform and was all male. I decided not to experiment more until I completed the academy. Somehow the urge to be female was not as strong anymore and felt myself walking taller. My visit to Coven had freed me of many doubts and I felt content in myself for the first time in my life.

The space bus was filled to the last seat and most of the passengers came here for the first time.

A human female with bright green eyes and flaming red hair sat on the seat next to me. She looked skeptical at the forward screen showing Arsenal Gate getting bigger.

"Can I ask you something, Sir?"

It took me a second to realize she was addressing me." Sure."

"I see you wear fleet uniform. Do you have any advice how to become a Midshipman?"

"Swallow your pride for one thing. They going to test and probe every orifice mentally and physically. Most of what you experience is not done because they don't care but because they test you and weed out those who aren't meant for this. There is much more to this process than it appears. Especially to someone starting out. I learned that just a while ago myself."

I listened to my own voice and realized how much had changed. How much I had chanced in only a little over a years time. It felt like a life time ago when I was finally on my way to Arsenal Gate.

She nodded." I try to remember that, thanks."

After we docked they herded the Newcomers into a line. At first I thought I had to stand in line as well, but I saw three uniform wearing passengers leaving the space bus and they walked to another air lock so I followed them. The Marine guarding it simply scanned my ID chip and said:" Access granted, Sir."

Behind the door it came to me I had no idea how to get to Arsenal II from here. This was only Arsenal Gate, the actual system was still a light year away. The last time they stuck us into a military Leyland, but this time I was on my own.

After passing through the air lock from which I had entered the station I found myself in a wide well lit corridor and not far from where I was standing I saw a Project-A-Sign reading "D-Dock Saloon".

I felt thirsty and was in no particular hurry, besides maybe one of the patrons could tell me how to get to Arsenal II, without making a fool of myself.

The bar was dimly lit, the music that played in the background sounded like Ult harmonics, but could have been any popular song played by Ult instruments, it always sounded alike to me.

There weren't many patrons. Two humans wearing blue jumpsuits with the Engineering Bee patch on their arms sat at the bar and had a lively discussion. The bar keep was an ancient SI-5 multi task robot this one featured a chrome polished body. The bow tie around its flex neck looked out of place.

Close to the door and to the right were two public GalNet Terminals. I decided to call Elena and check my messages.

Nothing usual has happened at home. To Elena it was important things. Who married whom and who sold what to whom. Little Exa did not look so little anymore, even though it was not that long ago I had send her to Nilfeheim. It seemed the harsh climate and the good food of Nilfeheim made her grow faster. Father so I learned was on his first Pilgrimage to the Halls of Hasvik and I secretly hoped he had to climb each of those iced stairs at least twice. Perhaps he would fall and break his neck.I could not help to wish him bad things. I had buried it, but I had not forgotten what he had done, and all his new found ways to atone himself was; when I truly thought about it not enough to wipe away his guilt in my eyes. I did not want to dwell at these thoughts and called my friends, I reached none of them, but had a pending message from Pure who got the picture I send him and he insisted that I would visit him right after the Academy.

I left the GalNet booth and finished my visual survey of the bar.

Only one table at the opposite from the bar was occupied by four cargo handlers, two of them human and two of them insectoid Klack. One of the humans eyed me with an openly hostile expression on his face then he returned to his drink and to the conversation he had with his friends.

On the opposite side of the entrance was a row of floor to ceiling view ports. I went over to the windows and gasped. This was one of the hangars of this base. It was hard to imagine that this cavernous space was made by man. And even more mind boggling was the fact that it was only one hangar of hundreds like these, and all part of an artificial construct floating in the darkness of space. The dimensions of this hangar alone was hard to comprehend. A full size 3500 meter Battle ship was serviced there at the moment and there was room for at least three more. All of Halstad Fjord would have been placed here with room to spare to store every single burg of Nilfeheim. There was hectic activity of robots, vehicles and service personnel.

The giant being serviced was a wedge shaped battle ship, too close for me to see the registration name. I was certain however it was Pounder class, because of the arrangement, size and number of the ISAH Drive pods.

Even the hundred meter tall Octo Bots shifting tons of materials with their tentacle arms made of memory metal and synthetic muscles looked like toys compared to that ship. Seeing all this had the same effect on me as it had when I saw one of these giants the first time at Grandfather's funeral.

The bulky looking man wearing a blue jump suit came over. His suit had only one sleeve his other arm was exposed all the way to the shoulder and it was clearly a cybernetic implant. His rank insignia identified him as an E-4 Petty Officer. And the stylized cargo hook above the rank informed me that he was a Cargo specialist.

"Are you lost or something?" He asked with a disapproving tone in his voice.

"No not exactly, Sir."

"What have I done to you to be insulted by you?"

"Sir I fail to understand how I insulted you."

"You did it again. Do it one more time and you going to get to know me in a very unpleasant manner."

He was out for trouble and I had no intentions of fighting with an enlisted man. Technically I was a Midshipman and his superior but it was obvious he was not impressed by that.

I was sure whatever I said would escalate the situation, so I backed up, raised my hands in a defensive manner and said."Let us not escalate this situation, Sir. I am going to leave."

The man grunted and swung at me. I evaded and walked to the door. He said." First you insult me three times and now you run like a coward and such jelly belly jerks think they are so high and mighty. You are nothing but a stinking coward." He came after me and I knew I would not make it to door unless I ran and I would not run.

So I stopped turned and said. "I will ignore what you said so far, Petty Officer. I will forget that you tried to hit me. But take one more step towards me. Threaten me one more time and this will end for you in the medical ward of the brig."

He did stop, the three workers at the table now paid full attention to the situation. One of them said. "Curt you better stop or that Midshipman will have you scrub the deck plates from here to sector 12."

Cyberarm's name was Curt and he didn't like that comment. It egged him on and he snapped at me. "This is Loaders country. You have no business here. There are no Marines to come to your help. You are on your own and if I decide to rip your head off, then that is what I do. It is exactly what will happen now."

"I warned you nicely. Let's see if we can't find a supervisor of yours and see what he thinks of your conduct."

Curt launched himself forward. He was an experienced brawler I could tell at once. I needed to make a point and do it fast. Brawling with an Enlisted was not a good career move. I stepped inside his attack, grabbed him by the wrist, added momentum and smacked the palm of my hand hard under his chin. He tumbled with a spray of blood and teeth backwards into chairs and tables,

The robot bar tender extended a red light from his skull and announced: "Cease all fighting. Station security is alerted."

Curt came up, with several of his teeth missing and not to steady on his feet and past his pain I saw fear in his eyes as he glanced towards the door. The workers at the table did not look much happier and the same one said. "Your goose is cooked Curt. Attacking an officer, you going to get spaced if you're lucky."

And just then the door opened and two Marines with shock batons arrived. By the looks of them it was clear that they could have cleared a room of fighting Petharian without breaking a sweat. One of them pointed at me. "What is the nature of the disturbance here?" He looked at Carl and then at me. "Oh I see, that green want-to-be-officer strolled in here and you picked a fight, isn't that what happened Curt?"

I straightened my posture, ignored the speaking marine and addressed the second:"Corporal are you on official security detail?"

He looked at me as if I asked him if space was black." Yes I am."

"Then I assume you recording this for your watch log?"

He nodded." Yes of course."

I raised my voice just a notch. "This is Midshipman Olafson. Marine Corporals of the watch have displayed extreme disrespect against an officer of the fleet. Responding Marines did not address me properly but used profane language and belittled my statue and position. I herby file and official complaint."

Both Marines seemed to shrink several inches and I went closer to the first one looked for his name tag and said. "Corporal Rengar how do you explain your observation calling me a want to be Officer? Did you check my ID.? Did you obtain any data that could make you think I might not be an Officer?"

"Sir, I apologize. I did not mean any disrespect Sir. This is not the first disturbance of this nature and in this bar. Did this Petty Officer cause you any harm or trouble, Sir?"

"None at all Corporals. This Petty Officer asked me to demonstrate an Aikido throw that was all. The robot misinterpreted the situation."

"If you say so Sir."

"Indeed. Now do I need to follow you to the guard center and file a complete report including the record of your conduct or can we file this situation under false alarm?"

"It seems that would be an acceptable solution, Sir. We will report it as a false alarm. Have a good day, Sir."

The Marines apologized again and left.

Neither Curt nor the workers on the table had said a word during until the Marines left.

Curt stepped forward. "That was mighty noble of you, Sir."

"Well I don't want to see anyone spaced. Just never call me a coward, that is serious matter for someone where I come from. But you are right about one thing. I don't belong here. I better go now."

One of the Klacks got up. "Why don't you join us for a drink, Sir? We owe you at least that much for saving our friend."

"Alright I guess I can use a drink."

I sat down with the four and Curt also found a chair and pulled it to the table.

The human worker leaned forward. "One tip of advice, Sir. Don't call enlisted personnel Sir. That Sir is reserved for officers."

"I am sorry. I didn't know. I am fresh out first Year academy I call a fence post sir."

That caused laughter and even Curt smirked. "I am sorry I was a jerk."

I just waved and turned my attention to the Serv-bot. "Got any Holstein Pilsner?"

"No, but we have Heilbronner on Tab, that is also a Pilsner."

"Alright one of those."

The Klack ordered sugar water and asked:" What are you doing here if I may ask. This is a bar usually frequented by Cargo handlers and long shore workers like us."

"I need to find a way to get to Arsenal II and I have no idea how to get there so I thought I find someone to ask and the bar was the first thing I saw after the airlock."

"There is hourly shuttle service right from the Equator Deck Section 9. Just take any IST and tell the System where you want to go."

---

Part 4: ARSENAL II

It was just as easy as the Load handler said and a shuttle transport took me to Arsenal II without any problems. After it landed and I got out I wondered what I should do next. I was a few weeks late and no clear instructions as where to report. I double checked my PDD and contacted Fleet Personnel if there were any specific orders for me, there weren't any new ones. The only active orders on file were to report to Arsenal II for my second year instructions. Those orders were almost two month overdue, but there was a properly filed extension by Fleet command.

Maybe someone at Academy HQ would be able to give me advice. So I took a maglev train from the Shuttle port to Academy Head Quarters.

There on the Duro-Crete before the Academy tower was a long line of orange jump suit wearing applicants. Only a year ago I had stood in that line. Now I walked unhindered, wearing navy black. Even though I choose to approach the building from another walkway I could almost feel the eyes of the applicants on me and I was glad I didn't have to that again.

Right behind the entrance door I had chosen was a desk with a humanoid Lieutenant. He looked at me with light surprise in his face." What can I do for you, Midshipman?"

"Sir I am to start the 2nd year, but I don't really have a place to report so, so I thought I come here and see if I can get information and perhaps advice what I have to do."

He scanned my ID chip and looked over his screen tapped a few times on it." I assigned you to Bachelor housing complex 345A. There you will have a room to stay and study."

He handed me a print out." Here are the directions how to get there from here."

"Thank you Sir, very kind."

He waved his hand and grinned." Since I could not find any active orders for you. You just volunteered to work right here, you can take the IST behind me to Level 8 and report to Lt Archer. We got lots of applicants today and we are short handed as usual."

I recognized level 8 as soon as the IST let me out. It was the place where Applicants got their green uniforms. There was a long line and a bald headed Lieutenant directed each applicant to the Auto-dressers.

He saw me and waved me over.

"First time a Midshipman is volunteering for this, but I am not complaining. Get over there and take the four auto-dressers over there. Check the applicant's status to make sure he or she got accepted, double scan them to make sure there are no civilian items on them and put him in one of the auto-dressers. Don't answer many questions or you never get done."

The task was easy but after sending over two hundred applicants through, I lost count and caught myself snapping at an applicant who asked a stupid question. A question similar to what 179 applicants before him asked.

Then I realized what I had done. Only short time ago I was that applicant and quite angry at the indifferent or unfriendly officers. I was about to turn and apologize, but a voice stopped me.

"Don't apologize." It was the silver haired woman I had seen in Webb's office a year ago. Now I knew of course, her name was Alycia Lichfangh. Ialso learned that she was not the NAVINT commandant, but the leading officer of the equally elusive PSI corps. Because the PSI corps was a special forces division of the Union Army, she had an Army rank and not a Naval one. I knew she was not really a Saresii, but part of the Coven."

She smiled ever so lightly at me.

"It is quite a different experience to have the shoe on the other foot is it not?"I nodded." Yes Ma'am. I came to that conclusion just now myself."

"Commander Webb wants to see you."

I followed the woman. Just before I left the room, Archer called my name and gave me a thumb up. "Thank you Midshipman Olafson, good job and the help was appreciated."

I smiled back and went after the PSI Corps General and I wondered why she would run errands for the Admiral. In the corridor before the IST she said.

"Never apologize to a subordinate, at least not in public. A good officer stands by his actions and reactions even as small as these. If it was a wrong you might in rare cases take that subordinate to a private place and apologize. On a regular duty station there are other ways for a superior officer to make up for a slip like that without apologizing."

"Yes Ma'am"

She was tall and with her heeled boots taller than me. She leaned closer. "Just to let you know Gwen your friend has made the official request and it all went smoothly. Most of the Union Assembly hardly took notice at the request of a single planet species membership request, but the Saresii and the Narth Representatives did and welcomed us."

"If the Nartn and the Saresii welcomed you, I am certain the application was just a formality?"

"As you know, I am Alyicia Lichfang and I am the oldest sister of the Coven. I j decided to fetch you myself as I learned Webb wanted to talk to you and let you know that everything went as planned."

"That is good to know. Not that I really understood why you needed me to make a decision you had basically made already."

"I think you just been at the right place to the right time and Gwen does like you." She pointed at the Admirals door." Well he is waiting for you and it is never a good thing to make an Admiral wait too long."

I had to agree with her on that and she opened the door for me and almost pushed me in.

Admiral Stokes was behind his desk, so I snapped in attention." Cadet Olafson reporting as ordered Sir."

He nodded." At ease Midshipman. I am surprised to see you here so early."

"I thought I am two month behind schedule Sir. Admiral McElligott ordered me to report here, Sir."

"Well technically you are now six month to early as we placed your second year into the next turn. I recall that Asmiral McElligott also ordered you to take a vacation after all your shenanigans on Wichita and in the Igras Nebula. I don't know details of course, no one tells the old Academy horse anything these days, but I would have to send you to the stockades if you even so much as open your mouth."

He crossed his short arms across his chest in a very human gesture." Be as it may you too late for your classes and to early for the next ones to start now that you are here."

He glanced at a read out on his desk."I see you have been assigned with a room at the Bachelor housing complex 345A. That is clear across the planet and keeps you out of my hair, not that I have any but using a figure of speech of course."

He paced away from his desk, looked across the Academy Gardens." Down the street from your Bachelors Home is a large old fashioned library with all the material you need to study."

"Thank you Sir. I will"

"Have you decided already what you want to specialize in?"

"No not exactly, it was suggested I might study helm."

"Do you know what books are?"

"Yes Sir."

"Most study material you will find on GalNet in form of Holos, Hyno courses, direct cortex upload and so forth but some material to this day is best studied in printed form and in books."

"Yes Sir, my old teacher in Basic School made a point of this as well."

"Maybe he was a graduate my Academy then or perhaps simply a wise man." He took a sheet of paper from his desk. "Here is a list of books I want you to study while you're here. Consider it as my personal study assignment."

"I will read them all, Sir."

"Well get started. It's a long list of books and I expect you to know them all by heart."

"Aye Sir."

"See me in three month from now. That is all Midshipmen."

---

The bachelor's home was like most buildings and facilities on this hostile environment planet deep underground and part of a sub surface building and tunnel complex ... I found the building and the door to my apartment easily enough following the instruction I had been given ... It had a bed, a desk a GalNet terminal and a small hygiene cell, that was all but I found it adequate and better than a dorm in any case.

I freshened up and changed Uniforms. A slot in the wall outside on the corridor was labeled Laundry and I disposed my worn uniform there.

Not tired enough for bed I went over the list, it was handwritten on a note paper with the Academy Logo. The list was thirteen titles long:

* The late profession of arms.

* Armed Forces and society: problems of non human alien integration.

* Critical incidents of leadership

A Firsthand Account of How a graviton storm, More Powerful than the Nul-Nul Fleet, Dealt Death and Destruction to Admiral Brigleys's third Fleet.

* The Greek and Macedonian Art of War.

* Introduction to the Concepts of United Stars Navy Leadership.

* Sun Tzu's Art of War

* Ult Fighting Doctrine

* Basic Command guidelines of the United Stars Navy

* The Seven Voyages of Captain Harvey

* The Captain's Table: Ten humorous stories

* Translocators Curse or Blessing

* Fifty One Rules of Klack and War

None of the books had anything to do with helm. It turned out all 13 books were ancient and not available on GalNet. The library down the street had them, just as Admiral Stokes had said. Old tomes, real books made of paper. Why he wanted me to read these old books I could not say, but he wanted me to read them and read them I would.

Loaded with a stack of musky smelling paper books that looked as if no one had checked them out in decades and I wondered why they were around and not scanned and I returned and almost collided with someone as I turned to enter the Bachelors Home.

It was a Shiss.

I dropped the books and went instinctive in a fighting stance.

The Shiss, a lizard- like species belonged to the enemies of the United Stars. We had fought a series of wars against them and while there was no open war at the moment, there wasn't any peace agreement either.

To see a Shiss on a military installation was quite unusual, even more so because this being wore a black navy uniform.

His voice sounded like high pressured air escaping a small hole." You are surprised to see a Shiss, but it is not necessary to go into fighting stance, Midshipman."

Now I saw the Captain striped on his uniform and immediately snapped into attention. "I am sorry Sir."

"No problem. I get that a lot and I am used to it."

He stepped a little closer and even helped me gather my books. While he did he looked at the titles. "You picked quite unusual reading material for a Midshipman. From the looks of it you are in your sophomore year at the Academy, right?"

"Technically I am still a freshman, Sir. The second year hasn't started for me yet."

"What did they teach you about the Shiss so far?

I straightened my stance and began to recite what I knew." The Shiss a lizaroid species indigenous to the Balford Strand of the Orion arm in the Upward sector of our galaxy. These four armed, bipedal lizards have wings attached to the primary arm pair but are not capable of flight. They are strictly ruled by a caste system dominated by the White throat caste and ruled by the caste system is based on the color the throat skin of a Shiss male. He female of the species has no such coloration. The Colors are White, Beige, Yellow, Green, Red, Blue and the lowest caste is Purple" I took a deep breath and continued:" The Shiss attained Tech level 7 and are mortal enemies of the Nul-Nul. The Shiss and Nul-Nul fight wars for over 2000 years. First Contact with the United Stars was made by..."

He raised one of his upper hands. "Well you do know the text book version so it seems."

He made a sound that sounded surprisingly like a human sigh." I am a purple Shiss, member of the lowest Caste, but I was born far away from Shiss-shaa the home world on a distant colony planet. Shiss colonize new worlds by first dumping a few loads of Purple throat Shiss on any marginally suitable is no survey, no one checks if the conditions are survivable, they dump a few thousand with marginal tools and supplies and check periodically if the Colony takes hold or if more Purples need to be sent.

Those distant colonies are much more interest in survival than keeping the caste system alive.

Once a colony thrives Upper Caste Shiss move in. Expect to be given all the fruits of purple Shiss labor. Purples are then allowed to serve their masters as slaves on a world they made livable."

He pointed at a knee high wall surrounding a flower bed next to entrance."Sit down so I can tell you the rest."

I simply did and he piled my books onto my lap while he continued." The Purples did not want to lose what we gained and had no interest to give up all their freedoms and possessions just because a higher caste prince decided to take it. The outer colonies rebelled and the All-White-Nestling dispatched a punishment fleet to eradicate the 33 colonies. The first colony was orbital bombed and every single colonist died.

The elected leaders of the other colonies approached the United Stars for membership and got full protection from the fleet.

A navy fleet fought hard and valiant for us and won. To us Purple Throats that 33th Colony became a symbol of defiance. My mother told me this story when I was a little nestling and I swore I would repay my debt to these aliens who fought so gallantly for our freedom because we could not. Now you know why there is a Shiss in Union Uniform."

"I am truly sorry, Sir, it was more a reaction than a conscious thought."

"No apologies necessary. I almost sneaked up on you and must have startled you."

"Yes Sir a little."

"So what are you doing here if you still a freshman?"

"I don't really have any other place to go, Sir."

I told him a very rough short version why I did not know if I was too late or to early for my next year.

He pointed at the books." What exactly are you studying?"

"Those books where recommended to me by Admiral Stokes, Sir. He wanted me to read them."

"Old Webb himself recommended them, I see. I must tell you I read each of them as well. Did you know that those books are called the Captains Treasure and that every Captain in this Fleet has read and often memorized each one?"

"No Sir. I did not know that." But I did remember what I had told Webb while still standing in line before the Academy and now I knew he had not forgotten either.

He clasped all four hands behind his back. "Why don't you give me your name and service number. I think I might have something for you to do."

"Midshipman Eric Olafson. Service Number 1082320-O-5434, Sir."

"Take your books to your apartment and wait there for me."

"Yes Sir."

He left the hallway and went down the street and I went to my room. I promised myself, never to tell any Superior officer again, that I had time on my hands. The worst part was that this was something a Cadet learned in his first week. I needed to learn to keep my mouth shut.

It didn't take long, I estimated no more than 30 minutes had passed as the visitor chime sounded and the Shiss Captain stood before my door." Leave those books here and follow me, Midshipman."

I had a hard time keeping up with him. He walked briskly on his long muscular legs keeping balance with a long spiked tail. I wondered what this was all about.

Finally our march stopped at a Trans Planet Mover Station and entered a car heading for Southern Hemisphere, Adams Port. At least so read the vari-sign above the door.

The high speed grav car whisked us away after beeping a confirm signal.

He lowered his head and pulled something out of his right pocket." Midshipman Olafson you are hereby acting Ensign and assigned until further notice to me." He fixed a real Ensign bar on my collar.

I was speechless as he explained: "My Ship the Hyperion is in dock and receives a series of upgrades and that is already going on for a few months, my crew is on leave or temporarily assigned elsewhere."

I simply listened while the Trans Planet mover carried us through vacuum pipes.

He sat down at one of the vari-seats provided. "A friend of mine in Small Craft Development asked me to take a new Shuttle type for a test flight and I thought you might enjoy that too."

I could not hide my excitement." Yes Sir indeed I would."

The TPM- Capsule came to a smooth stop and we emerged at a typical military star port terminal. Again the Shiss walked purposeful and fast on his large legs and I was almost running to keep up. Through corridors and over Slide ways, concourses and sky bridges we finally reached were he wanted to go, a sign next to it read: Auxiliary Space Craft Development Department.

It was an elegant building, reminding me of a giant amphitheater built into a meteor impact crater. Like giant steps the upper levels retracted further back. There on the top floor, with golden glazed windows, one had a spectacular sight across the stark landscape, the terrace like tiers of the huge building. The floor of the Crater was smooth Duro Crete and a few dozen small craft of all kinds and types all over the place. While I stared past the floor to ceiling windows, the Shiss captain talked to a pretty mostly humanoid female with cobalt blue hair and light blue skin. She smiled at us from behind a floating kidney shaped desk and pointed at a door to her left." Nice to see you again Captain Zezzazzzzz. Commander Larson is in his office."

Commander Larson turned out to be a standard human and he grinned and shook one of the Shiss clawed hands." It's good to see you old Lizard."

"It is good to see you too, Smooth face."

Zezzazzzzz pointed at me. "I found myself a midshipman and we're ready to take that new toy of yours for a spin."

"A Midshipman, uh?" The Commander looked at me." It's your lucky day, Son. That Lizard is probably the best pilot this fleet has, but he decided to float around in his slow steel mountain instead."

The Shiss made strange labored sounds and I realized he was laughing." The Hyperion isn't slow old friend and they don't offer you the Captains seat to a Battle ship every day."

"I know I am proud of you, but still you are the best small craft expert bar none and I should know because I am the second best and I am in charge of small craft development."

Zezz put his upper right arm on the Commanders shoulder and explained to me. "Commander Larson and I went to the academy together."

Larson's grin became even broader. "The stories I could tell you Son. That Crocodile Face and I we sure did some bad things indeed."

"He is second year we better not put any ideas in his mind. Could get him expelled."

Larson surrounded his desk and pushed a sign board over the surface." Sign here Lizard and she's all yours. Berth 234."

Zezz pressed one of his thumbs on the pad and said:" You said it's a shuttle right?"

"Well that's only what she's called on the non classified papers and technically the thing can be used as a shuttle."

"Why do you want me to test it? Something wrong with it?""No not really it tested out fine so far, but it is still in the Prototype phase, but you know how it is. It is a brand new system and there is always something somewhere just not right. So I thought I let you at it.

Besides I like your opinion. Take her out and go to the Barrow System or somewhere and take her to the limits and back and see how she does."

"Berth 234, right?"

"Berth 234. There is a landing field dedicated IBT, outside right across my office. It will take you right to the hangar."

Zezz looked down to me. "Well Mr. Olafson, let's get going. So we have you back reading your books by tomorrow."

"Aye Sir."

"Starships are incredibly complex machines as you know." He explained on our way to the IBT." We use them every day and all of us think we know how they work and take them for granted. But if you really think about how much development, how many parts need to work together in perfect harmony to harness and Channel sun like energies, travel faster than light through quasi space and even fight at these conditions, if you realize that then you stand in awe before something as small as a D12. Don't you?"

"Yes Sir I am fascinated with anything that has to do with ships."

We reached the IBT and it was as the Commander said a dedicated unit having only one destination.

The Inter Base Transport delivered us to a deserted corridor with huge black and yellow striped doors on one side in regular intervals of every thousand meters or so. The Corridor seemed endless in both directions. The massive access door before us bore the number 234.

Two Cerberus Robots stood silent guard before the door and did not react as we approached. Nevertheless I knew their sensors were tracking every movement and checking our authorization.

Both stepped in a fluid robotic exact motion to the sides and snarled." Access Authority verified."

The 20 meter tall and 40 meter wide door made of thick Ultronit sank into the floor. Revealing a sleek ship staning there inside an air lock hangar. It was clearly of Terran design, Terrans always designed ships with a hint of aerodynamic shapes, not that such considerations meant anything to a space ship.

I estimated it to be perhaps 90 meters long. It had Two long over sized looking ISAH thrusters on each side of a streamlined hull. The hull had no designation markings and there was no name I could see.

Zezz entered it through an open side air lock and I followed.

A short hexagonal shaped corridor led through the center of the ships only crew deck from aft to bow. The air smelled of those exciting scent new machines had.

A safety airlock in iris configuration zipped open and we stepped into the small flight deck. Two control Stations and a third command chair behind them.

Zezz pointed at the left seat." Take her out, Ensign"

I couldn't wipe the smile of my face." Yes Sir, I will Sir."

"Ensign this is not the Academy. Don't snap into attention every time you talk to me, just call me Captain Zezz and leave the parade ground manners and the rest of the Z's of my name behind for a while."

"Yes Captain Zezz."

I slid behind the multi task console and the soft pseudo leather seat adjusted itself automatically to my body. The Direct access panel for ship systems slipped under my left hand and the Intuitive-control under my right.

The panel came to life and a sexless voice said." Prototype Scorpion, fast attack craft, all systems on standby."

Zezz sat in the Command chair behind me and leaned back. "Just take her out she's all yours."

I ran a swift system check and got all green. "How about Communications Sir? How do I identify us?"

"Your name, ship type and reason for our excursion."

"Aye Sir."

So I opened the Comm. unit." Port Control, this is Ensign Eric Olafson aboard Prototype Scorpion request takes off clearance from Berth 235 for System Test flight."

"This is Port 5 Control. Prototype Scorpion you have take off clearance in 12 minutes. Stand by for computronic control."

"Prototype Scorpion acknowledged, standing by for external control."

"Acknowledged."

I sealed the ship and made sure there were no umbilical attached, then I pushed the power plant to full standby.

The berth doors opened and revealed the dirty yellow sulfur sky of Arsenal 2.

External tractor beams lifted us of the ground and pushed the small ship fast into the sky.

"This is Port 5 Control, Prototype Scorpion we will disengage Computronic control in 60 seconds. Have a safe flight, Port 5 Control out."

I acknowledged and pushed the Intuition lever slowly backwards firing our own thrusters and gaining altitude.

The ship handled like a dream and responded to the slightest Intu- move of my right hand.

Zezz hissed." Take her out of orbit right away and lay in a course to the Barrow system."

"Aye Sir."

"Make sure you have plenty of acceleration space in front of you. This is one of the busiest star systems in the galaxy, and it would be a shame if we puncture a hole through a freighter."

"Aye Sir. Programming way points now, with path scan phases at each curse change sir."

Using a tactical map of the quadrant I programmed two waypoints, and kicked the ship past the light threshold into Quasi Space."

Zezz said:" That was quick. How fast did she accelerate?"

"Sir I accelerated this shuttle with 800km/sec^2"

"That is as fast as a Wolfcraft IV." He said." They made her quick that is for sure."

"Sir I believe she outperforms a Wolfcraft. I only accelerated with 65 % of available thrust. Full acceleration according to these read outs is 1230 km/sec^2"

The Shiss gasped." They broke the 1000 click mark with little engines like that. That is amazing indeed; those Terrans are indeed the best engineers. The very fastest Shiss ships can accelerate is 230."

"Sir does this Vessel we are in right now, not incorporate the pinnacle of engineering skills of all member species and that includes Colonial Shiss I am certain."

He laughed."You are alright, Olafson, but I was quite serious. When it comes to engineering something for military use no one beats the Terrans. The Attikans are known for the fastest engines but they have not managed to break the 1000 click mark. Now we sit in a bird that can. They have a knack for it. Do you know they have an old saying on Shiss and it goes like this. Those Monkey primates of Terra always talk about peace and all, because they are so terribly good at war."

"I am getting this a lot lately. Every non Human species always points out just how savage and war like we Humans are."

"Well maybe there is a tad of truth then?" He glanced at the Nav Screen and said." Let's take her past red line and see how fast she is translight."

I acknowledged and pushed the Isahs to max ship accelerated and the Computronic verified that my rank as Ensign was enough to authorize ship operation past red line conditions. I silently cursed and wished I had that available when I faced the pirates with my Sturgeon. The Shiss Captain kept an eye on the Nav Screen and said. That's enough Ensign, we are already 24 light years past Barrow System. Looks like she is about 20 percent faster translight as a standard Barracuda. Make a note of that Ensign and remind me to call the designer of these engines. I want to know...

One of my screens blinked red and I said." Sorry to interrupt you Sir. We have an incoming Distress call."

"Put it on and check who else is close by"

"Yes Sir. No Union assets in scanner range. Putting distress call on."

"This is the USS Seneca, Captain Nagfir. This is a distress call. Need urgent assistance. We are 20 light years out of the System Barrow."

Zezz answered." This is the Scorpion we received your distress call and we are only 12 minutes from your position. What is the nature of your emergency?"

"Hostile alien craft. Sudden attack, we lost..."

Whatever the other captain was saying got cut off. I checked the comm. Equipment to see if I could re acquire the signal."

Sir I am getting massive ECM pulses. Characteristic jamming method of Galactic Council tech. They can't jam our Transdim signals so they ty to kill the systems."

"Check what weapons and shields we have and go to maximum speed Computronic Full Battle Mode."

"Full Battle Mode engaged." the Computronic responded.

My seat moved me into a reclined position a 5 point restraining system pulled me into the pseudo leather as if I was bonded with the chair. Simultaneously the dome shaped Omni-sight helmet lowered around me. With it I had an unobstructed field of view all around the ship and my eyes were synaptic-linked to the Zoom controls. In essence I had become the ship.

I heard Captain Zezz contact Fleet while I checked the weapon and shield status. "This is Captain Zezzazzzzz aboard a prototype shuttle. I received a distress call form the USS Seneca. Possible hostile action."

Then he said to me." Do we have anything to defend ourselves?""Aye Sir. 2 Loki III torpedo tubes, two FTL DE turrets and a kilo load translocator Gatling.Bomb magazines are full for a chance and we have triple redundancy Paradim Type IV shields."

"That's why they named it Scorpion. It has a mighty sting so it appears."

We broke out of Quasi space and saw the Seneca immediately. It was a spherical 500 meter ship, typical form for a light armed explorer vessel of the Science corps. She had a gaping hole in the engineering section and one of the ISAH thruster pods was gone.

The ship was hanging above a rugged dark looking asteroid.

None of my sensors detected alien activity or anything else responsible for the damaged explorer ship.

Just then I noticed a faint energy spike coming from behind the asteroid. Enhanced by the ships computronic and visualized as a red pulsing dot along with all relevant data before my eyes. It was artificial energy, very faint, not just a patch reflective material natural and common on asteroids, with remnants of ice or high metal content I knew whatever attacked the Seneca was hiding behind that space rock.

Zezz saw it too." See if you can manage a micro jump. Accelerate to FTL. I want to come out of Quasi space on the other side no more than 1 light minute."

"Aye, Sir."

I hastily laid out the requested maneuver. Micro jumps where difficult because even a fraction of a second could take you way too far away, and safety features like mass collision avoiding had to be disabled because not even a Computronic could react that fast, basically it was hoping that I made the right calculations and that everything worked as precise. A matter collision at the very point of transitioning between Quasi Space and Real Space would result in explosive neutralization.

I engaged the Isah Drive for the shortest duration possible and forced the Scorpion in a tight loop around, so our direct line weapons would point towards the enemy. The Computronic complained and the inertia dampers redlined, several gee came through and pressed us hard into the seat cushions."

We where now on the other side of the asteroid and screamed towards it with high speed. The Sensors picked the alien ship up enhanced the data and gave us a visual. Just about 100 meters above the rock surface hung a 150 meter long ship shaped like the letter T. Our computronic was able to match the configuration. The markings and the Nrlagh thrusters in the cross section of the T bar made the alien ship a Kermac T Cruiser.

The Kermac ship had noticed us as well and began to turn.

"Don't let them fire first. They are bigger than us and probably have enough fire power to pound even our excellent shields."

"All weapons in range Sir. Translocator loaded and armed."

"Disable their drive and maneuver clusters."

The most powerful weapon in Union Arsenals was the Translocator cannon. It translocated anti matter bombs at the moment of explosion via a Trans dimensional tunnel directly in its target. No known shield could stop a translocator bomb. Even the best armored ship was instantly crippled or destroyed when a fusion bomb explosion went off inside its engine room or anywhere inside for that matter.

The Scorpion had two translocator rotary guns, basically six translocator cannons built around a rotating base feed by a conveyor with a choice of one and five gram AM loads.

I send the smallest possible load into the alien ships thruster pods and another double salvo into what looked like a gun turret.

Armor plates suddenly became white hot and peeled of the alien ship. |It's engines exploded and the where the gun turret was gasped a ragged looking hole.

The fight ended before it really started, the alien ship was clearly crippled and without maneuver power.

Zezz hailed them." Alien Craft this is Captain Zezzazzzzz of the United Stars Star ship Scorpion. You are in union space and attacked one of our vessels. Cease all hostile activities, identify yourselves."

The alien ship was burning and with a weak flicker its last shield went out and now my sensors where able to penetrate the ship and acquire more information.

"Sir the alien vessel is clearly of Kermac design. All energy signatures and material scans indicate a vessel of Kermac design by 99.98 percent. There are 25 life forms aboard, two of them Kermac. The others do not conform to any known bio signature."

A small craft detached from the ship and energy spiked the same time. The big alien ship exploded, blinding any conventional sensors.

Zezz cursed in an unknown language and then said:" Did you lose that small craft?"

"No sir, but it is accelerating fast."

"Stop it."

"Aye Sir."

I had the small escape craft already targeted and fired a double salvo with the faster tan light energy projectors while accelerating and catching up with the pod. The small escape craft was hit by both pulses and cut in half.

Our Trans light sensors detected multiple targets coming closer and an entire squadron of Ultra Battle ships arrived in Real Space

The wreckage of the Escape craft did not read any life signs.

We were hailed by the lead ship of the arriving squadron and Zezz identified himself.

A Pan saran Captain appeared on our screen." Captain Zezz, this is Captain Tiberius of the USS MICHIGAN. Thanks for your assist we are taking over now. Leave the area at once, your Log entry of this incident has to be classified and filed only with Fleet Intel. I am transmitting authorization codes to verify my orders."

"Understood Captain Tiberius. We are returning to Arsenal II now."

To me he said." Looks like we won't find out what happened here, Ensign. Lay in a course back home."

"Aye Sir."

Presently as I was ready and about to engage the drive we were hailed again. The com signal was prefixed Blue-Blue-blue and meant this message was encrypted to the highest level and sent by Fleet Command itself.

Zezz removed a little plastic key from a small skin pocket unnoticeable in his left upper arm and inserted it in the Com console." Computronic verify. Captain Zezz Zezzazzzzz service number 3094821-Z-3433."

"Blue-Blue-Blue protocol ID verification I progress. Voice, DNA and brainwave pattern confirmed, Psi-Assessment complete. Input of correct Command Access Data key acknowledged. Awaiting input of Day code."

"Day Code is Black-Ink."

"Blue-blue-Blue protocol complete. Transmission de-crypted and open."

The screen showed the logo of the Fleet Admiral and then replaced by Admiral McElligott's face: "Good Afternoon old friend. I am glad that it was you who was out there today and assist the Seneca. I thought you enjoy some well earned off time since your ship is in dock."

"Sir, I had the opportunity to test this prototype vessel and you know my fondness of small craft."

"Indeed Zezz, indeed. Who else is with you?"

"Just a Midshipman who had nothing better to do. So I took him along."

"Identify yourself Midshipman." Commanded McElligott. My own comm. Screen came on and Elligott looked at me." Cadet Olafson. I had no idea you are out there. Not that it should surprise me. Something happens and you're there."

"Sir I ran into Captain Zezzazzzzz and..."

"Never mind. I know you and that is good enough. You are Blue-Blue-Red verified that makes things even easier ... Zezz I want you to take a container from the Seneca and bring it to Tabernacle 12. There you will transfer it to Dr. Sam Neuberger. Do not open the container. Do not scan the container. Anyone seeing the container other than Neuberger and team must be eliminated. If you are to be captured or in any form of distress you are to self destruct. Do not call for help."

Elligott looked very serious and added. "Everything about this is classified Blue-Blue-Red and you are not to talk to anyone about it."Zezz hissed." Understood Sir."

Elligott attempted a weak smile. "God speed to you."

"Thank you Sir."

"Nice to see you again Mr. Olafson. Stick with Zezz he is one of the best."

"Aye Sir."

---

Part 5: INTERLUDE: LONG TRIP (Aboard the Devastator)

The Devi dropped out of Quasi Space and one could almost hear the entire crew sigh in relieve. The huge ship and her crew was back in the Union Galaxy and was heading straight for Arsenal IV, her home port. The situation in the Fornax Cluster was not clear but progress to connect that cluster with a string of space stations was made in breakneck speed. The new 234th Fleet Command had taken permanent residence at Fornax Hub and several battle groups with battle hungry Attikan Crews patrolled and surveyed that cluster, eager to find any signs of Y'All Clones. Long range expeditions were sent out to find traces of the enemy as well, in other words the situation was under control as good as it could be. There was a mountain of intelligence reports to shift through and with a Narth sphere now operating under Union Flag easily able to reach any trouble spot in mere hours was quite reassuring to the Old Admiral.

Captain Harris got up from his chair and stretched." I am the last one saying it but it will be good to have a little R&R. I truly love this big tub of ours but no Virtu Simulation can really replace open Sky and the warm rays of good ol Sol."

Richard Stahl gave his old friend a knowing smile."Indeed old friend. I too look forward to a little off time. I just might do the same and go to Terra. Bavaria is especially scenic this time of year and I might just make it in time to the Oktoberfest."

"Don't they have them all over the Galaxy?"

"Not like this, nothing is quite like the original."

The Captain of the Devastator looked up to the tall Immortal. "So are the rumors true?"

"What rumors?"

"You and the General?"

"I had no idea there were rumors about that."

"As big as this ship is, it's a closed community and there are eyes and ears everywhere. You know that."

"I have no idea what the rumors say but yes something might happen, not that I have any plans but she is a woman and I could be twice as old and not figure them out. Now I suggest you get this ship landed."

Stahl left the bridge while Harris prepared the Devi for planet fall. It did not happen often and was a major task.

He reached his office and was greeted by McElligott's Avatar." Good to have you back old battle ax. The Nul and the rest of our enemies already starting to miss you."

"Well they have to miss me a little longer then. I am planning for a nice little vacation and tend to take it."

"I think it will do you good, but we do have a few situations I think you need to know about. Situations I have kept of the regular channels."

Stahl sighed."It never really ends does it?"

"I am afraid not, my friend. The situations are well at hand as much as possible but still I wanted your opinion."

"Just get it off your mind and tell me already."

"You do remember Admiral Swybar?"

"Yes but I never thought to hear this name again. Was he not executed?"

"Apparently not. His execution had been faked and he was rescued in quite a spectacular way. NAVINT believes it was the Worm acting for the Kermac."

Stahl grunted a curse in his old native language. "Is our Intel asleep? We are preparing for a possible new Y'All invasionand don't need any internal security problems. I have a good mind and taking the First fleet straight to Kermac Prime and end it once and for all. If we strike fast, it be over before they know give me the rest of the bad news, somehow I don't think this is all."

"No it is not. Swybin used his old contacts and his considerable insider knowledge to obtain a ship load of the finest Union Mil Tech along with a Ship that is second to none. He is in possession of the Red Dragon Prototype loaded to the max with weapons, including a Translocator canon. Thankfully a heroic Oromal technician, destroyed the weapon. He paid with his life doing it, but we are sure he has full control of the rest."

There was no sense crying over spilled milk, but Stahl was still angry. "And what is done about it?"

"We aree currently overhauling the security on our Bone Yard planets and revising the material acquisition procedure, Cherubim went under cover to hunt for the rouge Admiral and to find out who or what is behind. Initial reports have him with two unidentified accomplices, we think at least one is Kermac."

"There is little I can do. The Devi is a battle ship, I am a Soldier. Despite all this I am no spy, no counter intelligence expert. This is nothing I can solve with Exo canons and Space marines, unless the Assembly finally sees the light and declares war on the Kermac."

"It is not all as bad as it seems. I think considering it all our system as big as it is had reacted quite fast to the situation and it has shown us weak points in our armor. The Union is simply to big for us to keep it all water tight. Nelson II will be online in a year and Narth Supreme promised us 200 Narth to boost the numbers of our PSI Corps. With these assets we can start sweeping and exterminate the worm."

Stahl had calmed down and actually began to pack a little suit case. Not that he needed to, but he was old fashioned in many ways and unlike other Admirals he didn't even have a personal assistant or a big staff of Adjutants. "Anything else?"

"It never made the big news, and I think you know much more about it than I do, but the Coven have joined the Union."

Stahl did stop packing and turned to face his ancient friend. "From what I know about them this is perhaps as significant as the Narth's decision to become more active."

"Well the Narth and the Saresii delegates immediately embraced the new Coven representative and that indicates that much to me, what are they Richard? And why did you send that Cadet there?" "I actually don't know much more about them than you do, but I know they are not home in our Universe. They are very old, control powers I don't understand and have deep wisdom and knowledge about the greater scheme of things. I know the Narth respect them and that should tell you something. I do know one of them very personal and I trust her blind. It was her who rescued me during my exile and it was them who helped me to find and access this ship."

"What about the Cadet, how does he fit in?"

"They believe he might be the key to fight the Dark Ones. You know as well as I do that this is our true purpose. It is the real reason the Guardian has made us immortal. It was not the Xunx or the Kermac, it is not the Y"All. We will face something else, something much more dangerous and powerful ina final test."

Now the old Highlander cursed in his old gaelic brough. "I never dared to say it openly but yes I think the same way. The more the Union grows the more do we become like the Celtest. I just hoped we have a few thousand more years to develop."

Stahl closed the suit case. "The Coven does not know if it will happen soon, as far as I know. I think they are in the dark as we all are as to when this test' whatever it might be' will happen. But I am sure they have no doubt it will happen."

Elligott reached for the Comm. Controls."I guess all we can do is as we always did, play by ear, reinforce the armor as much as we can and face the crisis when it is upon us." He waved and cut the transmission.

From out of the shadows in the background Alycia stepped into the light."You are a wise man Richard."

"Not as wise as I would like to be. I would love to know what I can do to prepare us better for that conflict." He looked at her."If this is going to work between us, you got to use doors, girl. This sudden appearance number is something I never get used to."

"I promise, doors from now on. I also going to show you how this is done so you can travel this way. It is a time saved you know."

"So the Coven has joined? The Cadet has been there?"

"Yes he saw our true forms and acted like a real Union Officer. He tried to establish first contact and impressed us all. There was no fear, but I think someone who has seen the Hugavh of a Narth can not be shocked by anything really."

She stepped into his reach and rested her arms on his wide shoulders. "We don't think the fight against the Dark Ones can be won with military power as the Celtest have tried. We think it will be a confrontation of a different nature. The forces will manifest itself in avatars, in beings and these beings will face each other. The prophecy speaks of a decisionthat will be made and that act will decide the outcome of this fight for all eternity to come"

"This is way to metaphysical for me, Alycia. I like to think that I can make a difference with this ship, with marines and with good old human sweat and blood and not mythical super powers."

"And you will. You do know that I will follow you to whatever end. The Narth joined the Union and so did we. I can not say it any other way, but I feel it is you who will persevere. I think I told you the future is not pre determined. It is shaped by each action we take, but we think there is a reason we Coven manifested in this Universe of all the possible choices. While there are an infinite number of Parallel Universes and realities, there is only one Coven and we think this is the only Universe with Narth. We are certain the decision is made here in this reality in this Universe."

"So this Eric. Is he the one you think he is? Is he the one to face the Dark Ones?"

"He came before the Coven and we showed him the token to see if he could touch it. To me and you, to everyone it appears to be a simple ring with a fanged skull symbol. Yet no one could touch it. It seems right before you and yet whenever you reach for it it seems out of reach, it is always a finger tip with away, no matter how you try."

Richard held his breath. "It is one of those artifacts you told me about?"

"Yes, the circle is certain it is one of the twelve tokens. once they are united the Dark One returns to this plane of existence. We are very certain that this ring is one of those."

"So what happened?"

"Eric wears that ring as we speak. He simply took it and mentioned how neat it looked. We questioned him about his mentors and teachers as the prophecy is quite clear that there must be a White God that teaches and influences the true incarnation of the Dark One. There was none in his life so far. He told us about his youth and how his mother was killed and all this does not fit the description of the promised defender. We believe he might be the father or grandfather of that champion. So if one believes in the prophecy, the coming of the Dark One is still far off, and then there is the prediction of the Narth Supreme that Eric one day becomes Narth. As much as I like to believe all this metaphysical stuff we Coven like so much, I trust Narth predictions far more."

Richard chuckled. "Amen to that. Now that we discussed al this meta stuff, would you care to join me for a Weiswurschtand a Brezen?"

"What?"

"Local delicacies of my ancestral home. I am planning to attend a traditional fair and eat myself from one end of the Wiesn to the other with plenty of beer."

"I love to join you. What does one wear?"

"You will look gorgeous in a Dirndl."

---

Part 6: TABERNACLE 12

The Seneca was a mess. Whatever had hit her took out much of engineering and had ripped a big hole in her side exposing three decks and the framing underneath the armor plating. Technicians and engineers of the Michigan crawled all over measuring, repairing and canning. Everyone was wearing space suits, not the emergency kind but real Standard Issue Multi Purpose suits, fully flight capable, with a variety of sensors, tools and powerful lights. It took me a while to get my bearings. I had crossed the distance from the Scorpion to the damaged explorer vessel flying the suit. While I was not as panic stricken as I had been on Daniel Station, I still could not shake my unexplained fear being in space with just a suit. Even the smallest ship had some sort of artificial gravity giving me a sense of up and down. Even swimming or being weightless inside a ship or pool was no problem, but being in deep space, with nothing beneath my feet than endless darkness was as nerve wrecking as it always had been. I didn't really feel weightless, it was a sensation of falling, but not in any direction my mind could determine and perhaps that was the reason for this phobia. Zezzazz had ordered me over to the Seneca mostly to watch and learn I guess and also to secure whatever cargo we were supposed to take over.

I was greeted by an armed officer, featuring a double barrel shoulder gun. His helmet plate was completely dark, but his rank insignia made him a Lt. Commander." Identify yourself, Cadet."

I did and after he scanned my CITI his tone turned a little less hostile." You are as much a Cadet as I am a Lt Commander, not with that kind of clearance" He chuckled," I bet this is the first time the Kermac lost a T class Raider fighting a Cadet in a shuttle.|" Each word he underlined with pantomimed quotation marks."

I didn't think it was my place to educate him or tell him that I really was just a Cadet. He used a tight focused index finger light to point at the ragged edges of the hole."Those False Beard whities might not have Translocators but their Matter disintegrators and Line cannons are no joke either. It takes one hell of a weapon to tear such a hole,. While the Seneca did not have not the latest Ultronit armor of course but Saresii Ceramiplate instead as you can see, virtually indestructible by thermo based energies."

He gave me a nice and quite interesting lecture on union ship materials and Kermac weapon design and then simply let me stand where I was and floated up to two other men taking material scans. I wandered deeper in the former engineering section and swallowed hard as I saw a Garbini frozen stiff attached with one tentacle at a hand hold, the furry beings uniform identified him as a member of the Seneca engineering crew.

I wondered how many of of the Seneca had died from this unprovoked attack by a Kermac ship operating deep in Union space. Instesd of keeping this incident secret, there should be a news crew taking images and transmitting them to the Assembly. What right did the Kermac have to commit a clear act of war? What right did NAVINT have to prevent Union Citizens and the Assembly to know about it? How many such incidents happened and how many citizens died without the guilty being held responsible?

While prejudging an entire speciee was something a Union officer should not do, I decided I did not like Kermac one bit. I remembered the two cadets that died on the Yakuta world. It seemed this happened all the time. The Kermac pulled the tigers tail and we did nothing to stop them. The Lt.Commader who had not given me his name interrupted my train of thought.

"Cadet, we have cleared a way to the cargo bay. Your package is undamaged and ready to be transferred." The man with the shoulder cannons pointed with his light finger down the dark corridor of the Seneca, while two robots carried twisted debris out.

---

With the help of the Michigan engineers I floated an eight by eight by twelve standard fleet container from the damaged Explorer Ship and loaded it into the Scorpion's small cargo bay. I noticed that while I was doing something and was able to keep my mind occupied I was able to handle the cramping feeling of fear in my stomach, at least somewhat. The Container was bare of any markings, but I noticed the dark graphite shimmer and the fine hexagon pattern of the material. This standard container was made of the finest and strongest armor material known to Union tech, Molecule compacted Ultronit. Ferrous atoms encapsulated in a buckyball lattice woven in super dense carbon fibers. It would take the strongest TKU at the highest setting to even scratch it. Something very valuable or very dangerous was inside that box.

After securing the box and changing back into Uniform Zezzaz ordered me to plot a course to Tabernacle 12, avoiding major traffic routes. It took me a little longer to plot that course as it took us more or less 4000 light years across the Upward sector to the fringes of the Sagittarius arm and across the main region of Union space.

It would take us over 21 days to get there since we could not fly as fast as we could. I had to calculate our trip to the very limits of our small crafts fuel and conserving it by flying slower was the only way. We would arrive with nothing more than a few grams of molecular compacted hydrogen to spare.

The fact that we were in Union space and plenty of places we could refuel meant nothing because our orders specifically prohibited contact under any circumstance.

Zezz and I rotated in the pilot seat every six hours. He stressed scanner observation to see if we were followed, intercepted or otherwise trailed.

It was near the end of my fourth shift when he came from the back, entering the little bridge and snarled "Report."

"Sensors show eighteen contacts in range but none of them changed course to to intercept us. Sixteen are identified as civilian craft and two are Fleet Units."

"Did you check on possible mini or micro signatures? Indicating something camouflaged or running suppressed?"

"Yes Sir, as you instructed me. I added a subroutine to the scanner programs depressing any filter activity so everything is displayed and calibrated them to the max. There are no such signatures in scanner range."

"Very well. Go get something to eat and then get some rest."

"Aye Sir."

I got up and he sat down." Say Ensign, how is it the Fleet Admiral knows you personally. I serve this fleet for 35 years and only meet him twice in all that time. Most officers never see him at all."

"There was a mission during my first week at the Academy when I met him first, and then there was an incident at Basic training that got him involved again."

"And I thought Larson and I caused some trouble. To get Elligott involved that must have been one hell of an incident."

"An incident that got me arrested, tortured and whipped at the post."

Even though he had an alien lizard face I could see the surprise in his eyes." Whipped? I know it's on the books but I never heard it actually done."

I more or less told him what happened, leaving out just a few details and he listened without interrupting and when I was done he inhaled air with a sharp sound." I sure comment you for staying. Everybody knows about the Worm but I had no idea it went that far up the ladder."

"What actually is the Worm?"

He lowered his voice. It is an open secret Ensign. No one officially will confirm its existence of course and if you ask most Fleet personnel they think it's just a bogey story, but the Worm exists. The United Stars Navy is so big and spread over such a large area, it is hard to police and really control it all. Secret societies and fraternity groups develop within the Navy. Some are just founded by Officers with no other intend as hang out and have a reason to party and drink. Others are less harmless and seek Terran, Saran, Pan Saran or Ult dominance over the entire Union space, to overthrow the Union and make it an Empire with one dictator or Emperor on top. One of these organizations is called the Worm and is a criminal organization dealing with illegal Mil Tech, Drugs and most vile of all sentient beings, you know Slaves. It is called the worm because is wiggled its way into the niches and crevices of our organisation while being soft and malleable, shapeless and easily overlooked."

"And the Navy isn't doing anything about that?" I asked astounded by that information.

"Oh it does. Your incident is a prime example. I bet Elligott is personally chasing down leads and weeding out what he can. He is an immortal but he is only one man and he can do only so much. Of course there is Internal Affairs and the PSI-Corps and they all try to weed out those organizations which are by the way highly illegal. If you want to join a fraternal organization, become associated with an official one. There are plenty with all kinds of flavors and agendas and you get the approved list right from Navy HQ."

His voice became darker. However if you ever get caught in a secret one no matter what agenda it may have, you will be sentenced to death, no second chance, no appeal. We need to focus our energies and our vigil to the outside and protect the Union. That is our mission, anything that tries to prevent us from that from the inside must be dealt with harsh and swift."

"Why do you think it had to do with the Worm? I was victim of an Admirals vendetta."

Zezz swiveled around. "Eric, think about it. There is a retired Commander growing Califerm right under the Noses of the Navy on a much visited Training Planet. He was I am sure of it, using Navy Assets to transport and distribute his stuff."

"Yes I know I just told you that and He was a friend of Swybin."

"Eric, he would have never risked to expose his operation for a simple vendetta. Not for his friend Swybin or anyone. If the Navy isn't executing that Wilson guy then the Worm will for losing such a profitable operation."

He rised his sharp clawed finger. "Unless of course someone else paid so much that Wilson and Swybin where expendable."

"I don't understand. What would the worm want from me? I mean that entire affair ended in me getting whipped with an Alien device in my head ready to commit suicide."

Zezz folded all four of his arms. "Maybe you just been there to the wrong time and you simply presented a good target. It is conceivable that the entire affair was simply done as a diversion. Your story made a lot of noise in terms of intel and clandestine operations. If the target or the reason is important enough, it sometimes makes sense to make a lot of noise at one end and thus attract all attention to that spot, while you have a much better chance doing something very quietly somewhere else while no one is looking in your direction. It's an old Intel trick and to me the whole affair tastes like clandestine and intelligence forces at work."

"Would not Stahl and Elligott know about such tricks?"

"Of course they do and there are others almost equally smart and experienced as those two. Not that I think, Admiral Stahl has much interest in it, he is simply not the spook and clandestine type. McElligott on the other hand might just be one of the most experienced spy masters there is. I have no doubt our Union has very capable individuals and this is why we had so few successful enemy espionage missions. There is no doubt however that those two Immortals know more about this than anyone of us ever will." The Shiss scratches his skin fold. "Besides there is a consistent rumor that there are more Immortals still active and alive and working behind the scenes to keep it all safe."

He pointed at the weapons console. "That we have a hell of a Counter intelligence division is evident right here. Union managed to keep the secret of Translocator Cannons safe for over 500 years now. That's one hell of a record in Intelligence terms. Nothing is a fleeting as military secrets. Don't think of the Kermac, the Nul, the Shiss as fools. Those are space faring civilizations with immense resources and they are trying everything for the last millennia to gain that secret."

"Admiral McElligott did not mention anything like that to me."

"It's simple a need to know basis. Security clearance is one thing, and 'need to know' another. I just think he didn't tell you everything because it is simply too much information for a simple Midshipman, pardon me for pointing that out, but that is what you are, despite the fact that you know the dmiral of the Fleet, have a security clearance higher than most Senior officers and a chest full of medals."

"What do you think they are after? I mean the Worm"

"Hard to say. If the Worm is involved it is always about profit and if the Worm allows such an operation and risking great losses in assets and profits then you can assume there is a big player behind it, someone able to reimburse the Worm with lots of credits and polonium. Maybe the Kermac, the Shiss, the Nul. It could even be one of the big Mega Corporations. When it comes to big risk games like this, it is usually information they are after. Nothing is more valuable than infromation. This is of course pure speculation on my behalf."

"How big do you think this Worm is, Sir? I mean how many of them are there?"

"Despite all the little cracks this is a pretty solid organization. I doubt that there are many involved, and I bet my own tail that 99 percent of all fleet officers are as honest and honorable as you and me, but at one Trillion beings serving this Fleet even less than one percent is a very large number."

I was thinking about what Zezz said. It must be a mammoth task even for AI computronics. How easy could a report of some wrong doing slip past the attention of even of the most diligent administration?

Zezz leaned back in the chair and said.", I see you are thinking, trying to comprehend it. I tried myself, Ensign. The average mind, Shiss or Human simply can't really understand the scope of it all. Yet Fleet Command does it and remarkably well, even with those flaws."

I nodded." It is mind blowing to think about it. A simple item as an uniforms makes you wonder how many are made each day, how much research has to go into it to make them fit all member species, humanoid or not. That is only one item on a list of items that must be longer than a light year, not counting reports, transfer requests, R&D development."

"Or think about the credits that are transferred each standard month at payday."

"Well if you look at it from that perspective, the Navy is even more fascinating than the Vid Shows that focus just on fighting and such."

He glanced at the scanner and returned his attention back to me. "Well all a person can do is keep your fangs clean, live by the book and be the best officer you can be."

"Did you ever run in one of these fraternities or the worm, Sir?"

"I went to Intel school and served a dozen years as a spy on Shiss worlds. During that training I learned about the Worm but I never ran into anyone claiming to be a member or noticed any activities first hand but I dealt with a Fraternity on my own ship a few years called themselves Skullbones and invented particular complicated drinking games."

"What did you do with that Fraternity on your ship?"

He gazed outside the window. "I executed the entire group, six officers and nine enlisted." The book leaves no room in that regard.

His voice had become quieter and I learned at that moment that Shiss had consciousness too. He sighed very human like." I hope you never have to face such a decision in your career. Ordering an execution is totally different than fighting and killing in battle. It is hard to put in words, and a commanding officer must be ready to make that decision if the situation requires it or our laws demand it, but it isn't an easy one. At least it wasn't for me."

"I did not want to tell him that I had more experience in that regard than I ever wanted.

He changed the subject."Now do eat something and while you there do get me a milk shake. The green one."

I returned a few moments later with a plastic bottle that bore the likeness of a Shiss and alien lettering. He took the bottle opened it, by biting the entire top off and pouring it down his throat. His long thin tongue flickered across his lower jaw.

"What fruit is in that milk, Sir?" I asked.

He chuckled." You are human you do not want to know what's in that milk, trust me." Then he tossed the bottle in the recycler and pointed at my ring. "I like the simple bold design of that fanged skull on your ring. Does it have a meaning?"

"I don't know really, friends of mine gave it to me and I liked it. It's not very big and I was told I could wear it."

"It looked familiar somehow but then I can't recall where I had seen it before. Now go sleep we still got a long trip before us."

---

Part 7: INTERLUDE: SIF

She had big dreams and great plans, not so long ago and then things happened. At first it was like escaping prison. Leaving that backwater, male infested Nilfeheim behind and go with Egill to Pluribus. Oh what a change. Oh what a world this was.

Her aunt turned out to run an escort service, earning quite a tidy sum each day from sending out girls and boys to keep well paying customers company and providing more than companion ship for an extra fee.

At first she really wanted to please Egill and study and do well in school, becoming the first Female representative of Nilfeheim was a lofty goal and one she was so certain she would reach, but it didn't last. Egill became more and more involved in his new role. The old, grumpy hermit of Nilfeheim made friends with other representatives. His council was respected by many and paid less attention to Sif's development then he should have. Her aunt; she always had such a great relationship with her and via GalNet; turned out to be very little interested in her niece. So it came that Sif was more or less on her own, just as she liked it really. No one asked when she came or left. At first she did visit the University to study political sciences and she liked the subject and began with great praise of her teachers, but her interest soon turned to Gloria.

Gloria was born on Pluribus and knew everything about this world. Gloria knew always the latest fashion, the latest fad and where the coolest parties happened.

Kissing Gloria and fondling her in public raised no alarms or caused any stirs, she could be as she always wanted to be and no one cared.

One evening Gloria scored entry passes for the hottest party in town. Mystery Child the mega star herself partied after a billion fan crowd performance concert, only the hottest and most important stars and super rich were invited and she was one of them.

They danced and partied in the Crystal Bubble Club, floating above the city.It was there someone introduced her to God Dust. A tiny pinch and she suddenly had Psionic powers that opened her mind to a world of incredible awareness. She could hear others think, see their dreams and desires and float above it all. It was the most amazing experience of all. Nothing could describe it; it was a religious, a sexual and a mental super flash all at once. She orgasm-ed like never before, while experience every nerve impulse separately. Time seemed frozen and the ultimate sensation lasted forever.

It did not last forever.

In her after use daze she was dragged somewhere else and she was sure she had been raped but she could only remember feelings and pain, whoever or whatever raped her didn't appear human perhaps wasn't human or even real. When it was all over she found herself shivering and hungry in the low town levels where her Aunt warned her girls never to go, no matter the fee.

She also had a burning hunger, a constant pain that burned out everything else. She needed more God Dust.

Only a few weeks ago she stole enough money from her aunt to buy a decent supply and it was good quality. She sold some of it and life was good for a short while. Of all people it was Gloria her best friend sold her out.

The police raided the hang out, she escaped but with no real place to go. Her Aunt did not welcome her back and told her she would call the police if she ever showed up again. If she went back to Egill. He was an Autie. He had no choice to turn her in or worse send her back to Nilfeheim. Back home there was no God Dust at all.

One of the dream messengers, the ones that sold the dust told her about Mr. John who was interested in meeting her. Mr. John would have lots of God Dust, just for a little information.

When you needed God Dust caution and common sense had no place in your decisions so she went to the place. Mr. John was an average looking human man wearing a grey suit, he asked her all kinds of questions about Egill and his friends and then he asked her about Eric of all people.

She had almost forgotten about that fool but now someone wanted to know about him and offered her God Dust for that information. More even he offered her a Bliss patch and a trip to a free planet. A bliss patch was the ultimate desire of any Califerm addict. A little patch releasing fine doses of God Dust into your system, just enough to keep you happy and balanced and free of that all-consuming hunger; those patches lasted for month but were virtually impossible to get.

In all this curiosity did wake in her and she asked the man why Eric was of so much interest, to her Eric was a loser who decided to join the Auties. Auties was the term all Sky Kids and Hip Inners called the straight laced losers and the Authorities, in other words those who followed the law.

The man did not answer her but she told him anyway. She told him all she knew, about Eric's family about his step mother and Eric's secret. She laughed as she told it and at the same time deep down she felt sorry for betraying him, but that was a distant and short lived feeling.

The man seemed disappointed and grunted. "There is nothing really new or useful. His transsexual desiresare part of his record. I hoped for something else, something we didn't know, but you do well and when you call him he will come, so we can deal with him."

Sif's eyes widened." You want to kill him?"

"Your husband has made someone powerful very angry. He must pay for that, and he made friends with someone who doesn't know the concept of friendship. We must know how this is accomplished." he laughed cold. "And through you we get him away from the safe cocoon the fleet provides. Yes girl you be the bait in the trap that kills that parade husband of yours." He laughed. "The best part is you will do it willingly. " He dangled a little Califerm bliss patch from his fingers. "We will eventually dispose of you girl. If we have him, you will be useless then..." He giggled even more."Yet I can tell you whatever I want and you still will follow my commands, just for a little dose of God Dust. You are so pathetic and so weak. Oh I love Califerm."

She cried, knowing full well he was right. She would do anything as long as he dangled the Califerm carrot before her nose. The pain was unbearable. She would have let him kill her just for one more dose.

He pushed the quarter patch across the table in the Meet-Someone bistro."Here you go, little human whore. Now follow me so we get you off planet to a safe and secure place. I don't want you to get ideas to maybe talk to that Uncle Egill of yours."

---

Part 8: INTERLUDE: SWYBAR

Swybin had not planned to leave that fast, it turned out that he lifted off with two Oromarl technicians still aboard. The two had caused quite some damage and fought to the last breath. They spaced crates of valuable Mil Tech, including the P Bomb, before he and his robots could overcome them. Most notably it was them who blew up the Translocator cannon and causing hull damage to his beautiful ship.

He and his mysterious companion had finally crossed into Freespace. No Union ship could follow them there. Just a day ago they reached Karthania itself. The xenophobic engineers let them dock inside a rental hangar above the main planet of the Karthanian Conglomerate.

Karthanians openly declared to be neutral and stayed out of the politics and quarrels of the Big Four, but everyone knew they didn't like the Union much and did not allow anyone not Karthanian to set foot on one of their planets.

His mysterious friend, first believed to be an agent of the worm, had changed his appearance and name once again and arranged for this hangar.

His associate no longer looked human but appeared to be Karthanian, Swybin no longer tried to figure out if this was indeed the real form or name or just another disguise and identity of his mysterious companion. The former Union admiral had no illusions, the man was dangerous, very dangerous. It was obvious the had great resources and contacts to powers and entities the Union did not even really know of.

The man treated him respectful and promised him that this would be a good place to sell some of the Union tech in return for favors and repairs. He also knew places where to recruit and train a decent crew. After all the Red Dragon was not really a one man ship. It needed a crew and a base of operations. His plans to go to Pluribus had chanced. His now Karthanian appearing companion told him, that the PSI Corps was out in force and Pluribus for all its size and population density would not be a safe place while the best Psi Talents hunted for his specific psionic mental pattern. Rumors spread fast, that a geat number of Narthhad joined the PSI Corps. Bad apples, criminals and spies were exposed and arrested in great numbers. These same rumors sources also reported about hundreds of arrests and trials; of courts and military tribunals operating around the clock. He had no illusion many would be spared an execution, and unlike his' those would not be faked.

Without the Kermac agent, they had no access to military grade PSI tech. Returing to Union space was not a safe option until he could make concrete plans as how to carry out his revenge.

While Karthanian engineers worked on the damaged hull and added plating and shapes to camouflage and change the unique shape of the Dragon. Karthanian Tech was TL 7 at best, they could not replace or repair the lattice foam Ultronit armor, and had no technical solutions to counter psionics at all.

He didn't like Karthanians to look so close over his ship. As it had a few surprises and tech solutions that weren't even Union fleet standard. It was his only and his last trump card. However he did not have all that much choice and so far his companion's council turned out to be all right.

Swybin glanced over to the usually silent companion. Karthanians were non humanoid sentients. Terransliked to compare their shape and form to upright walking dry land sea horses. While they were about human sized they shared many characteristics with those small Terran sea creatures. Like a rigid outer shell body, a stiff pipe like snout with a permanently open mouth. This mouth contained a long thin tentacle like tongue, they used to consume their usually liquid diet. Karthanian hands begun where other beings had their elbows. These hands had four very long nimble fingers. The way his companion used them made him question the idea of a costume., even though he had appeared human at first. A nimble and small human could fit into some sort of Karthanian disguise, but never use the tongue or the fingers like that.

His mysterious partner noticed his stare and said. "Don't dwell too much on it, Admiral. Right now I am Karthanian, my name is Entbok now and that is all. you need to know" The personality changing companion handed him a clunky looking brown PDD. "The secret of survival out here is to know all those things you Union types don't know or don't want to know."

That was a preview of Eric Olafson, Midshipman (Vol 4). To read the rest purchase the book.

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