Eric Olafson 6, Captain Black Velvet

Foreword

The Year is 5021 (Old Terran Time). The Milky Way Galaxy is teeming with life and sentient species. Earth is now known as Terra and part of the United Stars of the Galaxies, a multicultural mega civilization that by now stretches across two quarters of the Milky Way Galaxy and has a foothold in the Andromeda Galaxy. There are over 5030 distinctive member civilizations calling themselves members of the Union. The United Stars Space fleet protects this mega civilization against external threats.

Eric Olafson, born on a cold world called Nilfeheim, raised under harsh conditions of a very traditional, inward-looking society of Neo Vikings, left his planet to fulfill his dream to become a Starship captain.

He had reached that goal much sooner than he expected and is now the commanding officer of a unique starship, the USS Tigershark. The ship is state-of-the-art and incorporates the finest technologies of the most advanced civilizations of the Union.

Together with his truly unusual crew, he is sent into Freespace to hunt Pirates and Criminals.

In order to hunt, Eric and the Crew of the Tigershark pose as Pirates themselves.

Eric used to be 198 cm tall and weigh almost exactly 90 kilos. He still has gray eyes, and some say he moves with the same purpose and grace as a Tiger or Nubhir Wolf.

Like everyone from Nilfeheim, he has a greater tolerance to freezing temperatures and is able to stay submerged under water for a very long time because of gills and eyes that are adapted to see well under water thanks to a second set of clear eyelids. His muscles are denser than those 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 as his father and is more often than not ready to face a challenge with his fists or weapons.

But much has changed. Eric now lives as Black Velvet, a female pirate captain of mysterious background and feared by merchants and other pirates alike.

Currently, he appears to be a gorgeous female with beautiful long blonde hair and a killer body. His greatest wish fulfilled and his secret desire no longer a secret, still he isn’t so sure anymore what or who he is.

That he now looks like the fairer sex has done little to change his general approach to problems, head-on.

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

Prologue

Freespace was not a natural region; it existed only on maps, in Nav-Tanks and Computronic files.

Its boundaries had been defined by diplomats and delegates during the last Armistice Conference on the ‘Planet of Intergalactic Peace’.

The ‘Big Four’, the Blue and about seventy independent space-faring civilizations discussed, argued, and finally agreed on this region.

This mutually ‘agreed-upon region of space’ was to act as a buffer zone between United Stars, Galactic Council, Shiss space, and the Nul, aka the Big Four.

Thus, it gave those who did not want to ally themselves with one of the big powers a peaceful place to exist and develop after their own fashion. At the very core of this treaty was the agreement that no official ships or parties of any of the Big Four were allowed to enter Freespace, including Military ships, law enforcement, or even science expeditions.

Freespace was meant to be a free trade zone for civilian commerce and traffic. With trade and travel, it was hoped, came understanding and thus lasting peace.

Freespace did not turn out to be the region of peace where free commerce and civil exchange of culture would erode the differences as the dreamers, diplomats, and Utopians hoped it would. Instead, it became a breeding ground of pirates and a destination of the lawless from every corner of the Galaxy. Planets like Sin 4, Alvor’s Cove, Kalimant, Drogs, and N’ger gained notoriety as places where law and order meant nothing, and for the right price, everything was for sale.

Most of the seventy societies that signed the Treaty to remain independent regretted their decision as their worlds became the target of pirate attacks and slaver raids.

The biggest independents were the Togar, the Karthanians, and the Shattered Empire of the Oghr.

The Karthanians hated the Togar, and the Togar disliked everyone, except for dinner.

Chapter 1

Xandrao

Terrans called this spiral-shaped star island the Milky Way Galaxy; the Saresii called it Nsorothee, and like everything Saresii, it sounded refined and melodic, but literally translated, it meant Giants Sneeze.

Every starfaring civilization had its own way to describe this incredibly beautiful spiral wheel. Stars were born, and stars died. Black holes slowly rotated through it all, devouring energy and matter alike. It was a seemingly eternal process, and yet there was a beginning and an end to everything. In cosmic terms, this was a young Universe, and this Galaxy had only completed about fourteen rotations.

For most living beings, it was simply impossible to really comprehend the time of just one such rotation, which was about one billion years. This was simply a number, something abstract and beyond any understanding.

Compared to that, what significance were the 3000 years the Union existed?

Long ago, the Uni and the Pree rose and disappeared. Yet they too were preceded by star empires and galaxy-spanning civilizations, their names and their achievements forgotten.

Such time spans meant little to the beings in the shiny cone-shaped spaceship that just dropped out of Quasi Space here at the edge of one of the spiral arms. Inaudible to living ears, electronic feelers stretched out in all directions, testing and scanning the surroundings.

The crew of that pointed metal object measured time in days and hours, and the muscular, dashingly dressed shipmaster was not concerned with galactic time spans; he was more concerned about the here and now. If everything went to plan, they would soon enter what the Kermac called secure space of the Galactic Council.

They had traveled further across this star isle than ever before and had reached space none of his kind had ever entered.

The ship was the pride of the Xandrao empire, bristling with weapons and crewed with the finest and best space warriors the Xandrao star academies could produce. There should have been no reason for concern, yet he was a seasoned shipmaster and, like many who were in such a position, regardless of species, had developed a sixth sense for conditions that weren’t quite right.

He felt that insubstantial, unexplainable tingling down his spine that told him, despite all assurances of sensors and scanners, there was something out there that threatened his ship and mission.

He paced nervously behind the row of the twelve scanner and sensor operators. Each was a highly trained individual from the royal academy, and they did their jobs well. Xandrao scanners were incredibly complex systems and required constant calibration.

Behind these Scanner technicians sat the correlator, who typed the sensor reports into the situation calculator.

It was a very demanding position and required much concentration.

That this was an unnecessarily complicated way of doing things, especially on a spaceship, was not entirely lost to the shipmaster, but this was the way it had been done on Xandrao ships for a long time, and no one really ever called the Xandrao a very practical race.

With a sigh, he noticed Prince Albra step through the access doors and come up to the command center area.

The prince was a favorite son of the emperor, and thus it was he who was sent on this perhaps most important mission in Xandrao history.

The prince was no fool and quite intelligent, despite the centuries of inbreeding among the noble houses, and approached shipmaster Noldra Dorrx.

Compared to the gold and silver glitter-laden uniform of the prince, the shipmaster’s red and gold-trimmed uniform appeared quite plain and subdued.

Albra masterfully swirled his cape in a theatrical gesture and said with his high tenor voice, “I missed you at the table and had to entertain the Kermac envoys all on my own.”

The shipmaster bowed dutifully as it was required, but despite the presence of the prince, he kept his eyes on the readouts of the threat and situation calculator. Without making the necessary respectful gesture, he said,

“My presence would not have been noticed with you in the room. All eyes are on you, all ears are on you, and all attention is given to you alone when you are present.”

The prince looked down at himself and nodded.

“Yes, of course, and I do look rather dashing tonight, if I may say so. The Kermac envoy gifted me with this cape. Don’t you think it is fabulous?”

“It will be the envy of all the Beauty Boys at court, no doubt.”

Noldra hoped the prince would get bored and leave the Command Center.

However, instead of the prince leaving, one of the Kermac envoys followed by two of his Dolbarian servants also decided to visit the command center of the ship.

Noldra could not suppress the annoying snort that passed his nostrils. He didn’t like anyone strolling on his command center without having business there, but there was not much he could do or say. The prince was in command now, and the Kermac were important guests of the state and the representatives of a mighty galactic power.

The Kermac who had just arrived was much smaller than even the smallest Xandrao. Unlike the Xandrao, he had no fur or hair at all, and the Kermac’s skin was snow white.

Noldra was covered with a coarse, short brown fur from his head to his hooves. Two massive horns protruded from his forehead just above his fur-covered ears. His arms and legs were bulging with rolling muscles. Compared to him, the Kermac looked weak and sickly, and that envoy did not even have a tail. Again, a snort of disdain escaped his flared nostrils. The shipmaster was certain the Kermac’s manhood was just as small as the being itself; there was certainly no room for a Xandrao-sized penis underneath that flimsy robe.

Everything was small and weak about the Kermac, but he knew they were an old species, and if you believed their claims, they were the undisputed and technically most advanced species in the Universe. The Kermac also demonstrated that he was able to somehow sense the thoughts of others.

The Kermac made a sweeping gesture towards the viewscreen.

“Why are we not trans-light? What is the meaning of this delay?”

Noldra flared his wide nostrils and curled his lips.

“We just crossed the void between the spiral arms, and it taxed our engines to the very limits. We must pause to service them.”

The Kermac somehow managed to look down at the much taller Xandrao and said,

“I forgot how childishly primitive your technology is.”

The prince said, “Yet your ships seem to be unable to reach Xandr, as you came to us aboard a Dolbarian ship, and from what I have seen, theirs are not superior to our technology. I know our emperor and my beloved prince brother think much of you, but frankly, so far we only saw visuals and recordings about Kermac supreme technology.”

The Kermac’s smooth face was moved by an emotion of anger.

“Yours is a childish race, and you are but a servant tasked with providing conveyance. No explanation should be given to you, but we cannot travel in our magnificent ships, as this is Freespace, a region where Kermac ships cannot go. I explained that to you, but you soon will see Kermac might and splendor, and you will beg to become a serving member like so many.”

The prince standing behind his shipmaster was used to speaking his mind from birth, and so he said:

“Then explain to me again why the mighty Kermac cannot travel here. Who would dare to deny you?”

The shipmaster noticed the thinly veiled and growing anger in the Kermac’s face and the clenching fists.

The white creature hissed. “No one. Kermac is supreme. No explanations are needed; now get this ship moving so I can show you Kermac might indeed.”

With these words, the Kermac left, but the Dolbarians remained. The prince actually sat down on the command seat, technically reserved for Noldra only, but if it kept the emperor’s son out of his way, it was a good thing.

The shipmaster crossed his massive arms and stared through the viewport into the eternal night of interstellar space. As far as Noldra knew, the Kermac were the masters of a huge star empire with many member species that served them and in return received the benefit of protection and wise guidance.

The Xandrao themselves conquered and ruled over a mighty twenty-star system empire. Their fleet was feared and respected by the Furze, the Dawn, and their immediate Galactic neighbors, the Yotenen, even conceded a disputed star system to them without fighting, as they knew how dangerous it was to raise Xandrao anger.

Yet he had traveled more than most of his kind, and he had seen the ships of the Togar and the Jooltar, and he knew just how aggressive the Togar cats could be and how incredibly advanced their technology was.

That the Xandrao weren’t the most powerful or most advanced sentient species was a fact that was not lost to the emperor himself, and so when the Kermac envoys showed up, he agreed to send this mighty warship and his favorite son to establish closer contacts with the Kermac.

If it were true what the Kermac had told about an association of many sentient species called the Galactic Council, it was a foregone conclusion the Emperor would decide to join that Galactic Council.

Just like the emperor, Noldra, as a high-ranking member of the military, has seen the intelligence reports on the expansionist Togar, and if the reports were correct, they ruled over a region of more than a hundred sixty star systems and appeared to have technology even more advanced than the Down.

The Xandrao would fall if the Togar decided to expand, and this was the real reason the emperor considered the Kermac proposal.

He moved his spoon-shaped ears, and they twitched just as the ears of his far-distant ancestors did to shake off the flies that had troubled his kind for so long that it had become a genetic habit.

He said to his engine maintainer chief, who appeared on a viewer screen.

“Don’t give me excuses; tell me when we will be able to resume translight?”

The technician down in the engine room, who had his horns cut down into short knobs as every Xandrao of the working class was required to do, knew about his value and position, and said without lowering his head.

“I am not making any excuses, shipmaster. I am informing you that our engines were strained to the very limit, and that I recommend we land at a suitable planet so I can exchange the main core with the spare we have along.”

“Your recommendation is noted and dismissed. Will you be able to service them so we can reach Kermac Prime?”

“It is hard to predict, but I assume we should make it.”

“I have your man pieces cut off and make you a field-tilling Grox if we don’t. Now tell me how long until we can resume acceleration?”

“If the main core fails before we reach that destination, shipmaster. None of us will have enough pieces left for anything. To answer your question, we should be ready in three hours.”

Noldra cut the transmission, knowing that this was actually a very good time. Switching injectors and replacing mag shields was a big job and usually took half a day; doing it while in space and in five hours was a testament to just how good his engine maintainer was.

The prince on his command seat had fallen asleep and started to snore. One of the pressed cakes of the finest herb-infused grass the prince liked so much had rolled out of his hand and across the floor.

He looked at the Dolbarian. Neither of the two small beings had said much during the entire visit, and now they simply stood there, only their bushy tails twitching.

Noldra had to admit to himself that he didn’t like the Kermac much, and he found these Dolbarians laughably small, but they had fur and they had tails, and those were redeeming qualities in Noldra’s opinion of things.

Dolbarian tails were not anything like the thick rope tails with a paintbrush tip all Xandrao had. Dolbarian tails were fluffy, but it was a tail, and to him, it was easy to decipher the tail language, and he knew the two were nervous. So, he decided to ask and said, “

Why are you agitated?”

One of the Dolbarians gestured toward the viewer.

“We arrived in Freespace, big shipmaster. If we read your charts right, we are in a region called the Devil’s Playground.”

“Your masters have not really explained what this Freespace is and why it is called the Devil’s Playground?”

The Dolbarian looked surprised. “You do not know about the Big Four and Freespace?”

The other Dolbarian said, “You Nift, they are from Downward, and there is little contact. We are not supposed to tell them about the Big Four or the Union.”

“You are the Nift, as you just did,” snapped the other back.

“You are guests on my ship and guests of my Liege. I cannot order you, but if you know anything I should know about this region of space, then tell me. It is your life too that could be in danger.”

One of the Dolbarians looked towards the door and said, “We are lucky that our Kermac masters are not of the highest order, and their Psionics are mediocre at best.”

The other spread his arms and said,

“This region is called the Devil’s playground because it is pirate-infested.”

Noldra started to laugh and then he said, “Pirates? Did you just say pirates? You Dolbarians must be a very meek species indeed. This is the largest, most powerful Xandrao ship; we eat Pirates for breakfast.”

The two Dolbarians looked at each other, and one of them chirped, “The Xandrao do not know...”

Noldra said, “I can understand if you are small like that; pirates might be frightening, but they do not attack warships, only helpless merchants.”

One of the Dolbarians put his small, fur-covered finger on the map display and said,

“Over here in this region are the Karthanians, more advanced than the Togar you fear, but far less numerous.”

His little hand moved the map display and then he pointed out another region. “Here are the Nine Shattered Kingdoms of the Ohgr, and their Orkh-Oghr could easily eat you for breakfast, so to speak; they fear neither the Togar nor the Karthanians.”

His little paw moved to another spot and moved in a circle that included at least a thousand light-years.

“Here are the Nul, a species of brutish warriors that make you look small. They are also very advanced. Not even the Kermac and all their Thrall species would ever want to anger them.”

Again, his hand encircled a large area. “This is the space of the Shiss, mortal enemies of the Nul, fighting them for over 3000 years, and they are not losing. They too are frightful warriors.”

The other Dolbarian leaned over the map display and pointed with a small, needle-sharp claw at a single star. “That is where the Holdians are, our distant cousins.”

Once More, the other Dolbarian scolded the other. “You are the greatest Nift I have ever met. I am trying to tell the ignorant Bovine about the Big Four before our taskmaster decides to come back and prevent any further education of the ignorant, and you tell him about the Holdians; they are insignificant.”

He chirped something sounding very angry; Noldra did not understand. Then the Dolbarian used his claw to draw an area that more or less included a quarter of the entire galaxy, and then he added a sizeable area of another quadrant and said:

“This, you ignorant Xandrao fool, is the space the Union controls; it is them the Kermac fear. The Kermac lost three wars against them.

Not the Nul, not the Shiss, not the Togar, and all I have mentioned together could hope to prevail in a war against the Union. Oh, Xandrao shipmaster, heed my warning and never anger the Union; they are slow to anger, but if they do and Terrans go to war, you will learn that anything you knew before about this most terrible of all exercises is a child’s dream.”

The other Dolbarian said, “The Union, the Kermac, the Shiss, and the Nul are the Big Four, and they have signed a treaty that defines a region called Freespace.”

Noldra snorted.

“I don’t believe you. No empire could be that big. It would take years to travel from one end to the other. Messages would travel for ages; it would be impossible to govern.”

The other Dolbarian was still pointing at the Holdian home system and had paid little attention. “They are not insignificant; they are Union.”

“I must concur and revise my statement indeed about the Holdians. And you, shipmaster of the Xandrao, it matters little what you believe now. You will remember our words the first time you face a Union battleship.”

Noldra no longer paid attention to the wild phantasies of these furry aliens as the scanner operators reported.

“Unknown ship contact approaching.”

--””—

FREESPACE

The Tigershark had its Janus masking system active. This unique device was conceived by Narth Engineers and Mothermachine, manipulated materials, energies, and conditions in such a way that it allowed the USS Tigershark to appear as something else.

This was no mere projection but a physical change that withstood the probing of any known sensor and scanning method, including, of course, sight and touch. The most advanced ship of the Union appeared to the outside world as a heavily modified old Karthanian armed trader.

An old ship with crudely added ISAH pods and Nul weaponry. The simulated hull featured a sloppy paint job and had welded armor plates patching battle damage. Some of that apparent repair patchwork was added in a seemingly uncaring and hasty way. Some of the hull damage patches even showed signs of genuine rust. The sides of this simulated ship were decorated with a stylized silver lightning bolt, and the name Silver Streak was painted by hand across its bow. The Silver Streak was known to be the pirate ship of the notorious and mysterious render captain Black Velvet.

Behind this disguise was the USS Tigershark. It was the pinnacle of Union Technology and had been in the works under the Codename “Project Fish” for centuries.

Since no Union Ship was allowed to operate in Freespace, my ship was masked as a pirate ship, and my crew posed as pirates, commanded by me, Captain Black Velvet, a mysterious female Pirate of obscure origin.

Their mission was to hunt pirates, gather Intelligence on Union Mil Tech trade, find pirate hideouts, and suppress the Slave and Drug trade. Specifically, we were to find out more about the Sinister Alliance and eliminate a Pirate Captain called Red Dragon.

Har-Hi the Dai was sitting in the Command Chair of the Tigershark as he had the Conn during second dog watch. It was another hour to midnight OTT and the end of his shift. The USS Tigershark, perhaps the most unusual ship in the Union fleet, with the most diverse crew ever assembled, was on her way to a place called Brhama Port. This was an independent mining outpost in a shattered star system and also a notorious pirate port.

At the Nav station sat a 12,000-year-old Golden who had been the leader of his kind. It was his first time on this posting. Krabbel the Archa spider and Senior Navigation Officer was off duty but was present anyway, sitting right beside the Golden to supervise the Old Merchant handling this post. Since he was here anyway, he had volunteered to take Helm. While Krabbel was the ship’s Chief Navigator, he had more than just a sufficient Helm rating to steer the Tigershark; every one of the Seniors was efficient and able behind all duty stations.

An Attikan Marine officer named Pure manned Tactical. That a Marine manned a Bridge console was about as unusual as the ship, and while it was not against regulations, it was unheard of. But then aboard the Tigershark, there were quite a few things stretched to the very limit of standard Navy regulations and procedures. Har-Hi was certain there was no other Union vessel with a genuine Y’All warrior manning the Communications Console.

The Tigershark had its Janus Mask active and looked like a Karthanian Armed Trader and pretended to be the pirate ship Silver Streak.

Har-Hi turned a little to face the Engineering Officer. On duty was a small rodent-like furry Holdian, who said. “Everything alright with the tractors?”

He asked because they were towing a Pirate ship.

The little Holdian answered.

“Yes, sir, once the mass is in motion, it takes little to keep it going. The material stress and shear forces are well within expected tolerances.”

Har-Hi said.

“We once towed a full-size Hospital ship with a Barracuda destroyer. Back then, we were beyond any tolerance.”

The Golden said without taking his eyes off his readouts.

“I really want to hear all the adventures you and the Captain had. It seems there weren’t many dull moments.”

Har-Hi was both relaxed and highly alert, and the tall Dai Than turned. “Indeed, Mr. Sobody, there weren’t many dull moments since I met our Captain.”

Narth, sitting at OPS added to the conversation.

“I have not yet managed to understand what the exact definition of a moment is. Is it more than a minute, less than 30 seconds? The expression of taking a moment or waiting a moment is quite confusing. Yet I too agree with our XO, the time we have shared…”

He interrupted himself and said. “Sensor contacts, at 7.9 degrees due course, distance 4.1. Hostile activity possible. It appears quite similar to our other encounter.”

Har-Hi said. “Drop us out of Quasi and cut thrust, Mr. Krabbel. SHIP go to Yellow and be so kind and inform the Captain. She said everything that crosses our bow is fair game.”

The voice of the ship AI responded. “She is on her way.”

Yellow Alert and SHIP’s voice caught me on Deck R just as I was climbing out of the ship’s swimming pool.

“Captain, we have three contacts on scanner horizon. The first situation assessment suggests two pirates and a third ship of unknown configuration.”

“Nothing for days, but each time I decide to take a swim, there is something,” I sighed and said. “All stop, maintain yellow alert, and I am on my way.”

SHIP of course, had her audio sensors open, and since she wasn’t like any other Ship AI I knew, she said. “It was you who wanted to be informed about any scanner contact. We could make a big swing around it, never appear on their scanners, and you go back swimming.”

I gave the shimmering, inviting water a last look and said. “I can swim anytime; this isn’t a leisure cruise, and I am the Captain and must set an example. Why am I even explaining such things to you? You know we can’t leave things unchecked. It’s part of our mission.”

“Because I am your SHIP and I like to have things explained to me.”

I jumped into the auto dresser and dialed for my usual pirate outfit. Certainly, I could have stayed and finished my swim and let Har-Hi handle the whole situation, but this would have been highly inappropriate for a number of reasons. I was the captain, and it was my responsibility. We had standing orders to investigate any ship contact during our mission here in Freespace, and besides, this was what I lived for.

While the Auto Dresser assembled the leather outfit around my recently altered body, I once more remembered Captain K’Tngnk while he let me steer his Pounder-class battleship. Encounters in deep space were usually extremely rare, and most situations developed in or near star systems, the usual destination of spaceships.

However, this was Freespace, and the region we traversed right now was called the Devil’s Playground for a reason.

Our current course more or less followed the outer rim of the Scutum Centaurus arm of our galaxy; somewhere in this region was Brhama Port, our first destination to make my first official appearance as Black Velvet and introduce the Silver Streak to local eyes and establish ourselves as a major player in this lawless region of space.

A few days ago, we intervened as we witnessed a Pirate attack on what seemed at first a harmless civilian freighter. The Civilian freighter belonged to a Union Company, but it was everything but harmless, and after we captured and boarded the freighter, we found a horror freight consisting of human body parts and human captives intended to be sold on the Togar Meat markets.

The freighter, the pirate crew, and the human freight were on their way back to Union Space, and we were towing the Pirate ship sans its crew behind us, with the intent to sell it at Brahma Port.

My ship, the USS Tigershark, was currently disguised as a Karthanian armed Trader named Silver Streak. To disguise an entire Starship, we utilized a marvelous device called the Janus System. I was quite certain that the Tigershark was the most unique ship not only within the Union fleet but perhaps in the entire Galaxy. It represented the very pinnacle of Union Technology and had been in development under the Codename “Project Fish” for centuries.

We operated not under regular Union Fleet authority but were part of the secretive X Fleet and under Command of NAVINT.

Our disguise and our undercover approach were necessary due to the Freespace treaty. This contract between the Big Four and about 70 independent civilizations made it a war offense if any of the Big Four operated ships inside Freespace territory. No spaceship operating under Union Authority was allowed to operate within the treaty-defined boundaries of this buffer region between the regions of the Big Four.

This had attracted the scum of the galaxy and was used by pirates and criminals to escape pursuit and prosecution.

My ship looked like a heavily modified Karthanian trader and was known as the Silver Streak, and I had taken on the disguise and identity of a female pirate Captain called Black Velvet. A female pirate of that name had raided ships and colonies four hundred years ago and then had vanished under mysterious circumstances. No one outside a very exclusive circle of individuals knew that the Black Velvet and the Silver Streak from back then also had been a NAVINT cover operation.

Our mission was to hunt pirates and neutralize as many of that murdering filth as possible; to gather Intelligence on Union Mil Tech trade, find pirate hideouts, and suppress the Slave and Drug trade. Specifically, we were also to find out more about the Sinister Alliance and eliminate a pirate.

The region we were traversing was close to what the Dai called the Thalim Nebula. A region of space where five suns simultaneously went supernova.

Space, galactic North of the Nebula, had been claimed by the Union, and much of what had been Galactic Council space in that region was now also considered Union Space, claimed after the recent events and the war against the Nogoll. The region was still in turmoil, and the final boundaries were subject to heated dispute and new friction between the Union and the Kermac-led Galactic Council.

We now were clear on the other side of the Thalim Nebula.

I reached the bridge simultaneously with Shea, Mao, and Shaka. Like a dance move practiced a million times, Har-Hi got up in a fluent move and so did everyone else, switching and occupying their stations.

I sank into the leather of my command seat and, as always, all doubts, all uncertain feelings left me. This is where I belonged.

“Engineering, disengage tractor and set the Mighty Nine to drift. Tactical, give me a full 360. SHIP, Battle view.”

While Circuit confirmed Tractor projectors deactivated, my Command seat was pushed up and my surroundings changed. I now had an unobstructed view of space, a simulated Computronic-enhanced view, of course, bridge stations reduced to icons floating just at the edge of my field of view.

At 11 degrees of our intended course and at 3.9 light-years distance were three bright signals.

Har-Hi spoke after he collected the different department reports.

“The contacts I am marking red are known pirate ships. The 340-meter Anarka and the 360-meter Meronka, operated by the Terrible Twins. Hans is receiving detailed intel as we speak. Both pirate ships are heavily customized DeNoir Baltic-class Corvettes, legally sold surplus from almost 700 years ago. Shea’s Power distribution scan confirms Mao’s armament estimate.

They both have exceptionally good Shimmer Shields in Union standard triple-layer configuration and both are armed with real Nul Froth casters. Each ship would pose a serious opponent to the Silver Streak; together they would be more than a match to the ship we are supposed to be. Intel also reports these two know how to fight together and thus are well-coordinated.”

Shea took over without even a second delay. “Their opponent is a massive 1000-meter ship of unknown configuration, but energy signature suggests Tech Level 5. Detailed weapons or material scans are not possible with the scanners and sensors we are simulating. The shields of the unknown ship appear to be standard energy and matter repulsors, no para- or transdim signatures present. Situation analysis suggests they are about to engage in hostile activities.”

“Alright, then let us welcome the strangers and reduce the number of pirates in this region by two. All hands, battle stations. Raise shields.”

“

Krabbel, take us to the outermost range of our Snipers. If at all possible, I’d like to stay out of the range of those Froth Casters.”

“

Mao, clip their claws before we get any closer, prepare for Micro TL and see if you can time your fire whenever the alien ship fires.”

Har-Hi chimed in. “That’s not a bad idea at all; they never suspect us but think it was the Alien.”

--””—

THE XANDRAO

Shipmaster Noldra was actually glad the uncertainty was over, and his gut feeling had once more proven to be more accurate than the scanners. Two ships of unknown configuration were approaching.

The Kermac had returned to the bridge, and the Prince woke from his nap. Albra blinked with his big brown eyes. “What is the matter? How can anyone find some rest with all this commotion?”

Noldra fumed. “Your Excellency, do you want to lead our vessel into combat against two unknown hostiles and remove me from command?”

“No, of course not; I have full confidence in...”

Noldra was close to physically dragging the Prince out of his Command stool.

“Then get out of my seat, now, and take that pale piece of Alien offense off my bridge, Your Majesty.”

The Prince got up with a hurt expression, and Albra sat down.

“Raise our Energy fences at once and prepare to launch Revenge Bringers. Operator, see if those aliens can be raised on the Etherwaver.”

The Kermac did not leave and neither did the prince, but the Command crew around Albra functioned and did their duty. The white-skinned ambassador of the Kermac pointed at the visual viewer.

“Don’t waste your time talking to them. Commit all resources to propulsion and continue to approach Kermac space. That space rubble will not dare to follow.”

“Kermac, you return to your quarters and remain there or by the First Emperor’s Holy Manhood I have you dragged there. We can’t go trans light until we have serviced the engines.”

The Kermac was outraged but knew when it was a good time to remain silent.

The Operator of the Etherwaver set turned.

“We made contact with them and they demand our surrender. They will spare our lives if we hand over all valuables. They have not identified themselves.”

“Then our answer will be clear. Let us hand out something valuable indeed. Launch Revenge Bringers one through twenty...”

Xandrao ship-to-ship missiles were extremely fast and able to reach near light speed in mere moments. Then reaching the target, the missiles shut down their space-cutting infra fields a heartbeat before impact, bringing five kilos of relativistic mass to bear traveling at 99 percent of light. They were equipped with the best computers Xandrao engineering could come up with and had the ability to split into multiple attack vector warheads.

The ship shuddered at enemy weapon impact. Lights flickered and seat restraints activated as ship gravitation was lost.

One of the analysts reported, “Enemy is using a Gravitation-based weapon and it collapsed shields.”

The enemy ships intercepted several Revenge Bringer missiles, but a good number impacted on their shields, wearing them down.

One of the Scanner operators reported, “Ship Master, our Revenge Bringers have disabled both ships. For some reason we can’t yet explain, our warheads must have penetrated the enemy shields and armor and destroyed some vulnerable spot. The enemy ships lost propulsion and weapons, as it appears.”

“Finish them off!” Yelled the floating Kermac.

Noldra wanted to finish off the Kermac, but he said,

“Reload the Missile tubes and fire a second volley.”

“Ship Master Noldra, we are being called from a third ship that just appeared on our scanners.”

Mao grinned proudly. He had just disabled both pirate ships with micro TL loads. Timing them with the impacts of the primitive missiles.

“The problem these Pirate sisters had is that they are using old Union DeNoirs, and we knew exactly where their Computronic cores were. No Computronic ... nothing works.”

“Let’s make sure they don’t find time to activate some sort of backup,” I said.

To my Helmsman, I added, “Shaka, get us closer. Elfi, see if you can hail the unknown and establish communications.”

Narth said, “The newcomers are from Downward, and it appears they are here for the first time indeed, but they are not here for exploration reasons. I sense two Kermac among them.”

I slapped my hand on my armrest.

“And here I was wanting to spare newcomers the fate of being victims of a pirate attack, and all we find is yet another GC thrall species. Not that they should be here with a warship like that in the first place.”

Elfi said, “I have made contact, Captain. They are using a simple audio-only Tachyon Radio. I sent a greeting in all common languages, and they responded to Kermac right away.”

“Put me on.”

“Comm-link open, Captain.”

“This is Captain Black Velvet of the Silver Streak. To avoid any confusion, I am a Pirate and we are here to make a profit. Initially, I wanted to assist you and keep you unharmed, but since you speak Kermac, you are violating the Freespace Treaty. You are to surrender and shut down all energy-consuming devices.”

Shea said,

“Captain, they are about to release another volley of their missiles.”

“Can we prevent that without blowing them to pieces?”

Mao said, “The missiles are released individually, but we could blow their force field generator and then Tech Stop the whole ship.”

“Alright, do it.”

Mao’s approach worked, but not before the strangers released six of their missiles. One of the pirate ships was the target, and without shields, it was defenseless. The Anarka exploded before Mao’s tech stop shut down everything on both remaining ships.

“Hans, take a team and scour the remaining pirate. Neutralize any resistance, stasis survivors, see if you can secure their data, and find something Sobody might want to keep for our treasure.”

Hans bellowed an “Aye, Ma’am” and stomped to the IST.

Chapter 2

Two hours later, I too had boarded the alien ship and had reached what must have been the bridge. Our Tech-Stop and Paralysators had worked like a charm this time; everyone was asleep, and none of the alien ship’s equipment worked.

Har-Hi stood beside me and said, “Don’t you think they look like Terran cattle?” He pushed a sleeping alien aside who was still floating, as there was no Artificial gravitation either.

Now, as he mentioned it, I had to agree, and I remembered the large feedlots on Wichita Planet and the endless herds of cows.

“Yes, there is a resemblance.”

Shea pointed at a large alien strapped to the command chair. He was wearing some sort of colorful harness with lots of gold and a cape-like mantle. Otherwise, he was his furry self, and she said,

“At least we can be certain he is male.”

I gave her a side look and said, “And you noticed that huge thing right away.”

“A pure scientific observation and conclusion of evaluating a visual examination.”

“Yes, I would have put it exactly the same way. I think they haven’t invented pants or modesty.”

Narth appeared next to me and also looked at the being in the central chair and then at Shea. “How can you determine he is male by visual inspection alone? This being is not registered on GalNet.”

Shea pointed at the being. “They appear to be carbon-based lifeforms and have physiological similarities to other mammalian species. The appendix-like organic feature so dominantly featured between the being’s legs makes me confident that he is indeed male.”

Har-Hi had a strange grin on his face as he said, “You identify as a male Narth, right? Don’t you have something like that under that shroud of yours as well?”

I held up my hands. “Here we are on the bridge of an alien species we just boarded, and what is it my senior staff discussing?”

---

I shook my head in an overacting theatrical manner, then said,

“Mr. Narth, make sure we contain all Kermac before they have a chance to come around. Mr. Hi, coordinate with our marines and confine and secure the crew of this vessel, and you, Ms. Schwartz. I’d like to read a detailed assessment of their technology.”

They confirmed my orders, but I had a hard time keeping my amusement out of my voice as I saw Narth look down on himself, saying,

“Yes, I was supposed to emulate a human male, and accessing physiological data, I just realized that the corporal shell I was given is faulty and inadequately equipped.”

Har-Hi put his hand on Narth’s shoulder as they walked out. “Next time you go to your Narth place, that is something they need to fix.”

Sadly, I missed Narth’s reply as Circuit, who was working on the ship’s systems, turned and said, “Sorry, Captain, their tech is very primitive—simple binary circuits, digital stuff, and not well shielded. Our Tech stop melted most of it.”

“Can we hook up something of ours? If life support does not come back on soon, they won’t survive,” I said to him and pulled a floating Kermac on his foot down so I could examine him closer.

“I am replicating nanites as fast as I can, so we can restore basic life support. In terms of Computronics, they are not Tech Level seven, more like five at most. Quite interesting solutions but...”

“Do we have to evacuate them before life support conditions deteriorate and become life-threatening to them?”

Circuit shrugged his shoulders. “Hard to say, but we have maybe three to four hours before temperatures drop too far. Their hull has a sufficient layer of lead to reduce radiation, but not completely opaque to ionizing radiation like Union hulls.”

“Well, it gives me a little time to think about what I should do with them.”

Ak Pure, the Attikan, and my friend appeared from one of the access doors and floated agilely with the skill and grace of a real Union Marine in his heavy camouflaged battle suit across the deck.

---

“Captain, Lt. Neugruber and the Golden have completed the survey of the remaining pirate ship. We secured nineteen survivors, including Juka Yi Shogi, one of the Terrible Twins. Goshi Tmakay did not survive the explosion of her ship. We secured the survivors in Stasis boxes and a few boxes of loot.”

Elfi, who had begged to be part of the pirate ship raiding party, was right behind the Attikan with the amused face behind her helmet faceplate. “Now there are ladies that wear even skimpier outfits doing the pirate thing than you.”

I gave her a withering look and tried to ignore her and Shea giggling. To the marine I said:

“Thank you, Lt. Fective. Now please get every available hand over here and help Mr. Narth and Mr. Hi and fine-tooth comb this ship. I want every Kermac in PSI-shielded zero stasis with Marine guards and robots watching them; if they are so much as twitching, you have the authority to eliminate them. I really don’t trust them.”

Pure nodded inside his suit. “We don’t have much exposure to the Kermac at the LMC, but I went to Union school, of course, and I never heard much good about them.”

I held up my hand, showing two fingers. “I like Shiss, Perthanians, Klack, and even Y’all. I am the most unbiased Norse ever to step off Nilfeheim. I have Elly friends, got squiggled by Garbinis, get hugs from Archa, and trust our Shail. I even did the spooky thing with a Narth, but there are two species my spotted friend I do not trust: Kermac and Thaurans. We are deep in Freespace, and what do we find? Kermac agitating a species of cows and large squirrels. They have no business here in Freespace in the first place.”

Shea looked up and smirked.

“Well, technically we don’t either, but I agree with you on the rest.”

With an elegant move, Warner, the Holdian, pushed himself off a panel he was working at and floated before me.

“Those are not squirrels, Captain. I don’t know who those big things are, but what you call squirrels are Dolbarians. They have evolved from a lost Diobane colony and had the distinct fortune that their three planets and two-star system expanse were too close to the Galactic Council during the last treaty conference. They had no choice in the Kermac decision to make them part of the GC.”

“I stand corrected then, Mr. Warner. I must confess I am not an expert, as we don’t have any Squirrels on Nilfeheim, but I remember seeing a similar kind in the forests of Green Eden. But how are we doing on this ship’s systems?”

“

“If we can get their life support going, or we may have to move the entire crew of this big ship.”

The little Holdian sighed. “As Lt. Circuit said before, our tech stop fried whatever electronic systems they had, and having a micro load of AM detonate in their computer core made a real mess of their mainframe.” The little Holdian re-enacted the explosion with a big gesture and was quite successful. “Give us three weeks and the original construction manuals, and we might get them working again.”

I sighed with a smile. “Then I better don’t keep you from your work.”

He chirped something and moved back to the open panel.

Shea said, “I think we need another Paralysator sweep; I can detect their neural activity picking up.”

I blinked at my Comm link symbol. “Har-Hi, how far along are we containing the crew?”

“This bucket they call a spaceship had more than 600 crew members; thankfully, our biosensors have no problem finding them. Narth thinks we got them all except for the ones on the bridge, confined in a cargo hold. We also found 85 terminal casualties.”

“All right then, now all that is left to do is talk to them and figure out what to do.”

To Shea, I said, “Let them come around; I need more information so I can decide.”

It didn’t take long, and what I assumed was the leader of the aliens recovered from the Paralysator effect. He was still strapped into his command chair. His first impulse was to reach for a weapon as he saw us, but he stopped as he stared into four TKU muzzles at the same time. I am sure, however, it wasn’t the guns but TheOther holding them that made him think otherwise and freeze in his move. He said something with a loud, voluminous voice I did not understand. Shea spoke to him in Kermac, and he nodded but said something in a language I did not understand.

---

She began with First Contact procedures, and her PDD projected simple dots. First, one, then two, then three.

The bovine-looking alien understood and responded with guttural sounds. She made fast progress. He made a snorting, surprised, and somewhat frightening sound as Narth appeared next to me, and I felt sorry for the Alien leader. He had his ship invaded, saw a real Y’all with guns, and now a shrouded Narth appear from thin air. Narth spoke to me on our silent mental connection. “The Kermac are stripped of all devices and sleep in Zero Stasis, and the being before you is a Xandrao. They know of the Togar and the Jooltar but have never heard of the Union, the Shiss, or the Nul. From what I gather, they are on their way to visit Kermac Prime to discuss Galactic Council membership.”

“Why aren’t they using their usual Psi tricks on them?”

“I do not know for certain, but since I had to probe quite forcefully to get into the Xandrao mind, a certain natural resistance to Psionics might be the reason.”

Shea said, “He understands some Kermac, but they used translators of their now-defunct shipboard systems. I started Language analysis, but SHIP was faster; she downloaded the language data from one of the Kermac Beards. You should now be able to talk to them.”

I turned to address the alien leader. “I am Captain Black Velvet of the Silver Streak; we are an independent group of beings seeking opportunities. Your ship was severely damaged in the altercation and lost all electronics. While my Chief Engineer tries to patch rudimentary life support functions, we still might have to evacuate your vessel. Your crew is for the moment secured but relatively safe.”

He listened to me, and I was sure he understood, so I continued. “I wanted to spare you, newcomers to this side of the galaxy, but once I learned you are sympathizers and thralls of the cursed Kermac, I am no longer so inclined. From you, I want to know what your plans were and what kind of scheme you and the Kermac have cooked up to cause mischief and mayhem.”

The Xandrao snorted angrily but tried to keep his dignity and said with his loud, booming voice:

“I am Shipmaster Noldra Dorrx and this is the First Ship of the Emperor. We are on a mission of diplomatic importance. I will not declare anything else to a stinking pirate, who from the looks of it seems to be a disgusting female. Not that your race seems to have many redeeming features.

Go away, female, and find me a male, and I might talk to him.”

I got closer and put my finger on his wide snout. “You talk to me, or you talk to no one ever again.”

He snorted and made a sound like I heard Fangsnappers make, then he added:

“You are only tough because I am restrained, and you hide behind the guns of your four-armed terror. You would never stand a chance against a Xandrao male; no one does. Not even that four-armed beast.”

Just then, artificial gravitation came back on, and some of the ship’s own lights came on.

“Go ahead, Xandrao, choose the weapons. Right here and now!”

“You are a weak female, hiding in armor and behind the muscle of your male slaves. You are a cowardly pirate. Go ahead, tell your males to kill me.”

Har-Hi sighed loudly. “Captain, this is not...”

But I had already given the suit the Emergency release command, and the battle disintegrated into assembly parts and basically spit me out.

The Xandrao slapped on the restrain release that now worked again and lunged forward. He was almost as big as Hans and had his hands immediately on me. Instead of evading him, I grabbed him by the wrist and tried to execute an Aikido move that served me so well against the lumbering Y’All. It did not work as I hoped; the Xandrao was, I had to realize, a trained fighter and not a brawler. His other fist grabbed me by the throat. And yes, once again I was in trouble, and it was trouble I could have easily avoided; I certainly did not act like a Union Captain should act, and this was not how ‘First Contact’ was made.

He was squeezing the very life out of me, and yet I found enough air to gargle.

“Stay where you are!” to Har-Hi.

I got angry, not so much about the Xandrao but about myself, but the bovine-like alien was really starting to piss me off. He had lifted me off the ground; I was holding on to his massive arm with one hand and stabbed my fingers into his right eye. He screamed in pain, and as I attempted a second stab against his other, he instinctively raised his arms to deflect; to do that, he had to let me go, and I dropped, ignoring the throbbing pain of my squeezed neck, and kicked upward as hard as I could and kicked him at exactly that exposed feature of his anatomy we had talked about earlier. He was, as it appeared, quite sensitive and groaned at an ear-shattering volume. He wiped his big arm through the air, a powerful swing, but far from the target. An ax-handle blow of mine across his wide snout, however, found its target.

All my attacks had been done with all my strength but had done little more than perhaps dazzle the alien.

He lowered his head and swiped his sharp horns through the air, a perfectly natural move if you had horns like that, but unexpected for me. I managed to avoid his grabbing arms and the head swing that brought his horns into play, by perhaps a hair’s width. In all this, I could have ended it easily. Narth was here, and so was Har Hi, not to mention TheOther all it would have taken was a call for help.

A blow of my fist against his forehead made me realize just how hard his skull was. It felt like punching a battleship hull.

Yet I had to end this somehow on my own.

The head swung the other side while the Xandrao drove me backward as I tried to avoid his horn attacks and his fast grabbing attempts. He was fast, fast enough to prevent me from really getting away. He was mad and full of frustration, and it was apparent that his kind trained hand-to-hand combat, perhaps almost as religiously as the Union Marines did. There was not much room left to back up; the head swung again ... his big hands swinging with powerful blows. The only thing saving me was the wonderful agility my altered body seemed to have. Then I acted on instinct, grabbed the swinging horns just as his neck was at the outermost swing, and I added all my body weight to twist it further. I heard a crunching sound, and the big alien groaned; even the big Xandrao had to follow physics, and his big body had to follow the momentum, and he crashed hard on the deck plating, almost burying me. I let go and rolled away in the last moment.

The big alien was making strange gurgling sounds and did not try to get up. I came shaking to my feet, and with a hoarse, laboring voice, I rasped:

“Get up!”

Har-Hi rushed by.

“Captain, let it be. You broke the Xandrao’s neck. He is dying.”

I wiped the sweat from my brow and tried to straighten myself into a more dignified position.

“Call Cateria...”

Only now I noticed the bleeding cut along my left arm.

Har Hi shook his head.

“Narth, get the Captain to sickbay.”

I did not remember the teleportation and realized I must have passed out. The next thing I remembered was seeing the face of my CMO and she wasn’t pleased at all.

“That was a close one, Captain. I don’t even know how you kept fighting with a severely bruised larynx; the subsequent swelling caused asphyxia, and Lt. Narth brought you in with not much time to spare.”

I did not feel proud, and as I sat up, I saw Har-Hi, Shea, and Narth standing there.

Har-Hi had his arms crossed and said:

“Captain, I say it right out and in front of everyone: this isn’t working. You are the Captain, and for the most part, you are doing a great job, but picking fights like that is anything but smart. You almost died in a situation that was not even remotely necessary.” He spread his arms. “You know we follow you to hell and back, but I am the XO and I must say this.”

I lowered my head and felt a shameful frown creep into my face.

“I know; I can’t even say anything to defend myself. That was extremely foolish.”

“Captain, the warrior in me is full of awe of your fighting skills, and I still can’t believe you almost killed that Xandrao, despite an almost lethal injury, but I am not just a Dai Than warrior anymore but a Union Officer, and you are no longer just a Nilfeheim Viking but our commanding officer. I know we do things differently than on other ships. Your instincts and your style are usually head-on...”

He stopped, looked at Narth for help, then continued.

“I love you like a brother, and I don’t really know how to say it or what to say. Just be a little more careful.”

Narth said, not using his mental voice but speaking aloud. “I tend to agree with Har-Hi, but once again, these impulsive actions, guided by emotions and instinct—all Narth finds harder to fathom than the secrets of creation itself—have yielded surprising results.”

I got up after Cateria nodded and said, “All I can say is I know I acted wrong, and I am sorry. I am aware that my actions were inappropriate and unnecessary.”

Har-Hi said, “The problem is your action was not as unnecessary as we would like it to be, so we could use it to persuade you to take a different approach next time. The Xandrao survived thanks to Shea putting him in stasis and Cateria saving his life. He hasn’t stopped talking about you and swears undying allegiance to you.”

I took his hand. “I promise I will listen to you and try to be less impulsive.”

He grinned.

“Well, it will help if you stop picking fights with the wildest, biggest opponents you can find.”

I noticed I was wearing just underwear and cleared my throat. “Enough of this unprofessional behavior, and that includes first and foremost me, and let us get back to the business at hand.”

A few moments later and back in my usual outfit, I was still turning Har-Hi’s words in my head, knowing he was more than exactly right. I had reached the command chair of a Union ship much earlier than I could ever hope for. Men like Stahl and McElligott trusted me, and more so my crew trusted me. I acted like a stupid Flicker fish. I could almost hear Egill’s dry voice in my head. I sighed and entered the Marine-guarded room, where the Xandrian shipmaster was recuperating.

He sat on a vari-matic chair; as I entered, he dropped to his knees.

“I apologize, Captain Black Velvet. You have earned my deepest respect, and I pledge my services to you. An apparently weaker female of an apparently weaker race has bested me, almost killed me without any weapons. You are indeed a mighty warrior. I will without reservation answer your questions and accept any fate you have decided upon me.”

“There is no need to kneel, Shipmaster Dorrx. I acted out of proportion. I am not out to learn your secrets, but what business do you have with the Kermac?”

“They are not the unchallenged masters as they claim to be. I laughed at the Dolbarians just hours ago as they told me about the Big Four. I could not believe that there are star empires as big as the Dolbarians claim the Nul, the Shiss, or these Unions control. We had a hard time really comprehending what the Kermac claimed about the Galactic Council.”

“The Kermac are an old species, and they made deception and controlling others to do their bidding into an art form. They do control a sizeable region, but they are far from being the unchallenged masters. They let others fight, work, and provide for them.”

“I begin to understand, but we are a proud people; we see there are others who are stronger and who control technology superior to ours. We have reason to believe the Togar is preparing to conquer us. I have seen reports and know these cats love hunting and eating Xandrao. Our Emperor thinks that we could make it a costly endeavor for the Togar Queen, but we would still fall. We need an ally who is strong enough to make the Togar reconsider.”

He spread his big arms, the ones that had almost crushed me to death.

“Captain Black Velvet, I am aware of our boisterous nature, and officially we like to see ourselves as strong and unbeatable. I do not know if you have already talked to the prince, but do not heed him. He is a good prince but will never be an Emperor.

Our liege is not as naïve as the Kermac thinks he is, and neither am I, but we considered serving the Kermac as it would be better than losing it all and ending up on Togar menus.”

“I am a fugitive, a criminal, and a pirate bound to Freespace, but you might find a viable alternative to proceed to the Union. There you would not need to be servants but could be equal partners. Of course, Union membership must be applied for, and new members must accept to uphold Union Laws. However, it is better if you and your prince see for yourselves and then provide your people and your emperor with the information you have gathered.”

“I was informed about the status of my ship. It is not able to return or move ahead. Even if your magnificent robot engineer will be able to patch things. If our encounter is any indication of what this region holds for us, without weapons and energy fence covers we will fall prey to the next pirate that is less honorable than you.”

“I find a solution.”

“Another one?”

McElligott said as I finished my report.

“Not that I am complaining that you most likely prevented the Kermac gaining another Thrall species, but fighting a three-meter Minotaur so he would change his mind and contemplate alternatives is not exactly the smartest way of doing things.”

“I know, my XO already made this very clear, Sir.”

The old Admiral rubbed his chin.

“You are at the edge of GalCom range and pretty far from Union space. I can’t send any Chimera unit to pick those Centaurs up, as they need to remain unknown and can’t escort a potential new member species to Union space.”

The old Admiral suddenly chuckled.

“I guess my last sentence was only funny to me. Chimeras and Centaurs ... ah well, let me think.”

The Admiral spoke with me over a 2D connection, and the image was projected on a field screen. Due to the fact that we were at the very edge of GalCom reach and already beyond GalNet he could no longer establish an Avatar. “I also would love to get my hands on those Kermac.”

He rubbed his chin. “See if your Engineer can’t patch that Alien ship up, just good enough so it can limp to Auriga Xi and escort him until you know they are safe. We got regular Union Assets there, and they can’t go after you as long as you stay in Freespace. Then I arrange a rendezvous with a Chimera unit to take the Kermac off your hands.”

Circuit was sure he and his engineering team could get the Xandrao ship patched up enough to make it if the Xandrao remained in one room and he did not have to patch the entire ship’s electronics, but he needed at least a day.

I briefed the Xandrao Shipmaster, and he agreed with this course of action.

I had our Gazelle out and flew a cloaked search pattern to make sure no one else interrupted.

Three days passed without incident. The Xandrao ship would be able to limp to translight speed and make it to Auriga Xi in five days.

Back on the Xandrao ship, I shook the hand of the big alien, and he said:

“I have learned a lot in a short time, Captain Velvet. I learned that there are females that have the courage and that there are trustworthy pirates. I learned that our galaxy is even more dangerous than we thought it would be and that your robot engineer is not a robot, but a true magician and a genius. However, I also learned that my gut feeling about the Kermac was true. I am glad there is an alternative we can present to our Emperor.”

“Farewell then, Shipmaster Dorrx; maybe our paths cross again under better conditions. I will escort your vessel as close to that new Union system as I dare, and then you are on your own, but I am sure you find the United Stars a helpful place, and they will restore your vessel so you can return safely.”

“I have much to thank you for. I am not sure if we ever meet again; my prince will still be quite sore about the fact that he is tied up in the freight bay, and he will of course blame you.”

“You can release your crew and the prince, but remember there isn’t any life support to most decks.”

“Oh no, Captain Velvet, I like to keep him in there as long as possible. I have more peace that way and can blame you and the pirates for his misery.”

“I am not sure what this means, but I think I have an idea.” I bade him farewell and went to the next airlock.

Specialist Warner scurried alongside. “Captain, we got all our tools and equipment back, and Lt. Circuit is down in the engine room putting final touches to these crude nuclear generators. He should be done within the next ten minutes.”

“Very well then, let us return to our ship. Maybe after the third attempt, we make it to that pirate port.”

“What about the Dolbarians, Captain?”

“What about them, Mr. Warner? Did you not say they are Galactic Council?”

“Can we not take them along? I mean, they aren’t happy GC members, and what will happen to these two?”

“We can’t take them along. They are GC and we only pretend to be Pirates, remember?”

“Of course, I know that, Captain. I mean that we are pirates, but we could keep them in a room. They won’t eat much.”

“When the Xandrao reach the Union system, I am sure Command finds a way to get them back to their home. It’s not that we are at war against the Dolbarians.”

“Captain, you said we can always talk to you, and this is an unfair situation. These two will be interrogated and tortured.”

I stopped.

“Mr. Warner, of course you can talk to me any time, but we— I mean the Union— won’t torture them, I promise.”

“Captain, not us, the Kermac, of course. These two and the others were sent to escort two Kermac envoys to the Xandrao, and what do you think will happen if they return from somewhere on the Union side? The entire Dolbarian species is under Kermac control, but not in the nice way where they are mentally controlled but in the ‘demeaning slave you do what I say’ way. The Kermac will torture them to find out what happened to their envoys and then kill them for not preventing the Xandrao from getting to the Union side.”

I had to admit he made sense.

“I sure don’t want them to be tortured, but if we take them, we will have to keep them in Zero stasis for a very long time.”

“Could we not fly to their homeworld, take a delegation of Dolbarians to Pluribus? I am sure the Dolbarians want to be Union and free of Kermac tyranny.”

I knelt down to be on his level and said:

“Mr. Warner, we have a mission; we are supposed to be pirates. We can’t simply fly into GC space, land on a Kermac-controlled planet. Contact their government, and take them to Pluribus.”

“I know it seems impossible, but you are our Captain and you find a way; besides, it doesn’t have to be now. Maybe after our mission and when you think about something.”

The Holdian specialist was nowhere near as cute as the little Holdian commander I once knew, but he too had these big black button eyes, a pointed black snout that shimmered moistly. His whiskers hung down, and his round ears had a somehow sad-looking position. He sighed and kneaded his tiny fur-covered hand.

“But of course, you are right, Captain. What can we, what could you possibly do? I am sorry I bothered you with that.”

“You drive a harder bargain than that Golden friend of yours. We really can’t do much about the Dolbarian situation, but we can do something about those we got here. Go ahead and contact Mr. Neugruber and confine those two; we might indeed have to put them in stasis for a while.”

His whiskers snapped up and his ears turned into a happier position.

“Thank you, Captain.”

He walked away, but I kept thinking about that. I could not simply put these Dolbarians into stasis and keep them there. They did nothing wrong and weren’t declared enemies.

But I also was certain the Dolbarians would face exactly the fate my little engineer painted for them.

There was no way the Kermac would not question them, and I knew Kermac punished failure, even on their own kind. I had shared a slave cage with a wizard, no less, after all.

I blinked on my Comm. symbol. “Har-Hi, have the senior staff meet me at the Den in ten.”

“Aye, Captain.”

I held up my hand as Narth appeared to take me to the Tigershark and turned to the Xandrao shipmaster. “Actually, I could use your help, shipmaster. It’s about the Dolbarians, you see...”

INTERLUDE: SIN 4

The new and reborn First Son was not happy at all. His previous self had spent a considerable amount of money and resources to capture the Narth friend. He followed the attempts of the Purple Worm and the Kermac. He had spent large amounts of money and betrayed both the Kermac and the Worm to get his hands on the Narth Friend. He searched as long as he could, but he had not found the Midshipman. He had found the Shiss-Human dead near the ship, but no trace of the Neo Viking. Sin 4 was a deadly place, and the Narth friend most likely ended up on someone’s menu. He even arranged to get Olafson’s wife abducted and brought to Perryton. Even this simple mission ended up in disaster. The woman escaped, and now, as he had read the reports, he learned that the Narth and the Saresii representative were involved. A dozen of followers and servants had been killed in a brutal fashion, but instead of prosecuting the Nilfeheim woman, Union Police had turned every temple within Union space inside out.

To his great dismay, he was told that a Bellebee was going over the case and they did find his involvement. None of the facades he had put up worked. He was now a wanted man and had to relocate to SIN 4.

The cloning equipment was lost, destroyed by his own hand to erase all traces.

The new son of darkness had found the notes of his former self and the travel arrangements trying to reach Koken. Did he ever succeed? Did he make it to Koken? Was it there where he died?

While there was no doubt that his former self was dead, Union officials were still looking for him. Meaning they had no report of him being dead. So how did he die?

The time was near; the Shadow of the Brotherhood would be able to transcend the dimensional barriers and speak to him. He needed to go to Netlor.

But now he was about to attend another meeting.

The place was carefully chosen, and the Kermac delegation of four was told only at the very last minute where it would happen.

The place was a cave somewhere on Trash Island in the southern hemisphere of the planet.

The cave was lit by a few portable spotlights, and the floor had been leveled with a layer of poured concrete. The four Kermac stood and waited.

The new First Son of Darkness was there. It was he who arranged it once again.

---

After about two minutes waiting in a light circle, out of the back of the cave, out of the darkness, came a man wearing a deep purple leather and steel combination, very much like a Dai Than Battledress in style. The figure was humanoid and tall, but its head was anything but human. It also was deep purple in color, shimmered moistly, and looked very much like the head of a large worm, with a small ring mouth. There were no visible eyes, no antennae, or feelers.

“I am the Purple Worm, and you paid much to meet me once again. I agreed to arrange a meeting with the Nul, but such things take time.”

The speaker of the Kermac group said, “It was deemed necessary by the Supreme Wizard to meet with you again, and we paid that human to make the arrangements.”

One of his colleagues looked him down from half-closed eyes. “I applaud you for this theatrical entry and appearance. While the Kermac you met felt impressed and puzzled at your true nature. We do not; your appearance is nothing but a carefully maintained facade. A disguise, nothing more.”

“My true nature is unimportant. I am the Worm, and that is all I am.”

“Then let us come to the reason we wanted to see you.”

“That would be appreciated. Even though I do have a good idea of what this is all about.”

“Our previous cooperation was marred with failure. Considerable resources were spent to obtain the Narth friend.”

We spent more resources to obtain Union military secrets via a disgraced Admiral. This also failed, and we were lied to by you, the Worm. We obtained information: Swybar did not die. We know this new pirate and Swybar are one and the same.

The Purple Worm, of course, did not show any readable emotion. “I am careful as to whom I share certain information. But I too have no control over that rogue Admiral. He disposed of my and the Dark Son’s agent as well and is on his own.”

“We are not interested in a former Union officer that by now has lost all access to the secrets we deem important. We do not want to deal with messengers and second-rate agents but with the source itself.” The First Son of Darkness took offense. “I am neither second-rate nor am I an agent of the Worm. I represent my very own agenda and goals.”

“Silence, Saresii; you have played both sides, and we are weary. Do not think of us as fools; we are the Kermac, and we are neither impotent nor blind. We know what you seek.”

The Purple Worm agreed. “Neither should I be taken lightly; I have not built this organization overnight and have access to resources you could not understand. Without your betrayal, Dark Son, without your interference, I could have delivered the Narth friend to the Kermac. Don’t deny it was you who equipped the port rats with a landing tank and told them what to look for.”

The Kermac delegation leader said, “You made this meeting possible, and you have been paid. You may leave. Further communication will be without your assistance.”

He felt like a child sent to his room after being chastised. “You underestimate me, and you will pay with more than polonium for these insults.”

He left. He would show it to them. Neither the Worm nor the Kermac mattered when the Dark One returned.

The Kermac watched the black-dressed priest leave, then they said, “You are the Purple Worm; indeed, we monitored this fool for a long time.”

We came to tell you that from this day forward, the Worm will be a Kermac asset. You will receive your orders, and you will execute them.

In return, we will provide you with enormous resources and, of course, allow you to live and perhaps even have a safe existence in the Kermac Galactic Hegemony.”

Now for your first orders, we want a list of all your operatives and how they are contacted. Then we expect a detailed report on all your assets. Ships, Bases, and weaponry. Of course, we want you to assist us in obtaining the production secrets for all Terran and Union technology.”

“Are you through?”

“No, of course not; this is but the beginning of your cooperation with us.

“A child could have guessed the reason why you wanted this meeting.”

“And like a child, you came anyway for the lure of money in the form of polonium!”

“Not exactly. You do not build an organization like mine if you are stupid or gullible. Your collective arrogance, the famous Kermac arrogance, makes you even more predictable than a Califerm Addict.”

“

You are not the only ones with Psionic technology. A neat Saresii device called a PSI Seeker, a device deemed lost and destroyed by the Gray Cats. Is not only in my possession; it blocks your psionic abilities and allows me to refuse your offer.”

“You impress us, Worm. However, we don’t want to waste this opportunity to broker a different agreement between the Worm and Kermac.”

“Then speak, and I expect you to play with open cards, and we shall see if your idea of an agreement is worth exploring more.”

The lead Kermac slumped his shoulders. “We, the Kermac hegemony, controlling the Galactic Council, ruled over much of this galaxy, but ever since the ascent of the Terrans and the birth of the dreadful Union, we lost influence, territory, and lost three wars against the Union. Yet we know another war against the Union will be unavoidable and it will happen sooner or later. The aggression of the Terrans knows no limit.”

“It is true that these Terrans are perhaps the most aggressive species ever to ascend, but they did not start the hostilities, and in all three instances, it was you who started the previous wars. If it weren’t for your distant relatives, the Blue, brokering the last cease-fire agreement, the Kermac would already be cosmic history and a fading memory.”

The Kermac lead envoy pressed his teeth together and clenched his small fists. Underneath all their arrogance, every Kermac in power knew that this was true.

“We are not to be trifled with. We have access to powers unimaginable by you.”

“It is an open secret that you found ways to control and perhaps call the Y’All. Your agents mentioned even something more dangerous. But the Union added the Narth and recently the Coven to their strength.”

“Then do you know why the Narth have abandoned their age-old policy of Isolation? This is the very reason for this meeting; we must act. If the Terrans and the Union get access to Narth technology, then there is nothing that can stop them.”

“I do not know why the Narth have done so. The Son of Darkness, as he calls himself, the man just leaving, was the only being in close contact with the Narth until recently, but he never was able to obtain any information and was exiled from Narth.”

“You might be a powerful Organization, but we know that even the Worm failed to place an operative among the PSI corps or NAVINT, not to mention the elusive TSI. We know you lose operatives almost daily and that the Worm’s influence is shrinking. The Worms’ days are over forever if the Narth get involved. And involved they are! All Saresii combined with the entire PSI corps is nothing compared to what one Narth can do! It was one Narth who shielded their entire system against the onslaught of the Y’All! It was one Narth ship that chased the Y’All out of the Galaxy and destroyed many of Y’All ships with the power of their minds alone! It is said the Narth succeeded against the Dark One, where even the Celtest failed.”

The Worm nodded. “You fail to mention the Leedei, who are as powerful as the Saresii, but with far advanced PSI tech, so I cannot argue against your assessment.”

“Then go, make arrangements for that meeting with the Nul. Now let us make arrangements so we can contact each other without the need for a third party.”

---

DOLBARIAN

They all looked at me with a mixture of anticipation and thinly veiled surprise.

Har-Hi was the last approaching our big table in the den. “We are all set, Captain. We can leave for Auriga Xi. We are at the very horizon of GalNet and GalCom, but we are detecting much Union chatter from there. I am sure Union assets are there so the Xandrao can do their official first contact.”

“Thank you, Har-Hi, but we are not done with the Xandrao or the Dolbarians?”

“We can’t take credit for that First Contact, Captain. The Xandrao don’t know we are Union.”

I grimaced at my XO.”I know that, Mr. Hi. Do you really think I am that vain?”

He shook his head. “No, but what are we still doing here? I thought we are on our way to Brahma. The Demons of the Badlands know we tried to do that two or three times now.”

“Maybe we get us a few cows as crew?” Mao speculated.

“No, guys,” I said and told them more or less what Warner told me. Then I added, “We are out here to make a difference and setting things right. I cannot close my eyes to the injustice and unfair situation of one person or an entire species.”

Those Dolbarians face torture and death if we let them go with the Xandrao. Keeping them in stasis is like punishment. They didn’t do nothing, and frankly, I have the plea of a crew member. Especially if we can do something about it.”

Shea leaned forward. “We are behind you, Captain, but what can we do to free an entire planet? This seems out of our league.”

I sighed with a smile. “I know, but I have an idea. It’s a variation on the Trojan Horse, and I need all of you to make it more than that.”

“You know, we should be glad we aren’t really pirating. You have a very devious mind, and it seems it got even more so since you decided to be Erica,” Har-Hi said, and I was not sure if he complimented me or voiced his concerns and critique.

“Say it, Har-Hi. You think this wrong?”

He grinned widely. “Oh no, Captain, I am just tempted sometimes to be pirates for real. It is in my nature. It is a Dai thing. Once you decide, I am behind you. Besides, I think doing things like that are well within our mission parameters.”

Elfi opened the bio replicator’s lid. A cloud of steam rolled past the lid and to the ceiling of our disguise lab.

Cateria helped Elfi take the hairy mess out of the machine. “I think they knew; why else would we have all this NAVINT and Gray Cat spy equipment?”

Narth popped out of thin air. “Shea and I finished programming the new Janus mask. I think we succeeded.”

I made a few test moves. “I am sure you have, but why do I get the impression I asked for something more difficult than you let on?”

It is an extraordinarily complex matter and energy manipulation. The masks we have on file were created by teams of engineers over weeks, relying on Narth-level scans and Nelson-type omnitronic. But we have Shea and SHIP, so we succeeded; the Tigershark now looks like a Xandrao ship.

“Thank you.”

I closed the seams of the bio-flex skin over the stripped-down Quasimodo frame. Then I pulled the attached head up and over my own. “The ship looks Xandrao. How about me, Har-Hi, and Hans?”

Narth stepped back. “I am sure any non-Narth will be fooled into thinking you are a Xandrao.”

“Let’s hope they don’t have any Narth then.”

“I can reassure you with confidence; they do not.”

Har-Hi also closed his costume. “Well, I am getting the plan so far. Ship Xandrao, we are Xandrao. Warner dressed and costumed. But what will we do again once we are on Dalbra?”

“That is the ‘play it by ear’ part of my plan.”

“I was afraid you would say that.”

“Well, we do have a real Xandrao who will do anything for me; all we need is to make sure he isn’t stopped.”

Chapter 3

DALBRA

Ninohfiv, the guarantor of Kermac protection and guardianship to the Dolbarian society, stepped out on the balcony of his residential tower overlooking the sprawling capital city of the numerous and industrious Dolbarians. Those perpetually nervous and laughable weak mammalians had the great fortune to be of interest and use to the Kermac.

Ninohfiv longed for a real Kermac world and despised these rodents. They were hairy and small; their technology rudimentary at best, and their cultural achievements as chaotic, loud, and nervous, just as the Dolbarians themselves.

The only real reason for the Will Bender satellites in orbit, and thus Kermac influence, was the fact that Dolbarians had a good foothold in Freespace and no one really took them seriously. Many Kermac schemes and missions were launched from Dolbarian planets.

As he looked to the east and down to the city center, he wondered about the large crowd of Dolbarians gathering there in the Wisnka Park.

Gatherings of this kind were forbidden, but then the Dolbarians always needed a reminder. The Will Benders alone did not have the same effect on these unruly rodents as they had on other species.

He was about to call the chief of the public safety department to have the crowd dispersed. When one of his close aides came out onto the balcony with an alarmed face.

“The expedition we sent to the Xandrao has returned, and a spaceship of that species is in orbit.”

Ninohfiv was annoyed already, seeing yet another Dolbarian protest, turned, and snapped at the lower circle Kermac. “I don’t know any Xandra mission, but those annoying subjects of ours have once again found enough of their own will to gather and protest.”

“Exalted wizard, it is not Xandra but Xandrao, and the mission was ordered a year ago by the Wizard tower. To find a suitable species that could take the place of the Nogoll.”

Ninohfiv wanted to dismiss the aide’s response with a sharp rebuke and focus on the developing situation, but he did remember. A brutish species of similar physiology had been discovered just a few lumindistances beyond Togar space. Because of its location, it was decided to send Dolbarian ships instead of Kermac cruisers. The species, he recalled, were the Xandrao.

“Why are they here and not Kermac Prime?” He asked.

“The expedition started out from here; there was an element of Dolbarians sent as servants and aides to our envoys.”

“Who hailed us?”

“The Xandrao, and they are requesting an immediate audience with the Kermac leadership.”

“Did they mention our envoys?”

“No.”

A new enforcer species was badly needed; the loss of the loyal Nogoll had a serious weakening effect on the Galactic Council. The Grand Wizard would never forgive him if he bodged this.

Finding a new thrall was not easy. Once a new species was considered to be integrated, detailed studies had to be made and the will-bender technology adjusted to the mental baseline of the new species. Some were more receptive and some were less, like these always nervous and almost useless Dolbarians.

It was a dedicated process of many months to find the right suppressive method. The more external force had to be used to bend the Thrall species under Kermac control, the more innovation, initiative, and creativity were suppressed.

A good enforcer species, like the Nogoll, needed very little external control and served freely and eagerly.

He went inside, planning to put on a fresh robe and some more skin white.“Give them landing permission and welcome them. There will be a reception.”

He was almost in his chambers when he turned. “And do send control units to the park. They are at it again.”

“They are not protesting; they are celebrating the arrival of the Xandrao.”

---

ABOARD THE TIGERSHARK

Narth stared at the devices and the setup as he had walked through the door and was greeted by Ensign Fivcheer.“One must admit it is a failure of mine, not to come here before.”

The Leedei bowed slightly.“Narth are gifted with such potent Psionics; they hardly consider other societies’ humble achievements.”

To point out a valid observation on Narth haughtiness in such a polite fashion is the hallmark of a highly civilized person. I am not only Narth; I am a young Narth. I was conceived to be a pathfinder, an explorer into the corporal condition. But being the first young Narth in our history, with no previous experience to draw upon, poses challenges that have not been foreseen. I am Narth, and yet I am not like any Narth.

“I learned to identify myself as a true individual, using the terms ‘I’ and ‘me’ with the full understanding of these concepts.”

The Leedei listened intently.

The Narth stepped to a console that operated much of the Psionic equipment of the Tigershark. “I also shared my Huhgavh with a human being, and this has not only affected Erica, but me as well. We Narth are aware of you Leedei, and it is true that all that is Narth considered Leedei use of technology to harness psionics rather pointless and primitive.”

The young Narth kept on examining the equipment.“But when the Narth Supreme decided to get Narth more involved, he allowed the concept of individualism to become a bigger factor. Narth individuals became Psi Corps agents, representatives, and in the case of constructing and equipping this ship, even engineers.”

“We opened the knowledge crystal where we stored all our knowledge of the physical universe, before we even became the Narth. We recreated technology of ours for this ship alone.”

The Leedei nodded.“So did the Leedei; we did not limit our commitment and provided systems that no non-Leedei has ever seen or heard of.” The Leedei gestured to a vault-like closet.“Including the only handheld Gorrontha Devices in existence.”

The young Narth looked at it, while his mind retrieved all information from the Leedei mind and said, “Narth conception of Leedei technology has been reversed.”

Fivcheer now bowed. “It is a privilege to meet you then, Lt. Narth.”

“I am Narth, but a Union Citizen above all. Thus it is my privilege to serve the Union, including the Leedei. I am Narth, but I am a Union officer also. So the privilege to meet you is of equal value.”

The Leedei extended his hand. Leedei only liked to make physical contact with friends because their hands were so sensitive.

Narth took the offered hand, and they exchanged this human gesture of greeting.

Fivcheer smiled under his semi-transparent head cover skin and raised the illumination of the PSI lab. “We are technically under the auspice of the Science department, but Fleet Command is going to implement a new independent PSION department on all Union ships and installations soon.”

Narth nodded. “Fleet Command might incorporate Nether-energy manipulation and Trans Dim application in this new department as well.”

The Leedei made an inviting gesture. “I heard of this, but it is a subject I have little knowledge of, but the Tigershark is also a testbed and prototype in pretty much everything. I was sure you would come here eventually; I also hope the Captain might find his way to this department.”

“She will, I promise. Eventually she will acknowledge that her HPI is changing and increasing by the day and needs our guidance. But I am certain Captain Olafson will get to know all of her crew.”

The sliding door opened, and six individuals entered.

Fivcheer said, “I have summoned the entire PSI team. The Captain having access to a Narth made our department a quiet one so far. We are all eager to meet you.”

“The Captain made it quite clear that everyone can come to her, and we do have our Pirate’s Den.” “We are manning bridge positions when you and the Captain are not.” “Please introduce me to your team. Then we must discuss the Captain’s ideas.”

---

The Kermac guarantor of Kermac protection, wearing his finest white robe, stood next to the three Kermac that represented his administration and watched the Xandrian shuttle land. Their arti-grav being crude, making landfall for their main ship impossible.

Ninohfiv leaned closer to the one to his right. “Send a message to Kermac Prime so help can be sent.”

“I tried to do that before I even came here, Exalted Wizard, but the two Long Range Telepaths we have are not able to convey anything to Kermac Prime. One fell into the catatonic state, something LRT sometimes do unfortunately, and the other appears to suffer from receiving overload information. His handler told me the LRT received such a massive load of telepathic messages that he overloaded and may never recover.”

“Both LRTs are out at the same time?”

“Yes, but I sent a Myon message ordering new ones. I am sure Kermac Prime will send us replacements in a few weeks.”

Ninohfiv himself experienced a rather painful headache.”Let us get this over with. I need to consult a physician.”

Three massive Xundran males emerged, as well as four Dolbarians. The four were greeted with a massive cheer from the onlooking crowds.

Ninohfiv suddenly detected the mind of the Kermac next to him: Sevevienul, his right-hand assistant and confidant. Suddenly revealed as an officer for the MOC, while he openly claimed to be with the Ministry of Thrall Affairs. Sevevienul suspected him to have staged the Xandrao thing to show the Supreme Wizard how important he was.

At the same time, Sevevienul suddenly read the mind of his superior. Ninohfiv became aware of his cover and true purpose. He clearly noticed the emotion of violence in his superior’s mind. With panic, he checked his mind shield projector in his false beard. The device was deactivated.

“It is not what you think, Honorable Wizard,” Sevevienul hastily explained. Ignoring the Xandrao coming closer.

The lead wizard had a hard time concentrating on the aliens approaching to be greeted and questioned. His supposedly trustworthy aide was a MOC spy and considered him subversive!

This sudden ability to read others was not limited to Sevenvienul or Ninohfiv, but to the other two behind them. Sechfunzwe, right behind the lead wizard, was suddenly exposed to be the most dangerous individual of them all. He not only was the planet’s security officer, but he was a genuine member of the Mind Police. Sent here to make sure Kermac remained true to the Kermac doctrine. The Kermac to his side, Achsechdre, was the only genuine assistant, and he became almost sick with fear as the true identities and positions of his colleagues were revealed. He tried to remember if he ever had a subversive thought, and by doing so not only revealed them all, but also his genuine hatred towards the Mind Police.

“A well-adjusted and true Kermac would never fear but welcome Mind Police. For we are the guarantors of Kermac supremacy. I see your thoughts have not been as supportive as they should have been.”

Completely ignoring the foreign dignitaries or his immediate superiors, Achsechdre lashed out, first with words.”I am not going to be mind-wiped by a self-important Mind Policeman whose thoughts are not as pure as they should be. You cheated on the entry exam.” Secondly, with more substantive action: He activated the Neuro Ripper in his beard and showered the mind policeman with painful neurostimulation.

The lead Xandrao said,”Our presence is not important to you, Kermac? You ignore us and squabble among yourselves?”

Distracted by the sudden revelations and the violence right behind him, the lead wizard snarled,“Silence, you stupid bovine slave. You will be dealt with when we have the time.”

His right-hand man snarled with loud accusation. “I see! You wanted to sabotage the Xandrao admission to make the Ministry of Control look bad! Who paid you? Was it that obnoxious Wizard of Intelligence who has an eye on the central seat?” Sevenvienul spat in an open display of outrage.”Xandrao do not heed his words. The Grand Wizard himself will welcome you.”

The chaos on the raised Kermac platform could not have been greater. Kermac security troops emerged wanting to arrest the aide who had just felled and apparently killed a member of the Thought Police, but were stopped by the lead wizard, who wanted them to arrest the other aide.

---

ABOARD THE USS LITTLE ROCK

When five suns simultaneously turned supernova, the event did not only create the Thalim nebula, a scientific mystery, but also a large number of black objects. Dark moons, planet fragments, and asteroids. All tumbling across interstellar space.

Not associated with a star, these objects were hard to find. Spaceships tra