Har Hi, Shea and Narth were with me, and all three stood behind me with crossed arms. Narth actually wore a black leather and steel armor over his shroud and even carried a Nul Gravitor rifle over his back. His face and head hidden, behind a black helmet with mirrored face plate, he had borrowed from Three Four. Har-Hi wore his red Dai Leather with all the knives, weapons and swords in place. He had covered the Glyph of his Clan.
Shea wore a shoulder free bodice of white leather, matching over knee boots and a fur cape that looked much like my old Fangsnapper coat. She had her hair tied in a pony tail and wore a white half mask up to her nose. Beside the long Attikan Sniper Blaster she carried her mysterious sword. In my opinion she looked dangerous and very sexy at the same time.
That there was plenty of human DNA left in the Half Kermac was evident as he had a hard time making eye contact with me and shifted his eyes to my chest.
I said to him: “Indeed I am not interested in mining but I have a spare ship I would like to sell and was told it could be done here.”
He nodded. “To be truthful, you will not get the same price you would get at Kaliment or Sin 4, but I am sending my brother Kooornt, and he will check the ship. I will contact you later today with the price we are willing to pay.”
I agreed that this would be acceptable and left the Asteroid Managers office.
We went once more to the Tavern, this time however openly to make our entrance as the pirate crew we pretended to be.
The barkeeper eyed us with interest for about five seconds, took our orders and lost interest after we paid him. We found ourselves a table and sat down.
I had no clear plan what we should do next and at this point I decided to just stir the pot a little and wait to see what would happen.
One point on my agenda was to put the Batt Family out of business permanently. If I could manage to somehow destroy this Asteroid Base it would take away a Pirate Base and Hideaway. The fewer bases and posts they had to hide at the better, and these so called ‘miners’ aided and enabled these crooks by providing these services.
However I could not do it openly as Black Velvet, but perhaps a few well placed timed charges going off a day or two after we left would do the trick. However there weren’t many options. To destroy a huge object like this asteroid required serious fire power; more than even the Tigershark had. Of course a few well placed Translocator shots into environmental engineering would make this place quite inhospitable. Another option was to set of a P Bomb , but that was like leaving a Union tech calling card.
Shea leaned forward giving me a very nice view down her cleavage , while she said in a quiet tone.
“I can smell that wash room even out here.”
Har-Hi pointed with his chin to a handful of miners sitting at a table next to us. “It’s not the bathroom, it’s them.”
She produced a little atomizer , and sprayed it before her. A fresh flowery scent suddenly tried to mask the sour, musky scent that wafted almost visibly into our direction.
“Next time I select a filter mask, don’t they bathe?”
Har-Hi shook his head.
"Water is very expensive out here and even more at their mining camps, it has to be bought from ice miners and water merchants. Washing isn’t a big priority to them.”
Narth enjoyed himself greatly, to him it was all a part of his still new corporal experience outside the Narth Collective. His voice came into my mind.
“You do begin to understand Narth, it pleases me. I too contemplate how a destruction of this base could be accomplished without revealing our true origin, but I must also be a voice of warning as it wold be against our license and charter.”
“Our what?”
“We are here in Freespace clearly violating a Treaty signed by representatives of our Union . Now it is true that the Assembly has given us license via the Intelligence committee to eliminate piracy, hunt known criminals and suppress arms and slave trade . However neither the owners of this Asteroid nor the many miners living here appear on any wanted list or are known to have committed crimes against the Union.”
He was right of course. We were already walking a very thin line and I was certain Admiral McElligott had twisted and bent more than just one rule to make our mission possible. However Stahl also knew about it and for his trust in me alone, I had to heed Narth objection and think of another way to take this Pirate base out of business.
Aloud he said. “Can I ask you a question that puzzles me greatly.”
“Of course , you never asked permission before.”
“Why did you find pleasure in looking at Shea’s breasts. You do have now almost identical ones, do they differ in some other way than size that affects you in this way? I stared at both sets and compared them and could detect any emotional effect.”
Har-Hi coughed and the Thill beer shot out of his nose. Shea started to giggle and I was glad for my mask, as I must have turned cherry red. “Ah ..well because I am still getting used to them.”
Har-Hi wiped his nose. “Narth, with you around I have a real hard time remaining a stern, always serious Dai Warrior .”
The Oghar Pirate and the Captain of the Swift Profit were still here and it was not hard to tell that we were the subject of their conversation.
Before Narth could say something else. Captain Swift got up and walked over, made a theatrical bow and tipping his forehead. “I am Curtis Swift , Captain of the Swift Profit and I think you are the famous and mysterious Black Velvet . I also assume we might be in the same line of business, so I thought I introduce myself.”
I eyed him up and down and said. “And what line of business would that be?”
“Doing what we please and taking advantage of opportunities that might present themselves, a little of this and a little of that and not particularly caring about anyone else and their rules.”
He pointed at the big table. “This is called the Captain’s table and I am sure Crimson Curse would like to get to know you,as much as I do. He is the ugly Oghar over there.”
Before I could respond, everyone turned to the sudden locomotion and noise at the taverns entrance. A rowdy looking crew entered, led by a flashy dressed human with blue skin. He was without a doubt a Thauran .
I cursed silently and wondered how far I had to go, so I would not meet someone of these blue skinned bastards . I always had been tolerant and blind to another beings form, shape or color but those blue Thaurans started to get to me.
He was accompanied by two muscular Oghr and according to the information I received from Narth those were Orkh-Oghr, the strongest and biggest sub species of the Oghr race.
Narth instantly corrected my thoughts, by saying in a low voice.
“No, the Orkh-Oghr are the physically strongest sub species belonging to the remaining Nine Kingdoms . The Ogr who are nearly three times as big and much stronger in physical terms are Union members for 403 years. The Oromals who are also of the same group of species, are just as big and also Union members for 394 years.
I raised my hands. “Could they not come up with less confusing names. I mean Oghr , Ogar , Ogr it appears the only difference is a vowel here and there.”
Har-Hi chimed in. “After the Oghar Empire fell apart into nine Kingdoms they fought each other in bitter wars over many centuries about such naming issues.”
While Narth and Har-Hi educated me about the Oghr, I observed the new comers who were still standing at the open entrance area that separated the Tavern from the rest of the Asteroids main Cavern.
Trailing the group were three, mangy looking Jooltar warriors.
The new arrived group was now joined by four more Thaurans, one of them female and all gaudily and colorfully dressed. If it weren’t for the fact that the group was armed to the teeth one could have mistaken them for a traveling circus troupe.
It was the five Thaurans that to me explained the noise and the air of self importance they displayed. I wondered why the Thauran did not join the Kermac , they could hold c
ompetitions of self importance and arrogance and my money wasn’t on the Kermac as who would win such a contest.
Narth said in my mind.
“I doubt the Kermac would want a thrall species that was equally as good as they in the only field the Kermac really excel.”
I formed an answer and expressed my surprise.
“Never did I think you would say something like this. Not that I mind, but sarcasm wasn’t something I associate with a Narth.”
His thoughts felt slightly amused as his answer resonated in my mind. “One might point out that we shared the Hugavh and that means I also adapt to your ways of thinking. It is us Narth who observed many civilizations for a very long time, and the Kermac are very good at being arrogant and self important. They have inherited this haughtiness and superciliousness from the UNI very long ago. Of course only with our new gained knowledge and understanding of emotions are we able to quantify our observations in such terms”
His thoughts paused for a moment and then his mental voice said to me. “This arrogant self-importance is of course not completely alien to humans, especially those who consider themselves of Noble origin. Now this is a concept I have spent much time analyzing and have yet to come to a satisfactory conclusion.”
I answered Narth silently and on our shared mental level.
“It is also part of my heritage, being of an Old Clan on Nilfeheim is something very similar. My clan is considered very important only due to the fact that we carry an old name. I also don’t think all nobility is bad. Look at our Princess , she can switch it on and off just like that, and then there is Shaka . He never makes a big deal out of it but I met his father, the Zulu King at the Diamond Ball and he radiates authority in a way I can only describe as noble.”
Narth didn’t respond this time but I knew he was contemplating what I just had said and put it through his incomprehensible way of analyzing things.
Now he did respond. “My way of analyzing things is not completely incomprehensible, Shea understands it well.”
I wanted to tell him, that not everyone had an IQ of 400 but my silent conversation with Narth was interrupted as Captain Swift , still standing close to our table also watching the newcomers, rolled his eyes said to me. “That is Captain Dentar Bloom of the Roughnir . Even among our colorful society of space-faring professionals he is not the most pleasant individual to deal with, but then he is Thauran. Never really met one I liked.”
Strangely I found that Swift and I had actually something in common.
The Thauran pointed out to me as Dentar Bloom yelled to the barkeeper. “Bottles of Solik , Big bowls of Tambark Broth and for me your finest Brohmir Sweat and bring plenty you three armed cretin!”
They sat down at a table not far from us and the red and yellow dressed captain looked around with a disapproving expression in his face and then waved at Crimson. “Of all the ugly sights in the Galaxy, you my dear Crimson appear to be the ugliest. Be so kind and switch chairs so I don’t have to look at you!”
The Barkeeper came to our table and asked if we wanted more drinks and the loudmouth complained.
“I ordered and expect to be served first. Don’t waste time with the riff raff over there.”
The Barkeeper turned and said with an edge in his voice.
“First pay the tab you left the last time, eighty Full weights !”
Bloom put his hand on his boarding saber, but not pulling it.
“The cosmic winds did not blow much in terms of prey across our bow and the Blessed Blue Virgin was not with us the past few months. Nothing that carried Polos came our way. However we managed to liberate a collection of nice things that bring a hefty profit once I am able to reach the markets on Sin 4 . We had to stop here to get some fuel.”
“Save your excuses and tell them to someone that cares. Eighty Full weights or there won’t be any drinks.”
Dentar Bloom made a jovial gesture .
“I pay you double I owe you the next time I come by. Now I think you extend my credit, I anger easily.”
The Barkeep pointed with one of his arms to the ceiling and to a set of remote controlled Neuro Rippers .
“You don’t scare me Captain Bloom, pay up or leave. This establishment is for paying customers only. Make any kind of trouble and I might settle for what the scavengers pay me for your carcass.”
This obviously didn’t sit well with the flashy dressed Thauran. He talked to one of his officers and the Oghar left.
Bloom then climbed on his chair and spread his arms.
“It looks like well heeled Captain Swift is here and so is the famous Crimson Curse . One likes to eat and the other likes to rape. So I am thinking I hold a little auction right here and now.”
It didn’t take long and the Oghr came back dragging a beautiful white Togar female on a chain behind him.
She wore a metal collar and both her hands were attached to it with short chains, making her choke and at every move. The cruel metal band had rubbed her neck raw and there was crusted blood all around the collar. Her legs kept apart with a steel rod that had cuffs on each end , allowing her to move only with small circling steps. She had cuts and bruises all over her otherwise completely white fur.
I didn’t like Togar and only a short time ago; I wanted to kill them all. However seeing this poor female treated like that made me wish I could twist the head of that blue skinned bastards neck.
Her eyes were big and green, and she had a pink nose, that reminded me of the little Holdian Commander . The Togar female could not talk as she was muzzled with several layers of memory tape around her short snout.
The three armed Pertharian Bar Keeper protested loudly.
“Are you insane, Bloom ? The Togar Empire isn’t far from here and they will send warships if they hear a Female Togar was sold here. Those cats don’t kid around when it comes to their females.”
With a dismissive gesture, Bloom said. “Don’t you worry about the Togar. They have other things on their mind right now, besides she is a wanted criminal in the realm of the Togar. I could get good money for her from any Togar male . She might be good in the Death Fight arenas but I am far from Sin 4 and need fuel, and you all know how nice a Togar female can be to human males, if she is properly restrained of course.”
His last comment was answered by nodding heads and rough laughter, coming from Miners and Pirates.
The Thauran obviously enjoyed being in the center of attention and said. “Now I know your appetite Captain Swift , but there are many lonely miners here, so the opening bid is 100 Polos.”
As disgusting as the sale was the lusting gaze in Swifts face and the dirty jokes and openly described fantasies of the miners present was even more revolting.
It was one of the Miners who said.
“I give you the 100 Polos.”
Swift immediately countered with a bid of 150.
I had forgotten my own drink and my hand was reaching for the butt of my gun, when Har-Hi put his hand on my arm and shook his head almost unnoticeable. He was right of course and I would not jeopardize our mission by starting a fight underneath looming Neuro Rippers, especially not for a Togar , I didn’t like in the first place.
The price was at 600 Polos now and it looked one of the miners, a fat unkempt fellow, apparently human had the deeper pockets, as Swift was not raising his hand again.
There was a moment of silence and it seemed the Miner would take the pitiful looking Togar Female and then do all the things he said he would do to her.
I said. “1000 Polos”
I almost surprised myself but I couldn’t let her be sold into a fate so cruel. Maybe we could keep her in stasis and let her go somewhere convenient and close to wherever she called home.
My bid put all eyes on me and the Thauran captain noticed me, saying. “Who are you? I sell to anyone but you have to have the cash.”
“I got the Polo’s anything else is unimportant.”
Swift introduced me saying. “That delectab
le package in skintight leather is none other than the the famous and mysterious Black Velvet.”
The Thauran made a mocking bow and said. “Thousand Polos, Full-weight have been called for this wild, soft furred promise of pleasure. Do I hear any other bids?”
Narth voice in my head said. “I informed the ship. Hans and the Golden are on their way with the money. What do you want done with the Togar female?”
“Have Cateria check her out and then I guess put her in Stasis till we can let her go somewhere. Maybe we can find out where she belongs and see if we can get her as close as possible.”
“This might prove difficult, as she isn’t what the Thauran claimed she is.”
“She isn’t Togar?”
“She is, but I think we might have purchased what you would call big trouble.”
I didn’t like what I was hearing and silently responded.
“Can you be more specific than that?”
“The Togar hunting her for some reason. From what I can gather she is more than a criminal. I shall accompany her to the ship and probe deeper and then let you know.”
Hans stomped in and his massive appearance silenced the crowd. He looked frightening indeed in his version of a pirate costume. He wore a harness similar to the one Har-Hi had, across his enormous and otherwise bare chest, but his was not made of leather but instead of heavy looking links of Ultronit steel chain. Pants of thick leather, stitched together with steel rivets. A full sized Nul Gravitor Cannon across his back and a pair of Y’All boarding swords was his weapons of choice. To all this he had on knee high boots , reinforced with armor plating and he had the appearance as if he could kick a battle robot to scrap. The knuckles of his gauntlet style gloves sported metal spikes, gleaming razor sharp. To finish his look he wore a skull tight leather mask that left his chin and mouth open. The mask had a crest of needle sharp looking metal spikes. He looked like a nightmare version of a dungeon torturer right out of the horror Visuals Mao loved to watch.
Eric Olafson Series Boxed Set: Books 1 - 6 (The Galactic Chronicles Series) Page 104