Hans stomped down from his security station at the back of the bridge and said to me: “I send the statement of the two Pertharian kids to CID and they are investigating. Results are pending and via Cherubim on Richter we informed the Academy and the family of the Pertharian brothers that they are alive and safe without revealing where they are. General Cherubim said she will take care of a cover story.”
Yeoman O’Connell handed me the morning report and daily order sheet to sign and handed me my coffee with her usual shy smile. I looked around my bridge and said: “You all have been busy so it seems while a certain Computronic I know let me sleep in.”
Har Hi grinned broadly. “To her defense, Captain, she did ask me and I agreed with her decision to let you sleep in.”
SHIP chimed in. “See Captain it wasn’t just me.”
I also smiled and said: “A fine crew I got, ganging up on me and making me look lazy.”
Har Hi said. “Well it’s not every day we share the bridge with a genuine GalNet celebrity. You made quite a splash, Captain and recordings of your fight went viral. It’s virtually on every blog, news channel and in hundreds of talk shows.”
Krabbel said: “Circuit and I ordered the Black Velvet Action figure with Axe chopping action complete with animated Stomper; will you autograph mine when we get our mail on Richter?”
With a sour face I said: “Splendid indeed, how am I going to explain that to the Admiral when I deliver my next report and who would have an action figure so fast after the fight?”
The Golden tried to make an innocent face and spread his arms. “Sorry Captain, that was an opportunity too good to miss. I am going to make a killing on those.”
Mao interrupted and said: “The Red Dragon entered the atmosphere and should become visible any moment now. Mao adjusted the tactical screens and said: “Here she comes.”
More out of instinct I leaned forward as the red colored ship descended and settled about a klick to our port side closer towards the actual city. “I still have no idea what kind of ship that is; does anyone of you have more information?”
Shea said: “Yes, there is a highly classified file in the orders we got from Cherubim and the Red Dragon could be a unique prototype that was made for a purpose not unlike the Tigershark but almost 500 years ago. It was never finished and the hull was transferred to a bone yard. From there it was stolen with a shipload of other forgotten tech almost two years ago."
There is no information about who did the actual theft…” Her voice trailed off.
I turned to look at her and asked: “Something the matter?”
She looked puzzled. “I am not sure, but it looks as if part of that file was deleted after it was placed in our order file. The timestamp of the deletion is the day the Tigershark was delivered to Richter Base.”
Ship established her Avatar, walked over to Shea and looked over my science officer’s shoulder and said: “I can see down to the memory level and the deletion was made with the authority code of the Admiral of the Fleet, Admiral McElligott.”
He was the highest command authority and he of course had the right to delete information. There were a million legitimate and logical reasons why he did not want us to see whatever had been erased, but I also remembered what Deepa had told me. I decided to keep this in mind and talk to her about that as soon as I could. I wanted to hear her advice before I asked Stahl. I trusted Stahl but I didn’t want to come to him with just a hunch that could be completely wrong.
Aloud I said “He is the Admiral who gave us these orders. I am sure he had a reason for doing it was wrong info or something we are not supposed to know. Well, the Red Dragon is here and so are we. Let us fill in the blanks ourselves.”
Circuit came on the bridge, joined Ship and Shea, and after a few moments said: “The Red Dragon’s hull is made of Compacted Ultronit, the same as our Battle ships armor. It is standard now, but back then it was state of the art. The main hull is 245 meters long and shows distinctive Saran Battle Cruiser lines. I think they recycled the frame of one from the looks of it. The remaining ISAH pods are of recent design, only about three or four year old Type IX, but he would need four to be fast. With the Karthanian replacements I doubt he can accelerate over 350 klicks.”
“The main battery on top looks like it held a Translocator at one point but it from the looks of it, replaced with a double set of powerful Dai Than sputter cannons."
He turned to face me and explained. "It is believed the Dai attempt to create Translocator cannons. They do fire fusion bombs but only near light and not TransDim like the real thing and even their mothers don’t have anything bigger than Mega Loads.”
Har-Hi sighed at that and said: “We are good Engineers, but we have not figured out how to maintain containment in an Antimatter charge while the casing is accelerated. The Union Translocator cannons do not have this problem as they transmit an explosion via another dimension.”
Circuit turned to Har-Hi. “I didn’t mean to put down Dai technology.”
Har Hi responded. “I know the feeling, I catch myself doing it because I am working day in and day out with Union tech.”
Mao said: “Technically Translocator cannons are not Union tech either, but Seenian.”
Shea disagreed by saying: “Our Translocator technology is based on Seenian technology but in the last 1500 years we have greatly improved on it. Translocator Gatlings, Sniper cannons and the reliability is at 99.99 per cent.”
I let them banter a little but then said: “Can we go back to the Red Dragon out there?”
They all returned to their readouts and scanners and then Shea said: “He has an array of other weapons; Shiss, Karthanian and Kermac tech including four Loki torpedo starters.” She paused again and then said: “I am not completely sure but it appears the Red Dragon has a Seenian technology weapon as a main spine core weapon, unknown design, but the materials conform to Seenian tech. It also conforms to the same sleeping energy readings I made from the ship Cateria attacked us with.”
I called Cateria to the bridge. She looked very tired as she appeared six minutes later. “Sorry for the delay Captain, I was sleeping. That Nul patient of ours was more than a challenge.”
I made an apologizing gesture and said: “I am sorry for disturbing you, but would you go over the Scanner data from Shea and see if you can confirm that?”
She went over to Shea’s console and worked with her. Finally she turned and said: “That is indeed a Zero Point Canon of a much bigger size than the one I had in my courier. He also has a Seenian shield generator. ”
I still looked at the red ship and could clearly see the repairs on the aft, where the red color looked different and the material did not have the same hexagonal pattern of Ultronit.
I said “That explains why he could destroy the Glorystar so easily and shrug of Loki torpedoes without being completely destroyed.”
Cateria covered her mouth and yawned. “Initial scanner data shows he has neither Seenian energy providers nor the advance sensors needed to use this weapon. That means he cannot operate his shields or the ZPC at full capacity. If I interpret his power level readout correctly they can fire that ZPC once every twenty minutes at perhaps ten percent of its capacity at most and the same holds true for the shields.”
I gave my CMO a thankful look and said. “Go back to bed Cateria, I hope I can let you sleep but I might have to call you again, since he seems to have access to Seenian tech.”
She gave me a smile which was rare for her and she said. “It is all good Captain, I needed to get up anyway and check on the Nul. He should come around in an hour or so.Not that I ever have been a real weapon or tech experté”
I said to her “I hope you find some rest later then, you have already proven beyond any doubts that you are the best CMO a ship could have and I think even Seenians can get sick if they don’t sleep enough.”
She smiled even wider. “You should talk, even Ship notices that you don’t sleep as much as you should. Besides I
slept a million years. I got a lot to catch up on and I am more content with my new life than I ever was even back in my time. The crew is as healthy as can be, I have a very competent staff and the Equipment is less primitive than I originally thought and I have a real purpose. There isn’t much more I need in life.”
I smiled back at her as she went to the IST and I said: “Call me when the Nul is coming around.”
She said, just before she disappeared: “I will, Captain”
I returned my attention to the Main Screen and said: “I guess the best thing is we go to that Pirate market as well.”
I turned to look for the Golden and saw him with the little Holdian standing by the Navigation tank, which was right behind my seat in the back area of the bridge. They both were talking quietly, as the Merchant saw me said: “I am sorry Captain, did you address me? I was just showing my roommate where the Depository is, the most secret planet of the Golden.”
I still smiled and said: “Your roommate? Do you share your VIP quarters?”
He looked at his furry friend and then at me and said. “Yes I do, but I am a regular crew member and therefore don’t want any special treatment. Lt. Hi had me assigned to regular crew quarters and it is much better to share small quarters with your best friend than have big ones alone.”
His statement warmed my heart and said: “So you became friends I see.”
The Holdian blinked with his black button eyes and nodded. “Oh yes Captain. I am teaching Sobi how to fix stuff and he teaches me all kinds of Merchant secrets.”
The Golden put his hand on the head of the Holdian and said: “The friendships I’ve made on this ship make me a richer man than I ever was before, Captain. The only regret I have is that I did not think of this much earlier in my life.
I changed the subject and said to him: “We need to go to the Pirates Market and you know most about it.”
He came down the ramp and into the main area of the bridge and said. “It is as much a market as it is a fair and social event. Pirates, privateers, Scavengers and the lot leading a solitary life. The Pirate Market of Sin 4 and the Free traders Festival on N'ger are the few social events they have to meet, share stories, trade wares and buy things they need. Show is everything, and I suggest we go with a large group, heavily armed and in our finest armor. I would even take TheOther along, that we have a Y’All in the crew will impress like nothing else and no one will dare to ask where he is from. We should take lots of money and buy expensive stuff as that will show we are successful. Maybe we can set up shop; we do have a few very nice items in our treasury.”
I grinned and said. “That we even have a treasury is thanks to you. So I guess the best thing is to put you in charge of this project as well, but at least one senior officer must remain aboard.”
Circuit said. “I stay. I am working on a new generation of Spy Nanites and am hoping to finish them and have them dispatched to the Pirate Ships out there. Besides, it would be hard to explain an X101 that turned Pirate
Shaka said: “I stay too. I can take the Conn. I don’t mind dirt side but I’d rather be aboard and I am helping Cirruit anyway.”
My Chief Engineer padded Shaka’s shoulder: “He is getting quite the Nanite expert.”
Before I could say something, Cateria called and said: “The Nul is awake.”
I got up. “Mr Sobody, prepare our excursion to the market. I will be with you all shortly.”
The Grey Nul was one ugly and threatening looking life from, almost as massive and big as Hans. His entire body looked like it was made of coils of various sized ropes. He had a dome shaped head without a neck and only one eye as big as Dinner Plate but with two independent pupils. Underneath that truly alien eye was a vertical split mouth with rows and rows of needle sharp teeth. There was no distinguishable nose or anything remotely similar. A set of two fork like mandibles perhaps designed to hold whatever prey the Nul decided to devour stuck out from either side of that terrifying mouth. He had two arms without any visible joints, more like flexible hoses or tentacles, with claw like hands. He was standing inside a Holding Cell within an active force field and two Marines in full Battle suits aiming their weapons at him. A Fenris Robot in one corner seemed inactive, except for a dark red light in its Visual Sensor array. It was not too much security, if only half was true that I had heard about Nul.”
He still wore bandage patches all over his body. Cateria stepped next to me as I entered the high security detention ward and said. “Captain, I never worked on a Nul before and there was frightening little in our medical Data banks. There is no similar life form on file. There are no Nul on Union side, like the small Togar community or the Purple Throat Shiss colonies. He has an Endo and Exoskeleton, very tough armor like skin and an open Circulation with Organs more or less floating around. I would love to contact Nul and get some information how to help him better.”
The Nul’s single eye followed me and he spoke: “You are the Captain of this vessel?”
I looked at the Nul through the force field and said. “Yes.”
His voice was deeper than anything I ever heard and it no longer sounded as weak as it did before. “You were the one who fought for me in the Arena, a weak human enemy fighting in my behalf a very dangerous life form with nothing but a cutting tool.”
I shrugged at that and said: “Let me be frank with you. You are correct in saying that we are enemies. War between our species always looms just around the proverbial corner. Nul do not communicate with us and they refuse any diplomatic contact. That does not mean I hate Nul.”
He growled with his deep voice saying: “But why have you fought for me? You risked your life for mine. I need to know.”
How could I explain my often impulsive and reckless behavior? I said: “I hate unfair situations. You having your eye glued and wearing that collar was a very unfair situation and I wanted to give you a fighting chance.”
He said very slowly. “Unfair...” he repeated it again and then he listened as SHIP chimed in and explained something to him in a different language. He then looked at me again and said: “This is a most intriguing concept. It is simply another way of defining one’s personal honor. You show to have honor and act like a warrior born.”
He raised his arms and immediately my Marines did the same with their weapons but all he did was talk and he said. “I had no place to go. I wanted to die from the hand of a worthy enemy, yet you saved me again. You have much honor and so have the beings among your crew that I met so far. Your CMO set aside all her fear and worked on me with great skill. She has, without doubt, also saved my life. You must let me communicate with Nul or there will be war. I am no mere Nul; I am the first Grey of the King. All Nul will go to war to find me. The Announcer lied when he said the Union captured me. But if I cannot clear that up, there will be war.”
I suspected as much, as I remembered the conversation on Brahma Port quite well. To him I said. “It will be impossible for a while but I will find a way to get you home eventually.”
He made a gesture towards the walls. “I know this is a Union ship and we are not as stupid as the Union thinks we Nuls are. You are not a Pirate; you are here undercover on a clandestine mission. I am almost certain of that. No Pirate has such a well-trained crew and such an advanced Sick Bay. I will not compromise you or say anything to reveal your mission, but I need to prevent war while I can. I give you my word!”
I looked at him actually contemplating if I had to kill him but then I said: “Alright, I accept your word. How do you want to contact your king?”
He said: “While we do not have the same marvelous instantaneous communications as you do, I can use your GalNet technology to contact an agent of ours on Bokta World. That is a Union Planet very close to Nul-Nul,our realm. This agent then will use our communication systems to contact the King directly.”
I said to him: “If I let you out of this high security containment cell so you can make your call, must I fear for my crew and my life?”
I looked to the ceiling and said: “Ship, deactivate the security fields and get me a GalNet Connection on this security panel down here.”
I could not help but feel nervous and secretly question my own decision as the force field collapsed. I knew the Nul could change the molecular structure of their bodies at will and become almost unstoppable fighting machines. I was certain the collar he wore in the Arena was some device that prevented him from doing it there.
I waved to the Marines and said.” Sergeant take the robot with you and stand guard outside.”
The marine, a Pertharian hesitated for a second but then followed my order and ordered his partner and the Robot outside. Now alone with the Nul I said: “You know how to use a GalNet terminal?”
He bent his entire body forward and said: “Yes I do.”
I went to the door and said: “Tell the Marines outside when you are done.”
His voice sounded surprised as he said: “You will not remain to monitor my actions?”
I was at the door and said: “I will give you privacy to make this call. You gave me your word so why should I need to monitor it?”
He gestured to the terminal and said: “Please stay then, Captain. I would like you to hear what I have to say.”
He made a connection to Bokta World and called a Saurian Merchant there.
After the Saurian appeared on the screen, the Grey Nul said: “This is the one bound to travel to Holy Ashes of Narl Gatu, the First Grey One born to Orth Gatu na Gatu. I am Xon Gatu na Gatu. I have urgent news that needs to be conveyed to the One that leads us all.”
The Saurian bowed. “My days are blessed for seeing you, most adored of the House Gatu. We thought you lost, honorable Xon and the Nul are preparing for war. The seer of Narl Gatu said we have only a short time left before our Prince who is in strange lands transforms forever.” The Grey Nul spoke: “The Seer was right as always. I am in strange lands and I am transforming as we speak.”
Eric Olafson Series Boxed Set: Books 1 - 6 (The Galactic Chronicles Series) Page 123