Eric Olafson Series Boxed Set: Books 1 - 6 (The Galactic Chronicles Series)

by Vanessa Ravencroft

  “Are you asking me to participate in this expedition?”

  “I will be here on Sin 4 for a few more days as I expect the arrival of another Pirate I want to talk to. Then I am off to Itheamh. Meet me there, and if you come and I haven’t changed my mind about you, I might make such an offer.”

  After we had finished our business at the Pirate’s market we returned to the Tigershark. I went straight to my office and contacted Cherubim. I got her right away and after I started my report she asked me to hold on as she wanted McElligott to hear what I had to say as well and made a conference connection. So I repeated and finished my report to both of them.

  McElligott said. “I just come out of a staff conference of the highest level as our sources confirmed your initial Intel report. The Nul were preparing for war. Only two days ago we received the first official communiqué from the Nul-Nul Empire in which they accused us of having committed an unforgivable act of war by abducting their prince and selling him to the arenas of Sin 4. Just as we were about to end the conference and call for open preparation for war, we were contacted again, this time the Nul apologized for the misunderstanding, and offered to open diplomatic relations between our nations.

  While all this went on I had no time to check on you but I should have, since it turns out you were in the middle of it again!”

  Cherubim said: “Wait till you see the visuals of our female captain fighting in that arena! She managed to make the name Black Velvet a household name.”

  I cringed and said: “Maybe we could skip over that part?”

  It was too late. Cherubim had obviously made the visuals available to him and I watched them watching the recordings of the arena fight. While I could not see what they did and I could not see Cherubim’s facial expressions. I clearly saw those of the Old Admiral.

  He finally turned off the visuals and looked at me and then slowly shook his head. “You look so nice, so pretty just like a girl should and yet underneath it all is still a real Neo Viking.”

  “Sir I am sorry if I acted in any way you disapprove.”

  He waved his hand. “Don’t mind me, I am just an old Highlander that still needs to get used to the fact that you and your crew are out there. So far Project Fish has exceeded beyond the wildest expectations on my side and that is a compliment to you, Captain Olafson.”

  “Thank you Sir.”

  Cherubim said: “That the Red Dragon has access to Seenian technology is disturbing news to say the least. If he can equip his Sinister Alliance with Seenian technology he will indeed become a serious threat.”

  I hoped I did the right thing but I had to ask and said: “We noticed that the file on the Red Dragon is incomplete and details have been deleted. Can I ask why?”

  McElligott folded his hands and said: “That was me, Captain. Because we think we know who the Red Dragon might be. However there is no evidence to that fact, just assumptions. These assumptions were presented as facts in that report and I deleted them. I did not want you to have information that could cloud your judgment if it wasn’t absolutely true.”

  Cherubim said to him. “I don’t understand why Captain Olafson should not have this information. I know the circumstances of the theft of the Red Dragon ship are somewhat embarrassing and the fact that he managed to escape from under the nose of the flagship might not sit well with you, but Captain Olafson sits at the front line and earned our trust many times over.”

  McElligott said: “The fact that he is part of this conference call and that I let you scold me before the Captain should show how much I trust him. It has nothing to do with embarrassment. You Cherubim know a lot and usually more than anyone, but in this case you do not. There is a chance that the Red Dragon is former logistics Admiral Swybar. He and Eric Olafson have a history together.”

  I could not stop myself as I raised my voice and said. “I was there when he was sentenced, he should be dead.”

  McElligott nodded. “That was what I thought as well, Captain, but he was rescued by the Worm or Kermac Agents or perhaps by them working together.

  We know he survived the execution and we know he had foreseen his eventual exposure long before you arrived on the scene. As the head of logistics his department also supervises the Bone yard facilities we have and he used his influence and position to finish the Red Dragon project and equip the ship with technology we don’t even knew we had.

  Now there is evidence that he was responsible for taking the ship from the Bone Yard after we thought he was dead. However I have evidence that suggests he was killed by his associates as his usefulness ended and whoever is the Captain of the Red Dragon now is not the same man. I deleted that information not to deceive you but to make sure you are not clouded by personal feelings and the possibility that it is not Swybar.”

  He gave Cherubim a side-glance and said. “I promised Eric Olafson justice and as far as I knew it had been done.”

  I said: “That the Worm is an enemy with vast resources I have learned myself and that they were capable of faking an execution does not surprise me as they have faked my death to mask my abduction. I am not the same angry cadet anymore, Sir. I have learned that there are many shades between white and black and I know that you do your best to keep the balance on the white side.”

  He looked at me for a while not saying anything and then he said with a softer voice. “You have indeed grown up since then. To fight the Worm and all this scum is the very reason for Project Fish and why you out there.”

  Cherubim said. “And you manage to teach me a lesson every now and then Old Man and it is received”

  He got up and fetched himself a bottle from a shelf behind him. “To hear that from you Cherubim calls for a drink. I also suggest we return to the business at hand.”

  Cherubim agreed and said: “The Minerva will arrive in a few days. Transfer the freed slaves, the Stik delegation and the Nul prince. The Minerva will also bring you mail and some additional supplies.”

  The Old Admiral had poured himself a glass and said: “Good job dealing with that Duke and his weapons. After we are done with this meeting, I’d like to talk to the Nul prince myself. Call me direct as soon as you can have the call arranged.”

  “Yes Sir.”

  Cherubim finished her part in the conversation by saying: “Stay on the tracks of the Red Dragon, him having Seenian technology and even knowing how to use it is bad news indeed. If discovering the Seenian depot means that we have to send you on a long trip like that was not planned but can’t be helped. The existence of such a depot is a serious threat to the safety of the Union and we must make sure that no one, not he or anyone else can make use of it.”

  I nodded and said. “I agree I have seen what a little courier ship could do. I will address my crew on that and prepare them for the possibility that we might have to postpone our vacation plans for two years or so.”

  Cherubim thanked me and terminated the call on her end.

  The Old Admiral said. “Play it by ear, girl and make your decisions based on what happens. I trust your judgment and now get me that royal Nul on the horn.”

  I went down to the Deck where the Nul had his quarters. The Marine Guard at his door saluted. “Captain, our guest is well behaved.”

  I pressed the chime and was asked to come in. The Nul stood in the corner of the room. The bed untouched and the lights of the room dimmed to minimum. He looked quite terrifying with his slightly glowing eye standing there in a dark corner.

  I asked him motioning to the bed. “Are the quarters not to your liking?”

  His voice sounded like as if he was sitting at the bottom of a deep well as he said: “The accommodations are more than adequate. I expected a security cell, not this, but we Nul do not rest like you in the horizontal.”

  I touched the controls of the bed and said: “These are vari-matic, I am sure Ship can help you adjusted it to your physiology.”

  “You are very kind Captain, but I am not tired. I passed the time conversing with your
truly magnificent Ship AI. I learned so much from her.”

  She came on right away and said: “I did not give away anything classified, just general, openly available info on the Union and such.”

  I looked towards the ceiling as I always did when I talked to her and said: “I trust you no worries, SHIP.”

  “I know you do, Captain. I was just making sure you know the nature of our conversation.”

  The Nul said: “We have Ship AIs as well but I never thought one could have such a pleasurable and personal conversation with one. The way you talk to your system is truly amazing.”

  I said: “I think we are giving you wrong impressions. SHIP is unique in this regard and much more than just an AI.”

  The Nul said: “Captain Olafson, I decided not to accept your challenge. I do not wish to fight you to the death. Even though I am nearly well and I feel I have a fair chance, but the result would be the death of one of us. In the last few hours I was able to observe your crew a little. I conversed with a Golden, a Dai and a Y’All and they all have told me much about you and why they are dedicated to you. They also told me that your looks and size are deceiving and fighting you would not necessarily mean I would be the victor. I have witnessed you fight and I agree, besides I owe you my life.”

  I swallowed and said: “I am glad you decided against that, the idea of being torn limb from limb by a Nul Warrior is certainly not on top of my activity list. However the reason I have come is another altogether. My superior, the highest military authority in our Navy, would like to talk to you, if you agree.”

  He said with urgency: “We are at war with the Union?

  “No, I believe your message was received just in time and it appears as if war was prevented.”

  “I am ready to talk to your Admiral.”

  “SHIP, have Elfi pipe the Admiral's Call down here.”

  The Old Admiral appeared as a Holo Avatar and said: “Your majesty, I am Admiral of the Fleet McElligott. My government has authorized me to talk to you in their behalf as I had to keep your whereabouts a secret.”

  The Nul said. “I understand Human Admiral.”

  “To ease faster communication we have sent a ship with long range GalNet equipment to your home world. This historic mission was approved by your supreme leader. As soon as the ship arrives you will be able to converse directly with your government. Also, one of our ships will arrive on Sin 4 in three or four days. It will take you to Union space and from there we will provide transport to any destination you request. Be assured you will be treated according to your position as a highly welcome guest of state and not as a prisoner.”

  The Nul bowed and said: “Thank you Admiral of the Union. However this is not necessary as I would like to evoke the conditions set forth in fleet regulation 4563, paragraph 12.”

  The projected avatar of the admiral was obviously baffled and said: “Your majesty. I am not familiar with that regulation at the moment. What are you trying to say?”

  The Nul surprised me as well as he said: “This regulation was used to conscript the Golden, and it states the right of a Captain of a Union ship to conscript any being willing and able to perform all duties and swear allegiance to the Union.”

  He made only a very short pause and then said: “I hereby request to be conscripted as I am willing to swear allegiance to the Union. This Captain has saved my life. The crew of this ship has not made me feel like an enemy and has treated me with respect. I want to learn about the Union and your fleet. I want to do it right here aboard this ship as it also gives me a chance to repay my debt. He who rules is in good health will be the Supreme leader for many decades to come before I will climb upon the Rock of Gatu and take on the responsibilities as ruler of my people."

  McElligott coughed. “Your highness, this is a very unusual request and I…”

  The Nul said with a firm voice before the Admiral could finish his objection: “It is not unusual, it has been used for Sobody's request. He is or was the factual ruler of his kind. In order for me as the future ruler of all Nul-Nul to make the right decisions, I want to learn about the Union and its fleet. We Nul have trusted the Seenians and were paid with destruction. We have trusted the Galactic Council and were left alone. We trusted the Shiss and were betrayed. We have decided to trust no one that is not Nul and that is the reason we have resisted any contact. This time, however, I want us, the Nul, to ask someone else to trust us. I want to learn the truth and the depths of your society, not from records and diplomats, but at the source.”

  “I believe, if I understood the Golden and SHIPS explanation correctly, this would also make me a Union Citizen, and thus improve our relationship more than words or contracts. I am sure you understand that I can only ask my people to trust and accept the Union beings as worthy allies and partners if I really believe it is so.”

  McElligott wrung his hands and said: “Your Majesty, with all due respect, you are aboard the strangest ship in our fleet and they are in the middle of a dangerous mission. I could not guarantee your safety other than by ordering that ship home. Could you not do your fact finding tour on this nice big battle ship. I could arrange you to do this even on the Devastator.“′ The Nul said: “Do not recall this ship on my behalf. I am certain their mission is vital and important. What message would that send to a society like mine, if I chose safety over honor? I know my life giving Leader will eagerly agree with my decision, and if battle on this ship claims my life, it will not end relationships but cement Nul commitment. I hope you too will learn more about Nul in the future, Admiral of the Fleet, and then you will see how important honor and acting accordingly is for us Nul. I spoke to Sobody the Golden, he too is the leader of his society and he was granted this privilege.”

  McElligott threw his arms in the air. “Why not, one more totally unique crew member that fits perfectly in this collection won’t make all that much difference, but I must insist on your leaders decision, to make it official."

  "I accept this condition."

  "This ship of yours, Captain, seems to have some sort of magnet built in that attracts all the strays and outcasts. Your Majesty, I approver your conscription under condition I mentioned and give you the rank of an acting Ensign. That means however that your diplomatic status means little and that you are subject to all the Navy regulations you are so good at quoting, even the less pleasurable ones, like accepting orders.”

  The Nul said: “I am aware of this and I am intellectually capable of understanding all the consequences of my request. I am a warrior born and from a space faring society that is very little behind yours in terms of technology and advancements. The Seer of Narl Gatu has been right as always as he foresaw my transformation. We distrusted others for a long time as we paid dearly when we did trust others. But this time it is not others to ask us for trust, but we ask yours. I hope we can normalize relations between our societies and end thousands of years of mistrust and hostilities.”

  McElligott rubbed his chin. “This is actually quite an historic event. Lasting peace, perhaps, even cooperation between the Nul and the Union will be received like thunder on a sunny afternoon. It will shake the Galaxy and could very well lead to panic decisions by the Shiss and the Kermac.”

  “The Shiss have abducted me and I am certain my Life Giver will not let this pass unpunished. However, whatever foes or enemies will emerge, we will meet them as allies. I have completed a message to my Life Giver; would you transmit it as soon as possible?”

  The Admiral acknowledged when he received the file and then sighed: “Carry on Captain, the good thing out of all this is that you could not possible top that. So I should be good receiving your next report, McElligott out.”

  As the Avatar blinked out of existence, I glared at the Nul.” You could have warned me and asked me about your intentions.”

  He actually sounded apologetic and said: “I am sorry Captain, but SHIP recommended that this would be a logical course of action, so I could remain aboard a little while longer
. I assure you, I am aware of military hierarchy and shall perform and execute all duty and orders you give. I intend to show you that Nul can be trusted. Besides, I learned that I am not the only royal being serving under you and they all willingly accept your rule. I am very capable, having been trained since early childhood in all matters of space warfare.”

  I glanced towards the ceiling and said: “I think I need to have a word with SHIP about collaborating with the enemy. Now I know why she responded right away after you told me you talked to her. You Mr Natu are to report to the XO for quarters and duty assignment. After you get your uniform, I will swear you in and all that.”

  SHIP responded with a hurt tone in her voice: “Captain, all questions he asked were nonclassified. I also asked Lt. Narth for his opinion and he said answering these questions would not be against regulations. I would never collaborate with the enemy!”

  “SHIP, you know exactly what I am talking about! You might be the most advanced Synaptronic but you are not a very good actor. You can barely keep your amusement and satisfaction out of your voice.”

  “One is amazed how well you know your SHIP.”

  “That is what I do, I am the Captain after all.”

  ***

  The Minerva was an impressive, shiny golden water drop shaped, heavy, armed Ult freighter. It landed right next to us and I welcomed her Captain in our Pirate Den. He was a Karthanian. Like all Karthanians he was only remotely humanoid, having many similarities to a Terran Seahorse. External Bone structure, round always open mouth with a flickering tongue, four stalk eyes and short, fern like antenna on each side of his head. He did have two arm-like appendixes with very long fingers that started at what would be the elbow of a human arm.

  The Karthanian looked around and said: “Permission to come aboard. I am Sposhtrah, Shipmaster of the Minerva.” He then identified himself with the Red-Red-Blue protocol and I did the same. Only then did he take off his bejewelled jacket revealing a Union Uniform. ” I have a load of Translocator bombs to restock you, two more modified Wolfcrafts one Spectre configuration and the Narth components for your shields that are still missing.”