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

by Vanessa Ravencroft

  It took us only a few moments to get there and we landed before a stone and glass building. This and the other buildings around Aseir Park looked like a mix of old burg buildings that had been modernized with large windows and metal facades. I knew from Yngve that there were shops and stores where you could by food and clothing and readymade meals. There was a Swine and Dine; I could see the mechanical cartoon Pig waving. I wondered what they served. I felt like a visitor to another planet already and I yet the Burg was not that far away and Uncle Hogun's Inn I could reach walking in an hour or so. Hogun pointed to the rock and glass building, I am in the bank and then off to the Exchange. When you had enough take a Taxi flyer or walk along Siegfried lane. Just don't stay out too long and don't start any fights if you can."

  I promised and went straight to Arthur's Swine and Dine. Below the robotic Swine that greeted me with a laugh I entered. I seen those places in a few Virtus but I never actually been in one. Everything was sparkling clean and made of Chrome and red and white materials. Behind the counter stood a being that looked exactly like the mascot on the roof. It had a rosy face and due to my uploaded knowledge I knew it was supposed to be a Terran Pig. The being wore blue coveralls and a red and white checkered shirt. I was not sure if it was a robot or if it was a non human alien that looked that way. "Welcome to Arthur's Swine and Dine what would you like to order?" The being said and I shrugged."I never have been here, what do you have?"

  The pig pointed at a lit board."These are our menu choices. You also can order from the tables and booths. There is a touch display and you can access a menu choice wizard with explanation, but I recommend our most popular item, A Triple BBQ Rib with fries and a coke, or the Nilfeheim special: Six pieces of deep fried flicker fish filets, our signature dip and fries. Also comes with a soft drink."

  "Let me have the Triple thing. How much is it?"

  "For you it's free! You saved my life!"

  "I did what?"

  The pig operated a machine behind him and arranged the appearing items on a tablet."I have my break in a couple minutes and join you."

  After I had carried my meal to one of the tables, the restaurant was quite busy but I saw no one I knew and all present were Bondi, Freemen or Low Men and no one wore the colors Clans I knew.

  The pig being approached my table, sat across me and removed the head, which turned out to be a mask. To my utter surprise it was Annar."I never thought I would see you at Arthur's!"

  I chewed and said."These Rib things are delicious!" Then I added." Things have changed a little for me lately."

  "So I have heard. You are more often in the news than anyone else. I am sorry to hear what happened to your Grandfather. My Uncle said he was the greatest man that ever lived and he is trying now to become the next Representative of Nilfeheim at Pluribus."

  "So you are working here?"

  "Yes, I started here at summer break, after Sigvard defeated me and I had to move to my Uncle who lives on a Rock close to the West side of Bifrost. Only 10 minutes with my flyer."

  "You got your own flyer?"

  Annar leaned forward."Eric, losing to Sigvard was the best thing that ever happened to me. My father made Gunnar his heir and sends me to my uncle. He opened my eyes to the real world. My Uncle is the third brother of my father of the Peerson clan. He had no desire to go to Hasvik and become a Keeper or work under the constant thumb of my Old man. Well long story he was allowed to open his own business and gather enough money to buy himself a small rock. So he started his own new clan."

  I had finished the rib burger and the fries and worked on the large Coke. "Yeah I know how it is, the sad part I be glad to be the second or third born."

  Annar nodded."You sure caught the short end of the stick with your father." He made a gesture towards the counter and then pointed at his strange uniform." It used to be just a summer job, but they pay well and have great benefits. I have money in my pocket and made enough in only three month to by me an old flyer. Granted it isn't much. Just a Mini Saab, but it's in good condition and it gives me great freedom to go where I want. I even went to Isen Landsby all the way to the South Pole to watch the Snapper rounding and I met a nice girl there too. Since I am a Twin Eric, I would have to fight my own brother for the rights of the first born when I turn sixteen. The best thing ever happened to me when I lost to Sigvard."

  "Sure sounds like it. Especially since he didn't kill you."

  Annar pointed at my Coke. "Care for another one? There are free refills anyway. Or would you care for a shake. We got good malts and shakes."

  "Sure not that I know what that is."

  He touched a few symbols on the table surface and smiled."Trust me, there is nothing on Nilfeheim that compares to a Swine and Dine Vanilla Shake with strawberry swirls." Then his face became more serious." Sigvard was content to be declared the victor after I dropped my spear accidently, because he didn't want to face Gunnar who promised him a challenge if he killed me. Besides no one is as tough as you! I saw the fight when you sliced that Steiner Boy. I am glad now I never made you challenge me."

  "I am not tough; I didn't really want to kill Ardalf. It just sort of happened. I am not proud of it at all."

  Another pig, from the forms underneath the costume, it was a female, came and placed large cup with straw before me and said."Enjoy!" and left.

  "What's with the costumes? Was that not a girl?

  "There is nothing in the Old Traditions that prohibits a girl from a Bondi or Low Men family to work. I guess the Elders back then did not anticipate Arthur's or any of the other companies to come here. The Town folks are still traditional and all but not as religious and strict as you Old Claners. He tugged at his costume." You get used to it and actually it is tradition if you will. Arthur's Swine and Dines are around for a thousand years now and this is how Arthur Swine dressed as he opened his first restaurant on Venus. And the masks are a good thing especially here, and allow girls to work not being harassed by traditionalists."

  "Yeah I begin to learn that there is much more to my own Home world than I thought I knew."

  "I discovered the same thing, Eric. I am going to the Swine and Dine University after graduation; they offered me a restaurant manager position and taking over our store in Isen. If I stick with it I can become regional manager or even Sector manager. You can go far in this company. I am Assistant Store manager already."

  He showed me his credit Strip. "Getting almost 3000 Credits every month is not too bad to start out with!"

  The shake was creamy and sweet and ice cold and I did like it and I smiled. "Well I doubt there are such career possibilities at Hogun's Inn, but he pays me now too, for helping. It is the first time I got money of my own."

  Just then two Teens walked in, not from my school but from the looks and their clothing Clan sons. Gunner put his mask back on and said."That is the reason I like the uniform!"

  They looked around and immediately came over. One of them glanced at Gunner."Hey Off World Swine. Get us two fish platters and Cokes and make it quick, Servant scum!"

  "You may place your orders at the counter or at tables."

  "I didn't ask you to speak or give me instructions, Off-world Slave. I asked you to serve. Now do as I said or I cut myself some ribs out of you!"

  I said." It does not become a Warriors honor to harass and insult unarmed freeman. To our traditions this is their house and you are guests. Your clan association means little in a freeman's house. Ill mannered behavior like this besmirches the honor of all warriors."

  The larger one of them dropped his hand on his skinner knife and said." I have not asked to be tutored in manners. Now draw whatever laughable weapon you carry and face me so I may cut that sharp tongue of yours with something sharper."

  I stood and put my hand on Mjörden. "Then I suggest we go outside and I answer your challenge. You insulted the sword of my Grandfather as laughable and this I will not let pass unpunished!"

  The boy became pale and the other said." It is
Eric of the Olafsons. Christian my brother has spoken in haste and without thinking! He did not mean to insult your sword or you!"

  "It seems a common theme among the sons of Clan leaders to speak before thinking." And I silently included myself, promising Uncle Hogun not to get into a fight.

  A grown Warrior wearing the colors red and white came from the back of the restaurant and he too carried a sword." This restaurant operates under the protection of the Peerson Clan with the blessings of the Circle. I hear you two harassed a staff member and a guest."

  "We were only joking. Nothing serious. We come here all the time. Please don't tell our father we came here."

  The Adult said to me." Should you been challenged then take it outside please. We don't allow any fighting in here."

  "I was just suggesting that, Sir."

  The one who had insulted me and his brother identified as Christian was actually near tears! "I don't want to fight you Eric Olafson. I saw you fight and I am not good at sword fighting."

  "I don't mind to pick another weapon. Knifes, Axes, Spears, Clubs. You are the challenger but I will allow you the choice of weapon. So what will it be? Let us be quick, I like to kill my opponents before dinner." I was cruel on purpose. I hated their arrogant swagger from before. I was almost certain he would back out." So first you and then your brother? Do you want to call your father first?"

  He now barley contained his tears and said with a trembling voice." If father learns we came to this Off Word restaurant without his permission he will punish us badly!"

  His brother hit him." You Snapper Skull! Eric is about to kill us and you are afraid of the trashing." To me he said," Can we not atone and appease you? We do not want to challenge you!"

  "Then conduct yourself from now on with honor. That means you treat those beneath your rank with respect and protect the weak and less fortunate. Not insult them and hide behind title and status. And do not insult and challenge anyone before you really know who you challenge. Now if you apologize to the restaurant staff, order and pay for your food. I will consider myself appeased. Do I ever hear you do that again I shall descend upon your burg and will challenge you and only leave satisfied if Mördaren drank the blood of those insulting it!"

  The two apologized and sat down at a distant table meekly and obviously relieved.

  The strong man that was the Restaurants guard also seemed pleased and said." You do live up to your reputation, I must say."

  I left the place. I had a reputation. Would I even be able to go down town without trouble following me? A disguise like Annar's didn't sound so bad after all. I slowly walked along the store fronts and soon my brooding thoughts went into the background as I stared into the windows and saw all the things they sold. Packed food, Tyranno Steaks packed in plastic trays, skinned and deboned. Leif Ericson and his followers left Earth to escape this and now it could be found right here. I remembered the words of my grandfather and those of the Ancient one and it became clear to me that Nilfeheim was changing and its famous isolation was no longer as absolute as I believed it was or as the Elders hoped it remained.

  After I went passed the windows of the Edeka Food Mart, I was stopped in my tracks. There in the window of the town community building was a poster and it read." Union Armed Forces recruitment event today!" The poster showed a Battleship and a Union officer standing before it, next to him a Union Marine and a Union Med Tech. The figures changed their faces as the visual sensor picked me up and I could see myself wearing these uniforms and flashing words read." Imagine this to be you!"

  I went in. The Community hall was deserted except for a man in Union Fleet Uniform sitting behind a desk flanked by Union Flags and several visual displays stands showing Fleet and Marine equipment. A full size Quasimodo Battle Suit was there as well as a display case with a modern Battle gun. My heart pounded and my throat went dry as I watched a Virtu Hollow showing a Battle ship group engaging a Nul Fleet. At first it focused on fighter pilots in their amazing Wolfcraft Space superiority fighters and then showed Gun crews operating the bomb conveyors for translocator cannons. It showed Battle robots and marines boarding an enemy ship and fighting. It was all incredibly awesome but as the show changed and focused on the bridge of a battle ship and the man sitting in the middle on a raised chair. Calm and relaxed giving orders to an efficiently working bridge crew it was what I really wanted to see.

  I went to the desk and said." Where do I sign to become a Starship Captain?"

  The man in the black uniform had gray hair smiled at me and said." Roast me a Nul. I didn't think anyone would show." He got up and pointed at the Virtu Display." There is no form you can sign to become a Starship Captain. You can however sign up to be tested at the Academy and if they accept you and you make it through the four years of Cadet and Midshipman training, you will be an Officer. If you then serve with distinction for many years, and if Fleet Command thinks you are indeed the best of the best. They might send you to Command school and then you will serve as a Senior Officer, at Ops and then as XO. After all this and you are very lucky and very good they will call you to Annapolis and a panel of Captains and Admirals will roast you. Should they find you have what it takes them then will offer you a commission and a ship to command?" He put his hand on my shoulder."Of all careers the Union fleet offers, you picked the single most difficult one. There is no other job, no other position in the entire Universe as demanding and special. "

  He then pointed at the Captain in the Holo." I do not want to dis-encourage you. To the contrary we need Commanders and the Union Navy has many ships and each of them has a Captain. So it can be done."

  I was never clearer or more certain about anything." Sir I don't care how long it will take , what I have to do or endure to get there, but by Odin I will do whatever it takes to one day sit in that chair!"

  The Officer took half a step back." You know I am doing this recruiting tour for a few years now and been to all sorts of planets, but I must say you are one determined young man. You are a bit young to make the final decision, but I will put you in the pre enrollment program. You will get some training and information material and I set you up so you can access the Pre enrollment info Site on GalNet. You have the choice to opt out at any time and your records will be sponged, but if you stick with it I can guarantee you a Space Bus ticket to the Academy and the Screening Process."

  "Sign me up then, Sir!"

  "Let me make it clear to you. There is no guarantee from me that they accept you. The decision is made when you are in the Pretesting phase at the Academy. Should you not be accepted you can sign up to the Enlisted program, the benefits and career paths for an Enlisted are just as rewarding and there is always the chance for a field promotion. Or you can try with the Marines. Their requirements are different altogether. I somehow doubt I could interest you in a Military Med Career."

  "No Sir. I doubt it would be for me. I am sure the Marines are a great choice but …"

  "They don't offer ship commands." He finished for me." Now sit down son so I can take your information and scan you."

  An hour later I left the building. In my hand I held a PDD stick with brochures and Information material and all the jobs and careers the Fleet offered. I also had a sticker on my sleeve with the Union Flag and the Fleet Insignia, below it read. "Academy Pre Enlistment Trainee"

  To the last fiber of my very being it felt right and I knew I made an important, perhaps the most important step in my life and still there was not the smallest doubt. Now I knew for sure I would leave Nilfeheim in a few years and then all traditions, my father, the Clans and everything else could go to Hel's deepest pits and I would not care.

  I walked back to the Inn. Uncle Hogun was already back and there were a few guests, but he said as I approached the counter." Found anything you like downtown?"