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

by Vanessa Ravencroft

  After over an hour his head dropped to his chest, and drool dropped from his open mouth. Elena stabbed the knife without any feeling of remorse or hesitation deep in his chest. Then she said." Thank you Tyr!"

  ***

  The lights flickered and Astrid said." Looks like his Tech stop has trouble to get through our armor and hardened systems. She then pried open an access panel and said." I am sure I can fix this!"

  Her hands pulled chip connectors and reset them and then she turned. Eric flip open your left armrest. Beneath is the Code sequencer. They could not have altered your Command Codes, without your permission! All they did is bypass it and tying in their own!"

  I did and pressed my hand on the now exposed DNA reader." The lights came back on strong and Astrid said." Shields engaged. Just then two of the Gauss projectiles slammed into us. The kinetic energy made the boat shudder, but the shields held.

  I leaned back in the seat." I had about enough of these bastards! Sif both engines to full throttle, dive planes to 60 percent and take us on 91 degrees north."

  She pushed the accelerator levers for both screws and said." Aye!"

  Astrid closed the panel and threw a compact device on the floor." You got full control now, weapons too!"

  "Open gun ports and charge FTL's!"

  "Faster than light Forced Energy Projectors extended and at 98 percent Eric!"

  The green cross hairs wandered across the main viewer, turned red as they lined up with the first Brunar Boat." Fire!"

  The Poseidon was pushed sideways as two sun bright spears of light hit the Brunar boat and virtually vaporized it and a few thousand gallons of water with it. An enormous gaseous bubble with debris and superheated gases rushed to the surface.

  One Bendixen and one Lindbergh boat remained intact and both forgot about their own conflict, turned and tried to flee, side by side.

  I turned on Nilfeheim radio." This is Eric Olafson speaking, calling both fleeing boats. Stop your engines and surface. If you do not I blow you both out of the water!

  "Astrid, target a spot next to the second boat!"

  "FTL's still charging, Eric and at 34 percent."

  "Switch to Sub-Roc."

  The left torpedo tube of the Poseidon opened and a torpedo accelerated fast driven by bubble streaming rocket motors , covered the distance to the second Brunar boat, in a few heartbeats slipped underneath its bow and exploded only about fifty meters beyond them. The shockwave tumbled both boats like toys and reached us a half a minute later as well, with much less force however. The Radio crackled in the typical way all ELF transmissions did and I heard Brunar Bendixen's voice." We surrender and surface now!"

  A second voice came on." This is Isegrim Olafson. Our boat is damaged but I think we can emergency surface."

  There was no help we could render to the first Lindbergh boat. Its hull pierced on both sides. Filled with water,sinking like a stone. If anyone in there survived the explosion they were already beyond the depth of even Nilfeheim swimmers.

  Astrid rubbed her temples." The voice of your Old man can be pretty loud when he is excited, but I knew what I was doing." She turned and grinned." I always wanted to become an Engineer you know, a real one!"

  Sif simply hugged us both and Astrid said." What you did earlier was really hot in a very twisted way. I am sorry but I get confused with two Sif's around!"

  I remembered that I still wore the mask and rushed in my cabin to change.

  ***

  All four sub marines floated on the surface. Their crews standing on the decks Astrid remained behind the control of the FTL turrets and the snub-nosed muzzles moved back and forth in their ball like turret housings aiming at the other boats. I too was on the top of my boat standing by the bow as Sif steered the boat slowly towards the red sub of my father. He was supported by two of his crewmen. The wind was ice cold and the sea was rough but Sif expertly steered the boat with the waves and limited the rocking. She was even better than I thought.

  The men with Father were Greifen and Harkur. I knew the other three by sight but not by name. I yelled over "What is wrong with him?"

  Father answered himself." I broke my leg as the explosion hit us."

  Greifen added." Your Sire also hit the steel frame with his head real bad."

  I smirked and yelled back." Better check that steel frame then, knowing the thick skull he has!"

  Brunar Bendixen yelled using an amplifier." It is not over! You might have the upper hand now but I challenge you right now Isegrim Olafson! You are the clan leader of the Olafsons and if I win you are as dead as if on the ground of the Ocean and I will be lord over what was yours!"

  There it was! This moment was worse than I thought. He was wounded and I am sure Bendixen could win against my father with a broken leg. Brunar would solve my problem of revenge. Kill my father for me; all I had to do was watch! But it was an unfair situation and I hated those! I yelled" I am my father's champion if he gives me the honor. As it would be beneath my father to cross blades with a coward as you!"

  Father nodded and Bendixen answered." So be it then, Upstart. But who said anything about blades! We shall fight in the water with slayer harpoons and knives! I know your skill with the sword and I am no fool! But no one has ever beaten a Bendixen in the water!"

  "There is always a first! I meet you there!"

  I went back in the boat to put on a wet suit and get harpoon and knife. Sif opened the door.

  "Sif! I am just putting on a wet suit, I am nak…" I realized what I was saying and pulled the wet suit up as fast as I could.

  She threw her arms around me." Just as I start to like you, you go risk your life for that brute that tortured you!"

  "It is an unfair situation and until I know for sure if he did all this to me on his own or under the influence of drugs I can't condemn him."

  "You are a fool like all men. You have them at the point of cannons and now he dictates what we do!"

  "We are a product of this world Sif! You are the one that is going to change it, but the Old man said we need to do it slow!"

  She knelt down and attached a diver's knife to my leg." That's mine. Ram it in the bastard real deep!"

  "Talking about brute men. Girl you are as brutal and Viking as the rest of us!" She kissed me on the lips and said." I never denied that!"

  The boats were drawn to a rough square, Adolph and his crew eyed the FTL cannon drained. Brunar stood in a confident posture holding a Friesenheim triple shot." I thought you might back out!" Then he jumped in and so did I. The coldness of the water was invigorating and out of a strange impulse I closed my eyes and could see the surroundings clearly without actually seeing them. I could sense the boats and every fish around me and I felt Brunar and he was climbing out of the water already!

  As I surfaced I saw Sif and Astrid held by two men, a third was standing on the bow of my father's sub holding a Spear gun leveled against the belly of my father. Brunar stood laughing on his boat." Do you think I risk everything observing stupid old rituals? Enemies can become friends fast in the face of humiliation!"

  Adolph Lindbergh also laughed." Do you think I let you herd us back to town before the Elders? Accuse us and gain all that is ours? Why do you think I am out here? To make sure you are dead!"

  Brunar poured a reddish liquid out of a big jug in the water." This region is known for rock sharks and Tyranno's let us have a little fun and see how you survive now. I will take your boat, kill all witnesses and since they are looking for Sif I will be awarded by the Arnske clan as well!"

  The first triangle fin of a Rock shark appeared!

  He added "It is time to die Eric. I let your old man watch and then he and his crew is next!"

  Father screamed." I will get you for this!"

  I had to do dive to face the attacking shark. I was again played like a well-tuned harp. Angry at my own stupidity! I had already won. Had them at the point of a gun and yet I was in the water and faced death as I sensed four more sharks!

/>   I did have three spears in my slayer but this was open water, no rocks to hide, and four rock sharks. They were no were near as big as Tyrannos but each was at least 12 meters long and much faster than me, even though I had fins on my feet this time. Also Rock sharks did not have a mark, a clear spot to shoot at and if they did I did not know about it.

  I evaded the first fairly easy but was almost snatched by the second ,my strange ne sense spotted two more attracted by the scent and in the distance at the horizon of my awareness , a huge shape…no doubt a Tyranno!

  Chapter 44: Thingstead

  I had one spear left. Two of the Rock sharks floated belly up to the surface, the Slayer harpoon meant for Tyrannos was good enough to kill these triangle snouts. Even now fighting for my life I wondered why I called them that way.

  My last spear missed! Not that it mattered much, four sharks were now busy with the carcass of the ones I killed, fighting each other for the meat , there were three more now aiming for me, also that immense presence beneath me came closer. This was the largest Tyranno ever. The rock sharks suddenly hesitated and then turned and swam away as fast as they could! I opened my eyes and saw something white almost glowing shooting up from beneath. Too fast for me to evade. A huge white Tyranno with a maw big enough to bite a normal sub in half came up with the speed of a torpedo. This was it. I would be devoured like a Silver flicker! Strangely though I knew I had to die I did not fear that white shape. It hit my feet with its snout and pushed me out of the water! The same moment as if a veil was removed from my mind. I remembered and yelled with full lungs." Tyr!"

  ***

  Sif could not believe her eyes and the men holding her hostage suddenly trembled with fear. Eric shot out of the water, like a reborn God standing on the snout of a white Tyranno! It was the biggest she had ever seen!

  Adolph Lindberg was the only one turning his spear gun aiming at the immense presence, and fired! The spear turned in mid air and nailed Adolph Lindberg right through his chest where it exploded.

  ***

  "Tyr!" I yelled again with the intensity of my relief. I knew everything would turn out well! Maybe Tyr wasn't a god but the next best thing and he was certainly the biggest friend I had. The men surrendered and dropped their weapons.

  I learned that several of Bendixen's men were already in the water when I surfaced and had entered my boat as soon as I was in the water. This time I took no chances. Sif armed with the Neuro ripper gun held them in check while I used every drop of Stick and Bond to glue their hands together. Bendixen did have some fight in him but Sif dropped him with a short shock of the beamer and after that he too was no problem. Father's split his men up to crew the captured boats and to tow his damaged sub. After all this was done I went back out and looked at the huge white fish floating next to us."Why did you take my memory of you? I would not have told your secret!"

  "Eric you have a long road ahead of you and I did not want you to be influenced by the knowledge I gave you, I will erase the memory of these men about me. I must remain to be a legend. However I had to come and safe you, little fish! You have a habit to swim in the middle of trouble a lot and the next time you decide to swim with Triangle snouts, make sure at least one Tyranno is nearby, or you carry a whole lot more of those harpoons."

  "Tyr I don't know how to thank you and for the short time I actually know you, you have become a dear friend."

  "If you call me cute, Eric I throw you in the water myself!"

  "No worries, I still don't think of you as cute. But when this is all over I would love if you show me more of our oceans. "

  "Maybe my little fish, maybe!"

  Sif came out and she was clearly afraid but came closer anyway." Is this Tyranno tame? I never knew how pretty they are."

  She went close to the edge and stretched out her hand to touch Tyr." You are so beautiful! Look at his gorgeous eyes and he is all white!"

  "I am not tame!" Thundered Tyr, but his voice grew softer." Well perhaps she is not totally wrong with the other statements."

  "He doesn't want to be called tame, Sif. You also better not call him cute!"

  Her eyes widened."Is it talking to you somehow?"

  "Sif that is Tyr! He is very old and wise and powerful."

  "Hello Tyr! I am Sif and I am a friend of Eric. I never saw a Tyranno so close and never one as big as you." She touched him." I bet he doesn't like that we kill his brothers and sisters. We must stop that!"

  Her eyes widened and I knew she was hearing his voice as well now." Sif, I know who you are and it was me who suggest you to become our next representative. Maybe we could discus culling quotas when you are at that point. For now let my existence be a secret."

  ***

  David Moyes greeted the new client in his office and he said." I was told by our mutual contact that you are in need of special services and represent a larger organization?"

  His visitor certainly dressed the part, and had arrived in a private Yacht. A 120 meter Bombardier executive no less. Whoever his client was had the means to hire Galactic Solutions, no doubt.

  The man was humanoid but had distinctive Atikkanian features. The Atikka had only recently joined the Union and ruled pretty much the entire Larger Magellan Cloud. While he had the overall shape and size of a human he walked more like an upright hyena and his face shared some of the characteristic features of this Terran canine species. The man spoke with a cool accent free voice." Indeed you could say that. I am representing Schwartz Intergalactic; to be precise I am here to express the distinct displeasure of my employer using his personal image, name and reputation. He especially wanted me to point out to you that he is even less amused about the fact you used his image in the conduct of highly illegal activities."

  David tugged at his collar." I can understand that and I will gladly make aments. You can tell your employer it will never happen again."

  "It pleases me that you understand, Mr. Moyes. You will indeed make aments and yes it will never happen again, at least not done by you or anyone in this company. "

  "How much will it cost me?"

  "Right now my associates have cleaned this building, Kevin Atkien has certainly caught up with his last cigarette butt, he really shouldn't litter you know." The Attikan tugged at the thin leather gloves he wore." I am a Cleaner as well and my job is to clean this office!"

  David pulled the little Walther Laser and fired. The beam was absorbed by a force field that was visible for a fraction." Please Mr. Moyes. You pride yourself to be a professional and your company is in business for many decades. Schwartz Intergalactic plays in the first league since the Union was founded, give us a little credit! And I do apologize for making it a little messy, but my Employer wanted to make your execution a statement for all similar ventures operating in this unsavory field. I am sure they understand why I feel it is necessary to decorate your office with your entrails!"

  The Attikan went to do exactly that.

  ***

  The ship was a real space bus, manufactured by Leyland Ship yards. Just like the million space ships operated by Grey Lines, it was an old model, sold many decades ago as surplus. Hog Crafton had spend considerable money and a great amount of effort to refurbish the ship and make it look like a new one even the paint scheme down to the logos was just like that of a space bus. Hog was a pirate and he called his ship the Trojan Horse as it could slip in and out Union Territory unnoticed, he usually used it to smuggle illegal goods but this time he had only one item in its freight bay. A genuine Terran Mil tech P-Bomb, he had to pay an astronomical sum to the Worm, the Criminal Organization that operated within the Union Fleet to get his hands on this thing. Officially it was designated Planetary Incendiary device, but as it was typical Terran custom they came up with funny names for their most deadly weapons. Parking Lot Bomb, because it would turn a planet into one gigantic parking lot once it had cooled down. He didn't like the mission one bit. Committing genocide was a big step up, even for a hard boiled pirate and smuggler like
him and he knew the fleet would try to hunt down whoever dropped such a device on a Union planet. He decided to hide in Kartanian space for a long time after this job. He actually regretted taking the job and wished he could change his mind, but once he had agreed to do a job, he would see it through. In three days he would reach planet Nilfeheim, drop the bomb and high tail out of Union Territory. The target world was deep in Union space and he hoped his ship's disguise would buy him the time he needed to get away.

  ***

  We arrived in Halstaad Fjord and were greeted by a group of elders accompanied by twenty beefy looking men, all were dressed in the traditional Neo Viking way with leather vests and trousers and shirts. They all wore identical helmets and swords and all were dressed in the same dark brown color. Egill was also with them. As we stepped ashore he said to me, I know what happened, Eric and I will take it from here. You may have noticed the men; these are the first members of the Nilfeheim Beskyddare Vakt or Police force if you will. I tell you more about them later. We waited for your arrival because due to the recent events the great meeting is held today and not at Yuletide."

  Father who was helped ashore by two of his men said." Go to the Burg Eric; bring the Clan insignia and the Olafson sword, only an Olafson can open the clan shrine. I need to get that leg fixed!"

  I said. "Greifen, tell the doctor to check father out for Psycho drugs as well. I am not sure if he can say it himself, but I want to know if he is on his own mind!" Greifen nodded." I will do as you say!"

  ***

  I had borrowed Uncle Hogun's flyer and went to the Burg. It was a strange feeling going home that way holding fathers clan ring which I needed to open the shrine. I set down right in the main yard, rushed over to the High Halls, a Freeman women almost collided with me as she came out the door carrying a basket and crying. I said."What is the matter? Has Harkun done something again? By Odin this time I am not helpless!"

  She shook her head." No Sir, they found Harkun dead in his torture chamber." She tried to look away but I saw the bruise in her face and the split lip.