I passed out. My last coherent thought was how stupid I had been once again!
GalNet Entry
After the last great war between the Big Four ( Union, Shiss, Nul and the Galactic Council lead by the Kermac) and during the armistice conference it was decided that all space not Territory of either of these species was declared Unrestricted Space, and buffer zones between these galactic super powers, it was called Free Space. Several space faring civilizations such as the Kartanian, the Velox, the Armosia and the elusive Togar declared their space Free Space during the same Armistice conference. The main article of that contract prohibits any of the Big Four to operate fleets, armed ships or trespass into free space. (Private ships and civilians are not included in this contract) Each of the Big four and the so called Neutrals watching very closely that the others do not violate Free space. Free Space is now a heaven for pirates, the lawless element of all Civilizations and the most famous of all the lawless places is Sin 4.
For almost 500 years since the end of the last war by armistice, the 4th planet of the Sin system is synonymous with crime of every possible shade and flavor and every vice, every drug and everything illegal anywhere else can be found here. Crime Syndicates operate openly with offices. Sin 4 is relative close to Nul, Union and Kermac space as well as within reach of Kartanian and Togar and also a Trade hub for the little trade that is going on between those sides.
Sin 4 is the only Non-Union planet connected to GalNet. (SII operates a Call Center and a Bank on Sin 4). Anything can be purchased or sold on Sin 4. Including sentient beings, generally known as Slaves.
Sin 4 has two continents and 14 major islands. The entire northern Continent is one big city. Build without any regulations. All 14 islands are occupied. Twelve belong to the twelve major crime syndicate families running the planet. Number Thirteen is known as Trash Island and the fourteenth island features one of the main temples of the Sojonit Sect.
Union Travelers are urged to avoid Frees space and Sin 4 as the space is Pirate infested and there is a good chance one does not leave Sin 4.
There are four levels of Society known to exist on Sin 4. The Echelon or the top level consists of the Crime Lords, their Sub bosses and Lieutenants. The Beston are the rich who pay horrendous sums for their safety and operate the high end businesses on Sin 4 that are not directly owned by the Syndicates. The Averas are the workers, employees, enforcers and all those who hold a job either with Beston Companies or with the Crime Syndicate. The Lows are the unskilled laborers, the little street vendors and the street gangs. Finally there are the Skath, the lowest day laborers, old whores, escaped slaves, the homeless and the sick.
Interlude: Sin 4
Faria sat in one of the frilly white gazebos that dotted the beautiful landscaped park like garden that surrounded the Sojonit Temple on Sojonit Island. It was a beautiful sunny day. On her lap the Book of Sojo, in it the secret history and many but not all secrets of her order. She was dressed like all Sojonit Sisters that ventured outside the Inner temple. A pink bra and over it a sheer bolero style jacket with long fluttering sleeves. She had opted for the pink mini skirt and the thigh high pink heeled boots. She also could have worn the Bikini bottom with the harem style veil pants over it. Her face was hidden behind a flesh colored face semi rigid mask that resembled a beautiful woman's face with an open mouth, and her real hair underneath a shoulder long wig in page cut also in pink. The Sojonites were considered the most expensive whores in the Galaxy. They worshipped Sojo the Goddess spirit of universal Love and sexual pleasures. The Order of the Sojonit so legend had it, already existed when the Celtest ruled the Galaxy over a Million years ago and the truth was not so far off. As the Sojonit Order was founded by a group of Celtest and Saresii women, during the height of the Celtest war against the Dark Ones.
The Celtest a highly advanced civilization once ruled over much of the galaxy and it was a glorious time of peace, cultural and technological advances. Then the mysterious Dark Ones arrived and waged war against the Celtest. No weapon, none of their Psionic powers, not even the elusive Narth were able to stop the Dark Ones in their relentless pursuit of death and destruction. The Narth retreated and their entire Star System simply vanished. The Saresii back then a young and warrior like species with vast Psionic abilities, allies of the Celtest paid a horrible price and all of their over 10,000 colonies were utterly destroyed leaving only Sares Prime untouched by war. The Saresii blamed male aggressiveness for this catastrophe, prohibited any space exploration, destroyed all their remaining space ships and isolated themselves on their planet for 500,000 years and banned anything male from their world.
The Celtest were losing, but one group of Celtest and Saresii women believed that perhaps love and the art of sexual pleasures would be an alternate weapon to conquer the evil of the Dark Ones and retreated to a secret world known only to the High Sisters and began to collect and research anything and everything related to sex, mating rituals and love making from every culture and species they could find and out of this developed a secret knowledge. It was said that a fully trained Sojonit Sister could bring any known sentient life form to the utmost height of sexual pleasures, and easily kill any being that way too, regardless if that being was humanoid non human, male or female.
The History of the Sojonit changed over the millennia and they began to believe in a universal spirit of love and ecstasy called the Sojo and to worship Sojo treasures had to be collected in her name and so it came that the Sojonit travel the Galaxy offering their skills to the richest customers who gladly pay the high sums that were charged for a night with a Sojonit.
The Sojonit all dressed and looked thanks to their masks alike so no one would fall in love with a particular one.
Faria looked up and remembered how she came to this island. Back then she was seven or maybe eight years old, her mother a Skath, living in a trash bag plastic tent in the Slums around the city of Sin 4. She remembered her mother to be almost as thin as a Stick, the true natives of this world. Faria did not know how her mother ended up in the slums or if she herself was the daughter of a Skath. Skath had no rights, no future and struggled daily to stay alive, by begging, stealing, scavenging and competing against the rats and all the other filth that has been brought to this planet from all across the Galaxy, for morsels of anything consumable. Skath had no quarrels eating each other if they had a chance and too many beings humans and other sentient races were just another source of meat in the first place. One night her mother said she would not survive another day and told her daughter to take the little row boat she had stolen and head to the Sojonit Island. She told her if she would make it she would become a well cared for, well feed whore, what better life could there be?
Faria saw her mother collapse on the shore and wanted to return but could not as Heghoor Scavengers fell over her mother's body. She rowed the thirty eight kilometers in tears, weak of hunger and thirst but almost made it , when a Skimmer most likely just for fun and target practice opened fire on her boat that was nothing more than a plastic covered cardboard box and shot her through the leg as she jumped in the water. She did not remember how she made it but they told her she was found the next day on the steps of the Sojonit Temple. Mother Superior allowed her to be taken inside and she had been here ever since. Mother Superior was very kind to her and she was taught much of the techniques and the secret knowledge, but even Faria did not know how the Human looking Sojonit Sisters could for example service a 4 meter Petharian or an Ult or any of the Non humanoids. This knowledge was reserved for the Higher Order.
She noticed someone coming and turned to look and it was the Mother Superior herself. She was the only one who did not wear pink but a deep red, her clothing was not as transparent as the others and the mouth of her mask was closed.
Faria got up from the bench and immediately knelt down as it was proper. Faria when she wore the mask also lost her name and received a new one, the one associated with her mask. When she wore the face cover she was
only known as Wetmouth. When she looked up inside the eye slits of her mask she could, by looking at eye switches activate several technical and very advanced features of her mask. One would send Computronic data directly before her retina. Her mask would instantly recognize another mask and tell her the Sister name of the person she looked at. She could activate a force field; fill her mask lips with poison for a last and final kiss. Or fire the tiny but quite powerful Forced Energy Needler hidden in the masks nose, good for two or three silent energy pulses. The readout placed on her retina told her immediately that this was the genuine Mother Superior.
Mother superior motioned to her." Stay seated, child. I have to talk to you and I think this is a good place to do that!"
The red dressed woman sat down while Wetmouth returned to her seat waiting what this was all about. Mother superior began." Wetmouth you have been gifted with a very bright mind. While we lack the proper measuring and testing tools I am sure your IQ exceeds that of 99 percent of the galaxies sentient population."
Wetmouth said." I am humbled by your assessment Mother Superior, but if my self analysis is correct I do not exceed an IQ of 400."
"Child!" the woman laughed behind her mask," A person over 180 is considered a genius. You have ability to independently arrive at and understand concepts that would normally have to be taught by another person. That is the very definition of being a genius, girl!"
The woman padded Wetmouth's knee. "You are not destined to be a working Sojonit. You must explore and use your real gift. I will therefore grant you the right to wear the Veil of abstinence and I will send you away. I want you to reach Union Space and apply for Union Citizenship at the first planet you reach. Only there can you fully develop your gift. They will recognize you very fast for what you are and they have the most wonderful Universities, the Corps of Scientists and schools with access to libraries and knowledge."
Wetmouth knew about the Veil of Abstinence it was very rarely given to Sisters who received special tasks where the Love making would interfere. Her Intellect understood very well the opportunity and the reasons why the Mother Superior said all this, but on an emotional level she was afraid to leave. This was the only home she ever knew. She said. "I will obey your command and ruling!"
The woman left her hand on her knee." Wetmouth it will be a hard way, but this world can offer you no future and it would be a sin against nature and the Spirit of the goddess to waste such incredible intellect."
***
It had been a long journey and Wetmouth was at the end of her resources and felt utterly alone. She had reached the Space port of Checkpoint 96; she had arrived on an old Leyland space bus from Netlor twelve days ago. Her journey was everything but easy. Men chased her, wanted her because she was a Sojonit. To them the veil of abstinence meant nothing and she had been raped brutally on Alvor's Cove, fled stowed away on a water freighter. Now she had no credits left. There was no Sojo temple on Checkpoint 96. Her luggage had been stolen and she was dirty, hungry and alone. The Union Guard had scanned her and told her she was a year to young to apply for citizen ship and she would need a sponsor anyway. She lied to them and told them she was visiting an aunt. But she found out that even if she had money she could not purchase a Space bus ticket without a CIT. Mother superior was right, the Union was a shiny world but it was full of regulations and cold. She sat down, on a bench and despite her intellect she felt lost and she did not have enough data or knowledge to analyze the situation.
She didn't realize it at first but she cried behind her mask. A very tall black dressed man wearing some black things before his eyes, stopped and sat next to her, his voice was rich and deep and he said. "I could not help but notice you. Is everything alright?"
"Please Mister. I am wearing the Veil of Abstinence, I cannot service you!"
"Sorry to have you disturbed then. I was not looking for service by the way, I am happily married and do not need such services anyway. I just heard your sob and wondered if I could perhaps help."
She looked up." It would be highly logical to accept help in the situation I am in but experience of the behavior of men and their reaction towards a Sojonit conflicts with this initial logical assessment."
He chuckled. "Young lady you are not talking like I would have a Sojonit expected to talk, but I understood what you said nevertheless and I can add some input to your situation analysis. I promise I will not hurt you. I promise I will not touch you in any way. Furthermore since your initial statement suggested that you do need help and I might be able to offer such, you might consider telling me the reason for your initial logical assessment."
She raised an eyebrow behind her mask. The stranger was quite able to express himself and she said. "I am lost and stranded and do not know how to achieve my goal of becoming a Union Citizen."
Now she noticed two men and a very professional looking woman, all trying to look inconspicuous, but their focus was clearly the tall stranger. The men looked perfectly civilian but still something was odd and dangerous about them. "Sir, I might not be the only one with problems here. There are three individuals approximately seven meters from here and their behavior pattern suggests they are focused on you and I believe with a reasonable high probability that they are armed."
"Very impressive young lady, the two gentlemen are associates of mine and the woman is my executive assistant Yvonne. My name is Rex by the way. Would it be acceptable if I invite you to a cup of coffee or something and you tell me more about your troubles? I believe with a reasonable high probability that I can help you and I want to assure you I will not ask for anything in return, neither any service nor any information you are not willing to give."
"I have little options left and a hot beverage would be most welcome. I am Wetmouth."
"Do you trust me enough to walk over with me to that Coffee shop or I can have the coffee brought here."
Wetmouth relaxed a little. The man seemed no threat and was very friendly. His voice had a deep very reassuring and self assure quality and she believed him." I do not think they deliver coffee over here, Sir. I think we need to go over there."
"I am sure they make an exception for me." He smiled at her and waved his hand and the woman Yvonne managed to walk with grace, fast and silent on high heeled pumps. A feat of perfect body control, Wetmouth was impressed.
"Yvonne I would like to get some coffee for me and my bench sharing associate and a menu from that coffee shop over there.
"Right away, Rex!"
Wetmouth was quite stunned when two waiters came running a few moments later carrying one of the Coffee houses tables, a third carried coffee cups and menus. They placed the coffee table right in front of them and the third waiter behaved like the owner of the place and his facial expression reflected, pride and a little fear. Wetmouth analyzed the behavior, the body guards and came to the conclusion Rex was a Crime lord or something similar. Only they commanded such obedience. The waiter bowed placed the coffee cups and said." Mr. Schwartz I cannot begin to express my pride and thanks you have chosen my coffee shop, everything you want Sir you name it and I get it."
"Good to know. I would like to have a private conversation right now with this lady."
"Yes Sir!"
"Are you a crime syndicate Lord?" Wetmouth asked.
Yvonne who stood nearby sucked in air audibly but Rex smiled. "No young lady, this is Union space, not Sin 4. While I am sure we have a few of those here too, they usually don't like to draw much attention to themselves. Frankly I don't like that either but we have this part of the lobby for ourselves at the moment."
Wetmouth only now noticed that he was correct, this part of the elevated balcony above the main concourse was void of other beings.
The woman Yvonne said." The Battle ship with your Son in law has arrived Sir. They should be debarking within the hour."
"Thank you Yvonne. Is my daughter informed?"
"Yes Sir, she is the first in line at the gate. We will give Roy time to say hello to his
girl and tell them where I am"
Wetmouth sipped the coffee and only now realized how hungry and thirsty she had been her hands were shaking.
Rex said to her." No I am a business man and much of my business is quite legal."
Wetmouth nodded." Ah the Union uses a legal system of laws and rules that determine what activity is legal and what is not. The activities not legal are considered to be criminal, right?"
"Yes young lady but I know Sin 4 and realize what this culture is what you use as base line. Don't get upset but despite your mask I am seeing you are quite upset and hungry. Your outfit is not as immaculate as it usually is with Sojonit Sisters. So why don't you tell me your troubles?"
Wetmouth ignored her caution and simply told the man everything and he listened without interrupting her. She was crying again as she ended and cursed her mask, she could not dry her tears.
He leaned forward." Please don't be afraid no more. If you let me help you, I help you become a legal citizen and I take care of your education as well."
A man in military uniform accompanied by an incredibly beautiful blonde girl and a huge black animal approached the table. Rex got up and said. "Wetmouth this is my daughter Monique Masters and that Union Special forces Marine is Roy Masters my Son in law. Oh and that big black thing that's Partner his Fury Hound."
They greeted her friendly and either didn't know what a Sojonit was or did not care and seemed to completely overlook the fact. His daughter hugged and kissed him and then he hugged the muscular man, who was not as tall as Rex, but Wetmouth somehow felt this man was very dangerous and not only because he was a member of the even on Sin 4 famous and feared Union marines. The big animal simply flopped down right next to her and without really thinking she touched it and felt its soft fur and began to pet it.
Eric Olafson Series Boxed Set: Books 1 - 6 (The Galactic Chronicles Series) Page 215