Lox
The delinquents had their hands locked in shackles on their backs and Lox found it easier than he expected to slip a mini blaster into the hands of one of the Dai Than and give him psionic instructions. It took only a few thoughts and the Dai did not need much Psionic persuasion to take the weapon.
Smith
Adam Smith finally saw the Lox Marshall, standing right by a police man behind the barriers. Too far for his laser eye so he had to get closer. He was almost there, three more meters and the distance was perfect. A fat woman stepped into his way and he was tempted to burn another hole her in that big butt. A heavy hand suddenly dropped on his shoulder and he reacted in the fast trained way of a master assassin, turning around releasing the long thing mono blade from his left underarm sheath and breaking the tough blade against the torso of a Paladin Battle robot. . The robot crushed much of his shoulder bone and placed a force field cocoon around Adam. The Undercover Union Investigator spoke in his wrist com." Assassin apprehended and neutralized."
Adam Smith could not allow to be interrogated and with a sequence of eye blinks he activated a little device below his heart and it released fast spreading green Spore foam.
Hoods
The Delinquents had been placed under the nooses their feet currently held by form fields firmly attaching their feet. The bald headed flower dealer was allowed to approach the woman who was the only one who had her hands tied in the front. He handed her the flowers and walked off. Dawn who stood by the Stairs nodded to him and turned away. The bald headed harmless looking man suddenly held a weapon in his hand aimed it at Dawn and fired!"
Dawn stumbled back. The third Dai's hands were suddenly free holding a little weapon. Out of reflex my hand reached for my knife I, but the cursed hood covered it. My hands touched only fabric. The Dai fired at me but he must have missed, I felt no pain or anything. I reacted more out of instinct and the chain sword drew as easy as Mördaren, the blade grew and with the teeth on the sword went with a whining snap supersonic,however the Dai before me did not move. I turned to face the next enemy, whatever just happened , it was already over. Marines and Battle robots secured the scaffold and Dawn got up on her feet! There was a dark spot on her dress where the blaster had hit her, but no hole. All the Delinquents looked like statues stiff and unmoving.
Police had arrested the Bald headed man and led him away. Dawn nodded to the local Judge and said." The Execution will commence."
Then she came over and said." Are you alright?"
"Yes I am but what happened?"
"An attempt to sabotage the Execution. I recieved a warning about it, mere moments ago." She touched the blackened spot on her chest." Our robes are more than fabric, it is microscopic fine Ultronit foam loops covered with velvet. It takes more than a Class III Line blaster to burn through that. It looks like you didn't even feel the thermo blast that hit you." She pointed out a small blackened spot right above my heart.
She then motioned to the prisoners." Stasis contour fields they can't move a muscle. Your intervention with the sword was quite spectacular and fast, but not necessary. " Dawn handed me a stack of black hoods. " Put those over their heads, don't even ask if they want it or not, so we can get this over with!"
She really was cold as ice and any affection I had for her before died that moment.
She released the contour fields after the Marines had scanned the prisoners for weapons and I had the sorry task putting the black hoods over their heads. Most of them did not look at me, but the young Dai stared right into my eyes and even though he acted toufh and stoic, I saw the fear and the silent plea for mercy. My hands trembled as I pulled the black fabric over his face. The Califerm thief was shaking and tears streamed down his face. "I didn't even know what was in the bag!" He bubbered."I don't want to die!" I think I was crying too as I pulled the hood over his head. The woman seemed not even aware what was happening, now that I her saw her close up, she was quite beautiful. Her lips formed words, as she looked at me. Perhaps a prayer or a plead for mercy, I was glad I did not hear what she said. Her face too disapeared behind the black fabric.
Dawn came after me and placed the nooses made of memory metal. She touched a control on the cuff of her glove and the memory metal cables stiffened.
The local Judge instead of reading the charges or the names simply nodded and the crossbar shot up, the nineteen dangled and I could not look away as much as I wanted. Most of them died silently and fast. The green lights flickered for a few seconds and turned red. The light of the califerm thief however stayed green moments, the thief kicked and spasm, then he went limb. The third Dai who and fired the weapon still gargled and his legs tried to find ground. The light stayed green and I could not say how long it took but I prayed to every God I knew to have mercy and turn that last light red. It stayed green for what seemed an eternity. The Crowd had made a collective sigh as the bar went up, but now there was utter silence. Only now Dawn pressed another contact on her glove, In heard the buzzing crackle of electricity , blue sparks crackled around the memory metal noose, one last violent kick the Dai Than stopped moving and the light went red.
The trap doors opened, the bar lowered and the memory metal robes released the bodies sliding directly into the tilted coffins below. The Scaffold was empty, except for a bunch of pink flowers looking strangely out of place.
She motioned me with a wink and I followed her. The crowd was still silent and the first spectators started to leave. Dawn in a normal tone as if she would order coffee said." That went rather well, except all the complications." I somehow knew she had that Dai suffer longer by setting the noose differently or something like that and I felt like an accomplice.
I was glad I could take off the robe and mask when we had returned to the small hotel and I took a long shower, but I felt as dirty when I left it as when I stepped in. I didn't press the button, no, but I was still there and no spectator. It was a situation as unfair as can be and yet I did do nothing.
The Klack Justice had thanked me and I was dismissed. Dawn wanted to celebrate or have dinner or something I did not ask details and I did not care about what else she wanted. I had used an Auto dresser and was Eric once again and had sneaked out the back door of the hotel. A crowd of media people had gathered before the hotel, but no one was particular interested in me. It suited me fine as I just had to get away and went straight to the Gray Lines counter. I did not want to know details of the attack or who was behind it, or be asked to stick around, maybe to hang a little bald headed man. "Robot I want the next bus out of here, preferably to Arsenal Gate but if the service is still interrupted I take whatever bus leaves earliest."
"You can take the Greylines Wind spiel 923 Gate twelve. It will leave in 21 minutes to Arsenal Gate. Flight restrictions have been removed."
It turned out my ticket was still good and I would be on time at Arsenal.
Interlude: Assembly
The Elly announced their wishes for member ship and Algear leaned back into his seat and said."Do you think the Elly will serve some sort of interesting food?"
Egill shrugged. "I would assume they do."
The Narth delegate stapled his fingers and said." Food the very idea is very interesting and I shall look forward to see you both eat the gelatinous Pulse-Stink maggots the Elly prefer."
Egill turned to the Narth."You just made a joke right? There is no such thing as a Gelatinous Pulse Stink Maggot, or is there?"
"To question one: If one made a joke then it was unintended. Narth is still very much in discussion as of what a joke might be. One can make a Joke without producing any material item, but would the act of making if successful not yield a product and usually making requires raw materials. What raw materials would a joke need?
"To question two: You are asking this following a false statement. Denying the existence of the maggots does not make them any less substantial. However one can assure you Gelatinous Pulse stink maggots do exist and are the larvae state of the Pulse stin
k fly. This particular life form defends itself against natural predators with a highly concentrated organic liquid that sprayed in small pulses from the life forms abdomen. According to Xeno biological research documents it is among the most offensive odors. One shall ask Narth to experience it!"
Algear said."The raw materials of a joke are every day occurrences, retold often in an exaggerated state to bring the punch line across."
"One does not understand why it would be necessary to retell an occurrence and alter it by adding substance. While it seems clear to the author of the dictionary I just consulted, what a punch line is. However it is not clear to Narth." The Narth got up and bowed. I must seek now the state of solitude. I shall return once I no longer seek this state."
He went to the door but was simply gone before he had reached it.
Egill shook his head."He is amazing. I can't wait for Tyr to talk to a Narth. I think he might be the only one able to understand them truly."
"I feel like a child, less than a child when he speaks with such certainty and then his questions or his understanding of the most basic things of life make me wonder if the Narth have not evolved into a state that is neither life nor death but something else , a third state if you will."
Egill rubbed his beard. "Tyr often said that the Universe is dual. Life and death, Dark and light, good and evil , black and white, male and female, yes but that the key to a different place is the third state and it is not a mixture of two concepts, but a complete separate new one. He tried to explain it to me by saying to imagine the moment before the Universe came to be, the moment before matter, energy and time. He says this is the third state. Of course I am only human and cannot imagine that."
"It somehow sounds right and yet like you I can't begin to understand or imagine such concepts. I had enough Assembly business for a while, why don't you come with me to Saresii Prime One and we have a nice dinner and watch that Universal Wrestling Titans match. You know the Title belt is on the line and who knows if Terrible Tyrant will survive the Monster Pit Challenge!"
"You are supposed to be a refined, fine mannered sissy Saresii Elder arrogant, old and above such crude below primitive and pre arranged UWT shows. Did you not only an hour ago lecture the Pan Saran how high and mighty the Saresii are?"
"First of all it is a secret. No one in the Universe but you knows that the First Saresii of all loves watching UWT matches and drink a beer doing it. Secondly it was you who got me watching this mindless predictable repetitive junk and thirdly I did not lecture the Pan Saran. I let him partake on my great wisdom."
"Predictable yes? Then why don't you put twenty Credits on the Terrible Tyrant while I put twenty on the Awesome Avenger?"
Interlude: GalNet Entry: UNI, the
The Universal Collective or more commonly known as the UNI were a community of star faring civilizations united under a common government. Not much is known about the Uni. Few known artifacts of this culture exist and these dated to be over two million years old. Some scholars believe their culture reached tremendous technological and sociological advancements considered to be Tech level 11 or 12 and to have spanned 250 million years, reaching its peak at about 10 million years ago and then declining sharply. The Uni vanished from the galactic stage at about 2 million years ago. It is generally believed they were of primarily humanoid shape and size and some scholars believe the Uni to have seeded Humanoid Life on planets in the upward sector and thus explaining the Human Mystery. Others reject this and claim it was the Pree who did the seeding. (While there is a definite DNA link between all human shaped species in the Upward sector, no scientific universally accepted explanation exists to expound this so called Human Mystery) The Saresii claim to have actual contact to the last Uni before they vanished or left. Most information about the Uni finds its origin in Saresii myths, legends and fairy tales. One popular myth is the legend of the Knights of Light and Order. A small elite group of Uni that survived until present times to guard a mythical treasure and bestow special gifts to individuals for being especially good and orderly.
Originally used by Saresii parents to promise their kids unsubstantial not nearer defined blessings by mythical beings if they kept their rooms and clothing tidy and did good things. This custom has spread to many union planets.
Interlude: The Call
The Grand Wizard of all had completed a journey of almost 30,000 light years and stood on the surface of the planet that once was Kar. It was here the five tribes had originated. Somewhere on this mostly lifeless planet must have been the place where the first Ker walked upright, made the first fire and killed the first Blue. Why the Ker and the other four tribes had chosen to leave this world was the Voice of the Universe that told the Ker to seek a place closer to the heart of the Galaxy.
But the real reasons were shrouded in mysteries and legends. The Grand Wizard did not believe in gods or anything higher than himself. It was very conceivable to him that the Kermac itself were on their way to gain Godhood and of course the Grand Wizard would be the first among Gods. He paused in his approach to the Forbidden Caves and pulled his PDD." Note to Secretary and to Communications Wizard. I the Grand Wizard of them All, more wise than anyone, blessed by Intellect beyond others understanding shall furthermore be addressed by adding the title: First living God conceived by the Universe soon to be Omni potent and solely worthy of worship."
He was very pleased with that. He most likely just found the ultimate title. This could hardly be bested! Then he waved at his companions and said." This place is very inspirational already. Upon our return it shall be against the law to have religions other than one that centers on me. The first Thrall species that erects a temple to honor me shall receive some nice reward, perhaps a new holiday or something like that."
One of his companions, the usually so loyal Cultural Wizard said." It might not be the wisest decision to prohibit religions. It was always considered a good practice to allow the thralls their own religions."
"We Kermac Wizards are on the way to become gods. I am the one first among Gods! I am Wisdom incarnate and my decisions are no longer to be questioned! I shall forbid the worship of the Voice of the Universe as well, the Kermac serving us should not pray or call upon divine intervention from non existing idols but focus their energies and praise on us and of course dominantly on me!"
While the Cultural wizard already saw temples of great beauty erected in his name and statues with beautiful robes, it was the Communications Wizard who was certain the Grand Wizard finally went over the edge.
They were on a plateau high in the Jetda-Mountains of the Ningine Continent, in the valley below the barley visible ruins of Esscas the ancient capital. For two days a team of Plato slaves under the direction of two Hythagh engineers had dug and cleared sand , dirt and rocks away from a mountain side and uncovered the entrance to a cave network. The Grand Wizard had the Plato slaves shot, as they were not worthy to remain any longer on this sacred planet and in his presence and it was cheaper than transporting them back. The Hythagh would be allowed to live until he was sure there was nothing else that required work.
The Cultural wizard blabbered." My priests will have red robes with white lace and cute little hats, and…"
The Grand Wizard ignored him as they entered the Caves and the Communications wizard completely accidently threw a rock telepathically against the arm of the Cultural Wizard who yelped in protest.
All three were carried in sedans by Hythagh slaves through a down winding corridor, but the ceiling became too low for the sedans and the three wizards faced the task of walking over uneven ground in a cold cave. The Cultural Wizard was not pleased at all." Look at this! My shoes are getting dirty! This is unacceptable. We shall have the slaves carry us back and conceive another way of conveying us, or we should have them remove the mountains."
No one answered him as the Grand wizard moved on. After an hour of walking the Cultural Wizard protested that he would not go another step and even the Communications Wizard
had to admit that this was not very dignifying to walk behind light carrying Hythagh on their own feet and felt fatigued.
The Grand Wizard shot the Cultural Wizard with a weapon beam emitting from a finger ring and hissed to his other companion." We are guaranteeing the survival and the dominance of our species, by doing what we are doing. Are you too of the opinion we should turn around?"
"Of course not!" The Communications Wizard said glancing at the body of the dead wizard. He followed the Grand wizard deeper into the mountain and his conviction that the Grand Wizard was insane was now confirmed. No Wizard had ever slain another.
They did reach the massive doors. The mechanism had been last used for over a thousand years, but the door opened flawlessly. These doors and what was beyond had not been made by the Ker or any of the other tribes. These doors and the shafts of forgotten Knowledge were left here by an advanced culture, active before the raise of the Kermac, the Universal Collective or more commonly known as the UNI. The doors were made of Dineutronuim, a substance the Kermac could not recreate, dent or damage in any way. Even here the Communications Wizard could not help thinking about the Union and the latest intelligence report he had seen about the rumor that the Union was experimenting with Tetra-neutron based materials. This made him think that the madness of the Grand Wizard was the only way for the Kermac to regain the lost ground."
A cold breeze came from the now open doors and a voice both acoustic and mental overwhelmed all present, saying." The master was defeated with the price of a Universe and must never be woken again! The Rule must never be broken!"
The message repeated and then the voice was silent. Not even the Saresii had, as far as the Kermac knew means to record a telepathic message that could be repeated with such force as to burn out the best psi shield generators, Kermac technology could produce.
Eric Olafson Series Boxed Set: Books 1 - 6 (The Galactic Chronicles Series) Page 233