Hans had not one second looked away from his opponent and saw the attack coming. Nuclor quickly went to the edge of his float , about three meters end to end and threw the ball. Hans wanted to grab it, but halfway on its way suddenly spikes appeared. Most likely monofilament, able to even penetrate Hans's tough Carbon Nano tube laced skin. Hans ducked agile, but one of the spikes did scratch over his back.
Nuclor retracted the ball with a fast yank on the chain to drive the hook deep in Hans's skin. The spike caught and penetrated deep.
He ignored the sharp pain and hoped that the spike was not poisoned, he jumped up as hard as he could and slammed back down on the edge of the wooden float, a splashing tidal wave of boiling oil engulfed his opponent, the forward jump had put enough slack into the chain for Hans to grab the chain and jerked it with force. Nuclor already screaming of pain lost his footing on the now oil slick wooden float of his and fell into the hot oil. Hans kept pulling and smashed his hammer on the head of his opponent, ending all his pain and suffering. The fight was over before the announcer could complete his introduction sermon. The crowd had fallen silent as it always did for a long second when the arena kill occurred. Then they went into a chanting frenzy. His fans elated and the supporters of Nuclor silent. Just as the announcer declared his victory the fastest Boiling Oil Inferno victory; two of Nuclor's friends, most likely his trainer and manager, both former death match fighters from the looks of it, almost certainly facing a bad fate from the hands of the owner of the opposing franchise jumped into the ring. One was wearing a full battle suit, armed with a force field axe and waded through the hip high oil; he was a four armed Petharian, his crystalline skin impervious to the scaling liquid. The other was a Quadi-Ped wearing a flight belt hovering over the opposite wood platform, wielding a sword of enormous length.
Now this was truly against the rules and would most likely escalate in a bloody syndicate war. However, Hans did not expect that anyone would interfere. It would give the spectators an extra bonus, especially since the title match was so short.
Hans had freed the spiked ball from his back. He was certain his wound was deep enough to bleed and judging by the pain he felt, it had torn through a muscle. To be distracted by pain or wounds was a deadly sin in the arena, and facing two experienced opponents who could not back out facing certain death if they lost and perhaps even if they won was quite a challenge even for him.
He still wanted to give his fans a show and stepped back into the middle of the wooden float and closed his eyes, at least that's how it looked like to the close up cameras, and lowered his arms in a meditative stance, just how he had learned from his child hood martial arts instructors. That Saturnians had two eyelids, to protect them from sand storms and environments that could hurt eyes were a feature only very few outside Odin planet knew about. He could see less clearly but still well enough for this. His opponents were quite surprised by his move and while the Petharian seemed to smell the deception it worked on the Quadi-Ped who flew fast and with raised sword to attack.
The sword came down and would have split Hans's helmet and skull way past his shoulders, Reinforced skin and bone could deflect a normal blade but not the vibrating mono blade his opponent wielded.
He turned away in the very last micro second grabbed the wrist of the sword holding arm, added to the momentum like a Olympian hammer thrower and with all his inhuman strength flung the Quadi-Ped against the Pertharian who was almost on the floating wooden island. The Pertharian more out of reflex and instinct raised his force field axe and sliced deep into the body of his comrade, and using two of his extra arms to toss the Quadi-Ped aside, who had let go of the flight belt controls, into the boiling oil and kept coming.
The Petharian was good! Very good! Hans's incredible move had distracted him for less than a heartbeat and he kept his focus on Hans, bringing down the axe and splitting the wooden raft with one stroke, right down the middle and Hans plunged into the scaling, blubbering oil!
His opponent already thinking Hans was done for, did not know that the two centimeters of nano carbon fiber reinforced skin was engineered by Schwartz Bio Tech so long ago, so Saturnians could work on planets and in conditions no normal being could endure. The boiling oil burned in his wound and he could feel the heat all over. He could certainly not endure for long, but he was not in any immediate danger. He was thankful to God that he had closed his eyelids. Hans crouched and exploded out of the boiling liquid right before the Petharian who had raised all four arms in a victory gesture and Hans brought down his hammer with all his weight and strength behind it, he could have felled a Battle robot with that blow and even though Pertharians were among the toughest warriors in the known Universe, it was enough to render the doomed four armed Petharian into a horrible gory mess that collapsed into the liquid.
Hans waded to the other platform to get out as fast as he could.
As he now raised his arms, the audience exploded into ecstatic chanting.
A hover platform descended and took him up before the Five Fight Judges, declaring him the Ultimate Death Champion for the 21st time, and by doing so he surpassed the previous unbroken record of Tabor Tremendous. Making him the most successful Death Fight Champion in history; he could hear the commentators already arguing that this was technically a triple win and should be counted as such. Part of him was disgusted by what he had done, but the jubilations and the effects of his adrenalin induced rush were making him feel elated.
The fat, half Shiss Duke Donheer proved he was quite agile jumped on the floating platform put his arm on Hans shoulder and waved with his other to the crowd. "This is how a Donheer Champion looks like, people. This is how a Donheer Fighter deals with traitors, cowards and cheats! He simply kills them!"
He spoke into a swarm of floating hover cams and raised Hans's massive right arm. Hans knew this was also a hidden warning and declaration of retaliation to the Rillo Syndicate.
A reporter of Gal Sports floated close and said." This fight certainly will go down in Death match Sports history. Tell us Champ what motivates you?"
"Eating right, making my Team proud and most of all the legions of Hammer Fanatics. It is my fans first and foremost!"
Only a Union Doctor with access to Saturnian replacement tissue could have fixed his back right, but the team medic, derma patched his wound and if he ever made it back to the Union he would have the normal skin replaced. After he had been doctored up and after a long shower he wanted to go home and find a way to escape from Sin 4. He had a good amount of Credits on the local SII Bank, the only Union Branch bank doing business on Sin 4, the Terror Hammer was about as well known as anyone could be on Sin 4, but no one knew Hans Neugruber. The problem was his stature and size, there weren't many disguises available and none would really make him blend into the crowd.
But as he emerged from the showers, Duke Donheer accompanied by his ever present Togar Warrior guards intercepted him with a broad smile. "You can't possibly want to go home. There are big parties in your honor tonight, and you have been invited to a party of Sinister Sports Inc. They made me an offer for you I am contemplating. They want to buy you for 200 Million Credits. No higher sum has ever been offered for a Death Fighter and while I hate to see you go, it would be hard to find new matches for you."
Hans blinked." You told me I am free. How can they buy me?"
"This is Sin 4, Terror! You are free as long as it suits me. Now be a good boy and come to the party! Oh and I forgot to tell you, that the doctor not only fixed your back, but implanted a little device filled with Wurgus poison, plenty to kill you. Just in case you decide to be a little more independent I like you to be. Of course you understand that I have to make sure my treasure piece does not get lost."
Of course he knew how deadly the Wurgus poison even for a Saturnian was. It took all his will power not to attack the man and see if he could twist off the fat man's head before the poison took effect." The day will come I am going to make you pay for this!"
"Yes, yes. If I had a credit for every time someone said that, I would not even need to sell you. Do I have to tell you again, or will you come along now?"
Hans gruntingly followed the Syndicate boss and thought what he could do to get out of this predicament.
The party was in Ups, the most northern part of the Upper Continent of Sin 4. The entire continent was more or less one city and Ups was where the rich and Syndicate protected lived. Only the Syndicate bosses themselves lived even more exclusive on their own islands.
He had never heard of an outfit called Sinister Sports and wondered what his fate held in store for him. Hans was very tempted to simply end it. Attack the duke, kill the swine and be done with it. He would have done it if he could be certain he had time enough to kill the man before the poison took effect, but he had seen the effects of Wurlag poison not only on his friend but in the arena many times, it almost instantaneously paralyzed a being and every nerve in the body would wither away, including brain cells and this was a slow and painful death while you were unable to move a single muscle. There was so he heard no known antidote.
The party was big and every delicacy, drug and drink was provided in vast quantities. Even though they had Terran pig roast, his favorite he had no appetite at all. All he did was nurse a big glass of fruit juice.
The host of the party had not spared any costs and there were at least twenty Sojonit Prostitutes and the Mother Superior of the Order was here to make sure the sexual phantasies of the guests were met.
As she was introduced to Hans, the woman in the revealing red outfit and in Hans opinion creepy face mask said to him." You would not have any special phantasies?"
"I do, but I doubt the Sojonit could help me in my case."
"Why don't you give it a try and tell me? We are known to fulfill even the most unusual requests?"
Hans was not in the mood to talk to a masked prostitute or pretty much in the mood to talk to anyone. He barley contained his anger and frustration. He was traded like merchandise, forced to kill and fight until they decided to kill him per remote or giving him opponents and challenges in the arena not even he could survive."
He wanted to walk away but she put her gloved hand on his chest and said in a whispering way." I can help you Hans. You need to trust me and follow me so we can talk undisturbed."
Duke Donheer was not far but he just waved and said loud." Yes Terror, go with the Sojo and have a little fun! You deserved it! It's all on the house so no worries about the fees."
He was quite surprised that the Sojo knew his real name and he had not much to lose, so he nodded and followed the woman.
The party happened in a huge and expensive decorated, three level penthouse on top of a sky scraper, complete with in and outdoor pool and roof top park. The Sojonit Sisters had set up a series of pink tents on that roof garden and she took him to one of these flimsy looking tents.
She pulled the flap aside and let him in and after she closed it she said." Now we can talk openly, these tents are shielded against any known spy and surveillance technique including telepaths."
"Lady, I am not in the mood to have any intimate conversation or something else with you. I came because I was intrigued how you knew my real name."
"Even though we have ways to satisfy the appetites of a Saturnian," with these words she suddenly changes shape! Her form started to flow and expand and in a mere moment she had the physical size and attributes of a female Saturnian. I do this to show you that our reputation is well earned and that we have means and ways beyond the grasp of men. I also can read minds and when I sensed your troubled mind, I looked deeper and this is why I think I can help you. Help you to get home!"
The sudden change actually frightened Hans quite a bit. He knew of no species that could so easily change shape and add so much volume and mass. That she was no hologram or Virtu projection he somehow knew for sure, of course if she was a good telepath she might be able to make him see and believe anything she wanted. He tensed his muscles, just to be ready." Lady, if you read my mind and you are indeed a Telepath then you know that it is quite impossible for me to leave now."
"I know about the Wurlag Poison Injector in your back. Right now Duke Donheer could press his button all he wanted, the signal would not reach that device and if you let me help you, then you will leave this tent without it."
I am still green, Sojo. I know that but even if you can help me. I need to know the price. There is nothing free in this Universe."
"You are, or you will be a Union Citizen and yes there is a price for you to pay. The Terror Hammer dies when you leave this world and you become a lawful citizen. You cannot return to this sport or even related legal sport. You will be Hans Neugruber again and you must find lawful employment, perhaps with the Union Police, the Fleet or something like that. Large Corporations are out as well. Sinister Sports for example is muscling in on the Death Sport scene and they do it with methods that make the Syndicates look like angels. Sinister Sports is secretly owned by Galakto Entertainment and they are not by accident in the same office building as the SII Bank, if you know what I am getting at!"
Hans knew about Galakto, they owned several Casinos and he had overheard the Duke taking about them as being a dangerous business opponent with incredible resources and no scruples. "But Schwartz Industries is a lawful and good Corporation in the Union and Death Sports are highly illegal in the Union!"
"Hans, SII cares about one thing only and that is profit. Death Sport is huge. Do you know what viewer ratings of 45 percent mean on a market with over a Centillion GalNet subscribers? Neither you nor I can imagine the sums of money involved. None of the Ultra Corps would think twice decimating planets for business like that." She sat down on a Divan." Now we are getting away from the current situation. You have not answered me if you are willing to pay that price. I know there is a part of you that enjoys the attention and the arena and I know you could be tempted to do this on your own if you would be free."
"Lady I would give my right arm to go back to Odin and my family, finish Union school and atone for my sins, not that I could even hope to live long enough to atone for one percent of them."
"Good, that is what I needed to hear. Getting you off this planet won't be easy as we have to fool both the Donheer Clan and Sinister Sports, and you are not someone we could easily disguise, but it is not impossible. It also musty happen without anyone knowing of my involvement, but first let me make you a free man and take out that Poison Implant."
Chapter 20: Guests of Honor
The military band sounded like a bunch of Nilfeheim kids blowing through plastic hoses and with about as much skill, punctuated by an instrument that made a noise that would put a wounded Fangsnapper to shame. Fectiv whispered:" If that is their best band used for ceremonies, I wonder how their beginners sound?"
Ninio had a hard time whispering so it seemed, even though I knew he tried." I can't wait to get me a few recordings. Can you imagine them playing Funtuty tunes?"
I shrugged." I guess, to each his own!"
After the band had played four more tunes, they finally put us on a wheeled vehicle. It had two tiers and the upper one was open and had two rows of seats. The entire vehicle was painted and decorated in the Union colors. We were asked to get on the second tier and all the way to the front.
Before us a row of vehicles with rotating lights on their roofs and so we participated in a parade through the streets of the capitol city. The streets were lined with crowds waving Union flags and cheering, but there were a few groups carrying signs and they had messages printed in Union standard, such as "Union go home" and " We got rid of the Nogoll now we need to get rid of the Union!"
I only noticed Bennett sitting behind me as he leaned forward." Look at those ungrateful Dick faces, they didn't get rid of the Nogoll, we did! I don't see the point of courting those primitives. A nice Virus or a P bomb and we got the system for ourselves."
"I had it! We are back on the ship; I am putting you on
report!"
"I am sitting behind you with a dagger and a loaded gun and you won't make it back, trust me!"
I turned and snapped." And you are messing with a Neo Viking that gets more pissed by the minute! The best thing for you is to shut up and report yourself. You might need some serious reconstructive surgery before your court hearing."
He paled and hate glittered in his eyes. The other human cadet sitting next to him was clearly afraid and said." You are not serious aren't you?"
Neither Waite no I could respond as the Admiral called us to attention and then asked us of the now stopped vehicle.
Harel and Uley had an anti-matter mine strapped to their bodies and there were twenty more Nogoll dressed up as Yokuta, ten of them would go on a tour of the ship and the others would run into the forum with the Union honor guests and detonate themselves. Harel and Uley had the same orders. Go to a crowed place and detonate the anti-matter charges.
Neither one of them really wanted to die and commit suicide like that, but neither of them had much hope. If even one of the others followed through, the Union would not have any mercy and hunt the rest down. Once they knew what to look for, their sensors would find them.
Colonel Cornelius O'Hare was concerned. He was on security detail for the Admiral of the Fleet. Union Intelligence and security would not let the highest officer out of their sights. He was with the PSI Corps and one of the three agents permanently assigned to the Admirals security detail. Admiral Mc Elligott was a high profile target and there were thousands of attempts on his life over the centuries. Almost exclusively agents and assassins hired by enemies. Of course there was the occasional attempt of some fringe group. There were very few voices before the Y'All Crisis who questioned the legitimate right of the immortals to be in such leading positions for such a long time. Those voices have almost disappeared after that war.
It was clear to almost everyone that it was better to have individuals with that enormous experience such as Stahl, Decker and Mc Elligott in leading positions. The Fleet was by far the largest organization in the known Galaxy and it was simply practical to have someone on the top who could oversee projects that took 500 years or knowing the organization from the ground up. In all those centuries none of the Immortals ever stepped out of line and tried to rule or dictate the direction. Mc Elligott still took his orders from the Assembly and he did so without fail. Of course none of the Immortals was as popular or beloved as Admiral Stahl, but he didn't need security. He was more often than not in his nearly invincible battle ship. Even though not being as popular as Stahl, Mc Elligott was well liked and for a man of his position had surprisingly few internal or political enemies, mostly due to the fact that Mc Elligott had stayed out of politics or taking sides. But few enemies in a Galaxy as large as this was still a lot and it was his job to keep the Admiral safe.
Eric Olafson Series Boxed Set: Books 1 - 6 (The Galactic Chronicles Series) Page 245