Eric Olafson, Neo Viking Vol. 01

She put the bundle down on a table and took the basket out of my hands."You should have seen the terror and pain she caused among us servants the day it was delivered. Poor Geirhild killed herself the same day."

I was shocked. "She killed herself over that?"

Her eyes sparkled in anger for a heartbeat, then her face became soft. "Midril said you should not know these things, you have a terrible lot as it is."

She moved to a curtain covered door that puzzled me and said. "It is a long time since I was here, but I don't recall a door to be there."

She smiled. "Your memories do not deceive you, Eric. This door is new. Your Stepmother did not want to sleep where your mother died. The Fair Ladies chamber is right behind that wall. The door has been bricked shut and covered with paneling and paint."

I walked over to that wall and put my hand against it. I could barely speak. "Is she still in there?"

She came over and knelt before me, took a kerchief from a pocket of her apron and wiped the tears of my cheek. I felt embarrassed and turned away. She was a female and a servant and now she had seen me cry.

Her voice was gentle and she said. "I was not a servant to your house when it happened, but she is not in there as far as I know, and you do not have to be ashamed of your tears."

"How can you say that, being a daughter of this world? My father would strip my skin of my back for seeing a tear on my face. No doubt my Grandfather would do the same. I am a Viking, we do not cry. I am not a girl who can.

"I am a Viking too, Eric. I cry every night but no tear will see the light of day. It is improper for hight daughters to shed tears openly."

"But servants and Freeman's daughters can, right?"

"On this world of ours, women have little rights. Yet the high daughters of rich and old clans care little for the most part as they live in luxury and have servants to their beck and call, but what about the Freemen or the slave like Low-men. What rights to their daughters have, who even cares if they cry?"

I wasn't prepared for her questions, I shrugged. "I have not spend much time on thinking about that."

She pushed a strain of hair out of my face, "What am I saying to a 13 year old? The only woman you ever talk to is Midril, but in all your pain and sorrow. Remember you are not the only one between those walls who longs for justice." She got up, "And then there are many beyond these walls who also long for it"

She was taking womanly garments out of the basket and not knowing what to say I offered to help."Can I help you with something else?"

Raghild put something red and smooth on a hanger."I should say no, this is the realm of chambermaids and women not that of Tyranno slayers but a second pair of hands will be welcome."

So it came, I learned how to fold garments and hang dresses that afternoon, how to operate a vacuum cleaner and polish furniture and glass.

Raghild introduced me to three other chambermaids and they giggled and chattered while working. Telling me how much they despised Gretel.

Raghild put her hands on her hips and nodded."Thank you Eric, we are all done here now. Thank you for your help."

Running down the big stairs, I was contemplating what to do with the rest of the afternoon.

Audgisil, the old man servant stood by the massive doors apparently polishing it."Young Master, the day will come when these are your halls, remember that."

"He will kill me before it comes to that."

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Chapter 5: Grandfather

Mr.Flensburger was now gone for a week and we had a new teacher. Mr. Walters was his name and he was much different to the jovial and gentle Mr. Flensburger. He was stern and had a no nonsense approach.

This Monday morning, right by the main doors I saw Yngve Lofdahl waiting for me. He had a busted; bleeding lip and his left eye was swelling. Like me he was wearing a fur vest over a linen tunic that reached halfway to the knees, linen breeches and boots. Usually he always looked like he wore brand new stuff as his mother took great care before he left home, today his tunic was ripped and his breeches dirty.

Yngve's family belonged to one of the newest clans who weren't older than maybe two or three generations. He was much ridiculed over this fact. Yngve's parents were not as strictly tradition minded and their home featured many off world technology items. For which I envied him. "Who beat you up today?" I asked more or less knowing the answer.

He shrugged and wiped the blood from his lips. "Annar and Gunnar, the twin brothers did it this time but they were egged on by Sigvard."

Fighting, brawling was prohibited on school grounds and strictly enforced. "So they are going to be in real trouble if the teacher asks what happened to you."

"I can't. Sigvard said he kills me and his clan will attack my family and beat up my parents. I will take the detention I am going to get for not speaking but I am not telling anything to Mr. Walters."

I sighed and said. "We still have some time. Let's go to the washroom and see if we can fix you up a little. You know the teacher could give you up to 20 days detention."

He shrugged again defeated and sighed at the same time." What can I do? Our clan is very small and far dispersed. We have no Burg we can defend and whatever they do to my family, the Circle of Elders will rule in favor of the Old clan."

We had reached the bath rooms, no one else was there as everyone else was getting ready for class and he started washing his face and putting a cold towel on his eye." I know you got a raw deal with your father, but you are Olafson and have Ragnarsson blood. The Elders are made up of men of the old clans and the Traditions are always interpreted in favor of them, always! Father often says so."

"Maybe I should tell what happened!"

"You are out of your mind. The Peerson's can't wait for you to do anything stupid to have an excuse to jump all over you and Sigvard hates you because he is jealous of your clan!"

"I am not afraid of them. There is nothing they can do to me that has not already been done to me much worse at home."

He tossed the towels in the recycler and we both headed for class as we had little time to spare and Mr. Walters was a stickler for punctuality.

"You know sometimes I think I should be more afraid of you than Sigvard and his gang!"

I gasped at his statement." What do you mean by that? I have never hurt you!"

"Of course not, but you are driven insane by your violent father and one day you may snap and do something really unexpected."

We entered class and everyone was turning and looking. Annar pointed at him and hissed." You say a word and we going to kill you and take care of your parents the old fashioned Viking way!"

Gunnar the twin brother of Annar grinned deeply. "I would kill myself if I had a looser father like that. A weakling like you and who had ever heard of the Lofdahl clan?"

Yngve clenched his fists but slid in his chair and said nothing.

It was my nature. I could not stay quiet and said." Whoever heard of the Peerson clan? You just challenged a friend of the Olafson clan and you threatened to attack his home. I wonder what your father will say if he hears you declared clan feud with the Olafsons without your clan Chief saying so!"

Annar became pale. All this old clan stuff was beaten into me on a daily basis and it was easy for me to use it in an argument like that. Despite the fact that it was quite true and Annar would be in a world of trouble.

At that moment Mr. Walters entered the class room.

Walters was almost as massive and strong looking as my father, but he did not have a beard and kept his gray hair closely trimmed to the skull. He wore he usual gray three piece suit and a white shirt underneath. Despite his bulk he could move quickly and completely silent and appear right behind you when you least expected him and thought he was clear across the room.

"Why are you still standing Mr. Olafson? Is there something wrong with your seat or are you planning to leave my class?"

"No Sir!"

"No Sir! Is a good start but not an answer! I asked you a distinctive number of questions!"

He suddenly made a half turn and scolded Sigvard, who was silently snickering. "Since you find that funny, tell me how many questions did I ask Eric?"

Sigvard's smile froze on his face and he shrugged." It's none of my business what you discuss with this Outcast."

"Wrong answer! I just made it your business and I know you heard every word since you found it funny!"

He pulled his Personal Data Device from his breast pocket. Something he only did for theatrical reasons, and said." System, record three negative marks against Sigvard Elhir and the same Number against Eric Olafson."

The Device responded with acknowledging beeps.

"Now be seated Mr. Olafson and good morning Class!"

Everyone responded at the same time and 32 boys said." Good Morning Mr. Walters."

He went up to his desk and turned. "Today is the 14th of July 4994 Old Standard time. Do you know what happened exactly 500 years ago on this date?"

He looked over the class and his eyes found Yngve who tried to hide as much as he could by keeping his head down.

"We will discuss the significance of this date after Mr. Lofdahl gave me an answer to the question I am going to ask. Keeping your head down like that could mean you try to hide the facial evidence of tears, lipstick or a fight. Since you are Neo Vikings two of these options are most unlikely. You don't cry and you are not allowed to interact with girls at this stage!" He came closer and commanded sternly." Look at me!"

Of course Yngve did and his eye now was really swollen and turning color.

"Now I see clear evidence of a fight on you and since it is you I doubt I find similar traces on anyone else."

Gunnar could barely contain his giggle as he heard that remark.

Mr. Walters did not turn." I was making a logical deduction. Mr. Lofdahl is physically incapable of defending himself against one, much less two or three opponents. That does not mean I think of him any less. I do not have to point out that his mental abilities far outshine anyone elses'."

The teacher returned to his desk and pulled his PDD and said. "You all know or should know why fighting is prohibited on school grounds. You have been instructed on your first school day and many times since. On many other Union schools in the Galaxy this is just one rule of many and not all that important. Here on Nilfeheim the Union school board found it necessary to make it the number one rule." He pointed at Gunnar." Tell me why!"

Gunnar was no longer smiling and got up." Fighting among pupils and outside of supervised fight classes is strictly prohibited to maintain order and to guarantee a safe and violent free environment to all students."

"And because you Neo Vikings are one stubborn bunch that likes bashing others over the head. The Circle of Elders has given the Union school unrestricted control over the education process and approved the school rules. By breaking these rules you break both Union law and the Ruling of the Elders. All this is very serious and for this reason I am turning off my PDD and I give you all a chance to clear this issue here in class. Fail me and disappoint my trust and I will turn this over to the principal."

He sat down behind his desk. "I know of the set of traditions that rule this society. However this is Union ground and that means for example that Mr. Lofdahl and everyone else here is under the protection of the Union. He was attacked under our watch and harmed. He could now insist on Federal Police taking his case.

He looked directly to Gunnar. "Federal Police could come and arrest everyone involved and put you before a federal court. If the court finds that Mr. Lofdahl was injured or perhaps black mailed and threatened it could decide on hefty fines, on forced resettlement of the guilty party to a penalty colony a so forth."

He leaned back."Most of you think your clans are very powerful and the Circle of Elders as the final answer. Few of you ever even glimpsed the power and resources of the Union and what it truly means to be a Union Citizen."

Gunnar who was still standing said. "Sir, it was me and my brother. We roughed Yngve up a bit this morning."

"It was my brother and me!" The teacher corrected and then nodded." I already deducted that much."

Mr. Walters said to Yngve. "Go to the school nurse and come back when she is done with you!"

"Yes, Sir. Mr. Walters."

"Then you will report this afternoon to the detention teacher for sixteen hours for not immediately reporting the incident."

Yngve nodded and left the class room.

Gunnar sat down.

"I have not given you permission to sit!"

Gunnar bolted back up.

"Since you came forward. I want to hear your explanation why you did that. What honor was there to be found by you two attacking one? I thought warriors honor was much important to you!"

Gunnar's face turned red. "It was Sigvard who told us to see how far we could go. Yngve's clan is weak and new and Sigvard thought we could earn us a few extra credits."

Sigvard hissed loudly."Traitors!"

"Gunnar and Annar Peerson you are going to report to the Groundskeeper Office and offer 30 hours of your free time to assist. If you complete your penalty I shall keep my word and there will be no record kept."

Both brothers nodded in unison. "Yes, Mr. Walters we will do that."

Annar added. "Thank you Mr. Walters."

The teacher raised an eyebrow." Your insight is noted and you may take 10 hours off your penalty."

He then went over to Sigvard. " You however will report to the principal right now!"

Sigvard got up." You Off-Worlders think you can do anything!"

With this he left the class room.

The teacher activated the display board behind him. "Due to the events of today I am going to change the subject of our class today. Instead of history we going to make a little Virtual Excursion and visit a session of the Member Assembly at Pluribus. The class room went dark and we appeared sitting in an invisible space ship approaching a single star system in deep space."

He pointed at me." Mr. Olafson. What can you tell me about Pluribus?"

I got up as fast as I could." It is the name of a Sun and a Solar system with six planets. It is the seat of our federal Government."

"Indeed it is. Pluribus Unum is the first planet in that system and it is where all members sent their representatives to meet and discuss all matters of state and union and to make decisions."

The classroom went dark and the display board showed a yellow sun in deep space and the image started to surround us and soon it was as if we sat in an all transparent space ship and approached a bright spot that soon turned into a planet.

"Who can tell me why it is called that way and what does the name mean?"

It was Yngve who answered, which meant he was back from the nurse's office already." It means out of many, one! Sir."

"Ah you are back. It surprised me not that you know it, but I hoped for someone else answering. Mr. Bergeson can you tell me how this name was chosen and why?"

Alvar Bergeson was a quiet guy who sat just behind me cleared his throat and said meekly." No, Sir I can't recall this fact at the moment. I think I must have had a faulty Cerebral Upload."

"No it was not part of your upload package for this quarter. It was part of the research assignment I gave to you all last week."

"Ah yes Sir, I recall. The assignment, I mean."

Mr. Walter made a mark on his PDD and said to all of us."After the Union was formed by the four original member civilizations. It was decided to put a new government system and a new government for all onto a new place. They found the Pluribius System, back then not claimed by anyone and in almost equal distance to Saran, Spor, Ulta and Terra. A naming contest was held among all Union Citizens and after elimination process the name Pluribus was chosen. It is form an old Earth language called Latin and means what Yngve said. We are many individuals, many civilizations, many cultures but we are together in one goal and one future."

The planet rushed up on us and our invisible space ship slowed down as it descended into the atmosphere. It was always an incredible beautiful experience for me to see a garden world from space. It was so incredibly big when it was approached and yet compared to space a mere speck. The thin blue layer of the atmosphere and clouds it all was a feast of colors that suggested hospitality and life.

Mr. Walters's voice explained as the world turned beneath us, towards the main continent. "Pluribus Unum has as you might have noticed three continents, huge land masses that unlike your ice continents that form during Longnight never melt. Pluribus Unum is a Planet of many extremes. While it is a classified as a Garden world now, it didn't start out that way. It is the most populated planet in the Union and more than 40 Billion individuals live and work here, with an additional 40 billion commuting almost daily. Every Corporation has either their headquarters here or a major branch office. Every bank including the Federal Union Bank has offices here. More than 4500 Member Civilizations maintain so called Culture Pavilions, while all 4995 Member Civilizations have Representative Offices with support staff here. Every occupied world is represented. I believe Eric's Grandfather is the representative of Nilfeheim.

"Not to mention Courts, Federal Associations, Churches and temples."

He paused as we plunged towards the surface. Walters's gruff voice was replaced by a melodic female voice." Welcome future Citizens to Pluribus Unum. I am Utchat, the Giga Computronic of this world and its voice."

The voice stopped for a moment but a melodic harmony vibrated on then it said.

"As you dive past the Thermosphere into the Mesosphere you will notice the first spires and tops of the tallest Arcologies..."

Walters's voice interrupted." One moment Utchat, this class is form a Culture Type 191 P environment."

His tone changed as he addressed us."Arcologies are hyper structures. Complete Cities, enormous habitats of extreme high population density. Providing habitation, recreation and in some cases work all in one place." He then signaled the Computronic to continue.

The female voice seamlessly continued." The tallest Arcology is Schwartz Industries Sky Needle III with 190 kilometers height. Most of the others that become visible now reach heights of up to 85 kilometers.

The second tallest of Enroe Industries becoming visible now, is open for visitors and can be accessed via Pluribus Unum Virtual Tours.

Walters said." We are here to see the Assembly today and watch a session."

"Very good choice."

The visual images were almost incomprehensible. I saw it all. I knew what I was seeing but I could barely process it. There were countless fliers, in all shapes and sizes buildings upon buildings and between the buildings canyons many kilometers deep, with bridges

and arcs connecting some of them. But it all was dwarfed by a huge white hemisphere and as our virtual flight speeded up and we rushed towards it kept on growing, everything else around it, buildings, green parks, reduced to miniature size.

"This is the Sphere of assembly." The Computronic Voice explained. "Of course not all representatives are here all the time and some choose to use holographic Avatars, but by custom and not by any rule, most are here in person and here every weekday. The Assembly is always in session around the clock and every day of the year, except during Union Week celebrations."

We passed through the wall and emerged inside a complete sphere. The dome shaped structure we saw from the outside was only half of the entire structure. The inner walls of the sphere were dotted with small alcoves. Each alcove had a desk and several seats. Humanoids and Non Humanoids alike occupied these alcoves. Our floating class room descended further into the middle of the immense sphere. "As you can see millions of seats are still dark, those are reserved for future members. When the assembly was constructed it was decided to build it with future expansion of the Union in mind. A section of the sphere changed color high lighting sixty eight alcoves and the Voice said." The seats that I have colorized for you are representatives of the Andromeda Galaxy for example. Who can tell me the first Civilization that joined the Union that was not of this Galaxy?"