Eric Olafson, Neo Viking Vol. 02

Even among his kind, he was known to be one of the most gifted Nanite Technicians.

While there were some space faring cultures of tech-level six or higher using some form of Nanite technology, no one was as good and as advanced as the X101s.

He had a lucrative offer from 'Schwartz Nano Tech Development' in his pocket and today he would board a space bus to fly to Omni planet, the most secretive corporate owned planet in the known galaxy.

Rumors among his friends had it, that Schwartz Industries worked on technology considered tech level nine

The new Trans Matter Tunnel technology for example, it was generally believed that not even the Celtest had developed anything similar. Instantaneous communication, avatar technology, space trains traveling in so called Schwarzlicht tunnels, zero point energy cannons and many cutting edge technology no other civilization could duplicate, were some of the technological wonders exclusive to SII.

Employed by SII he was allowed to work there, among and side by side the brightest and best engineers and scientists in the Universe.

The labs and development shops so he was told by the Schwartz Recruiter had no equal and the most expensive equipment was available to everyone working there.

No budget or material limits.

He only needed to fly to Corri-Door via space bus. Once there a corporate luxury ship was to take him to Omni.

He already seen his new home in a holo presentation, a two level apartment with Super Lux accommodations in a Stratosphere tower complete with an incredible view over Omni City and the Oceans beyond.

Cirruit has always been addicted to shopping and his salary would allow him to shop to his heart's content.

Factory, planet once under Kermac control and it's star Magnitude had been deep in Galactic Council space. After the end of the last Big War and during the armistice conference, Mothermachine demanded direct access to Union space.

A special region of space was designated by treaty as a corridor of Union space connecting the Magnitude star system with consecutive Union space.

This corridor was only twenty light years long and has a diameter of one light year. A cosmic cul de sac, defined by treaties and buoys in the featureless endless night of intergalactic space.

Neither the Kermac nor any of the Galactic Council thrall species dared to jepoardize the fragile armistice that ended the hot phase of the last big war. Knowing full well, that Mothermachine could churn out millions of armed Sentmacs in battle robot configuration. In addition to that very serious threat to the Galactic Council, there were several deep space forts within this region of space. At one end was Magnitude and at the other end in was a star system called Corri-Door, a system within consecutive Union space.

From there you could travel to all points in Union space or access another similar connection arrangement secured and defined by treaty; the 83 light years long tunnel to Arsenal.

Several hours ago Cirruit had said good bye to his friends and then boarded the space bus to Corri-Door.

Magnitude had only one planet but being the home world of a Union species it had a busy Class A space port in orbit around the sun about one orbit away from Factory.

There was one more solar system within the Magnitude connection. An old red sun called Outpost with a bunch of relative worthless rock planets of great age, but it was the site of the a huge Union construction project.

Wurgus Sun engineers worked on that red star to coax it back to new live as a G III yellow sun. For this, a seemingly ending stream of Tiny Tim freighters in tanker configuration ferried billions of tons of Hydrogen through the Corridor, making it a very busy traffic connection. This many trillion credit project was funded directly by the Assembly.

Having a forward post so deep in enemy territory could not be wasted. Everyone knew the Armistice could be broken at any time and the Union would have to go to war against the Kermac and the Galactic Council.

With the right equipment, namely huge extreme long range scanner installations it was considered possible to monitor, enemy space ship traffic all the way to Kermac Prime. That the planets around the old red star were developed into the most powerful long range spy sensor outposts of the Union, there was no doubt. Despite the high classification of the actual project. That the Kermac weren't happy about this was certainly an understatement.

Cirrcuit hated the Kermac. Like every X101 did. Not every Sentmac was the perfect Union citizen, but lying to Mothermachine and planting a bomb in her mind center. Forcing her to accept their will was unforgiveable. No X101 would ever forget or forgive and not even their Union allies knew about the Revenge device hidden beneath the tallest mountains of Factory.

If war was ever to break out again between Union and the Kermac, the X101 had means do their part to guarantee victory and repay the Kermac for their reign of terror.

Like every Sentmac he had visited the Monument of Freedom in the center of Mothermachine - City. The 1000 meter tall obelisk made of Platinum engraved the images and names of the marines and inside the 63 bodies of the Kermac guards encased in transparent Duranium along with a replica of the bomb. Like every X101 his positronic mind had burned deep pathways of hate towards the Kermac.

The space bus was filled to the last seat with construction workers, engineers and shop keepers coming from Outpost to take their vacation or extended R&R in Union main space. Factory always welcomed tourists but still had little in terms of real recreation facilities.

Cirruit found his reserved seat next to a human female. She smiled at him and took her bag of his seat. "Sorry."

"Oh no problem, I am just glad I did not actually smash it, sitting down."

"You have a very nice voice, for a machine." She said then put her hand on her mouth. "Sorry again. This came out wrong."

Cirruit sat down. "I am not offended. I am a machine and you saying I have a nice voice makes me very proud."

"I am Seilagh Renwick heading back to Ormond Planet." She held out her hand.

He took it and said. "Cirruit Sevenninefour, and yes it supposed to mean circuit but I got that name from my first grade teacher since I couldn't pronounce Circuit."

"You get your names form your teachers?"

"Yes, as we don't have parents or families in the biological traditional sense. So our first grade teachers give us individual first names."

She kept holding his hand. "Amazing your hand is not cold as I expected. I am keep insulting you am I? But you are the first X101 I actually meet. Despite coming this way now twice."

"We keep our outer skin level at exactly 33 degrees Celsius. It makes interaction such as hand shaking with humans more agreeable, besides I don't like touching cold things either, and everything is cold outside on Factory. You are the first human I meet. My Union Teacher was a Garbini." He shook his head. "And you are really not offending me at all. I am quite aware that I am a machine and I know many of the X101 jokes. Terrans tell and most of them are quite funny."

"I don't know any X101 jokes but they have plenty of Irish Jokes where I am from."

"How many X101s does it take to change a light bulb?"

"I don't know. What is a light bulb?"

"It takes only one one but seven hundred years till Mothermachine designed the right one for the job."

Then he shrugged in a very human gesture. "I have no idea what a light bulb is and I checked GalNet."

A terrifying centipede like creature across the Isle clacked with his mandibles and said. "Sorry I overheard your conversation. A light bulb is a very ancient Pre-Astro Terran device to make light. It is part of a lamp."

"Wow. You should put that on GalNet How did you know that?"

"I am sure it is on GalNet. There are plenty of collector sites. I collect Pre Astro Terran antiques, mostly replicas though as the real stuff is so expensive.

That's where I am going. Pre Astro Collector Convention on Ulta, after bolting and bonding space fort frames for twelve month I needed a break."

"I can imagine." Cirruit responded. "I need to buy me a light bulb replica, do you think they are very expensive?"

The engineer checked his PDD. "TerraArtifacts Inc. offers a genuine 40 watt glass bulb with multi color function and hundred year energy spot for 259 credits, complete with certificate and a collectors card made of real paper."

"Mothermachine. That sounds awesome, I will order one as soon as I am at my new address." Then he changed the subject. "They are working on that system ever since I was assembled 16 years ago. Aren't they done soon?"

Seilagh shook her head. "My dad is an engineer there, he says, they won't be done for another 200 years.

The Sun will be back to G III type in about 200 years if I understood the Wurgus correctly. There are at least eighteen more space stations planned as far as I know."

Before anyone else could say something, the attendant robot came floating by, a rotating red light flashed on its head. It announced with a loud voice.

"All passengers are asked to return to their seats and put on safety restraints. Please keep all limbs and body parts inside the yellow line around your seats."

The engines of the space bus audibly hummed much higher, it was now flying at maximum speed.

The young woman next to him had turned on her GalNet set and a news announcer with a serious face behind a desk said. "This is just in: A massive space battle is fought at this very moment at the Prometheus Five Sun Nebula expanse between Union forces, a very large Dai Than fleet and Nogoll Forces.

All Union space is on highest War alert. Intergalactic war might be imminent."

The girl looked frightened. We are in the middle of the that cursed corridor. I bet they increased speed because we are pursuit by Kermac."

The Centipede raised four of his leg and arm pairs. "No worries young lady. Factory is well defended and there are three space forts in the corridor"

A strong tremor shook the Space bus and the lights went out."

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Chapter 7: American Spirit

The 'American Spirit' was nothing I expected a space ship to look from the inside. It was more like a luxurious villa, complete with garden, swimming pool and green lawn. We stepped through a glass sliding door under a blue sky with a single yellow sun and on the green plant surface he called grass, was a table with umbrella and a few garden chairs. Rolling hills with forests in the distance.

"All simulated of course," Alex explained. "The walls are actually only 30 meters from us, but I like it that way. Care for a drink?"

"This is amazing you would never know you are in a space ship sitting here. Do you have coffee?"

"Sure do." He ordered some and then he gestured around. "This is my private deck of course. The rest of the ship is more traditional if you will."

He sat down and I followed suit. Just as the Coffee was brought out by an older man with white gloves part of the sky vanished and a huge field screen appeared. A voice said. "Mr. Enroe there are news on GalNet you might want to see, Sir."

"Put it on."

A news announcer said: "I repeat Intergalactic war imminent. Nogoll forces have violated the free space treaty and are engaging Union ships. A force of more than 500,000 Dai Than Units is fighting alongside Nogoll forces against units of the first fleet in the Prometheus Five Sun Nebula area. First reports of casualties have been confirmed."

The CEO of Enroe Industries sighed. "They say war is good for business and in a pure profit sense that is true, but I wish our generation could have been spared. I feel sorry for the lives that are going to be lost."

"I need to go to Arsenal then Sir. I will do my part."

"I have no doubt you will, Eric. I may call you Eric?"

"Yes of course."

"Call me Alex then."

The News announcer said. "This is just been announced on GalNet one. All Union forces are put on highest alert. Pluribus Assembly just called for an emergency session. All civilian craft are asked to avoid border areas and return to the closest ports if possible."

"Well that voids your plans to get to Arsenal for a while, Eric. Arsenal is now in enemy space. That region is highly disputed and only ours because this system was annexed by us as part of the armistice. It is now in enemy territory. I bet there won't be any space bus traffic to Arsenal gate.

He got up. "I can drop you off at the next Union planet where you can wait for space bus traffic to resume or you can come along with me to Austin, planet"

"Austin, planet?"

"I am sorry Eric, I must to give you a rain check on the visit to Gore. Enroe Industries will do its patriotic share. We do have a substantial fleet of our own and I am planning to mobilize it and see to it, that we do our part to shorten that war."

With a gesture he conjured up a bubble display that hovered above the table between us. It showed a three dimensional star map. He pointed at a star system and said."Austin is one of our corporate planets and it is not too far from the Prometheus Five sun nebula.It is one of our biggest corporate fleet ports. I am sure we can find something for you to do until Arsenal opens again."

"If we are at war then I want to do my share, be it as a Fleet cadet or as civilian. Count me in Alex. Can I make a call?"

"Sure go right ahead."

I did call the contact that was part of my application documents. The Union Navy logo appeared. Then a voice said. "Caller identified. Applicant Eric Olafson of Nilfeheim, planet. Please stand by for the next communication resource to be available to you. Wait time is approximately nineteen seconds."

The Spatial Navy march started to play. The voice came back on after first few notes. "You are now connected to Arsenal Two, Union Spatial Navy Academy Headquarters, Recruiting specialist Olivia Green."

The screen changed and the same dark haired, exotic beauty with dark brown skin and almond shaped eyes looked at me. "Good Afternoon, Applicant Olafson. Thank you for calling.I am the AI avatar assigned to you. What can I do for you?"

"War is imminent, and I am an applicant, what must I do?"

"Thank you for your question and your willingness to serve, Applicant Olafson. I am accessing your records now. You are not due to report to Arsenal Gate until the first of October, 5017. Currently all civilian traffic to Arsenal is suspended until further notice. Should no civilian traffic be possible by then, we will contact you with alternative academy destinations."

"But what are my orders right now?"

"Applicant Olafson.I assure you the situation is well at hand and the spatial navy will contact you. Please assure the collective society of our Union and the Spatial Navy appreciates your commitment to service and duty. Again I confirm a note has been made to your file and you will be contacted should your application destination change."

I thanked the simulated person and shrugged."Looks like I can come along, Alex."

"Perfect." He gave me a reasuring smile."No worries, our Union is a big kid and we will prevail. I am sure." The super tycoon that turned out to be a real nice guy said. "Well lets eat something and then I give you a tour of the yacht."

We did eat and the food was truly magnificent. The old man with the with the white gloves served, beef steaks and potatoes that were about as perfect as food could get and it wasn't even fish.

After the meal he kept his word. After seeing the impressive engineering section I was allowed on the bridge of the Spirit.

In the subdued light I saw men and women behind duty stations. A furry cat like being sat in the Captain's chair.

Alex introduced me:" Captain Letrah this is Eric Olafson a very resourceful young man I had the pleasure to meet. Eric this is Captain Calia Letrah, she is Togar."

The feline Captain extend her claw tipped hand and with a gnarling sound to her voice. "Nice to meet you Eric and yes I know what you are thinking. I am Togar but I can be trusted and won't eat human flesh."

"I don't think it is my thoughts you are reading, Captain Letrah. I never seen or heard of the Togar. They eat humans?"

A man next to her laughed. "Our captain can get very agitated when things not done her way, but she hasn't eaten any of us, yet."

Alex said to her." Take us to Austin, fast as she goes."

"Yes, Mr. Enroe."

Alex leaned over and said in a quiet tone. "Togars are an elusive civilization clear across Free space. There is no direct Union contact and they are one of the so

called Freespace independent neutrals, but they don't like the Union much and it is said they buy human slaves for food."

"They also have very good ears." Said the Captain. "True the Togar Empire doesn't like the Union but Togar also don't like the Kermac, the Nul, and the Shiss or in other words the Empire likes no one very much, with the exception of Alex perhaps. Yes Togars like human flesh, we also eat Shiss and Kermac and pretty much everyone we can digest I heard Ult are delicious too. Nul on the other hand are undigestable. I personally prefer Terran style pork; it is similar in texture to humans and much less rancid."

Then she laughed with a roar. "It smells like war and who knows if there is a Freespace after that, or a Togar empire. If that Admiral Stahl is on a roll, he might not stop until he reached the other side of Downward."

Her comment caused smiles and fist pumping among her bridge crew. Alex also grinned."The Eternal Warrior has never been known to be a very good diplomat, but I am sure he has the situation well in hand. The news spoke of the First Fleet and that means he and the Devi are right where the fighting happens."

It was a private Yacht, a very big one and just a civilian ship, yet the flair of efficiency and professionalism was addictive. It was a real space ship and this was its bridge. I had the same feeling I had back then when I saw the USS Ragnarsson. This is where I really belonged, in space and on the bridge of a space ship. Not that my chances ever getting there looked very good at the moment.

The Togar female got up from her chair and stood beside me. "What fascinates you so? You look like a Togar cub standing inside a meat shop."

"All this." I made a gesture around the bridge." It is where I want to be."

"Yes I was the same way ever since I was just a cub. I did not belong to an important family so I would have never been allowed to become an officer in the Togar fleet. Enlisted yes but Command, never.

When Enroe Industries started to deliver Pork meat to our worlds, I sneaked on one of his freighters. Long story short, I was allowed to become a Union citizen and Alex made me the Commanding Officer of this Yacht. Enroe Industries is the only contact Togar has to the Union by the way"

"Why aren't there more Union contacts with Togar?"

"I told you, most Togar don't like humans ... other than minced on a platter that is, but one of Alex big corporate security ships rescued our queen from Shiss raiders and he even fought our queen in personal combat. He lost, but only by little and survived and for that our Queen respects him, even likes him and all Togar loves Enroe bacon." Her Tail twitched as if independetly alive. "How about you, Human. You appear young. What are your plans?"

"I am on my way to join the Academy to become a star ship captain."

Her slitted eyes were actually quite beautiful in a wild impressive face with golden, black dotted fur that shimmered like silk. "Yes this is a worthy goal if there ever was one. There is no species friend or foe to the Union that does not openly or secretly admire Union fleet captains. It is a special breed of beings, regardless of what species they came from. Saresii, Saran, Shiss, Terran, Klack, Ult or any of the many others, the Union seemed to have found the secret to really select and train them. Infinite confident as the depth of space they are. I have met quite a few you know." She gestured around. "I am very content with this, it might only be a yacht to you, but it is a very big one and could easily take on a Togar battle ship in terms of shields and weapons and we can out run everything we Togar have with ease, but I would give my tail and my eyeteeth for a command on a Union destroyer."