Chapter 22: Homeward Bound

I went to the high-security storage facility our robots and my engineer had built after I had taken a shower and changed into a new uniform. I padded the colt and swore to myself never to leave it behind ever again.

Circuit had installed a portable matter destruction furnace, next to the large transparent force field encased cylinder filled with those disgusting white maggots.

Narth was with me as well as Har-Hi.

Narth said. “Do you really want to destroy them all?”

“You are right, maybe we should keep one or two in stasis for later study or so.”

“No I mean you are going to commit genocide in a way. These are sentient beings.”

“Maybe they are but without any morals and a trail of death and destruction. Those disgusting crawlers are responsible for forcing me to shoot friends. Forcing my friends to do things against their will.

And who knows how many millions or perhaps billions they have killed to get here.

Once released they will continue to make others sick and force their dominion on others.”

“I understand and I fully support your final decision but the leader of the Knnnk asked me to plead with you for the life of his people.”

My chin dropped.”You ... you talk to that filth?”

“I can not easily ignore a telepathic cry for mercy. They know about their guilt and are well aware of what they did. What they did is wrong but from their side of view the only way to become a civilization. They have no hands, no eyes, nothing to build a civilization for themselves.

You need eyes, hands to make tools, make fire.”

“The Shaill don’t have hands or anything like that and did not decide to kill everyone,” I argued back.

“This is not entirely true, Captain. The sister station to Richter 4 exists because we anticipated war with the Shaill.”

Narth then said. “An individual can choose to self destruct to atone for his or her actions and immoral deeds, but as a leader, it was responsible for the welfare of its kind first.”

Circuit brushed over his polished skull. “They are responsible for much mayhem, death and in a sense are responsible for the destruction of my beloved engines, but we X101 did very bad things under the influence of the Kermac.

Even those of us who weren’t directly influenced, were glad for a purpose, even if that purpose meant to attack others.

The Piostla waged a great war against us because they felt all Non-plant life was evil and argued there are Terrans who ate plant matter and therefore were guilty based on their morals.”

“Are you also suggesting we let them live?”

“I know they are too dangerous to be let free, but exterminating them before looking for an alternative might be a little harsh. With their help, we, or the Union could find the rest, help the afflicted and find a solution for the Knnnk.” He held up his hands in a defensive manner. “Now, don’t get me wrong. Because of them I almost died, but I listened to Narth. I personally throw the switch and toast them to ashes if you say so.”

I looked at Har-Hi. “What is your opinion?”

“The Dai in me says burn them, and burn every planet they ever touched, just to make sure they can never ever force their will on others and make them do things they do not want. However, I am too long with Narth and also a Union Citizen and with those values, I might agree with Narth and Circuit.

The Union gave us Dai, the ones that joined, a chance. You know what we did before that. My own clan burned and killed many Union colonies and ships and took everything they owned. Yet our past was never made an issue since we joined.

Your very own Neo Viking forefathers practiced piracy, were the worst killers and dare I say, rapists before the Union fleet put an end to it.

Then you Neo Vikings joined. Not one Viking went to prison. No one was held accountable for their actions before they were Union.”

“So you say should give them a chance to apply for membership?”

“It would be a solution of sorts. They would be bound by Union Law and could then be legally and with the full moral framework intact be punished for all future acts.”

“And anyone coming in contact gets sick and they take control.”

“Now that we know they have no chance. We can easily protect ourselves from them. It was their unknown ability that made us vulnerable.”

“Maybe they have more unknown abilities?”

“Well, Captain if you still think we should destroy them. then we will support your decision you know that!.”

They all knew I would no longer throw the switch before I had checked other alternatives. Part of me still felt angry and cheated on the revenge I wanted.

I knew I had the Viking savage beast in me more than I wanted to admit. I was now well aware that there was something utterly dark and powerful inside me.

Judging others, no matter who or what they were was no longer so clear cut. To add to it all, I was a Union Captain and had to make sound decisions and was accountable for all my decisions. The Knnnk were a previously unknown life form, and could not necessarily be judged on human or Union morals and ethics.

“Alright, you come up with a workable solution by the time we leave and I will consider alternatives. However, I won’t let the Knnnk behind on this planet.”

The next day, I was in my Captain’s quarters to write my daily logbook entry. Cateria would be able to wrap things up in another day or two. All her patients were getting better and even the severe cases where much organs and tissue had to be replaced were on the way to complete recovery.

The Down managed to contact their government via a message drone. The response was more Dawn ships arriving and they were deeply impressed by our medical progress and interested in opening diplomatic and trade contacts with the Union. I was told, the Down were to send a delegation to Pluribus via the Golden Bazaar.

The once sick and affected Furze had officially formulated their desire for membership and presented me with a contact request to be forwarded to the Assembly.

The Down confirmed that the Outcasts were welcome to the planet.

Circuit and his team worked hard to repair as much as possible and close the hull. The rest of the crew went from top to keel, with scalding water and concentrated Scrub-A-Deck. They were eager to erase even the most minute trace of these slimy bastards.

I leaned back and put the pen down when the door chime announced Shea. She came in and sat down on my couch.

“I think we found a solution to the Knnnk problem and we wanted to demonstrate it to you tomorrow as soon as the technicalities are tested and worked out.”

“Good news, but you came for something else I can feel it.”

“Can you still love me after what I did?”

“I told you before I do not hold you responsible and neither Har Hi, Hans or anyone else under the influence of these creepy things. Thinking about it makes me wish again I had thrown the switch after all.”

I got up and sat close to her, took her in my arms and said. “I still love you very much. Nothing has changed.”

“Will you go back to your male persona when this is over. Black Velvet is only an artificial persona and technically belongs to NAVINT.”

“I haven’t really thought about that, but I doubt it. I really like myself just as I am.”

A wide smile changed her face and she kissed me. “Wonderful.”

She got up and said.”You really don’t mind if I move in with you? I mean share quarters?”

“I thought we already discussed this, any regulations against it after all?”

“No official ones. It is just not done usually.”

“We never cared much about much of the official regulations, so why start caring now? I say go and get your things. Now we got to draw lots who sleeps on the right side of the bed right?”

She giggled as she left.”Depends how much you have changed.”With that, she was out the door.

They had asked me to be in the Pirates Den, the next day by 1600 hrs.

Shea and Cateria were quite proud I could tell and Narth seemed also very pleased about something, standing next to the curtain covered entrance as he said.

“Behold our Knnnk solution.”

I jumped out of my chair and almost out of my skin. Both my hands went for weapons blaster and the old 45 at the same time.

“What in Lokis name is that? It is the most horrifying, disturbing thing I have ever seen.”

From the door, a headless man had walked in.

It had perfectly normal arms, legs and wore only tight-fitting black swimming trunks.

Instead of chest nipples, it had eyes.

It had no head and no neck. But one of the white worms was sitting on top, where the neck would have been.”

“I don’t think I will ever go to sleep without seeing that thing before my eyes. Did Mao come up with that?” I felt guilty as I saw the disappointment in their faces.

Cateria said. “Sorry Captain I didn’t have much time for the design. I thought it doesn’t look too bad.”

I blinked. “Sorry Cateria, really I did not mean to criticize your work, but honestly to me, this does not look good and I am just a bit shocked. I was not prepared for a headless Zombie with a giant maggot on top.

Please tell me what you guys come up with and why this Worm is in the open?”

Cateria explained. “Circuit injected a counter artificial bacteria on Nanite basis and thus we have completely wiped out the Virus Bacteria symbionts.

I performed discectomy surgery to the adult Knnnk and also altered the DNA of the worms so they will no longer be able to produce the venom.

Shea took over and said. “Cateria grew this organic body out of base cells. It has no central nervous system at all. It is dead without the Knnnk on top. It needs only liquid muscle foods and oxygen to operate. The Knnnk bond with it, the bond becomes permanent and the Knnnk can no longer sever the bond. Becoming essentially one with its host body. With the bond, they also lose their wave riding ability and if they are somehow disconnected both Knnnk and host body die.”

“Hmm, that is actually quite an interesting solution, some clothing might help too. Seeing this naked Neutrum was perhaps a bit sudden for my taste.”

Shea said sounding a little insecure.”It might not be to your liking but we gave it a mouth too for communication purposes only of course. And we thought the practical place would be its stomach as it doesn’t have a navel.”

I cringed. “I still think Mao had a hand in it.”

Mao shook his head. “No, not this time, Captain. But we could always open a traveling Freak Show and Haunted Ship attraction. We will be famous in no time. Giant Spider, Ghost, Giants and Dust Golem, Monsters and now headless belly-button talking Zombies!”

Shaka looked at me from the side. “And if the captain stops using the hygiene center for a month or so we might have a Bearded Virgin too!”

I blushed and checked my cheeks but they were as smooth as ever and the crew laughed.

Cateria said. “Captain the Knnnk wants to talk to you.”

I tried to become serious again and said. “Alright, I am all ears. That reminds me, please don’t tell me where it has its ears.”

Cateria said. “The Knnnk have the ability to hear, we did not need to give it ears.”

The Monstrosity began speaking and I tried hard to looks elsewhere.

“I am The-one-chosen-to-represent. I am Knnnk and hereby ask for a truce and diplomatic immunity until I am able to make our case before the Assembly on Pluribus.

My people will gladly stay in stasis confinment until your Assembly has made a decision. We thank you for giving Knnnk a chance, our most thank goes to Cateria and Shea who gave us our very own host body that will not get sick or deteriorate. If the Assembly decides to give us a chance, it will be a glorious future on our own merits. I will commit all our energies to atone for what we did by helping to find all those affected and help to heal.”

“As always I see my crew has prepared you well. By our rules and first contact laws, I am now bound to accept your request and you are indeed an ambassador.

Let me make this perfectly clear to you. Should you in any way shape or form interfere with any of my crew. I will make it my personal mission to make your kind extinct.”

“I will remain in whatever space you see fit. I understand your sentiment and can only blame ourselves. I am still very thankful for this chance.”

I wanted to say something but Xon who had the Conn. called. “Captain we are being hailed by the Furze. They are on scanners with a big fleet.”

“Pipe it down here, please.”

The Image of a Furze all in brown leather and Copper appeared.

“I see you have paid no heed to our warnings. I declare this Planet to be Furze Dominion and we shall eradicate all that lives.

You may address me as ‘A the Mighty’ and amuse me with your pleas of mercy. The Down have embarrassed us and war shall be upon them. We will feast on their flesh!”

“Did you say you are ‘Miniscule B’? I have to inform you of the fact that this planet is neither Down nor Furze. It belongs to the Outcast.”

“No Naked face, it is not ‘Miniscule B’. It is ‘A the Mighty’. You must adjust your translation equipment or face my wrath.”

“One moment, ‘C the Weak’. I talk to the Outcast and see what they have in mind.”

The speaker of the Outcasts was already aboard and I informed him via Intership of the situation and added. “Do you want to address the Furze leader?”

“Yes.”

I had the necessary connection made and he spoke to the Furze fleet leader

“Hear this, We will be members of a society of free beings soon. You abandoned us and send us with museum scrap on a journey to certain death. We are the Outcast now, Furze no more and free of the dictatorial Furze government. You refused to help us when we were sick, now you return to kill us after we are well. We fight and we die as Outcasts on our own world.”

To me the Outcast community speaker said.”We will fight, but our ships are outdated and have only weak weapons.”

“I think we can handle your angry brethren.”

I opened my channel.

“Sorry ‘D the Insignificant’, but the new owners of this planet do not want you here. This Planet is Union protectorate and I suggest you leave now or I am forced to take off and make you leave.”

He visibly got angry now. “It is ‘A the Mighty’. Hew repeated it three times with increased volume and then asked. “How you even know about lowly crewmember ‘D the Insignificant’. He is not allowed to communicate.”

One of his command crew members handed him a sign. SHIP translated.”It reads ‘I am A the Mighty’”

The Furze leader continued.”Maybe this will show you how to address me! We are not afraid of your puny little Vessel.”

“Well it might be puny to you, but from where I come from I think it’s pretty big. I guess I have to show you. Oh, and you may address me as ‘Captain the Olafson’.”

Some of my crew was actually holding their bellies laughing.

Narth shook his head. “This is not exactly how first contact procedures with a potentially dangerous and hostile species are described in the handbook, I must say!”

“It is not a First Contact situation, he talked to us before.”

For the first time ever Narth giggled. “Fivcheer and I can’t wait to feel his mind when he sees this ship.”

Har-Hi was even redder than usual. “How did you know this lowly crewman in the first place? I wonder if that poor soul is no being questioned by his superior how he managed to have contact with you.”

“Get serious guys, we are lifting off for combat action. We need to get this thing in space. SHIP have you made contact with the big ships AI?”

“Yes, Captain. I am able to convey all your ship commands via our bridge.”

“Prepare for liftoff. Nice and easy does it Mr. Nbdele. Do you think you can handle something that big?”

“With all due respect Captain. Can you eat fish?”

“I really think we need to work on the respect your Captain issue around here, but I guess that means you can.”

“Sure thing, I get this flying continent into vacuum without so much as raising a breeze on the planet.” While he started his procedures, we went leisurely on the bridge of the Tigershark. Remote controlling the big Ship around us.

Mao said. “I sure hope they try something. I am so eager to let just one of those Yotta shots go.”

“We don’t want to rearrange constellations, Mao.”

“Ah well, one can have dreams.”

Narth said.”All the Yotta cannons of this ship fired simultaneously are incapable of rearranging constellations, Captain.”

“Smart ass!”

“I know.”

That made me raise an eyebrow.

The Karmat finally broke through the atmosphere, just as the Furze fleet was within the fourth orbit and we were certain ‘A the Mighty’ had us on his screens by now. He could not possibly miss us with nothing but binoculars for sensors.

“Mao go for full shields, extend all weapons and target the alien fleet.”

“Aye Captain!”

Narth was silently shaking on his seat.

With concern, I asked. “Are you alright?”

“Yes, but I can’t breathe,” he said with a pressed tone and then leaned back and laughed as I never thought he could.

Narth pointed his finger on the screen. “A the Mighty ... A ... He just ... he just pooped all over himself. He feels very insignificant right now.”

Har-Hi biting his lip trying hard to stay serious.”I think our OPS officer is incapacitated right now. The Alien fleet is turning in a very uncontrolled retreat maneuver, there are actual collisions.” “Prince Xon do hail me that monkey would you?”

“With pleasure Captain.”

“I am Captain Olafson of the United Stars of the Galaxy. Calling the Furze. You are not afraid of my puny little vessel I know. Well here I am anyway, why don’t you repeat your demands?”