Void's Psionics (8 page)

“
Are you
serious?”

“
Very. It’s why I’ve been so
busy the past couple days after the cube and splinting Stephanie’s
hand. My bracelet showed me all she can do and most of it is still
far beyond me. But what I did find, sure has helped speed things
up. My med bay is still better, but I can guarantee that out in the
field there is no one better equipped than me right now in an
emergency. Deegen and Bell here yet?”

“
Running a few minutes
behind.” Steven admitted. “Deegen had an issue with his suit. Had
to replace a few faulty nanites that corrupted the regulator. Won’t
take too long.”

Not long at all actually as the dark skinned
man with dreadlocks came out carrying chakrams hooked to either hip
with a long black whip wrapped around his wide torso. Chakram being
a ringed weapon with a handle with which to be used in close
quarters as well as to be thrown like a disc that return if done
correctly. His silvery armor was much more battle scarred and
blackened than Steven’s.

At his side loped the large Grey Wolf Bell.
She quietly moved, but her sharp claws tapped on the rustic, hard
wooden floorboards. Like all neo animals, or neurologically
enhanced animals who had been spliced, she was bound telepathically
to Deegen and could talk, but was normally quiet as she couldn’t
properly pronounce words due to her lupine ancestry.

Moments after the doors shut, they opened and
out came the tool carrying Jacob Wrench.

Deegen turned and said “Just who I was
looking for. Mr. Wrench, can you take a look at my suit? The
processor is still malfunctioning a bit.”

“
Uh, sure, D. Let’s go to
the shuttle so I can put my things down and have a look.” The rest
spoke idly, mainly Jessica wanting details about what new tricks
her niece’s suit could do now. Deegen took a seat on the long bench
in the open cargo hold as Jacob brought a diagnostic crystal over
to get close proximity and quickly said “There’s your problem. The
relay circuit is clogged with a dust mote. Now how did you get in
there, Little Guy? Sorry, but you have to go.” Jacob grabbed a
special pen that pulls clean air inside, compresses it and he
plugged it into a pinhead size hole under the armpit of Deegen’s
left arm and pressed the button. A ‘ffft’ sound was barely made and
the red light on Deegen’s left arm that controls and monitors the
suit’s internals turned soft blue. “That should do it.”

“
Much better. Thank you, Mr.
Wrench.”

“
No problem, Big Guy.” Jacob
put his tools back as the Hunter got up and put them in a
bag.

“
We ready?” Renee asked,
grateful for a chance to divert the current topic. Deegen nodded.
“Alright, get to your places and follow my ass out.” She walked in
through the airlock than the cargo door Sparky and Rose headed for.
Jessica was right behind and shut the outer and inner door at the
press of a button.

Oliver though hopped into the Flare and
activated automatic startup procedures as the docking door began to
rise. Rather than be sucked right out into the cold vacuum of
space, a thin barrier of a few photons thickness was placed. It
allowed solid objects through, but held atmosphere in and vacuum
out. He closed the cockpit lid and checked all was fully
operational as Renee’s shuttle unfurled it’s solar sail mast and a
stream of bluish white plasma came out of the back end to propel
the winged boat out. With it gone he saw the three Seeker’s
sitting. Stone’s would stay behind as his task was to ensure the
safety of the captain, crew and treasures going to the press
conference.

Steven’s Seeker went next and Deegen wasn’t
far behind. Oliver lifted the Flare silently off the ground to
press down with the lightest touches to fly straight. Passing
through the barrier he pressed a button and the deck hatch dropped
back down to make the Dorgenox hull whole. The private dock
wouldn’t be known if not known about beforehand or seen opening in
action.

Vast space opened up and it calmed Oliver as
they flew swiftly through it. Momentum from the Dorgenox carried
over with them, but a quick turn stopped sideways flying and ahead
showed a large white star, but it was filtered through the screen
to prevent blindness. They separated hours before the Dorgenox
would make a sea landing on Havannah.

It would be smooth sailing till then so
Oliver turned on some music and pulled the indigo shield from his
back and laid it between the seat and wall.

Havannah, second planet from its home brown
star, grew quickly in approach. It was an earthlike planet, but had
three small moons that doubled as weapons platforms as Havannah had
been attacked by Keptl and repelled by excellent firepower twice
before. Its oceans were blue, but lacked excessive salt and only
made up about thirty percent of the overall surface. Great
mountains and volcanoes created great and powerful windstorms that
could last seconds or months. Only winter was best to not worry
about deadly storms. Summer was chaotic and nighttime was the only
time to work. Right now Havannah was coming out of its wintery
orbit and was gradually getting closer to the central star.
Havannah, though with dangerous winds, was a beautiful place and
sported one two point one gees of gravity. Mild temperatures. Human
population numbered about fifteen million scattered between ten
major cities and many outlying towns. Right now it was dark, but
aside from the orange glow of active volcanoes there showed light
of technology.

Space authority from a moon called out to
them. “This is Havanna’s moon platform three. I have you on screen.
State your name and business.”

“
This is Renee Void,
daughter of Pirate King Jake Dorgen of the Dorgenox. My shuttle is
called the River Skipper. The three fighter’s are my escort.” Renee
had taken Oliver’s last name after her captain and father wanted to
marry them. She was comfortable taking Void as her last name, not
wearing a ring.

“
Voice analysis and ship
number confirmed, River Skipper. Two Seekers as well, but I do not
have the other fighter in my records. What is it? A handmade custom
craft?”

“
No, it’s a Galicom product
called a Flare, but it never left prototype phase as few pilots can
control her.” Renee said.

“
Understood. You are cleared
to enter Havannah space. The Dorgenox has already landed twenty
minutes ago. Have a nice day.”

“
Thank you.”

Soon four bright fireballs streaked through
the night sky as the ships entered the atmosphere to cause enough
friction to ignite the very air against a psionic shield each ship
activates in reentry. Windows darken so the bright flames don’t
blind. Less than a minute later the fires went out when they slowed
down to supersonic speeds and still continued slowing.

Ahead lay the city of Loke, named after
Andrea Loke who found what is now known as a Solarian nursery
pyramid, commonly called the Tower of Loke. She still lives here
even after five centuries since its discovery. Air traffic wasn’t
bad enough to be coordinated like Verard or Earth and they flew
single file behind the shuttle piloted by Renee herself. They flew
down between snowcapped mountain peaks and into a wide valley. Much
of the city was located near the large lake that supplied fresh,
crystal clear water. Following the travel plans they headed to a
personal ship parking area and before landing Oliver got a full
view of the grand nursery.

The pyramid had all open sides, but were
reflecting lights shone from angled lamps. The walls were made of
clear crystal so compact it has withstood eons. The floors numbered
just a simple ten, but was more than thirty stories tall. Four
sides. The base width was four kilometers wide so it was no small
structure. Each floor was made of metal and had lasted well. It was
a scientific marvel as well as a historic sight, but right now
there were no tours being made.

After the single pass Renee led them to land
at an empty lot, but standing waiting was an average height woman,
hair as midnight dark as the night itself and wearing a lab coat
over black jeans and a blue shirt. Judging by her expression she
had been waiting for some time, but was barely containing an
abundance of overexcitement.

Renee touched down and as soon as she opened
the hatch to exit the black haired woman of caramel skin asked “You
must be Renee!” to grab her arm.

Hating being grabbed, she punched the woman
in the abdomen which knocked the wind out of her. “Don’t grab me
again. Who the hell are you?”

Sparky walked up to her side
to stare down at the gasping woman out of curiosity before slipping
into the woman’s mind to tell everyone with a great deal of
surprise
“Renee, you just punched Andrea
Loke herself.”

“
Well I’m not apologizing.
What do you want, Professor and why are you here? Papa told me to
expect someone, but I never would imagine it would be
you.”

Andrea swallowed, but recovered enough until
she noticed the Flare land and out stepped Oliver putting the
shield back under his cape and sniffed the air which was a bit
thinner than normal. “By the Stars!”

Forgetting all pain, Andrea nearly ran over
to look over him with wonder. Oliver held still after stepping out
as this little woman poked his firm middle, covered in armor, but
then grabbed his cape and went to grab his sword till Renee grabbed
the woman’s arm and glared. “What the hell is wrong with you woman?
You just can’t go doing shit like this.” Renee let go.

“
My apologies.” She stared
up at Renee and had to really lean back to stare at Oliver. “I knew
Solarian men were much taller than their women, but you are a
magnificent specimen. Is that armor for intimidation purposes or
are you really that muscular underneath?”

“
Red, I don’t know what to
do.” Oliver said.

“
What a voice! You must make
panties of every woman drop if you sang.”

“
Take it down a notch,
Girl.” Jessica put a hand on Andrea’s shoulder. “Looks like my
brother is up to his tricks again. How much did he tell you? You
obviously know Oliver and my niece’s heritage.”

“
Oh, Jake and I go back a
long time when I was mated to him and Isabelle. We were a trio for
about two decades, three centuries back. He gave me full disclosure
as he knows I can keep my research quiet as he tells the Empire
what he discovered. But to see a live Solarian has been a dream of
mine most of my life.” Her gaze laid on Oliver. “I still cannot
believe it, but he is large, even for a male. So? Are you really
that big or not?”

Steven chuckled. “If you
want
big
,
Beautiful, better you stick with me.”

“
I’m already sexually
satisfied with my current boyfriend and girlfriend, but thank you
for the compliment.” Andrea said to the handsome Hunter. Then back
to the Solarian couple. “Please, may I see your
physique?”

“
How about introductions?”
Oliver cleared his throat an stepped forward, extending a hand.
“Hello. I’m Oliver Void.”

“
Apologies.” She took a
deep, steadying breath and lost her hand in his. He was rather
gentle despite his size. “Hello as well. My name is Andrea Loke.
I’m chief scientist and figurehead of the city. It is a genuine
pleasure to at last meet one of your peoples. A real
honor.”

“
Please, treat me like
anyone else.”

“
Not likely.” She laughed.
“My whole life has been dedicated to learning about your society.
And you are rather handsome. Now may I see?”

“
Show her to make her shut
up.” Renee grumbled, already jealous this woman is so obviously
interested in him. “Only the top.” She amended. His dick was for
her pleasure only, not for the eyes of this woman.

Understanding the context, Oliver willed his
armor back and grabbed the shield before it fell. Andrea’s eyes
went wide as she took in the mountain of lean and sculpted muscle.
She went to touch till green eyes literally flashed with warning
and power. After getting her desire taken care of Andrea turned and
said “I’d know those lips anywhere. You got them from Isabelle, but
you got your father’s green eyes, cheekbones and bright red hair
from him.”

Renee blinked as the woman shifted topics and
got a headache. “Uh, thanks, I think.”

Andrea took a step closer to Renee and Oliver
put his armor and cape back on along with the shield. “But your
physical frame is clearly Solarian. Your solid skeletal structure
is spot on from the skeletons I uncovered five centuries ago by my
tower. You also have Isabelle’s beauty. I really miss her, but
she’s still in you. That much was certain in that punch. She
greeted me the same way after I asked to join hers and Jake’s bed.
I’m a bit eccentric, but she and your father knew I mean no harm to
anyone. That hasn’t changed. Sorry we got off on the wrong foot,
but I’m here to observe and it is by my authority we closed the
tower to the public. I’d do anything for Jake, but I basically had
to pull off his left testicle to understand why he wanted the lot
of you a private and open area to work. He gave me over much of
what happened recently and I made sure we won’t be disturbed. Since
we have only eight hours till sunrise we should get moving.” She
told the others.

Jacob grabbed his bag as Renee asked “And
what did Papa offer should we find anything in the tower?”

“
The arrangement is between
me and him. Sorry, but until I’m satisfied, I’ll say nothing.”
Andrea grew serious, but took the lead to the stairwell that
descended three stories to the foot of the large
pyramid.