Star Wolves - The Tribes of Yggdrasil: Book 1

Chapter 18

Councilor Iforr identified the closest Dvergar trading outpost, which would be the first stop on their mission to enlist Dvergar aid; he also volunteered to go along to act as a mediator. Traders, or any visitors for that matter, were not allowed in the Svartalfheim star system, instead, the Dvergar conducted all their trading at outposts scattered around their region of space; the outposts were conveniently located close to major population centers.

The closest outpost was 180 light-years from Slaver Outpost-1, which even for the fleet-footed Sleipnir at full military power, was still going to take nearly six days in hyperspace.

Hal bid his friends in the fleet farewell and the Sleipnir was off yet again.

Iforr and Hal were sitting in his office and discussing their upcoming task.

"Essentially, Hal, everything is a negotiation with them. You must project an air of confidence and power. They will know we are desperate for their help, there is no hiding the fact. But, we are negotiating, therefore we must act as if we are not in dire straits. Once they get a whiff of the prize, I am certain they will be drooling like hungry dog over a bone."

"You have dogs on Alfheim?" Hal asked.

"Of course we do," said Iforr, "remember, the same gods that seeded Earth seeded our planet as well. Many of the creatures familiar to you are also known to us also; horses, cows, the noble beaver, and more. Worlds like Svartalfheim are different though. When the gods seeded them, they had different designs. The Dvergar have always lived beneath the ground, and therefore their flora and fauna may be quite strange. Frankly, few have ever been to their home-world. I have been to a few of their trading posts, but they keep many secrets beneath the crust of Svartalfheim. If you believe the old tales, and I do, the Dvergar made many wonderful gifts for the gods-Mjolnir, Thor's hammer for example."

Hal nodded. He was very familiar with the old stories, and wore a Mjolnir pendant around his neck.

"The trick to working with the Dvergar, is patience, Haldor. They will try to grind us down negotiating terms beneficial to themselves, and of course, we will need to resist. You must also find a way to accelerate their normal negotiating process. Some contracts have taken years to put into effect. Obviously we must convey our urgency, without desperation, and ensure they understand the value of the prize we offer them. Make them understand they can have this prize, but the price will also include expediency.

Fucking bureaucrats, Hal thought. He hated bureaucrats and their penchant for wasting time. Hal considered himself a patient man, but certain bureaucracies seemed to revel in dragging their arses-almost making a game of it. Lets see how long we can stretch this out. Hal had seen it all before.

"I'll do my best, Councilor. I know what's at stake here."

Hal was walking the halls of the ship and thinking about his upcoming negotiations; he also liked to have some face-time with the crew, and the marines who he saw infrequently.

He could hear some of the marines talking, and then heard a whining sound? Hal found this to be just a little peculiar. He rounded the corner and entered the med bay, and there was E-2 Ingolfsdottir feeding an iron-grey wolf!

There was no mistaking this creature was not just a dog, it was very wolf-like. Its coal-black and iron-grey fur covered a body the size of a very large man, Hal estimated it might have weighed in at 120 kg, but it was skinny.

"Um, what's going on?" Hal asked.

The marines snapped to attention.

"At ease, marines. Just explain what this creature is doing on my ship."