Norsemen!

After the feast, Odien led the Gunny and the Captain to a corner of the room so they could have a private conversation. Gunny noticed their clothing was a bit unusual and had to look closer. The men dressed in what was similar to a man's dress suit in his time but the cut was different and the colors were bright; reds, orange and yellows and there were no hats of any kind but, Oden was wearing a light blue jump suit? Most of the women wore pants as well with some in a flowing dress of different colors, such as solid white or yellow. All had long almost white hair and Gunny found them most attractive, especially the women.

Odien kept looking around as if to make sure no one was within hearing range then looked down at the Gunny and Captain.

“Gunny. Captain!” He glanced to his side briefly. “I have something to tell you now that I did not plan on doing but it seems necessary.”

Again he glanced to his sides.

“There are a few people here that DO NOT want your interference and will go to no lengths to stop you. However, there are many, many more that support what you and your men have done and will do.”

The Gunny cocked his head.

“Like that woman that started to chastise me?” The Gunny asked.

“Yes, she is but one. There are others that are not present here today.”

The Captain nudged Gunny and pointed with her head that someone was coming, it was a tall woman in a long flowing orange dress.

“OH!” The Gunny said with a smile. “That’s Frigg.”

“You have MET her before?” The Captain looked surprised.

“Yeah...several times.”

“My wife!” Odien said as he side stepped to greet her with their cheeks touching.

“Odien....I think I got a handle on all this right now but the question is..what are YOU going to do?” He paused, looking up into his large blue eyes. “I mean...are you and Frigg in any danger? Do you need help tracking them down and eliminating the threat?”

“OH NO!” Odien looked taken aback. “We would NEVER retaliate like the Norse. That is unheard of in my culture.”

“Then how in the world do you protect your self?” Gunny asked.

“There is no need of protection as you comprehend in your culture. That is one thing about you and your people that both intrigues and infuriates my people.” He said with a calm face."You and your people are amazing and we love following you. We do not, however, interfere unless it is an absolute emergency."

“I see,” the Gunny shifted position so he could have the wall behind him, being able to see anyone around him, by habit.

“So tell me, where exactly ARE you from any way?” The Captain asked with a furrowed brow.

“To tell you the truth, you would not know it. Let me say we are in the same galaxy.”

“The same what?” Gunny asked.

“Galaxy! By our standards of travel not that far away but by yours...impossible to even imagine.”

Gunny took a deep breath as he looked Odien in his blue eyes.

“I was thinking of a different dimension, not another galaxy for crying out loud!”

“Our culture is one of peace and exploration, not violence. Your people, both from your time line and here, are exactly the same. Destroy and conquer.” Odien looked at ease now that Frigg was by his side.

“And”, Frigg said with a smile. “We are trying to expatriate your culture into something more ductile.”

“UUUHHMM,” Gunny stuttered.

“It means change.” Odien said with a smile.

“You will have to excuse me, Frigg. I am not that educated. Never went to college.” Gunny said.

“Understandable, Gunny. But brave. And bravery is superlative.” She said as Gunny frowned again.

“Excuse Frigg...she enjoys using words. That means bravery is the absolute highest honor we have in our culture. Simply because we are not warlike does not mean we do not admire bravery.” Odien smiled.

“Ok Oden...I have a million question for you. Is now a good time?”

“We have some time but not a lot. The diner will break any time now and we must leave.” He paused. “OH! Would you two care to bed down here later? We have excellent quarters you may use.”

“No thanks, Oden. We need to get back to the ship later so we can make contact with the rear. Make sure everything is still in working order back home.”

“Can you tell me what the Greeks are up to?” Gunny asked.

“That would be a breach of protocol but,” he glanced to both sides. “I may be able to help you later.”

“OK thanks.” The Gunny turned to Frigg with a smile. “I remember you said once that Oden like looking like a Norseman.”

She smiled broadly, looking at Odien with bright eyes.

“Yes...he does! It’s more a hobby to him but he enjoys going out to visit the folk at times.” She paused, looking at the Gunny. “Especially YOU, Gunny!”

“Really? When I don’t know he is around I assume.” He said.

“Absolutely!” Frigg smiled, glancing at Odien.

Gunny rolled his eyes with a smile.

“Well....I hope to hell it’s NOT when I’m with my wife!” He chuckled making them all laugh.

A tall blond man came up to Frigg in a hurry, handing her a sheet of yellow paper, then turned and left as quickly as he arrived. She read it quickly then handed it to Odien who’s face seemed to pale, if that was possible for these very white skinned people to do so.

“What is it, or can I ask?” Gunny asked.

Odien looked around the room in a quick glance, then back to Frigg.

“We must see to this immediately!” He told her.

“Anything I can help with?“The Captain asked.

“No! But....” He paused leaning forward, looking at both the Captain and Gunny.

“Greece has just conquered Spain and Northern Africa.”

“It seems Loki is after the Fluorite and other minerals!” Odien said looking as if he were in deep thought.

“What the hell is that?” Gunny asked.

"Fluorite is used as a flux for smelting. If used correctly, it hardens metals into a substance far greater than anything you have been able to do."

"Dreadnoughts!" The Captain said with a sneer.

"More correctly.....land machines as well." Odien said.

"However," Odien continued." Spain also has coal, lignite and iron ore. Everything he needs to produce a war machine."

"Oh GEESH!" The Gunny let out a long sigh. "Here we go again."

"I must go, Gunny, Captain. This needs attention." Odien said and was off at a quick pace.

Frigg stood there looking at them both, expressionless.

"I'm afraid this means Loki will continue the war, Gunny." She said.

"Yes, well. We expected it. But....this still gives us time to build more defenses. May be we will go offensive. Kick them in the butt at the out set so to speak." The Gunny turned and saw people leaving the dining hall.

"Could you take us back to our ship, Frigg?" The Captain asked. "We are a bit lost here."

"Of course," she said as she turned, sitting her glass on the table as she passed with Gunny and the Captain behind her.

"Frigg?" Gunny asked as he followed her. "Where the hell is the light coming from?"

"Ambient light." Was all she said with a smile and kept walking, leaving Gunny confused.

Gunny was still amazed at their height. A good foot taller than the average human, almost white hair and all had blue eyes with pale skin, as if they had never seen the sun.

"Gunny, when we get to the ship I will contact the rear. You want me to tell them to speed up manufacturing?" The Captain said.

"That was my thoughts exactly!"