Conflict Unending Page 2
“That’s it,” said Angela as she turned to face Jeremy. “All data being broadcast from the fleet base has stopped.”
“Destroyed,” said Bartoll, shaking his head. “I was not expecting the Eternals to strike so far away and so swiftly.”
“You must remember,” answered Jeremy. “The Eternals have been conquering galaxies for over a thousand years. They are used to fighting battles and have no doubt developed strategies for quick conquests. They chose Galaxy X-257 since it had only one fleet base protecting it and there is no Dyson Sphere there.” He turned toward Ariel. She was a Human built AI with dark hair and looked like a young woman in her early twenties. “What is the nearest galaxy with only a few fleet bases? That may be their next target. That fleet is too large to have been sent against only one galaxy.”
“Galaxy X-268,” replied Ariel promptly. “There are only four Originator fleet bases in that particular galaxy.”
Jeremy let out a deep breath. “We need to rush our deployment of the dark energy cannons. These bases are too vulnerable.” The dark energy cannons were a development of the Originators from the Lost Originator star cluster and extremely deadly to Eternal warships.
“I will put it before the council,” replied Bartol. “But I agree; we need those cannons to protect the fleet bases.”
“I would recommend increasing the size of the fleets protecting those fleet bases in Galaxy X-268,” suggested Commander Belson. “It may cause the Eternals to think twice before attacking them. We cannot allow them to pick off the galaxies in our space which don’t have Shrieels.”
“Those ships would have to come from the nearest Dyson Sphere,” said Ariel as she scanned the database for the nearest one. “Galaxy X-243 has the necessary ships. However, I would suggest sending some of the new battlecruisers as well to reinforce the bases. We could send four fleets of twelve hundred ships each, one thousand regular Originator battlecruisers and two hundred of the newer ones. The latter with their triplex energy shields and more powerful energy weapons will be a greater threat to the Eternals.”
“We should send a few dreadnaughts along as well,” suggested Jeremy. “Ariel, contact that Dyson Sphere and arrange for those fleets to be sent to the fleet bases in Galaxy X-268. Add ten dreadnaughts to each fleet.” Jeremy hoped the addition of the larger ships might deter the Eternals from attacking. “Also send a warning to all four of the fleet bases in Galaxy X-268 that an Eternal fleet is in the neighborhood and might be dropping by. Make sure the four bases know to expect the reinforcing fleets.” For months since the battle at the Lost Originator star cluster, it had been quiet. It seemed now that was about to change.
-
Later, after the others had left, Jeremy stood talking to Angela. She was nearly seven months pregnant and could not wait to have her next child. The girls had been planning for months what they were going to do when they had their children. Kelsey and Katie were also pregnant with Katie expecting twins. Jeremy didn’t think Kevin was ever going to get over Katie telling him she was having two babies.
“Any word from Rear Admiral Barnes?” Kathryn had left over a month ago to speak to the Federation about furnishing fleet personnel for the Originator fleets. Even though there were a large number of Humans, Altons, and Carethians on the Dyson Sphere where they had their new homes, it was not enough to fight an all out war against the Eternals. After speaking with the Originator Council, they had agreed to allow the Federation to send help.
Angela shook her head. “No, they should have arrived there days ago. I don’t understand why we haven’t heard anything.”
Jeremy didn’t either. They needed the Federation and its resources to fight this war against the Eternals. Without the Federation’s aid, they would be sending ships into combat with just AI crews. It had already been demonstrated while the AIs, particularly the military AIs, were well qualified to command a ship their losses were considerably higher than those of crewed vessels.
“I’m sure there’s nothing to be worried about,” said Ariel, standing there with her hands on her shapely hips. “Rear Admiral Barnes and her father can handle the Federation.”
The Originators had made Ariel an android body similar to their own AIs. In almost every way, it functioned like a normal Human body. It was warm, she could feel, breathe, experience emotions, and even eat. She could easily pass for a young Human woman if she wanted to.
“Politics,” said Angela in frustration. “I guarantee you the Federation Council is tied up in politics trying to decide what to do.”
Jeremy looked over at Ariel. “Have you sent the messages to the Dyson Sphere about sending the support fleets?”
Ariel nodded. “Yes, the fleets should be leaving within the next few hours. They should easily arrive at the four fleet bases before the Eternals do.”
“Let me know if you hear anything from Rear Admiral Barns,” Jeremy said as he and Ariel turned to leave. The silence from Kathryn was worrisome. Jeremy hoped nothing had gone wrong.
-
Later, Jeremy was standing at the large open window, which looked out over the city the Originators had built for their Human friends. The city was large and impressive with over four million Humans occupying it. It was full of tall towers with ribbon-like walkways connecting them. It was like no other Human city ever built. It was unique and contained everything the Human race could ever want. Looking down at the street below, he could see vehicles traveling along the wide thoroughfares. Large green parks were visible where families could go to enjoy themselves. The city was pollution free and unusually quiet for containing so many people.
“It is a beautiful city,” Jontel said. Jontel was an Originator and had been the military leader in charge of the large space station in the Lost Originators’ star cluster.
Jeremy turned around to face Jontel. Over the months since they had returned from the star cluster Jontel and Jeremy had become good friends. “Have all of your people been awakened from stasis?”
Jontel nodded. “The last only a few days ago.”
“What have they decided?” Jeremy was concerned many of them would want to return to their old homes in the other Dyson Spheres and not remain at the Communications and Transport Hub.
Jontel smiled. He knew why Jeremy was concerned. “Most have elected to stay and live in the Shrieels here at the hub. Only a few hundred thousand have elected to return to their own Shrieels. Even most of those have agreed to aid us in the war effort.”
This was a relief to Jeremy. That meant nearly twelve million Originators would be remaining. “How do they feel about Humans, Altons, and Carethians being here at the hub?”
“At first many were shocked,” Jontel admitted. “But when they learned of the new war against the Eternals and the role your people have played in helping Bartoll and even in finding us, nearly all agree it’s best to have your people here aiding us. We cannot fight this war on our own; we are too few.”
Jeremy and Jontel spoke for a while longer until it was time for Jeremy to head home. Grayseth and his mate, Marille, were coming over for a cookout. As a matter of fact all of the Special Five would be there. For months now Jeremy had remained at the Communications and Transport Hub. Kelsey and Katie had made it very plain they expected their husbands to be present at the birth of their children. Even Ariel was making big plans for the coming event. She and Clarissa were already calling them the new Special Children. Jeremy was uncomfortable with that name but knew there was nothing he could do to prevent it.
Chapter Two
Two weeks previously…
Rear Admiral Kathryn Barnes breathed out a long sigh of relief as the Distant Horizon and her accompanying fleet exited intergalactic hyperspace just inside the Milky Way Galaxy near the Human Federation of Worlds. She had the Distant Horizon, two dreadnaughts and ten of the new enhanced Originator battlecruisers with her. They wanted to make an impression on the Federation Council with their arrival.
“We’re here,” said Clarissa
as she quickly checked the stellar coordinates. “We can be at Ceres in four more hours.”
“What will your people say when they see our ships?” asked Camlin. Camlin was an Originator AI. She had dark brown hair with a slight bluish tint to her skin. She was very tall as were most Originator AIs at a little over seven feet.
Kathryn leaned back in her command chair. She had wondered about this as well. “We’ll enter the solar system under stealth and drop our stealth fields when we reach Ceres.” This should produce the maximum effect for their entrance into the solar system.
“It will feel strange to be back home,” her father said. “I wonder how much it’s changed.”
“Ceres will still be there,” said Clarissa, brushing her blonde hair back from her eyes. “It’s just that most of the people are at the Communications and Transport Hub.”
“Not all,” Governor Barnes reminded Clarissa. “A few thousand remained behind.”
“Andram, we’re in range of your people. I want you to send a message to Ambassador Tureen asking him to meet us at Earth.”
The Altons would no doubt play a big role in what was to come. The Federation Council could be swayed more easily if the Altons decided to support the war against the Eternals. When Kathryn was here last that had not been a problem as Ambassador Tureen arranged for two million Altons to come to the Communications and Transport Hub.
“I have no doubt he will come, particularly if we offer some Originator technology as an inducement,” replied Andram from his science console.
“Only a limited amount,” cautioned Kathryn. “We’re prepared to offer a better power system and increased sensor range as well as a few medical advances. More than that has to be approved by the new Originator Council. Captain Travers, send a message to Malrez on Careth telling him we’ve returned and would like to meet with him at Earth if he can come.” Malrez was the chief clan leader of Careth. There was no doubt in Kathryn’s mind he would support the war against the Eternals. The Carethians were intensely loyal to Grayseth and Fleet Admiral Strong.
Commander Grissim looked away from her command console, gazing at the viewscreen, which was full of familiar stars. “It feels good to be back home again.”
Kathryn agreed. What concerned her most was last time they were here they had pretty much kidnapped millions of Federation citizens. Well, it wasn’t really kidnapping as they had agreed to come voluntarily but the Federation hadn’t been told. The first they knew was when they found Ceres and the ships around it empty of life. Nearly everyone had vanished. Kathryn left a message behind with former Fleet Admiral Hedon Streth. She wasn’t sure how Fleet Admiral Nagumo and the Federation Council had felt when they were given the message. It was one of the things she was soon to find out.
“Set a course for the solar system,” Kathryn ordered. “Let’s go home.”
-
Fleet Admiral Nagumo was in the large orbiting shipyard above Earth, which served as his command base. The shipyard was the largest in the Federation and heavily armed. Not only that, there were twelve huge battlestations around Earth that added to the firepower available in Earth orbit. Only the New Tellus System with its asteroid fortresses was more heavily defended.
He was speaking to Admiral Race Tolsen about the Ralift and reports of them still causing trouble on the outskirts of Shari space.
“The Ralift have been driven back to their prewar boundaries,” Nagumo said as he gazed at a large star map showing the borders of Shari and Ralift space. “The Shari have not crossed the old border under pressure from our government. The Shari have too much to lose by angering us and risk some of the new trade deals being canceled. However, the Ralift have large fleets of their warships at the border and there’s still sporadic fighting occurring.”
“What about the AIs? Any signs of any of their vessels?”
Nagumo shook his head. “No, we’re hoping you got the last of them though there are rumors there are still a few in Borzon space.”
Race was about to respond when alarms began sounding and the Condition One alert was broadcast over the station’s comm system.
“What the hell?” said Nagumo, his eyes widening in surprise. They were in the second most secure system in the Federation. How could there be a threat here?
“What is it?” asked Race as Nagumo spoke quickly to the station’s Command Center. He put his comm device back down, his face pale as if he had just seen a ghost.
“Rear Admiral Barnes is back and she’s brought some very large warships with her. Hell, the Distant Horizon is barely recognizable. If not for the ID codes they’re broadcasting we would never have recognized the ship.”
“Where are they? How soon before they arrive in the solar system?” Race’s own flagship, the WarHawk, was docked to the shipyard.
Nagumo let out a deep breath of frustration. “They’re already here in orbit around Ceres. They must have used some type of advanced stealth field. We didn’t detect them until they dropped the field at Ceres. Governor Barnes is with her and requesting to speak with me and President Malle.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Prep my flagship, the Luna, and fly out there. Want to come along?”
Race nodded. “I wouldn’t miss this for anything.”
Since returning from Shari space, Race had managed to pay a quick visit to Fleet Admiral Hedon Streth. He had been both amazed and frightened at what Hedon had confided to him in that brief meeting about where Rear Admiral Barnes had come from and what Fleet Admiral Strong was facing. He had not revealed to anyone what the former fleet admiral had told him. The return of Rear Admiral Barnes was not a surprise.
-
Several hours later the Luna and her escorts neared Ceres and upon the viewscreen, massive warships became visible. The first was the Distant Horizon at three thousand meters. Scans of the vessel indicated power readings totally off the scale. The next were the two dreadnaughts, each was 3,200 meters in length and then the ten battlecruisers at 2,200 meters.
“If the power readings from those ships are correct we don’t have a weapon that can touch them,” reported the sensor operator. “The Distant Horizon by herself could probably take out all the defenses in the solar system.”
Fleet Admiral Nagumo nodded. “So I’d better not make them mad. See if you can raise either Rear Admiral Barnes or her father on the comm. We’re close enough to see each other now. Helm, bring the fleet to a stop one thousand kilometers from the Distant Horizon.” On the main viewscreen, the huge exploration dreadnaught became visible.
“I have Rear Admiral Barnes on the comm,” reported the communications officer. “She is requesting you take a shuttle and come over to her ship to talk. She believes you will be very interested in what she has to offer.”
Fleet Admiral Nagumo nodded. “Tell her I’m on my way and Admiral Race Tolsen will be accompanying me.” When Rear Admiral Barnes had taken the people from Ceres, she had left some technology behind on a computer disk with Fleet Admiral Streth. Nagumo was curious as to what she was up to this time that she felt the need to offer further inducements. “Let’s go, Race. I have a feeling this is going to be mind-boggling as she has had contact with the builders of the Dyson Sphere.”
Race looked at the viewscreen. It was obvious neither Humans nor Altons had been involved in the redesign of the Distant Horizon. In many ways, it now looked like an alien vessel of war.
-
On the Distant Horizon, Kathryn watched as a shuttle left the Luna and began heading toward the exploration dreadnaught. It was escorted by four Talon fighters.
“The communications officer on the Luna is reporting Fleet Admiral Nagumo and Admiral Tolsen are on the shuttle,” reported Captain Travers.
“Admiral Tolsen,” said Governor Barnes, smiling approvingly. “He must have gotten a promotion. It will be good to see him. He’s one of the better admirals in the Federation.”
“He may be the best admiral in the Federation,” replied Kathryn.
She wondered what the odds were she could talk Fleet Admiral Nagumo into allowing Admiral Tolsen to return with them. They could certainly use some qualified admirals in the war against the Eternals. Jeremy was certainly going to need additional admirals as the fleet was expanded.
-
As they neared the Distant Horizon, Race could see the influence of Alton technology in its basic design. The Altons, along with Clarissa, Kelsey, and Katie had helped design the original Distant Horizon. While this ship was similar, it was considerably larger and obviously much heavier armed. The ship now looked deadly and almost sinister.
A large hatch slid open, revealing a brightly lighted flight bay. Race watched with interest as the shuttle entered and then landed without a jar. Looking out a nearby viewport, he saw a full platoon of Marines lined up waiting for them to disembark. “Looks like we have a welcoming committee,” Race said as he stood up.
Fleet Admiral Nagumo glanced through the viewport at the waiting Marines who were standing at attention. Through a hatch he saw several of the Distant Horizon’s officers enter and walk over to the Marines. “Let’s go find out what’s going on. After Rear Admiral Barnes last visit I didn’t expect to ever see her again.”
Opening the hatch the two walked down the ramp and halted in front of the Marines and the two ship officers.
Race’s eyes opened wide at recognizing Clarissa. The other officer was Commander Anne Grissim. Race knew her from her days on the StarStrike.
“Fleet Admiral,” Commander Grissim said saluting. “If the two of you will follow me, Rear Admiral Barnes and her father are in briefing room two near the Command Center.”
Race reached out, touching Clarissa’s arm. He was stunned when his hand brushed what felt like actual human flesh.
“Surprise,” said Clarissa with a pleasant smile. “This is an android body the Originators built for me. It is very similar to a human body in most of its functions.”