The Forgotten Empire: War for the Empire Read online

  “I’ve already spoken to the Muton Corporation and the Hathan Cooperative. Both are willing to take on the mining projects.”

  Adrian, as mayor, had to approve all mining contracts.

  Nodding, Adrian decided to approve the two companies. Both were well run. “Set up standard contracts, and let’s get this started.” She knew how important resources were to the main worlds in the cluster, and they also paid very well for these types of metals. It would bring in a tidy sum for Clovian and would help finance a few projects she had in mind.

  -

  Around the system were dozens of mining operations. Some were very large, and others were quite small. Some were family run, while the larger ones were controlled by huge companies. However, all had one thing in common. Their primary base of operations resided in the two domed cities on Clovian.

  Currently four Imperial battlecruisers were in the system. The small squadron was tasked with protecting Clovian Three, as well as several other mining operations in nearby systems.

  “Sensors are clear,” reported Ensign Leeks, who was on board the Drendal, the acting flagship for the small squadron.

  “Let’s hope it stays that way,” commented First Officer Nash. “With four ships, we wouldn’t stand much of a chance at stopping a major attack.”

  “We’re supposed to get more ships, as soon as they’re available,” replied Captain Frederick. Eventually his squadron was due to have ten battlecruisers and one dreadnought.

  Frederick had no sooner leaned back in his command chair when the sensor alarms sounded. His gaze instantly moved in that direction, expecting to see a single red threat icon. Instead, he saw what looked like over one hundred. He felt his pulse increase, as he glanced at Ensign Leeks.

  “Contacts!” called out Ensign Leeks. “We have Confederation ships dropping out of hyperspace near Clovian. Initial identification indicates Zynth warships.”

  Captain Frederick frowned, concerned. “How many?”

  “Over one hundred so far and the count is still rising.”

  “Communications, send a message to Admiral Cleemorl, informing him of the presence of the Zynth fleet and requesting immediate reinforcements.”

  Taking a deep breath, Captain Frederick gave his next order. “I want all four ships of our squadron directly over Clovian. We’ll do the best we can, until help arrives.” He knew, against a fleet of this size, his small squadron would not last long.

  -

  Zynth Admiral Donlur gazed at his tactical display. Four Imperial battlecruisers were in the system. Even as he watched, all four jumped into orbit of the moon he planned on attacking.

  “We’ll make short work of them,” proclaimed First Officer Zakor. “They cannot prevent us from destroying this moon.”

  “Take the fleet in. I want the primary targets on this moon destroyed as quickly as possible.” Donlur knew that reinforcements for the Humans were not far away. He needed to destroy his targets before any arrived.

  First Officer Zakor quickly gave the order. Time to kill some Humans.

  -

  Captain Manson on the Taggert was asleep in his quarters when the Condition One alarms sounded. Over the ship’s comm system, First Officer Jansen’s voice could be heard, requesting that the captain report to the Command Center immediately.

  It only took a few minutes for him to dress and to reach the Command Center. He wished he had had time to take a shower and to eat breakfast, but the flashing red lights of Condition One stated plainly that he had no time. “What’s going on?” he asked, as he sat down in his command chair.

  “Zynth fleet is attacking Clovian Three. Captain Frederick has requested aid. He only has four battlecruisers in his patrol squadron, and he’s facing in excess of one hundred Zynth warships.”

  “Has he contacted Admiral Cleemorl?”

  “Yes, the admiral is gathering a relief fleet. We’re to jump into the Clovian Three System and help defend Clovian, until the relief fleet can get there.”

  “Thank the Human Empire we’re in a star cluster, and it won’t take long for that fleet to arrive. Prepare to jump to Clovian Three. Make sure all ships understand that we will be jumping into a combat situation. Ships should be prepared to fire their weapons upon emergence from hyperspace. They are to target the nearest Zynth ship.”

  -

  Captain Frederick winced as the Zynth fleet jumped into orbit.

  “Put two battlecruisers each above the domed cities,” he ordered. “I want them to knock down as many incoming missiles as possible. The cities’ defenses will have to handle the rest.” Looking at the tactical display, Captain Frederick knew his ships would not last long against the Zynth fleet. However, he just needed to buy a few minutes until help could arrive.

  -

  Mayor Styles was in a deep underground bunker beneath the city. Already thousands of the cities’ inhabitants filed in, hoping the deep bunker would give them safety from the Zynth. The bunker had a small Command Center, and she was currently with Major Stone, who was in charge of the small complement of military personnel assigned to Clovian.

  “Defenses are powered up, and energy shields are now protecting both of our cities,” reported Stone. “Missile batteries are ready to fire, as soon as the Zynth ships come into range. Captain Frederick has positioned his four battlecruisers above our cities to help with protective fire. Fleet reinforcements are on the way.”

  “What about all the mining operations?”

  “They’ve gone dark. Power has been shut down, and they are in their emergency bunkers.”

  “Mining ships and cargo vessels?”

  “Powered down until we sound the all clear.”

  Adrian nodded. She turned her gaze toward the single large tactical display, which showed the now orbiting Zynth warships. Suddenly an alarm sounded, indicating a missile launch. On the tactical screen, dozens of missiles headed toward the two domed cities. Adrian felt frightened, as she realized, in a few minutes, everything she had worked so hard for could be destroyed. She folded her arms across her chest and looked up, wondering if the roof would cave in.

  -

  Captain Frederick’s battlecruisers fired all their weapons. The energy beam turrets targeted the inbound missiles, and the ships’ missiles were aimed at several Zynth warships.

  Frederick felt the Drendal shake violently, as several missiles struck its energy screen.

  “Screen is holding,” reported the first officer. “Most of the Zynth missiles are aimed at the two city domes.”

  On the main viewscreen he saw the two cities’ defenses intercepting the missiles.

  Suddenly one of the icons representing his four battlecruisers swelled up and vanished.

  “Crayton is down,” reported the sensor officer. “Ships exiting hyperspace! It’s the Taggart and Captain Manson’s task force.”

  Captain Frederick felt relieved. Just maybe he would survive this battle after all.

  -

  In the small underground Command Center, Major Stone had just sent the order for the missile batteries around the two domed cities to fire upon the orbiting Zynth fleet. Already the energy beam batteries that surrounded the two cities were firing nonstop, attempting to take out the descending missiles. In the sky above the two cities, bright flashes of light indicated successful interceptions. However, some missiles were getting through.

  “Increase the power to the energy shields,” ordered Major Stone, seeing they would take some hits. Several viewscreens were focused on the two domed cities.

  Suddenly the screens dimmed as they filled with a brilliant light.

  “Four hits on each city dome,” reported the sensor officer. “Domes seem to be holding but just barely.”

  “Let’s hope the fleet can take the pressure off the domes. They can’t handle much more.”

  Mayor Styles stood quietly watching. She knew she could do nothing. This was completely out of her hands.

  -

  Zynth Admiral Donlur flinc
hed as hundreds of deadly missiles rose from the surface of the small moon.

  “Detecting fusion and antimatter warheads,” reported the sensor officer.

  “Switch our firing to those missiles,” ordered the admiral. “I want them destroyed.” He hadn’t expected the colony to have any surface defenses.

  “Imperial warships dropping from hyperspace,” warned First Officer Zakor. “They are in engagement range!”

  The flagship suddenly shook violently, as several missiles exploded against its energy shield.

  “How many?”

  “Ten dreadnoughts and forty battlecruisers.”

  On the main viewscreen, a Zynth battlecruiser came apart, destroyed by heavy weapons fire. In one final explosion, the ship vanished, replaced by scattering wreckage.

  “We have intercepted several hyperlight messages,” reported the communications officer. “The moon is requesting additional aid from the main worlds of this cluster.”

  Admiral Donlur was much aware of the large Imperial fleet at Tantula Five. No doubt, as soon as they heard of the attack, they would send help.

  “Take us away from the moon and back into hyperspace. I don’t want to risk major losses at this time.” He had strict orders to avoid major combat losses until the Confederation was ready to launch a major attack on the Human Empire.

  The admiral gazed at the small moon and the two domed cities that still stood defiantly. The area around the two domes was heavily scarred from the orbital bombardment, though the small spaceports near each were untouched. Energy shields protected both spaceports.

  “These Humans will be a problem,” he said, as his flagship pulled away from the moon. “They are fortifying everything, even their mining settlements. It’ll be very costly for the Confederation to retake all these worlds.”

  -

  Mayor Styles breathed out a long sigh of relief. They had survived the attack. “Have crews go into the domes and inspect them for damage,” she ordered. “I want to make sure they’re safe to enter.”

  Major Stone nodded. “We need to send a message to Admiral Cleemorl, informing him that the Zynth have withdrawn.

  Mayor Styles nodded. “See to it.” Adrian was anxious to get back into the dome and back to her normal job.

  -

  Captain Manson was relieved the Zynth had withdrawn without a major battle. He could have lost a major portion of his fleet. “We’ll assign four more battlecruisers to Captain Frederick. That will give him a more powerful squadron, until his other ships arrive in the cluster.” Manson would request more ships from Admiral Cleemorl. Manson had a suspicion this would not be the last major incursion by the Zynth into the Hagen Star Cluster.

  Chapter Two

  Admiral Derrick Masters toured his new flagship. A new Destiny had been built, and what a ship, classified as a superdreadnought nearly two thousand meters in length. Already all of his old crew, who still survived, were on board, getting familiar with the behemoth.

  “She has nearly 40 percent more firepower than the old Destiny did,” commented Captain Audrey Banora, a pleased look on her face.

  Derrick nodded. He hadn’t mentioned it, but, in another week, Audrey would be promoted to rear admiral and given command of the Destiny. Derrick would still retain overall fleet command of Fifth Fleet. It would shift a lot of the workload of fleet logistics from Derrick’s shoulders to Audrey’s.

  “How many ships do we have now in Fifth Fleet?” Every day new warships rolled out of the shipyards in the core worlds at an ever-accelerating rate.

  “We’re up to 462,” Audrey replied. “We have 430 battlecruisers and 32 dreadnoughts. We also have 7 battlecarriers.”

  Derrick knew the plans for Fifth Fleet were to have a little over one thousand warships, as it was responsible for protecting Golan Four, the homeworld of the Human species. A new Eighth Fleet was planned that would help protect the rest of the core worlds, though each system would have a major task group in system at all times.

  “How are the wedding plans coming along?” asked Audrey, a wide smile on her face.

  Derrick let out a deep sigh. “Only two more weeks. I can’t believe how big everyone is making this.”

  Audrey laughed. “You’re marrying the High Princess of the Empire. What did you expect?”

  “Some privacy on occasion. Every time I turn around, someone has a question about the wedding. I’ve lost count of the interviews I’ve done over the last month.”

  Audrey nodded. “Andrew and Kala’s wedding was a big deal, watched on over two hundred worlds. They seem to be handling everything well.”

  Derrick sat down in his new command chair, feeling it shift to accommodate his form. It used some new nanotechnology. The new Destiny also had advanced particle beam cannons, which were supposed to be even more dangerous than the fusion ones. Derrick was anxious to test them out to see exactly what their capabilities were. “How soon before we can put this ship through its paces?” Several other improvements had been added as well.

  “Two more days,” replied Audrey. “We still have few crew positions to fill.”

  Derrick looked around the Command Center, similar to the old Destiny’s as far as its setup. The primary difference was everything seemed so much more modern. The best military scientists in the Empire had been heavily involved in the ship’s design.

  “Will you be staying on board tonight?”

  Derrick shook his head. “I’d like to, but I need to get back down to the Imperial Palace. Layla has a meeting scheduled with the entire Imperial Council and the top military brass. The House of Worlds has grown to 118 worlds, and that includes some of the larger inhabited moons. Layla is ready to turn over more authority to the council and, through them, to the member worlds.”

  “Sounds as if it will be an interesting meeting.”

  “It should be. We’ll hold it in the Imperial Council Chamber at the House of Worlds. Layla says it’s time for them to start taking over more of the day-to-day running of the Empire.”

  What Derrick didn’t mention was that they would be discussing the news from Earth that the Morag were telepathic and probably the true power behind the Confederation. Some Earth scientists would be present to explain their findings. Derrick wasn’t sure what that revelation would mean to the Empire and to the war effort.

  -

  Later that afternoon an aircar dropped Derrick off at the House of Worlds. The sprawling complex was now complete and covered a larger area than the Imperial Palace. All 118 worlds that had joined the new Empire were encouraged to have delegations on hand at all times to work on Imperial business. Each world had its own offices and a large suite of rooms to use, as they saw fit.

  Getting out of the aircar, along with the two Imperial guards assigned to him, Derrick headed toward the main entrance. Other people came and went, and a security detail waited at the entrance to check everyone who entered. Upon seeing Derrick and the two Imperial guards, he was allowed to pass without question. Derrick had been to the House of Worlds a number of times over the past month, meeting with governors or their representatives.

  Walking through the various corridors, Derrick was stopped several times by different planetary representatives and congratulated on his upcoming wedding to the High Princess. Finally he reached the large conference room, where the meeting would occur. Going inside, Derrick noted a number of people had already arrived.

  All of the members of the Imperial Council were present, as well as Prince Andrew, Fleet Admiral Marloo, General Gantts, and several Humans from Earth, who he didn’t recognize. Smiling, he took his seat near the head of the table, where Layla and Krista would sit.

  “How was your inspection of your new flagship?” asked Chief Chancellor Stein. “I heard she’s quite a vessel.”

  Derrick nodded. “I’m anxious to test the new particle beam cannons. They could be a game changer in this war, if they are as powerful as the military scientists claim.”

  “We found the designs in the
old military archives, which were hidden in the Imperial Library. Our own scientists and engineers finished the actual design, and we even ran a few field tests. I think you’ll be impressed.”

  Derrick was about to reply when High Princess Layla and Princess Krista entered the room. Everyone stood and waited, as the two Princesses took their places and sat down.

  “Please be seated. I called this meeting today for several reasons,” spoke Layla, with a broad smile. “The first is that I’ll place more responsibility for the functioning of the Empire on this council. In recent weeks we have added more worlds to the Empire, and I feel we are now at the point that the Monarchy can take a step back. I have already spoken to Chancellor Stein about the new changes, and he will speak with all of you later about implementing them.”

  Layla paused, and a more serious look crossed her face. “We have several visitors from Earth with us today. They bring some startling news that will no doubt shake the very foundation of what we have always believed about the Confederation. I know that it stunned me, as well as the few who have been told. I must remind everyone here that what you learn today is top secret and must not leave this room, until we are ready for it to do so.”

  Fleet Admiral Marloo stood and looked at the assembled group. “What we’re about to reveal could change this war. We need to discuss two major items today. The first is the development of particle weapons, which are far more powerful than our fusion ones. The initial weapons of this type have been installed on Admiral Masters’s new flagship, the Destiny, for testing. If it works—as the early tests have indicated—we will have a weapon that can easily penetrate the Confederation ships’ energy shields.”

  “Penetrate their shields?” asked Governor Lindsay Littrel of Jalot Four. “That could easily change the tone of the war. How soon before the weapon tests?”

  “A few more days,” answered Derrick. “We’re just now getting the crew on board the new Destiny. They need to get familiar with the ship and the new systems on board. With a little luck we’ll soon be ready to conduct the first tests and can see just how well this new weapon works.”