The Lost Fleet: Into the Darkness Read online

  “What about your Marines; when will they be going home?”

  Wesley turned toward Race. “The Altons have asked that we keep a large contingent in the system. We’ll rotate them out on a regular basis, but it might be some time before the numbers drop significantly from where they are now.”

  Race nodded his head in understanding. “The knowledge contained here in the computer core is beyond belief. I still find it hard to believe the AIs didn’t use it to create super advanced weapon systems.”

  “They didn’t feel they were necessary and, as a result, were deemed a waste of research and time,” Wesley responded. “They had their four Slaver Races who were doing most of the fighting for them, and they ensured all four had weapons systems considerably less advanced than their own.”

  “It’s a good thing,” Commander Arnett said. “The Hocklyns were difficult enough to conquer without having advanced weapons. Even the AIs would have been too much for us without the Altons.”

  “How long do you think this search will last?” asked Race. Altons were known at times to become so deeply involved in their research that the passage of time meant little to them.

  Wesley laughed and looked over at Race. “Who knows? It could be a few days or it could be a few weeks.”

  “Weeks,” moaned Madelyn, shaking her head.

  “This might be a good time to set up some shipboard drills,” Race said thoughtfully.

  Madelyn agreed. “I’ll set some up as soon as we get back up to the WarHawk.”

  -

  Race was in his quarters reading the latest messages from home. His parents lived inside Ceres and were still doing well. They wanted to spend some quality time with him the next time he had leave. His mother wanted to travel to New Tellus and see the beach resorts. She’d heard they were fabulous. There was also a message from his sister, Massie, who had just been promoted to commander of the battlecarrier Hera. It was well over a year since the last time he’d seen his younger sister. Race wondered if it would be possible to arrange for all of them to travel to New Tellus together. It was something he needed to look into. Looking back at his parent’s message, he saw his mother had mentioned Massie was dating a vice admiral. He allowed a smile to cross his face; leave it to his sister to pick a higher officer to become involved with.

  The comm unit on his desk sounded and, getting up from his comfortable couch, he crossed the room and pressed the button. “Yes?”

  Commander Arnett’s voice came over the comm. “We just received word from Garak Rath that Leental Malth has concluded her research and is ready with her report. Do you want her to send it to us or would you like to go down to Astral?”

  “We’ll go down to Astral,” Race answered. It would be a lot easier to ask questions if they were together on the surface. “Have a shuttle prepared and we’ll leave in an hour.” He was highly curious to hear what the Alton research specialist had discovered.

  -

  They were once more far beneath the surface of the City of Lights in a small conference room which had been set up for the occasion. Race was surprised to see half a dozen Altons in the room as well as General Wesley, Garak Rath, and Leental Malth. It made him wonder just what the research had turned up.

  “We have the information you requested,” Garak began as they all sat down. “We were quite surprised at what we discovered and also extremely concerned about the ramifications of what you’re about to be told.”

  Leental stood up and gazed somberly around the group. “As all of you know, several thousand years ago the Simulins came to our galaxy and made a programming change in the Master Codex, which eventually led to the war with the Hocklyn Empire and the AIs. It culminated in the battle at our galaxy’s center. The AIs built a massive ring of capacitor stations to store the energy given off by the black hole’s accretion disk. Their ring generators, when activated, created a spatial vortex nearly twenty kilometers in diameter. Ablan Donalt is a scientist who specializes in black holes and the effects of gravity and energy on the binding structure of space.”

  An older white haired Alton stood. “I was amazed and frightened by what our research turned up.” He paused for a moment, looking over the group making sure he had their undivided attention. “Each time the AIs activated their vortex ring they weakened the very binding structure of space. When the Avenger destroyed the Translation Station, an uncontrolled spatial vortex was created. This vortex was rampant with massive surges of energy and tremendous fluctuations in gravity. If our theories are correct, the very fabric of space in that vicinity has been severely weakened and possibly even ruptured.”

  Race felt confused, not really certain what Ablan was implying. “I don’t understand.”

  Ablan turned toward a female Alton and indicated for her to explain.

  “Our hyperdrives work by creating a small spatial vortex which momentarily creates a tear in space that allows our ships to travel through a higher energy dimension. The holes are so small they instantly seal up and, over a period of a few hours or days at the most, the binding structure of space returns to normal. However, that is not what happened at the galactic center. The release of energy and the tear in space was so violent and massive it cannot repair itself. It’s like a bubble which has been stretched so thin that it’s near its breaking point.”

  “Okay,” Race said, barely grasping what the Alton was explaining. “What does that mean as far as the Simulins are concerned?”

  “The amount of energy the AIs were using to power the vortex generators allowed them to establish a spatial vortex literally anywhere in the Triangulum Galaxy they wanted,” Ablan began explaining. “They just needed a reasonably massive star to serve as an anchor point for the vortex. There’s not a black hole as large as the one at our galaxy’s center in the Triangulum Galaxy. We believe any attempt to travel to our galaxy will result in any ship or fleet being drawn to the area of space where the white vortex which swallowed the Lost Fleets appeared.”

  “How likely is that?” Race asked sharply, his eyes narrowing.

  “Ninety-two percent,” Ablan replied. “It takes a tremendous amount of energy to create an intergalactic spatial vortex in another galaxy and even more energy to actually control its emergence point. Due to the very nature of the spatial vortex being created, it’s going to be drawn to an area of extreme mass and any weakness in the binding structure of space between our regular dimensional space and hyperspace.”

  Race nodded his head slowly. “They’re going to come out in the vicinity of where the Translation Station was.”

  This could be a serious problem. Admiral Jackson was in that area working on a special project for Fleet Admiral Streth. If the Simulins appeared there, they would wipe his fleet out and destroy his work. This couldn’t be allowed to happen or any chance of sending a second rescue mission or help to the Lost Fleets would be gone forever.

  One of the other Altons looked over at Race and began speaking. “We have analyzed what type of race these Simulins are. The results of our study were shocking and quite unnerving. If we’re correct in our assumption that the Simulins are trying to eliminate all organic races except their own, then they may have already spread to several other galaxies. We may be facing an enemy who has vast resources and a population far beyond any race in our own galaxy.”

  “Will they eventually come to our galaxy?” Race asked in a low voice already knowing what the answer would be.

  Ablan let out a heavy sigh. “Yes,” he said. “The Simulins are coming, and we don’t know if there is anything we can do to stop them.”

  -

  Race and Commander Arnett returned to the WarHawk, both speaking very little. The Altons had gone on and explained in more detail the type of threat the Federation and its allies might be facing from the Simulins. It made the Slaver Races and the AIs seem quite benign by comparison.

  “A race without emotions,” said Madelyn, finally breaking the silence. “I can’t imagine such.”

  �
�They have emotions,” Race replied. He’d been thinking heavily about what he needed to do. “They just no longer have the compassionate emotions such as love and empathy. Something in their past forced them to abandon those emotions in exchange for the harsher ones. We may never know what that was.”

  “What do we do now?”

  “When we dock with the WarHawk I need to send some messages. Garak is going to send a complete report of their findings to Ambassador Tureen as well as Fleet Admiral Nagumo. I’ll be sending reports to New Tellus, Ceres, New Providence, Careth, and Fleet Admiral Streth.”

  “What about Third Fleet?”

  “I’m going to take it to the Galactic Center to reinforce Admiral Jackson. We’ll be sending instructions for the fleet to meet us there.”

  “Without orders?” asked Madelyn, her eyes widening in surprise. Admiral Tolsen was normally more cautious than to risk the ire of fleet command.

  “We don’t have time to wait for orders!” Race responded tersely. “What if the Simulins come through and only Admiral Jackson is there to oppose them?”

  Madelyn nodded. She knew Admiral Tolsen was making the right decision though there might be some ramifications later. She also wondered after what they had just learned what that might mean for the Lost Fleets and the Distant Horizon. Was there any way possible they could have survived in the Simulin galaxy? Also, was the Triangulum Galaxy even the home galaxy for the Simulins, or was it one they had already conquered? Madelyn was beginning to realize the Triangulum Galaxy was a very dangerous place to be. She didn’t envy Admiral Strong’s predicament in trying to preserve his command if it still existed.

  Chapter Three

  Jeremy was aboard the Bears’ mobile shipyard, the Clan Protector, visiting with Rear Admiral Susan Marks, Grayseth, and the shipyard’s commanding officer, Daelthon. They were standing in one of the large construction bays where a new twelve hundred-meter Conqueror Class battlecruiser was being constructed.

  “Her name will be the Gaia after the planet our people have jointly settled,” commented Grayseth in his gruff and booming voice. Grayseth had dark brown fur and towered over Jeremy. However, there was softness in the Carethian’s eyes anytime he looked at his long time friend and honorary clan member. “Her primary weapons will be two bow particle beam cannons as well as two extremely powerful power beams. With the new Fusion Five reactors the Altons on the Distant Horizon have made available we believe both weapons will be able to penetrate the Simulins’ energy screens.”

  “These Fusion Five reactors are a blessing,” said Susan as she looked inquisitively at the new ship. “Anything that can give us an advantage over the Simulins in combat, I want!”

  “How soon before she’s ready?” This was the first large ship Jeremy had given permission to build and only after the scientists and technicians involved had patiently explained how powerful the ship would be.

  There had been a lot of discussion about building new warships, both pro and con, as there would soon be a problem furnishing crews unless they transferred people from other ships. Every day, more humans, Carethians, and Altons were opting to go down to the planet and live in the two cities that had been established. Jeremy couldn’t blame the crews as the warships were being kept inside the nebula in orbit around Gaia not daring to venture out. The only ships allowed to leave the nebula were the heavily modified AI spheres, which were keeping an eye on the system where the Lost Fleets had exited the runaway vortex. They had decided to keep an eye on the Sigma System in case more Federation ships came through, though from what Rear Admiral Barnes had reported the odds of that were almost infinitesimal.

  “Two more months,” Daelthon answered. Daelthon was Grayseth’s second in command and a member of his clan. “We’re using the spider robots to help in its construction and everything’s going very quickly.”

  Jeremy nodded. The spider robots over the years had been greatly modified. They were capable of almost any type of work, including spaceship construction, and were untiring. They only required a minimal amount of maintenance and a new energy charge every thirty-six hours. Looking over at the Gaia, Jeremy could see over a dozen of the large robots busily working.

  “It may be necessary to suspend work on the Gaia for a few months,” Jeremy told the others, knowing they would be disappointed.

  “Why?” asked Susan, raising her eyebrow. “The Gaia will be an excellent weapon against the Simulins. If she performs as expected, we could use a full squadron of the new battlecruisers.”

  “On board the Distant Horizon are two special probes that might be capable of being sent back to our galaxy,” Jeremy began explaining. “According to Andram, we may need to travel to the black hole in the center of this galaxy in order to be able to launch one.”

  “A black hole!” Susan said, her eyes narrowing with concern. “After what happened the last time, I have no desire to come close to another one.”

  “Me neither,” rumbled Grayseth, folding his arms across his massive chest. “Is it worth the risk to send this probe? We don’t even know if the probe will work.”

  Jeremy agreed about the black hole, but he also knew his duty. “We need to send word back to the Federation about the threat the Simulins pose.”

  Susan let out an explosive breath, shaking her head. She closed her eyes, opened them, and then looked at Jeremy. “I know you’re right; we can’t let the Human Federation of Worlds and our allies live in ignorance of the threat these Simulins represent. It’s just going to be extremely dangerous to do what you’re suggesting. I wish there were some other way.”

  “While I detest the idea of going near another black hole, even I know the wisdom of warning our clans back home,” said Grayseth in a softer voice. “I would like to send a message back to Careth and tell them what’s happened in this hunt and the danger we have found.”

  “That’s why I intend to modify some of our warships,” Jeremy explained. “The Distant Horizon has a stealth shield and other technologies which can aid us in reaching the black hole undetected. I also want to change the power plants in the ships to Fusion Five reactors for more power. That will give us stronger shields and more powerful weapons.”

  “You think we’ll encounter the Simulins somewhere along the way,” commented Grayseth, his large eyes widening.

  “I didn’t say you’re going,” Jeremy reminded his Carethian friend. Grayseth was always anxious for his Carethian ships to be involved in the fighting. Grayseth’s clan believed they were duty bound to fight alongside Jeremy at every opportunity.

  “I’m going,” Grayseth replied in a determined voice. “My flagship, the Warrior’s Pride, will be ready.”

  “Very well,” responded Jeremy, deciding it was best not to get into an argument with the large Bear. When Grayseth made up his mind, it was almost impossible to change it. Jeremy turned toward Daelthon. “What’s the current status of the Clan Protector?”

  Jeremy knew Daelthon was very proud of what had been accomplished with his command. With the help of the four fleet repair ships, as well as the manufacturing capability of the shipyard, there had been many changes over the years they’d been trapped in the Simulin galaxy.

  “We currently have four construction bays operational. We can handle any ship in the fleet including the AI spheres though they’re too large to enter a bay. We’ve built a special docking cradle to allow for repairs or modifications to the spheres. We also have eight flight bays which hold active squadrons of fighters and bombers.”

  “The fighter and bomber crews are a combination of human and Carethians,” added Grayseth proudly. Carethian pilots had increased their training until they were now equal to human pilots.

  “We keep a full squadron out on CSP at all times,” Daelthon added. “We have 240 bombers and 480 fighters in the flight bays which can be launched to defend Gaia if needed.”

  “All the crews are well trained,” added Susan. She was actively engaged in all fleet fighter training as she was in overall
command of the battlecarriers and bomber and fighter operations. She took the task very seriously.

  Jeremy gazed at the battlecruiser Gaia as he thought over what needed to be done. “What’s the current status of the bays and the AI docking cradle?”

  “There are ships in all being updated,” Daelthon reported.

  “You have forty-eight hours to finish what updates you can and then I want three of the bays as well as the docking cradle.”

  “Forty-eight hours,” Daelthon repeated in surprise, his large eyes focusing sharply on the admiral. “That’s going to be pushing it to get the ships back to being space worthy.”

  “Use whatever people you have to,” ordered Jeremy. “I want to get that probe sent back as soon as possible, and we can’t do it without the ships being modified. I don’t want to risk sending the Distant Horizon out on its own on this mission.”

  Daelthon’s light brown fur seemed to bristle as he thought over the order and how to accomplish it. “If I pull the crews and work robots off the Gaia we just might be able to do it.”

  “Make it so,” ordered Grayseth. “If what our clan brother, Admiral Strong, has told us is true about the importance of getting a message back to our people, then we must prepare our ships for the hunt.”

  “The hunt,” repeated Daelthon with an understanding nod. “The ships will be ready. How soon can we expect the specification for the new modifications?”

  “Within twenty-four hours. Ariel and Clarissa will have them to you as soon as the Altons have reviewed everything and confirmed the modifications will work.”

  “Have you chosen which ships will accompany you to the black hole?” asked Susan. If Grayseth was going, she strongly suspected she would be left behind.

  “Yes,” Jeremy replied. “I’ll be taking the Distant Horizon, the Avenger, the Warrior’s Pride, two Alton battleships, the strikecruisers Nemesis and Orion, and four AI spheres.”