The Lost Fleet: Genesis: A Slaver Wars Novel Page 9
“You’re saying the space around the Dyson Sphere now more resembles hyperspace?” asked Jeremy, finding it hard to accept what the two Altons were saying. He hadn’t believed such a thing was possible.
“In simple terms, yes,” Shilum answered, nodding her head.
Jeremy looked over at Andram. “Just what does that mean for us?”
Andram took a deep breath and then answered. “The size of the disturbed area of space here is much greater than the one we believe exists in our own galaxy. Not only that, it may still be growing.” Andram was referring to the disturbed area near the black hole in the Milky Way Galaxy.
“One of the side effects is that it will prevent any type of intergalactic vortex from forming in this galaxy. Any attempt to create one would require far more energy than even ten Dyson Spheres could generate.”
“That sounds like a good thing,” said Commander Malen with a pleased look on her face. “It means the Simulins in this galaxy are on their own, and they can’t call for reinforcements from other Simulin controlled galaxies.”
“That’s correct,” said Andram, nodding his head. “However, we need to do some additional studies of the nova and what has happened to the dark matter nebula that surrounded the Dyson Sphere.”
“Why?” asked Jeremy with a prickly feeling on his neck. “Is there some danger you’re not telling us about?”
Andram closed his eyes briefly and then opened them. “Yes. Shilum and I agree that as the radiation front travels outward, it will cause more of the blue-giant stars in the nebula to go nova. There is a possibility that at some point all the stars in this region of space may coalesce and form a black hole.”
“We know about black holes,” Jeremy said. They all had experience with the black hole at the center of the Milky Way.
“I understand,” Ariel suddenly said as her eyes widened. “The radiation wavefront isn’t going to stop at the edge of the nebula. It’s going to continue outward.”
“That’s partially correct,” replied Shilum, nodding at Ariel. “However, due to the involvement of the material of the Dyson Sphere and the dark matter, each subsequent nova is only going to make the strain on hyperspace in this region of space more severe. There’s a high probability that most of the novas will be supernovas, which is what we believe has now happened to the star that was at the center of the Dyson Sphere. The increased strain upon hyperspace will allow the radiation front to move outward at an ever-increasing rate of speed. The radiation front itself will be so intense that it will put additional strain on the lower bands of hyperspace.”
Jeremy’s face turned pale as he realized what Shilum was saying. “What will happen when the radiation front reaches the nebula that Gaia is in?”
“The nebula will survive and even block part of the radiation. However, Gaia will not. The intense radiation sweeping across this galaxy will sterilize every inhabitable world.”
“Just like the weapon the AIs had planned on using in our home galaxy,” Jeremy said in shock, recalling the Eternity Device. “Are you telling me that we did to this galaxy what the AIs originally planned for ours?”
“Yes,” Andram replied in a low voice.
“How long before this radiation front reaches Gaia?” asked Commander Malen. Her face had turned ashen at the revelation of what they’d done.
“Three to five hundred years, depending on its speed,” Shilum answered. “We’ll need to do more studies to determine an exact date.”
“Is there any way to stop it or reverse the radiation front?” asked Jeremy. He knew what he was asking was probably impossible.
Andram slowly shook his head. “It’s just too massive. I want to spend additional time studying this region of space. There is much for us to learn here.”
Jeremy let out a deep breath. “We’ll stay as long as necessary.” He could feel his heart pounding at the revelation that their attack upon the Dyson Sphere might have doomed billions or even trillions of life forms in the Triangulum Galaxy.
-
After the meeting, only Jeremy and Ariel were still in the briefing room. Ariel was watching Jeremy and could see the anguish on his face. “I have a thought,” she said after several moments.
“What?” Jeremy asked in a voice that was barely a whisper.
“The Originators surrounded the Dyson Sphere with the dark matter. They must have been aware of what might happen if the star exploded.”
Jeremy looked over at Ariel and slowly nodded his head. “How does that help us? As far as we know, there are no Originators left.”
“No,” Ariel answered. “But we do have the Dominator and Kazak.”
There was a long silence as Jeremy thought over what Ariel had said. Since their meeting several weeks back, the Originator AI had been allowing teams of scientists to go abroad the Dominator. Every week, Kazak had been allowing a little more access to the ship’s systems. “You’re right,” he said. “As soon as the Altons are finished with their observations we need to return to Gaia. Kazak and I need to have a long conversation. If there is a solution to this problem, it’s on board that ship.”
Ariel nodded. She didn’t know if Kazak could help or not, but at least Jeremy now had a reason to hope.
-
Simulin High Commander Callat had just finished briefing the new Simulin Grand Council of the current status of the fleet. Since becoming cut off from the rest of the Simulin Intergalactic Empire, the twenty-seven most heavily populated worlds had decided to form an interim government. Each of the star systems had chosen one representative to be on the council and Malkor had been made the capital. The sixty colony words were allowed six representatives.
This first meeting had been tumultuous, with several of the representatives not comprehending why communication with the rest of the empire couldn’t be achieved. In frustration, Callat had ordered them taken outside and executed. There was no room for weak-minded fools in the empire. Of more importance was the fact, as the only surviving Supreme High Commander, the new Grand Council would answer to him. Already he had issued orders for more battlecruisers to be constructed and the defenses around the inhabited Simulin planets to be strengthened dramatically.
“The council doesn’t understand the threat posed by the Fitula Nebula organics and their AIs,” said High Commander Faberh. “It might be necessary for more executions in the future.”
“The members of the council are not used to our fleets being defeated in battle. Many of them have lived sheltered lives, unlike those of us in the military. Since discovering the Great Sphere, our people have steadily moved across the galaxies, conquering more worlds and colonizing thousands of planets. Whenever we came across a powerful enemy, we could call upon the other Simulin controlled galaxies to send in additional warships to allow us to annihilate any and all opposition. That is now no longer true.”
“Just how dangerous do you think these Fitula organics are?”
“They destroyed the Great Sphere,” Callat answered in a cold voice. “We must find a way to penetrate the nebula they’re hiding in or soon they will come out hunting.”
“Hunting?” said High Commander Faberh, sounding confused. “For who?”
“Us,” Callat answered in a grave voice. “They will come for us and when they do we will destroy them or they will destroy us.”
-
Jeremy was in his quarters with Kelsey. One thing about having his wife on board, at least they could sleep together.
“I wish Angela could have come,” Jeremy said as he sat next to Kelsey on the comfortable couch in their quarters.
A strange looked crossed Kelsey’s face but she remained silent.
“What is it?” asked Jeremy sharply. “I’ve seen that look before, and it always means you’re keeping something from me.”
Kelsey let out a deep sigh. “Angela’s pregnant.”
“What?” Jeremy said, sitting up straight. “How did she keep something like that a secret?” It explained why she had bail
ed out of this mission with the illness explanation.
“She was afraid it would keep her from her duties. She’s been working on the Clan Protector with Malith on the shipyard’s communication protocols.” Malith was the Bear communication’s officer and a close friend of Kelsey’s.
“This is exciting,” a voice said from thin air. Ariel suddenly appeared with an excited look on her face. “I knew Angela hasn’t been feeling well recently, but her medical records are locked to the point even I can’t get into them.”
Kelsey let out an exasperated sigh. “You don’t need to know everything about us all the time. Sometimes we need our privacy.”
A solemn look appeared on Ariel’s face. “I promised Jeremy’s father I would always look after the five of you.”
“And you have,” said Kelsey, standing up and going over and getting herself a glass of tea from the small refrigerator in their quarters. “Even so, at times we need a little space.”
Ariel looked over at Jeremy with a sad look. “It’s just since we lost the Distant Horizon and Clarissa, I’ve been so worried. I can’t lose anyone else.”
“You won’t,” Jeremy promised. “When we get back to Gaia, we’ll see what progress has been made with Kazak and the Dominator.”
“The Dominator is much more powerful than you can imagine,” Ariel said with a mystifying smile. “It was the greatest warship ever built by the Originators, and it by itself could defeat the Simulins in this galaxy.”
Jeremy felt confused. “How do you know all of this?”
“Kazak has dropped some hints and I’ve seen a few of the ship’s records. Much of the rest I’ve been able to piece together from sensor scans I’ve taken of the Dominator and from the questions I’ve been able to get Kazak to answer.”
Jeremy looked intently at Ariel. Even after all of these years, her holographic image still resembled that of a young woman in her early twenties. Shoulder length black hair and dark eyes added to her mystique.
“Ariel, do you think the Dominator can stop what’s happening here with the supernovas?”
Ariel clasped her hands behind her back and gazed at Jeremy. “Yes,” she answered. “I just don’t know if Kazak will agree.”
Jeremy felt Kelsey’s hand grasp his and squeeze. “How do we convince him?”
“Ariel, if we don’t get Kazak to help, this entire galaxy could be in danger,” spoke Kelsey, her eyes focused on the AI. “We know there are other civilizations out toward the rim the Simulins haven’t destroyed yet. We must find a way to save them!”
“Kazak is old and tired for an AI,” replied Ariel. “He’s existed for several million years though most of that time his systems were shut down and in stasis. We must find something Kazak wants, something he would be willing to risk everything for.”
Jeremy was silent as he thought about Ariel’s words. Then he felt a cold chill run through him. “When I was speaking to Kazak, I had the distinct impression he wasn’t quite telling us the truth. I believe the Originator AI is hiding something from us, something vitally important.”
Kelsey looked at Ariel. She could see the AI had a strange look on her face. A look she occasionally got when she realized she had missed or overlooked some critical data.
“I need to run some simulations,” Ariel said in a soft voice. “I have recordings of all of Clarissa’s conversations with Kazak as well as my own. If the Originator AI is hiding something, I’ll find out what it is.” With that, Ariel vanished.
“You surprised her,” Kelsey said grinning. “I wonder if I should warn Katie?”
“No,” answered Jeremy, putting his arm around Kelsey and pulling her closer. “We’re going to spend a few days here in the nebula while Andram and the Star Seeker take readings of the radiation front. When we do return to Gaia, perhaps by then Ariel will have an idea of what Kazak is keeping hidden.”
-
Later, as they lay in bed, Jeremy couldn’t help worrying. Admiral Jackson was well on his way to Ornellia and would soon be arriving. There were still thousands of Simulin ships in the Triangulum Galaxy. Back at Gaia, the AI shipyards were rapidly turning out AI warspheres. Jeremy was preparing to take the war to the Simulins and show them they were no longer the dominant power in this galaxy.
“Go to sleep,” suggested Kelsey softly, putting her hand on Jeremy’s chest. “Remember, Ariel is watching over us.”
Jeremy allowed himself to smile as he closed his eyes. He knew Kelsey was right. If anyone could figure out what secret Kazak was hiding, it was Ariel.
Chapter Six
Reesa was standing alone near the Originator city. Its tall towers seemed to gleam in the afternoon sunlight. They had already determined there must be some type of light restricting panels near the Dyson Sphere’s sun as they received eight hours of darkness each night. For the past two weeks, they had failed to discover anything of significance about the city. The small robots took care of the city and there was nothing living moving about on its streets.
Their food supplies were quickly dwindling and they were becoming more dependent each day on the fruits, berries, and edible plants they could find. Kelnor had reluctantly given the approval to allow the Marines to fish in the small stream that meandered through the valley. Reesa had to admit, having the extra protein had been a morale booster. Even though she was an Alton, she wasn’t that big on being a vegetarian.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” a voice asked behind Reesa.
Turning, she saw Melvin Blair walking up. She had confided in Melvin what she was planning. She needed someone to help her and he seemed to share her impatience at being trapped in the valley.
Reesa nodded her head. “I don’t see where we have any other choice. “We can’t remain in the valley forever, and it’s been over five weeks. If there is a controlling intelligence in the Dyson Sphere, it must have noticed our presence by now.”
“And you think it’s waiting for us to make the next move?”
“It has to be. How much longer do you think we can survive in this valley? I talked to Maalon Delz yesterday and he estimates there is enough food here for another four weeks, and then we’ll have to start severe rationing.”
Melvin’s face creased in a deep frown. “There are deer-like animals in the valley; over a dozen of them. If Kelnor would allow us to kill a few, our food supply could be significantly extended.”
“No,” Reesa said, shaking her head vigorously. “Kelnor may be right about the guiding intelligence in the Dyson Sphere becoming angry if we were to slay some of the larger animals. Our best chance is attempting to communicate.”
Melvin was quiet for a long moment. “You’re right. I believe as you do that we need to at least attempt to establish communications. Admiral Tolsen and the others in the fleet must believe we’re dead by now, and since you have the only key we can’t expect a rescue party.”
Reesa pointed to a small dish antennae aimed toward the city on a small hill nearby. There was also other equipment being used to monitor the city. “I intend to attach a communications device to the antenna and broadcast a wide beam message into the city.”
“What will happen when Kelnor finds out?” asked Melvin with some concern in his voice.
“He won’t be happy,” admitted Reesa, dropping her shoulders slightly. “But this might be our one chance to gain entry to the city.”
“Let’s do it,” said Melvin, drawing in a sharp breath. “I’ll help you hook up the communications device.”
Brenda nodded, satisfied. In the message were videos of her holding the key. She hoped if the guiding intelligence of the Dyson Sphere saw she was in possession of one, it might make contact. If it didn’t, then Reesa was afraid they were all doomed to die in the valley.
-
Sergeant Brenda Wilde was just returning from where they had entered the interior of the Dyson Sphere. The day after they reached the valley they had returned to the wall only to find the slot for the key was no longer present. They se
arched for hours, but they could find no slot anywhere to insert the key. Every day Brenda made the short trek to the spot they had entered, hoping to find the key slot had reappeared. Each day she returned disappointed and more concerned.
“Fish, Sergeant?” asked Corporal Metz, handing her a plate with several steaming portions of meat on it. There was also one of the small yellow fruits they had found to be edible.
“Thanks,” Brenda said as she sat down near the campfire. “Where are Reesa and Melvin?”
“Studying the Originator city,” Metz answered as he slowly ate his own fish. The corporal looked intently at the sergeant and then asked a question he knew most of the other Marines wanted to know. “When do we get to kill one of those deer-like animals? There must be several hundred pounds of meat on one of them. We could smoke most of it or even make some jerky. The fish in the stream aren’t going to last much longer.”
Brenda sighed as she listened to the corporal. If it came down to her Marines starving or shooting one or two of the animals, then the animals were going to die and they would just have to take a risk on the consequences. “I’m considering it,” she said in between bites. “We’re not there yet, but when the time comes I’ll take the responsibly and tell Kelnor we have no other option.”
Metz nodded. That was what he wanted to hear. He would pass the word on to the other Marines as it would help with morale. “Do you want to continue the patrols? There’s nothing dangerous in this valley, and we’ve been over every inch of it.”
Brenda took a deep drink of water and nodded her head. “Yes, it gives us something to do, and if anything does change I want to know about it immediately.” Brenda didn’t need to add that the patrols helped to maintain discipline. She couldn’t afford for her platoon of Marines to disintegrate into a rabble. She would maintain the chain of command and keep her people busy. If they ever did find their way out of the valley, her Marines needed to be ready.