Galactic Wars

by G. P. Hudson

“What difference does it make? If they don’t kill us, they’ll enslave us, and we’ll be ordered to our deaths in some damned battle somewhere.”

  “You’re probably right, but I think we need to be careful here. This is the beginning of something, and we are setting a precedent.”

  As Gerry holstered her weapon, the captain let out a breath in relief. “Okay, little brother. What do we do with them?”

  “We put them in the brig for now. We can figure the rest out later.”

  “Fine. Have it your way.” Gerry nodded to the clones holding the captain, and they promptly took him and the rest of the officers away.

  “Annie,” said Danny. “I’m assuming you are able to create a jump point now?”

  “Yes, Danny, although I cannot do so while in orbit.”

  “Understood. Take us out of orbit, so we can create a jump point and leave this damn system.”

  “Stand by,” said Annie.

  The battleship accelerated and moved steadily out of its orbital position. As it moved from its post, the other Zeta battleship in orbit around Pallias demanded an explanation, hailing them repeatedly.

  “Annie, send a message to the Zeta ship hailing us that we have been ordered to join the battle and support the Zeta fleet,” said Danny.

  “Transmitting response,” said Annie. “They are now demanding to speak with the captain of this ship.”

  “How far are they from us? Are they in weapons range?”

  “Negative.”

  “Can they get into weapons range before we open a jump point?”

  “No. They cannot.”

  “Then ignore them, and let’s just focus on getting into metaspace.”

  “As you wish,” said Annie.

  The Zeta battleship hailed them several more times before they grew suspicious enough to give pursuit. But Annie had correctly determined that they could not catch them, and they soon successfully cleared orbit.

  “Creating jump point,” said Annie, as Danny and Gerry watched the celestial tear form in front of them.

  Convinced that something was wrong, the pursuing Zeta battleship fired its weapons. A blazing silver plasma beam lanced out from the ship, and raced toward them.

  For a moment, Danny thought it would succeed, but the distance was too great, and it dissipated before bridging the gap between the two ships.

  Annie crossed through into the brilliant bedlam of metaspace, and the celestial tear closed behind them. They were free. For now.

  Chapter 54

  Admiral Cherenko marched down the long ornate hallway of the Emperor’s Grand Palace, unmoved by the priceless works of art surrounding him. A contingent of the Imperial Guard followed closely with grim determination. Cherenko barely acknowledged their presence. All he could think about was the disaster that took place in the Pallian system.

  There, a major battle had been fought between the UEDF and Zeta Corp. The Emperor had ordered Vice Admiral Reynolds to retake the system from Zeta, and Reynolds did exactly as he was ordered to do. He defeated the Zeta fleet, and retook the system.

  Of course, the Emperor would be thrilled by this victory, but the Emperor was a fool. Reynolds lost more than half of his fleet before Zeta retreated, irreparably weakening the Empire. How would they stop the Empire’s disintegration now?

  The assassination attempt on Masterson had been a tragic mistake. They needed to hold together a crumbling Empire, not create a new enemy. It was all completely unnecessary, and the UEDF had paid dearly for the blunder. How many ships had they lost in the three battles over the Pallian system? He cringed at the thought. Something needed to be done.

  Once he had received news of the outcome, Cherenko headed straight for General Turov’s office. Turov was the head of the Imperial Guard, and the man standing in the way of regime change. Cherenko would’ve never dared approach the man with such a request before, but now he believed he had enough with which to plead his case. Thankfully, Turov proved to be a wise man who saw reason when it was presented to him. Now there was just one thing left to do.

  Approaching the Emperor’s quarters, the two Imperial Guardsmen who would have normally blocked his way, stood aside. Cherenko pushed the heavy doors open and strode inside the Emperor’s bedroom. The unannounced entry surprised the Emperor, and he jumped out of his bed in anger.

  “Cherenko? Is that you?” the Emperor said with disdain. “How dare you barge into my bedroom unannounced?! Have you lost your mind?”

  Cherenko marched straight toward the Emperor, unsheathing his energized saber as he advanced.

  “What… what are you doing, Cherenko? Guards! Guards!”

  “I’m doing what I should have done a long time ago,” said Cherenko, raising the sizzling weapon.

  The Emperor shrank back in horror, trying to put some distance between himself and the Admiral. He grabbed a nearby chair and threw it at Cherenko, who swung his long, energized blade, splitting the chair in two.

  “Don’t do this, Cherenko. I’ll give you anything you want. Just name it. Anything!”

  “All I want is your head,” said Cherenko as he cornered the cowering Emperor. He swung his blade once more, and sliced cleanly through the Imperial neck, beheading the Emperor. The Emperor’s body slumped to the floor, as his head rolled toward Cherenko. Looking down on it with derision, Cherenko sheathed his blade. Accessing the Emperor’s comm system, General Turov’s scarred face appeared on the display.

  “It is done,” said Cherenko.

  Turov nodded, and followed with a salute. “Hail Emperor Cherenko.” Behind Cherenko the Imperial Guardsmen repeated the hail.

  “Thank you, General,” said Cherenko, knowing that without Turov, none of this would be possible.

  “I will send out the necessary proclamations,” said Turov. “The Senate will make their own announcement shortly thereafter, ratifying your ascension. Is there anything else, majesty?”

  “No, nothing else,” said Cherenko.

  Turov saluted again, and vanished from the display. Cherenko opened another comm. After a short wait, Ed Masterson’s face appeared.

  “Admiral Cherenko?” said Masterson. “Why are you contacting me through the Emperor’s personal comm?”

  Cherenko reached down, seized the Emperor’s head by its hair, and raised it up for Masterson to see. “I am the Emperor now.”

  To his credit Masterson looked surprised for only a moment, before regaining his composure. “I see. And what does that mean?”

  “It means that this conflict between Zeta and the Empire is an unnecessary distraction. As Emperor, I am proposing that it end immediately.”

  “The Empire tried to have me assassinated. I’m not sure I can let that go.”

  “I can assure you that the decision was Emperor Detlev’s, not mine.”

  “Perhaps, but Kim Lee was a UEDF operative. Isn’t that right?”

  “The UEDF has operatives throughout the galaxy. It goes hand in hand with running an empire. The order for your assassination, however, came directly from the Emperor.”

  “How do I know you won’t try the same thing?”

  “Let’s cut the bullshit, Masterson. The Empire has enough on its plate already. Adding a war with Zeta to the mix is the height of stupidity. Now you might be thinking that this gives you an advantage, but I can assure you that the Empire is more than capable of destroying your operation.”

  “Such a campaign would require a lot of resources. It would leave you vulnerable,” said Masterson.

  “It would be a calculated risk, but one I would take without hesitation. But why let it come to that? The former Emperor ordered your assassination. He is no more. Isn’t it better to simply go back to running your business?”

  “I admit, the Emperor’s demise does give me satisfaction, and I agree that there is no profit in a prolonged conflict with the Empire.”

  “Then you agree to ending hostilities?”

  “Yes. I agree.”

  “Good. I’ll have the news
relayed to our forces. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a lot of work to do.”

  “Of course, Emperor Cherenko. Until next time.”

  Cherenko terminated the connection with a scowl. He despised Masterson, but had to end the conflict for the good of the Empire. One day, he would deal with Masterson and Zeta.

  He opened another comm, and this time Vice Admiral Reynolds’s face appeared. Reynolds saluted and Cherenko returned the salute.

  “Reynolds, I have some important news for you, and I wanted you to hear it from me first, before it was publicly announced. The Emperor is dead.”

  “What? How?” said Reynolds, shocked by the news.

  “That doesn’t matter right now. What does matter is that the Senate, and the Imperial Guard have named me Emperor. As such, I will need capable people in the Admiralty, leading the UEDF. You are one of them. Effective immediately I am promoting you to the rank of Admiral.”

  “I… I don’t know what to say, Sir, I mean majesty.”

  “There’s nothing to say. You’re the best man for the job.”

  “Thank you, majesty.”

  “There’s one more thing. I’ve ended hostilities with Zeta. I know you lost a lot of good people fighting against them, and I’m sorry about that, but the entire conflict was an unnecessary distraction. We need to focus on shoring up the Empire, not waging costly wars against mercenaries.”

  “I understand, Majesty,” said Reynolds. “And for what it’s worth, I agree.”

  “I’m glad you feel that way. We’ll need to replenish our forces, but once we have rest assured we will launch a major offensive. The Empire will be baptized in blood, and reborn before we are done. Today is a great day, Reynolds. It ushers in a new age of glory.”

  The Tortuous Path

  Fall of The Terran Empire Book 2

  Chapter 1

  Danny traced his hand along the stock of the reassuring plasma weapon hidden underneath his long slicker. His augmented eyes scanned for threats. His ears analyzed the tiniest of sounds, listening for danger.

  The last time he had been on the Tran homeworld was as a Zeta contractor. The Frontier Alliance planet had been a dangerous place back then, governed by corrupt leaders with deep ties to a powerful interplanetary crime syndicate. From the looks of things, not much had changed.

  “You’re sure we can trust these people?” Danny said to Isaac Stern, the gray-haired scientist walking next to him.

  “Yes, my boy,” Isaac replied. “I’ve done business with them numerous times over the years.”

  “Wasn’t that while you were still working at Zeta?” said Gerry, Danny’s longtime friend. The lithe female clone strode up the unlit muddy street with confidence. The angular bulges in her tan trench coat indicated several hidden weapons of her own.

  “It was,” Isaac said sheepishly. Isaac had co-founded Zeta Corp with Ed Masterson, the current President and CEO of the company. Like Danny and Gerry, Isaac was also a clone. A technological genius, rather than a super-soldier, Isaac freed Danny and the others from Zeta control. “I admit, there is a certain level of risk involved, but it is a risk we need to take.”

  The group advanced along the quiet muddy street, their collars tight against incessant rain. Three more military clones walked with them, focused on the low rise buildings, watching for any sign of snipers, drones, or other concealed dangers.

  “Risk or no risk, I’ll take this over metaspace any day,” Gerry said.

  “I don’t know, I kind of like it there,” Danny said.

  “Are you kidding?” Gerry said with a sour expression. “What’s there to like about all that chaos. You know it’s outside regular space-time, right? You spend too much time out there, and it will scramble your brains.”

  “There is no scientific evidence of any long-term adverse effects,” Isaac said.

  “Then how do you explain my headaches?” Gerry demanded.

  “It might have something to do with your brain implant. Remind me to have a look at it when this is over.”

  “It’s not my implant; it’s that damned metaspace. The place is only fit for pirates.”

  “Maybe we should take up pirating,” Danny said. “We could get the supplies we needed without exposing ourselves like this.”

  “You mean you don’t like taking leisurely strolls on this shithole they call a planet?” said Gerry.

  “I prefer something a little less… damp.”

  “I won’t argue with you on that one.”

  After their escape from the Pallian star system, the group had taken their purloined battleship into metaspace and had hid there ever since.

  Metaspace existed outside ordinary space-time and allowed for faster than light travel between star systems. Its discovery had been a boon for space travel and interplanetary colonization. It was also the linchpin that had held the Terran Empire together in the past. It wreaked havoc with most ship systems, however, which made it an excellent hiding place.

  The battleship came well stocked with ample food and supplies, but those wouldn’t last forever. Isaac wanted to make essential modifications to each clone’s brain implant but needed specific parts for the procedure. That need brought them to Tran.

  Danny’s group avoided discovery by taking a less conspicuous civilian ship to the Tran system. The vessel technically belonged to Annie, the ship’s AI. They had convinced her to help them when they fled Pallias, turning her into an incredibly valuable friend.

  “That’s it,” said Isaac, pointing to a large building at the end of the street. “That’s where we’re meeting them.”

  “It looks gloomy, like everything else down here,” said Gerry.

  The group crept closer. Danny heard movement inside but saw nothing. You all hear that? he said through the neural link connecting him and the other augmented clones in their group. The implants in their brains allowed them to communicate with each other telepathically, among other things.

  The other clones responded that they did.

  I can’t determine their numbers. Can anyone else? said Gerry.

  No, came the group response.

  Then we’re going in blind, said Danny.

  The group fanned out, flanking the entrance, and Danny nodded to Isaac. The scientist stepped up and tapped the wall mounted comm system next to the door.

  “Who’s there?” came the response. The male voice was low and assertive, but the video screen remained blank.

  “Isaac Stern. I have an appointment.”

  “So you do. How many of you are there?”

  “Six.”

  “Why so many?”

  “This is a dangerous planet. One can’t be too careful.”

  Silence followed. The clones all exchanged worried glances, and Danny reached for his concealed weapon. A succession of loud bangs rang out from the entrance and the male voice spoke again. “You may enter.”

  Isaac moved toward the door, but Danny put a hand on his shoulder stopping him. Danny moved ahead of the scientist and pushed open the door, revealing a long hallway. He stepped inside and continued down the length of the corridor.

  Gerry and the other clones followed in a staggered formation, careful to keep Isaac in a shielded position between them.

  At the end of the hallway, a doorway opened to a large room. Danny retook point, entering first and quickly moving to the right, taking a position of domination.

  Gerry followed and hastily advanced leftward along the length of the wall. The remaining clones entered and took tactical positions of their own.

  The clones kept their weapons concealed but could wield them with blinding speed if necessary. Their locations gave them an all-encompassing field of fire if the meeting turned violent.

  The clones faced odds of almost three to one. Their opponents openly brandished their firearms. Danny wondered if their superior numbers made them feel overly confident. An error like that would have tragic consequences.

  Isaac finally entered and walked toward the armed m
en without hesitation. “Luka,” he said with a smile and an outstretched hand. “It’s been too long.”

  The dark-haired man did not return the smile but shook Isaac’s hand, all the while eying the clones spread out along the wall behind Isaac. “So, the rumors are true. You have your own clone army.”

  “Come now, Luka. You shouldn’t believe everything you hear. These are my friends.”

  “Uh huh. I could use some friends like that too. You know, Zeta Corp is quite interested in your whereabouts.”

  Danny’s body coiled at the comment, ready to burst into action if the banter became too threatening.

  “What else is new, Luka? Masterson has been interested in my whereabouts for decades.”

  “This is different. Some very unfriendly types have been coming around, questioning all your old contacts.”

  “I see. And what did you tell these unfriendly types.”

  “The truth. That I had no idea where you were.” A wide toothy grin spread across Luka’s face, reminding Danny of a hungry hyena. “Do not worry, my old friend. These types do not frighten me.”

  Danny knew better. If Luka was visited by who he thought, then the shifty criminal should be worried.

  “I believe you, Luka,” Isaac said. “Shall we get down to business?”

  “Of course. I have your order right here.”

  Luka led Isaac to a small box, while his men kept their eyes fixed on the clones. Luckily for them, that was all they did.

  Isaac inspected the contents. “Everything looks to be in order. Where do you want me to transfer the funds?”

  Luka produced a translucent card displaying some information.

  Isaac nodded and pulled a handheld device out of his pocket. He tapped it a few times. “Done.”

  Luka turned to one of his men with a questioning expression.

  The man tapped some commands into his device. “It’s all there,” he confirmed.

  The same wolfish grin appeared, and Luka extended a hand. “Always a pleasure doing business with you, Isaac.”

  Isaac shook Luka’s hand. “Until next-” Isaac looked up with a perplexed expression.