Admiral Nagumo looked over at Councilor Barnes. “How much time do you think we have?”
“Possibly a year or more. Even after the Eternals find the Federation, it will take them some time to organize a large enough fleet to attack. Careth is probably safe initially. The Eternals will no doubt focus on the Federation and the Altons. Once both have been eliminated they will move on to other regions of this galaxy, including Careth, to make sure no one escaped them.”
Admiral Nagumo leaned back in his chair. “The Altons will never abandon the City of Light in the center of the galaxy. Too much of their heritage is there.”
“That will be a decision the Altons will have to make. President Treadway, I suggest we begin what evacuations we can immediately. Originally we were going to evacuate everyone to the Dyson sphere at the Communications and Transport Hub but Fleet Admiral Strong has suggested we send everyone to this galaxy’s Dyson sphere to reduce transit time. Then later we can begin moving everyone to the Communications and Transport Hub.”
Admiral Nagumo nodded. “That will greatly speed up evacuations. What about accommodations on the Dyson sphere?”
“Already being set up,” replied Barnes. “They will be pretty basic but livable. We just need to get as many people away from the Federation as possible.”
“I’ve heard about life on the Dyson sphere at the Communications and Transport Hub. It seems better than what it is here in the Federation,” commented President Treadway.
“Just more advanced,” replied Councilor Barnes. “It will be like stepping into the future by several hundred years. The Dyson sphere we live in has far more room inside than is available on all of the planets of the Federation, the Alton worlds, and Careth combined. Every type of climate you can hope for is available there. Plus there’s room for us to expand for thousands of years.”
“Sound like paradise,” commented General Wilcox.
Councilor Barnes smiled. “In many ways it is. I don’t believe there will be any long term regret about moving our people there.”
President Treadway let out a deep sigh and blinked her eyes. “Then it’s settled. Fleet Admiral Nagumo, you will begin organizing our defenses to protect the entire Federation with special emphasis placed on the systems of New Tellus and Earth. Move our military assets around as you see fit. I’ll take care of the political part of all of this.” President Treadway stood up. “Councilor Barnes, I may need you to attend the Senate meeting to help explain some things. I’m sure there are going to be a lot of questions. Some are going to be very difficult to answer.”
Barnes nodded. He had been expecting this request. “That’s one of the reasons why I’m here.”
“One more thing,” interrupted Fleet Admiral Nagumo. “How soon can you get Admiral Tolsen here?”
“The recall order for him and his fleet has already been sent. He should be here within the next month. He’ll also be bringing his fleet with him.”
President Treadway took a moment to look at everyone in the room. “I don’t need to tell everyone everything mentioned in this meeting needs to stay classified until I meet with the Senate. I fear we’re about to throw our economy into chaos.”
“This is about survival,” replied Fleet Admiral Nagumo with a determined look on his face. “We must do whatever it takes to survive.”
“Let’s just hope we do,” replied President Treadway. She knew the Federation was about to change. Many would not accept what must be done. However, this was war and the survival of the Human race was at stake. She would do whatever had to be done to ensure Humanity continued, even if it was on a Dyson sphere millions of light years from home.
Chapter Six
Admiral Race Tolsen took a deep breath as the WarHawk exited the swirling blue vortex of the Accelerator Ring into the New Tellus System. His fleet had been greatly reinforced after reports had been received at the Communications and Transport Hub of the possible detection of two more Eternal battlecruisers in galaxies controlled by the Originators. There was no longer any doubt the Eternals were searching for something and the most likely object of those searches was Earth and the Federation.
“We’ve arrived,” reported Commander Haskins. “The rest of the fleet is still emerging from the ring.” On the main viewscreen, ship after ship was appearing.
“Move us away and have the fleet assemble around us,” ordered Race. “Do we have contact with New Tellus Station?” The station had been notified earlier about their expected arrival time so they would not be shocked when thousands of Originator warships began appearing.
“Yes,” replied Lieutenant Tasha Burns. “We’re being given an orbit for our fleet of eighty thousand kilometers above New Tellus. New Tellus Traffic Control has cleared that area of ships.”
Race nodded. That would work. “As soon as all ships have exited the vortex have them form up in a standard cylindrical formation in that orbit with the WarHawk at the center.” This was a formation which could be used for both offense and defense.
“There is a lot of construction activity going on around the planet,” reported Zamdol, the male military AI. “Sensors indicate additional asteroids have been placed in orbit and a large number Indomitable Class Battlestations are under construction.”
Race smiled. “Senator Brown and Admiral Crown have been busy. What about the shipyards?”
“Every bay seems to be full,” reported Zamdol. “I would guess they’re upgrading their warships.”
This didn’t surprise Race. Since New Tellus had been colonized by survivors of the original Human Federation of Worlds they had always taken the lead in war preparation.
“We’re detecting large numbers of battleships and strikecruisers in the system as well as a few battlecarriers,” reported Lieutenant Justin from his sensor console. “There seems to be large numbers of vessels coming and going.”
Race turned his attention to the ship’s main viewscreen showing a panoramic view of the space around New Tellus. Spacecraft were everywhere and numerous shuttles were busy traveling to the new asteroids that had been dragged into orbit. Race was certain these new asteroids were being turned into defensive fortresses to go along with the six already in orbit. On the viewscreen, he could see boring machines were already digging deep into the asteroids in preparation for installing their defensive and offensive weapons. Blast marks across the asteroids indicated where large sections had been smoothed. Energy shields would not work if there was a mountain in the way.
“Hell of a lot of work is being done,” commented Commander Haskins.
“New Tellus has never been a planet not to take a threat seriously,” replied Race.
“How soon before your sister gets here?”
Massie’s fleet had been assigned to the Solar System and Race was looking forward to working with his younger sister once again.
“Another week at least,” replied Race. “She has to make arrangements for more ships as well as have her fleet resupplied.”
On the viewscreen, a small explosion occurred on one of the asteroids, throwing debris into space. An energy field above the demolition site stopped the fragments, which were then gathered up by a number of waiting shuttles.
Small craft were visible swarming over the surface of the asteroid blasting small obstructions out of the way and using energy beams at low power to smooth uneven areas. Parts of the asteroid were glowing red where the surface had been melted.
“You can tell they’ve done this before,” commented Commander Haskins.
Race nodded. “If you have time go back and look at the videos of the construction of the original asteroid fortresses. It’s quite breathtaking.”
“Is there a chance any of the Originator forty-kilometer battlestations will be sent here?”
This possibility had been discussed by the Originator Council in a recent meeting. “Maybe. If they are they will only be allowed in the Solar System and here at New Tellus. Keep in mind the primary weapons on the battlestations are their dark energy cannons a
nd missiles.”
“All ships have come through the ring,” reported Zamdol. “Ring is deactivating.”
“Where’s Councilor Barnes? Isn’t he here in the system somewhere? We’re not picking the Dagger up on our sensors.”
“No, he’s at Earth helping President Treadway with the Federation Senate. From what I understand some of the senators are not willing to accept their worlds might be in danger and others are demanding massive quantities of resources to protect their systems. Just rumors of what might be in store for the Federation has sent the economy into a tailspin. The president has already had to freeze prices and wages for the immediate future.”
On the viewscreen, a strikecruiser moved lower over the surface of an asteroid and began using its energy cannons to vaporize debris floating near the asteroid. Bright flashes of light indicated each time a fragment was struck.
“Do you think they have a chance?”
Race turned his eyes away from the viewscreen. “Maybe, if we have enough time to prepare. If we have a year to get ready we’ll make the battle for the Federation the most costly one the Eternals have ever been in.”
Commander Haskins looked back at the viewscreen. “I wonder what this will look like a year from now.”
“Hopefully it will still be here. There are a lot of people currently living in this system though it’s not even close to being one of the most heavily populated in the Federation.”
-
The fleet formed up into a massive cylindrical formation. Battlecruisers were on the outside of the cylinder with the dreadnoughts in the center around the WarHawk.
“Fleet is formed up,” reported Commander Haskins. “Reducing alert status to Condition Five.”
“We have ring activation,” reported Zamdol. “It should be a squadron of Originator passenger vessels.”
Race looked toward the ring which was now lit up. The first of ten massive ships appeared. Each was capable of moving nearly twenty-five thousand people and their possessions to the Dyson sphere in this galaxy. Senator Brown had already made arrangements to send nearly four million young families to the Dyson sphere. The rest would be remaining to fight the Eternals.
“Have those ten passenger ships join us in orbit. I’ll contact Admiral Crown and see when he wants to start the loading process. We can provide shuttles if he needs us to.”
Race leaned back in his command chair. He hoped they had a year to prepare but he greatly feared they didn’t. One thing he wanted to do while both he and Massie were here in the Federation was visit their parents. Their parents were currently living on New Tellus after leaving Ceres. It would be good for them to get together as a family once again. He let out a deep sigh. He knew his parents were disappointed neither he nor Massie had gotten married. His mother always talked about grandchildren anytime they were together. Race suspected his destiny was with the fleet. Massie on the other hand had dated a few young men, including a rear admiral. Maybe she would be the one to leave the fleet and finally settle down. It would be nice to have a few nieces and nephews running around.
-
“This is ridiculous!” screamed Senator Adams from the planet Serenity in the Epsilon Eridani System. “Why would I want to abandon Serenity for some godforsaken Dyson sphere? The Eternals cannot be as big a threat as you claim. We have the most powerful fleet in Federation history. Our weapons are superior to any other race in our galaxy. If the Eternals come here we will destroy them!”
“You’ve seen the video footage,” replied Councilor Barnes, trying to show patience with the outspoken senator. “While the weapons of the Federation are powerful they still don’t compare to the weapons the Eternal warships are equipped with. I can assure you if you do not prepare, the Eternals will destroy the Federation.”
“It’s the fault of the Originators!” yelled Senator Hanford of Bliss, also in the Epsilon Eridani System. “We should never have become involved in their futile war against the Eternals. This is what they’ve brought down on us!”
Other senators nodded and voiced their agreement. It was obvious the meeting was not going as President Treadway had hoped.
“If we do nothing we will die,” said Senator Malross of Mars. “At the very least we should fortify our star systems in preparation for the coming of the Eternals.” Surprisingly, very few other senators voiced their approval.
-
For several more hours the arguments continued going back and forth over what should be done. President Treadway did everything she could to bring the Senate Council around to her way of thinking. However, in the end everything came crashing down because of Senator Adams and Senator Hanford.
“I propose we leave it up to individual star systems as to how to deal with this alleged danger,” said Adams, standing up and looking at the other senators. “Let each system spend what it feels is justified. As for Serenity and Bliss, we will not be increasing our defense budgets nor will we be contributing to this year’s defense budget for the Federation. Already our economies are in shambles because of the rumors of an impending Eternal attack. Our systems are already heavily defended and we don’t feel any increase is necessary.”
“I second the motion,” said Senator Hanford. “Let each system decide for the next few years what their individual economies can stand in the way of increased defense spending. As Senator Adams has already stated the planets of Serenity and Bliss will not take part in this farce by the military to greatly increase their spending. Our current fortifications and fleets should be sufficient to protect us. After all, we defeated the Hocklyns and they controlled an Empire.”
Sensing defeat, President Treadway watched in disbelief as the motion was passed by a majority of senators.
-
Later President Treadway, Fleet Admiral Nagumo, and Councilor Barnes were in the president’s office discussing the meeting.
“Now what?” asked the president. “Nearly half of our worlds are refusing to recognize the threat.”
“True,” replied Councilor Barns. “But look at the ones which did. We have the planets of Earth, Mars, New Tellus, Horizon, Twilight and Harmony that do support the increase in military spending. Those are the most powerful and heavily populated planets in the Federation.”
Admiral Nagumo looked up from several reports he had been studying. “If the worlds who do not want to contribute to the Federation defense budget take over their own defense it will actually give us more versatility with what we want to do. That means defense funds aimed for those systems are now free for us to use. What Senators Adams and Bliss forgot is that there are a considerable amount of credits always in the Federation defense funds. Funds not spent or allocated in the yearly budget can be directed toward special projects at the recommendation of the Fleet Admiral if approved by the president. For the past several years those funds have been piling up. I suggest all of those funds be earmarked to be used in building defenses against the Eternals around the worlds that support us.”
President Treadway looked concerned. “We’re risking tearing the Federation apart.”
“The Eternals will see to that,” replied Councilor Barnes.
“What about the Altons?” asked Nagumo.
Councilor Barnes had spoken to Councilor Tureen just before today’s Senate Council meeting. “They’ve agreed in part. They will evacuate much of their younger population to the Dyson sphere as well as some of their more esteemed scientists. They plan on mounting a defense around their capital planet as well as the City of Lights in the center of the galaxy. A large number of Altons will be going to the City of Lights as well.”
“What is Careth doing?” asked President Treadway.
“They’re increasing their orbital defenses,” answered Councilor Barnes. “They do not wish to abandon their homeworld. However, they are going to send several million of their younger citizens to the Dyson sphere to ensure their race continues in case Careth falls.”
President Treadway looked over at Fleet Admiral Nagum
o. “What next?”
Nagumo let out a deep breath. “I’m calling an emergency meeting of the General Staff. We need to design a defensive strategy for dealing with the Eternals. We also need to get an Accelerator Ring set up in the Solar System as soon as possible to begin evacuations. I suggest we set one up in the Tau Ceti System as well since Horizon and Twilight are both there. There are nearly six billion people in the system and I would like to evacuate as many as possible.”
“I’ll make arrangements for the Accelerator Ring,” replied Councilor Barnes. “We should have it set up in a matter of days. We can get one from the Dyson sphere in this galaxy as several extra were sent there in case they were needed for the evacuation.”
“All right, let’s get this thing going,” ordered President Treadway. “Fleet Admiral Nagumo, let me know of anything you need. I’ll arrange for you to have full access to the reserve defense funds. I’ll also have our communication people begin sitting up informative broadcasts of what’s going to happen and what’s expected of our people. Councilor Barnes, I need videos of the cities Humans are staying in at the Dyson sphere at the Communications and Transport Hub. We need to explain to our people the steps we’re going to be taking. I’m sure there are many who will refuse to evacuate but I suspect there will be a sizable number that will agree to make the move.”
Councilor Barnes leaned back in his chair, satisfied with the progress they had made. While not as great as he had hoped, it should at least ensure the survival of the Human race.
-
Far out in intergalactic space, Jeremy watched as the Avenger exited hyperspace.
“We’ve arrived,” announced Aaliss from her position near Navigation.
On the primary viewscreen, a satellite galaxy with a diameter of eight thousand light years appeared. There were approximately two hundred and twenty million stars in the small galaxy.
“It looks beautiful,” commented Lieutenant Shayla Lantz, staring at the viewscreen.
Ariel stepped over closer to the sensor console, studying the readouts as more of the fleet spilled out into regular space. “Our position is within a few hundred light years of where we targeted. Not bad for a trip as long as ours.”
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