“And that’s how we ran across the worlds destroyed by the Creevak in the Makuul Galaxy. In our search of that galaxy we found the anomaly and then later came here to see if the Creevak had devastated this galaxy as well.”
“Several of our older races have passed on to the next phase of existence,” said Councilor Hamah. “They unified our galaxy countless cycles ago and set the guidelines for our Galactic Union. There are over twenty-two thousand member races. Each planet may chose a representative and every sector of the galaxy may send four representatives to represent their sector. Our galaxy is divided up into twenty-two sectors with an equal number of races in each one. To become eligible to be a member of the Galactic Union a race must develop interstellar travel on their own and begin traveling to nearby star systems. Once that begins we send a contact team to initiate peaceful relations.”
“Do you share your technology?” asked Andram.
“Only parts of it,” replied Councilor Hamah. “We only allow what a race is capable of handling. Too rapid advancement can be detrimental to a races’ future development. We’ll guide them along but many discoveries are left for them to develop on their own. We may help them along here and there but we try to interfere as little as possible.”
“What about the Creevak?” asked Nomar.
“We did not know what was occurring in the Makuul Galaxy until too late,” answered Councilor Hamah. “We also never had the need for a large military force. We had a small police force which ensured no races were taken advantage of by others and that was it. When we discovered what the Creevak were doing in the Makuul Galaxy we began building warships to defend ourselves. Our first fleets were destroyed defending the Trill but our later warships were more powerful. We were finally able to drive the Creevak from our galaxy but not before they destroyed over one hundred and thirty worlds.”
“What type of fleets do you maintain now?” asked Kathryn.
Councilor Hamah looked uncomfortable answering the question. “We have never been a warlike civilization and it has been difficult to adapt to the danger the Creevak represent. We have two types of defensive fleets. The first one is what you encountered in the Trill system. Its weapons are powered by highly developed fusion power. The second and our main defensive fleets are powered by antimatter.”
“Do you expect the Creevak to return?” asked Kathryn.
Councilor Hamah nodded his head. “That’s who we thought you were at first. From what we learned from several Creevak computers we managed to salvage they are a brutal race who spare no one. They live for combat and consider all other races to be insignificant. We believe after being defeated here they retreated to build up their forces. We’ve sent ships to the Makuul Galaxy searching for the Creevak but have never been able to find them. Your revelation about the anomaly explains much and the Creevak being from another universe explains even more.”
“We are willing to help you with the Creevak,” offered Kathryn. “However, in return we wish aid against the Eternals.”
Councilor Hamah stood up and walked over to the refreshment table. He picked up a pitcher and poured himself a fruit drink. He gazed for a moment at the drink and commented, “As one grows older simple things seem to take on more importance. When I was younger I would not have touched a fruit drink. Now I can’t get enough of them.” Hamah walked back to the table and sat down. “From what you have told me no matter what we do someday we will face the Eternals.”
“Unfortunately that is so,” replied Kathryn. “The Eternals in some ways are like the Creevak. They will spare no one. The only difference is the Eternals will enslave a civilization and put its citizens to work for the advancement of their Empire. The Creevak will destroy it completely.”
Councilor Hamah took a deep drink of his fruit drink and then set it down. “It appears we have some decisions to make. I will present your request to the Council of the Galactic Union. It will take a few days to gather all the councilors but I believe this issue is important enough to justify a special meeting. I would request that your ship remain in orbit as there will be more questions we will need to ask of you.”
Kathryn nodded. “We were expecting that.”
“If you would like, Advisor Malkor will show you around our habitat. I think you will find it interesting and it will give you an idea of our technology.”
“Thank you,” replied Kathryn. “We would be interested in a tour.”
-
Several hours later everyone returned to the New Horizon. It had been a tiring day and Kathryn was ready to turn in. After a long relaxing shower, she put her robe on and sat down in front of her computer to make a report of the day’s developments. She had high hopes of the Galactic Union agreeing to help against the Eternals. If everything went as she hoped, it would be up to Jeremy to get the new battlestation in place near the anomaly. Once that was done they could begin focusing on the other galaxies in this cluster. It would form a very good blockade against the Eternals’ continued advancement.
-
Kelsey was with Jason discussing today’s class lessons.
“Why do I have to learn so much math?” asked Jason as he drank a glass of juice. “Clarissa gives me more math homework than she does the others. Not even Clair has to work some of the problems I do.”
“I believe all of you are being assigned different homework,” answered Kelsey. “Clarissa is giving you homework she believes will help you the most in the future. I believe Clair gets more science homework.”
“Maybe,” replied Jason. “But I’d rather be playing than doing all of this homework.”
Kelsey let out a deep sigh. Sometimes she understood what Angela was saying about the kids advancing too rapidly. The conversation with Jason was a good example. It wasn’t the type of conversation a mother had with most four year olds.
“Finish your homework and you can play afterwards.”
“Can Clair come over?” asked Jason, his eyes lighting up.
“Maybe,” replied Kelsey. Angela’s quarters were only a short distance from Kelsey’s. “Get your homework done and I’ll call and see if Angela and Clair can come over for awhile.”
A big smile spread over Jason’s face. “She’ll have to bring Andrea too.” Andrea was the same age as Jason and Clair’s younger sister.
-
Later Kelsey and Angela were sitting on the couch watching the kids play a computer game.
Angela shook her head. “When I was their age I was playing with dolls.”
Kelsey laughed. “I was in Ceres then and I didn’t have any dolls. I was playing with toy models of spaceships my father gave me.”
“Times change,” said Angela with a deep sigh. “I wonder what our kids will be like when they become teenagers.”
“Just like we were,” replied Kelsey. “They may be smarter and know more but they will still be teenagers with raging hormones.”
Angela grimaced. “That’s one thing I could have done without.”
Kelsey nodded. “I think when Katie was a teenager she had a huge crush on Jeremy.”
“Didn’t Katie live with Jeremy and his parents for awhile?”
“Yes, she did. Jeremy always treated her as a younger sister and he still does. I think sometimes it infuriates Katie.”
Angela laughed. “Brothers and sisters are like that. Do you miss those days back at the academy?”
“Everything was simpler back then. We didn’t know about the Eternals or what awaited us in the future. I do wish my parents could have seen their grandchildren though.”
“I think we all do,” replied Angela. “We spent quite a bit of time in cryosleep waiting for the war with the Hocklyns and AIs. Sometimes I wonder if that was a mistake.”
“It wasn’t,” answered Kelsey. “We trained for it and it was what we were meant to do. Our parents supported our decision.”
“Your dad was an admiral,” replied Angela. “I think my mom would have liked to have seen her grandchildren.”
/> Kelsey nodded. They all felt that way from time to time. “I think all of our parents would be proud of where we are today and the kids.”
Angela blinked her eyes. “I know you’re right. I just sometimes wonder what all we missed by going into cryosleep so young. I know we did the right thing after how everything turned out. I just wished we could have spent a little more time with our parents.”
Kelsey looked over toward the kids. It was obvious from the look on Jason’s face that whatever computer game he was playing against the girls he was losing. The children had no idea how easy their lives were right now compared to what they would be in the future. Now was the time of innocence; sometime in the future that would come to an end. The war with the Eternals would go on for generations and there was no doubt the children would play a major role in it.
Chapter Eighteen
First Leader Fehnral stood upon a high balcony overlooking the capital city of the Empire. Above him in orbit massive fleets were departing. They were finally ready to launch their attack against the Humans and the Altons. Once both of those races were eliminated, a general attack against all of Originator space would begin. In less than a year, if they kept to the timetable, the Originators would only have control of their Shrieels and nothing else. The war with the Originators would be over and the Eternals’ Empire could spread across the universe unhindered.
“The fleets will be entering hyperspace shortly,” reported Second Leader Abross. “I spoke to the admirals earlier and they understand their orders.”
“Genocide,” spoke Fehnral, his eyes showing cold determination. “It is something we do very seldom but the Humans and the Altons are too dangerous. They would never accept our rule.”
“It is what we must do,” replied Abross. “The Originators made a mistake allowing those two younger races access to Originator technology and ships. It is an error we will correct. It will also be a lesson to the Originators never to do something like that again.”
“We are the Eternals; we do what is necessary.”
Abross stood waiting for further orders. “What of the general attack against Originator space?”
Fehnral turned to face Abross. “Begin assembling the fleets. The first battles will be violent as the surviving Humans and Altons will no doubt be operating and commanding the fleets against us. Once they are eliminated, the conquest of Originator space should be relatively easy. We will suffer substantial fleet losses but Originator space will be ours.”
“I will begin gathering the fleets,” replied Abross. “It will be necessary to curtail some of our attacks in other galaxies.”
Fehnral nodded. “I realize that. But once Originator space is ours we can expand our control over the universe at a much faster rate.”
Abross turned and left. He had much to do to assemble the necessary fleets. He would also speak to Second Leader Queexel about increasing warship production to replace the expected losses in ships in the coming battles.
First Leader Fehnral took in a deep breath. In a relatively short time, the Humans and the Altons would be gone. The Empire would have control of Originator space and the war with the Originators would be over. The Empire would be victorious as was only right. The Eternals were the most intelligent and powerful race in the universe and were destined to rule over all of creation.
-
Admiral Jackson was in a meeting with Councilors Barnes, Grayseth, Tureen, and Trallis. Jackson was standing at his window looking at one of the new cities being built in the distance for the Human evacuees. “I can’t believe how fast the new cities are being constructed.” He could see a bevy of air cars flitting around the new city. He knew they would be carrying construction materials as well as programmed robots that would be finishing up the city.
“We are building them as fast as we can,” replied Councilor Trallis. “Each city will hold ten million inhabitants.”
Admiral Jackson turned toward Councilor Barnes. “How many Humans have been evacuated from the Federation so far?”
“Four hundred and seventy million,” replied Councilor Barnes. “That’s far less than we had hoped. Many people are still resisting the move and then there are others who don’t believe in the threat from the Eternals.”
Jackson looked over at Councilor Tureen. “What of the Altons? How many of your people have been evacuated?”
“As you know, my people are divided into two groups: those who are pacifists and those who are more aggressive. Nearly two billion of the more aggressive Altons have evacuated but only fifty-two million non-aggressive ones. Many of the non-aggressives are leading scientists, technicians, and their families. We also have another twenty million who have gone to the City of Lights at the galactic center.”
“What about the defenses in Alton space?”
“We have ten of the forty-kilometer battlestations. Six have been stationed in our home system with a major portion of our fleet. The other four have been placed in our next most populous system. Many of our people are evacuating to those two systems in the hope they won’t have to evacuate to the Dyson sphere. The Alton admirals in charge feel there is a reasonable chance they can hold both systems particularly with the arrival of Admiral Bachal and his Originator fleet. Don’t forget we also have a large number of Indomitable Class Battlestations in those two systems.”
“Councilor Grayseth, what of your homeworld?”
Grayseth bared his incisors and then answered. “Admiral Calmat has arrived with his fleet to defend Careth. We have a sizable defensive network around the home planet as well as several small Federation fleets. With the addition of Admiral Calmat’s ships my people feel confident of surviving any attack by the Eternals. If not they are prepared to go on the Great Hunt.”
Councilor Barnes looked up and asked a question. “How much more time do we have before the Eternals’ attack?”
Admiral Jackson drew in a deep breath. “Not much. Probably in the next few weeks. We’re doing everything we can to speed up the evacuations as well as get more ships to the Federation.”
“What about our counterattack?” asked Councilor Trallis.
“It’s nearly ready. We’ve sent thousands of warships through the vortex centers on the Dyson spheres to the Dyson spheres closest to Eternal space. We have modified our plans to allow for a better chance of success and to attempt to hold our ship losses to a minimum. We will launch ten separate attacks of twenty thousand ships each against the ten Eternal galaxies nearest us. There will also be a small reserve force of Originator vessels we can commit if we become bogged down in any of those ten galaxies. At the same time, Commander Zafron will attack Galaxy 7296 with his three fleets. We’ve added more ships to his fleets to help ensure success.”
Councilor Trallis stood up and stepped over to gaze at a painting of an Earth sunset. He was quiet for several moments and then spoke. “We are risking a lot. We have no idea how many ships the Eternals will commit to attacking the Federation and the Alton worlds. The same is true of the ten galaxies you propose attacking. There is no way for us to gauge the Eternals’ response to our assaults. We risk greatly enlarging this war.”
Admiral Jackson nodded. “It’s a risk, but one I feel we need to take. Fleet Admiral Strong agrees as well. He’s the one who suggested we only attack ten Eternal galaxies instead of twenty. He’s also the one that suggested Commander Zafron make a move on Galaxy X-7296. Don’t forget, it’s the Eternals who are enlarging this war by attacking the Federation and the Altons.”
“Speaking of Fleet Admiral Strong, when does he plan on coming back?” asked Councilor Barnes. Barnes would like to see Kathryn again.
“After the new battlestation arrives in the Makuul Galaxy. Rear Admiral Barnes is currently in the larger galaxy talking to the leaders of their Galactic Union. Jeremy feels there’s a good chance they’ll agree to help us against the Eternals. Once that’s been done he’s going to return for a few weeks or maybe even longer.”
“How’s the progress o
n the new battlestation?”
“It’s proceeding pretty rapidly now,” replied Trallis. “It should be done in another six weeks. The Accelerator Ring will be ready in four.”
“What will the transit time be for the station? I know it will take longer because of its size and the energy involved to speed it up to intergalactic hyperspace speeds.”
“Eight to nine weeks,” replied Trallis. “At least that’s what the scientists working on the project tell me.”
Admiral Jackson knew by the time Jeremy returned, the fighting in Federation and Alton space would be over, the same as the fighting in the galaxies they were going to attack. Jackson wondered what Jeremy would find when he did return.
-
Later Admiral Jackson was in a shuttle as he toured the defenses around the hub. All four Dyson spheres were heavily armed and there were still twelve of the forty-kilometer battlestations floating around with several more that should be finished in the main construction facilities in another two weeks. The shuttle passed one of the battlestations and Jackson spent a moment examining the large spherical object encased in dark black battle armor. Its surface was covered with weapons turrets and small hatches concealing missile tubes. As the shuttle passed the battlestation, he could see several of the one hundred-kilometer Accelerator Rings. Both were active as warships were coming and going. In the distance, he could see the new Accelerator Ring being built. The new ring would be two hundred kilometers in diameter and take a tremendous amount of power to activate.
Close to the new Accelerator Ring work was progressing on the 170-kilometer battlestation. It would be the largest battlestation the Originators had ever built. Looking out the large viewport, Jackson could see numerous work shuttles and robot-controlled craft working on the outer hull of the station. He knew inside thousands more were busy building the inner sections. At any one time there were several thousand Originator AIs on board the station supervising the work.
The Originator Wars: Explorations: A Lost Fleet Novel Page 25
