Conflict Unending

by Raymond L. Weil

  “I say we support Fleet Admiral Strong in this war,” countered Senator Karnes. “He would not be calling for aid unless he felt it was necessary. Don’t forget all the Special Five have done for our galaxy.”

  More senators began talking. Several were standing up, arguing with one another.

  Kathryn was about to interrupt when she felt a hand touch her shoulder.

  “May I speak?” asked Camlin. “I’m an Originator AI.”

  The senators all shifted their attention to her. Some looked surprised she could speak. Silence held the Council Chamber.

  “This robot has no rights within these chambers,” bellowed Senator Davis.

  “Let her speak,” said Senator Karnes, staring down Senator Davis. “She’s no robot; she is an AI. What are you afraid of?”

  “You may speak,” said President Malle in a decisive voice. “I for one would like to hear what you have to say.”

  Camlin looked from one senator to the next and then began speaking. “As you are aware, in this galaxy there is an Originator Dyson Sphere.”

  “Yes, we are,” answered President Malle. “Our military has already fought several battles protecting it.”

  “We thank you for your assistance,” Camlin replied. “The Dyson Sphere is only one of two hundred and twelve in numerous galaxies within this section of the universe. At some point in the future, the Eternals will come to this galaxy because of the presence of the Dyson Sphere. You must realize due to its massive size it cannot be moved.”

  “You have said the Dyson Sphere is off limits to us,” said Fleet Admiral Nagumo, sounding disappointed.

  Camlin nodded. “Yes, due to the amount of Originator science and technology. However, what you are not aware of is the Originators also have massive fleet bases in all of the galaxies they control. For many years these bases have been inactive. Since the advent of the Eternals all have been reactivated. There are six such bases here in your galaxy.”

  “What!” bellowed Senator Davis, standing up, his face livid with rage. “You mean to tell me your people have six secret bases here in our galaxy we are not aware of? Are you spying on us?”

  Camlin looked coldly at Senator Davis. “You forget yourself, Senator. Our Dyson Sphere is here as well, and we were exploring this galaxy far before even the Altons. This galaxy is as much ours as it is yours.”

  Davis sat back down, still fuming.

  “Continue,” said President Malle, his eyes focused on Camlin. “Where are these bases located and why haven’t we detected them?”

  “There are two bases in what you call Federation space which includes the former Hocklyn Empire. There is one in Shari space, two in Borzon space, and one in Ralift space. All are now fully activated and protected by fleets of no less than two hundred Originator battlecruisers. As to why none of your ships or the other races have detected our bases it is quite simple; they are located in interstellar space and not in star systems. They are also protected by Originator stealth fields which your sensors cannot penetrate.”

  The council chamber was deathly silent as everyone weighed the thought there were over four hundred Originator warships in Federation space, ships which could easily conquer the Federation if the Originators were so inclined. Uneasy looks began to pass between senators.

  “Why are you telling us this?” asked President Malle.

  “The Originators are willing to make some of these ships available to finish pacifying this galaxy. The Originators abhor slavery which the Borzon and the Ralift practice. We will allow qualified Federation admirals to command these ships and free those worlds held in slavery by your adversaries. It is not necessary with the Shari as they are already moving in that direction.”

  “Are you saying you will allow Federation crews on those ships?” asked Fleet Admiral Nagumo, his eyes lighting up with excitement.

  Camlin shook her head. “Not at first. We will allow you to furnish the command ship and our vessels will follow your orders as long as they follow certain parameters. There will be military AIs on board some of our ships which will know if the vessels are being used for anything other than freeing the slave worlds of the Borzon and the Ralift.”

  “We could end the last threats of the former AI Empire,” said Senator Karnes. “Our galaxy could finally know peace.”

  “The Altons will fully support such a move,” spoke up Ambassador Tureen.

  “Will we ever be allowed on the ships?” asked Fleet Admiral Nagumo.

  “In time,” replied Camlin. “Once some of your crews have been trained at the Communications and Transport Hub we may be willing to allow some of them to crew a few of the battlecruisers. At the Communications and Transport Hub there are many Humans, Altons, and Carethians who have nearly full access to Originator technology and our warships. You have seen the Distant Horizon. It is full of Originator technology and has a mixed crew of Originator AIs, Humans, and Altons.”

  President Malle was silent as he mulled over the offer. “I would ask that the five of you step out while we discuss this. If we have questions you will be called back in.”

  -

  Stepping outside the Council Chambers, Kathryn looked over at Camlin. “Why did you not mention this before about the bases?” Kathryn knew after thinking about it she should have known some fleet bases were in the galaxy. She had been in the briefing where Councilor Bartoll had revealed to Jeremy how many there were and that they were in every galaxy in Originator space.

  “Fleet Admiral Strong asked me not to,” Camlin replied. “He didn’t want that knowledge to affect the negotiations. I was only to make the offer if I felt the negotiations were going to fail. In the Council Chamber I was studying the reactions to your comments on the faces of the senators. It was my opinion the vote was going to fail by a small margin. I computed that by making the offer the vote will pass.”

  Kathryn nodded. Leave it to Jeremy to have an ace up his sleeve. “I hope you’re right. The people from Careth and the Altons will help immensely but the crews we really need have to come from the Federation.”

  “Be patient,” her father said. “We knew this was never going to be easy. I expect over the next few hours we will all be called in to answer questions.”

  -

  Governor Barnes proved to be right. Over the next four hours each one of them was called in and asked more detailed questions about the Eternals, the Originators, access to certain technologies and the fleet bases. Finally they were summoned to come back inside the Council Chamber.

  -

  Stepping back inside Kathryn noticed a thoroughly disgusted look on the face of Senator Davis. She hoped that indicated how the vote had gone.

  “Governor Barnes and Rear Admiral Barnes,” began President Malle. “We have voted to allow up to twenty million of our citizens to volunteer to travel to this Communications and Transport Hub. In addition, we will make arrangements at the Fleet Academy on the Moon for half of their future graduates to be assigned to warships of the Originators under the command of Fleet Admiral Strong. However, we have several requests. The first is anyone who wishes to return from the Originators’ Communications and Transport Hub will be allowed to do so. The second is we want more access to Originator technology.” President Malle raised his hand before Kathryn or her father could object. “Ambassador Tureen has volunteered to form a committee of Alton scientists under the guidance of Originator AIs to determine what technologies will be acceptable which will not endanger the Federation or its economy.”

  “I think we can live with that,” said Governor Barnes, looking over at Kathryn who nodded. “However, there may be an Originator involved with this committee to help determine suitable technologies.”

  President Malle nodded. “I would like to meet one of these Originators.”

  “With your permission, I will summon the construction ships to begin building an Accelerator Ring to facilitate travel between the Federation and the Communications and Transport Hub,” said Kathryn. “Have you
decided where it needs to be located?”

  “New Tellus,” answered President Malle. “It has the necessary defenses with the asteroid fortresses to protect it as well as ensuring nothing hostile ever comes out of it.”

  “A wise decision,” said Governor Barnes. New Tellus had originally been settled by survivors from the old Human Federation of Worlds, the same as Ceres. It would be a good place for the Accelerator Ring.

  “I will inform Admiral Hazelton to expect your vessels,” said Senator Karnes. If you need anything from New Tellus, all you have to do is ask.”

  “Thank you, Senator,” replied Governor Barnes. “If anything is needed we will inform either you or the admiral immediately.”

  “If the five of you will remain we have a few more details to iron out and then I think we can sign an agreement,” said President Malle with a satisfied look on his face.

  Kathryn allowed herself to smile. She could hardly wait to send Jeremy a message telling him her mission was a success. The crews to fight the Eternals would shortly be on their way.

  Chapter Three

  On the planet Gardell, the Council of Eternals was meeting. There had been much discussion and blame cast for the debacle at the Originator star cluster. There was still disbelief living Originators had put in an appearance.

  “Are you certain the being who spoke to you was a living Originator and not a facsimile created by their AIs or this race of proxies?” asked Second Leader Fehnral who was responsible for scientific development.

  “Our latest information calls them Humans,” replied First Leader Clondax. “And everything we know points to the Originator who spoke to me as being real.”

  Second Leader Fehnral shook his head. “This is not good. All of our plans are based on the Originators being extinct and our being able to take over their Shrieels. In time, their AIs would have capitulated and recognized us as the rightful heirs of their creators.”

  “Those Shrieels have a tremendous industrial capacity,” said Second Leader Barrant who was responsible for raw resources and procurement. “Not only that, the Originators have other fleet bases scattered throughout all the galaxies they control. Those bases are capable of repairing ships as well as building new ones. This threat could grow rapidly and imperil the expansion of our empire.”

  “We are working on neutralizing those fleet bases,” replied Clondax. “Fleet Commander Tarsal has a fleet of twelve thousand battlecruisers currently clearing those bases from the galaxies where there are no Shrieels to send reinforcements.”

  “Twelve thousand ships are not enough,” said Second Leader Queexel who was responsible for warship production. “In time, he will suffer sufficient losses to make his fleet too weak to accomplish its mission.”

  “That’s why I’m deploying more fleets,” Clondax answered. “By attacking in multiple galaxies, we will be able to spread the ships of the Originators thin enough to allow attacks upon stronger bases, perhaps even a few of their Shrieels. It will also prevent them from being able to attack us.”

  “I have ramped up ship construction,” said Queexel. “More resources will be needed and I highly recommend we suspend expansion of our empire until the Originators are dealt with. Too many of our battlecruisers are tied down patrolling the galaxies we’ve conquered.”

  “No,” replied Clondax, his cold eyes focusing on Queexel. “We will continue to expand, adding new galaxies to our empire. Nothing will be allowed to interfere with that. We must expand our fleet as rapidly as possible to deal with this new threat posed by the Originators.”

  “How many Originators still survive?” asked Second Leader Tallard who was in charge of military research. “Is it possible a few were in stasis and their AIs woke them after learning of our existence and empire?”

  Clondax had already considered this possibility. “It’s possible but we must not assume that is the case. We could be dealing with a few hundred Originators or a few thousand. There is no way to know without conquering a Shrieel and gaining access to its computer database.”

  “What about the Humans?” asked Tallard. “From what we saw at the Originator star cluster they are taking a big part in the battles we’ve had thus far. I am surprised the Originators and their AIs have allowed another race access to their ships and technology.”

  “We are operating on the assumption this is a race which may have developed inside one of the Shrieels. That would explain why the Originators trust them with their technology. It is one of the reasons we are attacking the fleet bases. If we can access the primary computer system on one of the bases, we may be able to learn which Shrieel the Humans come from. Once we know that we can make it a priority target.”

  Tallard shook his head. “Conquering a Shrieel will result in massive fleet losses, something we can’t afford at this time.”

  Clondax knew Tallard was right. If they discovered which Shrieel the Humans came from they would need a way to conquer it from the inside.

  “This war against the Originators may be a mistake,” said Second Leader Fehnral. “It is going to require the commitment of too many resources.”

  “They will be defeated,” reiterated Clondax, staring at Fehnral. “We cannot let them to continue to exist.”

  Fehnral did not respond. He merely bowed his head, his eyes showing he was deep in thought.

  -

  After the meeting First Leader Clondax met with Fleet Commander Parnon who was responsible for doing a complete survey of Originator space.

  “We have completed the survey,” Parnon reported. “There are currently 211 surviving Shrieels. The one in the dark matter nebula has been destroyed. It appears the Shrieel’s sun went supernova.”

  “What about the fleet bases?” Clondax knew there were several thousand of these.

  Parnon shook his head. “The news is not good. All have been reactivated and are building new warships. We must assume the same construction is occurring on the Shrieels. The Originators are greatly increasing the size of their fleet.”

  Clondax was not pleased to hear of this. “Do we have the forces to destroy all of the fleet bases?” This would help to isolate the Shrieels.

  “No, not without taking substantial ship losses. We believe the fleet bases are updating their battlecruisers and building larger ones. We have also noticed construction at some of the shipyards indicating they are upgrading their defensive weapons.”

  “These bases were inactive a short time ago. I wonder what has changed?”

  “We believe the bases could only be reactivated by the direct orders of a senior military AI or by an Originator.”

  To Clondax this was all confusing. Why had the Originators waited so long to interfere? He was starting to wonder if Second Leader Tallard was correct when he suggested a few Originators might have been in stasis. It would explain much of what had happened. Of course if these Originators were still infected with the pathogen, there was a good chance they would soon die.

  “There are also two galaxies controlled by a militaristic race called the Simulins. We captured one of their ships and downloaded its computer files. It seems they have managed to gain access to one of the Shrieels.”

  Clondax’s eyes widened. “Make arrangements to further study that galaxy. If we can gain access to the Shrieel, it might solve many of our problems.” This might be a way into the Shrieel where the Humans lived. If he could destroy them, the Originators might be willing to capitulate. Clondax would be willing to allow them to continue to live in one Shrieel if they would turn all of the others over to the Eternals.

  “There are eight Originator fleet bases in that galaxy,” added Parnon. “Keep in mind the Simulins only have access to one small part of the Shrieel and only one intergalactic vortex station.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” Clondax said as a plan formed in his mind. “Prepare a fleet of twenty thousand of our warships. At some time in the future we will be paying this Simulin galaxy a visit.” That single vortex Control Center would allow th
e Eternals access to all of the Shrieels. He may have just found an easier way to win this war.

  -

  Jeremy was in the backyard of his home standing over the barbeque grill. His home was on the outskirts of the city and there was actually an underground tunnel, which led from his home to the Tower. Its high-speed car could get him there in less than five minutes in case of an emergency.

  “Those hamburgers sure smell good,” said Kevin who was standing at Jeremy’s side supervising the cooking.

  “So do the steaks,” said Brace, Angela’s husband. He looked over at Kevin. “How can you turn down a good steak for a hamburger?”

  Kevin grinned. “I’m having both.”

  Jeremy smiled. The last few months had been extremely enjoyable. None of them had left the Communications and Transport Hub except for Clarissa who was with Rear Admiral Barnes. He looked over toward the two large picnic tables crammed full of food. The three girls were all chattering away with Ariel listening. Clair was playing with some puzzles Kelsey had bought for her. Since all three were pregnant, he could well imagine what their conversation was like. He was glad he was over here at the grill.

  -

  “I think four antimatter chambers will furnish enough power,” said Katie. “Ariel and I ran some simulations and that should provide plenty of power for all the systems on the new super exploration dreadnaught as well as for emergencies.”

  “The increase in power alone will allow for a 22 percent increase in the strength of the ship’s energy weapons,” added Ariel.

  “Are we going to be able to make it safe enough for our children?” asked Angela with a little concern in her voice.

  Ariel nodded. “No problem. All of you are aware of how Grayseth and his command crew survived. The central section of all Originator dreadnaughts is designed to survive the destruction of the vessel. The one we’re designing for the new ship will be even stronger and have its own space drive and weapons. If the ship is destroyed, it will survive and be able to make it back home. Not only that I’ve added extra armor around the section where the nursery and the living quarters will be located.”