Conflict Unending

by Raymond L. Weil

  “How did we learn of this?” asked Second Leader Tallard.

  “From Fleet Commander Parnon and his survey of Originator space. A Simulin warship was captured and its computer files accessed.”

  “I will continue to ready more warrior robots and shock troops for an invasion,” said Second Leader Tarmal.

  “Have there been any more reports of Originator activity in our empire?” asked Second Leader Barrant.

  Clondax shifted his gaze toward Barrant. “No, we believe after their last defeat they have pulled their forces back into Originator space. They have learned our galaxies are too dangerous for them. This war will be fought in Originator space and not ours.”

  Clondax was certain the Originators recognized the superiority of the Eternals. At a particular point in this war he would approach them about surrender. Rather than fight a pointless war they can’t win the Originators would accept Clondax’s final solution. The Originators would be allowed to keep one Shrieel, and the Eternals would take over all the others. As another part of the agreement, the Originators would not be allowed to support the Humans. The Humans would be annihilated as they could not be allowed further access to Originator technology.

  -

  Admiral Race Tolsen and the other admirals were in the city the Originators had built for the Humans in front of the Tower, looking in amazement at everything around them.

  “It’s like we’ve stepped into the future,” said Massie as she gazed about.

  “We have talked about building cities such as this,” said Admiral Baasil. “The only comparable city we have is the City of Lights on Astral.”

  Race nodded. He had been to Astral and the City of Lights a number of times. It was amazing what the ancient Altons had constructed. The computer center beneath the city was even more awe inspiring.

  “More cities are being built to provide accommodations for the people coming from the Federation,” said Ariel. She had joined them in her android body after the Distant Horizon docked at the shipyard. “There is a separate habitation square for Humans, Altons, and Carethians. Each square is approximately the size of Earth or New Tellus.”

  Massie looked over at Ariel. “What about the Originators? Where do they live?”

  “They live in the other three Dyson Spheres. A few have chosen to return to their home Dyson Spheres in other galaxies. Not many but some have chosen not to participate in the war. There are a number of Originators who work here at the Tower. I will introduce you to some of them once we go inside.”

  Race watched with interest as several vehicles pulled up and a number of fleet officers exited them and entered the tall building. The vehicles were unbelievably quiet. Looking across the city, he saw no signs of pollution and the noise level one normally associated with a major city was absent. It suddenly struck him how different living here was going to be compared to the worlds of the Federation.

  “You will get used to living here,” said Ariel, suspecting what Admiral Tolsen was thinking. “Let’s go into the Tower and up to Fleet Admiral Strong’s office. He and Admiral Kalen are waiting.”

  Race grinned at hearing Admiral Kalen’s name. He had always had a lot of respect for the Ceres admiral.

  After going inside the building they walked past four large and imposing combat robots.

  “Are those self-aware?” asked Race. He noticed the robots’ attention had shifted to the five of them as they walked by.

  “No,” replied Ariel. “If one of us was unauthorized they would have requested we come to a halt and an officer would have been summoned. If we had kept going, ignoring their command, we would have been stunned.”

  “Does a stunner affect you?” asked Massie, looking over at Ariel.

  Ariel shook her head. “Not like it does you. It would be painful but I could still function.”

  “Can you feel pain?” asked Massie, her curiosity piqued at the thought.

  “Oh, yes,” Ariel replied. “These android bodies the Originators have created for their AIs can feel the same pain as a regular Human. I can even enjoy eating and drinking though alcohol has no affect on me.”

  They reached a bank of elevators and Ariel led them into one she had to enter a code word to access. “This will take us directly to the corridor leading to Fleet Admiral Strong’s office.”

  The elevator started upward and Race was surprised there was no feeling of motion.

  -

  Jeremy was sitting in his office speaking with Admiral Kalen when the door opened and Ariel and the four Federation admirals entered.

  “Admiral Tolsen,” said Jeremy, standing and walking over to the four admirals. Race he knew; he wasn’t familiar with the other three.

  “Fleet Admiral,” Race said pleased to see Jeremy again after so many years. He quickly introduced the other three admirals with him.

  “Massie Tolsen?” Jeremy said. “Are you Race’s sister?”

  “Yes, Fleet Admiral,” Massie answered. “I’m so pleased to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about the Special Five all of my life.”

  Jeremy smiled. “Don’t believe everything you’ve heard. We’re no different than anyone else.”

  “I’m glad to see the four of you,” said Admiral Kalen, shaking the hands of the admirals. He had met all of them at one time or another in his career.

  “Jeremy gestured toward some comfortable chairs in front of his desk. “Sit down and I’ll brief you on our current situation and the plans I have for each of you. Feel free to ask any questions you may have. We have a lot to go over.”

  -

  For the next four hours they discussed the current situation with the Originators and the Eternals. Jeremy had Ariel play some videos of the battles that had taken place including the massive one at the Lost Originators’ star cluster. All four Federation admirals had questions. The two Alton admirals were intensely interested in the Eternal battlecruisers and their weapons.

  “You say your new dreadnaughts and battlecruisers are protected by a triplex energy screen?” asked Admiral Baasil in his soft voice. “We experimented with that concept in the past but could never get past the power requirements.”

  “It’s strange the Eternals don’t have dark matter missiles,” said Admiral Lankell. “However, the power behind their energy beams is astonishing.”

  “We believe it’s because the Eternals never had access to dark matter like the Originators did at the dark matter Dyson Sphere,” explained Jeremy.

  The door to the office opened and Kevin and Councilor Bartoll entered.

  “Is that an Originator?” asked Massie in a low voice, her eyes widening.

  Jeremy grinned. He knew how he had felt the first time he had seen and spoken to an Originator. That had been Commander Zafron. “This is Councilor Bartoll. He wanted to meet all of you so I asked him to stop by.”

  Bartoll stopped in front of the four admirals who had all stood up. He looked down at Massie and smiled. “I am pleased to see more military leaders from the Federation. I hope you enjoy your stay with us and if there is anything you need all you have to do is ask.”

  Race smiled to himself. For once his sister was at a loss for words.

  “Jeremy, I just came from the Communications Center, and Commander Zafron and Admiral Cowel have departed the Dyson Sphere in Galaxy X-938 and are on their way back to the Median Galaxy,” said Kevin.

  “Good, we needed to get back on the offensive.”

  “The Median Galaxy,” said Race, looking thoughtful. “That’s where you first encountered the Eternals.”

  Jeremy nodded and began explaining his reasons for attacking Eternal space.

  “We’re yours to command, Admiral,” Race said. “Just tell us what you want us to do.”

  “I want to give the four of you time to acclimate to the Communications and Transport Hub. I have some additional tours set up for you as well as meetings with some Originator AIs and a few Originators. Then all four of you will be assigned a heavy dreadnaught as y
our flagship. There will also be a military AI assigned to your ships to answer any questions you may have about the offensive and defensive weaponry. In an emergency the AI can command the ship if necessary. Don’t hesitate to ask for any changes you may wish to the Command Centers or your living quarters. With the technology here at the Hub such changes can be made very quickly.”

  Councilor Bartoll looked at the four. “We realize this is going to be a very long war, one which may go on for generations. Any resources you feel are necessary for your success will be provided.”

  -

  Kevin looked at the four admirals. He had met Admiral Tolsen several times in the past but not the other three. “The cities have everything your crews will want for their leave time. There are fine restaurants, fast food places, video theatres and some fabulous resorts built in the mountains and on the seashores. Some of the seashore resorts rival those found on New Tellus.”

  -

  “I like the snow skiing myself,” commented Jeremy smiling.

  It suddenly dawned on Race that Jeremy and the rest of the crews of the Lost Fleets had built a new life for themselves here on the Dyson Sphere. In all probability they now must consider this to be home, not the Federation.

  -

  Massie was feeling intimidated. Not only was she standing in the same room as two of the legendary Special Five but there was a real live Originator in the room as well. All of her fleet training and her days at the academy on the Moon hadn’t prepared her for this. Looking over at Race she couldn’t believe how calm he was. Of course Race had developed quite a reputation himself back in the Federation.

  “What do you think of our city?” asked Kevin, looking at Massie.

  Massie felt her face flush. “It’s beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “Wait until you see it at night,” said Ariel with a grin. “Kelsey and Katie come up to the Communications Center with Angela sometimes just to look out over the city.”

  Massie nodded. She could well imagine. Massie couldn’t wait to go on more tours and see more of the Dyson Sphere. The megastructure fascinated her. She had seen the outside of the one in Shari space but had never expected to get to go inside one.

  “If you don’t have any more questions I’ll have Ariel show you to your quarters,” said Jeremy. “I’ve arranged for a fleet officer to come by later and take the four of you out to eat. One of the AIs will be stopping by with an itinerary of what you will be doing this week. There’s a lot to go over but I’ve made sure some free time is included. I want the four of you to understand what it is we’re fighting for.”

  “Thank you, Admiral,” Race said appreciatively.

  “If the four of you will follow me, we’ll get going,” said Ariel as she headed toward the door.

  Following Ariel, Massie couldn’t help but wonder about former Fleet Admiral Streth’s prophetic comment that the Originators could not win this war. After seeing what was here at the Communications and Transport Hub, she was beginning to wonder if Race had misunderstood what Fleet Admiral Streth said.

  -

  “What do you think?” asked Jeremy, looking over at Kevin and Councilor Bartoll.

  “I’m glad Admiral Tolsen came,” replied Kevin. “Between Commander Zafron, Admiral Mann, Admiral Jackson, and Rear Admiral Barnes that gives us five fleet commanders we can really depend on. I would trust any of those five in a major battle.”

  Jeremy nodded in agreement. “We have a number of others who will be good as well. Rear Admirals Cross and Admiral Cowel are doing well. They just need additional battle experience against the Eternals.”

  “I suspect that experience will come shortly,” said Admiral Kalen, drawing in a deep breath. “This quiet period is bound to end soon.”

  “What about the stasis facility Major Wilde found?” asked Jeremy, shifting his attention to Councilor Bartoll. “What’s happening there?”

  “We have begun to awaken the members of my race found in the underground facility,” replied Bartoll. “Major Wilde sent a message a short time ago indicating that using special detection equipment they had located the other hidden facilities on the Shrieel she’s at. She’s already making arrangements to drill down to them.”

  “How long will it take for her to finish on the Dyson Sphere?” asked Kevin.

  “She estimates another two to three weeks minimum,” Bartoll replied. “Once the facilities have been opened she plans to leave the awaking to a team of Originators and Altons. Several squads of Marines and combat robots will be used to guard each facility during this process. Within a month she expects to have six teams operating on different Shrieels.”

  “Six teams should be able to cover all the Shrieels in about six years,” Jeremy said with a frown. “That’s way too slow.”

  Bartoll took a deep breath. “As we awaken more Originators it should give us more medical specialists to help with the awakenings on other Shrieels. From the time one of my people is brought out of stasis until they’re fully functional takes about four to six weeks, depending on the stage of the life extension pathogen. We’ll also be adding teams consisting of more Altons. Governor Barnes sent a message a few hours ago indicating the Altons have agreed and are sending nearly eleven thousand specialists who are familiar with long term stasis. Once they arrive we will greatly increase the number of teams opening up the stasis facilities on the Shrieels. Our goal is to have all of them open, the cure administered, and everyone brought back to health within sixteen months.”

  “Are you ready to deal with another sixty million or more of your people?”

  A weak smile crossed Bartoll’s face. “We’re going to try. We learned a lot from the awakening of the Lost Originators.”

  Kevin looked over at Jeremy. His red hair was a little more tousled than normal. “What are the Eternals going to do next?” he asked. “They’ve been pretty quiet since the battle at the Lost Originator star cluster. There’s only one fleet operating in Galaxy X-268 and with a little luck Admiral Mann will be taking care of it in the next few days.”

  Jeremy let out a deep sigh. A look of concern crossed his face. “I don’t know. I agree they’ve been too quiet which makes me a little apprehensive. We’re building what I call a Grand Fleet to deal with any major moves of the Eternals. When it’s finished it will have ten thousand dreadnaughts and forty thousand of the new enhanced battlecruisers. We’ll use it to counter any major moves by the Eternals.”

  Kevin drew in a deep breath. “The girls, except for Angela, have had their babies. When’s the Avenger going back out?”

  “The Avenger will be the flagship for the new Grand Fleet,” answered Jeremy. “We’ll stay here until we’re needed. It’s time we let the other admirals handle the fighting. It’s the only way for them to gain the necessary tactical experience to deal with the Eternals.”

  “I think the girls will approve of that,” replied Kevin, sounding relieved. “I think they feel we’re always rushing off to battle when someone else could have actually gone.”

  “You’re the Fleet Admiral,” Councilor Bartoll put in. “Your life is very valuable as you’re needed to coordinate the activity of our entire military. You should stay here at the Tower. It has everything necessary to communicate with any fleet anywhere in space. Our new communications system is almost instantaneous using the hyperspace communication vortexes.”

  Jeremy knew Kevin and Councilor Bartoll were right. The communication vortexes were a recent development and a drastic improvement over the former ones. It allowed every Shrieel or dreadnaught to contact the Communications Center in the Tower within a matter of minutes in most cases and in the worst an hour or two.

  “What type of fleets will you be assigning our new admirals?” asked Kevin.

  “Admiral Tolsen will get a full fleet and the rest major task forces,” Jeremy replied. “For their first assignments they will be patrolling some of the galaxies in Originator space. Once we get enough fleet personnel from the Federatio
n and train them on the new ships, I would like to have twenty fleets or task groups out on patrol. That would allow us to respond quicker to attacks in any of the galaxies we control. I’ve also stepped up the updating of all the fleet bases’ defensive systems. Within sixty days every fleet base will have a full battery of dark energy cannons as well as a minimum of twenty enhanced battlecruisers. We’re stripping the Dyson Spheres of the newer ships to give the fleet bases more firepower. The Dyson Spheres are all protected by the blue energy spheres and dark energy cannons with more of the cannons being added every day.”

  “The Shrieels are safe from Eternal attack,” said Bartoll with confidence. “However, the galaxies without Shrieels are not and that’s why we must do whatever we can to protect the fleet bases. Those galaxies must not fall to the Eternals.”

  “We need another two years to have enough dreadnaughts and enhanced battlecruisers to completely replace the fleets currently at the fleet bases,” added Jeremy. “I don’t believe the Eternals will give us that time.”

  Bartoll nodded. “Fleet Admiral Strong is correct. It is unlike the Eternals to hold off attacking for so long. I greatly fear they are planning something and it will be drastic.”

  Jeremy leaned back in his chair. He suspected Bartoll was right. He just wished he knew what it was the Eternals were going to do.

  Chapter Twelve

  Rear Admiral Hailey Mann’s fleet dropped out of hyperspace on the periphery of Galaxy X-268. From the latest reports she had received from the Communications and Transfer Hub, the Eternals had already attacked and destroyed the second fleet base in the galaxy only a few days back.