Derrick shook his head. “No, the Druins are attempting to send a message. This galaxy belongs to the Confederation races now, and the rest of us must stay in line. The citizens of our Empire will now become second-class citizens in the Confederation, with nothing more than a few basic rights.”
“Our people won’t like that,” said Audrey, pursing her lips. “They’ll fight back.”
“They will either have to accept it or die,” replied Derrick. “The Druins will accept no excuses and won’t hesitate to execute anyone who does not obey the rules of the Confederation.”
“Then all hope is lost,” said Audrey, her gaze looking longingly at one of the smaller viewscreens showing their home planet.
“No,” replied Derrick. “Prince Starguard and others made a plan, in case this day ever came about. Someday the Human race will rise again. It won’t be anytime soon, but we Humans are not done with the Confederation. And though it may take a thousand years or longer, our Empire will still be here to take back. The Druins and the Confederation have now made the Human race their enemy. And we will remember for a very long time what they have done to our worlds and to our people.”
“We’re in orbit and have not been detected,” reported Lieutenant Nower.
Derrick nodded. He had hoped their stealth systems would keep them hidden from the Druin sensors. The Druins had no reason to believe the Empire had such advanced stealth technology. “Lieutenant Viktor, set a course for the Haven Nebula. From there, we will go to our destination.”
Viktor entered the course and then activated the ship’s hyperdrive, sending the stealthed light cruiser into safety. No vessel could be attacked while a ship was in hyperspace.
Derrick leaned back in his command chair. He had a set of coordinates to deliver the Princess too. Once there, his ship and crew would remain. There was no returning from this mission. For the Human race and the Confederation, the Princess and Krista will have vanished. Great pains had been taken in the capital city by trusted members of the Imperial Guard to make it appear the Princess had been killed in an aircar accident as she fled the palace. Even a body had been cloned to make it appear the Princess had, indeed, died.
Derrick looked at the viewscreens, showing the stars in front of the vessel. He knew a computer program generated the view, taking into account the ship’s rapid movement through hyperspace. They had a long voyage ahead of them. It would take them more than three weeks to reach their destination. That included several changes of direction to ensure they were not tracked or followed, though Derrick knew of no technology that could trace a ship once it made the transition into hyperspace. Derrick let out a deep sigh. He just hoped the Princess was ready for what was in front of her. The life she was about to lead was nothing like what she had experienced at the Imperial Palace.
-
Princess Layla was relieved when a voice came over the ship’s comm, saying she and Krista could get out of their acceleration couches. The couches were comfortable, but Layla hated lying here with the safety harness holding her down.
“Let me get you some water, Princess,” said Krista, as she unbuckled herself and headed to the small refrigeration unit she had spotted earlier. Opening it, she found bottles of flavored water from several worlds.
“I think it’s best if you drop the Princess,” said Layla, as she accepted the water and took a deep drink. “We’re cousins, and there’s no reason we can’t use our first names.”
Krista sat back down and grinned. “Force of habit. It’s how all of us were raised in the palace.”
Layla didn’t reply for several long moments, and then she spoke. “We’ll never see home again. Even if we do, it won’t be the same. The Druins and the Confederation have ruined everything my father and brother were trying to build.”
“We moved too fast,” replied Krista. “My father was afraid the Confederation would take action, due to our continued expansion.”
Layla nodded. “It was argued in the Royal Court. Some felt, as your father did, that, if we continued to expand the Empire, it would draw the attention of the Confederation. Others felt, if the Empire became large enough, the Confederation would not intervene. No one except Aiden expected a war. I guess we were wrong, and he was right.”
Layla walked over and sat down on a comfortable couch, gesturing for Krista to join her. “I wonder what happened to Aiden?” Layla and her brother were very close. She knew he had taken great pride in commanding the flagship of the fleet, the Vindicator.
“Maybe Captain Masters will know something. I’m sure they were running sensor scans as the ship made orbit and then jumped into hyperspace.”
A tear rolled down Layla’s face. “What about our parents? My father and mother are still at the palace, and so are yours.”
Krista nodded. Her eyes clouded. “Our parents know their duty. They will stay in the palace to confront the Druins. I can hear your father now, demanding they leave, with my father standing at his side. They’re brothers, and, while they may have disagreements, they will not abandon one another.”
-
On board the Vindicator, Aiden struggled back to consciousness. He opened his eyes to find himself in one of the lower holds of the ship. Looking around, he saw most of the command crew, as well as a few others. Most were lying down, still unconscious, with a few sitting up. Aiden noticed his hands were bound behind his back. Shifting around, he managed to sit up and lean against the cold metal wall.
“How do you feel?” asked Admiral Cross, who was close to him. The admiral’s arms were bound as well, even though one was broken.
Aiden shook his head. “I’ve got a terrible headache. What happened?” Aiden noticed a half-dozen heavily armed Druins near the entry hatch, keeping an eye on the Humans.
“They tossed some stun grenades into the Command Center, knocking everyone out. When I came to, we were all in here.”
Doing a quick count, Aiden realized only twenty of his crew were present. Twenty out of more than one thousand. With a deep sigh, Aiden knew the others were probably dead. Everyone in the hold seemed to be ranking officers. “What do you think they want?”
“We’re prisoners,” replied Cross. “I imagine we’ll be taken to the planet to participate in whatever the Druins have planned. They don’t usually take prisoners, but I suspect they wanted you alive, since you’re a member of the Royal Family and are next in line to become the High King.”
Aiden switched to a quieter voice. “I wonder if Layla got away.”
“Most likely,” replied Cross. “Captain Masters should have been standing by with his stealth cruiser. By now they should be long gone.”
Aiden felt a chill run down his back, knowing he would never see his sister again. At least Layla and Krista should have gotten away, as well as the rest of the people involved in Operation Exodus. If everything worked out, the Druins would never learn about the plan. Nearly all who did know had left on the ships assigned to the project.
-
In the Imperial Palace, High King Bramdon Starguard sat in his chair in the ornate chambers of the Royal Court. Heavily armed Imperial Guards were present, as well as his brother Dom Starguard. A few of his closest advisors were present as well. Only a few minutes ago he had heard the sound of Druin assault shuttles landing. The quiet was broken periodically by the sound of blaster and laser fire, as some of the few remaining guards put up a futile resistance.
“They’re coming,” said Dom, as the sound of heavy footsteps approached the large double doors of the Royal Court.
“Hold your fire,” Bramdon ordered the guards, who had moved to shield him from the Druins. “No point in anyone else dying in a hopeless cause.”
“It is our duty to defend you,” replied Maldric Pinal, a captain in the Imperial Guard, responsible for the guards currently in the Royal Court.
“And you have done a fine job,” replied Bramdon, standing up and stepping to Maldric. “Have your men lay down their arms. No point in them dying.”<
br />
Maldric hesitated and then gave the order. “Disarm!”
The fourteen Imperial Guards laid down their laser rifles and pistols. The war for them was over.
The doors to the chamber suddenly swung open, and numerous heavily armed Druins entered. Bramdon stepped in front of the guards and gazed unafraid as the Druins advanced. His brother Dom was at his side.
“I am High King Starguard,” he said, showing no fear in his stance or voice. “Why have you attacked the Empire? You have killed millions for no civilized reason. We have kept our treaties and have not interfered with any of the worlds of the Confederation.”
The Druins did not reply. Several marched forward and gathered all the weapons the Imperial Guards had placed on the floor. After that, they formed a half arc in front of High King Starguard and his brother, and then stood still, as if waiting for something important to happen.
Another group of Druins marched in, followed by an officer dressed in a uniform adorned with numerous campaign decorations.
The officer gazed at the Humans for several moments and then spoke. “I am Admiral Kalar of the Druin fleet and the Confederation. Your race has been found guilty of violating the Articles of Confederation, as established by the founding races.”
“We are not a member of the Confederation,” protested Bramdon, frowning. “None of our ships have trespassed into Confederation space other than to trade, according to our trade agreements.”
“That is debatable,” replied Admiral Kalar, his voice turning cold. “Your exploration ships and colony ships have been spotted in regions adjoining the Confederation that we have a future interest in. This cannot be allowed.”
“The Confederation should have made their claims to that territory clear to us,” replied Bramdon. “We would have pulled our ships back.”
“It is irrelevant,” replied Admiral Kalar coldly. “The Confederation has voted to annex all Human space as part of the Confederation. As such, your people will be subject to Confederation rules and citizenship.”
“But as second-class citizens,” objected Bramdon. “Our people will not have the same rights as yours do.”
“We are one of the founding races,” replied Admiral Kalar by way of explanation. “Perhaps in another ten or twenty thousand years you Humans may take your place as a true member of the Confederation.”
“You’ve killed millions of us!” protested Bramdon in anger. “We were not a threat to you. Our worlds are burning because of you!”
Admiral Kalar’s eyes narrowed. “Maybe not now, but in a few thousand years you may have been a threat. Your worlds are now ours. Your people will now serve us. You are not allowed to possess any armed spacecraft, though your worlds will be allowed to do some trading of items not on the banned lists.”
“What of my family and the other members of the Royal Court?”
Admiral Kalar looked directly into Bramdon’s eyes. “All of you will be executed of course. We cannot allow your continued existence to serve as a rallying point for your people. It is what is best for the Confederation.”
Bramdon had been expecting this. It was one of the reasons for Operation Exodus. “What about banishment? Allow my family and the other members of the Royal Court to be taken to another world.”
Admiral Kalar seemed to consider this. “It cannot be done. No other world will take you.”
“A primitive world then,” pleaded Bramdon. “One that has no technology. Let my people live out their lives in peace.”
“It would have to be a primitive Human world,” replied Admiral Kalar. “I have no knowledge of such a place.”
“We found one years ago,” replied Bramdon carefully. “One of our exploration vessels found it deep in unexplored space in the Bacchus Region.”
“The Bacchus Region?” replied Kalar, his gaze showing a hint of disbelief. “That is an area of dead space. No habitable worlds have ever been found there.”
“There is one,” replied Bramdon. “It has a very primitive Human society. They have no technology at all.”
“Where is this world? We must inspect it. If it is as you say, I will agree to sending the surviving members of the Royal Court there. However, your life must be forfeit. It will serve as an example to the Humans of your Empire.”
Bramdon felt a cold chill spread over him. He had expected this demand. However, if he could save the other members of the Royal Court it would be worth the sacrifice.
“I agree.”
“No!” several voices behind Bramdon called out.
Bramdon turned to face those who had cried out. “It is what must be done.”
-
Four days later the fighting in the Empire was over. All the Human forces had surrendered and had turned in their weapons. The final death toll from across the Empire was well over two billion dead.
“Father, are you sure about this?” asked Aiden. “Let them take me instead of you.”
Bramdon smiled. “No, it is me who they want. I am a symbol, the rest of you are not. It is the only reason they’re even allowing banishment.”
“How did you know they would agree to accept banishing the rest of us?”
“I’ve studied the different races of the Confederation. They consider banishment a fate worse than death. We’re sending our people to an uncivilized planet. The only thing they’re allowed to take with them are some food, medical supplies, camping gear, and a few other basic necessities.”
Aiden frowned. “Don’t forget that I’m part of those people.”
Bramdon reached out and put his hand on Aiden’s shoulder, squeezing gently. “You’ll get to live out your life. That’s all that I can ask for. Keep in mind, where you’re going, they’re a very primitive people. Yet they have great potential and someday will be a power to be reckoned with. It is up to you and the others to sow the seeds of that future greatness.”
Aiden took in a deep breath. His mother had elected to stay with her husband. Aiden struggled with the fact he was leaving both of his parents behind to die. “I’ll do as you say.”
-
Bramdon looked at the Druins, who were watching them. “I guess this is goodbye. Our friends over there seem to be getting restless. Now go aboard the ship. Your mother and I are pleased with the knowledge that both you and your sister will be safe and away from this.” Giving Aiden’s shoulder another squeeze, Bramdon turned and walked toward the awaiting Druins. His execution was scheduled for the following day. It would be broadcast across the Empire to quell any hope for the future and to remind all the Humans who their new overlords were.
-
Aiden watched as the Druins surrounded the High King, escorting him away, until Aiden could no longer see his father.
“It’s time to go,” said Dom, in a soft and solemn voice. “We shall do as your father commanded.”
Turning, Aiden and Dom went up the ramp into the large passenger liner. Two liners and one small cargo ship would take them to their destination. Also numerous Confederation ships would serve as an escort and then would scan the planet to determine if it was, indeed, primitive. Once that was confirmed, the landings would begin.
With a deep sigh, Aiden knew he would never see his father, his mother, his sister, or the Empire again.
Chapter Three
Aiden stepped out of the shuttle onto their new world. The air was clean and fresh with a light breeze. Other shuttles were also landing, depositing their loads of Humans and cargo.
“Well, I guess we’re here,” commented Admiral Cross. His arm was in a sling, after being set by one of the Human medical personnel.
“Fourteen hundred of us,” replied Aiden, as he saw people standing around, unsure of what they should be doing. Some of the women were still dressed in their fancy court dresses. Aiden hoped they had brought other more practical clothing.
Captain Brunson came over, a deep frown on his face. “I’ve checked the supplies. We have sufficient food and water for about six months and enough medical s
upplies for a few years. So we need to find water and to assess our possibilities for hunting food here. Those larger crates have some military tents, which we can set up to provide protection for our people. We have no electronic equipment of any kind or even power tools. We’ll have to do everything by hand. This will not be easy for many of the people who came with us.”
Aiden looked at several members of the Royal Court, who were standing around, looking confused. No doubt they were used to being waited on and given nearly everything they wanted. Very few, if any, would know any of the basics of surviving off the land. Fortunately about eighty military personnel were here, and all of them had gone through survival training.
“Let’s get the tents set up and start some of the others gathering firewood. Even though it’s warm now, it might be much cooler tonight, and we’ll want the fires. The fires will also help to keep any large predators away. We need to get the people doing things to take their minds off what’s happened to us.”
“I’ll get some teams organized,” replied Captain Brunson. “It looks as if it’s midday here, so we still have quite a few hours of daylight left.” Captain Brunson left to gather some of the other officers and to organize the camp.
Aiden looked up into the afternoon sky. A few white clouds were visible, and he knew several Druin ships were still in orbit. No doubt they would remain there, observing and watching for an unknown number of days. In the distance, he could see a towering volcano. Fortunately it was far enough off not to be among their more pressing problems.
“I wonder what Layla is doing?” Aiden missed his family. He knew by now that his father and mother would have been executed, and his sister was at the Operation Exodus complex, or Sanctuary as they had nicknamed it. He felt great sadness and anger at what had been done to his parents.
“She’s probably just as concerned about you as you are about her,” replied Admiral Cross. “Everyone here is devastated by what’s happened. Our old way of life is gone, and now we’re faced with a new one that’ll be much harder and extremely trying for some.”
The Forgotten Empire: Banishment: Book One Page 3
