“There will be four. My yacht, two heavy corvettes, and a Class B supply ship.
Cleemorl’s eyes widened. “Where did you get those?”
“I have my sources. My business has been very lucrative the past several years. I purchased the corvettes to help protect some of my assets in several nearby star systems.”
“Will your ship captains accept my orders?”
Cheryl nodded. “Yes, that won’t be a problem.”
“Very well, we’ll leave early in the morning. That should give you the necessary time to get ready.”
“We will be.” With a smile, Cheryl stood and left the bar.
Cleemorl noticed a couple heavily armed men following her. He had noticed the same the day before. It was obvious that Cheryl was taking no chances and never went anywhere without an armed escort.
“Well, it seems our fleet just got a little bit larger,” said Captain Fulmar.
Cleemorl nodded. “I hope this doesn’t cause any problems, but we need those supplies. Let’s stop by a few stores on our way back to the ship. I want to pick up a few items.”
Chapter Fourteen
Captain Derrick Masters sat in his quarters on board the Destiny, speaking with Andrew Wilcox. They had been discussing the history of the Empire and the last days before the Druins invaded.
“So Princess Layla Starguard is still in stasis?”
“Yes,” replied Derrick, as he sipped a glass of tea. “She will stay in stasis until we are ready to free the Empire.”
Andrew shook his head. “That’s a massive undertaking. You’re talking about defeating the Confederation. Has that ever been done before?”
“No, they’ve always been too powerful. However, we’ve had nearly one thousand years to rebuild our fleet. Not only that but we now have fusion energy beams and antimatter missiles. We didn’t have either when the Druins attacked. This time it will be different.”
Andrew took a deep breath. “All that may be true, but you still need crews for your warships, and, for that, you need Earth’s help.”
Derrick slowly nodded his head. “Yes, we do. That’s one reason why we agreed to make contact. I just hope we can succeed in planting a virus in the Druin interdiction system, or all of this will have been for naught.”
Andrew leaned back in his chair. “Let’s assume we succeed in planting the virus and gain control over the system. What’s next?”
“We bring Earth up to the same level of civilization as the Empire. We terraform Mars and Venus and begin colonization. We spread the Human race throughout the Solar System and bring about a new age of prosperity.”
Andrew slowly nodded his head. “And how long will all that take?”
“Your civilization is already advanced enough that it can accept some of our technology immediately. The biggest change will be in your power systems and space program. With unlimited energy your world will be free to advance quickly into a modern Empire–like civilization.”
“It sounds like a great future, as long as the Druins don’t interfere and blow us up. What if one of their ships comes by to check on the interdiction system?”
Derrick smiled. “The Confederation is comprised of seven very old races. The don’t normally do anything fast. They are very dependent on their AI systems to handle much of the day-to-day running of the Confederation. We don’t expect to see a Druin ship for another sixty to one hundred years. By then we’ll be ready for them.”
“We have a meeting with NAU General Brier, Admiral Bract, our two station leaders—Colonel Gleeson and Major Loren Henderson—and Brett Newcomb tomorrow,” said Andrew. “Maybe then we’ll have a better idea of what will happen. From what I understand, the government representatives have returned to Earth to brief their respective countries. Hopefully some decisions have been made.”
Derrick hoped so as well. He felt uncomfortable with the Destiny docked to the space station. While it still had its stealth field operating, there was always a small chance the Druin interdiction system might detect it. If that were to happen, then all bets would be off. The Druins would interpret the appearance of an Imperial ship as a Class One danger and would launch their attack drones almost immediately. If so, there was a good chance Earth would not survive.
-
Later that evening Andrew was in the observation lounge, speaking with Brett Newcomb. They watched as a ship from Earth slowly docked to the station. They could see the flashes from its thrusters as it maneuvered closer.
“You accomplished much more than we could have ever hoped for,” said Brett. “I’ve spoken to the rest of the Council, and we’ve set a lot of projects into motion. Projects we’ve waited generations to initiate. We are fortunate to have some of our people in some government positions, as well as high up in many of the major companies. Once we have everything in place, advancement should move very rapidly.”
Andrew was pleased to hear this. “First we have to take care of the Druin interdiction system.” This worried him greatly, due to the threat it represented.
“Yes, that is a problem. We’ll have some of our best programmers working on that shortly. I’m certain they will be successful. I understand you’re thinking about returning to Pallas and possibly going into cryosleep?”
“I would like to see how this ends. I’ve spoken briefly to my parents, and they said they’ll support whatever I decide to do. Captain Masters has also offered me a position on his crew as an engineer. I would just need some additional training on Pallas.”
Brett nodded. “I guess I can’t blame you. If I were younger, I might consider doing something similar.”
Looking through the large observation ports, they saw the Earth ship had successfully docked to the station. It was now powering down.
“Even our own spacecraft are getting ready to change. With full access to Imperial technology, we’ll have to redesign our vessels. Hell, we’ll probably be enlarging this space station.”
Andrew smiled. “It’s progress and what we’ve worked for. We just didn’t expect it to happen so quickly.”
About then Andrew saw Kala come into the observation lounge.
Brett saw where Andrew’s gaze had shifted. “I’ll be going now. I believe the two of you have some unfinished business to discuss.”
Andrew let out a deep sigh. “Yes, I’m not very good with relationships.”
Brett laughed. “Most men aren’t when it comes to women. We always seem to do or to say the wrong thing, no matter how hard we try.” Brett stood and left the observation lounge.
Andrew was surprised when Kala came over and sat down next to him.
“Watching the ships coming and going?”
Andrew nodded. “Yes, Brett and I were discussing how much everything will change.”
Pursing her lips, Kala nodded. “I’m sorry for being so emotional the last time we were together. I guess I was making plans without talking to you first.”
“I understand,” replied Andrew. He really did. If circumstances were different, a life with Kala would be fantastic.
Kala folded her arms across her chest and gazed questionably at Andrew. “So, where do we go from here? I would at least like to remain friends.”
Taking a deep breath, Andrew spoke. “I’ll be here on the station and on Earth for several weeks at least. A lot needs to be done, and the Council will need all of its Imperials. Once that’s finished, I’ll go to Pallas to get some training.”
“Then into cryosleep,” said Kala sadly. “When you wake, I’ll be long gone and everyone else you know will be as well.”
“You could join me,” suggested Andrew. “We could see the future together.”
Kala smiled weakly. “I thought about it. I really did, but I just can’t. My world is here and now, not one hundred or two hundred years in the future.”
Andrew let out a deep sigh. He would miss Kala. “It might be six months or a year before I go into cryo. We could be together during that time.” Andrew made the offer, though
he had no idea what Kala would make of it.
Kala closed her eyes and slowly shook her head. “As tempting as it sounds, I think it’s best if we just remain friends. I have some good memories of our times together, and I’ll always cherish them.”
“So, what will you do now?”
“Go back to Earth for a few months and then maybe return to Pallas. I can learn a lot there. From my understanding, numerous Earth scientists and technicians will be traveling to Pallas eventually.”
“And a number of Imperials from Pallas will come to Earth.”
Kala stood and gazed out the viewports toward the stars. “Someday you’ll get to travel to the stars. It’s something I’ll never do. I wish you the best of luck and hope everything works out for you. Maybe when I get to Pallas, we can go out to eat and see where our work is taking us.”
“I’ll look forward to that,” replied Andrew, standing. He watched as Kala left the observation lounge, leaving him alone in the large room. With a deep sigh, Andrew decided to head to his quarters. He had a busy day coming tomorrow, and he still needed to work on a few things to be ready for his part. He did feel like a part of him had walked out of the room with Kala.
-
The next day Andrew took his seat at the large conference table. Around it, the other people who were needed for this project gazed at the folders placed in front of them.
“What you see is our proposal on how to infect the Druin interdiction system with a computer virus,” General Brier informed them. “We’re currently gathering some of the best programmers and hackers on the planet. In two weeks we will send them to Pallas, where they can work with the computer people on the Imperial asteroid in what will be the best way to neutralize the interdiction system.”
“How long do you think it will take to design an effective virus?” asked Admiral Bract.
General Brier let out a deep sigh. “Possibly several months due to the complications involved in infecting the interdiction system which covers a vast amount of the space around the Solar System.” General Brier looked at Admiral Bract. “It may be necessary to use more than one ship to deliver the virus. Some of our scientists suggest, in order to make the virus the most effective, it needs to be delivered to all eight of the larger interdiction stations at the same time, to ensure the virus spreads throughout the entire system.” They had recently determined that the Druins had eight massive stations spaced equidistance around the Solar System.
“That might be a problem,” said Admiral Bract with a deep frown. “Only the Destiny is fully stealthed. I would have to speak to our yard supervisor and see if we could convert some of our larger shuttles into stealthed craft. It wouldn’t be practical to convert any of our larger warships to stealth. It would take too long.”
“One thing I’m concerned about are the attack drones at the larger stations,” said Andrew. He had experienced firsthand what being on the receiving end of one of those was like. “What if one or more of the stations manages to launch their drones toward Earth? What do we do?”
Everyone looked at one another, waiting for someone else to speak.
“Will our regular defenses handle them?” asked Colonel Gleeson. “We still have quite a few defensive missiles deployed across the planet.”
Admiral Bract shook his head. “No, they would be ineffective. The drones would just stay out of range and hit Earth with their fusion energy beams and antimatter missiles. They could level the planet in less than an hour.”
“Then what will we do?” asked General Brier. “We need some way to ensure Earth survives, in case one or more of the Druin stations launches against us.”
“We can deploy some battlecruisers and a few dreadnoughts from Pallas,” suggested Admiral Bract. “As soon as the virus is delivered, I can send them to Earth to ensure no Druin drones get within range to use their weapons.”
“Can we arm this station?” asked Colonel Gleeson.
“It might be a wise idea,” said Brett Newcomb. “The station will be a primary target.”
Admiral Bract nodded. “We could install some advanced interceptor missiles. It would be relatively easy to attach several batteries to the outer hull. I would recommend against any overt presentation of energy weapons, as the interdiction system might detect them.”
-
The meeting lasted for several more hours, as detailed plans were hammered out. In the end, they all felt they had a plan that could handle the Druin interdiction system, as well as protect Earth and the space station.
“I will be returning to Pallas on the Destiny tomorrow,” announced Admiral Bract. “I still feel uncomfortable having the ship out in the open. It will be better to have the Destiny safely hidden on Pallas until we need her again. As soon as the programmers and hackers are ready to journey to Pallas, I’ll order the ship to return to the station to pick them up. Of course, once the interdiction system is neutralized, we’ll set up a regular schedule of ships coming and going between Pallas and Earth. We have a lot of work to do to prepare the Solar System for its future.”
General Brier nodded in agreement. “Yes, we have a lot to do, and it needs to start now. I’ll return to Earth in another few days, as I will be visiting a number of countries that we’ll need in this effort. It’ll be essential we make our space program into more of a planetary body and not just composed of a few countries. We’ll also propose forming a planetary military force.”
“How will you manage that?” asked Andrew. He had traveled around the planet and knew how divided some areas were.
General Brier smiled. “You will be surprised what can be done if we offer advanced technology as well as more advanced medical procedures. I’m certain most will come around.”
Brett Newcomb looked at Andrew. “I understand you may be returning to Pallas in a few weeks as well?”
Andrew nodded. “Yes, I’m going to Earth to speak to my parents and then back to Pallas.”
This seemed to please Brett. “In that case I want you involved with the programmers we’re sending to Pallas. You’ve been out near the Druin interdiction system and witnessed an attack by one of its drones. Your input could be invaluable. You have a good scientific background as well.”
Andrew blinked his eyes and nodded his head. “If you think that’s best, I’ll do it.”
“Then it’s decided,” replied Brett. “Major Henderson, I want you working with Colonel Gleeson in getting this station armed with the interceptor missiles. I also want a better detection system, which I believe the Imperials from Pallas can provide. Once we have the Druin interdiction system under our control, I want to be able to detect anything that enters this system.”
“Yes, sir,” replied Henderson. “I’ll need to work with some people from Pallas to get the necessary equipment.”
“Just keep in mind we can’t activate that equipment until we have control of the interdiction system,” Admiral Bract reminded them. “We don’t want to tip off the AIs in charge of the interdiction system as to what we’re doing.”
General Brier looked thoughtful and then spoke again. “From what I understand, you have a number of shipyards on Pallas. Is there any chance you could design and build some cargo and passenger ships for us? They wouldn’t have to be too large. But, if we want to really start seriously colonizing Mars and other bodies in the Solar System, we’ll need them.”
Admiral Bract nodded. “We have some very large cargo and passenger ships in stasis on Pallas. They’re the ones that brought most of our civilians there to begin with. I think we can reactivate a few of those and modify them for your use.”
“Sounds like we have a plan,” spoke General Brier, satisfied. “Once we get everyone organized, everything should move very rapidly.”
Admiral Bract nodded. “Probably much faster than you think, with Pallas fully involved.”
-
Two days later Andrew was on a shuttle heading back to Earth. He had to smile as the trip from the station to Earth took longer th
an the trip from Pallas to the space station.
Upon landing, he took a short flight to his parents’ hometown, wondering exactly what he would say to them. He had already mentioned vaguely what he would like to do, but this time he would explain it in more detail. He let out a deep breath as he gazed out the plane’s window at the clouds and the green and brown ground far below.
Closing his eyes, he leaned back in his seat, rehearsing in his mind how he would go about explaining to his parents that he wanted to go into cryosleep and someday journey to the Human Empire and help free it from the Confederation.
-
General Brier was back on Earth and at the Pentagon meeting with Vice President Hicks, as well as numerous other civilian and military leaders.
“This all sounds so amazing,” commented Senator Crown, as he poured himself a cold glass of water. “Are we certain we’re being told the truth?”
“It’s been confirmed,” answered Vice President Hicks. “We were all taken on a trip to Mars on board the Destiny and at a far greater speed than anything we’re currently capable of.”
“How soon before we meet some of these Imperials?” asked General Benson, in charge of the Marines in the North American Union.
“Soon,” replied General Brier. “As soon as we’ve neutralized the Druin interdiction system then the people of Pallas will begin making regular trips to Earth to help advance our technology. They’ve also agreed to furnish us with some modern cargo and passenger ships.”
Senator Cortez of Mexico stood with her hands on her hips. “This will kill our budget. It’ll cost trillions to bring everything up to Imperial standards from what I’ve read and seen. It’ll crash our economy.”
“Hopefully the new technologies we’ll be introducing will make that short-lived,” replied the vice president. “What we want to do today is discuss our short-term strategy in dealing with what’s about to occur. It’s obvious we’ll need to drastically expand the space station with the aid of the Imperials. We’ll also need to expand our presence on the Moon.”
“What about Mars?” asked Donovan Stewart, who was responsible for the space program that many countries were participating in.
The Forgotten Empire: Banishment: Book One Page 19
