The Forgotten Empire: War for the Empire

by Raymond L. Weil

  “One of the scientists wasn’t present. Once he learned what had happened at the research facilities, he came here and downloaded everything into the archives. He had a computer drive with him, with all the known research. He had been off-site, searching for a manufacturing facility to produce the devices that would inhibit the Morag’s telepathic ability. Once he downloaded all the information, he committed suicide to ensure the Morag never discovered that the research wasn’t lost.” Marlon reached into his pocket and handed Ardon a small disk. “All the information is on that disk. If the Morag discover what you have, they will kill you and will probably come for me as well.”

  “Do the Morag ever come here?” asked Ardon, concerned for his brother.

  “Very seldom. If they do, I’ll make sure I’m deep inside the archives, where they can’t sense me with their telepathy. I’ll be fine. You’re the one who needs to watch out. If you return to the Great Council, I’m certain the Morag councilor will know what you’ve been up to.”

  “I’ll be absent for a while,” admitted Ardon. “I’ll explain that I have some personal business to attend to and that my assistant will be filling in for me, until I can return. That should buy me a few weeks at least.”

  “Where are you going?”

  Ardon smiled. “Someplace safe and I’ll build what’s on this disk. Then I’ll equip a fleet of our warships with this defense against telepathy and return to the Great Council. We’ll see just how tough these Morag are when I demand they stop using their telepathy to influence the council. Once every councilor is protected, we’ll decide what to do about the Morag.”

  “You’re playing a dangerous game, brother,” replied Marlon. “For the sake of the Confederation and all its planets, I hope you’re successful.”

  -

  Hours later, Ardon was headed to an out-of-the-way Lormallian colony world. It had several highly advanced science labs, as well as the necessary manufacturing facilities to produce the necessary equipment mentioned on the computer disk. Also this world very seldom ever saw any of the Morag.

  With a little luck Ardon might just get the necessary devices built and then distributed to the fleet. The Morag might think they were the most powerful force in the Confederation, but they forget that the Lormallians were the most populous and, in many ways, the wisest.

  Ardon shuddered as he realized what the Morag had caused the other six founding races to do over the past thirty thousand years. None of the races now resembled anything that was once so important to their cultures. The six races had become more warlike and aggressive. The amount of time spent on music and art had almost vanished. Ardon was determined to bring those times back. The Morag had much to pay for, considering all the harm they had caused over the years.

  Ardon planned on changing vessels several times before arriving at his destination. On the last leg, he would hire a private ship to take him where he was going, and he would travel in disguise. He wanted it nearly impossible for the Morag to trace him. No doubt that, at some point, the Morag would attempt to do exactly that.

  Chapter Five

  Several weeks passed, and time for the Royal Wedding approached. Dignitaries from across the Empire were coming to the Palace to watch the joining of Princess Layla Starguard and Derrick Masters. Security was tight, not from fears of an attack but for the millions of people flooding into the capital. Outside the Palace grounds, multitudes of excited people gathered. Massive holographic projectors had been set up in numerous locations, so everyone could see the nuptials.

  In orbit, the planetary defenses were at high alert, and Fifth Fleet was poised to repel any attack. Thousands of spacecraft were bringing in people, some on private yachts and others on fancy passenger liners. On the ground, thousands of attack interceptors were ready to be deployed at a moment’s notice.

  Rear Admiral Carrie had fourteen battlecarriers, four dreadnoughts, and twenty battlecruisers in low orbit. She had several interceptor squadrons out on CAP to ensure the space around her fleet stayed clear of civilian vessels. As soon as the wedding started, she would take her fleet to Condition Two and have the rest of her interceptors ready to launch.

  In the large Command Center beneath the House of Worlds, Fleet Admiral Marloo stood vigilant. He would not be attending the ceremony. His job was to make sure the Confederation did not take advantage of this event to launch an attack against Golan Four or any of the other core worlds. The wedding would be visible on the Command Center’s main viewscreen. Sitting down in his command chair, Admiral Marloo knew this would be a long afternoon and night.

  -

  Admiral Cleemorl was back on Golan Four, which greatly pleased Cheryl. She had been afraid he would miss the wedding. Already guests were flooding the palace, where drinks and hors d’oeuvres were readily available. Also a number of Imperial Guards were plainly visible to ensure no one got too unruly. Cheryl whisked Dylan through the Palace, stopping occasionally to greet guests and several times to sample some of the different foods.

  “The foods here are from nearly every world!” exclaimed Cheryl, as she tried a small delicate cake from a silver serving tray. “The chefs have been cooking for days, getting ready for this.”

  Dylan nodded, as he looked out across the growing crowd. A number of large banquet rooms were in the Palace, and they would all be very crowded. He also noticed several media broadcasters, who were filming everything. He knew this was being broadcast to every world in the Empire. He had spoken to High Princess Layla and Vice Fleet Admiral Derrick Masters earlier. While broadcasting this event was a possible security nightmare, both hoped that the widespread coverage would encourage a few more worlds to join the Empire.

  While talking to Derrick, Dylan had asked about the particle beam tests.

  “They were fantastic,” replied Derrick excitedly. “I don’t think the Confederation has anything like them. If we can get them on enough dreadnoughts quick enough, I think we could drive the Confederation completely out of the Empire.”

  Dylan nodded. “I wonder how soon I can get them installed on the Themis?”

  “Probably a few months,” replied Derrick. “We don’t want the Confederation to learn of our new weapon, until it’s too late. Once we’re ready to engage the Confederation with the particle beam cannons, I’ll have the Themis recalled, as well as the rest of your other dreadnoughts, and have all of them equipped. If we use all the shipyards around Golan Four, I believe we can finish the conversion in less than two weeks.”

  “Sounds good,” replied Dylan. He liked the idea of attacking the Confederation fleets with a new superweapon. About time for someone to teach the Confederation a resounding lesson in warfare.

  -

  After leaving Derrick and Layla, Dylan and Cheryl had gone to another of the huge banquet halls, where they were currently.

  “This event will be unbelievable,” said Cheryl, as she sipped a glass of rich red wine.

  Dylan looked around. He recognized some people, but hundreds more he didn’t—just in this one room.

  “Let’s go into the main dining hall,” suggested Cheryl. “I bet they have some really good food in there.”

  Dylan shook his head. He didn’t see how his wife kept her gorgeous figure.

  -

  In the Confederation, the riots had greatly expanded after the Morag destruction of the Creetins’ homeworld. Now nearly one thousand worlds were in open revolt. The Great Council was once more in an emergency session. However, around this planet, a massive fleet of five thousand Morag warships were in orbit, clearly meant to be a show of force for the rest of the council worlds.

  Morag Councilor Damora now sat at the head of the massive table. “Where is Councilor Reull?” The Lormallian councilor had been missing for over two weeks. Damora had wondered if the councilor might be up to something, but all the Lormallian worlds were quiet, and its fleets were doing their regular patrols.

  “He had a personal situation come up, involving his family, which he neede
d to take care of,” replied Barlten Aveth, Ardon Reull’s assistant. “He should be back in another week or two.”

  Councilor Damora still felt suspicious, though he could sense no evidence of lying in Barlten’s mind. “Very well, if you see him, tell him his presence is required at the council.”

  Barlten nodded but said nothing.

  Damora decided he would have a search done to find out Councilor Reull’s actual location. He had a feeling something wasn’t right.

  “I want Confederation fleets sent to all the worlds currently in open revolt,” stated Damora in a threatening tone. “Use of fusion and antimatter weapons is authorized to bring these worlds back under control.”

  “That will just cause this revolt to spread,” warned Ralor Conn of the Zynth. “It is your duplicity that has caused this revolt.”

  “Silence!” roared Damora, angry that Ralor Conn had dared to question the actions of the Morag. “This council is under Morag control. If any of you refuse to do as I say, the fleet currently orbiting this planet can be sent to annihilate your homeworlds.”

  Everyone looked at one another and remained silent.

  “I repeat, I want Confederation fleets sent to all the worlds near you currently in revolt. Once this revolt is put down, we will return our attention to the Empire.”

  “Should we recall our fleets currently in the Empire?” asked the Zang councilor. “We may need them to put down these revolts.” Several other councilors voiced their agreement.

  Damora did not like that idea. It would allow the Human Empire to retake more of their worlds, if the Confederation fleets were withdrawn. However, the growing revolts currently ongoing in the Confederation needed to be brought to an end. “Very well, you may withdraw 70 percent of your current fleets in the Empire. The rest will remain to hold those worlds we have brought back under our control.”

  This seemed to satisfy the council. “In the meantime I suggest your shipyards build as many warships as possible. They will be needed when it comes time to retake all the Empire worlds and to make them once more part of the Confederation.”

  Damora realized he needed to speak to the High Council of the Morag. Evidently it would take several months or more to pacify the worlds in the Confederation currently in revolt. It would also be necessary to increase the size of the patrols responsible for keeping Confederation space safe. This was all a result of the Earth Humans’ intervention.

  -

  Councilor Ardon Reull was on the Lormallian world of Proxy Seven, an out-of-the-way world with a small population of only twenty million. However, it held several top secret research labs that no one, outside of a few high government officials, were aware of. Ardon was currently meeting with Dom Marse, who was the chief research scientist.

  “We have studied the data on the disk you provided us, and we can produce the telepathic nullifier.”

  “How soon?” asked Ardon. The more time that passed, the more likely that the Morag would discover what he was up to.

  “We can have the design perfected within the week and start production after that.”

  “How many can you produce?” Ardon would need tens of thousands of the devices.

  “We must manufacture two types,” replied Dom. “One will be a series of devices that can protect an entire warship. The second will be a small headset that an individual can wear, which should provide adequate protection. We are already setting up production lines. With the use of robotics, we should turn out thousands of units per week.”

  “We must hurry,” said Ardon. “I expect the Morag will search for me shortly, if they haven’t already.”

  “We’re operating around the clock,” replied Dom. “Have you chosen the first ships and crews to be equipped with the telepathic nullifiers?”

  Ardon nodded. “I’ve positioned one of our larger fleets nearby. They are supposedly seeing to the revolts on several planets. It should not raise any suspicion. When you’re ready, I’ll arrange to have the devices delivered to the warships.”

  After the meeting, Ardon returned to his quarters. One other thing his brother had furnished him with was a disk describing the Lormallian worlds before they had joined the Confederation. Every day that he studied the disk, he realized in growing horror all they had lost and what they had now become.

  -

  At the Imperial Palace, Derrick prepared for his wedding. He wore his dress-blue Vice Admiral uniform, with a purple cape. Layla had insisted, as she wanted to remind everyone who was second in charge of the Empire’s fleets.

  Derrick currently stood in the Imperial Court, where the high-backed chairs normally resided. Next to him was Prince Andrew, acting as his best man, as well as Major Barkley and Admiral Cleemorl.

  Layla’s attendants were Kala, Krista, and Cheryl. The Imperial Court was covered in purple flowers, special red roses imported from Earth, and white lilies as well. The room was packed, with a wide aisle down the center, where Layla would walk. Around the periphery of the room, hundreds of media cameras were focused on the proceedings.

  The Grand March of the Empire began playing, and Layla made her entrance. She was escorted by Colonel Emerson and twenty of his Imperial Guards, all walking in step. The procession made it slowly down the long aisle, and then Emerson placed Layla’s hand in Derrick’s.

  -

  The ceremony took nearly thirty minutes, and then Layla and Derrick were escorted to the main Imperial banquet room, where numerous cakes waited and where they would greet their guests.

  “I’m glad that’s over,” said Derrick quietly, hoping Layla didn’t hear him, as they entered the banquet room. A ball was scheduled for later, and Ensign Allert had already reminded Derrick that he owed her a dance. Fortunately he had been practicing, and Brenda had been more than glad to help teach him. At least now he didn’t think he would make a fool out of himself.

  -

  For nearly an hour Derrick and Layla stood in the receiving line, greeting their guests. Then they made it to the cakes, where over twenty magnificently decorated cakes awaited them. Derrick almost felt embarrassed to cut into them, but the wedding ritual demanded it and some of these cakes were from worlds considering joining the Empire. After the cakes were cut, they made the traditional wedding toast.

  “I don’t think I can eat another piece of cake,” said Layla, giggling.

  “They’re great!” exclaimed Krista, who stood nearby. “They’re some of the best cakes I’ve ever eaten.”

  “We better make our way to the ballroom for the first dance,” said Layla. “I see Emira over there, looking impatient.”

  “Let’s not keep her waiting,” said Derrick. He wanted to stay on the good side of Emira.

  The two made it into the Royal Ballroom and soon were moving about the room in a slow dance, as everyone watched.

  “Ensign Allert did well,” commented Layla, as they moved smoothly across the room in each other’s arms.

  Derrick nodded. “She was determined that I learn how to dance. She was very patient.”

  Once the dance was over, the two excused themselves, so they could put on more comfortable clothes. Then they would return and dance with their guests for several more hours.

  -

  Across the Empire and even into the Confederation, the Royal Wedding was being broadcast. On numerous inhabited worlds in the Confederation, more questions were raised. Why did the Confederation worlds not have the same freedom the Empire did? In the coming days even more unrest would spread across the Confederation worlds. Unknown to Layla and Derrick, their wedding would do more to shatter the Confederation than anything else they could have done, for it showed the Confederation worlds what their lives could have been like.

  -

  Cheryl and Dylan took a break from the dancing. The chefs were still busy cooking, and more food constantly came out. “This wedding must cost a fortune,” commented Cheryl, as she filled her plate from the serving trays.

  “I thought you were watching your
weight,” teased Dylan.

  Cheryl laughed. “I am, but it doesn’t hurt to splurge every once in a while. How long are you staying?” Cheryl knew Dylan needed to get back to his fleet.

  Dylan smiled. “A few days at least. Things are pretty quiet at the star cluster, and Captain Manson can handle everything until I get back.”

  “You really need to promote someone to rear admiral,” commented Cheryl. “Either Captain Manson or Captain Fulmar.

  Dylan let out a deep sigh. “You’re right. I will discuss that very subject with Fleet Admiral Marloo, while I’m here on Golan Four. How are your restaurants and clubs coming along?”

  Cheryl turned a little red. Some things she didn’t want Dylan to know. “Just fine. We now have restaurants in all the major cities on the core worlds, all serving Earth food. It’s becoming quite popular.”

  “And the clubs?” Dylan planned on visiting several of Cheryl’s clubs, without her knowledge. It wouldn’t surprise him if she were pushing the boundaries some.

  “Oh, you know. There’s music, dancing, and of course a lot of drinking. As the size of the military grows, so does the service my clubs provide.”

  Dylan saw that both Derrick and Layla had come back into the ballroom. Derrick had his usual vice admiral’s uniform on but still wore his purple cape. Layla had a long gown on and looked absolutely ravishing. Dylan smiled when he saw Ensign Allert latch onto Derrick’s arm and head out onto the dance floor.

  -

  “I’ve waited for this nearly all my life,” said Brenda, with a huge smile on her face.

  Derrick grinned and, taking Brenda into his arms, moved around the dance floor. “I don’t know how I’ll ever thank you for teaching me how to dance properly.”

  “You’re doing it now,” replied Brenda happily. “This is what I’ve always dreamed of, living in the Palace, dancing at one of its balls.”

  -

  Layla watched the two, smiling. She was not jealous of Brenda, who had become a good friend. Layla knew Brenda was enjoying this dance more than anything else they could have offered her.