“Set a course for Bator Eight,” ordered Kamuss. “We’ll do some fleet maneuvers on our way.” Kamuss wanted the fleet fully prepared for what was ahead. The Trellixians could not be allowed to conquer the Bator System! The fighting would be brutal, with heavy losses to both sides.
Lieutenant Commander LeLath stepped closer to Kamuss. “How soon before the Trellixians attack?” The concern in her voice was very evident. “It will be days yet before Fleet Commander Masurl arrives with his ships.”
Kamuss watched as the fleet accelerated and headed toward Bator Eight. He wished Fleet Commander Masurl was here, but he awaited a number of battlecruisers and support ships to arrive at his fleet rendezvous location. Once his entire fleet was assembled, he would set out immediately for the Bator System. “Soon. If not a major attack, the Trellixians will send in ships to probe our defenses.”
LeLath looked at one of the viewscreens showing Bator Seven, a beautiful world, very similar in outward appearance to Voltrex. Unfortunately it was also the closest to Trellixian space. “I wish we had never encountered the Trellixians. How can a race be so violent?”
Kamuss shook his head. “It is their culture. From what we know, their population growth is uncontrolled. They refuse to implement any birth control. Their worlds are overcrowded, causing them to constantly seek new worlds to colonize.”
“Even if those worlds already have inhabitants?” asked LeLath, disgusted. “How can they casually wipe out billions of sapient beings?”
“They look at it as competition for living space. They are not willing to allow any species to inhabit a world the Trellixians can use or to allow any species to become a threat. It is a part of their culture, and they show no remorse. In the early days of their Empire, it might have been different. But now their High Command knows only one philosophy, and that’s to expand their Empire in every way possible to lessen the population pressure on their home worlds.”
Several alarms suddenly sounded on the sensor console. Kamuss looked inquiringly at Zalurr.
“Four cargo ships from Azdok Three,” he reported. “We have ships exiting hyperspace on a fairly regular frequency.”
Azdok Three was one of the older Voltrex worlds. All inhabited Voltrex systems were rushing supplies and war materials to Bator to aid in its defense. It was hoped, if the Trellixians could be held here, the other worlds would continue to be safe.
Kamuss looked at the viewscreens. Bator Seven rapidly shrunk from view as his fleet pulled away and headed toward Bator Eight. Two cargo ships were at the rear of his fleet formation. Each carried forty defensive satellites to be put into orbit around the planet. While no actual Voltrex colonies were on the planet, a few research installations studied its plant life and fauna.
-
For the next six hours the fleet cruised through space toward their destination. During that time they practiced entering several battle formations as well as going through a major emergency drill. Finally the fleet arrived at Bator Eight and went into orbit.
-
“I’ve always wanted to test my survival skills on this planet,” said Metriic as he secured his navigation console. “They say the planet has a number of apex predators.” He stretched, extending his sharp claws as he gazed at the viewscreen revealing the jungle-covered planet.
Lieutenant Commander LeLath frowned, her eyes narrowing. “Have you seen some of the animals on that planet?” She stepped forward to another console and pressed several icons. On one of the viewscreens appeared a massive creature, far larger than any Voltrex. Its head was triangular in shape, and its mouth was lined with sharp tearing teeth. It had four legs with long claws on its paws, which could easily rip one’s stomach open. “This is a Mahogg. It’s capable of running four times faster than you can. It’s carnivorous, and, on this planet, it is not even listed as an apex predator.”
Metriic’s fur suddenly looked paler. “Maybe I should reconsider.”
LeLath let out a slight growl as she gazed at the screen. “It might be a wise choice. The scientific outposts on the planet are inside fenced enclosures, electrified to kill. Each outpost has a full military contingent to protect the civilian scientists. Most of the exploration and studies are done by drones, as it’s deemed too dangerous to enter the jungles.”
“Fleet Commander,” spoke Meela. “The captains of the two cargo ships want to know if they have your permission to deploy the satellites.”
Kamuss nodded. “Yes, tell them to do it as quickly as possible. I want to go to Bator Nine next.” The defense grid had already been strengthened around Bator Nine, but Kamuss had orders from Commander Kallon to inspect it to see if any changes needed to be made.
Turning his attention to the viewscreens, he watched as the two cargo ships moved around the planet, leaving two lines of defensive satellites behind.
-
It took them nearly two hours to emplace all the satellites in the proper orbits. When the two cargo ships were done, eighty of the small energy beam satellites were in place. It was hoped, due to the small number of Voltrex on the planet, the Trellixians might simply ignore it completely. Kamuss knew an additional eighty defensive satellites were planned, but he didn’t know if they would arrive before the enemy did.
Kamuss looked at several viewscreens showing close-ups of the planet. The planet was warmer than Bator Seven because of its thicker atmosphere and more volcanic activity. The planet abounded with life. There were towering forests, thick jungle vines, carnivorous plants, and an unknown number of animal species, many of them dangerous. Every day a new species was identified. What made the planet so important was that a number of the plants had miraculous medicinal uses. There were even rumors of a plant, which could greatly extend the lifespans of the Voltrex. Kamuss wasn’t convinced this was true, but several other wonder drugs had come from the planet in the past.
“We’re ready to leave orbit,” Lieutenant Commander LeLath reported. “The two cargo ships are preparing to return to Bator Seven.”
Kamuss leaned back in his command chair and sighed. “Set the course and prepare the fleet for more battle drills. I wasn’t satisfied with how quickly we switched formations earlier. In a battle that could cost us ships.” Kamuss was determined to have his fleet fully ready when the Trellixians came to the Bator System. In a battle with a technologically superior enemy, his fleet could not afford to make any mistakes.
-
Trellixian Battle Commander Balforr watched in satisfaction as Battle Commander Ulvan’s and Battle Commander Dramm’s fleets arrived in the system. Earlier, ships had been sent to Balforr to replace the ones he had lost in the previous battle with the Voltrex, bringing his fleet back to forty-six vessels. Battle Commander Ulvan was a senior battle commander, and his fleet consisted of seventy-four battlecruisers, while Dramm’s was similar to Balforr’s at forty-two.
“I have studied your report of your last encounter with these Voltrex,” commented Ulvan over the comm system in a cold voice. “While they are dangerous, it is obvious their ships are much weaker than our own. I do not understand why we have not already defeated them and cleansed their worlds.”
“They are dangerous,” replied Balforr, carefully choosing his words. “The danger lies not in their technology but in their numbers. They attack in overwhelming numbers, which allows them to knock down our energy screens and destroy our vessels. They also possess a powerful fusion missile with a warhead of twenty megatons.” Balforr understood Battle Commander Ulvan’s failure to understand why this enemy had not been defeated. To many battle commanders, this was hard to comprehend as the Trellixian Empire seldom encountered a race with FTL-capable vessels. The majority of battle commanders had never experienced actual space combat. They still believed the Trellixian Empire was invincible. Something Battle Commander Balforr had learned the hard way wasn’t true in the battles at Earth.
Ulvan was silent for a moment and then spoke. “The High Command is concerned it has taken so long to locate even
one of their worlds. High Commander Kaldre is assigning more exploration cruisers to this sector of space to aid in locating the rest of their star systems. It is obvious from the quantity of ships they have deployed against us that we are looking at a number of inhabited worlds, ones which can be colonized as soon as they have been cleansed. Those are future worlds of the Empire, and the Voltrex must be annihilated to make room for our people. The population at home grows larger every day, and we need those worlds.”
“The system discovered close by is heavily populated and well defended,” replied Balforr. “The scans from the exploration cruiser indicate the primary inhabited planet in the system sits behind a very powerful defense grid.”
“It will be dealt with,” answered Ulvan dismissively. “I’ve already requested a major colonization fleet be sent, so we can populate this world immediately after we cleanse it. From the reports I’ve read, four habitable worlds are in this system. Very soon all four will be ours.”
Balforr frowned. He was not so certain this system could be conquered so easily, but he remained silent.
“I should inform you of one other item,” added Ulvan. “Once I’ve finished here, my fleet is to go to the system containing the Human world, Earth. We have lost contact with the observation fleet in that system.”
A cold chill ran down Balforr’s neck. The Humans! “I would recommend the High Command send an exploration cruiser to the system to take scans. While I doubt if it’s possible, the Humans may have found a way to destroy our observation fleet.” This greatly concerned Balforr. The Humans had access to Jelnoid technology. It would be a calamity if they had built a few warships. If that technology got loose in the galaxy or made it into Voltrex hands, it would be a disaster.
“I will pass along your recommendation about the exploration ship,” replied Ulvan. “It might save my fleet a long voyage.”
-
In the Bator System, Voltrex Fleet Commander Kamuss stood in front of the main viewscreen as Bator Nine came into view. It was cold with only a narrow section around the planet’s equator which was habitable. It was also rich in heavy metals. As a result numerous mining operations existed across the planet. In orbit, a massive space station processed the raw ores into refined materials before sent on to Bator Seven for use in manufacturing. Nearly two million Voltrex lived and worked on the surface and beneath the ground of Bator Nine.
Glancing at the tactical display, Kamuss took note of the many small green icons in orbit—the four hundred defensive satellites currently protecting the planet. The space station was also heavily armed with an energy shield and two squadrons of the small patrol ships assigned to its protection.
“We should assign a squadron of battlecruisers to Bator Nine,” suggested Lieutenant Commander LeLath as she gazed at the station on one of the viewscreens. “I fear the patrol ships cannot protect the space station. It is a valuable asset we can’t afford to lose.”
“We can’t afford to split our fleets,” replied Kamuss even though he agreed with LeLath’s concerns, “at least not our battleships and battlecruisers. I will suggest to Commander Kallon we send some of our stronger support vessels to aid in the station’s defense. Along with the station’s powerful weapons, it might just be enough to ensure its survival.” The station was a massive investment, and its continued survival was crucial to the economy of the Bator System.
“I have the station commander on the comm,” reported Meela. “She is asking if you would like to come on board for a tour.”
Kamuss thought for a moment and then nodded. “Yes, I think that would be wise. It will give me a better understanding of the station’s defenses as well as the capability of the station’s crew in case they become involved in a battle situation.”
Kamuss’s own mate worked on a space station back in the home system. It had been several months since he had seen her, though he received regular messages from her and she from him. The war with the Trellixians was difficult on families. The Voltrex family size ranged from two to six cubs, depending on the wealth and ability of the family to care for the newborns. The war was splitting families apart and rapidly changing the long and tradition-rich culture of the Voltrex.
“Commander Keevha says she will be waiting for you,” said Meela.
Kamuss turned to leave the Command Center. “Lieutenant Commander, you have command. I will return as soon as the inspection is complete.”
-
It didn’t take long for the fleet commander’s shuttle to arrive at the station. The station was two kilometers in length, one kilometer in width, and nearly four hundred meters in thickness. It had several large bays where cargo ships could dock to be unloaded as well as docking ports for personnel transfers. It had a large flight bay for shuttles and other small spacecraft.
The exterior of the station had a number of large and small energy beam turrets plus twenty-eight missile tubes. How unfortunate that now even civilian stations were required to be armed and had a small military contingent on board.
Kamuss’s shuttle landed in the flight bay where he was met by Commander Keevha and the station’s chief administrator, Lamaros, a civilian, whereas Commander Keevha was military. Ten heavily armed Voltrex stood behind the two in an honor guard formation.
“Welcome aboard,” said Commander Keevha, saluting and standing at attention. She was a striped tabby and quite pleasant to look at.
“At ease, Commander,” said Kamuss, returning the salute. He smiled at the ten uniformed Voltrex behind her. It was obvious they took pride in their military training and responsibility to the Voltrex. It also indicated Commander Keevha was a proper commanding officer.
-
For the next two hours Commander Keevha and Administrator Lamaros showed Fleet Commander Kamuss around the large space station. They stopped to observe one of the large smelting operations, where ore from the planet was heated and the different metals separated. Most of the operation was automated with just a few Voltrex operating the controlling computer consoles.
“Four of these large smelting plants are on the station,” explained Lamaros. “We run a three-shift operation, only shutting them down when we switch to a different ore and when the smelting plants needs to be cleaned.”
Kamuss had never been on this particular station before, and the operation was quite interesting. “How large a crew does the station have?”
“Two thousand civilians and four hundred military,” answered Commander Keevha. “The station could handle more, but, due to the threat of the Trellixians, we’ve reduced it to the minimum we thought necessary to safely run all the station’s operations.”
Lamaros turned toward Fleet Commander Kamuss. “Do you think the Trellixians will attack? The orders for heavy metals have never been so high as they are now.”
“Yes,” Kamuss replied, not wanting to keep the truth from Lamaros. “The attack could come at any time. A Trellixian vessel scanned the system a few days back, and I’m almost certain an attack is imminent.”
“I hope we have a few more days,” Commander Keevha stated. “Commander Kallon has promised sixty more defense satellites for the station.”
Kamuss nodded. “I’ll ask that a few of our heavier support ships be assigned to your defense as well. I believe they would be more effective in conjunction with the defenses you have on the station.”
Commander Keevha looked pleased upon hearing this. “Let’s go to the station’s Command Center. From there you can see more of the station as well as some of the mining operations on the planet that we monitor.”
They took several turbolifts to the center of the station and, after a short walk down a corridor, passed through a guarded hatch into the large Command Center.
Fleet Commander Kamuss came to a stop, surprised at how large the room was. It easily dwarfed the Command Center of the Claw of Honor, his flagship. Around the periphery of the room, numerous Voltrex sat in front of consoles, monitoring the station and mining operations on the planet. La
rge viewscreens covered the walls, showing the actual mining operations as well as different compartments of the space station. Kamuss had to smile as one viewscreen was focused on his flagship.
“From here we can monitor every part of the station as well as all the major mining operations,” Administrator Lamaros informed Kamuss. “The Command Center is in full operation on all three shifts as most of the mining operations on the planet work around the clock.”
“I’m impressed,” replied Kamuss. He could see why Lamaros took such pride in the station.
-
They were in the Command Center for about twenty minutes when Commander Keevha was called over to the communications console. After a few moments the commander returned to Kamuss with a concerned look on her face. “That was your communications officer. She reports four unknown contacts in the outer regions of the system in the last hour. Lieutenant Commander LeLath believes they’re Trellixian warships.”
Fleet Commander Kamuss sucked in a deep breath, his whiskers stiffening. “This may be a prelude to a full-scale attack. Those ships are probably scanning the system and relaying the information to their main fleet.” Defense Commander Kallon had sent out scout ships to search the surrounding systems, but, so far, none of them had encountered any Trellixian vessels.
Suddenly the lights in the Command Center dimmed and were replaced by red flashing ones as well as the battle-alert klaxons.
“Commander Kallon has just placed the entire system on alert,” reported another Voltrex officer near the communications console. “He believes an attack is imminent.”
“Turn off those lights and alarms,” ordered Commander Keevha. “Make sure all ground operations are aware of the situation.”
Kamuss looked at Commander Keevha and Administrator Lamaros. “I’d better return to my ship.” He could see the activity in the Command Center was now at a furious pace as orders were sent to the different mining operations and the small colonies on the planet.
Earth Fall_To the Stars Page 9
