“We’ll return to the Dyson Sphere tomorrow. I want to get Admiral Baasil and Commander Belson on their way to Eternal space. If the Eternals are going to attack our fleet bases, the least we can do is return the favor by attacking their shipyards.”
“What about the other three?” asked Kevin. “I thought you were going to send them all to Eternal space.”
Jeremy shook his head. “No, not with Eternal fleets rampaging through our galaxies. “I’m going to assign Admiral Tolsen a full-size fleet and send him off hunting the Eternals. Admiral Lankell and Commander Jontel will be given large task groups. Their primary job will be to reinforce any fleet base the Eternals are attacking. As soon as Rear Admiral Mann gets back I’ll send her out with a full-size fleet as well. Maybe if we take out several of the Eternal fleets while attacking their shipyards in Eternal space we just might force them to withdraw.”
“They won’t,” predicted Aaliss. “They have come here to destroy the fleet bases and to begin the process of isolating the Shrieels. It would not surprise me to see even more Eternal fleets committed to that purpose.”
Leaning back in his command chair, Jeremy feared Aaliss was correct. When he returned to the Hub, he would meet with Admiral Kalen and the Originator Council to discuss the current situation. Their problem was actually simple. The Eternals had more of everything and their science and technology were on a level equivalent to the Originators. Jeremy was growing concerned that no matter what they did they could not win this war.
-
First Leader Clondax had just received the report of Fleet Commander Tarsal’s defeat at the hands of two fleets possibly commanded by the Humans. He slammed his fist down on the large stone table where he was standing.
“Fleet Commander Tarsal must be reduced in rank,” demanded Second Leader Queexel. “He has failed us once again.”
Clondax turned his cold and unblinking eyes toward Queexel. “We do not reward failure in our military leaders. We will send him to the planet Quarnon to work in the strip mining pits.” This would be a reminder to other military commanders defeat would not be tolerated.
“Who do we replace him with?” asked Second Leader Nolant.
Clondax thought for a moment and then answered. “Fleet Commander Parnon will be a suitable replacement.”
“Agreed,” replied several other members of the council.
“There are confirmed sightings of Originator fleets operating in our space,” said Queexel. “I have reports of a number of our shipyards being destroyed in three of our galaxies. In addition, in the Stralon Star Cluster most of our warships have been destroyed.”
Second Leader Barrant stood up, his eyes showing red in anger. “These fleets must be destroyed! The fleet in the Rothool Galaxy has been destroying our mining operations as well.”
“We cannot allow these attacks on our space,” said Second Leader Nolant, his eyes focused on Clondax. “We must send fleets to hunt down these marauding Originator fleets and destroy them.”
Clondax was silent for a long moment. “We must capture a Shrieel. Our fleet to attack the Simulin galaxy and seize its Shrieel is nearly ready. I propose we commit the fleet we have been gathering here for that purpose.”
“Twenty thousand warships,” said Nolant, recalling the number of ships in the fleet assigned to that mission. “Don’t forget there are eight Originator fleet bases in the Simulins’ galaxy. The Shrieel will also have a large defensive force, possibly as many as fifteen thousand battlecruisers and an unknown number of dreadnaughts. Twenty thousand of our ships may not be enough.”
“They will never be expecting the attack,” Clondax responded. “The Originators and the Humans have left the Simulins’ home galaxy alone. While the Simulins have a very large fleet they will not be able to damage our warships. Fleet Commander Parnon will take the fleet into the Simulin galaxy and keep it under stealth. Once he arrives at the Shrieel, he will secure the space immediately above the region the Simulins control. We will land our shock troops and enough warrior robots to secure the surface and destroy any Simulin forces inside. When we have control of the vortex Control Center, we can open up one of the main hatches to the Shrieel, allowing our fleet entry. The fleet will destroy whatever forces the Originators have inside. Once that’s been accomplished we will take over all the Control Centers and the primary computer core.”
“A daring plan,” said Second Leader Tarmal. “I have made arrangements to send ten thousand of our shock troops as well as one hundred thousand warrior robots. That should be sufficient to destroy any Simulin forces inside the Shrieel as well as secure the Control Centers and the computer core.”
Clondax nodded. Once the computer core was under Eternal control, they could finally learn the truth about the Humans. Having control of the computer core might reveal how to build dark matter warheads, dark energy cannons and, even more importantly, the blue energy spheres, which were so dangerous to Eternal vessels.
-
In the Median galaxy, Commander Zafron had just finished destroying a fleet of seventy Eternal battlecruisers.
“Admiral Cowel confirms his targets have been destroyed,” reported Captain Franklyn. Cowel was attacking a system near the Dominator.
Kazak turned toward Commander Zafron. “That’s the last of the major targets in the Stralon Star Cluster.”
They had returned to the cluster and systematically destroyed all orbiting refineries, factories, and bases around all the planets. The mining operations were left intact. If the Eternals wanted any more raw resources from this star cluster, they would have to rebuild the necessary orbital infrastructure. There had been an outcry from the inhabitants of a number of systems fearful the Eternals would return and extract reparations for the destroyed stations. Commander Zafron had ignored the pleas to stop. He was certain since they had left the actual mines unharmed, the Eternals would not take their ire out on the native populations. They would still need them for labor.
“Kia, set a course for the second star system where we previously detected convoys en route here,” ordered Commander Zafron. “I think it’s time we paid that system a visit and see what’s actually there.” Zafron knew the system might hold another trap but this time he had a much stronger fleet and Admiral Cowel was with him. “Captain Franklyn, contact Admiral Cowel and request he rendezvous with us at that system.”
“You’re seeking that fleet we encountered the last time,” said Kazak in understanding.
Zafron nodded. “Yes; I kept expecting it to appear while we were attacking the orbital stations in the star cluster but it never did. If that system holds more shipyards, it’s only logical the Eternal commander is waiting there with his fleet. If he is I intend to destroy it.”
This pleased Kazak. It had been an unpleasant feeling to withdraw from the Median Galaxy in the previous battle. Defeat was not something Kazak was used to.
“Course set,” reported Kia.
“Message sent and acknowledged,” reported Captain Franklyn.
“Activate hyperdrive,” ordered Zafron.
On the main viewscreen, a swirling vortex appeared and the Dominator rushed into it. Moments later the Dominator and the rest of the fleet were in hyperspace. Zafron intended to destroy every Eternal base he came across until the Eternals assembled a large enough fleet to stop him. In a galaxy as large as the Median Galaxy, there were numerous targets he could hit. If the Eternals wanted to find the two Originator fleets, they were going to have to commit to major fleet formations to do so.
-
The Avenger entered the system containing the Dyson Sphere in Galaxy X-968. The heavy dreadnaught stopped just short of the megastructure as it filled the viewscreen in the Command Center.
“I still don’t see how the Originators built so many of these,” said Kevin, gazing in awe at the massive structure.
“Two hundred and sixteen originally,” Aaliss said. “Even more would have been built if the life extension pathogen hadn’t devastated Ori
ginator civilization.”
On the Dyson Sphere, a massive hatch opened. It was easily large enough for a full fleet of warships to enter. There were several of these large hatches spread across the structure.
“Take us in,” ordered Jeremy. While he was here he wanted to inspect the interior and exterior defenses of the Dyson Sphere. He was still greatly concerned about the Eternals capturing one of the two vortex Control Centers the Simulins controlled and using them to launch an attack.
The Avenger entered the long tunnel and flew slowly down it. As it passed certain sections large hatches closed behind the ship until atmosphere was detected. A few minutes later the ship emerged into bright sunlight. The dreadnaught rose to a height of ten thousand kilometers and then came to a stop.
On the large viewscreen, the inside of the Dyson Sphere was revealed. Nearly twenty habitation squares were visible. Each square was like a different world. Any climate or landscape was available on the Dyson Sphere. Massive deserts, huge towering forests, world-spanning oceans, mountains ten times taller than Mt. Everest, and rolling plains. There was also a lot of exotic animal and plant life.
“It’s beautiful,” said Commander Malen, staring at the viewscreen.
“How many Originators are living here?” asked Jeremy. He knew several hundred thousand had elected to return to their home Dyson Spheres after being awakened.
“Eight hundred and twenty,” replied Aaliss. “However, if there are hidden stasis facilities here like the ones Major Wilde and her team are finding, in time there will be many more.”
“What about Marines?” Jeremy knew some had been assigned by General Wesley to every Dyson Sphere.
“Seventy,” replied Aaliss. “More will be sent when they become available.”
Jeremy nodded. All Control Centers and computer cores on the Dyson Spheres were now protected by Human Marines along with some combat robots. Seventy Marines were not a lot, but that was all who were currently available. “Prepare my shuttle; we’ll be going down to speak with Maklyn.”
-
An hour later Jeremy was standing in one of the Control Centers for the Dyson Sphere. Maklyn was present as well as Captain Carter who was in charge of the Marines stationed in the Control Centers and the computer core.
“What’s the current status of the fleet bases in this galaxy?” asked Jeremy. Since it was the closest to Eternal space, he had ordered them to be updated as quickly as possible. Construction ships had even been sent from the Hub to facilitate the effort.
“There are five fleet bases in this galaxy,” Maklyn replied. Maklyn was one of the newer military AIs. “Each base has four hundred enhanced battlecruisers and four dreadnaughts defending them. We’ve also placed four thousand defense globes around each of them as well. We have a fleet of five thousand updated battlecruisers ready to deploy if any of them are attacked. All fleet bases have been updated with dark energy cannons installed. If the Eternals return we’ll be ready to resist them.”
Jeremy looked around the Control Center. There were twenty Originator AIs in front of the control consoles with two Marines stationed at the only entrance, a heavy metal hatch. Outside the door were two more Marines and ten combat robots. Jeremy knew this was the same at all Control Centers and the computer core. “How are your Marines doing, Captain?”
“Getting used to guard duty,” replied Captain Carter. “We’re stretched a little thin at the moment. This Dyson Sphere is pretty large.”
Nodding, Jeremy looked at the wall in front of him, which was covered with dozens of large viewscreens. Each screen showed a different view of the inside of the Dyson Sphere with a few showing views of the stars outside. The views changed every few seconds. “We should have more Marines available in a few more months. I would like to see at least two hundred stationed on each mega-structure.”
“That would help,” Carter replied. “We’ll get the job done until more arrive.”
“I know you will, Captain. Maklyn, this Dyson Sphere is closest to Eternal space. I don’t know if they’ll attempt to attack it again or not. Some of the Originators at the Hub believe the Eternals are going to try to destroy the fleet bases in order to isolate all the Dyson Spheres.”
Maklyn took a moment to process this information. “It would be a sound strategy. We have opened up mining operations in sixteen mineral-rich star systems to provide the raw material we need to upgrade our defenses as well as build new warships. We only have a few battlecruisers in each system for protection. If those systems suddenly became unavailable to us, it would greatly reduce warship construction.”
Jeremy understood the reason for this. The mining operations were all automated with only a few AIs present. “I would suggest you increase the number of battlecruisers you have protecting the mining operations. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Eternals begin to target those shortly.”
“It will be done,” replied Maklyn.
Jeremy spent a couple more hours taking a quick tour of the Dyson Sphere and being updated on the recent additions to the megastructure’s defensive and offensive weapons.
When he returned to the Avenger, he was satisfied everything that could be done in this galaxy had been. Now he needed to return to the Hub and get some fleets set up for his admirals. It was time to apply more pressure to the Eternals by sending two additional Originator fleets into their space. He also needed to have a long meeting with Admiral Kalen and the Originator Council.
Chapter Fourteen
Kelsey, Katie, and Angela were all in the Tower working on the super exploration dreadnaught they were designing. Their children were in daycare a few levels down.
“I’ve made some modifications to the science stations in the Command Center,” said Andram. “We originally set it up for three but I’ve added two more. I want an astrometrics station as well as a station that will operate special scanners several of the Originator scientists are designing. All the stations can be accessed by the neural implants the Originator AIs possess.” On the large hologram representing the ship several yellow blips appeared in the Command Center, indicating where the changes Andram was proposing would be. At the outer edge of the hologram was an explanation of the changes and their purpose.
Arian Pantol will be going with us,” said Kelsey as she studied the huge holographic image of the proposed ship. Arian was an Originator research scientist specializing in galactic phenomena and interstellar studies. He had also been on the Seeker. She suspected he would be spending a lot of time at the astrometrics station. With the exploration voyages Kelsey was planning, it would be good to have someone with his experience in the Command Center.
Kelsey was pleased with the progress they were making. The outer hull and part of the interior of the vessel were already being built in one of the huge construction bays in one of the shipyards at the Hub. She had gone over the day before and spent considerable time inspecting what had been completed so far. It had been thrilling to see their ship design becoming a reality. It also made her realize how monstrous the ship was. It nearly filled the massive construction bay.
“We left room in the Command Center for additional stations,” commented Damold Brim. Brim was also an Originator and had been in the hidden stasis chamber on the Dominator. He was a research scientist and ship design expert. All design changes had to be approved by him. He had also accompanied Kelsey on her tour of the ship pointing out many of the advancements that had been made to the vessel. “I will make the necessary changes, and they should be showing sometime tomorrow.”
Angela came over to stand next to Kelsey. “We’ve added a large chamber near Engineering where we can project an intergalactic communication vortex. It will allow us to maintain real time communication with the Communications Center here at the Tower.”
Kelsey nodded. Looking at the hologram, nearly 82 percent of the ship design had been finalized. Originator, Alton, and Human scientists and engineers were still working to finish up the remaining sections.
“Have you spoken to Belal recently?” asked Katie. Belal was the Carethian who would be in charge of part of the ship’s security detail.
“Yes, only a few days ago. He has a pack of forty Bears training for the security detachment. He can hardly wait to come on board the ship.”
“What about Marines? Our Bear friends aren’t the most delicate in dealing with sticky situations at times.”
Kelsey grinned. The Bears had a habit of charging into things with weapons firing. “Lieutenant Barkley will be in charge of the Marines. I’m going to have him promoted to captain, and he will have a full company on board.”
Clarissa suddenly came in through the open door with a big smile across her face. “The children are behaving wonderfully.”
Angela glanced over at Clarissa with a suspicious look on her face. “You haven’t started your training programs on the babies, have you?”
An embarrassed look crossed Clarissa’s face. “Only some minor programs. Ariel and I designed some basic cartoons for the children to watch which will help them to begin understanding Originator technology.”
Angela let out a heavy sigh as she turned toward Kelsey and Katie. “I caught Clair reciting hyperspace equations in her sleep last night. I had no idea what she was talking about.”
“You’re not using the Originator sleep teaching technology on the children are you?” asked Kelsey, her eyes narrowing. She knew the Originators had such technology. It was being used on the new recruits coming from the Federation.
“No,” replied Clarissa, shaking her head. “Not on the babies. I am using it on Clair, but I checked with an Originator specialist first and she said it would be okay. What Clair’s learning is stored in her subconscious and she won’t even know it’s there until she’s ready to use it.”
“Clarissa,” said Angela in a stern voice. “Before you go messing with my daughter’s mind you need to clear it with Brace and I first. Do you understand?”
The Originator Wars: Conflict Unending: A Lost Fleet Novel Page 19
