The Shattered Empire (The Shadow Space Chronicles Book 2)

by Kal Spriggs

  United Colonies

  November 20, 2403

  Colonel William Proscia smiled slightly as he checked the report of the latest training equipment delivered to the Academy. While the Juggernaut power armor had yet to go into official production, it seemed that there were somewhere around a company's worth of the new power armor produced as the prototypes... and no one had asked any questions at all regarding giving those to the Faraday Military Academy for using in training their cadets.

  It was an oversight that Colonel Proscia couldn't wait to rub into the faces of the Baron's enemies. He had personally interviewed a number of the Nova Roma personnel who had escaped with Emperor Romulus IV. One of the key points which had stood out to him was how the Chxor had overlooked the Nova Roma Military Academy during their initial occupation. To be fair, the Nova Roma Fleet had overlooked them as well in the chaotic events leading up to their full surrender. That had allowed the cadets, staff, and cadre, organized by Admiral Mund to utilize their small quantity of training equipment to not only link up with resistance elements, but to seize dozens of vessels and escape the system.

  It was easy to see why both parties had overlooked the Academy. They were normally made up of retirees and young cadets, some of them under the legal age of service. While the cadets were officially sworn in, none of them were on the Fleet's books, they were essentially ghosts in the system until they graduated. Further, the mental connection was that they had surplus equipment and weapons, more for the purpose of training than anything else.

  What they overlooked was that the academy cadre and cadets often performed in units for all levels of training from team level up to company and even battalion size. Their 'surplus' equipment was perfectly functional... and they trained with it more than many infantry units had the opportunity for, because they planned their classes around their training.

  Colonel Proscia had been very interested in that originally. As the Faraday Military Academy Commandant, he had seen the potential immediately... and even more so when faced with the information about the conspirators within the Fleet. When Captain Daniel Beeson had come to him to ask about contingencies, Colonel Proscia had known exactly what to do.

  He already had six 'surplus' Chxor assault shuttles, captured after the Second Battle of Faraday. His cadets each had their own set of body armor, weapon, and combat harness. They'd trained as teams, squads, platoons, and even companies... and they would continue to train as part of their course work to prepare them for duty in the United Colonies Fleet. Even better, he could coordinate training for boarding operations with United Colonies vessels and around government buildings... so they could literally rehearse exactly what they might be used for. It was almost scary, especially given how much the Baron trusted him, just how easily he could use the force not only to prevent a coup... but also to perform one if that was his plan. Good for both the Baron and the United Colonies that I've no such intention, Colonel Proscia thought.

  He looked up as Senior Chief Winslow stepped into the office. “We're looking good, Colonel.”

  William Proscia smiled a bit, “Excellent.” The Senior Chief had taken charge of prepping their shuttles, not just for training but also for the eventual assault. Now, they would be ready as soon as the Baron needed them. Some part of William actually hoped their preparations would be unnecessary.

  The rest of him, however, was not only ready, but eager. The selfish bastards who wanted to tear down everything Baron Giovanni had worked towards were going to get what they deserved... and Colonel William Proscia was going to be the one to give it to them.

  ***

  Halcyon, Garris Major System

  Contested

  November 22, 2403

  Reese looked up from his console as he heard voices coming down the corridor. He didn't get many guests, these days. He smiled a bit as he stared at the complex string of code. At least the work was challenging and the rewards...

  He smiled a bit as he remembered the bank account that Admiral Mannetti had opened for him at Port Klast. The rewards for this work was very satisfactory. And the codes and files he had brought with him had made a very satisfactory initial balance in that account. The knowledge that she would use that against Lucius Giovanni was just icing on the cake.

  Admiral Mannetti led her guest into the room. Reese stood respectfully as she entered, not just because he did feel respect for what she'd accomplished, but also because her temper was such that he didn't want to seem disrespectful. She's a bit jumpy of late, best to stay on her good side, he thought.

  She looked tired, but in a good mood, which boded well for this meeting. It was when she was in a bad mood that she tended to take it out on subordinates. That could go towards the fatal end of the spectrum if she was truly irritated.

  “My Lady, delightful to see you, as always,” Only after a polite bow to her did he look at her guest. He nearly choked, “Lucius?”

  Admiral Lucretta Mannetti gave a girlish giggle and her guest gave a polite chuckle. Reese recognized his error as he saw this man was much older than Lucius Giovanni, with a lined face and some gray in his hair.

  “Not Lucius Giovanni, no,” Admiral Mannetti said, “This is, instead, my mentor, Lord Admiral Marius Octavius Giovanni... Lucius and Alanis's father.”

  “My Lord,” Reese said and gave a low bow.

  Marius cocked his head at him as Reese stood. “So I hear you're responsible for making me a grandfather.” His voice was cold, calculating.

  Reese felt his face pale, “I am, my Lord. Alanis and I were married, but your son and I had a disagreement and she... chose his side.”

  “Well,” Marius said with a cold smile, “Alanis probably takes after my mother. Loyalty to family can be hard, a lesson you should learn.” He was silent for a long moment. “Tell me about your progress here.”

  Reese felt cold prickles run up his back. He knew, from the man's expression and words, that his very survival hinged upon impressing him. “My Lord, things have gone very well so far. After hacking Captain Heraklion's database at the Ottokar System, I was able to use some of the coding from there to apply to this project. As Lady Kail has, no doubt, informed you, I've made quite a bit of progress. I'm certain that, given time, I can crack the entire database here. I've already translated the star map that she requested.”

  Marius Giovanni put a possessive hand on Admiral Mannetti's shoulder. “Yes, she has told me about your successes so far. In particular, all of your files from the United Colonies have been run past my informant and either verified or exceeded. I must say, I'm impressed. You've done a lot to earn your place here, Reese.” The shorter man gave Reese a nod, “And I've got to say, keep up the good work and I'll be proud to name you as my son-in-law.”

  Reese stood up a bit straighter at the promise in his words. If anyone had the influence to convince Alanis to put aside her anger, surely it would be her father. And if there's anyone who has the power to force that to happen, Reese thought darkly, it would be Admiral Mannetti's mentor.

  “Now,” Admiral Mannetti said, with a quick glance at Marius Giovanni, “Tell me, how long do you think to extract the command codes?”

  That was a difficult question, Reese had to acknowledge. He had been at it for almost a full month on the ancient alien computer. “A month or more, I'm afraid, my Lady.” She nodded, but Reese didn't miss the narrowed eyes on Marius Giovanni. “I might, might, get it done a bit faster if I could get some help. Whoever did the programming on Captain Heraklion's ship...”

  She took on a thoughtful expression, “I'll look into that. Keep up the good work.”

  ###

  Danar System

  United Colonies

  November 27, 2403

  Baron Lucius Giovanni stared out at the cold, uncaring stars and thought about the future. The victory at Danar had not been bloodless. The three Crusader-class ships had all received damage to one extent or another. Losses among the frigates, despite the enemy's focus on his capital
ships, had been sharp as well. Seven of the the eighteen frigates had died, along with their crews. All told, somewhere around two thousand United Colonies personnel had died.

  The larger enemy force, along with their High Commander, had fled to shadow space after Lucius's engagement of the other force. Presumably they'd withdrawn to Nova Roma, though they hadn't had time to scout the system, yet. Most of the moon bases had already surrendered, though two were holding out. They would probably launch an assault, which would cost more lives, but both base commanders had emphasized the numbers of human prisoners they held as hostages, so destroying them outright wasn't an option.

  Lucius felt the pull of Nova Roma. They were so close, only four days journey through shadow space. He could actually make out it's star, Remus, since he knew where to look. Some part of him wanted to launch the attack immediately, to follow up on the victory.

  Yet he knew they weren't ready. His play to secure Delvar had worked because of the distance from Delvar and it's moons and its lack of serious orbital and planet-side defenses. At Nova Roma, the Chxor would have extensive preparations. They would not fall for the same ploy again.

  And on top of that, Admiral Dreyfus had taken even more casualties and damage at Tehran. Lucius's warning to the Admiral had proven accurate, for the Chxor had emplaced extensive minefields. To make matters worse, they had more forces there, for they had clearly expected to be attacked there, first.

  Things were still confused, apparently even Admiral Dreyfus was injured from a hit on the flag bridge, though he had reported that he was recovering. From what Lucius had heard so far, the Admiral's lighter forces had been savaged. His capital ships, as well, were battered. Worst, in Lucius's opinion, was that the Admiral had used his fighters in close support... and they had suffered severe casualties. The losses of the fighter pilots was the hardest blow, to Lucius. The pilots would take years to train and replace. The ship losses were also painful, but that was a resource that they could at least begin to replace soon, especially after having captured the shipyards of Danar intact.

  Lucius's reflection gazed back at him with the background of the stars and his mind went to the conspirators within the Fleet... the men and women who planned to betray him and their oaths to reinstate an Empire dead before Lucius's father was born. The time would come soon to move against them and they had deaths and debts to pay... and Lucius felt a cold satisfaction as he pondered just how much evidence his people had assembled on them. Soon there will be a reckoning with them, as well, he thought coldly. There was no room for traitors like that under his command... especially not when he had a future and not only his daughter but his soon to be nephew to think about. His smile grew wide as he remembered Alanis's last message... and her excitement both from her initial training at the Academy as well as the news of the sex of her child.

  Lucius's comm unit began to chime and he answered it quickly.

  “Baron,” Ensign Konetsky said, her voice tight, “We've just picked up a Chxor transmission on our ansible network, it's from their High Commander Chxarals again. He's using one of the older Nova Roma frequencies, probably from when they took the system.”

  That made sense, though Lucius wasn't sure why the Chxor officer would be transmitting a message to them. “Put it through.”

  “To the leaders of the United Colonies and their people,” the Chxor said. “I am High Commander Chxarals. I have been ordered by the Benevolence Council to take over the defense of the Chxor Empire from human aggression.” His words were calm and well spoken. His tan, bowl-cut hair and dark yellow eyes showed no emotion. “I must congratulate you in your hard-fought victories at Tehran and Danar. I am also authorized to offer you a peace treaty. Should you agree, we would cease all expansion into your claimed space.” He paused and cocked his head, as if to study the opponents who might be hearing his message. “On the other hand, should you continue your attacks, be warned. I have the full authority of the Benevolence Council behind me. I will not be defeated again. Should your forces arrive at Nova Roma I will preemptively order the planet gassed, it's orbital infrastructure destroyed, and ensure that every human in the system is killed. I have already given orders for demolition charges to be emplaced on off-world habitats and have positioned vessels to employ gas on Nova Umbria and Nova Roma itself. This is not a bluff and my personnel will not hesitate.”

  He waited for a long moment, clearly to allow his viewers to think the implications through. “The Chxor Empire will not tolerate further attacks. Be aware, that even if you manage to take the Nova Roma system, you will capture only a lifeless ruin. There will not be a repeat of Danar. High Commander Chxarals out.”

  ###

  The End

  The Shadow Space Chronicles will return with The Prodigal Emperor: Book Three of the Shadow Space Chronicles

  Diagrams

  About the Author

  Kal Spriggs is a science fiction and fantasy author. He currently has three series in print: The Renegades space opera and space exploration series, the Shadow Space Chronicles military science fiction and space opera series, and the Eoriel Saga epic fantasy series.

  Kal is a US Army veteran who has been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. He lives in Colorado, and is married to his wonderful wife (who deserves mention for her patience with his writing) and also shares his home with his newborn son, three feline overlords, and a rather put-upon dog. He likes hiking, skiing, and enjoying the outdoors, when he's not hunched over a keyboard writing his next novel.