The Eternal Fortress (Star Legions Book 6)

by Michael G. Thomas

Timasion, Xenophon, and Kallinos are all correct. The Eternal Fortress is something truly dangerous.”

  “You have been there?”

  Artemas shook her head.

  “No, the Fortress is not somewhere a person such as myself would visit. It has a reputation throughout the Empire, a place few would want to see, let alone visit.”

  Chirisophus indicated with his hand for her to continue.

  “Whatever we do, it should be cautious and well planned.”

  He seemed happy at that and looked away from the Median woman and to his audience. All eyes were on him, but none more interested than Xenophon. Deep down he knew the Strategos would simply like to line up the fleet and launch a full-scale assault on a Median target. Reconnaissance, subterfuge, and scouting were almost filthy words to the man, and that worried him.

  “Then it is decided.”

  He looked to Timasion.

  “You and Xenophon will take an advance party and make contact with the Phrygians. Make the necessary arrangements. Then I will bring in the fleet, and we will make the trade.”

  He stepped past Timasion and looked out to his warriors.

  “And then I will lead you all out of this wilderness and beyond!”

  A great howl of excitement rumbled through the training hall. Laconians, Atticans, Arcadians, Thessalians, and the rest all joined in. Xenophon watched them, but it was that look again on the face of Timasion. The more he studied the man, the more he realised he had no trust in him, whatsoever.

  He will let us the burn, the second he thinks it will benefit him.

  Timasion looked at him, as though he could read Xenophon’s mind. He turned his head a little and nodded politely, and this one action sent a surge of adrenalin up through Xenophon’s body.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Bactrian Grand Battleship, Hayastan Dead Zone

  The gentle drone of the massive jump engines was well concealed by the dampeners fitted throughout the vessel. Even so, Anticensor Pericles could feel the ship beneath his feet, and he knew it was now going through the testing phase of its powerful drives. Each time they went through a full cycle, the engines drained almost half of the ship’s energy, and the strain made the hull shudder with the incredible energies being harnessed.

  “Sir, the power levels are stable. We’ve got more than enough for Faster Than Light travel,” said one of his numerous subordinates.

  Anticensor Pericles had nothing to say for a moment because this was all information he’d already seen. He knew what the vessel was capable of, that wasn’t his concern; it was what could happen if a single system failed.

  “The core on this thing is way over engineered,” said another officer.

  Anticensor Pericles laughed at the obvious.

  “Don’t I know it?”

  He then pointed to the long series of coils filling one side of the engineering station. It was big enough that a dromon could have filled the space, if it hadn’t been for the coils. They were large, and the tops crackled with the stored energy.

  “This ship needs triple the standard levels of power in combat. The shielding is layered and with numerous levels of redundancy. These coils will allow the ship to overcharge when multiple systems are in use. It’s a complex, expensive, and difficult to maintain system. Way beyond the skills of the average engineer.”

  He looked at one of the screens, but the awe in his voice was obvious. The other two men looked at each other and then went back to their work. The shorter of the two made a few tweaks to the coil settings and then turned back.

  “Sir, I still don’t understand why we need this level of capacity. We could use the shielding, guns, and jump drive and still have a surplus.”

  Anticensor Pericles shook his head.

  “That is why you are not the Anticensor on this ship, or any other.”

  He almost regretted his words, and might have taken them back if they hadn’t been the truth. His crew were excellent at their jobs, but they, like the engineers on this ship before them, would have no idea how to maintain and operate such sophisticated equipment.

  “The real reason, son, is that you’ve missed the single biggest drain on the ship. The primary weapon system is the real culprit.”

  The subordinate turned around with a confused expression on his face.

  “The primary weapons? I thought we had all the systems live now, well, those undamaged in he fighting?”

  Anticensor Pericles gave him a knowing look.

  “No. Have you not seen the chamber running through the heart of this ship, directly to the bow?”

  The man shook his head and looked back at the portable terminal he’d brought with him. It showed a rough schematic of the parts of the ship already visited by Terran security or repair teams. The exterior view was complete, but there was no information on the shape near the bow. Anticensor Pericles pointed to it.

  “That, my friend, is the gun port for the most powerful cutter array I have ever seen.”

  “Cutter?” said the younger man, “As powerful as those on the Titans?”

  Anticensor Pericles laughed.

  “You really have not heard of the Bactrians? It is said the beams of the Bactrian warships were capable of turning a capital ship to slag in one single attack.”

  The Dekarchos pulled his head back in surprise.

  “One attack, really? How could that even be possible?”

  He looked at the man carefully.

  “For the average engine you might be right, but you’ve seen the power levels this ship can generate. My calculations show it can maintain an energy stream for almost twenty seconds at double the level of Valediction. I believe they could be made to work again.”

  The Dekarchos looked stunned.

  “I’m not joking. The technology is old but well built. A few days in dock with the right crew, tools, and parts and she could be made to function again.”

  They were interrupted by the crackle from a battered metal speaker on the wall. The sound was clear enough, but not to the level that he could tell who was speaking. It was preceded by three warning tones.

  “Anticensor Pericles. You’re needed in the Command Chamber.”

  He listened to the words and glanced back into the room. It was full of people, technology, and systems that were only now coming online. He looked up at the device, and then to the man. He didn’t look impressed.

  “I need the video comms system active and fast. That thing is no way to relay messages on a ship like this. May the Gods help us if we need these systems in actual battle.”

  The man nodded.

  “Yes, Sir, I will get right on it. The network is live and functional, though; we’re just waiting for two new display panels to be installed.”

  He indicated to the damage all along the wall.

  “The bombardment from our cruisers managed to penetrate this far inside the hull. I’m amazed the coils weren’t destroyed.”

  Anticensor Pericles was already heading for the door, but with that last statement he looked back at the group of engineers.

  “That is because unlike these mercenaries, we are good at our jobs. The ship was moored, her power systems down, and her crew unprepared for our assault. There is a lesson for you all there.”

  They watched in silence as he left them to their work. The journey from this engineering station was several minutes away from the Royal Chamber, and it gave him a good opportunity to examine the damage caused in the battle first hand. The cruiser fire had certainly been an issue, but most of the real trouble had come from the hand-to-hand fighting inside the ship. Grenades and pulse carbines had damaged corridors, gantries, hallways, and control rooms at every point.

  This ship need months in dock. She shouldn’t already be at this speed.

  As an engineer, he always felt a little nervous when ships travelled on these journeys. By his own assessment, the Bactrian had sustained minor internal damage, but her exterior had suffered heavily. The final battle at her moorings h
ad completed the damage caused in the fighting on the Carduchian border. Structurally, she was sound, but he knew the engines or power system could fail at any moment due to a variety of unknown issues.

  Insanity.

  The very thought of the ship tearing itself apart at faster than light speeds was quite frankly, terrifying. That, more than anything spurred him on to reach the heart of the ship. He increased his pace so that by the time he reached the grand staircase he was exhausted. Glaucon and a picked bodyguard were waiting there and waved him through.

  “Akolouthos,” he said politely.

  The spatharios stepped aside, and watched him pass. He reached the top step and then entered to find pandemonium. The temporary large screen he’d installed was on the ground and shattered, while Komes Devereux, the ship’s new commander barked orders. She spotted him and moved to intercept before he could speak to anybody else.

  “Anticensor Pericles, thank you. We’re having a bit of a problem up here.”

  Xenophon also spotted him and called out to him.

  “Anticensor, when can we jump? We have to get moving.”

  The poor man look equally surprised and stunned at the request.

  “Jump? I understood we were going to spend days getting this ship ready. There are dozens of systems that need work, not forgetting the hull. This ship is just...”

  Xenophon lifted his hand.

  “I’ve seen your initial report. Yes, she needs lots of work, but this battleship is more than ready to travel through space. Our engines are fully operational, as are the fuel, power, and shielding systems.”

  Roxana pointed to the two engineers still trying to get a motor drive unit working. At the same time, a series of sparks rippled along the wall to the right of the large throne.

  “Move it, I need the seals activated, now!” Anticensor Pericles yelled.

  Thick coils of flashing cables that ran off in to the walls surrounded the small group of engineers. One pulled out another cable and tripped. He might have crashed head first into the wall if it hadn’t been for a female automaton. She grabbed the man, and though not strong enough to stop him from falling, she did break his fall. He righted himself and then rose to his feet.

  “Thank you.”

  Anticensor Pericles shook his head.

  “Maybe you lovebirds can waste time when this work is done. You’ve connected up the security seal in reverse. It needs to be done like this.”

  With a tug, he pulled the unit apart. Still the sparks continued to flash, but when he pushed the unit back into the different mounting, the sound stopped and calm returned. He then pointed to the large gap in the wall where they had removed equipment. The engineering teams had done incredible work, but there was still much to do, and the Anticensor was not enjoying having to manage the work of just one ship. He looked back to Xenophon.

  “This is too rushed. I recommend you take one of the...”

  “No,” said Xenophon, “If we are going to trade with these people, they need to see that we are not to be played about with. Arriving with Terran cruisers would make them nervous, and they might just jump out. Then what?”

  The Anticensor shrugged.

  “Then take one of the capture Median ships. Why this one? I don’t understand why you cannot use a different area to command the ship. This place is, well, it is hardly suitable, is it?”

  Xenophon was quiet for a few seconds, and then walked towards the man.

  “The action centre, or whatever the mercenaries called it is destroyed. We will transform this ship into our new home. The Royal Chamber will operate as the heart of this ship, in all things.”

  The man still did not look convinced.

  “Just look at her? You have art, sculptures, columns, and a throne, and now you want the ability to command a starship. All of this, from inside this place of decadence. It isn’t how we do things on Terran ships.”

  Xenophon was not impressed.

  “Anticensor Pericles, this ship makes a statement, more so than any other in the Legion. We arrive with this and a few mercenary scouts, and we will get what we need. If we hit trouble, this ship takes more hits than anything up to the Titans. If I have guests aboard, they must see two things, the power of this ship, and that it is a Terran vessel.”

  He looked away and towards Lady Artemas.

  “I will fuse the military power of Terra with the majesty and aesthetics of the Medes. It’s the right move; trust me. Just get me my viewing system back so I can see what we’re up against. My new Komes will have trouble at our destination if she has to command the ship from one of those little screens.”

  He pointed to one of the many newly installed pieces of equipment. Roxana caught his attention. She was on her feet in the middle of the Chamber and looking at the newly installed computer screens. She was forced to make use of those installed for her new officers, as right now there was no safe way to show an overview.

  “We will arrive at the convoy within three hours, perhaps a little earlier if we can actually get moving. Kallinos and five of her corsairs report as ready.”

  She then looked to the Anticensor.

  “Even her own flagship, the Sanguine is repaired with spare solar sails taken from their stocks.”

  Roxana Devereux turned her attention to Xenophon.

  “They wait for your command, Dukas.”

  Xenophon tried to look happy at that news and moved back to his spot near the grand throne. Tempting as it might have been, he’d declined to use it, even though he was technically entitled to. Roxana watched him looking at the position with an amused grin on her face.

  “Why don’t you sit? It was put there for a reason.”

  Glaucon chortled, and Xenophon twisted about a little to spot his friend. He’d been still and silent for so long, he’d not even noticed the group of guards waiting in the wings. The many sculptures and pieces of art meant a bizarre series of shadows filled the open space.

  “Yes?”

  Glaucon cleared his throat.

  “The Komes is correct. That chair could not be more perfect for you. Dukas.”

  From anybody else that might have been a provocative insult, but Xenophon recognised the playful tone.

  Sarcastic fool.

  He shook his head, moved to Roxana, and looked back at the screen. The Anticensor had done an incredible job integrating Terran computer systems directly with the Bactrian’s core. Luckily for them, the ancient warship was actually more Terran than Median, and her internal systems had been upgraded with commonly available technology. The Royal Chamber was the area that had the least effort put into it since the end of fighting. Engineering teams were still at work improving the power systems and patching holes in the hull. At the same time, the transferred crew, as well as the large contingent of newly freed automatons, were relearning how to operate such a vessel.

  “I thought it would have been cleaned up by now,” said Tamara.

  Her voice betrayed boredom at waiting on the ship. At least she found the arrival of more Terrans with heavy equipment to be a useful distraction. Xenophon had left the computer systems and was pacing about on the deck. Tamara and Roxana watched him. Tamara smiled at his irritation, but the man barely even noticed she was there.

  “Very well. The power systems are stable. I do not recommend it, but you can jump whenever you are ready.”

  Xenophon grinned and lowered his finger to Roxana.

  “Do it.”

  The string of orders was surprisingly short, and the ship was already lined up for the journey towards the convoy. With there being no external view from the Chamber, it was impossible to see they had started moving, apart from the subtle vibrations in the floor that Anticensor Pericles had already felt.

  “We are on the way, Dukas. ETA three hours.”

  Xenophon looked pleased.

  “Excellent. And Kallinos, her ships are in formation?”

  Roxana indicated yes. At the same time, the Anticensor had returned to his e
ngineers and was instructing them on how to activate and control the technology in this part of the ship. He groaned as they once again demonstrated their lack of knowledge of these ancient vessels. Finally, he looked back to the senior officers.

  “This should work now.”

  Xenophon looked back with surprise.

  “You can open them now? Is that wise?”

  The man shrugged.

  “Yes, they should work, hopefully. The layered shielding is up, but if the motor override is working correctly, yes, it should work. As for whether it is wise...”

  He shook his head in frustration.

  “I leave those decisions up to you now.”

  Xenophon needed no encouragement.

  “Do it, then.”

  Roxana moved to his side.

  “They closed them in the middle of the battle, are you sure you want to risk trying to open them again? We could leave this part of the ship exposed and vulnerable.”

  Xenophon was resolute in body language and expression. He indicated for the Anticensor to continue.

  “I intend on bringing their trade delegation on board, and it must look right. A Royal Chamber must be extravagant.”

  On cue, the Anticensor sent the signal, and the Terran computers took over the full motor control of the Chamber. Lights flashed, and two of the newly computer displays brought up external views of the vessel. He made a few minor tweaks and then stepped back, as though wanting to admire his handiwork.

  “Systems are live, actuators ready. Trigger the system.”

  Lady Artemas entered the Chamber and approached Xenophon. He spotted her arrival, and they met in the middle. He leaned in to kiss her gently. As they separated, Xenophon could see Tamara watching, and a grin on her face bigger than any he’d seen in weeks.

  “Am I in time?”

  Xenophon pulled away and turned around to look in the direction of the Anticensor.

  “Your timing, as always, is perfect.”

  A grinding sound like poorly maintained cogs started, with no discernible result. It was then followed by a squealing noise of metal on metal.

  “Are you expecting that?” Xenophon asked.

  Roxana looked to him, lifted an eyebrow in a non-committal way, turning back to the Anticensor. The man looked to them and grinned.