The Eternal Fortress (Star Legions Book 6)

by Michael G. Thomas

  Xenophon pulled his head back a fraction, as though surprised.

  “Then why have the information to begin with?”

  Again she smiled.

  “Because information has value, and value is something I do need.”

  She turned her attention to Chirisophus and intentionally avoided Artemas.

  “For a price, I am prepared to give all of this to you, as well as the single most important part of the specification.”

  “Which is what, exactly?”

  Cassandra smiled coyly.

  “The power system for the weapon. The design is such that even a coordinated orbital strike would fail. No known ship could bring it down with gunfire before sustaining impossible losses. Only by disabling it could you ever hope of bypassing the Fortress.”

  Chirisophus walked closer to the model, ignoring the half naked body next to him. He looked carefully at the peaks and valleys before stopping at a pyramid structure.

  “This is the weapon you speak of?”

  Cassandra nodded.

  “Yes, Strategos.”

  She pronounced his title in an odd, yet elegant fashion. Some may have found it attractive, but Xenophon could easily tell that she was being obtuse.

  “That is the border defence system. My own records say it is known to have destroyed ships at distances well over ten million kilometres away.”

  Chirisophus scoffed at the notion.

  “Ten million? Nonsense. I have seen the weapons and technology used by the Medes. This does not match their capacity for war. The Medes throw number, not technology, at problems.”

  She approached the Strategos and placed her arm around his neck.

  “Just the same, unlike you and your Legion, I have first-hand knowledge of this sector. Any ship that enters the zone of control around the Fortress will be forced to submit to their authority. Any attempt to use force will result in utter annihilation.”

  He turned his head about to face her.

  “And you can give us information on this Fortress, its weapons and backup systems?”

  Cassandra kissed him on the cheek and then moved back to the model of the Fortress.

  “Of course.”

  “And what is the price?” Xenophon asked.

  Cassandra looked behind her and clapped her hands. In one perfectly timed movement, a dozen of her maidens entered the room. Each was dressed in the long, black robes as they had seen on the Bactrian ship. Cassandra pointed to the first, and she dropped her robes to reveal nothing but the pale skin underneath. Glaucon and Xenophon gasped in surprise, but Chirisophus watched with quiet pleasure, clearly enjoying the sight.

  “One of your senior officers will stay with me, so that we might...enjoy our company while this trade agreement proceeds. When complete, I will transfer all information on the Fortress to your system.”

  Chirisophus snorted.

  “That is not acceptable. I will not allow one of...”

  “Strategos,” said Lady Artemas, “Perhaps I might suggest an alternative?”

  He looked at her and then to Cassandra before giving his agreement. He could see Glaucon shifting about nervously and had already heard of what had happened aboard the Bactrian.

  “Give us the data so that we can formulate a tactical plan. In exchange, you will have as much time as you require with any one of our warriors, as you choose fit. They will provide you with whatever recreation you desire.”

  She pointed to the Fortress.

  “But the price is full disclosure. We need time to prepare. If this weapon system is as powerful as you say it is, we will need hours, perhaps days to prepare a realistic counter.”

  Cassandra considered her proposal for a moment.

  “Strategos, how do I know you will not simply leave when you have what you want?”

  Xenophon interceded at that point.

  “We cannot leave, even if we want to. Fuelling and resupply will take at least a day to complete. We also have substantial numbers of wounded, plus soldiers and crew that could use a few hours of relaxation. Consider those that come aboard to use your facilities to be insurance against such an occurrence.”

  Cassandra seemed to wink at him, and then looked back to the Strategos. She was clearly happy with the arrangement, even more so due to the reluctance on the part of Chirisophus.

  “Very well. I will provide you with all that you ask, in exchange for one of your senior commanders. I will return him upon the completion of our agreement. Agreed?”

  There was silence as they waited for a reply from Chirisophus. He stepped back to Xenophon and Lady Artemas.

  “I do not like having hostages aboard these ships. I want the transfer complete in thirty-six hours, not a moment longer.”

  He turned his eyes to Glaucon and then to them.

  “In either case, I don’t think he will be too keen on staying here any longer than he has to. I’ve heard of this woman’s reputation. She can suck the life from a man, a true succubus.”

  “Understood,” said Xenophon, “As soon as we have the information, we will make our plans.”

  Chirisophus seemed happy with this and moved back to Cassandra.

  “We accept your terms. Now, present me with your tactical information. I need everything from flight paths, to weapons capacities, ranges, and troop garrisons.”

  Cassandra clapped her hands, and from behind the mist came yet more of her seemingly limitless maidens. They shuffled into the room, surrounded the Terrans, and then turned inwards. Another four entered, but this group carried a box on slender poles. They positioned it close to the model of the Fortress and placed it in a large space underneath the model.

  “Here is your information.”

  With a gentle tap, the box whined and then projected a ghostly sheen over the Fortress. It settled down to show extra details, with movement and scrolling data next to key points.

  “This looks interesting,” said Xenophon.

  He stepped up closer, and Lady Artemas stayed right at his side. As he moved his hands past the data, she began to translate. They could have been there hours before the pair turned around to Cassandra.

  “How old is this information?” Artemas asked.

  “Twenty days.”

  He signalled for Chirisophus to approach, pointing to the objects over the planet. At first glance they looked like military ships, but closer examination showed something else.

  “Troop transports,” said Chirisophus.

  He might have been concerned, but his expression gave nothing away. Xenophon watched him carefully and did his best to disguise his own feelings.

  He probably relishes the chance for some ground combat.

  He looked to Cassandra.

  “These troop transports, what do you know about them?”

  She smiled, that exotic expression once more.

  “The Fortress is always being fed new troops. Watch here...”

  With a few subtle movements, she altered the timescale by day, showing how the ships moved back and forth until fifteen days had elapsed.”

  “Is that it?” Glaucon asked.

  Cassandra nodded.

  “Yes. Even I cannot obtain infinite information. My trader contact recorded this traffic during his last...visit. I assure you, it is accurate.”

  Chirisophus turned away from the planet model and towards his comrades.

  “So, the Fortress is active, well protected with a heavy weapon installation, and a garrison of unknown size. Suggestions?”

  Artemas glanced to the Fortress.

  “Are you certain the site cannot be bypassed?”

  Chirisophus answered her.

  “Jump disruptors or inhibiters will stop us so many times we will run out of fuel. Each time we jump, we expend a vast amount of energy. The only other way would be to travel using just our primary drive engines at conventional speeds. Even if this worked, we would be easy picking for raiders and patrols. They could take us apart over months.”

  A
rtemas looked surprised at the mention of time.

  “Months? How long would the journey take, then?”

  Glaucon chuckled, and Xenophon had to give him a hard look to make him stop. Artemas’ knowledge of many things was substantial, but Terran primary engines systems were not one of them.

  “Thousands of years.”

  “Exactly,” agreed Xenophon.

  Lady Artemas still looked confused.

  “But Median ships have the ability to travel at sublight speeds without jumping using an FTL drive.”

  “Yes,” Glaucon agreed, “but most of our ships are Terran, and even if we could make use of advanced Median sublight engines, we would still need two to three months to cover the distance of the disrupter network.”

  Xenophon shook his head.

  “Actually try two years, minimum.”

  He looked back to Chirisophus, and the Strategos spoke before he could offer his suggestion.

  “I know what you’re going to say, Xenophon.”

  “Really?”

  “You’re going to suggest a stratagem that relies upon guile, cunning, and stealth.”

  “What makes you think that?”

  Lady Artemas put an arm around him.

  “Because, my dear, that is what you always do.”

  Chirisophus tilted his head a few degrees in partial agreement.

  “Partially. It’s also the only way I think we’ll be able to succeed.”

  He walked up to the Fortress and pointed at the pyramid.

  “That is the real problem. I can handle a hundred ships or a hundred thousand warriors, but not a planetary gun system that can destroy my ships well out of range.”

  He looked back to the Terrans.

  “Dukas. Deactivate that gunnery system, and I will rain fire on their heads so hard the Medes will think it is the end of times.”

  Chirisophus ran his hands over the shape of the pyramid, but the image projector below produced most of the details. Colours and shapes forced around his hands in a confused jumble.

  “You will take Timasion and plan an operation to disable this system. I will bring the Legion as close as possible to avoid detection and their weapons.”

  He moved closer.

  “When the gunnery system is down, you will send the signal. We will destroy the site from orbit and then offer them surrender. This Eternal Fortress will be ours, or it will be reduced to rubble. Their choice.”

  He looked away and directly at Cassandra who was removing the stunning piece of jewellery from her hair.

  “My people will provide yours with additional data. In the meantime, I require payment.”

  Chirisophus hissed to Glaucon.

  “Boy, come here.”

  Cassandra looked to Glaucon and back to Chirisophus. Her bodice dropped away to reveal her bare flesh.

  “No, not him.”

  Her hand extended out and towards Chirisophus.

  “You. Your people can make their plans, and you and I will make plans of our own.”

  She clapped her hands, and half a dozen maidens swept in around him, each grabbing for the warrior’s attire. Lady Artemas stepped away, cleared her throat and indicated for the others to follow. Xenophon was the last out other than the four Laconian guardsmen, each of who waited at the doorway in complete silence, like a screen of living sentinels. Xenophon looked back at the partially dressed Chirisophus, and he could already see that angry look on his face. There was little the Strategos could do without reneging on his promise, but the anger was not generalised, it was focussed in one direction and that was directly at him.

  “Strategos, we will be back for you, as quickly as we can.”

  He stepped out and let the door shut before the Terran leader could reply.

  * * *

  The Eternal Fortress, Imperial Border, Shattered Domains

  Ariaeus walked around the open space near the base of the massive pyramid structure. Behind him was the provincial monitor, an odd craft taken from the vast armouries on the planet. From orbit the pyramid had been impressive to see, but on the ground it was truly a momentous work of engineering. The pyramid looked smooth from a distance, but up close it was a mass of metal, stone, and cabling, truly a remarkable machine. All around it were power stations and capacitors, each crackling continually with potential energy. His imagination was rife with imagery of Terran ships blown apart by its incredible firepower, yet the world itself was far less appealing to him.

  “Impressive, is it not, Lord Ariaeus?” Darbabad Forouzandeh asked.

  Ariaeus looked at the Median noblewoman and mustered as much self-control as he was capable of. She was impeccably dressed in her Imperial uniform, and as usual bore her long black boots, glossy black gloves, and white hair that dropped down loose on her shoulders.

  “It is an impressive weapon. But what about the rest of the defences?”

  Arteshban Qarz, the Imperial commander of the garrison looked happily at him, evidently keen to brag about the resources he had on hand. He pointed behind them and towards the great open space. It was a massive area, more like an ancient moat around the pyramid. It was a minimum of half a kilometre wide and still seemed small compared to the weapon structure. Alongside this open space sat a low, squat wall of around ten metres in height. Above this structure the faintest shimmer of a powerful shield system extended out to protect the pyramid. At every kilometre there were towers jutting upwards, and fitted to these large gun turrets, each pointing inwards towards the pyramid structure.

  “The weapon is surrounded by the inner shield wall. It cannot be breached.”

  “And the power source for this defensive system?”

  Arteshban Qarz grinned even wider.

  “Ah, yes, the power source must be well protected. That is why the system draws its power directly from the planet’s core. The control stations are built into the four primary towers. The shield will operate with only one functioning.”

  He pointed off to the north where a much larger tower structure could be seen. Rather than just a single object, it was made up of a double tower with a formidable array of smaller towers around it.

  “I see. And this open space, I assume it is here as a killing round?”

  Arteshban Qarz nodded furtively, clearly wanting to impress his new commander.

  “Yes. There are good reasons to allow enemy forces access to parts of the Fortress, merely to leave them exposed to attack. If they reach the wall and breach it, they will be forced to cover the open ground to the pyramid.”

  “And how would they do that when the control systems are in the towers?” Darbabad Forouzandeh asked.

  The question irritated Ariaeus, but not because it was from his rival. He was more annoyed by the fact that she hadn’t bothered to ask perhaps the most obvious question of all.

  “Because of that,” said Arteshban Qarz.

  He indicated towards the bulbous power station units placed at key points around the base of the pyramid. They were massive, with spherical structures alongside the main buildings and huge metallic towers from which cables hung down and then vanished into slots in the pyramid.

  “The power plants. Surely they are the real targets?”

  Arteshban Qarz almost seemed beside himself with excitement. He even leaned in as though he would be betraying a great secret to some invisible enemy.

  “They do nothing other than to maintain the energy facade.”

  Lord Ariaeus and Darbabad Forouzandeh looked to each other, and Ariaeus spoke.

  “I see.”

  He looked back to the walls and then to Arteshban Qarz.

  “We shall return to your monitor vessel and assess the rest of your defences. Tell me, what is the status of the ground forces?”

  They were already moving back to the monitor that sat waiting, like a large angry bug. Out in front were the dozen Imperial guards Ariaeus had brought with him. As they moved closer, they were clearly not Imperials; they were in fact more of his recently acquir
ed mercenaries, but dressed in the garb of the Imperium.

  “Troops have been sent from four separate satrapies, all at the request of the God King himself.”

  The servant of the Empire lowered his head and performed an odd gesture to his chest at mentioning the name of the Emperor.

  “We have almost reached twenty-three thousand ground troops, including a unit of Taochian assault troops. This force is second only to those on Cunaxa.”

  Ariaeus stopped and grabbed the man.

  “Numbers are meaningless against this enemy. They are ten thousand Terran warriors, not provincial bandits. I was with them when they tore open the Cilician Gates and then shattered the Citadel at Cunaxa. They are monsters, and numbers alone will not hold them back.”

  Arteshban Qarz looked almost offended at the suggestion.

  “My Lord, it was never my intention to offer ground battle to a single warrior. The Eternal Fortress is a trap, one built around a gun. Any force that lands here will never leave.”

  He pointed to the monitor.

  “Let me show you.”

  * * *

  The interior inside the provincial warship was far less impressive than Ariaeus had expected. From the outside the craft was made up of three large sections connected to the next by a wide cylindrical neck. A pair of huge ducted fan engines, giving it great manoeuvrability, but at the expense of speed or the ability to leave the atmosphere, powered it. He looked out of the small circular window and towards the pyramid weapon system. Arteshban Qarz pointed to the shimmering field that covered the entire area.

  “There, you can see the dome in this light. We can change the wavelengths to random configurations, make it transparent, or give the entire site a sheen of colour.”

  Ariaeus looked at him and shook his head.

  “Really? You are telling me the wealth of the Empire allows you to change the colours of the shield?”

  Arteshban Qarz reminded him of the many provincials he’d met in his life. Though part of the Imperial bureaucracy, the fool was still just a regional commander with little knowledge outside of his little fiefdom. Ariaeus, on the other hand, was descended from one of the many important families in the Empire, a family with connections and history. More important to him was that unlike this fool; Ariaeus had ambition. He had sided with Cyrus in his little revolt and now served Artaxerxes. Some might consider him a traitor, but he had never fought alongside an outsider. The brothers both had claims to leadership of the Empire.