The Lost Fleet: Oblivion’s Light
(The Lost Fleet Series, Book 3)
By
Raymond L. Weil
USA Today Best Selling Author
Books in The Lost Fleet Series
The Lost Fleet: Galactic Search (Book 1)
The Lost Fleet: Into the Darkness (Book 2)
The Lost Fleet: Oblivion’s Light (Book 3)
The Lost Fleet: Genesis (Book 4)
Coming early 2016
Website: http://raymondlweil.com/
Copyright © December 2015 by Raymond L. Weil
All Rights Reserved
Cover Design by Humblenations.com
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Epilogue
Oblivion’s Light
A Slaver Wars Novel
Chapter One
The Avenger shook violently as the Simulin battlecruiser fired its energy weapons, striking the battleship’s powerful protective shield. Fleet Admiral Jeremy Strong held onto his command chair as alarms sounded and red lights flashed on the damage control console.
“We have ten Simulin battlecruisers closing on us,” reported Lieutenant Kevin Walters, steadfastly watching the ship’s sensors.
“They sure don’t believe in even odds,” grumbled Commander Kyla Malen as she tightened her grasp on the console in front of her. “Tactical, prepare to fire weapons.”
“Have they ever?” said Kevin with a frown. “They always seem to outnumber us.”
“The AI ships?” asked Jeremy, grimacing as several more red lights appeared on the damage control console. The Avenger was beginning to take some light damage from the Simulin battlecruisers.
“Dropping out of hyperspace now!” called out Commander Malen.
Looking up at one of the large viewscreens in the Command Center, Jeremy saw the AI ships appear out of the shimmering white spatial vortexes that marked their arrival. Jeremy allowed himself to grin. These were the new AI ships. One-thousand-meter warspheres specifically designed to take on the Simulins. This would be the first time they had been committed to combat. He was anxious to see how they fared against the Simulin battlecruisers.
“Simulins are turning to engage the AIs,” reported Kevin as he watched his sensor screens. On the screens, nine red threat icons began pulling away from the Avenger to close on the incoming AI warspheres. One red icon remained and was closing on the Avenger.
“Targeting the nearer Simulin battlecruiser,” reported Lieutenant Charles Preston, the tactical officer. “Firing particle beam cannon and bow power beams.”
-
From the Avenger, a bright blue particle beam flashed out to strike the Simulin battlecruiser’s energy screen. Microseconds later four violet power beams followed. Cascades of raging energy erupted as the screen resisted the sudden onslaught. The Simulin battlecruiser was seventeen-hundred-meters in length and bulbous in form with large metallic looking pylons that stretched out in front of it. There were six of the massive structures, which extended for at least two hundred meters from the main hull of the ship. Each ended in a sharp point that contained a powerful energy weapon.
-
From the six tips beams of white energy erupted and slammed into the Avenger’s energy shield, triggering more alarms.
“Shield is at 78 percent,” warned Commander Malen as she looked at the data screen in front of her worriedly. “Those damn energy beams are draining the shield.”
“Firing antimatter missile,” spoke Lieutenant Preston as he pressed one of the glaring red buttons on the console in front of him. “Let’s see if we can’t drain their shield!”
“AIs are engaging,” reported Kevin. His eyes were focused intently on the sensors as the AI and Simulin fleets neared each other.
“Now we’ll see how our new AI ships do,” Jeremy said as he looked at one of the viewscreens expectantly.
-
In space, the ten AI warspheres were in two horizontal lines of five to allow for the maximum amount of firepower as well as to provide additional defensive cover to one another.
“Enemy is within range,” spoke the AI in command in its calm mechanical voice. “Fire particle beam cannons.” The Command AI shifted its attention to the viewscreens displaying the enemy ships. The AI hovered six inches above the metal deck using antigravity repulsors. Its cubicle shaped body was equipped with four long tentacles and there was a glowing ball of energy about the size of a basketball where its head should be.
“Firing weapons,” replied one of the AIs in front of the weapon consoles.
-
From the ten AI ships, sixty particle beam cannons fired. The massed fire was directed at just one Simulin battlecruiser.
Particle beams from the warspheres slammed into the bow section of their intended target. The attack was so overwhelming the Simulin energy screen was instantly overloaded, and six of the deadly beams penetrated striking the armored hull, setting off massive explosions and hurling glowing debris into space. Two of the large spires shattered as internal explosions tore them apart.
The Simulin energy shield flickered as damaged power couplings could no longer supply the necessary power to keep the shield at full strength. Detecting the weakness, the AI warspheres fired their powerful energy beams, carving deep gouges into the hull of the ship and opening up numerous compartments to space. Moments later, the shield failed completely, and a Devastator Three missile detonated, turning the Simulin vessel into a raging inferno. When the fire died away, all that remained were a few pieces of molten wreckage and glowing gasses.
-
“Simulin battlecruiser is down,” reported Kevin exultantly.
“AIs are shifting their fire to the next Simulin vessel,” reported Commander Malen as she studied the tactical holo display next to her.
The Avenger shook again and Jeremy’s attention was drawn back to the Simulin battlecruiser attacking them. With a deep sigh, he shook his head. “Ariel, destroy that damn thing! I’m tired of being shaken around.”
“Yes, Jeremy,” responded the tall, dark-haired young woman standing just to his left and slightly behind him. She closed her eyes briefly as if in concentration, and all the Avenger’s weapons fired simultaneously.
On the main viewscreen, the Simulin battlecruiser’s energy screen suddenly lit up like the Fourth of July. Particle beams, power beams, and even the Avenger’s defensive laser batteries pummeled the shield in the same six-meter area. Four Devastator Three missiles crashed into the shield in massive explosions and then one small area flickered briefly. That was all Ariel needed as she fired a one hundred-megaton antimatter missile through the small hole that had been created. In a huge flash of light, the Simulin battlecruiser died.
> “Damn,” I wish I could do that,” muttered Lieutenant Preston jealously.
“You can’t control all the ship’s weapon systems simultaneously like Ariel can,” consoled Commander Malen with a grin.
Lieutenant Preston nodded. He knew no one could do the things the Avenger’s protective AI could.
“Simulin battlecruiser is down,” confirmed Kevin, looking over at Ariel and nodding. He knew the AI loved to fight using the Avenger.
“Should I attack the others?” asked Ariel eagerly.
“How are the AIs doing?” asked Jeremy, turning his attention back to the battle between the AIs and the Simulins.
“The new AI warspheres are doing well,” reported Commander Malen. “Four Simulin battlecruisers are down with only one AI ship damaged. It’s pulled back behind the others and has initiated repairs.”
Jeremy nodded. The new AI warspheres had been designed by the AIs, the Altons, and some human engineers. They were the most powerful ships they could conceive. They had to be if they wanted to fight the Simulins for control of the Triangulum Galaxy. “Ensign Striker, pull us back out of range of the battle for now; we’ll let the AIs finish this.”
Jeremy knew the AIs would prefer that as they didn’t want any harm to come to any of the organics they were charged with protecting. A big switch from what had occurred back in the Milky Way Galaxy where the AIs had dedicated themselves to conquering and destroying all organic life.
-
In space, the Simulin High Commander frowned as he listened to the reports coming in. The High Commander only vaguely resembled a human. He was slightly taller and his skin was opalescent. Blood vessels, as well as some of the internal organs were visible.
“It’s the AIs and the organics from the Fitula Nebula,” the Second Commander reported in a cold voice with very little emotion. He was referring to the nebula that had become strangely impenetrable to ships with hyperspace drives.
“Those spheres are not like the ones in our records,” pointed out the High Commander as he watched another one of his battlecruisers being torn apart by massive particle beam fire. “They have built a new and highly capable warship that is a threat to us. We shall withdraw and report this new development. A plan must be made to eliminate this danger. There can be no other races but Simulin.”
“None but Simulin,” repeated the Second Commander. “I will give the order to jump into hyperspace.”
The High Commander didn’t reply as he expected the Second Commander to carry out his orders. It was the Simulin way. Orders were not questioned but followed to ensure the greatest efficiency, particularly in combat. The High Commander felt some concern as he felt his ship begin to accelerate and turn away from the battle followed by the other three surviving battlecruisers. It was disconcerting that another organic race could build vessels of such strength as to be able to destroy Simulin ships. It might be necessary to refer this matter clear up to the Simulin Grand Council. The only problem was the council was in the home galaxy, and it would take a considerable amount of time to contact them. It would require passage through no less than six of the Great Spheres.
-
“Simulins have jumped into hyperspace,” Kevin reported with satisfaction in his voice. “The new AI ships did their job.” This was a big admission for Kevin as he still felt some misgivings about the AIs being part of the Federation, at least here in the Triangulum Galaxy. However, over the last several years those feeling of mistrust had lessened.
“The AI in command is reporting only minor damage to three vessels,” reported Ariel, looking over at Jeremy. “It has given the order to initiate repairs and says all three ships are still mission capable. Repairs should be completed in two point four hours.”
“Very well,” said Jeremy, turning his attention back to the ship’s main viewscreens.
In one screen a very large and bright blue giant star was visible. They had returned to NGC 604, a region containing over two hundred blue giants and 1,500 light-years across. The area was also filled with ionized hydrogen clouds called H-II regions. The nebula was alive with the birth of new stars and abounded with radiation. What was also significant was that around each of the blue giant stars were ten Simulin energy collecting stations. The stations drew power from the energy being radiated from the blue giants and transmitted it via hyperspace to one of four giant energy collection stations at the nebula’s core. At the core was an area of dark matter and inside of it was a Dyson Sphere. The Dyson Sphere enclosed a star and had been built by an ancient race called the Originators.
“Move us toward the nearest energy collection station,” ordered Jeremy, leaning back in his command chair. He felt more relaxed knowing he now had a weapon he could use against the Simulins. The AI warspheres had worked out far better than he had hoped. “Ariel, inform the AIs to proceed to their targets and eliminate them.”
“Message sent,” responded Ariel. She was dressed in a dark blue fleet uniform with no insignia.
Glancing at the nearest tactical holo display, Jeremy could see the AI task group split apart and head toward their designated targets. One of the AI ships fell in line with the Avenger. Jeremy strongly suspected this would be the AI commander for the warspheres. Over the years, the AIs had become overly protective of Jeremy, as he was the fleet admiral for all Federation forces including the AIs. They also credited him with their continued survival.
“Permission to initiate a short hyperjump?” requested Ensign Striker.
“Permission granted,” replied Jeremy. “Ariel, inform the AI ships they have the okay to jump into close proximity to their targets to expedite their destruction.”
“Message sent,” replied Ariel promptly. She was in continuous contact with the AI warspheres and was responsible for passing on all of Jeremy’s orders.
“Jumping,” called out Ensign Striker as a blue-white vortex formed in front of the Avenger.
Jeremy felt the ship accelerate forward and enter the center of the swirling spatial anomaly. He felt a slight wrenching sensation as if his body was being turned inside out and then it was over, only to reoccur almost immediately a second time as they exited hyperspace. The short trip in hyperspace had only lasted a few brief seconds.
Almost instantly, the screens cleared and the tactical displays began updating. This was a big improvement from the past where it might take upwards to thirty seconds for all of a ship’s systems to begin functioning properly after a hyperspace jump. The Avenger’s systems had undergone several upgrades by Alton technicians to achieve this.
“Ten thousand kilometers from target,” reported Kevin as he checked his sensor data. “The AI warsphere has exited hyperspace two thousand kilometers away.”
“We’re close enough,” said Jeremy, as he gazed at the energy collection station on one of the large screens. The station was globular in form and covered with large energy collection dishes. “Lieutenant Preston, launch a Devastator Three subspace missile and let’s erase that station from our sensors.”
“Yes, sir,” answered Preston, as he quickly activated the ship’s targeting sensors and fed the data to the missile. Then, reaching forward, he pressed down firmly on a glowing red button. “Missile away.”
Jeremy watched the viewscreen as a brilliant flash suddenly appeared. When the light faded away, the twenty-kilometer station was nothing more than a mangled wreck.
“That one won’t collect any more energy for the Simulins,” commented Kevin.
“AIs have destroyed their targets as well,” reported Ariel. “The AI commander is waiting for orders.”
Jeremy nodded. “Let’s form the fleet back up and then we’ll proceed to our next target.” He wondered how many more Simulin fleets they would have to face. It had been his hope that most of the energy stations would be unguarded.
-
Rear Admiral Kathryn Barnes gazed in deep satisfaction at the massive viewscreen on the front wall of the Command Center of the 2,600-meter long exploration dreadno
ught Distant Horizon. A glowing mass of wreckage was being displayed.
“Energy collection station has been destroyed,” confirmed Clarissa in her clear and youthful voice. “The AI warspheres all report their targets have been eliminated as well.” Clarissa had blond hair, deep blue eyes, and a figure most men on the ship would die for. Unfortunately for them, Clarissa was an AI and her body in the Command Center was a hologram projected by special devices hidden in the walls.
“Contact the AIs and have them form up with the Distant Horizon. Then set course for our next target system,” ordered Kathryn. She let out a deep breath as she thought about the current mission.
It had been two years since the relief fleets had successfully reached Gaia. In those two years much had been accomplished. The new AI shipyards had been built and more AIs had been created to operate the new warspheres. Now they had left the safety of the nebula to attack the Simulins where it would hurt the most.
“Message sent,” confirmed Clarissa. “They should all rendezvous with us in the next ten minutes.”
“How many of these collector stations do we need to destroy?” asked Kathryn, shifting her attention to one of the science consoles near the big viewscreen where Andram was setting.
Andram was an Alton and in many ways served as the ship’s science officer. Andram’s skin was very pale with a slight blue tinge and the hair on top of his head while thick was a solid white. His eyes, nose, and ears were very similar to a humans, but the eyebrows were very thin, almost nonexistent.
“All of them if possible,” responded Andram, turning to look quizzically at Kathryn. “We know the Simulins are using the power from the blue giants to help power the intergalactic vortices on the Dyson Sphere.”
“There are over two hundred blue giant stars in this region,” commented Commander Anne Grissim with a deep frown. “At some point, the Simulins are going to put a fleet in front of us big enough to stop us.”
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