Stars & Empire: 10 Galactic Tales

by Jay Allan

  The room was silent as they thought over this ghastly revelation. It reminded each and every one of them about the deadly collar they all wore around their necks. It was a grim reminder of what awaited them if they ever disobeyed the Kleese.

  Later, after the captain left, Sergeant Stern stood and walked over to Lieutenant Nelson. “What do you think, Sir? Is this all going to be worth it?”

  Wade let out a deep breath. He saw that nearly everyone was waiting to hear what he was going to say. “As the captain said, by attacking the Jaltons the way we did we may have saved millions of lives. From now on we will do everything we can to achieve our objectives as swiftly as possible. If we appear as frightening and as deadly as we can to the enemy and make them realize we can’t be defeated, perhaps we can hold their casualties down even further.”

  “We become so frightening that they are afraid to fight us,” Private Dawson spoke as he thought the idea over.

  “I can live with that,” Private Hays spoke as her right hand went up to touch the thin metal collar around her neck. “If it means fewer casualties for the people we’re fighting I will do anything.”

  “That means more intensive training,” Wade added as his eyes swept over all of the marines in the barracks. “We learn to use the battle suits until they feel like they are a part of us. We become the fiercest fighting force the Kleese have ever seen.”

  Everyone nodded in acceptance; they all knew they had no other choice. What Wade didn’t tell them was that someday he hoped to turn that fighting force against the Kleese and take his people back to Earth.

  -o0o—

  Marken was meeting with his small group of conspirators, discussing the recent deployment of the Humans.

  “It was astonishing to see how they fought,” Marken said as he looked at the others. “Once they came under fire they tore right through the defending military forces and annihilated all of their objectives in record time.”

  “I have seen some of the videos of their attack,” Kalarn added with a nod. “Almost every group resorted to using explosive rounds to annihilate their opposition and clear a path to their selected targets. It was almost gruesome to watch as they wiped out their opposition.”

  “Only one group refused to fight, and the Kleese eliminated them as soon as their ship went into orbit,” Taalon commented.

  “Why did that group refuse to fight?” asked Larnell, looking at the others. “Were they afraid?”

  “No,” replied Marken, shaking his head in denial. “I think they were refusing to kill other humanoids. From talking to various Humans, I know they greatly resent being used this way by the Kleese.”

  “Our own race feels much the same way,” commented Kalarn, nodding his head in understanding. “However, after what the Kleese did detonating the collars I doubt if the Humans will have that problem again.”

  “It will only make the Humans hate the Kleese even more,” added Taalon, knowing how he would feel if he were in their situation.

  “How are we coming with our plans to escape and take the Humans with us?” asked Marken, looking over at Taalon. Being a computer specialist, they were depending on him to carry out the careful sabotage of the station’s computer systems.

  “The virus is ready, as well as the false information we will be feeding into the mainframe,” Taalon replied. “All traces of the location of the Human’s home system will be eliminated.”

  “There will be pursuit,” Kalarn informed them with concern in his eyes. “They will follow us with every assault ship they can muster in an attempt to destroy us.”

  “Those assault ships will have to be destroyed if we want to keep the location of the Human’s home system a secret,” Marken spoke in a grave voice.

  “We have a method of temporarily jamming hyperspace transmissions,” Kalarn responded. “The same method will also disrupt all the assault ship’s star drives as well. The only problem is that it will also disable the drives on our own ships.”

  “I may be able to use the station’s computers to lock down all of the flight bays except the ones we’ll be using,” Taalon commented slowly. “It will take some effort, but I think I can prevent them from using the other assault ships against us.”

  “Work on that and let me know if it can be done,” Marken said.

  “It would make things less complicated,” Kalarn spoke.

  “What about the new weapon?” Marken asked, his eyes focusing on Larnell. He knew the new weapon they had been working on in secret was essential to their long-range plans.

  “It’s ready, but we can’t build it,” Larnell responded his eyes focusing on Marken. “All the research has been hidden, and the Kleese have no clue as to what we’ve developed.”

  “Will it destroy a Kleese ship?” Marken pressed.

  If they didn’t have an effective weapon against the Kleese, they would all die when the Kleese eventually found them. Marken knew that, at some point, the Kleese would eventually find them. While they wouldn’t have a clear idea of where the Human home system was, they would have a general idea of the area of space in which it was located. The Kiveans just needed enough time to build and install the new weapon on their ships.

  “The particle beam weapon will cut right through their shields as well as their ship’s armor,” Larnell informed them, letting out a deep breath. “It’s a great development by our scientists and one the Kleese have no knowledge of.”

  Marken nodded; in recent years, the Kleese had come to depend more and more on their subject races to perform research for them. They had allowed Marken’s people complete access to the heart of the main computer system on the station. Over the years, a secret team of research scientists had used the Kleese’s own treasure trove of scientific information against them.

  “If we can escape with the Humans and give them this weapon to use against the Kleese, what do you think will happen?” Kalarn asked nervously. He still didn’t fully trust the Humans. They frightened him, knowing what they were capable of.

  “The Kleese destroyed their home world,” responded Marken, folding his long arms across his chest. “You have already seen how their soldiers fight. In time, I believe the Humans will attack the Kleese Empire and perhaps the Kleese themselves.”

  “We will be unleashing a very deadly force against the Kleese,” Larnell admitted as he thought about the ramifications. “I just wonder how all of this will end?”

  “It will start a galactic war,” warned Kalarn. “In time, it could involve all three of the galactic powers.”

  “Perhaps,” Marken responded, his eyes sweeping over his fellow conspirators. “It is a risk we have to take.”

  “The Kleese will have brought it upon themselves,” added Taalon, unsympathetically. “They will get what they deserve.”

  “We still have months of careful preparation ahead of us yet,” continued Marken in a cautious voice. “We must be careful that the Kleese don’t learn of what we’re planning.”

  “They will not know,” replied Kalarn, confidently. “They do not believe that any race can be a threat to them and their Empire. They and the other two galactic powers have been at the top for far too long and haven’t faced a well-armed adversary in many lifetimes. They have become too trusting and dependent upon their subject races and will never suspect a possible rebellion because it has never happened before. All their subject races have always been afraid of the power wielded by the large Kleese ships.”

  Marken nodded in agreement. If they were successful, all of that was about to change. The Kivean race was about to throw a major portion of the known galaxy into war. Marken just hoped he was right about the Humans in that they would take the war to the Kleese. To the best of his knowledge, it had been generations since an actual Kleese had been killed in combat. He also knew that the Humans would show no mercy to any member of the Kleese race, particularly after they discovered what the Kleese had done to their world.

  CHAPTER 11

  Wade let out a long,
deep breath as he lay down on his bunk. They had just returned from their fourth combat mission in the past month. For the first time since they had begun, they had suffered a casualty. Private Richards had stepped on a land mine that had blown his battle suit apart. Wade didn’t know how powerful the explosive charge had been, but it had left a hole a good ten meters across and five meters deep in the ground where Richards had been standing. There had been very little left of the private or the battle suit to recover. Another six of his marines were in the infirmary suffering from various injuries, none severe.

  There was a knock at his door and Wade forced himself to sit up and then stand. Going over to the door and opening it, he found Lieutenant Williams standing there.

  “Come in,” spoke Wade, gesturing for Beth to enter.

  Beth came in and sat down in a chair against the wall. “This last one was rough,” she said, closing her eyes and then reopening them. “I just finished talking to Captain Jenkins, and he said that there were twelve casualties overall from all the units involved. All were similar in that the marine or soldier stepped on one of those God damn land mines!”

  “They weren’t supposed to have them,” Wade said in a tired voice as he sat back down on his bunk. “At least their deaths were quick. I doubt if they even knew what happened.”

  “We may be going back,” Beth said in a quieter voice. “Captain Jenkins said the planet still hasn’t surrendered, even after what we did to their capital. The planet is rich in natural resources, so the Kleese are hesitant about bombing them into submission.”

  “I’m not surprised,” responded Wade, his eyes focusing on Beth. “This planet isn’t quite as advanced as Earth. A trading vessel from another system stumbled upon it and then made a report to the Kleese when it came to the station. They have a highly developed industrial complex due to their resources. I’m sure the Kleese feel those resources could be put to better use.”

  “The Kleese believe everything is theirs to take,” grumbled Beth with contempt in her voice. “What makes them think they’re better than all the other races?”

  “They’ve been out here longer and have a higher technological level,” answered Wade, wishing things were different. “They and the other two galactic powers have grown so large that no one can stand in their way.”

  Beth nodded. She hated the predicament they were in. To be used to expand the Kleese Empire was aggravating to say the least. Even worse was not knowing what was going on back home on Earth. What had happened after the Kleese left? Had conscripts from other races equipped with battle suits been sent in to conquer the planet? So far, the Kiveans had been silent when asked about Earth, even though Beth thought from the strange looks that occasionally appeared on Marken’s face that he knew the answer.

  It had been four months since they had made their first attack on the Jalton home planet. On an average, they had been sent out twice per month for some type of operation the Kleese wanted. Anywhere from a show of force to encourage a planet to fall in line to downright fighting on a planet’s surface.

  “Marken said we will be training in some new type of battle suits tomorrow,” Beth added with a tired yawn. She covered her mouth with her hand and forced a smile. “I’d better be getting back to my own quarters; I think we all could use a good night’s sleep.”

  “I think you’re right,” Wade said, nodding his head in agreement. The quarters in the assault ships were not very comfortable and he hadn’t slept much in the past week.

  He watched as Beth let herself out and then lay back down on his bunk. In just a few minutes, he was sound asleep and dreaming about the family home back in Phoenix where his parents and his younger brother lived.

  -o0o-

  Are you sure this is wise?” Larnell asked as Marken finished explaining what he wanted to do.

  “The Type Three battle suits are the most powerful the Kleese have developed,” answered Marken. “The sooner we begin training the better off we’re going to be.”

  “But will the Kleese allow it?” asked Taalon, sounding doubtful. “Very seldom have the Kleese ever let anyone use one of those suits.”

  “The current situation with the Bresth can be used to our advantage,” Marken replied craftily. “I have already mentioned to one of the Kleese that the use of the Type Three suits might be exactly what is needed to bring this race into the Empire.”

  “What was the response?” Larnell asked, his eyes growing wide with interest. It was always difficult to broach any type of subject with the Kleese.

  “The Kleese have indicated that they will consider it,” replied Marken, nodding his head in satisfaction. “I am sure they will agree to it as they truly want the natural resources and the industrial capacity this planet possesses.”

  Kalarn looked over at Marken and spoke. “If the Kleese agree, then we need to begin training the Humans immediately. We have made much progress in our preparations to escape. If the Humans have access to the Type Three battle suits it could make everything that much easier.”

  “If the Kleese allow the Humans to use the suits against the Bresth, will they allow the Humans to keep them afterward?” Larnell asked, looking at the others. “They may insist on the suits being returned immediately.”

  “I firmly believe that once the Kleese give the Humans the suits and see them in action that they will allow them to keep them,” Marken responded in a voice of confidence. “The Kleese can’t imagine anyone being a threat to them. It will never occur to them that it’s a mistake to allow the Humans to keep the battle suits.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Taalon said with a sigh. “We have much riding on this, and we can’t afford a slip up.”

  “What about the passenger liners and transport ships?” asked Marken, looking over at Kalarn. “Are we going to have enough to evacuate all of our people when the time comes?”

  “I have made the arrangements,” Kalarn responded. “A number of races have ships that will be suitable for our purpose. When the time comes, enough will be here to transport all of our people to safety.”

  Marken nodded; the Kleese did allow unrestricted travel between established star systems of their Empire. There was even a lucrative tourist trade amongst some worlds. There were thousands of ships that traveled the space lanes daily, all of which had to check in at one of the massive trade stations on a regular basis. The Kleese, while they did allow travel and some trade, were very strict about what items one planet could trade with another.

  -o0o—

  Later, Marken was in his quarters with Harnett talking about the Humans. “They are so much like us,” Harnett said as she took a seat next to him. “While I believe our race is more technically advanced and perhaps more scientifically minded, they are the more caring and aggressive.”

  “Don’t underestimate their intelligence,” Marken cautioned as he took his life mate’s hand. “Their scientists and technicians are making rapid strides in understanding the technology we have turned over for them to study. We may do things in a more rational and methodical way, but the Human’s approach also seems to work.”

  “I didn’t mean to make it sound as if they’re not as smart as we are,” replied Harnett, embarrassed. “I just meant that we are an older race and they seem to have more vitality. I have studied the sports played upon their planet. Where our people prefer games that involve the mind, the Humans prefer sports that are more physical and can cause actual physical injury.”

  Marken nodded, understanding what Harnett was trying to say. “That’s what will make them so dangerous to the Kleese,” he commented. “Armed with our technology and their aggressiveness they will quickly become a force to be reckoned with.”

  “That’s assuming a large enough number of them still exists in their home system,” Harnett reminded Marken with a concerned look. “We don’t know how many have managed to survive.”

  “We will know soon,” Marken responded in a quiet voice. “Two or three more months and we will be ready to mak
e our escape attempt with the Humans.”

  “When are you going to tell the Humans what you’re planning?” Harnett asked with concern in her voice. “They deserve to know.”

  She had always felt uncomfortable about keeping the fate of the Human home world from them. If they were to play an important role in the Kivean’s future plans, then at some point in time their leaders would have to be brought in and told what was going on.

  “Not until the last minute,” Marken replied with a deep sigh.

  He felt guilty about not sharing with the Humans what his people were planning. However, he couldn’t afford to take the risk of the Kleese finding out. One wrong word spoken where one of the other humanoid races could overhear could ruin everything. There were several other races on the station that would go straight to the Kleese if they suspected the Kiveans or the Humans were up to something. At some point in time, they would have to tell the Humans, and Marken knew that day was not too far off.

  -o0o-

  Two days later, Wade was standing on the training grounds looking in astonishment at the new battle suits lined up in front of them. The suits were nearly a solid black with small blue lights at key junctures. Strapped to the left arm was an energy weapon that looked more like a small cannon. The armor was thicker and the overall suit looked more massive. Wade wondered if they would be harder to handle.

  “This is a Type Three battle suit,” Marken announced once he saw that he had everyone’s attention. “As you can see, it comes equipped with an energy weapon as one of its main forms of armament. On the back of the suit are two tubes capable of launching explosives at any target within two kilometers. Each tube contains twenty explosive rounds. The rounds have ten times the explosive power of the ones used in your rifles.”

  “So no more rifles?” Private Dawson asked as he examined the nearest suit more closely. He guessed the new suits must weigh a third more than the old ones.

  “Yes, you will still have your rifles,” replied Marken, looking over at Dawson. He recognized Dawson as being one of those who was not afraid to ask a question. “They also have been modified. The rate of fire in the new rifles is double that of the old ones, and the explosive charges are twice as powerful.”