Preserving Perfection: Self-obsessing with body augmentation has left the entire planet of Ramos without children. But to acquire children means interstellar war! (Veiled Destiny Book 2)

by Jason Bourn

  CHAPTER 17 – KINGDOM COME

  Kadar looked at the star map and shook his head for the fourth time that day. It did not look good. Garth’s Kingdom had continued its growth. Starting with the Periphery worlds closest to his Kingdom, Garth had acquired more and more worlds. He had started out with less than twenty worlds relatively close to Torval 2 fifteen years ago, at the time of the “No Win War”. This had grown into a huge Kingdom with over one hundred worlds.

  In the beginning, Garth had taken those Periphery worlds close to his original Kingdom. However, as time went on, he had taken more and more Periphery worlds, further and further from his original domain.

  Then, there was what he had done to the smaller Kingdoms. It was well known, almost lore now, how Garth had called a grand carnival, inviting all the smaller Kingdoms’ leaders. It was made well known that any leader that snubbed the carnival would immediately incur the wrath of Garth and a military response would ensue. Therefore, all the smaller Kingdom’s leaders had attended. It was a two-week event, with no expenses spared. The finest food and spirits were served, with beautiful ladies in attendance to enliven the spirits of all.

  At the end of the event, each of the Kingdoms’ leaders were “encouraged” to enter into a strategic alliance with Garth’s Kingdom. Of the eight Kingdom leaders present, seven signed the alliance, effectively making them subjects of Garth’s Kingdom. It was said that the untimely “accidental” death of the eighth leader occurred prior to the signing by the others, but this could not be independently confirmed since no one wanted to be on record discussing this.

  Nevertheless, Kadar’s Kingdom, and mighty Torval 2 itself, were the only things left, other than a few score of disorganized Periphery worlds, to prevent Garth’s Kingdom from taking over complete control of the entire sector.

  Kadar had not been invited to this carnival. He never would have attended anyway. He always preferred to “negotiate” from a position of strength. He was well prepared for any of Garth’s rough-arm tactics as well, with a fleet of sixty armed cargo ships. He had also spared no expense in hiring spies to inform him ahead of time of Garth’s planned actions.

  And therein lie the problem. The two spies that were the closest to Garth’s inner circle both informed Kadar that there was a major offensive planned. Garth’s forces were intending on coming in via the Periphery, and would attempt to capture the most weakly defended of Kadar’s worlds, leaving Kadar with only the two most populous worlds. They would then cut off these two worlds from everyone else and then slowly squeeze the lifeblood out of them with an embargo and constant raids.

  In an attempt to confirm the offensive, Kadar had sent inquiries of the location of their large armed fleet. No one knew where it was – which in itself was telling. Normally its presence was unmistakable. It was very rare that such a large force remained hidden for long.

  In response to this threat, Kadar had set up multiple outposts along his border with the Periphery, looking for any sign of the fleet. And just this morning the fleet had been spotted, right where his informants had indicated they would be.

  Kadar acted swiftly, knowing that he could totally thwart Garth’s offensive and set him back years, if not more. In fact, if he could set up an ambush, he could totally change the balance of power, propelling Kadar into the lead Kingdom role.

  Relishing this unexpected opportunity, he directed all forty of his ships, save for his own flag ship, to the border region with the Periphery. He had been in consultations with this top general to decide just how to spring the trap and launch the ambush. Garth’s fleet had been spotted near the Periphery world called Morning Star, which was very close to Kadar’s Kingdom world of Pearl. Since Pearl had two medium-sized moons, the agreed-upon plan was to hide the bulk of their fleet on Pearl’s two moons. He felt it was somewhat ironic that he was planning the same type of maneuver that had been successfully used in the No Win War – but this time it would be used to break the back of Kadar’s fiercest competitor.

  Kadar had set up a meeting with Kadar’s ambassador on Pearl, Elise “Ellie” Brand. Ellie was smart and loyal, if not the most creative administrator in Kadar’s employ. When Kadar had requested the meeting, she had jumped at the opportunity to potentially impress Kadar – this could mean a much more powerful and lucrative position in the future if she performed well.

  “Ellie,” Kadar started, “it is good to talk to you. We haven’t really had an opportunity to have a one-on-one discussion since I appointed you to your post. How long has it been?” Kadar knew exactly how long it had been, but he always thought it best to have a bit of small talk to lighten the mood before migrating to more weighty topics.

  Ellie responded quickly, “Oh sir, it has been more than three years, coming up on four years sir.”

  Kadar continued, “And I trust that all is well with you and your family?”

  “Oh, yes sir. Most well. Thank you, sir.”

  Kadar, while insisting that all his subjects addressed him as “sir”, quickly lost patience when it was so overused – so he got right to the point. “What can you tell me about the sightings of the armed enemy fleet that has been spotted near Morning Star – is it now headed to Pearl?”

  “Oh, yes sir,” Ellie responded. “They are perhaps half-way to Pearl at this moment. We have independent sightings from observation platforms on Pearl and both of our moons.”

  Kadar responded, “Excellent. Have you been able to make out how many there are?”

  “Oh, yes sir. There are at least sixty ships.”

  Kadar then asked the most important question, “And are they all armed?”

  “Yes sir. They all have the tell-tale arms pods. They are still far away, but the pods are very distinctive. With AI enhancements on telemetry taken over many days, it is obvious that the arms pods are on each ship.”

  Kadar immediately felt the tension leave his body. He had been afraid of a trap and he had not sent his battle fleet beyond where they could not safely return to his home worlds. But with this additional knowledge he was able to make a decision. “I am going to order our fleet to come to Pearl’s two moons, using Pearl’s sun as cover. They will fly single file in order to not be seen by Garth’s fleet. When Pearl’s moons are in line directly behind Pearl’s sun, they will set down on the two moons. Garth’s ships are not expecting any kind of resistance, so we should be able to use the element of surprise to destroy about half of their ships. This will reduce the size of their fleet to less than ours, and then we will be able to win in any future battle, whether they choose to fight right then or whether we chase them back to Garth’s Kingdom, picking them off one by one along the way.”

  Ellie said, “That is a fantastic plan. You are truly wise sir”.

  Kadar closed the connection with Ellie, smiling to himself. He sent the orders to his fleet to make all haste in getting to Pearl, being sure to keep Pearl’s sun between their ships and Garth’s fleet. This was looking up to be a great day.

  – – –

  Kadar had been waiting for the engagement to begin. They needed Garth’s ships to move into an orbit around Pearl in order to launch the ambush with his own ships. They would be in a perfect position with the fleet between the two moons, and therefore between the ships awaiting in attack posture. However, Garth’s ships had paused at the far reaches of the solar system.

  Why send an attack fleet to Pearl, if not to attack? They had stubbornly stayed at the periphery of the solar system for better than a week. It made no sense.

  Kadar set up another meeting with Ellie. The ambassador was more than happy to accommodate.

  “Ellie, what is the status there? Why have the ships stopped at the outer fringes of your system?”

  Ellie responded, “Sir, I have no idea. They were heading directly towards Pearl, then they stopped.”

  Kadar did not like surprises. He liked when everything went according to the plans he had meticulously put in place. He considered a moment then said, “Send a message
to the fleet, asking their intentions.”

  Kadar waited with growing impatience. After waiting more than ten minutes, Kadar asked, even more impatiently, “What was their response?”

  “Well sir,” Ellie responded, “that’s just it. They didn’t respond. Not one word. I’m guessing that this is not a good sign.”

  Kadar knew something was wrong. There was no question that the entire situation was not good.

  “I would like you to take an unarmed cargo ship out to meet Garth’s fleet. They obviously know that we know their fleet is out there. It is not unreasonable that we send someone out there to investigate. Do not, under any circumstances, divulge anything about our fleet or our defenses at all. Simply observe and report any information that you find, anything at all.”

  Ellie’s eyes widened apprehensively. “Is it a good idea to take an unarmed cargo ship to investigate an armed enemy fleet sir? Wouldn’t an armed ship be a wiser move?”

  Kadar’s irritation level had been increasing and now he couldn’t stop himself, “If we send an armed ship, that will give away our entire ambush strategy. You will not question my orders. If it ever happens again, I will find someone else for the ambassador post.”

  Visibly shaken, Ellie cowed down in deference. I am so sorry sir. I did not mean to question your orders, I was only trying to provide additional information so you can make a wise decision, as you always do. I will do as you request immediately sir. It is my duty to inform you that it will take slightly more than one day to reach the enemy fleet.”

  Kadar, not in any mood to make Ellie feel better, simply said, “I expect periodic reports as you approach their fleet. That is all.”

  – – –

  After less than twelve hours had elapsed after Kadar’s meeting with Ellie, he received the first status report from Ellie.

  “Sir, the ships are still holding their position and are not responding to my hails. Do you have any other orders sir?”

  Kadar thought about it for several long seconds, waiting until Ellie followed up with: “Sir?”

  Kadar was thinking furiously, but he couldn’t place what was making him so nervous. Finally, he said, I’d like you to look at the ships with full magnification and describe what you see.”

  “Yes sir,” she responded. “There appear to be sixty ships total. The lead ship is a standard cargo ship, with the full armament upgrade. Nothing abnormal there, other than the weapons upgrade itself. The next ship back is also a standard cargo ship, but...” She trailed off while Kadar waited, getting more and more impatient.

  Finally, Ellie continued, “Sir, it appears that the armament upgrade is somewhat non-standard on the second ship. It has a laser pod, but what appears to be a non-standard laser attached to it. Also, the projectile weapon is non-standard as well. Just a minute while I look at some other ships.” Ellie was silent for several minutes while Kadar anxiously waited. “Ellie’s voice was somewhat shaky as she resumed, “All the other ships, other than the lead ship, have non-standard weapons pods. If I were to hazard a guess, I would say that they were decoys and not Garth’s armed ships at all.”

  Kadar felt a sinking feeling is his stomach. If Garth’s fleet wasn’t there, near Pearl, on the edge of the Periphery, then where was it?

  Kadar had felt safe on his two most powerful home worlds, but now, with all but one armed ship far away in a remote star system, he felt terribly exposed. He immediately recalled all forty of his armed ships, not caring if they gave away their locations, since all thoughts of a successful ambush had been replaced by the dread of the opposite – an ambush of his home worlds.

  Kadar unceremoniously cut the connection with Ellie and demanded his flagship perform an immediate scan of the nearby space, and specifically the closest space to Kadar’s Kingdom in Garth’s territory.

  Captain Scott Ballard, a personal friend of Kadar’s, responded. “Yes sir. I will get on that immediately.” Within one minute, Captain Scott responded. There has been a record amount of trade between the Rising Star and Garth’s home planet, with a corresponding record number of ships traveling between the planets. Right now, there are well over sixty cargo ships in the vicinity of Rising Star.” He paused, then continued, “Sir, did something just happen? I see the entire group of sixty cargo ships leaving the vicinity of Rising Star and heading directly here.”

  Kadar responded, “I have recalled our fleet, however if what I suspect is happening, then they will arrive far too late. I suspect that their armed fleet is actually at Rising Star, not at Pearl, and we have been playing the part of the fool.”

  Captain Scott responded, “What are your orders, sir?”

  Kadar said, “I don’t know. Right now, I honestly don’t know.”

  – – –

  There was nothing that Kadar could do.

  The fleet of Garth’s sixty armed cargo ships circled Kadar’s two home worlds, with only his single flag ship to stop them. He really had no choice. He had sent a message to Torval 2 asking for reinforcements, but knowing in his heart that there was no way they could help. Nadia had been very nice about it, not pressing the point that his forty ships should have been able to provide the necessary protection.

  Garth himself was with the admiral of the fleet on the lead ship. Garth requested a private meeting to talk “man-to-man”. Kadar was escorted to the lead ship and was presented in front of Garth.

  “Kadar, old friend. We have undertaken many ventures together. Alas, now it is time to form a new relationship. I would be honored to have you as a leader in my Kingdom. I would be willing to provide you with a good life and you would never want for anything. I just need to have you swear allegiance to me and to be one of my loyal followers.

  “If you cannot do that, I understand. I know it will be hard, but I will not force you. It is your decision.”

  Kadar knew that if he did not pledge his allegiance to Garth, that he would be killed immediately. He had known that it would come to this the moment that he had realized that he had made the monumental mistake of trying to gain too much of an advantage over Garth. He had let himself see what he wanted to see with his attempt at an ambush and had made a grasp for glory – but he had failed. Now it was the time to pay.

  He said, “I will accept your terms, sir,” he managed not to choke on the last word. “I swear my allegiance to you from this point onward.” Kadar knew that this was the only thing possible for him at this point. He knew there could be a possible way to outmaneuver Garth in the future, but not now.

  Garth smiled. “Excellent, I am glad you were able to see it my way. Now, I need you to do me one small favor.” Still smiling, Garth looked Kadar in the eye and said, “Please send a message to your armed ship fleet requesting that they turn over possession of the ships to my fleet. There is one armed ship in that fleet, which I am sure that you are now aware of, but soon I will have forty-one armed ships in that fleet. You see, I came prepared and have crews on my unarmed ships ready to take over your armed ships, if such an opportunity arose. And now it appears that this opportunity is just about to become a reality, with your help.”

  Kadar gritted his teeth as he sent the message, then had to follow it up with several authentication messages and then a personal appeal saying his life was in danger, before they agreed to give up the fleet.

  Garth now had a Cheshire-cat smile on his face, knowing that he had achieved a total and complete victory. “Kadar, I have appointed you an administrator that will help you with your day-to-day activities. I’m sure that you won’t have any issue with this.”

  With that, Garth requested the new administrator to enter the meeting room. Kadar looked over at her and blinked. She was absolutely gorgeous. If Kadar could have picked the perfect-looking woman, this would be what she would look like. Thin, but not skinny. Tall, but not overbearing. With curves in all the right places – but not overly buxom. All those things were as close to his idea of a perfect woman as any he had ever met. But what really drew his attention was
her smile. That smile was warm and caring, reaching her eyes and her entire face.

  Instantly Kadar smiled back.

  “Hello.” Her smile turned somewhat impish. “I know these are not the best of circumstances for you, but I have studied both you and your Kingdom extensively and I really admire the creative way you have built your Kingdom. That is why I have been selected as your administrator. By the way, my name is Heather Dalton.”

  Kadar looked at Garth, then back to Heather. He knew that the administrator’s job was to ensure that Kadar remained steadfastly loyal to Garth, looking over Kadar’s shoulder in everything that he did. However, he thought, he could find himself liking this oversight. He knew her job was also to communicate to Kadar the myriad of changes that were to take place, including the new high tax rate structure and the assigning of most of Kadar’s assets over to Garth. Kadar was resigned to these changes, so he might as well make the most of things. He knew that his life would change, but at this point he felt fortunate to keep whatever he could. And he felt that Heather was as good an administrator as he could hope for.

  As Heather started asking Kadar about the details of running his old Kingdom, Garth could only smile to himself. He had worked hard to try to find the right person to administrate Kadar’s old Kingdom. This plan had been put in motion for more than a year. The amazing thing was that Heather really did like what Kadar had done and Garth felt that there was a very good chance that Heather and Kadar would form a very good team in the future, indeed.

  CHAPTER 18 – JUMP SPEED

  Nadia was feeling almost giddy. She hadn’t felt so good in a long time. It had been almost twenty years that they had been working towards this point. But this was it. Their first test of the new quantum jump capability on an actual space craft.

  They had conducted smaller trials, to be sure, and they had transported other objects and even animals successfully. No one wanted to wait though. They had to get it installed on a ship and try it with humans. After all, if it wouldn’t work for this purpose, there was no way they were ever going to rescue their children.