by Saxon Andrew
The Supreme Commander’s second-in-command stood and spoke up first, “We are dispatching five-thousand warships here immediately.”
The High Cleric’s expression didn’t change as he ordered, “Kill him.” A guard raised a blaster and shot the Second in the chest. The expanding vapor cloud was sucked out of the room by the ventilation system and the High Cleric stared at the other military leaders in silence.
The Supreme Fleet Commander didn’t feel sorry for his second; he was always trying to steal the High Cleric’s attention. Today was just not a good day to get it. He thought a moment and asked, “High Cleric, may I assume the defense of the conquered planets is no longer a priority?”
The High Cleric’s smile was pure evil, “Is there any planet more important than this one?”
“No, High Cleric,” he answered. The High Cleric remained silent and the Fleet Leader knew he had no choice. “I am ordering half of our warships here immediately, High Cleric.” The High Cleric’s eyes narrowed slightly, and the Fleet Leader quickly added, “I’m also ordering all of the new warships that have entered the fleets here immediately. Two of our newest warships were able to detect that attacker and I’ll be surrounding the Holy Planet with them. Nothing will be able to get close without being detected.”
The High Cleric stared at his highest-ranking officer and lowered his eyes, “Go on.”
“There will be more than twenty-thousand warships surrounding the planet in four overlapping layers. The newest warships will be evenly spaced around the outer band scanning for anything approaching the planet. Instead of waiting to launch our Berserkers, they will be layered in with the four bands leaving no space for an attacker to penetrate through our ranks.”
“And if they fire missiles from outside these bands?” the High Cleric asked.
“They’ll be destroyed long before they could arrive by our overlapping crossfire.”
“You realize that attack was intended to kill me, don’t you?”
“No, High Cleric. We rushed here immediately, and I’ve not seen the recordings of the attack.”
“They attacked the city where my personal ship was located. Logic dictates they should have attacked the Holy City, but they didn’t. They found my location and attacked there. They realize how important I am to carry out the Creator’s Mission and targeted me. If any attack succeeds, none of you will be alive to see another. Carry out your plan!”
The High Cleric jumped to his feet and stormed out of the Chamber. The Supreme Fleet Leader turned to his subordinates, “Order half of the warships defending the conquered planets to leave immediately and come here.”
“But Commander…”
“YOU WILL DO IT NOW OR I’LL SHOOT YOU MYSELF!!” The Commander forced himself to calm down, before he continued, “We’ll have to decide how to distribute the remaining forces,” he said in a softer tone. “Some of the most recently conquered planets will have to be abandoned but we’ll deal with that when we return. Order every warship around the newest conquered planets here until twenty-thousand are sent. Fleet Commander Hasshem, you will remain here and get the forces organized.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Sir, that means a hundred-planets will not be defended.”
The Supreme Fleet Commander turned to his son, “Are those hundred planets more important than this one, Jorele?”
“No, Sir. They are not.”
“Then get moving and get the orders issued. I want to know the exact number of planets that won’t be defended!” The Supreme Commander knew they were being observed and he hoped his last conversation would save his life. Jorele was born on one of the planets being deserted and his family would be left behind. He ordered a shuttle to go and take them to the first conquered planet as soon as he arrived back on his ship.
• • •
The High Cleric smiled, “This Commander appeared to understand the gravity of the situation. He was glad he didn’t have him killed like he initially planned. He’d have to explain to his sister why he killed her son…or…it might be better just to remove her as well. She had too many connections in the high clergy that would allow her to work behind the scenes. That also meant killing the Second Cleric; he wouldn’t like his wife being killed. He lifted his communicator and began issuing orders.
• • •
The Third Cleric suddenly found himself one step away from being the High Cleric after the Second Cleric died in a vehicle accident. He had survived the Inquisitor’s interrogation and he didn’t know if this new promotion was a good thing. He wished Borgt was still there to help him know what to do. He felt lost in what would happen if the High Cleric was eliminated.
• • •
Drum sat on the Assassin’s Spear and listened to the reports coming in from his scouts. He demanded them to make sure of what they were seeing and then he opened a channel to Admiral Talent. “Sir, it appears the Brotherhood is withdrawing every warship from their most recently conquered planets.”
Tal’s expression showed his shock, “How many planets?”
“I’m not sure yet, Sir. We don’t have scouts at all of them, but we’ll check them out as quickly as possible. We’ve seen fifty-three have been abandoned by the fleets above them.”
Tal activated the fleet’s general frequency, “All ships will hold off launching until I order otherwise. Acknowledge your orders!”
“Order Acknowledged, Sir. I’m recalling three of my attack fleets that just launched,” Jee replied.
“Sir, we’re turning around and moving back to the Freighters,” Indie quickly responded.
Rachael appeared and asked, “What’s going on? I’ve recalled my fleets.”
“Plan for a meeting in the Brazil’s conference room in ten hours. I’ll tell you then.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“What’s going on?” Ka asked.
“It appears Jab and Ryshana put a scare into the Brotherhood leadership. They’re abandoning the defense of the newest planets they conquered.”
“Have you heard from Jab?”
“No, Ka. He’s on his way back from the other side of the central black hole. I suspect he was delayed for some reason.”
“I hope he and Ryshana are alright.”
Tal nodded and turned back to his console, “Captain Gowie, I want an update as quickly as possible.”
“I’m bringing in more scouts, Sir. Give me about four hours.”
Tal nodded and sat back in his chair. He pulled up a message on his monitor that the scouts had intercepted a week earlier and connected with Rachael again, “Rachael, when you come to the meeting, bring Commodore Higginson with you.”
“Yes, Sir. May I ask why?”
“I need to send him on a special mission. I’ll discuss it with you at the meeting.”
Tal ended the contact and Ka’s eyes narrowed. Tal nodded for her to look at his monitor. She walked around and read what was on it. “That’s not good.”
“No, it isn’t,” Tal replied. “We need to change their plans and Dan is just the one to make it happen.”
Ka turned to him, “I hope you’re not sending him to do this alone.”
“We’ll see.”
Tal stood up and suddenly heard his console ping. He looked at it and saw Jab on the monitor, “You’ve had us worried, Jab.”
“We were being pursued by two advanced Brotherhood warships and thousands of Berserkers. We flew directly away from the black hole at maximum speed before we changed course to come back.”
“It appears your mission was quite successful,” Tal said with a smile.
“What’s happening?”
“The Brotherhood is withdrawing all the warships defending the newest planets they’ve conquered.”
Ryshana appeared on the monitor, “The High Cleric could care less about any planet but his own. I suspect whoever made the decision to do that understands that they can’t defend them all if they withdraw a high percentage of their forces. They’ll just sacrifice the
planets with the smallest populations.”
“That appears to be exactly what they’re doing, Ryshana.”
“So, when do we go and take them out, Sir?” Ryshana replied with a huge smile.
“Just hold on to that thought. How long before you arrive?”
Jab looked at his console, “We should be there in about seven hours, Sir.”
“I’m holding a meeting on the Brazil in ten. Get your ship serviced and provisioned. I’ll see you at the meeting.”
“On our way,” Jab replied before he disappeared from the monitor.
• • •
“Captain Robinson, you have the ship.” Tal turned to Ka, “Let’s take a shuttle to the Brazil. We need to develop a new strategy.” Ka nodded, and they left the bridge.
• • •
The conference room was silent as Tal entered with Ka. The attendees jumped to attention and Tal ordered, “AT EASE. PLEASE SIT DOWN.” The senior admirals had brought their commodores with them and Tal looked out at the gathering, “I’m going to turn the floor over to Senior Captain Jab Montoya. I sent him on a special mission and he’s going to play the recording of what took place on the Brotherhood’s home world. Captain Montoya.”
Jab stood up and explained the purpose of the mission and their decision not to kill the Brotherhood’s High Cleric. Then he showed the recording of the giant city going up in a nuclear explosion. Jab turned to the other officers and explained, “We decided that the response to our attack would be greater if we allowed the High Cleric to survive. Ryshana and I met him on numerous occasions when we were scouting the Brotherhood’s home world and knew that he cared nothing about anyone but himself. I assume that our decision has borne fruit.”
“Thank you, Captain,” Tal said as he stood up. “I’ve received scouting reports from Captain Gowie and it appears that ninety-three of the newest Brotherhood planets have been stripped of the warships defending them.” Tal paused and saw the shocked expression of the attendees. “I don’t know how long this situation will continue but it seems the Brotherhood military leaders recognize that there is no possible way for them to spread their forces out and defend all of their conquests. We need to exploit this situation now.”
“We should be attacking them now, Sir!” Rachael interjected.
Tal turned to her, “No, there’s a better way.” The room was silent and Tal continued, “One of our scouts intercepted a communication from one of the alien civilizations a week ago and they intend to launch an attack on the first planet conquered by the Brotherhood. They’re assembling six hundred warships to make the attack and its bells to whistles they probably won’t survive the attack. We need to send someone to inform them of this new situation and get them to change their plans.”
Tal saw Rachel’s expression turn angry as Dan spoke up, “The first planet attacked belonged to the Crayen Civilization, Sir.”
Tal turned to him, “Yes, it is, Commodore.”
“I’m the one that should go and communicate with them.”
“What makes you think you’re the one to do this?!” Rachael demanded.
Dan turned to her but Tal spoke up, “It was Commodore Higginson that originally deciphered their language and he’s had the most contact with the Crayen than anyone in the fleet. He has the most experience with them and his ship’s computer has the best language program on the Crayen.” Tal turned to Dan, “I need you to go to them and open a dialogue.”
“You will not be sending him alone!” Rachael said forcefully.
Dan turned to her, “I have to go alone.”
“WHY!?”
“Because if I go with my attack fleet, they will not believe me and will see us as Brotherhood light. They respect bravery and it’s time we started talking with them.” Rachael was shaking her head and Dan shrugged, “I’m sorry, Sir. But I’m the one to do this.”
Tal looked at Rachael and nodded, “The scouts have found their ships gathering and Dan needs to leave now. The alien civilizations have stopped attacking the Brotherhood because of their Berserkers and we need them back in the fight. This is a good way to make that happen.”
“Sir, we can handle them,” Rachael replied.
“Admiral, they still have close to thirty thousand warships out here. We need the aliens back in the fight.” Tal turned to Dan, “Contact Captain Gowie and get your coordinates. You need to get moving.”
Dan left the conference room and Jan spoke up, “Why are you doing this?”
“The Brotherhood conquered more than two hundred planets. If we go in and nuke them, we’ll make those planets uninhabitable. The species that lived on those planets deserve the right to remove them. If they’re rendered uninhabitable by them, well…they can’t blame us for it. If they refuse to attack those undefended planets, then we’ll launch and take them out. But they deserve the opportunity.”
“Are we just going to sit back and wait for the aliens to act, Sir?”
“No, Jee, we are not. I’m having all ships in the fleet to move out and be prepared to act if they don’t choose to take action. Your fleet will take the left end of the Brotherhood’s arc of planets and Rachael will take the right side. If the aliens do choose to attack, you will move your fleets close to the planets being defended and hold off the Brotherhood fleets from attacking the aliens. Prepare to launch in four hours. Does anyone have a question?”
“Sir, what happens if the aliens kill Dan?”
“Rachael, we still need them. We’ll try to open a dialogue and convince them that we’re not their enemy.”
“Shouldn’t we have done that before Dan was sent, Sir.”
Tal stared at Rachael and then said deliberately, “There was no way anyone could predict the Brotherhood would abandon those planets. This situation forces us to open talks now. I don’t like sending him into harms way, but his ship is faster than them and I believe he can escape if they turn hostile.”
Rachael blew out a breath and nodded. Ka subvocaled to Tal, “I believe Rachael has feelings for Dan.”
Tal nodded slightly and ordered, “All ships will go to battle stations and be prepared to launch in four hours. Fleet Admirals organize your fleets and assign planets to your ships to be attacked if the aliens choose not to participate. You’re dismissed.”
Jan went to Rachael and said, “He’s going to be ok, Rachael.”
“Are you sure about that, Jan?”
“I know him; he’s my best commander and he won’t allow his crew to be put in danger. If anyone can make it out, Dan can do it.”
Rachel shook her head, “I really hope you’re right. We can’t afford to lose him.”
Tal left the podium and Tee walked up with Lori, “Sir, permission to follow Commodore Higginson with my ships.”
Tal stopped and glared at Tee, “You heard Dan say sending ships would give the wrong impression to the aliens!”
“Yes, Sir. But the aliens will not detect my ships.”
“And just how do you know that?”
“We’ve been working on ambushing Brotherhood fleets and my ships are the best at not being seen. We’ll go in coasting with our systems on standby. We’ll stay outside their detection range and only go in if he’s attacked.”
Tal glared at Tee and asked, “Have you asked Indie’s approval on doing this?”
“No Sir, I have not.”
“Permission denied, Commodore.” Tee’s eyes narrowed and Tal added, “Indie is going to need you to defend his fleet against the Brotherhood warships if the aliens don’t agree to go in. His fleet is more important than one ship. I hate it, but we will attack if he fails to convince them. Your attack fleet is needed to hold off the Brotherhood fleets if we are forced to launch an attack on those undefended planets.” Tal turned and walked away.
Lori’s expression showed her anger, “I bet he’d allow us to go if it were him or Jee sent to negotiate with the aliens.”
Tee turned to her, “You really don’t know the Admiral, Lori. If he went he
would not allow anyone else to go and he showed it when he sent Rachael and Jee to look for advanced alien civilizations. He knew he would put Jee in danger and he sent him anyway. He’s right about our being immediately needed if we’re forced to attack those planets. If we were out at the alien gathering, we’d never make it back in time. He’s doing the right thing.”
“Then why did he ask if Indie approved our going?”
“He wanted to send us, Lori. If Indie agreed, he would have allowed us to go. Do you think Indie would have approved sending a quarter of his ships out to defend one ship?” Lori’s eyes narrowed slightly and then she shook her head. “He’s doing the right thing, Lori. Let’s go get our ships organized to hold off the Brotherhood fleets.” Lori nodded and left the conference room with him.
Chapter Ten
Dan looked at the forward monitor and saw the Andromeda Galaxy moving quickly below the Seattle. The ship was moving at its maximum-speed and he looked up, “Lieutenant, time to arrival.”
Manny looked up from his console, “Two-hour’s, Sir.”
“Captain Smith, stop the ship outside the alien’s scanner range.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Dan was listening to the recorded Crayen conversations his computer had stored and heard a common voice in many of them. He wrote a query into the computer and was answered with a communication frequency. He sent it to Manny and ordered, “Set up a communication frequency on the one I just sent you, Lieutenant. Be prepared to use it when we open communications.”
“Yes, Sir.”
• • •
The Order Giver was starting to get angry. He punched his communicator and said loudly, “GET YOUR FORMATIONS IN POSITION! IF YOU CAN’T DO IT, I’LL FIND SOMEONE WHO CAN!!” The OG was furious, it had taken more than a day to get the fleet in attack formation. He couldn’t really blame his commanders, none of them had fought in a fleet this large and they were being extremely careful not to ram the ships around them, but this was infuriating.
Suddenly, a voice came over the ship’s PA system, “Do you have a moment to speak with me?”