The Forgotten Empire: The Battle For Earth: Book three

by Raymond L. Weil

  “We have two more ODPs that will be delivered next week,” reported Major Janine Patterson. “I just spoke to Governor Blake, and he expects at least one, maybe two more PDCs should be finished before the Confederation fleet gets here.”

  “I’ve asked for two hundred more attack interceptors,” said Edwards, “though I don’t know if we’ll get them or not. They’re in high demand all over the system, as we’re running short on warships.”

  On the main viewscreen, a mining ship came to dock with the station. It ran heavy with a load of heavy metal ores.

  “Are we staying onboard the station?” asked Patterson.

  Colonel Edwards shook his head. “That would be suicide. We’ll keep a very small crew in the Command Center, and, when it reaches the point the station won’t survive, they’ll evacuate to the surface. We already have a secondary Command Center built underground near the capital.”

  Major Patterson frowned. “It took us years to build this station. I hate to see us lose it.”

  “I know, but, unless there’s a miracle, I don’t see what we can do to save it.”

  Patterson was quiet as she watched the mining ship on the viewscreen. “I guess we should just hope we live through the attack. I’m afraid a lot of people won’t.”

  Colonel Edwards didn’t reply. He knew that Admiral Reynolds and others were deeply worried about what would happen in the Solar System if the Morag Confederation fleet were truly large. It could set the Earth system back decades.

  -

  In the Pallas Command Center, Admiral Reynolds had just gotten off a conference call with all the governors of the major colonies, as well as the most important leaders on Earth. Everyone was worried about what would happen. Earth militaries were preparing for an actual attack on Earth itself. Weapons systems were pointed toward space, and Army and Marine forces had been deployed across the planet. Mass launchings of attack interceptors were rehearsed nearly every day.

  “Admiral, look at this,” said Colonel Evelyn Bryson, a pained look on her face. “We now know the approximate size of the inbound Confederation fleet. We also know that it’s left Confederation space and is heading toward us.”

  Reynolds took the piece of paper Bryson held and read the message. He let out a deep breath and looked up at her. “Well, we were expecting a major attack. It appears 8,200 Confederation warships are coming toward us, led by the Morag. We have a little over three weeks to finish our preparations.”

  “This will be bad, won’t it?”

  Reynolds nodded. He wouldn’t lie. “It looks like it. It just depends on how good this Morag admiral is who’s leading the combined fleets. The Confederation has attacked us twice and failed. I’m sure this admiral has studied those attacks and has planned accordingly.”

  “How soon will you tell the admirals?”

  “Tomorrow,” replied Reynolds. “I want to see if I can find out any more information first.”

  Reynolds leaned back in his chair and laid the message on his desk. The Confederation was coming for Earth, and Reynolds wasn’t sure if they could stop them.

  Chapter Ten

  Morag Fleet Admiral Horrabe sat in his command chair, examining video footage of the two previous attacks on the Earth star system. No doubt that Earth’s use of computer viruses had played a key role in the system’s survival. This time, however, Horrabe had ensured every ship’s computer system in his fleet was protected by the most powerful firewalls known to the Confederation. In addition, he had some computer specialists whose sole jobs were to ensure the computer systems on all the fleet’s warships stayed safe.

  The Humans of Earth have been fortunate not to have faced the Morag, sent High Commander Corr telepathically.

  Telepathy was the Morags’ greatest secret. No other known race possessed the ability, and the Morag had used telepathy for years to control the Great Council. Even the original war against the Human Empire had been orchestrated by the Morag. The most powerful Morag telepaths could implant suggestions in the minds of other races.

  When the Morag discovered that the Humans were immune to such manipulation, the Morag High Council decided to conquer the Human star systems to prevent them from becoming a future danger. The Great Council of the Confederation had no idea that, for thousands of years, the Morag had secretly controlled the Great Council using telepathy to ensure the council did the bidding of the Morag.

  The use of telepathy had caused the seven races to come together to begin with. It was all part of the Morag’s long-range plan to control the galaxy.

  “Speak aloud,” ordered Horrabe. “We must practice that, as we are in a fleet with the other six races.”

  “As you command,” replied High Commander Corr. “We are still eighteen days from the Earth system. How many probes will we launch?”

  “Over one thousand,” replied Horrabe. “I want to know where every colony, mining site, and ship is in that system. In addition, all the defenses in the system are to be scanned thoroughly. There will be no surprises from these Humans.”

  “How will we attack?”

  “We will divide the fleet and destroy all of their weaker colonies first, in an attempt to draw out their fleet. If they refuse to engage, we will destroy all the targets of interest we can. Everything we destroy only weakens them in the end.”

  “Will we burn their worlds?”

  Horrabe nodded. “Yes, when we leave their system, it will be dead, and no life will exist on any of their worlds. It will also serve as a lesson to the rebellious worlds of the Human Empire, making them realize the danger of disobeying the Confederation.”

  “We have greatly expanded the Confederation in the last one thousand years,” said High Commander Corr. “We have reached the size now where we are by far the dominant power in the galaxy.” The Morag routinely sent out exploratory missions to seek potential future enemies. They were familiar with more of the galaxy than all the other six races combined. Some large powers were found in the more distant sections of the galaxy, and, in time, those would have to be dealt with.

  Horrabe looked at the viewscreen of the defensive grid around Earth. “We must not underestimate these Humans. The Humans of Earth have shown themselves to be cunning and very dangerous. We will not make the same mistake as the other Confederation admirals have.”

  Looking at one of the Command Center’s tactical displays, Horrabe examined the thousands of green icons that represented the warships under his command. This was the largest fleet the Confederation had ever put together, and it was all aimed at destroying just one star system—a star system that had become a threat to the entire Confederation.

  -

  Princess Krista was on the planet Aquilla Three, visiting with Governor Gregory Staley and several of the planet’s military officers. Chancellor Stein was with her, as well as several other members of Golan Four’s military, who served as her advisors.

  “We will begin construction of attack interceptors within the week,” reported Governor Staley. “Our first battlecruisers will be completed within six weeks and the first dreadnought in ten.”

  “That sounds excellent,” replied Krista. She knew it was vitally important that the new Empire begin producing warships as quickly as possible.

  Emira stood nearby, watching and listening. Krista knew, once she was through with this meeting, Emira would take her aside to explain everything she had done wrong and what she had done right.

  At first, Krista had been very resentful of all the criticism, until she realized that Emira was correct. She amazingly knew everything. Sometimes Krista wondered if Emira had gone into cryo sleep at the urging of Krista’s parents, just so Krista would have someone to guide her in the future.

  “We have begun training pilots on Golan Four at a special base being built just for that purpose. I’m sure I can arrange for some instructors to come to Aquilla Three to assist in training pilots here.”

  One of Aquilla’s military officers stepped forward. “We would greatly
appreciate that. I would hate to send inexperienced crews into combat. The casualties would be astronomical.”

  Krista looked at General Abelson. He was in charge of both the ground forces and the space forces in the system. “That is why we’re offering to furnish trainers for the attack interceptors. Every world is in the same situation, with a tremendous lack of inexperience in their militaries with the newest technology.”

  “We expect that to change rapidly,” added Chancellor Stein. “On every world we’re recommending setting up training centers for both our ground forces and our space fleets. For any world that needs it, we can send some aid in what needs to be done and the best way to go about training. We have many personnel from both Earth and the resistance movement that can be useful in this.”

  General Abelson nodded. “We could definitely use some help with training our ground forces. I have all the volunteers I could possibly want, but the people to train them is lacking.”

  “That can be arranged,” replied Stein. He knew Earth was very good at training militaries, particularly ground troops as well as Space Marines.

  “We do not expect any major attacks by the Confederation for some weeks,” added Krista. She did not say the reason was due to the Confederation’s launching of a major attack against Earth. “We are using this time to consolidate what worlds we can and to build up our forces and defenses. There will come a time when we must move out from our region of space and take back the rest of the Human worlds of our Empire. We will be the strongest when all our worlds are once more joined together.”

  “We feel as you do, Princess,” said Governor Staley. “We have been honored by your presence, and our people have been very pleased that you paid our world a visit. It has been a huge morale booster.”

  Krista smiled. “I’ve enjoyed my time here and wish I could stay longer. When I can, I would like to return and see more of your world.”

  The governor beamed. “We would enjoy having you. We have many sights that I believe you would enjoy.”

  “We should be going,” said Krista. “We still have several more core worlds to visit. If we want to win this war, we must be ready for the next attack.”

  “I’ll stay in touch,” said Chancellor Stein to General Abelson. “Make a list of what you need as far as instructors, and I’ll have them here within the week.”

  General Abelson nodded. “That will be a huge benefit to us. I’ll inform my military commanders that arrangements are being made to have the appropriate training officers come to Aquilla to get our forces up to speed.”

  -

  An hour later they were back onboard the dreadnought High Kingdom. Several of the officers’ quarters had been hastily remodeled for Princess Krista and Chancellor Stein. The Imperial Guards and Emira had their own private quarters, as well as two attendants that Emira had insisted on bringing.

  “You did fine, Princess,” said Emira, as they walked to their quarters. “With each meeting you act more and more like a Royal Princess of the Empire.”

  Krista stopped and looked inquiringly at Emira. She had a question she had wanted to ask for weeks. “Did you know my parents?”

  Emira smiled. “Yes, dear. I served as one of your mother’s main attendants for nearly twenty years. I also helped with the High Queen, when necessary.”

  Krista nodded. “So that’s why you know all the protocols and everything.”

  “Yes, they have always been a major part of my life. When it was obvious the Druins would attack us, your mother and the High Queen came to me and asked if I would be willing to go to Sanctuary and to look after the two of you. They were both concerned that, without their presence, no one would be available to assist you with all the protocols of being a Royal. They also knew how important that would be someday, if the Empire were to come back into being. I must say that their hopes have been realized. You and High Princess Layla have done far more than they could have ever hoped for. They would be extremely proud of both of you.”

  Krista wiped the tears from her eyes and, stepping forward, gave a surprised Emira a very long and affectionate hug. “Thank you. I’m sorry if I’ve been such a brat upon occasion.”

  Emira laughed. “That’s all part of growing up, and I would have been disappointed if you hadn’t been a little rebellious.”

  They continued down the corridor, and Krista was soon back in her quarters. She quickly changed clothes into something more comfortable. She now looked upon Emira in a totally different light. Krista wondered if that was why Layla had insisted on Emira accompanying Krista on this tour. When Krista returned to Golan Four, she would thank Layla. For the first time in many years she felt confident in her duty as a Royal Princess of the Empire.

  -

  Admiral Cleemorl was at Xnea Two. A few years back some of its cities had been bombarded by the Druins because the planet had refused to turn over its young people to be taken to the Confederation. The destroyed cities had been rebuilt, and Xnea Two had no love for the Confederation.

  “We would like to join the Empire,” said Governor Arnold. “Unfortunately we’re nearly a day’s travel from Golan Four. If the Confederation comes for us, we can’t call upon others for help.”

  Dylan smiled. “I noticed you have a defensive grid above your planet.”

  “The Resistance Fleet helped to put it up. We’ve just begun to manufacture additional satellites, and we’re several months from putting any missile platforms into orbit.”

  “In orbit with me,” Dylan said, “I have ten very large cargo ships. I’ll put up twenty missile platforms and show your people how to operate them, if you will join the Empire and become a member of the House of Worlds.”

  Governor Arnold leaned back in his chair, considering the offer. “If we join the Empire, we put our world at greater risk from the Confederation. Can you furnish us with four ODPs?”

  Dylan slowly nodded his head. “In about a month that will be possible. I should also inform you that I will be traveling to the Hagen Star Cluster to speak to several of their governors. So help might end up being closer than you think. The worlds in the cluster are only four to six hours distant from you.”

  “I wish you success,” said Governor Arnold. “Having some other worlds close by that will also be a part of the new Empire would be fantastic. You can tell the High Princess that Xnea Two is now part of the Empire.”

  Dylan smiled, as he placed several forms on the governor’s desk for him to sign. The Empire was growing. Dylan just wished he knew what would happen at Earth. All this might be for naught if the Solar System was destroyed.

  -

  Four hours later Admiral Cleemorl was back onboard the Themis. He had ten dreadnoughts and eighty battlecruisers serving as an escort. It was a force that should impress the worlds of the former Empire he planned on visiting and still large enough to take on any Confederation force he might run across.

  “So far, so good,” commented Captain Fulmar, as Admiral Cleemorl stepped inside the Command Center. “We’ve visited seven worlds and six of them have agreed to join the Empire.’

  “That’s true, but we’re rapidly running out of satellites and missile platforms for planetary defense grids. I’ll send a request to the core worlds for additional cargo ships loaded with both to be sent to us. At the same time we might as well let the empty ones return home.”

  Dylan sat in the command chair and looked at the main viewscreen, revealing two of the fleet’s cargo ships, busy emplacing missile platforms. While those were a good deterrent, a fleet was sorely needed as well. In about two or three months, battlecruisers and dreadnoughts should begin emerging from the shipyards in the core worlds, as well as from a few other heavily industrialized worlds in other regions of the growing Empire.

  “Another two hours and all the platforms will be in place,” reported Captain Fulmar. “The cargo ships will leave two missile platform crews to help train the local crews, who will come from Xnea Two.”

  “As soon as they’r
e finished, set a course for Tantula Five. They’re the most heavily populated and industrialized system in the Hagen Star Cluster.”

  “Yes, Admiral,” replied Fulmar. “It will take us five hours to reach the system. Should we tell them that we’re coming?”

  Dylan shook his head. “No, let’s let it be a surprise.”

  Leaning back in his command chair, Dylan wondered what Cheryl was doing back on Golan Four. He knew she was setting up some meetings with Captain Bryan and several other business associates. Cheryl wanted to expand her restaurant and entertainment business across more Human worlds. They were meeting to discuss how best to do that and how to keep everything legal, or at least close to legal. Dylan had also elicited a promise from Cheryl that she would not leave Golan Four for any reason.

  -

  Four hours later the fleet was on its way to Tantula Five. Dylan was in his quarters, getting some rest and reading some of the reports of Confederation activity in other parts of the Empire. The comm unit on his desk sounded, and, setting down his cup of coffee, he answered it. “This is Admiral Cleemorl.”

  “Admiral, we just received a distress call from Tantula Five. A Druin fleet has entered the system and is inbound toward the planet. The planet does have a defensive grid, and a small fleet of resistance ships are in the system as well.”

  Dylan blinked his eyes. He had not expected to encounter any Druins in the Hagen Star Cluster. “Inform Tantula Five that we’re coming, and we’ll be there in approximately three hours. Tell them to stall the Druins, if they can. How big a fleet will we be facing?”

  “Thirty battleships and 128 battlecruisers.”

  “Check to see if any other resistance ships are in the local area.”

  “Yes, Admiral,” replied Captain Fulmar. “We’ll contact Bratol Three and see what they say. They should know the location of all the Resistance Fleets.”

  Dylan closed his eyes in thought. His fleet for inspection purposes—ten dreadnoughts and eighty battlecruisers—would be heavily outnumbered. He wondered if he could use the planet’s defensive grid to help even up the odds. “Find out from Tantula Five how powerful their defensive grid is and if their space stations and shipyard are armed.” Dylan knew three space stations were in orbit and one medium-size shipyard.