“How many colonists do we have now?” The colonists were necessary to help operate the fleets being built in the Dyson spheres. The council had agreed to nearly unlimited immigration to this single Dyson sphere from the Human, Alton, and Carethian worlds.
“Over one hundred and twenty million,” replied Councilor Barnes, “with more arriving every day.”
“How many Originators are now awake?”
“It looks as if we’re going to end up with nearly eighty-two to eighty -four million.”
Jeremy looked at Councilor Barnes in surprise. “That many!”
Barnes nodded. “Yes, some of the stasis facilities were much larger than we expected. Also some of the losses in the larger facilities were minimal due to the redundant systems the facilities possessed.”
A sad look crossed Jeremy’s face. “I wish Councilor Bartol had lived long enough to see this. It was his dream for his race to come back and become a major force in the universe again.”
“They will be,” promised Barnes. “All of the research centers here at the Communications and Transport Hub are fully staffed by Originators, Altons, and a few Human scientists. Nearly 90 percent of the Originators we’ve awoken have elected to remain in the four Dyson spheres we have here. Nearly every Dyson sphere now has some Originators as well as Alliance military forces inside them. We’re also well on our way to completing the extra weapons being built on the outer skin of the Dyson spheres. We’ve added a tremendous number of dark matter energy cannons as well as ion beams.”
Admiral Jackson stood up and walked over to the window to stand next to Jeremy. “I don’t think I’ll ever grow tired of this view. I find it amazing every day to think this is where we live now.”
Jeremy nodded in agreement. “I know. I feel the same way on the Avenger or the New Horizon. Our living quarters on both ships are such you would never realize you were on a spacecraft.”
“When are you heading back out?” asked Governor Barnes. “It’s been enjoyable having Kathryn around for the last few weeks but I know she’s itching to go back out exploring.”
“In a few more days.” replied Jeremy. “As you know for the last few years we’ve been exploring all of the galaxies under Originator control trying to form alliances with the more advanced races. We’ve actually had considerable success thanks to the help of the Altons. Nearly every galaxy is now forming its own defense force to be used against the Eternals if they ever attack us again.”
“Exactly how are these alliances being formed?” asked Admiral Jackson. “How much Originator technology are they being given?”
Jeremy stepped back away from the window. “We’re picking out five or six of the most advanced races in each galaxy and offering them limited access to Originator technology and weapons. In return they are responsible for contacting more races in their galaxies to be part of their alliance. We have placed a few military AIs with those advanced races to keep an eye on things. We also have military bases in those galaxies and some of our battlecruisers pay periodic visits to the primary worlds to ensure nothing is being done which can be construed as dangerous. In each galaxy there are at least two dreadnoughts with Altons on board who are assisting the more advanced races to ensure a smooth transition to using Originator technology.”
“Sounds reasonable,” replied Jackson. “At least if we get into a shooting war with the Eternals in our space we’ll have some help. I also feel better knowing the Altons are involved.”
Jeremy turned back toward Councilor Barnes. “What did the council decide to do with Councilor Zorn and his group?”
A deep frown crossed Barnes’ face. “They’re going to stay in stasis. A special facility deep underground in a secret location has been constructed and their stasis chambers placed inside. It’s monitored continuously to ensure no one approaches or attempts to enter the facility. It’s also under heavy guard. We have set up a security department of Humans, Altons, and Originators who are also looking for other members of Zorn’s organization. We’ve found a few but there are still a considerable number of them out there.”
Jeremy knew the members of Zorn’s organization were still a threat. “We need to find them. There’s a lot of mischief they can cause if they gain access to the right systems.”
“We’ll find them,” promised Admiral Jackson.
“Jeremy?” asked Councilor Barnes. “Are you ever going to return back home?”
Jeremy knew Barnes was referring to the Human Federation of Worlds. “I doubt it. It’s a two-week trip there and a two-week trip back. I don’t see how I can be gone that long with everything we’re trying to do.”
“So Admiral Tolsen is right. He said Fleet Admiral Streth foresaw in one of his visions you would never return.”
Grinning, Jeremy looked over at Councilor Barnes. “We wouldn’t want to prove the fleet admiral wrong, would we?”
Jeremy had no intention of returning to the Human Federation of Worlds. It was no longer his home. His home was now with Kelsey and the kids on the New Horizon. He could think of no reason to change that.
Chapter Two
Admiral Race Tolsen breathed out a sigh of relief as the WarHawk and her fleet dropped out of hyperspace far out in the void between galaxies. There was a single star located here with a system of three planets and a small asteroid belt. Also in the system was their base, a forty-kilometer metal sphere next to an Accelerator Ring. Several battlecruisers and dreadnoughts were on patrol near the ring.
Rear Admiral Cowel’s fleet is here as well,” commented Zamdol. “I have spoken to Malene, the military AI on the Trident and she is reporting they lost nearly 10 percent of their fleet in their last battle before being forced to withdraw.”
“We needed Rear Admiral Cowel’s fleet with us in Galaxy X-2374. With her ships we would have outnumbered the Eternal fleet and could have won.” Race was becoming aggravated after suffering half a dozen defeats in a row. “We’re failing in our attempts to stop the Eternals. If we continue like this we’re going to lose the war. If we want to take and hold these galaxies we need to commit more ships to the battles.”
Zamdol turned to face Admiral Tolsen. The tall AI was quite impressive in his dark red military uniform. “Even so, the Eternals would have just sent a larger fleet to drive us out. The victory would have been a short-lived one.”
Race turned to look at the ship’s large viewscreen showing the massive battlestation they were approaching. It was heavily armed and could nearly take on an entire Eternal battlefleet on its own. Once on board they would use the station’s special hyperspace communicator to send the report of their battle against the Eternals to the Communications and Transport Hub. The crews would be given some time off for rest and relaxation before going out on the next mission.
“Things have changed,” reported Zamdol. He had been communicating with the military AI in charge of the battlestation. “Fleet Admiral Strong is recommending a change in tactics. For the time being we and Rear Admiral Cowel’s fleet are to launch harassing raids in nearby galaxies the Eternals are in the process of conquering. We are to avoid major fleet battles and concentrate on destroying smaller formations of Eternal ships.”
Race nodded. “It’s a better strategy than the one we have now. It will hold down ship losses and still allow us to destroy Eternal vessels while slowing their conquering of some of the galaxies they are targeting.”
“Vessels they can easily replace,” pointed out Zamdol. “I have the impression this strategy is only part of a much larger one Fleet Admiral Strong is developing.”
“I hope so,” replied Race. “We need to find a way to stop the Eternals or some day they’ll control the entire universe.”
“That might be difficult,” replied Zamdol. “The universe is quite large and contains billions of galaxies. Not even the Eternals will be able to conquer all of it. The distances are just too vast.”
“Perhaps not,” responded Race. “But they could still end up controlling a major part
of it if we’re not successful in stopping them.”
-
Far away in galaxy X-7294, the heavy dreadnought Dominator was engaged against a large Eternal fleet. The battle was intense with the flagship in the middle of the most vicious of the fighting.
“Status!” demanded Commander Zafron as the ship shook from multiple antimatter strikes to its powerful energy screen. Zafron was the only Originator who was actually in command of a fleet.
“The Eternals have recognized us as the primary threat,” replied Kazak. “I am firing our blue energy spheres to thin out the ranks of the ships attempting to englobe us.” Kazak had a neural implant which allowed him to communicate instantly with all the systems of the ship, including controlling the vessel’s dangerous weapon systems.
On the main viewscreen, blue energy spheres darted toward the nearing Eternal vessels. The spheres struck the energy shields, absorbing the energy before going on to impact the hulls of the ships. After a few minutes the ships began to become opaque as the spheres turned the ship structures into black dust. Ship after ship in the Eternal fleet was suffering from this terrible fate.
“Our other ships are using their dark matter missiles and dark matter energy beams to destroy the rest of the Eternal fleet,” reported Captain Grayson from his sensor console.
On the viewscreen, brilliant flashes of light indicated the detonation of the 400-megaton dark matter missiles. They were the most powerful missile in the Originators’ arsenal.
“We’ve lost seven more dreadnoughts and twelve battlecruisers,” reported Kazak. “The probability of our victory is at 92 percent though we will take substantial fleet losses.”
Commander Zafron watched the viewscreen closely as a nearby Originator battlecruiser was under heavy attack. An antimatter beam penetrated its energy screen, blasting out a jagged hole in its hull causing debris to drift away from the ship. Inside the ripped open section fires ragged briefly before the vacuum of space put them out.
Commander Zafron could imagine the AI crew inside the stricken ship rushing to contain the damage. AIs were not afraid of dying though they preferred to live long and productive lives. “Can we give that cruiser some relief?”
Kazak shook his head. “The Eternal vessels attacking that battlecruiser are just out of our range.” Even as Kazak spoke half a dozen heavy energy beams slammed into the cruiser, opening more of its hull to space. Then, in a massive explosion, the ship blew apart sending flaming debris everywhere.
Commander Zafron frowned. He hated the Eternals with a passion only another Originator could fully understand. The Eternals stood for everything the Originators opposed. The Originators before the plague had hoped to be able to be a guiding light for civilizations across the universe. Instead the plague had come and the Eternals had broken free of their restraints and set out conquering galaxy after galaxy, forcing them to submit to their rule.
“I want every Eternal vessel destroyed,” ordered Commander Zafron in a cold and determined voice. “Activate the hyperspace interdiction field.”
The field had been modified such that it should prevent the Eternals from escaping into hyperspace. The field, if it worked properly, would prevent the Eternals from activating their hyperspace drives.
“Field activated,” confirmed Kazak. “They won’t be escaping.”
-
In space, the battle continued to intensify. Originator dreadnoughts and battlecruisers closed with the slightly larger Eternal fleet. Gravitonic cannons, dark matter energy cannons, antimatter cannons, and dark matter missiles hammered the Eternal fleet. Massive explosions indicated the death of dozens of warships as their shields were smashed, leaving ship hulls open to attack. Ship hulls were ripped apart from the energy beams and dark matter detonations turned the ships into miniature novas. Drifting ship debris was everywhere and ships were now having to dodge to keep from running into it.
In the Originator fleet ships were dying as well. Powerful Eternal energy beams were penetrating fluctuating shields, tearing open compartment after compartment and exposing them to the harsh vacuum of space. Antimatter missiles were blowing ships apart in huge explosions of released energy.
The difference in the battle was the Dominator and its unrelenting blue energy spheres which there was no defense against. Time and time again the deadly blue spheres would attach themselves to energy screens, siphoning off the energy and then attach themselves to the hull. A few minutes afterward all that would be left was a drifting region of harmless black dust.
-
The Eternals realized they were losing the battle and the admiral in charge ordered the fleet to escape into hyperspace. Much to his chagrin, the hyperdrives refused to function.
“There is a hyperspace interdiction field in operation,” reported the Eternal sensor operator on the flagship. “It is preventing us from entering hyperspace.”
The admiral in charge of the fleet went over to the sensor console, peering at it. “Where is the field coming from?”
“From the large vessel which has been firing the blue spheres at our ships.”
The admiral turned to examine the tactical display. “All ships are to concentrate their fire on that ship. If we can destroy it we should be able to make the transition into hyperspace.”
“Message sent,” replied the communications officer.
-
The Dominator shook violently as over sixteen 100-megaton antimatter missiles detonated against its energy screen.
“Screen is holding at 72 percent,” reported Major Donaldson.
“Concentrate our fire on the Eternal ships nearest us,” ordered Commander Zafron. “They’re the ones attempting to knock down our energy shield.”
Kazak turned toward the commander. “Too many Eternal ships are shifting their fire toward us.” Even as he spoke, the ship vibrated intensely and several red lights appeared on the damage control console. “We just lost two energy turrets but the hull is still intact. Our armor is holding.”
Zafron nodded. The hull of the Dominator was constructed of the most powerful substance known. It should be able to even handle a direct strike by an antimatter missile. However, Zafron did not want to find out if that was true. “Order the rest of our ships to close our formation. Concentrate their weapons fire on the ships closest to the Dominator.”
The ship was shaking constantly now from the heavy weapons fire. Zafron knew even the Dominator’s powerful triplex screen could survive this type of bombardment for only a limited amount of time.
“Energy screen is down to 63 percent,” warned Major Donaldson.
Zafron nodded and continued to watch the viewscreen and the firestorm which raged around the Dominator.
-
The Eternal admiral watched in anger as the ship that was the object of his fleet continued to resist the heavy weapons fire being poured into it. The vessel’s energy screen was awash in energy. Huge flashes of light indicated the explosions of more antimatter missiles. Energy beams probed at the screen, seeking a weakness. “Move more of our ships closer to that vessel. I want it hit with hundreds of antimatter missiles. Surely that will bring down its shield.”
“The other Originator ships are closing with their flagship. We’re suffering heavy ship losses,” reported the sensor officer.
On the viewscreen, the ships were now so close that there was a real danger of collisions. Flaming debris was everywhere and space itself seemed to be on fire.
From the ship in the center of that fire blue energy spheres were being launched in rapid succession. Eternal ships were being turned into black space dust everywhere the admiral looked.
“Even if we destroy that ship we have lost so many vessels the remaining Originator vessels will be able to destroy what remains of our fleet.”
The Eternal admiral drew in a deep breath. “Then we will take as many of them as we can with us. We are the Eternals and someday we will rule the universe. Order our battlecruisers to ram that vessel. Even its powerfu
l energy shield will fail if a four kilometer ship strikes it.” The admiral was satisfied that while he may have lost this battle, his fleet would succeed in taking out this deadly warship of the Originators.
-
In space, ten Eternal battlecruisers turned toward the Dominator and accelerated at full speed toward the vessel. There was no way it would be able to move out of the way. The deadly ship that had been a nemesis to the Eternals for these last few years was about to meet its end.
-
“We have ten Eternal battlecruisers heading directly toward us,” warned Captain Grayson. “I believe they’re going to attempt to ram us!”
“Kazak, focus all of our weapons on those ships!” ordered Commander Zafron, standing up and gazing at a viewscreen. “Kia, try to get us out of the way of those incoming ships.” Zafron wasn’t sure if the powerful armor of the Dominator could survive something with the mass of a battlecruiser striking it.
-
Blue energy spheres launched and struck all ten of the incoming vessels. However, it took a few seconds for the spheres to absorb the energy from the screens and then to attach themselves to the hulls of the ships. Dark matter energy beams and dark matter missiles struck eight of the incoming ships, blowing them apart. The other two were already turning into space dust when their remains slammed into the energy shield of the Dominator. The shield flared up brightly and then collapsed.
-
“It’s going to hit us!” screamed Caption Grayson as he gripped his console preparing for impact.
Pieces of wreckage struck the hull of the ship, jarring the vessel. Then several Eternal antimatter missiles exploded next to the Dominator, opening up several compartments to space. Several secondary explosions ripped open more sections of the hull.
The Originator Wars: Explorations: A Lost Fleet Novel Page 2