Commander Zafron was thrown to the deck of the Command Center as the ship shook violently and alarms began sounding. On the damage control console numerous red lights began to glow. Getting back up Zafron sat down in his command chair.
“Shield is down and we have several large ruptures in our hull,” reported Major Donaldson.
“Damage control teams are en route,” added the damage control officer. “I’ve sealed off the affected areas.”
Commander Zafron stood back up and made his way to his command chair. “Ship status?”
“We have major damage near Engineering,” reported Kazak. “I’m rerouting power systems in an attempt to get the shield back up.”
“What about our weapons?”
“Offline,” reported Kazak. “We have too many power couplings which have been destroyed. I am ordering the gun and missile crews to switch to manual control though there is only limited power to a few of our weapon systems.”
Commander Zafron turned his gaze to the main viewscreen. Hundreds of Originator battlecruisers were attempting to place themselves between the Dominator and the Eternals. Space was lit up as ships were blown apart trying to protect the flagship from more damage.
The ship shook again as several Eternal energy beams managed to get past the defending ships. One of the beams struck inside one of the hull ruptures, setting off a violent explosion.
“Hyperdrive?”
“Still functional,” replied Kia. “We would need to turn off the hyperspace interdiction field. It’s still functioning.”
Commander Zafron took a deep breath. To win this battle now without all the Dominator’s weapons would be too costly. “Turn the field off. All ships are to enter hyperspace and rendezvous back at our base. This battle for now is over.”
“Message sent,” replied Captain Franklyn.
“Hyperspace interdiction field has been turned off,” confirmed Major Donaldson.
“Activating hyperspace drive,” added Kia as her hands flew over her console.
Moments later Commander Zafron felt the Dominator make the shift into the protective environs of hyperspace. He leaned back in his command chair feeling disappointed. He had failed to win the battle when it was within his grasp. He had never expected the Eternals to attempt to ram his ship. It was something he would be watching for in future battles.
-
The Eternal admiral watched as the Originator fleet withdrew. Using an unorthodox strategy he had saved nearly half of his fleet. He would make his report to the Council of Eternals of this battle and his recommendations for future conflicts. Looking at the viewscreens, he saw the wreckage of several thousand warships. One thing he had noticed was the Originator military AIs were becoming much more adept in combat. It was obvious in future engagements Eternal losses would continue to grow.
-
Back at the Communications and Transport Hub, Kelsey was busy in the Command Center of the Super Exploration Dreadnought New Horizon. The ship was five thousand two hundred meters in length and the most powerful ship the Originators had ever built. It was armed with twenty-four dark energy turrets as well as four primary dark energy cannons on her bow. Other weapons covered the hull, adding to the dreadnought’s awesome firepower. In addition, the ship was equipped with the deadly blue energy spheres as well.
“Planning our next mission?” asked Arian Pantol. Arian was an Originator and specialized in galactic phenomena and interstellar studies.
Kelsey blinked her blue eyes and nodded. “Over the last few years we’ve pretty much explored all the galaxies under Originator control. In most of them we’ve made contact with the more advanced races and enlisted them in defending their home galaxies against the Eternals. We’ve reached the point now where the Altons can finish organizing and supervising those races.”
“It’s been an exciting time,” admitted Arian. “I’ve gotten to study many interesting stellar phenomena in some of those galaxies. I’ve written several research papers and have gathered enough data to keep me busy for years.”
Kelsey turned away from her console. “It’s been enjoyable having you and the other Originators on the ship. Is there anywhere you would like the ship to go?”
“Outside,” replied Arian. “Outside of known space. I would like to go far beyond Originator and Eternal space to see if there’s any difference. There are galaxies and other stellar phenomena we can see in our observation instruments which should not exist. I would like to travel there myself and see if I can solve those mysteries.”
“Jeremy has mentioned to me about the possibility of traveling past Eternal space to do some exploring. He’s been meeting with the council and others trying to decide what to do about the war. It’s not progressing as we had hoped.”
A look of deep concern spread across Arian’s face. “The anti-life, or Eternals as they prefer to be called, are still conquering new galaxies. They continue to grow stronger which is a concern. I have spoken to other Originators and for the moment we are at a loss as to what needs to be done.”
“I’m sure Jeremy will think of something,” said Kelsey. She was fully confident Jeremy would solve this problem. “I will mention to him your suggestion about exploring far out past Eternal space.”
Arian nodded. “Thank you, Kelsey. Let me know if there is anything I can assist you with.”
“Not unless you want to babysit,” replied Kelsey, grinning. “The kids are becoming quite a challenge to handle.”
Arian laughed, something the Originators did not do often. “I’m sure Ariel and Clarissa can handle the children.”
At the mention of Ariel’s name, the gorgeous dark haired AI suddenly appeared behind Arian using one of her holographic projections. “The children are doing fine. Clarissa has them all on a training schedule and their education is progressing satisfactorily.”
Kelsey looked critically over at Ariel. “Don’t let Angela hear that. You know how upset she gets when Clair starts spouting hyperspace math formulas.”
“It is good your children are learning at such an early age,” said Arian. “All Originator children are taught much during their formative years. It helps them to decide what field of study to go into when they grow older.”
Kelsey let out a deep sigh. She knew Clarissa was using some Originator teaching techniques on the kids. “I know and I have no problem with it as long as Clarissa doesn’t go overboard with the training. I would like to enjoy the children for as long as possible before they turn into teenagers and then adults.”
“You Humans are far different than my own people,” replied Arian. “You are so full of energy and the desire to see and do new things.” Arian smiled, recalling the far past. “My own people were once like that. I firmly believe the council is doing the right thing bringing more of your people to the Communications and Transport Hub. If we are to eventually win this war against the Eternals your people will play a key if not deciding role.”
Ariel frowned as if concentrating. “Kelsey, Jason wants you. It seems he’s in the process of having an argument with Clair about who gets to play with a particular toy.”
Kelsey shook her head. Jason was continuously challenging Clair’s authority.” Soon after their son was born, they had decided to change his name from Jacob to Jason to honor Jeremy’s father. “I’d better go. Clarissa is not the best at discipline when it comes to the kids.”
Arian watched Kelsey leave the Command Center. With a sigh of contentment, he sat down at his science console and began reviewing some of the data he had collected on their most recent voyage.
-
Jeremy was down in the main Communications Center of the Tower where Angela was. Whenever the New Horizon was docked, she spent much of her time supervising the operation of the massive Communications Center.
“Anything new to report?” he asked. With their current technology they could contact and receive a reply back from any of their fleets in just a few hours.
“Admiral Tolsen has lo
st his battle in Galaxy X-2374,” replied Angela. “He caused substantial losses to the Eternal fleet but was forced to withdraw once he determined he could not win the battle.”
“What about Commander Zafron?” Jeremy knew the Dominator and its fleet had brought the greatest number of victories to the Originators.
Angela shook her head. “You’re not going to like this. His fleet was forced to withdraw from a battle he was winning in Galaxy X-7294 when the Eternals suicided some of their battlecruisers by attempting to ram the Dominator. Two vessels succeeded in striking the ship’s energy shield, causing severe damage to the vessel. He was forced to withdraw to conduct repairs.”
Jeremy frowned. It sounded as if the Dominator was going to need some major repair work. “Contact all of our fleets currently engaged against the Eternals. They are to switch from direct confrontation to harassing actions only until further notice.” He had already sent that message to several of the fleets earlier.
“What about Commander Zafron and Kazak?”
“I’m going to drastically reinforce the size of his fleet. We need to have one force capable of stopping the Eternals. There are fourteen galaxies in the region of space he’s been assigned. We’re sending Rear Admiral Hailey Mann and her fleet to beef up his forces. I’m also going to send another of the forty-kilometer battlestations to him as well. I want his base to be secure from Eternal attack. If we can secure those fourteen galaxies it will give us a major base of operations for future moves against the Eternals.”
“Are we going to reinforce any other fleets?”
Jeremy looked around the busy Communications Center. From here messages were received and sent to all the Dyson spheres as well as Originator bases spread throughout the 614 galaxies under Originator control. “I don’t know. If we enlarge too many of our fleets engaged against the Eternals they’ll most likely do the same.”
Angela looked thoughtful. “If we only enlarge several of our fleets won’t it force the Eternals to enlarge all of theirs? That would force them to commit more ships to the battles and possibly reduce the number of ships they have available to attack other galaxies. It could slow down their advance.”
Jeremy was surprised by Angela’s suggestion. “It’s a possibility. I’ll need to talk to the General Staff about it first. By doing what you suggest could drastically increase our own fleet losses as well.”
“Why can’t we build a few more ships like the Dominator? If Commander Zafron had half a dozen of those ships his fleet would be unstoppable.”
Jeremy was in agreement with Angela. However, the Originators were dead set against equipping more ships with the deadly blue energy spheres for fear the Eternals might capture the technology and use it against the Dyson spheres. “I’m going to speak to the council about that again. I just need to find a method to ensure that technology stays out of the reach of the Eternals.”
Angela nodded. “I’ll get your messages sent out.”
“What’s Brace doing?” Brace was Angela’s husband.
“He’s working on increasing the size of the security detail for the New Horizon. He wants to add at least two more platoons of Marines as well as several hundred of the new combat robots which have just been introduced. I believe he’s talking to General Wesley about that today.”
Jeremy nodded. Brace was in charge of the Marines and other security forces on the ship along with Pack Leader Belal of the Carethians. Belal had forty of the large Bears in his pack who were directly responsible for security of the Special Five and the children.
“When are we going back out again?”
“Not for a while. I still have some meetings with the council as well as the General Staff I need to take care of.”
Angela grinned as she remembered something. “Grayseth and Marille are bringing their cubs over tonight to play with the kids. Are you going to be there? We’re going to have a cookout as well.”
Jeremy laughed. “I wouldn’t miss it.” Grayseth had four cubs about the same age as the children. It was hilarious watching them play together.
-
Later Jeremy was in an air car flying high above the Dyson sphere. The huge sphere stretched out as far as Jeremy could see in every direction. Below him were hundreds of habitation squares, each the size in area of a planet. Some were composed of deep oceans containing every type of fish or deep-sea creature you could imagine. Others were massive jungles hiding dangerous predators and other animals. Several even contained dinosaurs though Jeremy had yet to travel to one of those squares. The Dyson sphere’s AIs were responsible for maintaining all the habitation squares and the animals that lived in them. Jeremy was currently on his way to the main Control Center for the Dyson sphere to speak to General Wesley and several Originators who were responsible for the security of the Dyson sphere and the rest of the massive structures at the Communications and Transport Hub.
Once he was finished he would return home and he and Kelsey along with Jason would head over to Brace and Angela’s for the barbeque. It would be nice to spend some time with his closest friends and not have to worry about the Eternals for a while.
Chapter Three
On the planet Gardell the Council of Eternals was meeting. Gardell was a world of small oceans and large landmasses. It held a population of nearly ten billion Eternals, all dedicated to making their race the supreme rulers of the known universe. There was no regular workweek or day shift. The Eternals worked until their project was done and then after a brief rest started on the next one.
Space traffic around the planet was heavy as numerous warfleets were in orbit or on patrol in the star system. The system of Gardell was the most heavily defended system in Eternal space. The planet itself was surrounded by over fifty massive battlestations. There was also considerable traffic in cargo and supply ships bringing raw materials, food, and finished products to the planet. Also in orbit above the planet were numerous shipyards and research facilities.
-
“What is the current progress of our fleets?” asked First Leader Fehnral, who had taken over the position after Clondax had been killed by the Originators and their Human allies.
Second Leader Abross who was in charge of fleet deployments stood up. “All is going as planned. In the few instances where the Originators have managed to mass enough ships to destroy one of our fleets additional reinforcements have been rushed to those galaxies to ensure they stay under our control. Since the start of this limited war, the Originators have as yet to take control of any galaxy outside of their space.”
“What about our weapons technology? How does it compare to the Originators?”
Second Leader Tallard stood and faced Fehnral. “Our weapons are only slightly inferior to the Originators. They have a tenuous advantage with their dark matter weapons as well as their blue energy spheres. We have increased the strength of our own energy weapons as well as our antimatter missiles. We are still researching dark matter to see if we can duplicate the dark matter weapons technology the Originators and their Human allies are using. As far as the blue energy spheres, we are making no progress in that area of research. We may have to capture one of their ships equipped with that weapon to discover its secrets.”
“So far the Originators have only deployed one ship which we are aware of with that particular weapon,” added Second Leader Abross. “I just received a report indicating that particular ship was heavily damaged in a battle in Galaxy X-7294. We were not able to capture it as it escaped into hyperspace. One worrisome fact is this particular ship activated some type of hyperspace interdiction field which was successful in stopping our ships from engaging their hyperspace drives.”
“I have already put some of our research scientists to work on a counter field to neutralize that weapon in the future,” said Second Leader Tallard.
First Leader Fehnral looked across the large table where the council was seated. “What of these Humans? What do we know of them?”
“From what we have been ab
le to determine from intercepted communications the Humans are allies of the Originators. The Originators are sharing their technology with this race and it is the Humans who are operating most of the dreadnoughts being sent against us. There are two other races involved as well. One is the Altons, who are a very highly developed race and as of yet we don’t know where they come from. There is one more race called the Carethians who are more barbaric.”
First Leader Fehnral took a few moments to consider what he had just heard. “It’s evident all three of these races must come from one of the galaxies the Originators control. They have allowed these races access to Originator technology as a counter move against us. We must find the homeworlds of these three races.”
“How can we?” asked Second Leader Abross. “We can’t send ships into any of the galaxies the Originators control. That was part of the agreement we signed with them. If we do so and our ships are found we risk open warfare in our own galaxies as well as theirs. It would bring our expansion into other galaxies to a complete stop.”
“We don’t send a fleet,” replied First Leader Fehnral. “I suspect whatever galaxy these three races come from they will have control of most if not all of that galaxy. Instead I want to send one or two of our most advanced stealth cruisers to all of the galaxies the Originators control. They are to avoid contact with any space-going race at all costs. They are to search all of those galaxies until the Humans are found. They are the biggest threat. Once we know their homeworld we will determine what action we need to take. If we can remove the Humans from the equation, it may be feasible to renew the war against the Originators and take over their galaxies.”
“It will take a few weeks to organize the ships,” replied Second Leader Abross. “We will need to make sure their systems are fully updated and their stealth systems are working at the optimum levels. Even so, it might take months or even several years to locate the Humans’ homeworld.”
The Originator Wars: Explorations: A Lost Fleet Novel Page 3