“What now?” asked Kevin.
Jeremy turned back toward Communications. “Lieutenant Lantz, contact the other exploration fleets and inform them of what we’ve found. See if they’ve located anything similar.” The Avenger had a hyperspace communicator that could reach to the other two exploration dreadnoughts. Jeremy wanted to know as soon as possible if this was an isolated case or widespread.
While Jeremy waited for a response, he gazed at the viewscreen displaying the wreckage in orbit above the planet. It was obvious at this close range a huge shipyard had once orbited the planet. Even in its mangled shape several large docking bays were visible. “How much ship wreckage are we detecting?”
“Twelve hundred and fourteen ships,” reported Ariel. “However, many of them seem to be cargo and passenger vessels.”
“Any signs of Creevak ships?”
“No,” replied Ariel. “All of the ships are of similar design and appear to come from the same race.”
“I just received a message from the Deep Star,” reported Lieutenant Lantz. “They report finding wrecks in the system they just entered. They are requesting orders.”
Jeremy leaned back in his command chair as he thought it over. “Have them hold back for now until we’ve done some research here. Plan on at least a twenty-four hour delay before they’re given the go ahead to explore the wrecks. Also ask if there was an inhabited planet in the system they’re currently in.”
Lieutenant Lantz sent the message and then waited for a reply. Finally she received one. “They confirm there was an inhabited planet. It’s in a nuclear winter with high levels of radioactivity.”
“Tell them to take detailed scans of everything and I’ll contact them later.”
“Two worlds,” said Kevin, his brow wrinkled in a frown. “If we’ve located two worlds so quickly, the Creevak must have hit this galaxy hard and with deadly force.”
“We need to search some of these wrecks,” said Aaliss, her eyes focusing on Jeremy. “We believe this was done by the Creevak but we need confirmation. We also need to find out what level of technology is on board the destroyed ships.”
A few minutes later the New Horizon and the rest of the fleet’s warships dropped out of hyperspace. Immediately the New Horizon began launching shuttles to begin investigating the wrecks.
“Rear Admiral Barnes is sending AIs, Marines, and some combat robots with each shuttle,” reported Lieutenant Lantz.
Jeremy nodded. It was a good precaution to take. “Keep me informed if there are any problems.” Jeremy was beginning to fear the Creevak menace was far greater than he had believed.
-
For two days the research teams searched the wrecked spaceships in orbit and in other sections of the star system. All ships had suffered major damage and once again, there were no signs of any crewmembers. Computer hard drives were removed and their files transferred over to secure computers on the New Horizon.
“It’s nearly the same as with the Varnons,” Camlin informed everyone in the large conference room. “The Creevak appeared with massive fleets and began attacking the civilized worlds on the fringe of this galaxy. All attempts at communication failed, leaving no choice but to resist. The battles were large and very brutal. Invariably they ended with the defenders being destroyed and their worlds annihilated.”
Kelsey shook her head, visibly shaken by the report. “How can they be like that? They’re killing innocents!”
“The Eternals do the same,” pointed out Nomar. “The only difference is they tend to reduce populations and not eliminate them. But they too kill many innocents.”
“How much of this galaxy did the Creevak invade?” asked Kathryn.
Camlin was slow to reply as she used her neural implant to access more data. “Unknown. This race, which we now know called themselves the Trill, were aware of over a dozen other attacks before their world was destroyed.”
“Both of our other exploration ships have found destroyed worlds,” added Kathryn with concern in her voice. “We need to find out just how far the destruction in this galaxy extends.”
Jeremy was in agreement. “We must travel deeper into this galaxy and get away from the periphery. I can’t believe the Creevak destroyed all the intelligent races in this galaxy.”
Alarms suddenly began sounding and Major Weir’s voice came over the comm. “All stations go to Condition One. We have unidentified ships entering the system. Fleet Admiral Strong and Rear Admiral Barnes, please report to the Command Center.”
Kathryn looked over at Jeremy. “I wonder what’s up?”
Camlin looked unfocused for a moment and then she spoke. “We have a fleet comprising over one thousand ships that has just entered the outer sections of this star system. Long-range scans indicate they are heavily armed.”
“Aaliss, have Ariel take the entire fleet to Condition One and form up in a defensive formation around the New Horizon,” ordered Jeremy. Aaliss had accompanied him to the meeting while Ariel remained behind on the Avenger.
“Everyone to your stations,” ordered Kathryn. “We’ll finish this when this crisis is over.”
Kathryn, Jeremy, and several others hurriedly made their way to the Command Center which was just down the corridor. Going inside they saw a beehive of activity as the ship prepared for possible combat.
“What do we have?” asked Kathryn as she took her place in the Command Chair.
“We just detected them,” replied Captain Reynolds. “They came in fast and our sensors barely had time to detect them before they were dropping out of hyperspace. It’s possible they are using some type of stealth shielding.”
“Have they tried to contact us?” asked Jeremy.
“No, sir,” replied Angela.
Jeremy’s forehead wrinkled as he considered their options. “Start sending first contact packages and see if they respond.”
For several long agonizing minutes communications were silent and then a message starting coming in over Angela’s communication console. “We’re being instructed to hold our current position. Any attempts to leave orbit of the planet will be an indicator of aggression and will be dealt with accordingly. There will be no further communication until their fleet rendezvous with ours.”
“Angela, inform them we will comply. Aaliss, inform Ariel to complete the defensive formation and then have all ships hold position. I’m on my way over to the Avenger.”
“What are your plans, Admiral?” asked Kathryn.
“We’ll see what they want first. We’re in a system destroyed by the Creevak. From the shape of those ships they are not the Creevak but some other star faring race. We need to make peaceful contact and perhaps they can explain what happened here. However, if they attack, we will use all means at our disposal to defend ourselves including the blue energy spheres.”
Kathryn nodded. So far the New Horizon had never resorted to using that unstoppable weapon.
-
Jeremy and Aaliss left the Command Center to go down to the landing bay where a shuttle was waiting. Jeremy wanted to be on the Avenger if this turned into a combat situation. He trusted Rear Admiral Barnes to handle the New Horizon and keep his family safe.
-
Shortly Jeremy and Aaliss were back on the flagship and in the Command Center.
“Status!”
“Alien fleet is still approaching,” reported Kevin. “Sensors indicate we are looking at a fleet composed primarily of battlecruisers around eight hundred meters in length and either battleships or dreadnoughts at twelve hundred meters.”
“What are their power readings?”
“Advanced fusion power plants have been detected.”
Jeremy relaxed a little. All of the ships in the exploration fleet were powered by antimatter. “Let them come in and we’ll see what they want.”
Kevin pressed a few icons on his console and then reported. “At their current speed they will be here in fifty-nine minutes.”
“Take all ships to Condi
tion Two but be prepared to re-initiate Condition One ten minutes before the expected arrival of the fleet.”
Jeremy leaned back in his command chair, gazing at the large tactical display. “Switch to a three dimensional hologram of the approaching fleet. I want to see their fleet formation.”
Instantly off to one side of the tactical display a large hologram of the approaching fleet appeared. The alien fleet was in a large wedge-shaped formation with its most powerful ships in the center.
“Keep the hologram activated,” ordered Jeremy. “I want to see if they change their formation as they get closer.”
-
For nearly an hour Jeremy watched as the alien fleet drew nearer. As it did its formation spread out, forming a larger wedge. He scarcely noticed when Ariel placed the fleet back at Condition One. He was busy studying the alien warships and trying to deduce what weapons they might possess.
“Ariel, can you predict what those ships might be armed with?”
“I’ve done some scans and from the sensor readings those ships are armed with heavy energy weapons and missiles. The missiles will most likely be fusion warheads with a maximum yield of 100-megatons or slightly less.”
“Can their weapons penetrate our triplex energy shields?”
“If they concentrate their fire they could knock down the shields on our battlecruisers, but it wouldn’t be easy.”
“Alien fleet is slowing down and coming to a stop ten thousand kilometers in front of us,” Kevin informed Jeremy.
“Should we try to contact them?” asked Angela.
“No,” replied Jeremy. “Let them initiate communications.”
“Detecting targeting sensors,” reported Kevin worriedly.
“Missile hatches are opening on their ships,” warned Aaliss.
“It could just be precautionary,” responded Jeremy. “Ariel, be prepared to fire all weapons if we’re fired upon.” Jeremy leaned forward in his command chair, sensing the growing tension in the Command Center. No one was certain what these new aliens would do.
-
The two fleets stayed motionless for nearly twenty minutes before Lieutenant Lantz indicated she had an incoming message from the aliens. “They’re demanding to know our intentions and why we’re going on board the wrecks.”
At least they’re not shooting at us, thought Jeremy. “Inform them we are a peaceful exploration fleet seeking knowledge as to what happened in this system. Tell them we know about the Creevak and what they did to the satellite galaxy.”
Lieutenant Lantz spent a few minutes sending the message and then once again it was time to wait for a reply. It wasn’t long in coming.
“They want to know how we know about the Creevak and where we come from.”
“Explain to them we were exploring the satellite galaxy and discovered what the Creevak had done there. We also found the anomaly they came through from another universe.”
Lieutenant Lantz sent the message and it wasn’t long before they got a reply.
“They want to know about this anomaly and if we’re certain the Creevak come from another universe. Their science indicates passage from one universe to another is impossible.”
Jeremy hesitated. It was taking too long to pass information back and forth this way. “Suggest to them we meet on our primary exploration ship where we can explain everything in more detail. Also tell them we’ll guarantee their safety. Send them a data file about the atmospheric conditions on our ships so they will know what precautions to take.”
Lieutenant Lantz sent the message and then waited. “They agree. They will send a delegation to the New Horizon. The delegation will have armed escorts.”
Jeremy nodded; he had expected that. “Tell them that’s fine.” Jeremy turned toward Ariel. “Ariel, you’re in charge of the fleet. Take no offensive action unless they start it first. Aaliss, you’re with me.” Jeremy then stood up and headed out of the Command Center followed by Aaliss. They were going back to the New Horizon.
-
Rear Admiral Barnes, Kelsey, Camlin, Arian, and Andram were in the large conference room waiting for the arrival of their guests. Two of Belal’s Carethians were standing guard duty outside in the corridor near the hatch. Arian had suggested to Rear Admiral Barnes it might be a good idea to show their visitors the ship had a number of different sentient races on board.
The hatch opened and Fleet Admiral Strong and Aaliss came in. They both took their seats and everyone waited expectantly for their guests. A report had already come in from the landing bay that an alien shuttle had arrived and a Marine escort was bringing them to the conference room.
“I wonder what they look like?” said Kelsey, her eyes showing curiosity. “We’re a long way out from our space.”
“There are a multitude of different sentient species,” answered Arian. “Some are very similar to those of us in this room and others are barely recognizable.”
The hatch opened and their guests came in. They were tall, nearly as tall as an Originator. Their heads were nearly triangular with large eyes, a prominent nose, ears, chin, and a mouth. The top of their head was covered with a short growth of hair. The aliens’ skin tone was a light green in color.
“Welcome,” said Jeremy, standing up and indicating for everyone to do the same. They were all wearing Originator language translation devices.
The tallest of the four aliens replied. “We are of the Galactic Union. The Galactic Union consists of all the civilized worlds of this galaxy. We must know what you have learned of the Creevak.” Their language was a little stilted, no doubt caused by the translation devices.
Jeremy gestured for everyone to sit down. Chairs were brought in suitable for their guests.
“We are from a galaxy millions of light years distant. We came here seeking allies in a war against a terrible enemy, one seeking to conquer all the galaxies of this universe. Already they have over ten thousand under their control.” Jeremy then explained what they had found in the satellite galaxy and had Aaliss show some videos of the destroyed worlds as well as the anomaly. “We were not expecting this and are very concerned about what happened in the small galaxy.”
“Yes, we are aware of what the Creevak did in the Makuul galaxy.”
“After seeing all the destruction in the satellite galaxy we came here to see if the Creevak had invaded and caused destruction in this galaxy.”
The aliens began talking amongst themselves and then the one who seemed to be in charge looked over at Jeremy. “We sent several exploratory missions to the Makuul Galaxy to see if it contained the homeworld of the Creevak. We found many destroyed planets but we did not locate this anomaly. Since we defeated them we have been expecting them to return in even greater numbers. The battles against the Creevak here in our galaxy were very costly in ships and beings. Many worlds were lost before they were defeated.”
“They still may return,” admitted Jeremy. “We are in the process of placing a large battlestation in front of the anomaly to prevent their return but it will be many days yet before the battlestation is ready and we can get it here.”
“Where do you come from?” asked the alien.
Jeremy spent the next hour explaining the war against the Eternals in more detail and showing videos of some of the battles. It was obvious the aliens were very impressed by the size of the ships, the numbers involved, as well as the weapons.
“We also have access to antimatter,” said one of the other aliens. “It is used in our more advanced ships. The fleet you see in front of you is a guardian fleet. We use fleets like this to patrol the outer regions of our galaxy nearest Makuul. If we had discovered you to be the Creevak, we would have summoned one of our more advanced fleets.”
“Do you have any captured Creevak ships in your possession?”
“No, unfortunately we do not. When we forced the Creevak out of this galaxy they either destroyed or took all of their damaged ships with them.”
Jeremy looked at the others. At least t
he majority of the races in this galaxy had survived. He was curious about the level of technology of the more advanced races. “Do you have a government or ruling council for this Galactic Union?”
“We do,” answered one of the aliens. “It’s a ruling council elected by representatives of all the worlds in our galaxy. It is led by the more civilized races.”
“Would it be possible for us to send a representative to meet this council?” asked Jeremy. “We have many questions we would like to ask.”
The aliens once more began speaking with one another. Finally the leader turned back to Jeremy. “We will allow one of your ships under escort to go to our capital planet. It is located near the center of our galaxy where several of our older races reside.”
Jeremy frowned. He knew which ship needed to go. It would have to be the New Horizon. It had all the diplomats and the majority of the scientists on board. He just hated sending Kelsey and all the kids on such a mission.
Kelsey must have sensed what Jeremy was thinking. “We’ll go. It’s what I built the New Horizon for and we have a lot of experience dealing with new races. We’ve had first contacts with hundreds of races over the last few years in the Originator-controlled galaxies.”
“We can handle this,” said Rear Admiral Barnes. “I’m sure we’ll all be safe on the New Horizon.”
Jeremy knew it would be important to have allies in this galaxy, particularly if the Creevak came through the anomaly again. The races in this galaxy had defeated the Creevak once and might be able to do so again with some help. They might also be able to help with the Eternals as the galaxy was already unified. “Very well. We’ll send the New Horizon.”
-
They spent another hour speaking to the aliens and making arrangements for the New Horizon to travel to the governmental capital of this galaxy. Jeremy just hoped they were doing the right thing. Kelsey seemed determined to go on this mission. With a deep sigh, he knew she was right. This was what they had built the New Horizon for and the people on board were experienced in dealing with this type of situation. While the New Horizon was gone he would return to the satellite galaxy. He needed to keep track of what was happening with the Eternals and their potential attack on the Human Federation of Worlds. He also needed to keep an eye on the anomaly.
The Originator Wars: Explorations: A Lost Fleet Novel Page 22