Councilor Bartoll looked around at his fellow councilors and then at Jeremy, Rear Admiral Barnes, and Admiral Kalen. “I would like to address my fellow councilors and Governor Barnes in private. I have a few things I would like to say to them before we embark on this mission of peace.”
Jeremy nodded as they all stood up and left the council chambers. They would be leaving the next day for the rendezvous coordinates. Most of the fleets that had been raiding Eternal space and had been seeking the Eternal fleets in Originator space were already there. Jeremy hoped there were no surprises. They were risking much in the hope the Eternals were serious about seeking peace.
-
The next day Jeremy was standing in his home talking to Kelsey; he had already said his goodbyes to Jacob.
“I’ll be back in a few days and hopefully this war with the Eternals will be over, and then we can take your new ship out on her maiden voyage.”
Kelsey grinned. “I showed the ship to Rear Admiral Barnes the day before yesterday. Her eyes were glowing as I walked her around. I believe she’s going to enjoy commanding this ship. It’s so much different than any built before, even the Distant Horizon.”
“The ship still needs a name.”
Kelsey nodded, her eyes twinkling. “I have one. I’ll tell you when you come back.”
Jeremy leaned forward taking Kelsey in his arms. “I love you,” he said softly.
“I love you too,” Kelsey replied.
Jeremy gave her one last hug and then stepped back. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Look at it this way; this may be the last time I leave at the head of a massive fleet.” Jeremy was taking the Communications and Transport Hub’s newly completed Grand Fleet with him. The fleet had ten thousand dreadnaughts and forty thousand of the enhanced battlecruisers. It would put them almost on an even par with what the Eternals were expected to bring.
“Jacob and I will be waiting,” Kelsey said as she walked with Jeremy to the door.
-
As Jeremy left, Kelsey let out a deep breath. “You better come back to me. I don’t know what I would do if you didn’t.”
-
Jeremy was once more on board the Avenger, perhaps for the last time at the head of a massive fleet. Rear Admiral Barnes and her fleet had already departed through the Accelerator Ring.
“Councilor Bartoll says he’s ready,” reported Aaliss. She was in contact with several Originator AIs on board the councilor’s ship. He was on board a dreadnaught that had been equipped with the most powerful shielding possible.
Taking a deep breath, Jeremy glanced over where Commander Malen should be but her station was empty. He couldn’t bring himself to assign a new commanding officer to the Avenger, at least not yet. “Aaliss, activate the Accelerator Ring. It’s time to go see just what the Eternals want from this peace conference.” Jeremy still didn’t trust the Eternals’ motives. He still suspected there was a hidden agenda they were all missing.
-
In space, the one hundred and ten kilometer in diameter ring activated forming a swirling dark blue vortex. The Avenger entered first followed by the rest of the fleet. A few minutes later the ring shut down.
-
On board the Warrior’s Pride, Grayseth watched as his clan brother left the Communications and Transport Hub. Jeremy had placed Grayseth in charge of the fleet of dreadnaughts and enhanced battlecruisers that were staying behind to defend the Hub.
“They go on the hunt,” said Shantor as the Accelerator Ring shut down.
Grayseth nodded. “I fear the Eternals do not want peace only to destroy our warships. Fleet Admiral Strong will not be fooled by their trickery and unhonorable ways. He is our clan brother, and it is not yet time for him to go on the Great Hunt.”
“He will return,” responded Hawthorn. “He is too great of a warrior to fall in battle.”
Grayseth sat down in his command chair. He would wait here until his clan brother returned. It was the way of the hunt and the way it had been for untold generations.
-
It took two days for Jeremy’s Grand Fleet to reach the system set for the peace conference. As they approached, the long-range tactical display lit up with red threat icons.
“Detecting one hundred and fourteen thousand Eternal battlecruisers,” reported Kevin in a subdued voice. “That’s the largest Eternal fleet we’ve ever faced. A few more than what we expected.”
“Only slightly larger than the one we faced at the Lost Originators’ star cluster,” Ariel said. “And we defeated that one.”
“Yes, but look at all the defenses the Lost Originators had around the planet. We have nothing like that here.”
“Admiral Jackson?” asked Jeremy. “Admiral Jackson was his most experienced admiral. He was in command of the waiting fleets until Jeremy arrived.
“Detecting thirty-four thousand Originator vessels in the system,” reported Kevin. “They’re two hundred thousand kilometers from the Eternal fleet.”
Jeremy knew as fast as fleets could move that was a very short distance.
“Ariel, as soon as we drop out of hyperspace I want the fleets formed into a disk formation five ships in depth facing the Eternals.” If this became a battle, he wanted to be ready.
Several minutes passed and then the fleet began dropping out of hyperspace. Jeremy remained silent as Ariel and the other AIs rapidly formed the fleet into its planned formation.
-
First Leader Clondax gazed in surprise at the large fleet the Originators had brought to the peace conference.
“Eighty-four thousand Originator vessels detected,” reported the Eternal at the sensor console. “They are forming up into a disk formation.”
This was far more than expected. “Move us out to the coordinates for the peace conference. It’s time I met a real live Originator and Human.” He had agreed to go aboard one of the Originators’ ships to talk. He would be taking an honor guard of Eternal shock troops as well. If there was a problem, the shock troops could easily overwhelm the crew of the Originator ship and take it over.
-
Admiral Kalen was in the Command Center of the dreadnaught where the peace talks would be held. All three of the dreadnaughts that would meet the Eternals had been stripped of their dark matter missiles as well as dark energy cannons. If there were any treachery on the part of the Eternals, those two weapons would not fall into their hands. On the viewscreens, he saw the Eternal fleet. It was a solid wall of battlecruisers facing the Originator fleet. If this turned into a battle, he had no idea who would win. It also concerned him as his ship was sitting between the two fleets.
-
First Leader Clondax stepped off his shuttle with an escort of ten shock troops. Fifteen more would remain inside. The hatch slid shut as soon as he and his escort reached the foot of the ramp.
He was met by twenty armed Human Marines as well as a Human officer. He had been informed earlier that the Marines would be present.
“I am Admiral Kalen and will be representing the Humans in these negotiations,” explained Kalen, introducing himself to the Eternal.
Clondax looked around noticing the absence of any Originators though there were several of their AIs present. It was as he suspected. There were few Originators, all possibly extremely weak from the pathogen with possibly very short lifespans still remaining. “Where is the Originator I am supposed to meet? I was expecting him to be here.”
“He’s waiting in the main conference room,” replied Admiral Kalen. “Your escorts will not be allowed to enter the conference room. They can stay here or wait outside the room.”
“They will accompany me to the meeting. Two will come inside; the rest will wait outside.”
Admiral Kalen hesitated. This did not surprise him. “Very well, but if you’re having two armed escorts inside we will have two also. If you will follow me.” Kalen turned and began walking toward an open hatch.
Clondax was impressed by the Human. He had shown no fear a
nd had responded to having two shock troops in the conference room by inserting two of his own.
As they made their way through the ship, Clondax could not help but notice how professional the Human Marines were. They reminded him much of his own shock troops. Suddenly his plans of being able to take control of this ship were meeting with doubt. He would have to continue to evaluate the situation as the meeting progressed.
Reaching the corridor where the conference room was Admiral Kalen ordered his Marine escort to come to a stop. He chose two to enter the conference room with him and then opened the door indicating for First Leader Clondax and his two shock troops to enter first.
-
Clondax stepped into the room and stopped in shock. There was an Originator in the room and he appeared perfectly healthy. There were no signs he was suffering from the life extension pathogen. How was this possible?
“I am First Councilor Bartoll of the Originators,” said Bartoll in a calm and measured voice. “I am disappointed to see you feel unsafe in my presence and require armed guards for your protection. I can assure you that no one here will harm you.”
Clondax turned back toward his two shock troops and instructed them to go back outside and wait in the corridor. He noticed the two Human Marines did the same.
“Let us sit down and discuss an end to this frightful war,” suggested Bartoll. “It has cost many lives and is a strain on resources for both of our civilizations.”
“I will remain standing,” replied Clondax in a cold and uncompromising voice. “I have come here to offer our terms to allow all Originators currently on the Shrieels to continue to live. You will turn all of your Shrieels over to us but one. You will have sixty days to move all of your people to the Shrieel of your choice where you will be allowed to live out the rest of your lives in peace. You will also turn the Humans over to us. The Humans will either serve us or they will be exterminated.”
“And if we refuse?” asked Bartoll as he stood up to face Clondax. “We do not fear the Eternals.”
Clondax laughed. It sounded almost inhuman. “We outnumber you by millions to one. How many of you are left, a few thousand?”
“No,” answered Bartoll. “There are actually millions of us still surviving and we have a cure for the pathogen. Enough to continue to fight this war if necessary.”
First Leader Clondax suddenly felt unsure of himself. Could it be true that there were still millions of Originators? Suddenly he knew what had been inside that star cluster where he had last fought the Humans. It must have been a massive stasis facility! No wonder they had fought so hard to protect the planet. However, this did not change anything.
“I have over one hundred thousand warships with me. I can summon several million more if necessary. You already have one Shrieel that is damaged. Do you want more?”
“Your race is still the same as it was when we imprisoned you in your galaxy,” said Bartoll, his face showing his disappointment. “We should have destroyed you then when we had the chance.”
“A fatal mistake,” replied Clondax coldly. “One we wouldn’t have made.”
Councilor Bartoll let out a deep breath as he stood to his full height and gazed unafraid into Clondax’s eyes. “There is no point in continuing this meeting. We will not agree to any of your terms. This war will continue until we force you back once more into your galaxy. This time you will never escape.”
“My fleet will destroy yours!” boasted Clondax. “You will never imprison us again. We are too powerful.”
“Perhaps,” said Admiral Kalen, glaring at the Eternal. “However, we have defeated you before and we will again. If it is war you want, then it is war you will have. We Humans are not afraid of a fight.”
Clondax snarled and turning strode to the hatch, opened it and left.
“Well, that didn’t go well,” said Bartoll suddenly looking much older. “We better inform Fleet Admiral Strong we may be in for a battle.”
“We could still take Clondax into custody,” suggested Admiral Kalen.
“No,” replied Bartoll, shaking his head. “We will honor our agreement and allow him to return to his ship. As soon as his shuttle departs the flight bay pull all three of our dreadnaughts back behind Fleet Admiral Strong’s fleet.”
Admiral Kalen nodded. He then turned and headed toward the Command Center. It looked as if there was indeed going to be a major battle.
-
On board the Avenger, everyone was waiting for word of any progress in the peace talks. The fleet was at Condition Two with everyone looking for any signs of possible Eternal treachery.
“Jeremy,” called out Kevin from his sensor console. “There is another fleet of Originator ships heading toward us.”
Jeremy felt confused. As far as he knew everyone that was supposed to be here was already. “How many?”
“Ten dreadnaughts and one thousand battlecruisers,” replied Kevin. “Strange, the battlecruisers are not of the enhanced version.”
“I have a communication from the inbound fleet,” reported Lieutenant Lantz. “They’re from the Dyson Sphere and were sent by Admiral Cross to escort Councilor Bartoll back there if necessary. In case a battle breaks out, they will ensure he gets away safely.”
Kevin looked over at Jeremy. “Why would Admiral Cross do that? Did he discover something we don’t know about this meeting?”
“I don’t know,” replied Jeremy, trying to figure out what was going on. “Lieutenant Lantz, inform the commander of that fleet to take up a position directly behind ours. Inform him at the moment that Councilor Bartoll does not need an escort. The peace talks are still ongoing.”
Kevin looked back at his sensor console. “At least that’s another thousand ships we will have if this peace conference goes south.”
“Let’s hope that it doesn’t,” replied Jeremy. It would be nice not to have to worry about war for a while.
A minute later Aaliss spoke with deep concern in her voice. “I just received a message from one of the AIs on board Councilor Bartoll’s ship. The peace talks have broken down and the Eternal leader is leaving. These were not peace talks. He delivered an ultimatum which Councilor Bartoll refused to accept. I have a full recording of the meeting if you want to hear it.”
Jeremy’s face froze. This was what he had been afraid of.
“Jeremy!” called out Ariel with apprehension in her voice. “The fleet from the Dyson Sphere has changed course, it’s going to drop out of hyperspace right where the ships attending the peace conference are at.”
“What!” Even as Jeremy switched his gaze to the tactical display, the inbound Originator fleet began dropping out of hyperspace and immediately opened fire on the three Originator dreadnaughts and the three Eternal battlecruisers. Dark matter missiles began exploding against the energy screens of all three ships.
“It’s the Defenders of Zorn,” yelled Aaliss. “Albate is commanding the fleet. They are using dark matter missiles against the ships of the peace conference.”
-
Admiral Kalen had just entered the Command Center when the Intrepid shook violently and warning alarms began sounding.
“Report!” Surely the Eternals were not attacking. First Leader Clondax’s shuttle was still on board.
“We’re being attacked by a fleet of Originator ships that just dropped out of hyperspace right on top of us,” replied Tanod, who was an Originator military AI. “Aaliss is reporting that it is the Defenders of Zorn!”
“Get us back to the fleet!” ordered Admiral Kalen as the ship shook violently once more. The lights dimmed and several consoles exploded sending bright showers of sparks across the room. Glancing at the damage control console, he saw it lighting up with red lights. Seeing the damage, he knew they would not make it back to the fleet.
“Energy screen is at 12 percent and weakening rapidly,” reported Tanod. “It will fail shortly. Our hyperdrive is damaged and our gravity drive is nonfunctional.”
Admiral Kalen looked at
a flickering viewscreen showing the Avenger. He wished he could have talked to Jeremy one last time. In many ways, Jeremy was the son he never had.
-
The Defenders of Zorn focused all of their firepower upon the six ships. In moments screens began to fail. First two of the Eternal vessels were blown apart by dark matter missiles and then one of the Originator dreadnaughts died. The weapons fire increased as hundreds of dark matter warheads detonated. Suddenly the space where the six ships had been looked as if a supernova had erupted. When the brilliance died down all six ships were gone.
Albate grinned. He had succeeded in the first part of his mission. Now for the second. “Advance on the Eternal fleet and open fire,” he ordered. He wanted the Eternals to know beyond a shadow of a doubt there could never be peace between the Originators and the Anti-Life.
-
Jeremy leaned back in his command chair refusing to believe what his eyes were showing him. All six ships at the peace conference site were nothing more than flaming wreckage. Their shields had not been able to withstand the multiple explosions of dark matter missiles from the ten dreadnaughts.
“Councilor Bartoll and Admiral Kalen,” said Kevin, his eyes showing shock. “They’re dead!”
“Eternal fleet is advancing,” warned Ariel. “They will be in combat range in twenty seconds. The Defenders of Zorn are already engaging them.”
“Place the fleet at Condition One,” ordered Jeremy still trying to grasp what had just happened.
“All hands, set Condition One across the fleet,” the order went out on the ship-to-ship comm system.
On the Avenger, the alarm klaxons began to sound and red lights began to flash. They were going to war!
Chapter Twenty-Three
Conflict Unending Page 32