The Forgotten Empire: Banishment: Book One

by Raymond L. Weil

  Dylan shook his head. “No, but that’s not surprising. General Creel and his staff will be inside the Command Bunker with Governor Swen.”

  Derrick and Dylan stepped from the shuttle, escorted by Ensign Allert, who had her right hand resting lightly on her energy pistol.

  “I’m Colonel Beeson,” spoke one of the military officers, stepping forward. “We’re here to escort you to General Creel. If you will follow me.”

  The group entered the building to find an elevator, which they all entered. Once inside, the elevator descended deep beneath the surface, finally coming to a stop after several minutes. The door opened, revealing a monorail-like vehicle sitting on a track.

  “This will take us to the Command Center, where General Creel is waiting,” explained Colonel Beeson.

  Dylan nodded and, without hesitation, stepped inside the vehicle, which resembled an old-fashioned train car with seats. Only this one was air-conditioned and heated. As soon as everyone was in and seated, the car began moving and quickly accelerated to a high speed.

  Derrick noticed they were still descending. He didn’t know how far they had traveled, but it was a considerable distance from where they had parked the shuttle at the building.

  “The Command Base is deep underground,” Dylan informed Derrick. “I’ve only been there once, and we took a different route.”

  The car eventually slowed and came to a stop. The door opened, and everyone stepped out. They were greeted by a dozen well-armed soldiers. One of them stepped forward with a big smile on his face. “Admiral Cleemorl, it’s good to see you again. We didn’t know if you had escaped or not.”

  “Major Brandon,” replied Cleemorl, stepping forward and shaking the soldier’s hand. “I did escape with some of my ships. I came back because I need to speak to General Creel about a matter of the utmost urgency.”

  Major Brandon nodded. “The general and Governor Swen are waiting. I was sent ahead to verify your identity, as we never expected to see you again. If you will follow me, I’ll take you to the general.”

  -

  Major Brandon showed them through a hatch and down several long corridors. They had to stop several more times to identify themselves to soldiers stationed along the way. Finally they entered the base proper and were taken along a corridor with regular wooden doors. Opening one, Major Brandon indicated for them to go inside.

  Inside the room, Derrick saw a half-dozen men and women seated at a large table. An older military officer, whose uniform was adorned with numerous decorations, stood with a big smile on his face.

  “Admiral Cleemorl, it’s good to see you.”

  Dylan smiled back and nodded. “I didn’t expect to come back, but what I found at the end of my travels demanded that I do so. However, before we continue I must ask that everyone except Governor Swen and yourself clear the room. What I am here to tell you demands the highest security clearance possible, and the fewer people who know what I will say, the better.”

  General Creel looked at Derrick sharply and then spoke. “Everyone, clear the room. I’ll call you back when it’s okay to do so.”

  The room rapidly emptied, leaving Governor Swen, General Creel, Admiral Cleemorl, Captain Masters, and Ensign Allert, who had taken up a watchful position beside the door.

  “Everyone’s gone,” said General Creel. “Now what?”

  Admiral Cleemorl smiled. “I want to introduce you to Captain Masters. He’s from the star system that contains the planet Earth.”

  “Earth?” blurted out General Creel, his eyes growing wide. “I thought that was just a myth. I never expected you to find it.”

  “Where the old Imperials were banished?” uttered Governor Swen in shock. “It’s real then?”

  “Yes,” replied Dylan. “Not only that but the old Imperials established a hidden fleet base in the system. They are even now bringing Earth up to Imperial standards, as far as technology goes.”

  “Can they help us?” asked General Creel, his eyes full of hope.

  Dylan shook his head. “Not yet, the Earth still has a way to go before it can commit to a war against the Druins and the Confederation.”

  Governor Swen looked at Derrick. “Are you from Earth?”

  Derrick shook his head. “No, I’m one of the original Imperials who fled Golan Four when the Druins invaded. I’ve been in cryo, waiting for the day for us to return and to free the Empire. I do have a crewmember on board my ship who is from Earth and is a direct descendant of those Imperials who were banished to the planet. I can make arrangements for you to speak to him, if you wish.”

  “I would like that,” said Governor Swen.

  General Creel looked over at Admiral Cleemorl. “It sounds as if we have a lot to discuss. Why don’t we all sit down, and I’ll have refreshments and some food brought in.”

  “How long before Earth is ready to take on the Druins?” asked Governor Swen, looking at Admiral Cleemorl.

  “I’ll let Captain Masters answer many of these questions, as he’s much more familiar with what’s going on in Earth’s Solar System than I am.”

  -

  Derrick took a deep breath. He had thought long and hard on what he would tell the Imperials. “Not soon. We’re still building up our fleet and bringing Earth up to a technological level where they can challenge the Druins.”

  “How long?” asked Swen again.

  “Probably 80 to 120 years before we dare make a move.”

  Governor Swen let out a deep sigh. “I was afraid of that.”

  “Keep in mind that no one other than the Empire has ever really challenged the Druins and the Confederation,” Dylan reminded everyone. “Don’t forget that the Empire lost.”

  “Can Earth make a difference?” asked General Creel. “It seems like a hopeless task to take on the Confederation. Look at what they’ve done to all the worlds in the Empire that have tried or refused to follow their edicts in the years since the fall.”

  “From what I’ve seen so far, in another eighty years, Earth can make a difference.”

  General Creel crossed his arms and gazed thoughtfully at Admiral Cleemorl. “Why exactly have you returned?”

  “In order for Earth to have a reasonable chance of success, we must have the Empire ready. I know numerous secret bases are spread out across Human-controlled space. I need to know how many there are and if you can contact them.”

  “There are a number,” admitted General Creel. “In order to prevent the Druins from learning where they are, no one knows the exact location of all of them. In the beginning, there was a Council that was coordinating the activity in the bases but it was disbanded to help keep the location of the bases secret. I know of about twenty myself. I have heard rumors of possibly one hundred more. All are dedicated to someday restoring the Empire. What do you need?”

  -

  For the next two hours Admiral Cleemorl and Captain Masters outlined the plan to eventually free the Empire.

  General Creel and Governor Swen listened, occasionally asking detailed questions.

  “What you want us to do will be difficult,” said General Creel. “The bases have waited a long time to come out in the open against the Druins. Many of the officers in charge feel that a sudden revolt across hundreds of Human worlds may be too much for the Druins to handle. They believe the Druins might agree to allow the Empire to reassert itself, as long as it does not possess a military or move beyond its boundaries.”

  Dylan frowned. He didn’t like hearing that. “What do you think? We tried that here, and look what happened.”

  General Creel blinked his eyes and then responded. “I think the Druins will come in and bombard every planet that revolts, killing billions.”

  “Then talk the hidden bases into waiting. Just eighty more years and the Empire will have a fleet of modern warships to fight the Druins with. When Earth strikes, the bases can come out in the open and help to free their worlds.”

  “I wish it were that easy,” said Governor Swen. “Pe
ople are starting to forget the Empire. Worlds are becoming more dependent upon themselves with every passing year. The Druins have demanded that all mention of the Empire be removed from our history books. Nothing about the Empire can be taught in our schools.”

  “Then it will have to be passed down by word of mouth,” said Dylan. “We must not allow the memory of the Empire to die. Perhaps for the next eighty years, that should be one of the primary jobs of the hidden bases, to ensure the memory of the Empire does not fade away.”

  “What else do you ask of us?”

  Dylan looked at General Creel. “Would it be feasible for the secret bases to set up a new advisory Council that could meet and guide the activity of all the bases? If it can be done, I believe Earth would be interested in having someone on that Council or, at the very least, to send someone to address it on a regular basis, so they will know what the future plans are.”

  General Creel was silent as he thought over the suggestion. “It might be possible, if they know there’s hope for an outside ally to help free the Empire. We can still move freely among the worlds of the Empire with our freighters and passenger liners, though there are fewer passenger liners with every passing year. People are getting more hesitant to leave their homes.”

  -

  Derrick realized he needed to add something to help sweeten the pot. “I should mention that we have developed fusion weapons for our warships.”

  General Creel’s eyes widened. “That’s a game changer in itself. May I tell this Council, if I can get it formed?”

  Derrick looked at Admiral Cleemorl, who shrugged his shoulders, indicating it was up to Derrick. “Yes, but the Council only. We may also be able to provide additional support if needed. Equipment, weapons, and other military items. We’re building a freighter or two that we would like to register to one of the worlds of the Empire, so we can move freely around.”

  “You probably shouldn’t register it as coming from Lydol Four,” said Governor Swen. “I would suggest Cleetus Three or Bratol Three. I know both of their governors very well. There are also several secret bases on their planets. You may want to register a freighter with each world. I could also arrange for you to pick up some trade items from either world, so, if your vessels are ever inspected, there wouldn’t be any problems.”

  “I believe that can be arranged,” replied Dylan approvingly.

  -

  The four spoke for several more hours, ironing out plans and setting up future meetings. It was decided a freighter would journey to Cleetus Three in one year’s time. A larger delegation from Earth would arrive, and more detailed plans could be made for future interactions. All four agreed that keeping Earth a secret was paramount. Only the Council and the governors of Cleetus Three and Bratol Three would know the truth.

  They were just about to finish up when the comm unit on the table flashed. General Creel answered it and, after speaking briefly, looked at Admiral Cleemorl. “Six Druin battleships have been detected entering the system. They will be in orbit in about an hour. I don’t believe we have time to get you back to your ship.”

  “That’s okay,” replied Derrick. “My ship is a stealthed light cruiser, and I left orders with my second in command to leave as soon as any Druin vessels were detected. She will return as soon as the Druins leave.”

  General Creel nodded. “I wondered why we couldn’t detect it. Let’s adjourn to the Command Center and see what the Druins want this time. Most likely it’s just a routine patrol, and they will be gone shortly.”

  “Does this happen often?” asked Derrick.

  “Every month or two,” replied Governor Swen. “We think they’re still searching for Admiral Cleemorl and his escaped ships. They come in, stick around for a few hours or days, and then leave. They never say anything, and we don’t attempt to communicate, as we know it would be useless.”

  “We may be the reason they’re here,” said Dylan. “Several days ago we were forced to destroy one of their battlecruisers that had detected us.”

  As they entered the Command Center, Derrick was surprised at how large it was. He realized this base must be much larger than he had imagined. Massive viewscreens covered the walls, and dozens of officers sat in front of consoles. “Impressive,” said Derrick.

  On one of the large tactical displays, six red threat icons were visible. Civilian traffic in the system was rapidly moving out of the path of the incoming Druin warships.

  “What about our shuttle?” asked Dylan, showing some concern.

  “It will be quite okay. There are shuttles sitting all over the planet, doing reclamation work. It will not look suspicious. We have already informed your pilots as to what’s going on.”

  -

  They watched the screen as the Druin battleships approached the planet and then went into orbit. For several hours they circled the planet and then moved away.

  The six ships broke formation and spread out across the system.

  “What are they doing?” asked Derrick. He knew the Destiny was probably out on the extreme edge of the system.

  “Searching,” replied General Creel. “They do this every time they enter the system.”

  Governor Swen frowned at the screen. “It disrupts recovery operations. Everyone stops work and waits to see what the Druins will do.”

  Eventually the Druin ships reformed into their fleet formation and entered hyperspace, leaving the system.

  “Will they return anytime soon?” asked Derrick. He wanted to make sure they could make it back to the Destiny without the Druins catching them in the planet’s atmosphere.

  “Several weeks to a month or more,” replied General Creel. “Why don’t I summon Major Brandon, and he can get you back to your shuttle.”

  Dylan nodded. “Sounds fine to me. If everything works out, we’ll be back about this time next year.”

  “We’ll look forward to it. You’ve brought something I never expected to feel again, and that’s hope. With your aid, just maybe someday we can free the Empire and bring justice to the Confederation for what they’ve done to so many races.”

  -

  They had learned much about the Empire from General Creel and Governor Swen. They had recommended a few more systems in the Empire for the Destiny to travel to. They had also suggested caution.

  “A full-size Druin fleet is constantly on patrol in the Empire. Most worlds have regular inspections from this Druin fleet,” warned General Creel.

  “We’ll watch for it,” promised Admiral Cleemorl. He wondered if it was the same one they had encountered in the Highland Station System.

  A short time later they were back in the shuttle, nervously waiting for the Destiny to contact them.

  “I think we can call this mission a success,” commented Dylan.

  Derrick nodded. “I agree completely. Once we’ve checked out a few more worlds in different sections of the Empire, it will be time to go home.”

  “Sir, I have the Destiny on the comm,” reported Corporal Bower. “They’re back in orbit.”

  “Take off then,” ordered Derrick. “The sooner we get back to the Destiny and out of this system, the better I’ll feel.” He wanted to be gone in case the Druins paid the system an unexpected return visit.

  -

  An hour later the Destiny made the transition into hyperspace, going deeper into the Empire to check out Golan Four and a few more of the core worlds in the Mall Star Cluster.

  Derrick wondered how he would feel upon returning to Golan Four. He felt anxious to know how the homeworld had fared. They just needed to complete the rest of the mission without encountering any more Druins. Then they could set a course back to Earth.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  The Destiny dropped from hyperspace on the outskirts of the Mall Star Cluster. Inside the cluster were over a dozen major worlds of the Empire. It was also a cluster very rich in minerals.

  Derrick gazed at the main viewscreen, showing hundreds of stars. He let out a deep sigh. It was ha
rd to imagine over one thousand years had passed since he had fled from Golan Four with the Princess. “Anything on the long-range sensors?”

  “No,” replied Nower. “Everything’s clear.”

  “Very well, Lieutenant Viktor, take us into hyperspace and place us on the edge of the Golan Four System.”

  The Destiny made the transition into hyperspace. It was a two-hour trip to Golan Four.

  “I’ve never been to Golan Four,” said Admiral Cleemorl. “I always wanted to go, but the time was never right.”

  “I was raised on Golan Four,” replied Derrick. “It was the throne world of the Empire. It was a garden world, with strict population controls to avoid overpopulation. Massive parks and preserves kept much of the planet pristine. The Imperial Palace was the most striking structure in the capital city. Its architecture would take your breath away, with massive arches and towers that reached nearly to the clouds. It was an absolutely amazing place to live.”

  -

  Time passed, and finally the ship dropped from hyperspace.

  “We’re in the Golan Four System,” reported Viktor.

  “Andrew, how much communications traffic do you detect?”

  Andrew listened on his comm for several moments and then turned toward the captain. “Quite a lot. Some on the regular frequencies and even more on the hyperlight frequencies. It seems as if all the planets in the cluster are talking to one another.”

  “Lieutenant Nower, how many ships do you detect in the system?”

  “Nearly two hundred,” Nower replied. “However, I’m also detecting twenty-three Druin battleships. All are in orbit around Golan Four.”

  Derrick frowned. “I wonder what they’re doing?” He had hoped there would be a minimal Druin presence.

  “The only way to find out is to go closer,” said Dylan, folding his arms across his chest.

  “Lieutenant Viktor, put us forty thousand kilometers from Golan Four. Lieutenant Commander Banora, take the ship to Condition One.”

  The Destiny jumped back into hyperspace and seconds later dropped back out. On the viewscreen, a blue-white planet was visible. Derrick felt a momentary pang of homesickness upon seeing his homeworld on the viewscreen.