Slaver Wars 1: Moon Wreck

by Raymond L. Weil

  “Yes, but it was a very difficult and trying time for everyone. The docking bays are just down this corridor,” continued Colonel Runess, trying to sound more lighthearted. The Spanish Flu and the deaths were ancient history, a history he wished he could forget. However, it was a crucial part of what had helped to create the Ceres base.

  They continued on down the corridor and passed through a large double airlock. Stepping through, they found themselves in a brightly lit, cavernous bay. There were two ships in the bay; both of the light cruiser class.

  “My God, they're huge!” Greg cried in admiration, gazing at the warships. He had expected them to be large, but the reality of what he was seeing still astonished him.

  There were two light cruisers in the bay. Each one was 600 meters in length and completely undamaged. Numerous people, as well as work robots, were visible going about their jobs. The work robots did indeed look like giant spiders.

  “Are they space worthy?” Greg asked with his eyes focused on the ships. “I mean, could you fly them to another star today if you wanted to?”

  “Yes,” Colonel Runess replied with a nod. “We keep all of our warships at a state of readiness. We don’t expect to see the Hocklyns for 268 years, but there is always the possibility that one of their long-range scouts could find us.”

  “How likely?” Jason asked with narrowed eyes. If the Hocklyns were to find Earth now, it would be a disaster. It would be years before Earth would be capable of putting up any kind of defense against the advanced weapons of the Hocklyns.

  “Not very,” replied Colonel Runess, noticing Jason’s concern. “But we prefer not to take any chances. We have taken some steps to make sure Earth isn’t found. The admiral will explain those to you later.”

  “How many warships do you have in the base?” asked Greg, his eyes still focused on the cruisers.

  He wondered how many bays like this were inside Ceres. On one of the ships, several of the hatches were open and the railgun turrets were visible. From this position, the weapons looked deadly and ready to take on an enemy.

  “Admiral Streth will have to give you that information,” Colonel Runess replied civilly “Some of that information is classified.”

  Jason nodded. “These ships are impressive, Colonel. I just hope Earth can build something like them one of these days.”

  “Let’s go inside the Vindication. I believe that Clarissa wants to speak with your group.”

  They made their way down several ramps and finally came to a boarding ramp that led inside the cruiser. They passed several work robots on the way, as well as other people going about their jobs. They acted as if visitors from Earth were a common occurrence.

  They entered the cruiser, and after awhile they started to feel more at home as the corridors became more familiar as they neared the Command Center. They found the hatch to the Command Center to be open, but two heavily armed marines were standing outside in the corridor.

  Stepping inside the Command Center, Jason was surprised to see that it was fully manned. “Do you always keep full crews on your ships while they are docked inside Ceres?” asked Jason, turning to look at Colonel Runess.

  “We only have partial crews on the ships,” Colonel Runess responded. “At any one time only about ten percent of a ship’s crew is on board. If there is an emergency, the ship can be ready to launch by the time the rest of the crew is recalled. That’s one reason why the Command Center is always manned.”

  “Hello,” a young feminine voice spoke from the front of the Command Center.

  Turning to face the voice, Jason saw Clarissa. Clarissa was a pretty blonde with deep blue eyes and a friendly face. “Hello Clarissa,” Jason responded, his eyes drawn to the AI.

  “All these AIs are gorgeous,” muttered Greg, shaking his head and looking at Clarissa. The Federation obviously had a good taste in women.

  “Thank you, Mister Johnson,” Clarissa replied with a wide smile.

  Greg felt his face flush. He had forgotten how well the AIs could hear in the Command Center.

  “I believe you have some questions for me, Commander Strong,” Clarissa stated, her eyes focusing on Jason.

  For the next hour, they all talked. Jason asked several questions, and Clarissa in return asked numerous questions about Ariel. One of the things that Jason and Lisa discovered was that the Federation survivors hadn’t known at first that Ariel had survived. It was only after Jason and Greg had flown their lander over the Avenger, causing the emergency beacon to activate, that Ariel had used enough power for Clarissa to detect the AI’s presence on the wrecked ship. It had been decided not to contact Ariel in the beginning, but to wait and see what happened with the visitors from Earth.

  Jason was surprised how much alike the two AIs were, but they were also very different. Lisa had dozens of technical questions she was plying Clarissa with. Some Clarissa answered, and others she put off.

  “You will need to consult the admiral,” she would say.

  Jason was curious about this Admiral Streth. These people obviously had a lot of respect for him, almost reverence. He knew he would be meeting him soon and perhaps then more of his questions would be answered.

  “Would you like to see Engineering?” Colonel Runess asked. He knew that the Engineering section on the Avenger had been destroyed.

  “That would be great,” Jason answered. He wanted to see what the rest of the Avenger would have looked like if it were still intact. “On the Avenger, everything behind the flight bay is destroyed, missing, or scattered in the crater.”

  “That’s what I have been told,” Colonel Runess replied with a sad look in his eyes. “It’s surprising that Ariel survived as badly damaged as the Avenger is.”

  Sometime later, they were in Engineering, looking in awe at the technology that had allowed the Human Federation of Worlds to spread across the stars. The chief engineer had patiently explained to the group, in simple terms, how the FTL core worked as well as the ship’s powerful sublight drive.

  “This is all amazing,” Lieutenant Addison spoke, his eyes trying to take everything in.

  He had asked the chief engineer some questions but had realized quickly that he didn’t have the necessary technological knowledge to understand what the man was trying to explain. In the background, he could hear a faint hum from the Vindication’s two high-energy fusion reactors.

  Jason gazed at all the consoles and controls, in front of which a few of the ship’s Engineering crew were busy monitoring the ship’s functions. He began to realize just what would be involved in order to build a warship such as this. With a sinking feeling, he knew that it would be decades before Earth was ready for this advanced technology. If introduced too quickly, it would disrupt the planet’s economy and who knows what else. Something else would have to be done. Jason had a vague idea forming in the back of his mind, but he would have to discuss it with Colonel Greene when they returned to the Moon.

  Colonel Runess led them from the Vindication and around more of the base. The base was immense. Jason continued to marvel at all the work that had been done. There were more people about as they went deeper into the base, as well as more of the eight legged work robots.

  “What all can these work robots do?” asked Lieutenant Addison, stopping to examine one a little closer.

  The robot had eight tentacles attached to an oval shaped body. A small metal globe rested on top. This was obliviously the computer that controlled the robot.

  “You would be surprised,” Colonel Runess answered with a smile. “They can be programmed to do almost anything. They can work about sixteen hours before they need to return to their charging stations. We have nearly a thousand of these currently in the base involved in various projects. They are monitored from a central station by some of our engineers and the base’s main computer.”

  “Do these robots do all the construction going on in the base?” Greg asked curiously.

  He could see the benefits of using the robots. They
wouldn’t get tired, and their work would be constant. The robots also could do the more dangerous jobs so a human life wouldn’t be placed in jeopardy. They wouldn’t need to stop for breaks or to eat lunch either. These would be highly useful down on Earth in some of the construction jobs as well as other jobs that were deemed unsafe.

  “No,” Colonel Runess responded, his eyes shifting to Greg. “Most of the time they work side by side with base personnel. It’s something we’re used to. They’re capable of doing very technical work if programmed properly.”

  As they continued their tour, Colonel Runess showed them automated factories, parts storage bays, numerous weapons production and storage areas, power plants, and even where one of the colony ships was berthed.

  They were standing on a large metal balcony overlooking a cavernous bay. Jason looked at the colony ship in awe; it was massive! Jason knew it was nearly 2,000 meters in length. The ship dominated the bay, and he could see numerous work robots constantly going in and out of the open hatches.

  “What are the work robots doing?” Jason asked curiously. They seemed to be getting the ship ready for something.

  “The admiral will explain that,” replied Colonel Runess, glancing down at the timepiece on his wrist and seeing it was almost time to see the admiral. “But first I have one more thing I need to show you.”

  Colonel Runess led them to another corridor and opened a sealed hatch. On the other side was what looked like an Earth subway system. The colonel indicated for them to get inside a waiting vehicle that was setting in the tunnel. They all entered and sat down in the large, comfortable seats. The vehicle began to move, and they were soon going down the lighted tunnel at a high speed.

  “We’re going about twenty-five kilometers inside of Ceres,” Colonel Runess explained.

  Jason and Greg looked at each other. At the speed the vehicle they were in was traveling, that wouldn’t take long. The walls of the tunnel almost seemed to be a blur.

  After a few minutes, the vehicle slowed and then came to a stop at a large platform where there were other transit vehicles. Four heavily armed marines stood on the platform. There were other people there as well that had gotten out of other transit vehicles. Most seemed to be civilians with a few military personnel mixed in. Jason and his people got out of the vehicle and Colonel Runess led them through a large open hatch. They went down a wide corridor full of people and then through a large double airlock. Four more marine guards watched the new arrivals as they stepped outside the open airlock.

  “There sure is a lot of security in this area,” Greg commented. Looking forward, he noticed four large open hatches. The light coming through them seemed more like regular sunlight.

  The group walked over, stepped through one of the open hatches, and then came to a sudden stop, their eyes growing wide in disbelief at what they were seeing. It was as if they had entered another world. They were in a massive cavern that stretched for nearly as far as the eye could see. In the center of the cavern was a modern city surrounded by rolling hills, grassland, and cultivated soil. There were even some small rivers and several lakes visible.

  “This is where we live,” Colonel Runess explained with satisfaction in his voice. “In case of an emergency, the hatch at the transit station can be sealed. The airlocks shut, and the four large hatches behind us can be sealed off also. We keep a full squad of marines in that area at all times as a precaution.”

  “It’s beautiful,” Lisa spoke, her eyes trying to take everything in. “It must have taken you years to build this and get the ecosystem all worked out.”

  “Twenty-two years,” replied Colonel Runess, nodding his head. “It reminds us of home and gives our people a sense of normalcy. The Hocklyns took everything away from us, but here we have managed to rebuild.”

  “How many people are here on Ceres?” Jason asked, not sure if Colonel Runess would give out that information.

  “Our last census indicated we had 122,000 people currently on Ceres,” Colonel Runess answered. “Our habitable area here is thirty kilometers long and twenty kilometers wide. There is already talk about building a second, larger habitat farther inside the asteroid.”

  They stood for several minutes gazing out across the park-like view, astonished at what the Federation survivors had managed to build. To Jason, this was more amazing than the ships they had seen.

  “I think it’s time you meet our admiral,” Colonel Runess spoke. “He is highly interested in meeting you.”

  -

  Colonel Runess led them down an adjacent corridor and, after walking for a few minutes, they came to a heavily guarded door. Four marines with body armor and heavy assault rifles stood guard outside the entrance. For the first time, Colonel Runess had to show his identification before the group was allowed to enter. Once inside, they found themselves standing in a lobby with two female fleet personnel sitting behind a large desk.

  “Admiral Streth will see you now,” one of them spoke, indicating a door behind them. “The rest of your group is already inside.”

  Taking a deep breath, Jason followed Colonel Runess inside the indicated door. Perhaps finally he would get some of the answers he had been searching for.

  -

  Admiral Streth watched the new arrivals with interest. He was seated behind a large desk and had been waiting for the Earth human’s commander to arrive. This was only the fourth time he had been awakened since he had entered cryosleep. He also knew this might very well be the most important one. The man in front of him was obviously one used to giving orders. He stood unafraid in front of the admiral but had a very curious look upon his face. This was a human from Earth, as were the rest of the group that had come with him. Something the admiral had been waiting on for nearly 100 years.

  “I am Admiral Streth, commander of this base and of First Fleet,” Hedon spoke, standing up and extending his hand.

  Jason grasped the admiral’s hand and shook it. “I am Commander Jason Strong of Earth. We have come a long way to meet you, sir.”

  Admiral Streth smiled and indicated for everyone to sit down. “I know you have a lot of questions, probably the first being why we have never contacted Earth.”

  “That would be my first question,” Jason confirmed with a nod. “You obviously have the ability to do so.”

  “We were waiting for your world to reach the point where it could handle our advanced technology. We did not want to create a culture shock and cause your world and society to fall into chaos. Your arrival here indicates that it is time for us to contact the leaders of your world and set certain plans into motion.”

  “We know about the Hocklyns and what happened to the Human Federation of Worlds,” Jason said. “We have learned a lot from Ariel.”

  “Then you know of the threat that is coming our way in another 268 or so of your years.”

  “Yes, Admiral,” Jason responded. “We know we will have to fight.”

  “I haven’t had a chance to speak in detail with my people about what all Ariel has told you,” Admiral Streth said, his eyes turning thoughtful. “Even during the war, Ariel was very useful. In hindsight, we should have put more of the AIs on our ships. I was glad to hear that she survived.”

  “Ariel is a good friend,” Jason spoke with a nod.

  “That’s good,” Admiral Streth replied, pleased with the answer. “We will join together in this. The Hocklyns will not be allowed to destroy another human world.”

  “Did you fight the Hocklyns?” Greg asked in a subdued voice. “Were you involved in the battles?”

  “Yes,” Admiral Streth replied his eyes shifting over to Greg. “I was involved in several engagements against them. They are very powerful, and their ships are extremely difficult to destroy.”

  “That’s why you have been in cryosleep,” Jason said with dawning realization. “We will need your experience when we face the Hocklyns.”

  Admiral Streth gazed at Jason for a long moment. “Yes, Commander. There are a number of us
that are waiting in cryosleep. It is hoped that our experience will give us the edge we need to stop the Hocklyns this time.”

  For the next several hours, the group talked with Admiral Streth. They asked numerous questions, most of which the admiral was willing to answer. A few he refrained from, saying that particular question would have to wait for a later time. He spoke about the war with the Hocklyns, what had transpired, and why. He also spoke in depth about his plans for the future and the role he hoped Earth would be willing to play.

  “It will take all of us working together if we want to survive this,” he said finally. “When you return to Earth, I will be sending another shuttle with you. It is considerably larger than the one you arrived on. There will be a liaison from this base going along to speak with your governments. I am also sending some technicians and work robots to help repair the surviving sections of the Avenger. For now, it will serve as a secure meeting place for us as well as a possible future training center. At some point in time, we will be sending an additional power source. The small fusion reactor Ariel is currently using was not designed to function as the main power supply for the ship. We will send something more appropriate and will show your people how to install it.”

  Jason nodded, this meeting had gone much better than he had expected. He had learned so much, but there was still so much more. “We saw the colony ship in its bay. It looks as if it’s being prepared for launch.”

  “Yes, it is,” Admiral Streth replied with a nod. “It’s going on a resupply mission.”

  “Where to?” asked Jason, feeling curious about where the ship could be going. Did the admiral’s people have other bases in the Solar System?

  “I have a special surprise for you and Mr. Johnson. There is a shuttle leaving in a few hours that will rendezvous with a light cruiser on picket duty near your system’s cometary ring. If the two of you would like to go, there is something else I would like you to see. You will be gone for about six days, but I promise you, it will be worth it. It is also where the colony ship will be going in a few more days.”