The Star Cross: The Vorn!

by Raymond L. Weil

  -

  On board Morlar Station, the Dacroni Commander watched the master control console as the station’s energy shield was drained of power. His station had managed to destroy two Vorn cruisers.

  “Power to the shield is nearly depleted,” reported the Dacroni at Tactical.

  The station shook violently as several Vorn black antimatter beams penetrated deep inside. Across the station the lights flickered and then faded.

  “Main power conduits have been compromised,” reported the Dacroni at the damage control console. “Emergency power is coming online.”

  The Command Center’s lighting came back on dimly. The few Dacroni on the station knew their end was near. They were mercenaries and being such they always knew death was a real possibility.

  -

  A few moments later Morlar Station blew apart as two ten-megaton warheads detonated in its heart.

  The two shipyards lasted a little bit longer as they had larger energy reserves. However, the Vorn black antimatter spheres were relentless and both shipyards saw their energy shields drained of power, leaving the shipyards unprotected. Explosions shook both, threatening to tear them apart. Then Vorn antimatter missiles slammed into the hulls turning them into miniature novas.

  -

  Two battleships lost! sent Prince Lakat in growing anger. How could you allow that to happen?

  The food worlds are learning, responded Military Leader Dabbath. They are focusing their firepower on just a few of our ships, overloading the energy shields. All five of the orbiting stations have been destroyed so the threat from them has been eliminated.

  Prince Lakat felt bile in the back of his throat. Send the entire fleet except the motherships against the defensive grid. I want the defenses of this food world destroyed now!

  Dabbath nodded as he began sending telepathic messages to the various segments of the fleet. He greatly feared more ships were going to be lost and when this battle was over he might face the disposal chute for deletion. It had happened to other military commanders in the past.

  -

  The Vorn fleet surged forward, its weapons blazing and antimatter spheres launching out of the fleet’s tubes by the thousands. The Dacroni defensive grid opened fire along with the two thousand battleships and battlecruisers.

  Across the Vorn formation, cruisers began to wink out of existence as their shields were overloaded by the incoming fire, particularly from the forty special defense platforms. In less than twenty seconds eighteen Vorn cruisers died. Then the Vorn weapons began to strike. Black antimatter beams swept across defense platforms, penetrating their shields and causing catastrophic damage. Black energy spheres attached themselves to defense platforms and Dacroni warships, draining the power from their energy shields.

  The battle became more intense. In the Vorn formation, a battleship’s screen went down from the firepower of two of the new defense platforms and sixty Dacroni battleships. The ship blew apart in a massive explosion of light.

  Around the planet the energy shields of defending ships and platforms began to fade away as their power was drained. The damage to the defensive platforms mounted as their vulnerable hulls were exposed to Vorn weapons fire. Bright flashes of light above Dacroni Four marked the death of the platforms as the Vorn blew them into oblivion.

  -

  Clan Leader Masak felt the blood drain from his face as the defensive platform nearest the Iron Victory blew apart, slamming debris into the energy shield of his flagship. On various viewscreens, ships of his personal fleet as well as others were dying.

  On one screen, antimatter fire from a Vorn battleship struck a Dacroni warship amidships setting off massive explosions and hurling glowing debris into space. A few weak energy beams flashed out from the struggling vessel before it blew apart. On another screen, an antimatter missile slammed into the stern of a Dacroni battleship causing the vessel to vanish in a fiery explosion. The Dacroni fleet was losing warships too rapidly. If something didn’t change quickly, the entire fleet would be destroyed.

  The Iron Victory shuddered violently as two antimatter missiles hit her energy shield, severely jarring the ship. The screen seemed to flicker and then the flickering vanished as the screen returned to full power.

  -

  “We’re not going to last much longer,” shouted Raster from his command console. “We’ve lost 80 percent of the defensive platforms and 48 percent of the fleet.”

  “Pull us back to the orbital satellites,” ordered Masak. “That will give us additional energy weapons to use against the Vorn if we can lure them within range.” The energy weapons on the orbiting satellites had a much shorter range than those on the warships or the destroyed defense platforms. They were also not as powerful as they were primarily designed to shoot down incoming missiles.

  “The entire fleet’s been ordered to pull back,” reported Fantac. “We’re supposed to try to hold the Vorn at the satellite grid. If we can’t then all ships are to jump to Kubitz.”

  “Kubitz,” muttered Raster. “I hate that planet!”

  “It’s more heavily defended than Marsten or Dacroni Four,” replied Masak.

  He gazed at a viewscreen showing the planet. It was a harsh world but one the mercenaries called home. Every major clan maintained a deep bunker to protect their families from an orbital attack. This had been the case for hundreds of years. Masak knew, even if the Vorn harvested the planet, there was a good chance several million Dacroni would survive, enough to rebuild their world in time. Masak’s own clan had a bunker large enough for hundreds of clan families. It also explained why the clan leaders on the planet wanted to preserve a major part of their fleet if victory was out of reach.

  “Take us down to the defensive satellites. Spin up the hyperdrive and prepare to jump on my order. Send the same message to all of our surviving ships.” Masak was determined not to lose his entire fleet.

  -

  How many more ships did we lose? demanded Prince Lakat. He knew it was a large number as he had witnessed the destruction of several on the mothership’s viewscreens.

  Military Leader Dabbath hesitated to answer. He could see the prince’s antennae quiver indicating anger. We lost thirty-two cruisers and six battleships. However, the planet’s main defensive grid has been destroyed and nearly half of the defending fleet. They have pulled back to the defensive satellites which surround the planet. There is nothing that can prevent us from achieving victory. The battle computer predicts a 96 percent probability of success.

  Prince Lakat shook his head, barely holding his anger in check. This has been far more costly than predicted. Do not disappoint me again. Destroy what is left of the defensive fleet and the orbiting satellites so we may begin the harvest. I grow famished.

  Dabbath nodded moving away from the prince. He had a short reprieve. Perhaps once the actual harvesting of the planet began, the prince would be pleased and Dabbath would not have to fear deletion.

  -

  The Vorn fleet moved closer to the planet, coming within weapons range of the remaining defending ships as well as the orbital defensive grid of energy beam satellites. Weapons fire erupted on both sides. The Vorn trying to destroy the defenders blocking them from harvesting the planet and the Dacroni trying to destroy every Vorn ship they could.

  -

  The Iron Victory shook violently as several Vorn black antimatter beams penetrated the ship’s energy shield. The lights in the Command Center flickered and warning alarms began sounding.

  “We have major damage to the bow of the ship,” reported Raster. “A Vorn antimatter beam penetrated through nine decks, opening all of them up to space. Another hit amidships and nearly penetrated to the Command Center. We have several power conduits compromised and have lost power to 30 percent of our weapons.”

  “Message from the surface,” called out Fantac. “All ships are being ordered to jump out now. We’re to return once the Vorn have left and help with rescue operations.”

  Clan Leade
r Masak stared meaningfully at Raster. “There will be nobody left above ground to rescue. Navigation, jump us to Kubitz. Communications, order the rest of our ships to jump as well; we’re leaving.”

  Masak leaned back in his command chair as the Iron Victory accelerated forward and made the transition into hyperspace, leaving Dacroni Four behind. With a feeling of dread Masak wondered what he would find when they returned. He had seen videos of what the Vorn did to planets they harvested.

  “How many of our ships made the jump into hyperspace?” Masak knew he had lost part of his fleet. He had witnessed the vessels being destroyed.

  “Forty-seven,” Ardell answered from his sensor console.

  Masak took a deep breath. Forty-seven out of one hundred and twenty. That was a little over one-third of his fleet.

  “The other fleets jumped as well,” said Raster. “Computer estimates indicate a little over six hundred warships escaped.”

  It was still a sizable fleet, one that in normal times would be able to protect Dacroni Four. Masak couldn’t help but wonder what was in store for the Dacroni mercenaries. The coming of the Vorn was going to reshape the Gothan Empire if any of it survived.

  -

  The Vorn fleet quickly eliminated the defensive satellites. The defending fleet fleeing into hyperspace had pretty much left the planet undefended. Black antimatter spheres and antimatter beams made quick work of the orbiting defensive satellites, leaving the planet open to harvest.

  The two motherships descended into low orbit, only to climb back up as hundreds of defensive missiles were launched from the surface. Several of the missiles managed to impact the energy shields of the motherships, severely jarring them.

  -

  Prince Lakat was livid. If enough of those missiles had struck his ship he could have died. You have failed me for the last time, he sent to Military Leader Dabbath. He then turned to two armed guards who were stationed in the Command Center. Take former Military Leader Dabbath to the disposal chute and toss him in. He has failed in his service to this fleet, this mothership, and to the Queens.

  The two guards quickly seized Dabbath and led him away.

  Prince Lakat then contacted Military Leader Renwarld who was on his cruiser. Renwarld, you are now the military leader of this fleet. Dabbath has been deleted for his incompetence. Destroy those surface bases that launched missiles at us and then scan the planet for any additional threats. I grow impatient to complete this harvest.

  I will do as you command, Renwarld replied.

  Moments later the remaining Vorn battleships entered a lower orbit, enticing the enemy to fire on them. Hundreds of new missiles roared upward from the surface only to be shot down by the defensive energy turrets on the hulls of the powerful battleships. Black antimatter beams flashed down toward the launching points and soon all firing of missiles came to a stop.

  You may commence the harvest, Renwarld sent to Prince Lakat. I have ordered each mothership to be protected by four battleships. If any more missiles are fired from the surface, they will intercept and destroy them.

  Very well, Lakat replied. Once we have finished the harvest you will transfer over to my mothership to assume your new responsibilities.

  I am here to serve you and our Queens, answered Renwarld.

  -

  The two motherships went into low orbit flanked by their protective battleships. From each fourteen harvesting beams flicked forth toward the surface of the planet. Wherever they touched any organic organism it was transformed into a black ashy substance, which was transported back to the motherships by the embedded tractor beams.

  -

  Prince Lakat entered one of the converter chambers and walked over to press a button upon a small control panel. Instantly a receptacle slid open and a gray pellet in the form of a small cube was ejected onto a tray. The prince took the pellet and popped it into his mouth, crunching the pellet with his mandibles and feeling the invigorating strength which instantly flowed through him. This pellet was made from the organic material of one of the civilized inhabitants of the planet they were currently culling. The prince was pleased with the unique taste of this pellet. It was one of the better tasting pellets he had ever experienced. The Queens back home would be thrilled at this new and unique taste.

  I want five hundred of these food pellets delivered to my quarters for my personal collection, he ordered the scientist in charge of this particular converter. Lakat turned to leave the converter room still munching with his mandibles. The taste of these food pellets almost made the loss of the battleships and cruisers while conquering this system worthwhile.

  -

  It took four hours for the motherships to finish harvesting the planet. Once Prince Lakat was satisfied they had harvested everything organic, he ordered the battleships to wipe out all signs of civilization on the planet.

  From the battleships hundreds of white balls of energy began falling toward the planet. When they reached the surface they burst like a bubble, spreading destruction in all directions. Buildings were knocked down, infrastructure annihilated, and massive fires erupted. Smoke, ash, and other pollutants rose high into the atmosphere, blotting out the sun.

  -

  It is done, sent Military Leader Renwarld as he entered the Command Center to join Prince Lakat. We are ready to go to the next world to harvest.

  Prince Lakat nodded. I will allow you to choose the world, one that is only lightly defended. Many of our ships need repairs and we need to keep combat on the light side. Most of the damage could be repaired without the need of a shipyard. It would just take some time.

  I know of a number of such worlds from our earlier survey, replied Renwarld. There are several nearby.

  Then let us continue the harvest, ordered Prince Lakat. I am curious to see what other food worlds in this star cluster taste like. If they are similar to this one my personal collection will see many new additions.

  -

  A few minutes later the Vorn fleet entered hyperspace on its way to the next target. The harvesting of the Gothan Empire was well underway.

  Chapter Ten

  Kurt and Keera were at Keera’s favorite Italian restaurant with his sister, Denise, her husband Alex and their son ten-year-old Bryan.

  “We’ve just finished a full week of orientation at Bryan’s school on the new technology they’re going to be using,” said Denise with a deep sigh of frustration. “I just don’t see any way I’m going to be able to help Bryan with his homework.”

  “It’s unbelievable what they’re going to be teaching,” Alex added, smiling at his wife in understanding. “I guess I’m lucky to have a lot of computer experience in my background. But even then I’m going to need some help.”

  “The people at the school explained there would be teacher’s aides available every night from 6:00 to 8:00 to answer questions,” Denise said. “I have a suspicion I’m going to be up there quite often.” Denise looked over at Bryan who seemed totally unconcerned about his school and what he would be learning.

  Bryan was busy working on his spaghetti and meatballs. He was currently cutting his meatballs up and stacking them uniformly on one side of his plate. He had made a dividing line between the spaghetti and the meatballs so they were not touching.

  Keera was eating Pasta Primavera which was mostly a vegetarian dish. “I love how fresh this tastes,” she said, grinning. “Denise, I went to a few schools on several Enlightened Worlds. What Bryan and the other children are going through is very similar to what’s taught there. It may be hard at first but once he gets the hang of it he will find learning a lot more fun and interesting than ever before. It will also be a lot easier.”

  “I hope so,” Denise said as she watched Bryan toying with his spaghetti, trying to roll it up around his fork using a spoon. He finally gave up and just stuffed it into his mouth and slurped up the noodles. “Bryan!” she said threateningly, her eyes boring into her son’s.

  Bryan chomped his spaghetti using his fork to s
pear part of a meatball which he crammed in on top of the spaghetti already in his mouth.

  Kurt burst out laughing. “Let him enjoy it. Spaghetti’s hard enough to eat as it is without making a mess.” Keera always gave Kurt those same looks when he ate spaghetti.

  “At home yes, but not here in public,” said Denise, feeling mortified at the way Bryan was acting. She reached for a napkin and wiped the spaghetti sauce off Bryan’s chin. He glared at her but said nothing.

  “How long do you think it will be before the Vorn resume their harvesting?” asked Alex, looking over at Kurt. “It would be nice not to have to worry about that for a while.”

  Kurt smiled. “After their recent reversals, I would say we could have a year or two before they become a threat again. In that time we’re going to make the defenses above Earth and Newton so powerful the Vorn will never be able to get through them.” Kurt was determined to do this. With the Glaymon technology he now had available, the new defensive platforms would be able to blow the Vorn back to where they came from.

  “I’m just glad we have the Glaymons on our side,” said Keera. “When I was a child my mother used to tell me stories about the ancient race and how wise and benevolent they were and how their science was the greatest in the galaxy. She kept telling me someday they would return to unify the galaxy and bring about an age of peace and plenty for all. I wish she could have lived long enough to see the Glaymons return.”

  Kurt shrugged his shoulders. “All that may be true in part but they have their own problems. They’re not quite as benevolent as everyone may have hoped. We’re just fortunate to have Glaymon ships here in our system to help us if needed.”

  “When will Mara be returning?” asked Denise. “I’m curious to hear how the tea and popcorn samples she took back to Lakiam were received.”

  Kurt felt uncomfortable talking to Denise about Mara, particularly after what had happened between the two of them that one night on the Star Cross. The only ones who knew were Keera and Aleea. Kurt had told Keera not to mention to anyone what happened and Aleea was staying quiet about it as well.