The Star Cross: The Vorn!

by Raymond L. Weil

  Lomatz shook his head. “Those Advanced Glaymons will never agree to go to war against the Vorn and they control most of the Dyson Sphere’s warships. They will remain safe in their nebula while the rest of the galaxy fights the Vorn.”

  “Unfortunately, you may be correct,” replied Kurt with a deep sigh. “Councilor Marshton and Fleet Captain Lilith had to use trickery and a little sabotage to escape the Dyson Sphere with their fleet. I doubt if the same trick will work again.”

  “What about our latest fleet deployments?” asked Governor Spalding who had come up to the station for an inspection of the defenses protecting Newton.

  “All of our fleets are currently out on patrol,” reported Admiral Wilson who was Kurt’s second in command in the fleet. “As new ships come out of the shipyards they’re being sent out on short shakedown cruises and then assigned to their respective fleets.”

  “What about the two new shipyards the Glaymons built for us?” asked Spalding.

  “The first pair of battleships came out of the shipyards two days ago,” Simms replied. “Our shipbuilding capacity is greater than ever before.”

  As Kurt continued to listen to the status of the fleet and defenses around Newton he couldn’t help but feel it wasn’t enough. Every day now his apprehension was growing. According to Councilor Marshton the Vorn could strike at any moment. This was a tremendous letdown to Kurt as he had hoped their attacks on the Vorn would give them a year or more of time to prepare. Destroying the staging system and the Vorn harvesting fleets in those four systems was supposed to have bought them the time they needed to prepare for the next attack. Now, it seemed, from what the Glaymons were saying their time of peace was about over.

  “How are the defenses over Earth and Mars?” asked Spalding.

  Admiral Wilson answered this question as he had just returned from a quick inspection. Kurt listened as the admiral began listing the defenses and fleet dispositions around the two planets.

  -

  Mara was visiting Keera to discuss the latest shipment of tea. The large Lakiam cargo ship was still in orbit and loading would be finished in the next day or two. It had taken longer than expected to get everything set up.

  Mara leaned back in her chair, finding it relaxing. She enjoyed her conversations with Keera. “We have six tea varieties we’re sending back.”

  “Yes,” replied Keera as she took a sip of tea from the glass she was holding in her hand. “We have the four varieties we chose originally plus two more we want the Lakiams to try.”

  Grinning, Mara looked at Keera. “I can assure you my people will like them. What do you think of the trading company we’ve set up with the help of the business people Governor Spalding introduced us to?”

  Keera smiled. “It should make everything much easier. We’re going to hire a few people and set up an office to handle all the paperwork and orders. Once we get everything going we will only have to check in every once and a while.”

  “Your way of doing business is much different than the way we do it on Lakiam.”

  Keera hesitated a moment and then asked. “When the Vorn return will you be taking the Limeira to fight?”

  “If my ship is needed, I will.”

  “I’m sure Kurt will be in the middle of all the fighting.”

  “Better to fight the Vorn away from Newton.”

  Keera pursed her lips. “There’s always a lot of pressure on Kurt. He doesn’t admit it but I know it weighs heavily on his shoulders. If you see the pressure is getting to him you have my permission to do whatever is necessary to take that away.”

  “You mean sex,” replied Mara, her eyes widening at Keera being so blunt.

  “Yes, I know you enjoyed the time you shared yourself with Kurt. I have no problems with that as I’ve spent a lot of time on Kubitz and several other Enlightened Worlds.”

  Mara nodded. “Yes, you are very open minded. I have read up on the morals of these Humans from Earth. They are a very monogamous species.”

  “For now,” Keera replied. “As they become indoctrinated into galactic culture some of that is bound to change.”

  “Earth and Newton are unique in many ways,” Mara said. “Due to their locations they have been cut off from most of the civilized galaxy.”

  Keera reached for a notepad she had been using to list their plans for the next tea shipment. “We need to set up several cargo ships to make routine trips between Newton and Lakiam.”

  “The captain of the Shimray has volunteered his ship for a share of the profits.”

  “How much would that be?” Keera had never had a business before. She wanted to get all of this set up so she could return full time to her medical profession.

  “He’s only asking for 5 percent which I believe is reasonable. I can ask him if he knows of another captain who might be interested in the same type of deal.”

  “Sounds fine to me,” replied Keera. “We already have several companies on Earth which are anxious to sign contracts to supply us with the necessary tea varieties.”

  The two women spent another hour working out all the details and then Mara stood up. “I need to get back to the Limeira and speak to the captain of the Shimray. I think our tea business is about to take off.”

  Keera nodded in agreement. “Kurt should be home shortly. We’re going to one of Bryan’s baseball games.”

  “Children and their games,” replied Mara with a short laugh. “Even on Lakiam the young indulge in such activities.”

  “You’re welcome to come if you like,” suggested Keera.

  “No, I better get back to my ship. I have a number of items I need to take care of.”

  -

  As the shuttle Mara was on approached the Limeira she couldn’t help but admire her ship. It was everything she had always wanted. Powerful, sleek and capable of traveling across the galaxy. As the shuttle neared the ship a large hatch opened. Moments later the shuttle set down smoothly inside without the smallest jar.

  Stepping outside the shuttle, the small flight bay was spotless and brightly lit. Captain Bryles entered a small hatch across the bay and walked over to Mara.

  “We just received a communication from Fleet Commodore Dreen. A Glaymon scout ship has spotted a large concentration of Vorn ships in an isolated star system just outside the galaxy. Long distance scans indicate over two hundred thousand Vorn ships in the system with more arriving daily.

  Mara felt faint at hearing the numbers. “Have you notified Fleet Admiral Vickers?”

  “Yes, just moments ago.”

  Mara’s heart began beating faster. The time for all out war against the Vorn was nearly upon them. “Make sure the Limeira is fully supplied and ready for combat.”

  “It is; we can go into battle at a moment’s notice.”

  “Continue to monitor communications. I want to know as soon as those Vorn ships move.”

  After dismissing Captain Bryles, Mara made her way to her quarters to put on a clean uniform. As she undressed she stopped and peered into a full-length mirror. For a Lakiam she was very well proportioned. Her stomach was flat and her breasts still had that youthful look. She turned sideways, satisfied her routine workouts were keeping her fit. With a deep sigh, she changed into her clean uniform, wondering if she would ever get the opportunity to share with Kurt again. Just thinking about it made her feel tingly inside. Taking a deep breath, she decided if they went on another long mission together she would do everything she could to make that thought become a reality.

  -

  Later that evening Kurt and Keera were at the baseball field watching Bryan. Kurt’s sister, Denise, and her husband Alex were sitting with them on the bleachers.

  “You know, you would think they would find a way to make these bleachers more comfortable with all the technology we have,” complained Denise. She shifted slightly on the metal bleacher trying to get more comfortable.

  “Look! Bryan is up to bat!” said Keera excitedly. She leaned forward to see what would happ
en.

  Bryan let the first two balls go by, taking a strike and a ball. On the third pitch he swung as hard as he could, connecting with the ball. In a high arc it flew into the outfield to be caught by the center fielder.

  “He’s out,” said Denise, disappointedly.

  “He got a good hit out of it,” pointed out Alex. “One of these days he’s going to hit a home run.”

  “I hope so,” said Keera.

  Kurt leaned back watching the game. Before coming down to Kubitz, he had placed the fleet on Condition Five which was the lowest alert level. All it meant was crews currently on leave needed to be prepared to be recalled at a moment’s notice. It also increased the in-system space patrols done by the Lance fighters based on Newton Station and the Vindication.

  As he watched, he saw Bryan catch a line drive. Kurt couldn’t help but smile, recalling the baseball games he had been involved in as a youth.

  “At least he can catch the ball,” said Denise.

  “He should as much as he makes me practice with him,” retorted Alex.

  The next time Bryan was up he hit a ground ball to the shortstop who threw him out at first base.

  “Oh,” moaned Keera in disappointment. “I want to see him get on base.”

  Denise nodded. “So do I.”

  Kurt glanced at the scoreboard. The other team was ahead three to one. As he watched he grinned when Bryan ran down a hard ground ball, throwing the runner out at second base. That was the last out needed for the inning and Bryan came in once more to bat.

  Once more he let the first two balls pass by, swinging on the third. It was a line drive that landed between second base and center field. Running as hard as he could Bryan made it safely to first.

  “He’s on base,” said Denise, her face lit up with excitement.

  “Yes, he is,” replied Alex, gripping his wife’s hand.

  Another base hit advanced Bryan all the way to third and then a high sacrifice fly allowed him to cross home plate.

  “He scored!” cried out Keera excitedly.

  The rest of the game was scoreless with Bryan’s team losing three to two. Both teams trotted out to shake hands while the fans and parents made their way out of the bleacher area.

  “It was close,” said Keera disappointed Bryan’s team failed to win.

  “We’ll beat them next time,” Alex replied. “Let’s go wait for Bryan and tell him how good he played.”

  -

  Later Kurt was standing next to Bryan. They were in line at the concession stand and Kurt had promised to buy the ten-year-old a corn dog and a soda after getting permission from Denise.

  “That was fun!” Bryan said, his eyes still glowing with excitement. “Our coach said that was the best game we’ve played. He thinks if we can continue to improve we might be able to make the playoffs.”

  Kurt placed their order and the two went over to a table to sit down. The others were visiting some friends who had come to watch the game.

  “When I grow up I want to be a starship captain,” Bryan said as he took a bite of his corn dog.

  ‘That’s quite a ways off,” Kurt said. He hoped Bryan got the opportunity. If he did that meant the Vorn had been defeated and Newton was no longer in danger.

  “Are you going to come to more of my games?”

  “I’m going to try.”

  Bryan nodded as he took a sip of his soda. “I understand. You’re the Fleet Admiral and you have to go kill more of those bugs.”

  “You mean the Vorn,” replied Kurt. He wondered who had begun calling the Vorn ‘bugs’.

  “They’re bugs,” Bryan persisted. “That’s what all the kids at my school call them.”

  “How are you doing in school?” Kurt knew some of the new technology for teaching had been introduced at Bryan’s school.

  Bryan took another bite of his corn dog. “It’s a lot different than last year. It’s also a lot more fun.”

  Kurt saw Keera walking toward them. She hesitated and went over to the concession stand, coming back with a hot dog covered in chili, mustard, and onions. She sat down next to Bryan who smiled really big.

  “We don’t have these either on Kubitz,” she said as she took a bite. “Maybe Mara and I should see about shipping hot dogs to Lakiam as well.”

  Letting out a deep sigh, Kurt nodded. He had a suspicion Mara was going to be around for a long time. It also made him wonder if that happened how he was going to deal with the situation. Mara was just too damn beautiful and extremely captivating. Kurt greatly feared if he was around her too much he might give in to temptation, particularly since neither Mara nor Keera seemed to have a problem with it. It was easier being Fleet Admiral than being stuck in the middle of the two women, one being his wife.

  Chapter Twenty

  Military Commander Vasterus had just ordered the Vorn ships currently in the new staging system to launch their attack on certain specified targets. Food was needed back at the habitats and a number of relatively defenseless worlds had been chosen as the first worlds to harvest. On the main viewscreens of the Tranchal, fleet after fleet jumped into hyperspace, heading toward the worlds they were to harvest. Forty fleets were leaving. Each fleet consisted of twelve hundred battleships and four thousand cruisers. At the center of each fleet were five Vorn motherships. The sheer size of the fleets ensured they would survive initial contact with a fleet of the Ancients or a powerful Protector World. The five motherships would be able to quickly harvest any food world they came across.

  On the ship’s viewscreen, the last fleet disappeared.

  All fleets have entered hyperspace and should arrive at their targets over the next five days, reported Military Leader Camatte. We have sent scout ships to all of these worlds and there should be very little resistance to the harvest.

  Excellent, replied Vasterus. Walking over to the large tactical display with his legs making loud clicking sounds against the deck he stopped and examined the location of the fleets remaining in the system. In another seven or eight days High Prince Brollen would be arriving. Currently Vasterus had three fleets each consisting of two thousand battleships at a state of high alert in case the Ancients appeared. That would give him time to bring the rest of the fleet to combat readiness if there was indeed an attack. High Prince Brollen had placed Vasterus in charge of the harvest until he arrived.

  Shortly we will begin sending food pellets back to the home system, sent Camatte. Our Queens will be pleased.

  Military Commander Vasterus hoped that was so. Currently there were ten Intergalactic Transports and twenty Collector ships waiting for the return of the motherships. Vasterus knew if this harvest failed it would be the end of the Vorn. They had no other galaxies which could be harvested.

  -

  Far outside the staging system, a single Glaymon disk battlecruiser had noted the departure of the Vorn fleets. The ship was operating under stealth and using its long-range sensors to keep watch on the Vorns’ new staging system.

  “Forty Vorn harvesting fleets have left the staging system,” reported the Glaymon at the sensors. “Our ship’s computer has calculated their most probable destinations. Their targets are forty inhabited worlds outside the Lakiam Alliance.”

  “Send the data to Fleet Captain Waelt and Fleet Captain Lilith,” ordered the ship’s captain. “We will remain here and continue to observe further Vorn ship movements.” The captain felt great sadness knowing more intelligent beings were about to become food for the Vorn.

  -

  In the Glaymon Dyson Sphere, Councilor Valen stood in one of the Defense Centers with several other council members watching as the Glaymon fleet assembled outside the sphere. New Lead Councilor Aalik was standing closes by. “This had better work,” Aalik said softly. “If it doesn’t I won’t be in this position for long.”

  “Is former Lead Councilor Lavin causing problems?”

  “No, he believes in our customs and laws. He has retired and will not be involved in politics anymore.”r />
  The comm unit Valen was holding in his right hand suddenly began going off. “Yes,” he said, answering it.

  “We have the device and the frequency,” a voice replied. “We’re loading it on board a battleship, and the ship should be out of the bay in the next twelve to fourteen minutes.”

  “Very good,” answered Valen, turning the comm unit off.

  “Something I should know about?” asked Aalik, glancing over at Valen.

  Valen shook his head. “No, that was just a short update on loading supplies for the fleet. We’re nearly done.”

  What Valen didn’t mention was he had just committed treason against the Glaymon race. He had no idea how the Advanced Glaymons would react when they found out what he had ordered done. It was one of the reasons over two million Aggressive civilians were going with the fleet. It was why it had taken so long to get the fleet ready to depart the Dyson Sphere. Each ship was being operated by Aggressives as the Advanced Glaymons had no desire to be involved in a galactic war. Each ship before it took its position in the fleet was coming into one of the spacedocks adjacent to the Aggressive habitats to load both supplies and civilians. There was also an update being made to the ships’ hyperdrives which would greatly increase their speed in intergalactic space. The update was a simple add on to the current drive that had been available for quite some time but hadn’t seemed necessary. Now it appeared there was a need for it so the slight modification was being made to every ship.

  -

  For the next two hours the massive fleet assembled. Ninety thousand battleships, one hundred and seventy thousand disk battlecruisers, plus support craft.

  One of the communications officers in the Defense Center suddenly called for Lead Speaker Aalik to come to the communications console. As Aalik listened to a message his face turned pale and his eyes focused on Councilor Valen as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Taking a deep breath, he told the person on the comm not to do anything yet, he would be getting back to him.