Thirty-six cruisers, forty mega transports, and two hundred transports that had been used by the Talisan, were supplied and formed up for a flight to Doomlight. Gar would be my new partner for conversations.
I said, "What did you do prior to accepting a position with space command?"
Gar replied, "I spent sixteen cycles on an ocean-going carrier. I was the captain of one such vessel when the Grotus attacked. I have to tell you, that was a miserable day. I lost a hundred and three of my hundred and eight pilots. The five who survived had their planes down for maintenance. Every pilot who took to the skies was killed, more than half of those by our fermium missile. It was the most difficult day of my life."
I nodded in sympathy. "That has to be hard with knowing many of those pilots."
Gar looked toward the bridge floor of the Odentus. "I knew them all, and many of their families. Our air-corps is like a large extended family. When a member joins a squadron they typically stay with that squadron for their entire career. I had men and women I had flown with for twelve cycles before taking the assignment as captain. Indeed it was a hard day."
I gazed down at the floor as well. "I'm sure you know that I am the Emperor of the Talisans. When we fought on Doomlight, I lost a lot of my people. I feel heartsick every time I think of them going into a fight, because I feel responsible for them. There were only a few who I knew personally, but they all hurt just the same. So, before the war, your career was spent on that one ship?"
Gar nodded. "Yes. Our two peoples haven't been at war for many years. The military we both have... was never expected to go to war. We had annual drills and war games, but their purpose was more to break the monotony of military station than anything. Proposals had been before both congresses to slash the military size down to about one-quarter of what it was. We are all glad that didn't take place before the attack came."
I said, "What do Odentas do for entertainment?"
Gar chuckled. "Well now, nothing. We used to be avid sport racing fans. Whether it was on foot, cycles, boats or air vehicles, we liked competing for speed."
Gar gestured at the surrounding ship. "To me, this is like being in the grandest race vehicle of them all. Prior to your arrival, we didn't know faster-than-light travel was even possible. We had sent out a half dozen probes in our solar system. And we had multitudes of satellites in orbit, but being in a ship that is able to travel the stars, well, that is about as exciting as it gets."
I laughed. "Well, the excitement wears off. You will soon discover that your travels still take way longer than you would like."
Gar pointed at the sensor console. "How is it you are able to make use of optical sensors that see things in real time even though you may be minutes or hours away from something as light travels?"
I drew a line in the air with my finger. "Long ago the discovery was made that when an energy particle leaves as a photon, it travels in a straight line at the speed of light. Our scientists at some point in the past figured out there was a detectable instance of the photon that occupied the space all along the line that it was destined to take. Sort of a long string stretched out toward infinity."
Gar furrowed his brows. "So why is it that your sensors have a limited range?"
I continued, "As you move down the string from its origination point the detectable signal gets weaker. Our current sensors are the best we could do in relation to this signal. The physics involved is far beyond my ability to fully comprehend. I believe our understanding of these principles is similar to our understanding of gravity. We know it's there, we can manipulate it, but we don't really have a good explanation as to how it actually works. I'm certain my Talisan engineers are trying to explain it to your engineers as best they can. Perhaps fresh eyes will have something to add to our knowledge."
Gar smiled, "We live in strange and fascinating times, Mr. Beutcher. As a kid, I dreamed of one day traveling to the planet nearest our sun. I imagined the many adventures I would have. We sent one of our first space probes to that planet when I was only ten cycles old. I remember the first rocky images that were returned. I was sure there was an alien hiding behind every rock. I can't imagine growing up knowing that there are thousands of sentient species out there, and that they could travel to my world at any time."
I nodded. "The founders of our alliance, two thousand years ago, had a vision in which we all lived peacefully together. We were given a common language, common educations, and we had free access to anywhere we wanted to travel. Some would spend their entire adult lives traveling to other planets and colonies. That all ended when the twelve families who now rule took over. Many gates were closed to general travel, while others suddenly had fees associated with going through.
"The last decade has been far from the ideal we once enjoyed. I often wish I could have been born a century earlier. Moral values that allow societies to function began a long slow decline, leading up to the overthrow. If I could bring it all back, I would."
Gar shook his head. "I think it's in all of our natures to be destructive if we become complacent. Instances of such are spread all through our history. I would imagine it to be the same with any sentient species anywhere. We are all stumbling through our short lives. Some of us learn responsibility and reason while others learn fear, greed, and loathing. I suspect that a thousand or even ten thousand years from now it will still be the same. We are all unique individuals with a limited lifespan. Some of us will inevitably be good while others are bad, with most being somewhere in between at any given moment."
My discussions with Gar helped the time to pass on our journey back to Doomlight. The Odenta, although slighter of build than Humans, shared many similar physical and mental characteristics. They were a reasonable people and would have made a good addition to the AMP.
As we slowed on our approach, the first sensor readings came in.
Lieutenant Mot Werph was manning the sensor station. Data began to flood the large hollow display on the main bridge wall.
Gar referenced the early data. "Looks like we have a lot of ships sitting out there."
I replied, "Hold the rest of the fleet here and take us in from at least a fifteen degree angle from here. If we have to turn and run, I don't want to lead anyone to our fleet."
Shortly after, the data on our screen became clear. "Sir, there are twelve hundred ships out there. They appear to be the same as those we chased away earlier. I'm detecting ships coming and going from the surface."
I stood. "The Moddle must have taken out the Salton ships. Mr. Werph, are there any signs of fighting on the planet?"
The lieutenant replied, "No, sir. In fact, we are receiving very little signal traffic from the surface."
Gar asked, "What would you recommend as our next move, Mr. Beutcher?"
I pointed at the image of the Moddle fleet. "Take us in close enough for a hail. If they decide to send ships our way, we start knocking out their forward shields."
The admiral turned to his crew. "You heard the Emperor! Take us within comm range!"
I shook my head. "Please don't refer to me as emperor, Admiral. Mr. Beutcher will be fine."
Gar smiled. "When you stop being an emperor I will stop calling you one. I would prefer to continue its use for the time being as it adds gravity to my commands. But if you insist, I will refrain from using it."
I sighed. "If you think it helps, use away."
The comm officer said, "We have an acceptance to our hail on the main screen, audio only."
I nodded. "Broadcast with video if you would, Lieutenant. I'm certain they will reciprocate."
Several seconds later a video image came through. "This is Vice Admiral Kamakis of the Moddle fleet. Surrender your ship and prepare to be boarded."
Lieutenant Werph said, "We have three Moddle ships coming our way."
I replied, "Stop them where they are, please."
Three quick beams departed from the gravity weapon.
I looked up at the comm image. "Vice Admi
ral, as you can see, your ships have been somewhat disabled. Please do not send more or I will be forced to do the same again. I would like to discuss the happenings on and around the planet you are parked above. There were a large number of people on that planet last time your fleet was here. Can you tell me where they are now?"
The vice admiral huffed. "You attack my ships and you expect cooperation?"
I replied, "I was at one time imprisoned on that planet with one of your generals, Dovit Kussa. We attempted escape together; however, the general was unable to make the final leg of that escape. He was a good man."
Vice Admiral Kamakis scowled. "Throwing names around will not win you favor. The Grotus who were here with the Salton fleet have fled. They were gone when we arrived."
I nodded. "Thank you for that information, Vice Admiral. Now, I have a bit of information for you. The people that were on that planet during your last visit were not Grotus, they were Grunta. If you check the colors on your displays, I am certain you will see that my skin is distinctly gray where the Grotus are green. I can assure you we are sworn enemies of each other, making you and I on the same side to some degree.
"I want to free my people from the Salton overlords and I want to rid this galaxy of Grotus. We each have that second goal in common. As far as the planet of Doomlight goes, we have no designs on it. It hasn't been much more than a battleground to us. One that was not of our choosing."
The vice admiral continued his scowl. "What do you want of us?"
I replied, "Since it's obvious that the others were gone when you arrived, did they leave any indication of the direction they were traveling?"
Vice Admiral Kamakis again huffed. "Our scout ships monitored the exit of the Salton fleet. They moved past the Doomlight star and half a day later vanished from our sensors."
I turned to face Gar. "They went back through. Harden must have sent the transports back through for them."
Gar replied, "And if they went back to your galaxy, what would be their next move?"
I looked back at the display. "Vice Admiral, you can take this however you want, but I believe the fleets that were here have returned to where they came from. That would tell me that they are either preparing to attack the Grotus on their home world, or they are preparing to attack your worlds. You may want to consider returning to your own empire’s space."
The admiral smirked. "Our empire is safe. We made the necessary alliances with some of our neighboring empires. The Salton fleets that beleaguered us have been annihilated."
I nodded. "Congratulations on your victory, Admiral. If the new fleet is heading for your worlds, the fight will be far more difficult than it was before. They have new technology they can bring to bear against your forces. You may want to abandon this planet until a later date. I don't think it is a central target of the Saltons anymore."
Vice Admiral Kamakis held his chin up in an effort to look superior. "We will not be going anywhere. And any attempt by you to get to the surface of Doomlight will be met with force."
I smiled as I replied, "The planet is yours, Admiral. We have other business to attend to."
The comm was closed, and we turned back to our fleet. I plopped down in my chair with an unhappy look on my face.
Gar said, "If your people went back to the Triangulum, when might they return?"
I shook my head. "I was not expecting them to be gone. If they come back, they won't necessarily come back through at the same point. They may just aim that portal gate toward whatever location they want. That could be by the Moddle worlds. Or it might be by Modus. We have no way of knowing."
Gar replied, "It is indeed an impressive piece of technology. Its strategic value for waging war is almost incomprehensible. In an instant, an entire fleet can be delivered upon your enemy without warning."
I nodded. "It has its drawbacks as well. Once you have come through there is no retreating. You have to wait for a pre-planned time for it to open again. And anyone who can get to that opening can go through. I would have to think the Saltons will just open it again at Doomlight when they are ready to take the planet back. They moved the gate before, and it was a big hassle to properly aim it so that it opened in the same place every time. One would have to take into account not just one galaxy’s rotation, but two. It can't be an easy task to get it right the first time, and certainly no easier for every time after.
"I have to wonder if strategies have suddenly changed. Maybe Harden Salton no longer wants this galaxy. Maybe he just wants to use the Gruntas to take over the six galaxies of the New Alliance. They would certainly be a formidable force to have to deal with. And with the inhibitor designs given to the Gruntas, it would give them a huge ground assault advantage."
Gar looked at me. "What would that mean for you?"
I frowned. "It would mean that I'm trapped here until such time as a portal was again opened. That could be six months or sixty years. There's no way to know."
Gar sat back in his chair with a concerned look. "Will you continue to assist us in our fight with the Grotus?"
I nodded. "Absolutely. I think it's more important now that the Gruntas are gone. We will have to do this on our own. I would like to station two of our ships here to keep an eye on the portal area. If forces come back through, they can bring us that status."
The admiral pulled up his force display. "Our journey here took twenty days. When we arrive back at Odenta I can set up a rotating schedule of ships, sending out two new ships per day. In the event of a sighting we would still have a twenty-day delay in hearing about it, but we would maintain surveillance even after such an event. This would also be good training for my crews."
I said, "I think that's an excellent idea. I would also suggest we leave all the cruisers here with orders for two to return every day. We would then receive daily statuses, starting with our return."
The admiral got on the comm to his next in command. "Captain Tennert. Please move all cruisers to the coordinates that will be provided. Monitor the area for any ship activity; reports will be sent by ship pairs leaving daily. Make every effort to conceal the fact that you are here. If attacked, repel any initial invaders and return all ships to Odenta. I will send a full detail of this order in a few minutes."
The captain replied, "Yes, sir. And thank you for entrusting us with this assignment, sir."
The admiral repeated himself. "If you feel in danger in any way, you will leave immediately. There shall be no taking of risks. Is that understood, Captain?"
The captain nodded. "Understood, sir."
We landed on Odenta twenty days later. The chancellor was eager for a debriefing. I made my way to the capitol building.
Marun gestured toward a chair in his office. "I was sorry to hear that your people were not there. I had hoped they would be eager to accept our offer."
I replied, "They have their agenda, and they are willing to accept whatever Harden Salton throws their way so long as they think it moves them closer to their goal."
The chancellor nodded. "It would seem they are set on a path which they do not fully control."
I leaned forward on Marun's desk. "Exactly. Had they come back with me, they would have controlled their ships, their weapons, and their timeline for an attack. Now they are probably just sitting and waiting for Harden Salton to give his go-ahead. Meanwhile, I have no doubt the Grotus are strengthening their fleet. I guess we will have another month of waiting for Jack, Go, and Garrett, before we find out."
The chancellor smiled. "That should give us ample time to complete construction of our first assault carriers. We have five hulls in assembly that will each carry eight hundred ground assault ships. If given a full month, we should have that number up to as high as twenty-four."
I replied, "You have a ground assault ship design?"
The chancellor pulled up a display on top of his desk. "We are calling it the Grunt... after your species. It is a single-pilot craft with a twin GPC turret."
I tilted my head
. "GPC?"
The chancellor zoomed in on the turret. "A gravity pulse cannon. It's a miniature of what we have on those cruisers, but it packs a good punch. It will knock a hole in a half-meter-thick, reinforced concrete wall."
I looked over the display. "When do they go into service?"
The chancellor sat back in his chair. "Yesterday! The first fourteen units performed perfectly. And from what I hear, our pilots were thrilled with the inertial dampener system. To be able to turn almost instantly is something they only dreamed of. We believe the ships to be highly capable in the ground assault role."
The chancellor leaned forward and swiped at the display until a view of the cockpit came into focus. "It took some engineering, but we were able to sufficiently shield the drive and cockpit electronics from the inhibitor field. She will lose a good portion of her maneuverability, but she should remain flying in one of those fields. We have testing for that set up for tomorrow."
I reached up and scratched the side of my head. "You're an impressive people, Chancellor. I would not have expected this kind of progress in such a short time."
The chancellor smiled. "I saved the best news for last, Mr. Beutcher. The GPR. The rifle. We were able to shrink the size of the power supply, and we now have a working prototype. It's being tested as we speak. Would you like to see it?"
I nodded. "Absolutely!"
After a short shuttle ride to the engineering complex, we were standing behind a small team of Odenta Marines. Two Talisan and one Odenta engineer stood beside them.
One of the engineers said, "You set the beam duration here. The longer the pulse width the longer you have between shots. At full power, you have a two-second recharge time. In close combat, we recommend one-quarter power. That will allow two shots per second. The power magazine should be good for one hundred twenty-eight rounds. Each of you can easily carry four magazine spares in your gear."
The Marine holding the rifle waved it around, aimed it, and brought it back to face the floor. "Impressive. Very lightweight and easy to handle. Does it offer a kick when fired?"
The engineer shook his head. "I'm afraid not. We built in a flash and a tone, either of which can be turned off. Other than seeing the destruction that happens at the target, you won't know the energy came from this weapon. If you are ready to make use of it, load a magazine, aim, and fire. All we ask is that you allow us time to get behind the barrier."
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