The Originator Wars: Search for the Lost: A Lost Fleet Novel
Page 22
“We have vehicles ready for you, Fleet Admiral,” Pack Leader Belal said in a powerful and respective voice. “I must thank you for bringing home our clan leader. The bonding of Grayseth and Marille is being held in the large amphitheater. It is a highly anticipated event.”
“Grayseth is my friend and clan brother,” replied Jeremy, reaching out and touching Belal on his shoulder. This is a joyous day for all of us.”
“A day of honor as well,” responded Belal.
Jeremy, Kelsey, Kevin, and Katie were escorted to a waiting vehicle. There were additional vehicles waiting for the others in their party.
“The amphitheater holds over forty thousand Carethians,” Kevin said as he settled back in his seat. “It’s going to be loud.” Bears were known for being boisterous.
“It’s being covered by all of our media stations,” added Katie as she looked around trying to take everything in. “Everyone will be able to see the ceremony.”
Kelsey couldn’t help but grin. “I’ve heard there are plans for celebrations across the entire city for the next several days.”
A serious look suddenly passed over Kevin’s face. “Jeremy, have you ever seen an inebriated Carethian?”
Jeremy laughed. “No, alcohol doesn’t affect them the way it does us. As big as a Carethian is I imagine they can drink quite a lot without feeling the effects.”
“Where are Grayseth and Marille going on their honeymoon?” asked Katie.
Jeremy looked out the window of the vehicle. There were crowds on the streets waving and cheering. He knew this was due to him being involved in bringing Grayseth back to the Dyson Sphere. “He has built a small cabin out in the deep woods a short distance from the city. He and Marille will be staying there for two weeks enjoying the privacy and each other. I also believe they’ll be doing a little hunting.”
“Little Grayseths,” muttered Kevin, shaking his head. “They’re going to be everywhere!”
Katie elbowed Kevin in the side. “I suspect we’ll see those cubs in our home quite regularly.”
Kevin leaned back, moaning at the thought. “I bet they’ll eat a lot too. There goes my stock of hamburgers.”
Katie laughed. “I’ll make sure I keep some hidden. I know from speaking to Marille she wants a large family, probably half a dozen or more.”
Kevin’s eyes opened even wider. He couldn’t imagine that many little Grayseth’s running around in his home.
“I understand Ariel is hard at work designing a training program for them,” Kelsey said grinning. “I’m not sure if she’s even spoken to Grayseth and Marille about that yet.”
“She hasn’t,” replied Jeremy. “She has spoken to a number of female Carethians about what would be involved. With the Bears’ honor system everything will be a lot more complicated.”
-
After a few minutes the vehicles pulled up to the amphitheater and Jeremy and his group were ushered directly in and seated. Jeremy was surprised when they were seated directly up front, almost on the platform where the ceremony was going to take place. They were actually on the front row, which Jeremy had thought would be reserved for the leaders of the various clans. He noticed that even Admiral Calmat was seated behind them.
-
“How often have you spoken to Grayseth since you got back?” asked Kelsey, trying to keep her voice down. Looking around she saw the amphitheater was decorated in flowers. There must have been tens of thousands of them. Many were unique to the Dyson Sphere they were on and some were very similar to the roses and orchids she was familiar with from Earth. The large stone platform where the ceremony was to take place was almost invisible from the large floral arrangements it was covered with.
“Only a couple of times,” Jeremy admitted. “He’s been busy making arrangements for the bonding ceremony. Grayseth wants everything to be perfect, particularly after what he put Marille through when he was stranded in the Median Galaxy.”
“Look at all the flowers,” said Angela, gazing around at the splendor.
“It’s beautiful,” said Katie, her green eyes gazing in admiration.
-
In the background there was music playing. A soft and pleasant melody Kelsey wasn’t familiar with. She knew the Carethians had music but she had heard very little of it. This music sounded very romantic which surprised Kelsey. She would have to ask Marille about it later as she probably was the one who picked it out.
“There are Grayseth and Marille,” said Katie excitedly.
Kelsey looked, seeing the two step out of a nearby doorway next to the platform.
-
Jeremy looked over to where Katie was pointing, seeing Grayseth and Marille. Both looked to be happy and excited about the pending ceremony. Jeremy’s eyes widened as Grayseth and Marille make a beeline for him and Kelsey, coming to a stop in front of them.
“I would ask that you do the honor of standing at my side for this ceremony,” Grayseth said in a most serious voice. “By doing so you swear that if anything happens to me you will guide the clan in ensuring Marille and my cubs are taken care of and raised in the ways of the hunt.”
Jeremy was taken aback by the request. He stood and gazed back. In a solemn voice, he responded. “I will be honored to stand at your side, and you have my word as a fellow clansman and friend Marille and your cubs will be taken care of.”
Marille looked at Kelsey. “It is our tradition that the mate of the chosen clansman of Grayseth’s stand at my side. I would be honored if you would do so.”
Kelsey stood with tears in her eyes. “I would be honored to stand with you.”
The four stepped up on the platform and took their places. Six Carethians exited the door Grayseth and Marille had come through earlier. The fur on all six was streaked with gray indicating they were very old. The oldest took his spot before Grayseth and Marille with the others standing at his side. The oldest began to speak of the Bears’ rich tradition and the importance of the bonding ceremony. The entire amphitheater became quiet as the Carethians and all the guests present listened intently to every word.
-
Kelsey was thrilled to be standing next to Marille. As the ceremony progressed, Kelsey was surprised how in some ways it was similar to a normal wedding ceremony, but in others far different. Honor was mentioned a number of times with both Grayseth and Marille promising to obey and continue the traditions established many years in the past on how they should treat one another and raise their children.
At the end, the older gray-haired Carethian held out an ancient book which both Grayseth and Marille placed their right hands upon. The book contained the honor code for all Carethians and by placing their hands together upon it, they became bonded to one another for the rest of this life. They each had to repeat some solemn words as well as vows they had written individually, speaking of their devotion to one another and their undying love.
Kelsey, several times during the ceremony, found herself tearing up. It was wonderful Grayseth was back and was now bonded to Marille. Kelsey knew this ceremony was being broadcast throughout the Dyson Sphere to every home of the three Federation races. It was a great morale booster and a much looked forward to event.
-
After the ceremony Grayseth pulled Jeremy over to the side. “I understand you’re going on a new mission.”
Jeremy frowned slightly wondering who had mentioned that to Grayseth. The mission was supposed to be a secret.
Grayseth grinned causing his large incisors to show. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to say anything. Ariel came to visit me earlier. I asked her how Rear Admiral Barnes’s mission was going. She mentioned the admiral had found the lost Originators but wouldn’t give me any more information claiming it was top secret.”
“It is a secret,” Jeremy replied. “If it became known what Rear Admiral Barnes has found it could endanger her mission as well as threaten the Originators she’s located. I’ll explain more when I get back.”
Grayseth looked o
ver at Marille who was talking excitedly to Kelsey, Katie, and Angela. “Soon we will all have children who will someday be taking our places. It is a good thing and I’m pleased both you and Kevin have taken that step. When you return from your mission we’ll have a long talk. The Eternals are far more dangerous than I imagined.”
“When I return,” promised Jeremy. “But for now I suggest you go over and rescue Marille before Kelsey, Katie, and Angela fill her head with ideas.”
-
Grayseth nodded. “This has been a wonderful day, and I must thank you for being here. It meant a lot to Marille and I.” Grayseth then turned and went to fetch his mate. Shortly they would be leaving to spend some time alone together in the cabin he had built with his own hands in one of the nearby forests.
He would be taking nearly two months off from his position as head of the clans on the Dyson Sphere. Admiral Calmat would be filling in for him during that time. When he was ready he would return and take up the mantle as leader of his people once more. There was a war coming and the Carethians would be playing an important role in defending Originator space from the Eternals.
-
Later Jeremy and Kelsey were back in their home. They had stayed and taken part in the revelry, which had spread across the Carethian city. In the end, they watched Grayseth and Marille depart for the cabin in the forest. In many ways Jeremy was jealous he couldn’t spend that kind of time with Kelsey.
“You’re leaving tomorrow?” asked Kelsey as she and Jeremy prepared for bed.
“Yes,” replied Jeremy. “Bartoll left several days ago and I want to get to the star cluster as soon as I can. From what I understand from the last message Rear Admiral Barnes sent me, there are two other Originator councilors in stasis. Bartoll and I must make sure they understand the threat of the Eternals and how important our alliance is.”
“Can they make us leave the Dyson Sphere?” asked Kelsey, becoming alarmed.
“No, I don’t think so, but they could strictly limit our access to new warships and Originator technology. That’s why it’s so important I get there. Kathryn said they would not be awakening the two councilors until both Councilor Bartoll and I are present.”
“I wish I was going,” said Kelsey with a longing look in her eyes. “I would love to see a space station that can hold fifty thousand Originators. It must be huge.”
Jeremy sat down on the bed looking at Kelsey. “Why don’t you come? There shouldn’t be any combat on this mission. For that matter, you and Katie both could.”
“You would offer that,” said Kelsey, sitting down next to Jeremy. “No, as much as I would like to, I think it’s best if Katie and I remain here and continue working on our new exploration ship.”
Jeremy let out a deep sigh. After witnessing and taking part in Grayseth and Marille’s bonding ceremony, it made Jeremy highly aware he should be spending more time with Kelsey. “I promise when I return I’ll see if I can take off a few weeks. Maybe we can go to one of the new resorts.” A number of new resorts were springing up on the shores of a nearby ocean as well as in some mountains a bit farther away.
Kelsey looked down at her stomach and frowned. “I don’t think in another month or two I’ll look that good in a swimsuit.”
Jeremy put his arms around her. “You’ll always look good to me.”
-
Ariel had been watching and turned off the monitors which allowed her to observe everything in the homes of the Special Five. She turned her attention back to the information they had taken from the computer core of the Eternal battlecruiser. It was highly encrypted and she and Aaliss had been working nearly nonstop trying to crack the code. They had finally called in an Originator to see if she could help them.
The Originator had designed a computer program, which she felt would be able to access the information but it would take several days. Ariel and Aaliss had downloaded all the Eternal files onto a special computer put aboard the Avenger. The computer was separate from the ship’s other systems so there would be no danger of cross contamination of the Avenger’s systems. Arial and Aaliss both hoped by the time they reached the star cluster where the lost Originators were the encryption will have been solved. The information in those files could be quite vital during negotiations with the lost Originators.
-
The next day Jeremy stepped into the Command Center of the Avenger, seeing the rest of the crew was already present and at their stations.
“Ship is ready to depart,” reported Commander Malen. “Our escorts are waiting at the Accelerator Ring.”
“Take us out,” ordered Jeremy as he sat down in his command chair.
On the main viewscreen, the walls of the spacedock began moving past.
“Space doors are opening,” reported Lieutenant Stryker.
On the main viewscreen, the view switched to show the two massive space doors sliding open. Moments later the Avenger passed through.
The powerful warship moved out until it rendezvoused with the four hundred heavy dreadnoughts, which were its escort.
“Accelerator Ring is ready to activate,” reported Aaliss. As a safety and security precaution, the ring could only be activated by an Originator or one of their AIs.
“Activate the ring,” ordered Jeremy, leaning back in his command chair. In the back of his mind, he knew once the Avenger entered that ring it would be at least five to six weeks before he could get back to Kelsey. With a deep sigh, he knew that was part of the weight of command. “Helm, take us through.”
On the main viewscreen, a swirling dark blue spatial vortex suddenly appeared in the center of the one hundred and ten-kilometer wide structure.
Lieutenant Stryker activated the ship’s gravity drive and the Avenger accelerated forward, entering the heart of the vortex. Behind the flagship, the four hundred heavy dreadnoughts followed.
Jeremy held his breath as the Avenger made its transition into intergalactic hyperspace. The ship had a special drive activated, which would help to maintain the speed the Accelerator Ring had given the ship. Even so, it was still a good two weeks’ journey to the star cluster outside the Triangulum Galaxy.
Looking at the viewscreens, now showing the nearby galaxies, Jeremy couldn’t help but wonder what was ahead of them. Fifty thousand more Originators would be a great help in the war against the Eternals, if they were willing to help. That was the big question. What would these new Originators be like and would they be as dedicated to defeating the Eternals as Councilor Bartoll, Commander Zafron, and the others at the Communications and Transport Hub were? Jeremy knew in another few weeks he would have the answers to that question and many more.
-
Rear Admiral Kathryn Barnes was in the Command Center of the Distant Horizon. The ship was still docked to the Originators’ space station.
“We’ve given the cure to over twenty thousand Originators,” Camlin reported with a pleased look on her face. “It’s been much easier since we woke all of the stations’ medical staff.”
“What are they saying about the current situation?” Kathryn was speaking to Zafron and Commander Belson every day. She didn’t want anything to take her by surprise.
“Many are shocked at the amount of time that has gone by,” answered Camlin. “I think most of them thought they would be in stasis only for a few thousand years, not for over two million.”
“How are they adjusting to Humans and Altons assisting with the administering of the cure for the pathogen?” There were over one hundred humans helping and nearly two hundred Altons. They were all well trained medical staff who had come to the star cluster just for the purpose of administering the cure to the lost Originators if they were found.
“Surprisingly well,” replied Camlin. “I think that many, for the most part, have accepted things have changed due to their long time in stasis.”
“What do they think about the Eternals?”
“Most are upset the Anti-Life have escaped their galaxy and agree something has t
o be done. However, there are a few who believe it would be a better policy to just stay in the Shrieels and not become involved in another war, one that might encompass hundreds or possibly thousands of galaxies. There is yet another group that believes all of Originator space should be protected but as for galaxies outside of Originator space they’re on their own.”
Sible turned around from her spot at the Helm. “I am not surprised to hear a differing of opinion. I’ve been on board the station and nearly all of the AIs agree there needs to be something done about the Eternals. They also believe in time nearly all of the Originators will agree as well.”
Alarms suddenly began going off on the sensor console. “I have inbound ships at thirty-two light years,” reported Captain Reynolds, sitting up a little straighter.
“Identification?” Kathryn knew the lost Originators had turned off their hyperspace interference field as Councilor Bartoll and his escort fleet were due to arrive today.
“Seventy heavy dreadnoughts and an unknown vessel of Originator design.”
Kathryn nodded. This was Councilor Bartoll. “Inform Commander Belson we’ve detected Councilor Bartoll’s fleet and it should be here shortly.” Kathryn had sent Fleet Commander Strong the coordinates of the system that held the stasis facilities. She was relieved to see the councilor’s fleet as it shifted negotiating over to him and Jeremy when he arrived. She was also pleased to see the seventy heavy dreadnoughts, which had served as an escort. They would greatly increase the firepower of her fleet.
“Fleet Admiral Strong will be here in a little over two days,” said Commander Grissim. “He will be bringing another four hundred heavy dreadnoughts.”
Kathryn stood up. She was going over to the station to wait for the arrival of Councilor Bartoll. She wondered what he would think when he was told there were not fifty thousand Originators but twelve million.
-
The Originator ships dropped out of hyperspace near the space station, and the ship carrying Councilor Bartoll was directed to a docking port on the aft side of the station near the Dominator.