Andrew smiled. “Thank the captain, but, I think, for now, we’ll just stay in our quarters and out of everyone’s way.”
The ensign nodded and left, closing the door behind her.
Kala sat down and looked over at Andrew. “I guess we’re on our way.”
“Yes.” Andrew still hadn’t told her that she would be involved in some of the negotiations. That would come about later.
-
In the Solar System, Pallas Fleet Admiral Reynolds studied the latest reports coming in on the reconstruction going on across the Solar System. New shipyards were being built over Earth, Mars, Ganymede, and Callisto. Thousands of Pallas work robots had been constructed and were heavily involved in building the new ship-construction facilities.
Inside each of Pallas’s forty-two ship construction bays were new partially assembled warships. Ten more bays were under construction and would be completed in another two weeks. The Solar System was preparing for all-out war against the Confederation, particularly the Morag. All the construction bays inside Pallas were fully automated, and construction of warships was a rapid process.
“We’re ahead of our construction schedule,” reported Colonel Evelyn Bryson. “I understand that Third Fleet will be returning in about another month?”
“Yes,” replied Admiral Reynolds. “They’re coming back for some R&R and possible crew rotation.”
“With the ships that have returned from First Fleet, that will once more give us a sizable force in the Solar System.”
“Over 1,600 warships, with more coming out of the active shipyards every day.”
Colonel Bryson asked the question on everyone’s mind. “When do we launch our attack against the Confederation?”
“A few months yet, at least,” replied Reynolds. “I want all the shipyards here finished and all the defensive grids brought back up to full strength.”
“Who will command the fleet that we send to the Confederation?”
“We will send two Rear Admirals—Rear Admiral Collison and Rear Admiral Barnes. They will each be in charge of at least one thousand battlecruisers and two hundred dreadnoughts.”
“What about battlecarriers, supply vessels, and repair ships?”
“We hope to send twenty battlecarriers, a fleet supply train, as well as four repair ships.”
“Four repair ships?” repeated Bryson, frowning. “That’s all that we have.”
Reynolds nodded. “Yes, but we have shipyards here to effect ship repairs.”
“What about the new particle beam cannons the Human Empire has developed?”
“We have the designs. Every dreadnought we have is being equipped with them. We are also working on a mass accelerator cannon. We’ll be doing tests toward the end of the month. These could be put on our battlecruisers. They can accelerate a medium-size projectile up to nearly the speed of light. We think, if we hit the enemy shields with one, it would knock down the shield completely.”
Colonel Bryson glanced at the large viewscreens in the Command Center, focused on the massive defensive grid around Pallas. “I understand you’re getting ready to go on a tour of the system and to check on the progress of the reconstruction.”
“Yes, I’ll be taking the Dassault. It will also give me a chance to speak with Rear Admiral Everett. I think I’ll check on the construction going on in the new bays.”
Bryson nodded. “Colonel Fillmore is down in bay forty-five. Some of the engineers overseeing the construction had some questions.”
Reynolds nodded. “Bay forty-five is for dreadnought construction, if I remember correctly.”
“Forty-five through fifty,” responded Bryson.
-
Twenty minutes later Fleet Admiral Reynolds stood in the Control Room for bay forty-five. He listened to Colonel Fillmore argue with several engineers.
“I don’t care. I want this bay fully automated, and I expect us to stay on schedule. If you need more construction robots, requisition them. I’ll sign the approval.”
The engineers stopped to consult with one another, and finally the lead engineer turned toward Colonel Fillmore. “In order to meet your schedule, we need sixty more construction robots.”
“Very well, you will have them by the end of the week.”
Admiral Reynolds looked out over the partially completed bay. Construction robots were everywhere. A few engineers were visible, directing their activities. In another few weeks the bay would be done, and the keel would be laid for its first dreadnought. The bay was 1,600 meters long and 600 in diameter.
“Admiral,” said Colonel Fillmore. “What can I do for you?”
“Just checking on the progress of the bays.”
Fillmore smiled. “They’ll all be ready on time.”
“I never doubted it. What about raw materials? We’ll need a lot for all the ships we plan on building.”
Fillmore nodded. “We’re bringing that in, and some of the more important components are already being manufactured in our factories.”
“Excellent. If there’s anything you need, let me know.”
“I will.”
Admiral Reynolds looked one last time at the bay and then turned to leave. Time to board the Dassault for a quick tour of the Solar System.
-
The Dassault orbited Titan, the large moon around Saturn. Fleet Admiral Reynolds was in the Command Center, gazing sadly at the main viewscreen. The moon’s atmosphere was still dark and gray from all the debris thrown up by the fusion and antimatter blasts that had rocked the moon in the last Confederation battle. New terraforming equipment had been brought to the moon, but it would be several years before the atmosphere was clear once more.
On the surface four large domes now housed the survivors. All four domes were protected by powerful energy shields, and a series of fusion energy beam turrets surrounded the domes to give them added protection. Outside each dome was a small spaceport, which served the mining operations now reopening on many of Saturn’s moons.
“The new defense grid is nearly finished,” commented Rear Admiral Everett.
Reynolds nodded. At the moment two hundred defensive satellites, twenty missile platforms, and two ODPs were up and operational. The ODPs were positioned to protect the four domes. Plans called to double the current strength of the defensive grid. “These miners are stubborn. However, we’ll need what they’re mining. One more reason we decided to rebuild the defensive grid and to place the ODPs in orbit.”
Reynolds didn’t mention it, but also two dreadnoughts and twenty battlecruisers were assigned to protect the Saturn system. He didn’t want a Confederation ship to pop in and to hit any of the moons with a few antimatter missiles. The ships would ensure that didn’t happen.
“Admiral, I have Colonel Edwards on the comm,” reported the communications officer.
“Put him through,” ordered Reynolds.
“Admiral,” said Edwards. “Did you come out to see our progress?”
“Yes, Colonel. Is there anything you need?”
“I would like to build two new PDCs to help protect our four domed cities. We’ll need some help with that.”
“I’ll see what I can arrange,” replied Reynolds. He was determined to make every inhabited place in this Solar System as heavily defended as possible.
-
They spent a few more hours in orbit, discussing the defenses and allocating the necessary resources. When they were finished, Reynolds was satisfied they had put in motion everything they could for Titan. “Set a course for Earth. I want to inspect the Moon and the construction of the new shipyards.”
-
The Dassault dropped from hyperspace just above the Moon. Even from here the massive craters where Luna City once stood were visible. Fortunately most of the other domed cities had survived.
“I always wondered why we didn’t terraform the Moon,” said Rear Admiral Everett.
Fleet Admiral Reynolds laughed. “Esthetics. The Moon has always looked a certain
way orbiting the Earth, and the people didn’t want to change it.”
Everett shook his head. “But look how many people could live on the Moon if it were terraformed. It would be like another complete world.”
“Maybe someday,” replied Reynolds. “Let’s inspect the new defense grid.”
The Dassault made a slow transit around the Moon, inspecting the defensive grid. Much of it had remained after the attack, and more elements were added every day. There was even some discussion of rebuilding Luna City in its old location.
“A lot of progress has been made,” commented Rear Admiral Everett. “When we’re finished, our defenses will be stronger than ever.” On one of the viewscreens, a squadron of attack interceptors was visible and out on patrol.
“In another month we’ll have twenty thousand attack interceptors,” replied Reynolds. “If the Confederation returns, we’ll be ready for them. Let’s head for Earth. I want to see how much progress we’ve made on the new shipyards.”
-
As they neared Earth, Reynolds saw one of the new shipyards being built. Altogether three new shipyards were in orbit. At the moment the construction of the new shipyard looked like a tangled mass of girders and beams, with only part of the armored shell in place. Increasing the magnification on the viewscreen, he saw hundreds of Pallas construction robots crawling over its surface.
“All three of the new shipyards are at this stage,” said Rear Admiral Everett. “Construction will accelerate greatly now that the beams and girders are in place. In two months, all three shipyards will be finished and ready to start producing warships.”
Reynolds nodded. They were building two more major shipyards above Mars, two above Ganymede, and one above Callisto. In two more months the Solar System would be producing a tremendous number of warships. The Confederation had stirred up a hornet’s nest and would soon learn what attacking Earth would cost them.
-
Lormallian Councilor Ardon Reull nodded in satisfaction. All the ships in Admiral Garr’s fleet were now protected by the telepathic nullifiers. In addition, all the command crews—as well as other important members of the crews—wore the individual protection gear.
“What now?” asked Admiral Garr.
“We head to the Great Council, where I will go down to speak with Morag Councilor Damora. I’ll demand that all Morag remove themselves from Lormallian worlds and that they immediately stop influencing the council telepathically. I’ll furnish individual nullifiers to all the council members and see where it goes from there.”
“What if the Morag refuse to give in?”
Councilor Reull frowned. “Then you get me off the surface, and we immediately start transmitting the designs for the nullifiers across the Confederation. I’ve made sure that, if something happens to me and to this fleet, the broadcast will still occur.”
“It’s a risky game you’re playing,” said the admiral admirably, “but I believe it’s necessary.
Ardon believed it too. Now it was time to return to the council. He just hoped he survived the coming meeting with Councilor Damora. Ardon knew that Damora could pick him up and crush him with his massive arms, especially when angry.
Chapter Eight
The Great Council of the Confederation was in session, when Morag Councilor Damora received a telepathic message from the Morag admiral commanding the fleet currently in orbit.
Over one thousand Lormallian warships have just jumped into orbit. All of their ships prohibit telepathic communication, as if a protective field of some sort surrounds each ship, preventing our telepathy from passing through. Their missile ports are open, and my fleet is being targeted.
Damora felt a cold chill pass through him. He now knew what Councilor Reull had been doing on Bator Prime. He had found the secret to some type of telepathic nullifier and had managed to equip a full warfleet with them. Don’t do anything until we find out what they want. He was certain Councilor Reull was with this fleet.
We just received a message from the Lormallian flagship. Councilor Reull will come down to address the council. They also recommend we do nothing threatening. They claim it could be disastrous for us if we do.
Councilor Damora knew he had no choice. Very well, for now maintain orbit but do not fire on any of the Lormallian warships. Inform the admiral of their fleet that I will allow Councilor Reull to address the council.
Councilor Damora looked at the rest of the council. “Councilor Reull is coming down from a Lormallian warship, and he is to address the council. I should warn you now not to overreact to what he will say. It could have some very serious consequences for your worlds.”
The council members looked at one another, wondering what was going on. They also wondered what Councilor Reull would tell them.
Damora leaned back in his large chair. This was his people’s greatest fear that some race would learn to nullify their telepathy, which had always been their greatest and most powerful weapon. Depending on what Reull said today, all of that could be about to change.
-
Councilor Reull and four heavily armed guards stepped into the council chamber; Ardon’s gaze instantly focused on Morag Councilor Damora. “As you can tell, my mind is now shielded against your telepathy. These guards are here to ensure my safety.” The four guards took up positions near the door, with their hands on their weapons.
Damora did not reply. He had already tried his telepathy and had met a blank wall. He noticed Reull and his guards wore a very small headset, and Damora assumed this was the source of the jamming field, which blocked him from reading the Lormallian councilor’s mind.
Reull stepped up to the council table and stared at Damora. “I believe you are in my seat.”
Damora frowned but stood and moved to his normal spot. “What do you want?” It took a few moments to shift the appropriate chairs around.
“My fleet is also protected from your telepathy. If you refuse to agree to what I’m about to propose, I am prepared to broadcast the secret of the telepathic nullifier across the Confederation. If you think you have a problem with revolts now, wait until everyone has a nullifier. They are actually quite easy to make.”
“Even if you equipped all your Lormallian fleets with the nullifier, the forces of my people still greatly outnumber yours.”
“That may be true, but my people are not the ones who have manipulated this council for thousands of years.”
The other council members looked from one to the other. They were not exactly sure what was going on.
“I have some very simple demands to make of the Morag,” replied Reull. “All fleets of the other six member races will be equipped with the nullifiers, if they want. All government leaders of all the worlds of the six races will have personal nullifiers available to them. All Morag will leave all the worlds of the six races, and there will no longer be any Morag telepathic interference into how we run our worlds or the Confederation worlds we control.”
“You ask too much,” growled Damora, coming to his feet. “My people will never agree to that.”
“Your people have no choice!” replied Reull forcefully. “The Confederation is about to change, and there is nothing you can do to prevent it.”
“Compromise,” said Damora. “We will leave all Lormallian worlds alone, and you may equip all your fleets with the nullifiers but no others.”
“I want my worlds left alone as well,” called out the Zang Councilor. “We demand that we be left free from your telepathic influences.”
Damora looked over at Councilor Clun of the Druins. “What say you?”
“We will stay with you, as long as I am free of telepathic influence and can make my own decisions. I want one of the telepathic nullifiers.”
The Lamothians, the Zynth, and the Morphene all decided to support the Morag. They feared, if they did otherwise, the Confederation would fall apart. However, all of them asked for personal telepathic nullifiers for themselves.
Damora looked at Council
or Reull. “I will speak to the Morag High Council. I don’t believe they will agree to your demands, but it is their decision.”
“It’s very simple,” replied Reull in a steady voice. “They can have part of the Confederation or none of it. One simple order from me or my fleet admiral and every Confederation world will know the secret of the nullifiers.”
Damora did not reply. He was not certain what to say or to do. It would now be up to the Morag High Council to make a decision. “We will meet again tomorrow. By then I should have heard back from the High Council.” Damora looked at Councilor Reull with a hard glare. “Until then, I suggest you do nothing that we might consider a threat.”
“I will return to the Lormallian flagship in orbit,” said Councilor Reull. “Inform me when you have heard back from your council.” With that, Councilor Reull turned and left, escorted by his four guards.
For a moment Damora considered having Reull killed, before he returned to his shuttle. However, doing so might make matters worse. He had no idea what the High Council would do.
-
As soon as Councilor Reull arrived back on board the fleet flagship, he was met by Admiral Garr.
“How did the meeting go? I wasn’t sure if I would have to send troops down to get you back or not.”
Councilor Reull smiled. “It might be that bad tomorrow. Councilor Damora will contact the Morag High Council, and they will decide what must be done. At the moment the Zang are standing with us. All of the other races have sided with the Morag.”
Admiral Garr shook his head. “Why would they do that after what the Morag have done to them?”
“The Druins and the Zynth like war. The Lamothians know the Morag will furnish them with intelligent food, and the Morphenes just don’t care.”
“At least the Zang are on one of our borders. Do you think we will have to fight?”
Reull let out a deep sigh. “I don’t know. I have already made arrangements for a second of our fleets to have the nullifiers installed. The installation should be finished within four days. I’m hoping I can drag out these negotiations for that long. It will double the number of ships we have fully under our control.”
The Forgotten Empire: War for the Empire Page 9