Annals of the Keepers - Deception

by Christiaan Hile

  [That request cannot be completed without two other authorizations, the High Keeper Brentice’s and Assembly Leader Mordon Tallis’.]

  “I will get those. Once complete, I want the transfer as soon as possible. Do you understand, Antiquity?”

  [Yes, Commander.]

  Shenta knew the secrecy of these files, but was still sore he was the last to be told.

  He turned to leave the chamber, stopping short.

  A thought had entered his mind, “Antiquity, who has access to these files, if accessed from this chamber?”

  [All level five Keepers, the Assembly Mount leaders, and the direct command structure for the Ordinance.]

  “When was this granted to the members you mentioned?”

  [It was written in the Precept, regarding the retaking of planet Earth. These files would be open to all those mentioned at that time, but not until.]

  That was what Tallis had said to Parejas before they had headed for the conference, and when Alon had told him of the Gashnee.

  Shenta turned again to leave the chamber and approached the trans-lift.

  He stopped again, “Antiquity, who was the last one besides myself to access these files on the Gashnee?”

  There was a momentary pause, unlike the previous responses.

  [That would be Assemblyman Qurinden, Commander.]

  Parejas caught the pause, as if the programmed Keeper thought before she responded.

  “Antiquity, it’s my understanding that your program has been recently replaced. Am I correct?”

  [Yes, Commander.]

  “What artificial program do you use now?”

  [The Sent-5 Initiative.]

  Data Cell 17

  High above the planet Janus was the large, tactical operations station, Keres One. The hexagonal viewing platform sat on top in the center. Long docking arms came off at each of the corners, leading to other sections that continued to branch off. A circular access tube descended below the operations deck for one thousand meters before meeting another section, which also branched off to create a truss docking section for ships.

  Shenta Parejas watched from the tactical operations room high above the station. Each side of the hexagonal room had four, triangular viewing windows that traversed each section. It was a grand view of the planet and the ships that docked at the station.

  He saw the Flashpoint approach one of the arms. Below the battleship, a gunship swung up and rotated to dock across. Lieutenant Bender arriving, no doubt.

  Commander Parejas walked to the center of the room where a round tactical table was located.

  He activated the panel and brought the holographic projector to life.

  A door slid open and Lieutenant Commander Droe Temin entered.

  “Thanks for coming on short notice, Lieutenant Commander.”

  “I tried to make it here before the others arrived, as you directed,” she admitted.

  “Yes. I wanted to brief you on a retro-fit to the command ships. This order is secret, so it will stay with you.

  “I understand, Commander.”

  The holo-projector spun up a clear image of the Orion’s Rage.

  Shenta pointed to a side section on the ship, which showed a cut-away of the interior, “I have given the order for the implementation of a new weapon for the Rage Class of command ships.”

  Droe walked around the table to stand next to the commander.

  He spoke, “The L.T.S. weapon system, or what some engineers have come to call it, ‘the last thing seen’ by the enemy, was designed almost ten years ago, but not installed.”

  “Nice name. What does it do?” she asked.

  Shenta brought up a schematic of the Rage’s reactors from the image before them, “It’s a powerful weapon. It utilizes the full capacity of all platform reactors, including the fusion-star accelerators for the engines.”

  Droe had a worrisome look on her face as she responded, “All the reactors? Including shields, offensive, and defensive?”

  The lieutenant commander’s question was tactical, as she knew the Orion’s Rage had independent reactors for all systems, a redundancy that multiplied the ship’s effectiveness in combat and ensured her survivability.

  The systems and sub-systems each had their own reactor, a total of six, excluding the two main engine reactors. Each one could operate independently or collectively, as each was tied into the other by three umbilical transfer conduits. If one reactor was to fail in combat, a power transfer could take place from another reactor. All this was done automatically and instantaneously by the ship’s artificial command and control systems.

  “Yes,” he answered, “This is the drawback to this weapon. Let me explain.”

  The holo-image changed to a space scene with the Orion’s Rage being semi-transparent with a Kryth sector station and several cruisers in the vicinity.

  He continued, “When the L.T.S. system is activated, it takes the power of all reactors and funnels them through the L.T.S. device. The device then uses the hull of the ship as a conduit to transfer the energy towards the target. The power output is equal to the combined fire power of six Rage command cruisers, as you can see here.”

  He activated the console.

  The holo-image of the Orion’s Rage showed an energy transfer from the eight reactors to the center of the ship, where the L.T.S. device was located. The center of the ship became an intense point of white light as the energy expanded outward along the hull, enveloping the entire ship, and encasing it in a massive energy mass before being fired out the front of the ship.

  The massive beam struck the Kryth station, destroying it, while incinerating the Kryth cruisers in the vicinity, even though the beam never struck them directly.

  The holo-image flashed out as all the targets were destroyed.

  Her mouth was agape, “Incredible!”

  “The weapon is powerful,” Parejas said, “The zettajoule output can destroy the largest of ships or stations. It can even destroy an entire fleet that is grouped close together. It can take out ground targets on planets, such as cities or military installations, whether they are on the surface or deep underground.”

  “What is the downside to such a platform, sir?” she inquired.

  “The drawback, or Achilles’ Heel, of the system,” he said, “is the complete loss of all reactors, minus life support. The ship would be vulnerable for a short period of time during this phase. We would not have shields, offensive, or defensive systems back online until they recycled themselves after the blast.”

  “How long does the phase last?”

  “One minute until the reactors come back online in order of priority, such as shields and defensive systems.”

  “A minute is a lifetime in combat.”

  “Indeed. This is why I’ve never commissioned the project, until now.”

  “Why now? If you don’t mind me asking, Commander.”

  Shenta walked over to one of the triangular windows.

  He placed his hands behind his back before continuing, “We need every weapon platform at our disposal against the Kryth. We need every advantage, even though this weapon would leave the ship vulnerable. It would only be used in a last ditch effort to cheat certain death.”

  She continued to look at the data displayed in light, “How is the energy contained? The output on this graph is off the charts.”

  “The shields act as the containment barrier, as the energy exceeds the ship’s mass by four times. When it fires, the shields collapse.”

  He turned back towards her, “I tell you this now, Droe, because the sister ship of the Orion’s Rage, the Sol’s Edge, will be commissioned in the next few months. I will be giving you her command.”

  Droe drew in her breath and stood tall at the commander’s declaration.

  She was stunned. Her excited jubilance radiated from her green eyes.

  He walked towards her, “You deserve it, Lieutenant Commander. You’ve proven your skills and duties next to me in command.”<
br />
  “Thank you, sir. I. . . I am. . . I’m at a loss for words. This was unexpected. I mean, I knew she was due to be launched soon, followed by the others, but never considered who would command her.”

  “Can I assume you agree with my recommendation?”

  Droe beamed with a smile, “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. I’ve always dreamed of having a command of my own one day, but never in this manner. It’s a welcomed surprise. I thank you again, Commander.”

  Shenta returned the smile, “For now, let’s keep this between us shall we?”

  “Keep what between us, sir?”

  “Exactly.”

  Data Cell 18

  Commander Parejas and Lieutenant Commander Droe Temin had just finished their private conversation onboard the station, Keres One, when the others started to arrive.

  Lieutenant Bender came in with Commander Jesan Takkar, both laughing as they always seemed to be sharing some private joke or story with one another.

  Captain Nevlen Bossarios followed behind, communicating with another officer on his wrist holo-comm. It blinked out as Nevlen entered the command tier.

  “Gentlemen, it’s good to see everyone again. We have a lot to cover, so let’s get to it,” Parejas said as he cued up the projector.

  They all gathered around the holo-image of what looked to be Kryth fleet positions in red.

  Parejas looked over his command staff before speaking, “The first order of business will be Kryth positions and movements regarding what we know and what we can expect. Commander Takkar?”

  Commander Takkar touched the holo-image with his hands and expanded it outward. The flash of light zoomed in to the front lines of the eastern Kryth sectors.

  “Thank you, Commander Parejas. Please excuse the updates, gentlemen. The image will change as real-time position data comes in from Awanon regarding Kryth movements. Right now, we have little movement from Kryth forces, as you can see here. It seems they are still in a defensive posture with their fleet and ground forces. This corresponds with the intelligence gathered that they are still trying to figure out our location and size.” Takkar changed the image to the Mydian system, “Like I said, they are trying. We destroyed several unidentified probes entering Mydian the past several weeks. They were taken out in seconds once they crossed over the constellation camouflage sphere.”

  This real-time data and intelligence on Kryth movements and positions in other sectors was impressive, and Parejas knew why.

  The Awanon Project was designed and conceived in the early years of the rebirth of Humankind, on the outermost planet in the Mydian system, Awanon. It became the Ordinance’s key to the known secrets of the galaxy. The project was the primary secret facility in which the Ordinance forces would practice the art of intelligence gathering. It was given oversight over all others, including the formation and training of the Reaver Regiments. The Awanon Project was an engineering marvel, and it would need to be. Mankind’s future depended on it.

  The Facility, as it was known, was buried five miles down under the frozen tundra and ice of the planet. The intelligence gathered would comprise of all known races, systems, militaries, religions, anomalies, and any other information that was crucial to mankind’s knowledge of their surrounding space. The intelligence systems that gathered this information were secret, yet were the only way that the Facility had eyes and ears beyond the planet’s surface.

  Cloaked and hidden throughout deep space were the Facility’s farthest reaching surveillance devices, the Deus antennas. These devices were cloaked and scattered throughout the galaxy and were always on standby to pick up transmissions and imagery of interest. This information would be categorized and deciphered for use throughout the Ordinance forces.

  Over fifteen hundred methods and uncountable number of devices made up the entire network of intelligence gathering. All these systems were linked together, which created a complete sphere of knowledge for the Ordinance forces. With this vital information locked in the bowls of the planet Awanon, second-guessing was ruled out in an instant. An asteroid collision could be discerned as a space battle or an explosion by non-galactic anomalies within milliseconds. A hyperspace jump signature could be ruled out over a comet’s tail light years away. The systems that make up the network are the only sure thing that mankind has to a secure future.

  It was this exact system that had located Ramek. The only correct action Nevlen had made on his departure out of the system was to drop a Deus device around the planet Jens and Ramek were marooned on. The same was done by the Reavers, as they had activated a Mole device on the planet’s surface that had also helped in locating Ramek for the rescue operation.

  Parejas continued to listen to the briefing, smiling at the thought of what the Kryth were behind in; knowledge. It’s our true power, he thought.

  Kason spoke up, “Sorry to interrupt, Commander, but can we assume now the Kryth know where we are since these probe intrusions?”

  “Correct, Lieutenant,” Takkar said, “This is why, in the next image, we will see the main Kryth fleet has moved our way.”

  Just as the image changed, the door to the observation platform opened and in stepped a robed woman.

  Everyone turned to look.

  Parejas smiled as she entered, “Everyone, I would like to introduce you to Alon’s daughter, Keeper Laurenell Renske. She will be replacing the young Tanus Romar as the primary Keeper aboard the Orion’s Rage.”

  Everyone greeted the Keeper as she passed by.

  She approached the Reaver, “Hello, Kason,” she said with a smile.

  Droe’s interest piqued. If the ceiling wasn’t already high, her eyebrow would have hit it for sure.

  The Keeper moved past the group after the formal acknowledgments and took a spot next to one of the windows to observe.

  Droe followed her all the way before turning to Kason, “That was a quick first name basis.”

  Kason didn’t flinch or look in her direction.

  “Continue, Commander Takkar,” Parejas said.

  Takkar activated the next image of a full Kryth fleet. There were two Legion Flag command ships, two carriers, three destroyers, and four torpedo frigates.

  “As you can see here,” Takkar said, adjusting the zoom on the fleet, “the Kryth have moved in their main Domonius Fleet. It has moved twenty sectors away from Mydian. Although it would take them two weeks to reach the edge of our system . . . this is the first time they have ventured so far from their own territory. There is no other reason for this positioning.”

  Nevlen spoke up, “Are they planning to attack?”

  “No,” Shenta responded, “They are ascertaining what we would do. They still do not know our force size, as their probes have not had time to gauge what they’re up against. This move is a baby step to see if we will react. They’re simply testing us.”

  “Are we sure?” Nevlen asked.

  Before Takkar could respond, Parejas stepped up.

  “We’re sure, Captain. We have prepared for this day. Nothing is a shock to us and we are watching everything. Let us get to the task at hand,” Parejas retorted. Turning to Takkar, “Thank you for the briefing, Commander.”

  The holo-image blinked out.

  “We have several situations that garner our attention,” Parejas said, “The first is the monitoring of Kryth movements. The second is the Gashnee mystery which has now been thrust upon us. And the third is the Human delegation going to Earth.” He walked around the group at the monitor, continuing, “Our forces are in the best position to defend against any attack, although none would probably occur because we still hold the strategic position with the lack of Kryth intelligence on us. By the time they start to gain their footing, our defenses and fleets will be closer in number to their own. The Kryth making any attack now would leave themselves too weak to fend off any would-be successors to their position, such as the Vrae Empire.”

  Parejas continued to walk around the projector. “The second action, regarding this Gash
nee mystery, is a bit more pressing.”

  “How so, Commander?” Kason inquired.

  “I have come into some new information regarding why the Kryth are still paranoid about a long-dead race; and, why they are more interested than ever in ours.” He paused for only a moment before continuing, “The Gashnee may not be dead.”

  The statement caught everyone’s attention. Murmuring broke out amongst the group.

  “I’ve given you the back story to the Gashnee about how they visited us on Earth long ago. What I haven’t given you is the fact that they may still be around.”

  “How’s that possible? I thought they died out from a disease or were eradicated by the Kryth?” Droe spoke.

  “Yes, Lieutenant. Those were the conclusions, until now. We, I mean, another race believes the Gashnee have a living vessel within an ancient race that may know the mysteries and whereabouts of the Gashnee. We will need to put our trust in them to help us find the answers.”

  He had everyone’s attention.

  “The Cuukzen may know the whereabouts of the Gashnee, if they live.”

  Nevlen barked a laugh, “Ha! The Cuukzen? Well, there’s some reassurance for you. We’re going to trust them?”

  “Your men trusted you,” came the sharp reply from Kason.

  “Enough!” Parejas snapped, before Nevlen could respond. He glared hard at Kason for a moment, “I will not have any gallery comments on the matter from junior officers,” the commander declared, emphasizing their loss of rank and position, “And, yes, we are going to trust them.”

  Parejas walked over to Nevlen’s side, “You forget, Captain, that the Cuukzen hate the Kryth almost as much as we do. They have been subjugated and enslaved far longer than we’ve suffered.”

  “Sorry, Commander. I was–”

  Parejas stared at him, stopping any excuses to follow.

  Parejas continued, “This is what I’ve decided. I have asked Mistuuk for his assistance. He may have some contacts who know the whereabouts of these ancients. I asked him to team up with Rels Sentel, our Provost Marshal in the Great Rings Systems.”