The Star Cross: The Forever War

by Raymond L. Weil

  Kurt let out a deep breath. “Creed’s body was never found. We always assumed he died in one of the shuttles, trying to escape Earth. Looks like we were wrong.” Kurt couldn’t believe Creed had escaped. It explained the attack on the embassy as well as the attack against Grantz.

  Dolman had a serious look on his face. “Creed is a dangerous individual, and all he wants now is revenge. He’ll keep coming for you and your people until he either kills you or you kill him. I would recommend you place a bounty on his head, a large enough one that would keep him away from Kubitz.”

  “How large?” Kurt asked.

  Placing a bounty on someone’s head was something that sounded barbaric, but they were talking about High Profiteer Creed, the individual directly responsible for millions of deaths on Earth plus what had happened at the Newton embassy here on Kubitz. Bounties were a common practice on Kubitz and in the Gothan Empire.

  “Ten million credits will keep him far from Kubitz,” replied Dolman. “It will also keep him away from a number of other Profiteer worlds, where any number of small clans would find the bounty very tempting to collect.”

  Kurt thought about the suggestion for a moment and then nodded. “See that it’s done. I want Creed dead!” As long as he was alive, he was a threat. A threat to Kurt, the embassy here on Kubitz, as well as to Earth and Newton and their new alliance.

  -

  Later Kurt toured the embassy compound with Captain Briar, Grantz, and Dolman.

  “I can’t believe Marvin is dead,” Grantz said as he gazed at the part of the building where his quarters had been. “He was a fine man and paid in gold for my services.”

  “Don’t forget. High Profiteer Creed tried to kill you as well,” Dolman reminded Grantz.

  Grantz let out a deep sigh. “I may have to stay away from the pleasure houses for a while. At least until Creed has been dealt with. Putting a bounty on his head should at least deter him from Kubitz, but he still has a lot of connections.”

  “Captain, I want you to submit a plan that ensures the safety of this compound. If we need to install multiple energy turrets on the perimeter wall, that’s what we’ll do. We will leave twenty of the new combat robots here as well as another full company of Marines. Replacement staff and a new ambassador will arrive once the compound is secure.”

  “A new ambassador,” muttered Grantz unhappily. “I wish Tenner was still here.”

  “We all do,” replied Kurt. He felt a dull ache inside knowing Tenner was gone.

  “So the Controllers agreed to all your demands?” asked Dolman, his eyes widening. “I would have liked to have listened to that conversation.” Kurt had informed them of what had transpired in Kelmor’s office.

  “They didn’t have a choice,” answered Kurt, pointing upward. “Not with my fleet in orbit.”

  Dolman stopped and looked at Kurt sharply. “So the Glaymons came through. I have heard rumors of the battle in the Lakiam home system and that a Glaymon fleet as well as Newton ships were involved.”

  “Most of that’s still confidential,” Kurt answered, knowing Fleet Commodore Dreen was visiting numerous Protector Worlds in the company of several Glaymon disk ships to bring more worlds into the Lakiam Alliance to fight the Vorn. It would soon be general knowledge that the Glaymons were taking an active part in the war against the Vorn.

  Dolman nodded his understanding. “I imagine the offer to keep two of your new heavy battlecruisers in orbit was the deciding factor. The new defensive platforms Lomatz is building only offers a limited option against the Vorn. I’m surprised you’re keeping an embassy on Kubitz.”

  “A lot of information is available here as well as technology and products from thousands of worlds,” answered Kurt. “For the time being, we will remain on Kubitz. At some point that might no longer be necessary.”

  “Someday the Vorn will come to the empire,” predicted Grantz gravely. “I greatly fear when that day arrives.”

  Kurt didn’t reply. Attacks from the Vorn had greatly diminished since the battle in the Lakiam System. Yet Kurt was deeply concerned the Vorn were reevaluating how to conduct their harvesting after their decisive setback. In Kurt’s mind, they hadn’t heard the last from the Vorn.

  Chapter Four

  Fleet Commodore Dreen was aboard his flagship, the Lakiam battlecruiser Basera. He was in his office, meeting with council member Shriel Marl. Marl had been a council member for over twenty years and was one of the few politicians Dreen trusted.

  Commodore Dreen was seven foot tall with bright blue eyes, golden hair, and a slim stature. His arms were double jointed with long nimble fingers on his hands. Most Lakiams looked down on all races which were not as advanced as they were. Commodore Dreen was not of that opinion and lacked the arrogance many of his people felt toward less-developed cultures.

  “Twenty-eight Protector Worlds are now in the Alliance,” Dreen said, his focus on Marl. “We have eight more, highly interested in joining.” Dreen felt better about the growing Alliance with each passing day and their chances against the Vorn.

  “It helps that several Glaymon disk ships, as well as Fleet Captain Waelt, have made the rounds with you,” Marl said. “I’m still awed that the Glaymons have made an appearance and have agreed to share some of their technology with us. It’s made a huge difference with the council.”

  Commodore Dreen sighed. “I wish they would share more. Some of their weapons are astonishing in their power. Just one or two strikes from their beam weapons can destroy a Vorn battleship.”

  “But they have helped to increase the power of our ships’ weapons,” pointed out Marl. He had been briefed on what the Glaymons were willing to share and how the Glaymons thought it wise not to turn over all of their highly advanced technology. It could disrupt the economy of the entire galaxy.

  “They have given us a better power system. The upgrades to our ships’ antimatter chambers have increased the power available to our weapons and shields by over 200 percent. We’ve also added the new KEW cannon to all new ship construction. While its rounds are not as powerful as the ones the Humans use, the cannon still generates over one thousand megatons of explosive force on impact, enough to knock a hole even in the Vorns’ energy screens.”

  “How are the ship updates coming to our regular fleet?”

  “Seventy-two percent complete,” answered Commodore Dreen. “The Andocks are at 80 percent, the Bascoms 58 percent, and the Parmonts 43 percent.” The new technology had been shared with all the members of the original Alliance. Dreen knew all three of the other Protector World civilizations were upgrading and building new ships as rapidly as possible before the Vorn returned.

  Marl nodded. “What about the Hanorians?”

  This race lived close to the galactic center and was responsible for many of the Enlightened World civilizations in that region.

  “We’ve furnished them with the technology for the improved antimatter chambers,” Dreen replied. “They only recently began converting their fleet and have presently upgraded 37 percent of their ships. They have also shared the antimatter technology with two other major Protector Worlds in their area.”

  “Progress,” commented Marl, nodding in satisfaction. He studied the fleet commodore. “What’s your assessment of the Glaymons? In the discussions I’ve had with them, they seem very guarded in some of their responses.”

  “I’ve noticed the same,” replied Dreen, his brow furrowing in a deep frown. “We still don’t know where their home world is, though I’m certain Mara as well as Fleet Admiral Vickers know. Due to the immunity given Mara as liaison between us and the Humans, she can legally keep that information to herself.”

  Marl nodded. “The Glaymons are still a big mystery. While they have made some of their ships available to help in the war against the Vorn, I still can’t help but feel something major is being hidden from us.”

  “Perhaps,” said Commodore Dreen. “But without their help and the Humans, we would all be dead.”

&nb
sp; “There is that,” admitted Marl with a grimace. “We should be grateful for the help they’re willing to give.”

  “What are the opinions of the other councilors on our Lakiam Alliance as to the war with the Vorn?” Dreen spent as little time as he could speaking with the councilors. Marl was the exception, as was Lead Councilor Atratis.

  “As you would expect, many believe the path you have placed us on will never lead us to reaching Enlightened status, particularly Councilor Darmas. He brings up that point in every council meeting. A few other councilors agree with him, while most realize the survival of our race depends on us turning away from Enlightenment, at least for a while.”

  “How do you feel?” asked Dreen. He had seen many Enlightened Worlds, and all, while highly advanced, seemed sterile and their culture uninteresting, as if they had given up their innermost dreams to reach the Enlightened state.

  “I don’t know,” admitted Marl with a slight frown. “The goal of all Protector Worlds is to become Enlightened, though some never make it. It’s been like that for millions of years.”

  “When I spoke to Mara, she mentioned that perhaps Enlightenment was the wrong route for us. She’s coming to believe Enlightenment is a dead end, and we should embrace diversity in the galaxy.”

  Marl mulled over that suggestion for a long moment. “She could be right. However, council member Darmas and a few others will never agree. Darmas suggested the other day that we send a delegation to the Vorn and ask for a permanent cease-fire. He suggested that, since we defeated them so easily, they might agree to leave us and a few other worlds alone.”

  Fleet Commodore Dreen shook his head in exasperation. “That battle wasn’t simple, and we could have easily lost. We and our allies lost several thousand valuable warships and lots of lives. If the Glaymons and the Humans from Newton hadn’t shown up when they did, our fleets would have been defeated. As to speaking to the Vorn, from what we’ve learned in the computer files of the captured mothership, we are nothing more than food.”

  Council member Marl was silent as he digested those fateful words. “Another meeting of the council is set in two days. We’ll be voting for the new fleet appropriations bill. At last count, it has just barely enough votes to pass. Many of our people are still confused about this war. Council member Darmas and his group have been berating this turn in direction for our race. They claim we are moving toward barbarism, and, once we reach a certain point, there will be no turning back. They have even suggested that someday we won’t even be a Protector World.”

  Dreen scoffed at that suggestion. “Maybe we should send council member Darmas to speak to the Vorn. If he is so blinded in his desire for Enlightenment that he can’t accept the danger the Vorn represent, then perhaps the best thing we can do is let the Vorn have him.”

  Marl shook his head. “I’ll pretend you didn’t say that. While I might agree with the supposition, he is still a council member and is free to have and express his opinions.”

  “True, but he better get his head out of the ground before the Vorn eat him.”

  “I’ll be going to Lakiam shortly. Is there anything else you need?”

  “No. I’ll attend the council meeting and speak about the need to add to the fleet and increase our orbital defenses. I promise not to insult anyone on the council.” Commodore Dreen knew that would be hard not to do, especially with council member Darmas in the chamber as he made it a point to object to every suggestion Dreen put forth.

  Council member Marl stood to leave. “If you can do that, I believe the appropriations bill will pass without any hang-ups. I would make one suggestion. Have Fleet Captain Waelt come with you. Having a Glaymon in the council chambers should silence Darmas and his group. They won’t dare risk insulting him.”

  Fleet Commodore Dreen grinned. He liked that idea. He would even help Fleet Captain Waelt with a speech to give to the council. “I think I can arrange that.”

  Marl nodded and left the fleet commodore’s office.

  Commodore Dreen let out a deep sigh. He hated playing politics. He felt more at home in his Command Center, directing his fleet. However, he was well aware of how things worked, and, if he had to take time from his busy schedule to placate the councilors, then he would.

  -

  A couple hours later Fleet Commodore Dreen was again in the Command Center. Sitting in his command chair, he looked around the large room. “Alborg, what’s the latest status on the Vorn?” Thanks to the Glaymons, Dreen now had an interstellar communications system which allowed for much faster communication than before.

  “They’re still hitting worlds on the outskirts of the galaxy and staying away from any major Protector Worlds.”

  “Scavenging,” muttered Jalad from Navigation. “They’re harvesting totally defenseless worlds.”

  “Even some barbaric worlds,” added Camol from Damage Control. “No loss there.”

  Commodore Dreen turned toward his damage control officer. “Every world is a loss. Someday those barbaric worlds could be very important. No one knows how they might develop.”

  Camol lowered his head and nodded. “You’re right, Commodore.”

  “I’m afraid we’re running out of time,” said Alborg. “The Vorn activity in our galaxy has been reduced by nearly 90 percent since the battle here in our home system. However, just the fact that small Vorn fleets are still active in distant sections of the galaxy suggests they aren’t through with us. They may be reevaluating their harvesting methods due to what happened here. When they return, we may face much larger Vorn fleets as well as more of their battleships. I also wonder if the battleships we fought in that Vorn fleet are their largest vessels.”

  “Fleet Captain Waelt has invited me to his flagship later today,” Dreen said. He was excited about this invitation as it would be the first time he boarded one of the one-thousand-meter disk ship of the Glaymons. “We’re going to discuss strategy on how to deal with future Vorn incursions. It will give me additional information to present to the council two days hence.”

  “Politics,” muttered Alborg, shaking his head. “I’m glad I don’t have to mess with that.”

  Dreen nodded in agreement. The entire crew of his flagship was comprised of the more aggressive Lakiams. Their views and words didn’t reflect the general attitude of Lakiam civilization. That was why Dreen had chosen them.

  -

  Later Fleet Commodore Dreen took a small shuttle to the Glaymon ship. As the shuttle approached, a hatch slid open, allowing the small vessel entry. The pilot expertly landed the shuttle where a series of yellow lights flashed.

  “We’re down,” the pilot reported. “Outside atmosphere and gravity are normal.”

  Taking a deep breath, the fleet commodore opened the hatch and descended the ramp. Normally in a situation like this, he would have several combat robots as escorts. However, this was no normal situation, and he wouldn’t do anything to risk offending the Glaymons. As he reached the bottom of the ramp, a hatch on the far side of the small flight bay slid open, and Fleet Captain Waelt and several of his officers stepped out.

  Waelt was a typical Glaymon—nearly seven foot tall and unusually thin with a larger-than-normal but bald head. Their eyes were nearly round with no eyebrows. The Glaymons’ arms were long with hands ending in five slim digits. They had been a civilized culture for over twenty-four million years. The average lifespan for a Glaymon was over twelve thousand years.

  “I am glad to see you,” Captain Waelt said as he reached the fleet commodore. Gesturing to the two Glaymons with him, he continued. “This is my tactical officer Duran Aubree and my communications officer Ravol Minth.”

  “Thanks for the invitation to come aboard your ship,” replied Dreen, acknowledging the three. “It is something I have been hoping for.”

  “We should have done this sooner,” Captain Waelt replied. “If you will follow me, we will take a quick tour of the ship, and I’ll answer as many of your questions as possible.”

&n
bsp; As they walked through the ship, Commodore Dreen felt as if he were walking in a ship built by the Lakiams in another thousand years or more. The evidence of extremely advanced science was everywhere. What amazed Dreen the most were the replicators throughout the ship. The small devices seemed capable of producing almost anything. Caption Waelt took Dreen into one of the ship’s dining areas, and, pressing a button on one of the room’s replicators, a bowl of fruit materialized.

  “The patterns are stored in the replicator’s buffer system, and the computer simply recalls them and then reconstitutes the desired food product atom by atom.” Waelt handed a small yellow fruit to the commodore. It was one common on Lakiam.

  Commodore Dreen took a bite, and surprise spread across his face. “It tastes like the real thing. This is amazing.”

  “The replicators are very power-consuming,” Tactical Officer Aubree explained. “Other Enlightened Worlds have experimented with such technology, but the energy requirement makes units such as these impractical. We use a Zero-Point Energy module, which generates nearly unlimited power. The Vorn use this to power their intergalactic vessels.”

  Dreen turned toward Aubree. “Are you saying the Vorn ships we’ve encountered are powered by a Zero-Point Energy source?”

  “No,” replied Aubree, shaking his head. “Only their intergalactic transport vessels. They haven’t managed to make a Zero-Point Energy module small enough for their warships. At least not yet.”

  Dreen nodded his understanding. “That explains how your weapons could penetrate the Vorns’ energy screens. An energy beam energized by such a power source would be nearly unstoppable.”

  “The increased power from your new antimatter power plants should have nearly the same effect. In combat, I would suggest using your new KEW cannons to blow a hole in Vorn shields and then use your energy beams or a dark matter missile to finish off the vessel.”