The Slaver Wars: First Strike (The Slaver Wars Book Four)

by Weil, Raymond L.

  “With you! Why?” asked Kelsey not understanding. Why not just install them in another ship?

  “Ariel wanted to be back in a warship to fight the Hocklyns, and Clarissa didn’t want to be left behind,” explained Katie, recalling all the hard work and long hours she had put in trying to save the two AIs. “They were and still are the only two working AIs the Federation has.”

  “Why haven’t they built more?” Angela asked, her eyes going back and forth between Katie and the AI on the viewscreen. “Surely Federation science is now at the point they could easily do so.”

  “Because of the AIs,” Katie replied in a concerned voice. “No one knows how a Federation AI will respond when it comes into contact with the AI’s from the center of our galaxy. There is some concern that the AI’s from the galactic center could override the programming in our AIs and turn them against us. For that reason, the Federation has focused on better and more powerful computers. Some of the computers almost seem like AIs, but they are not.”

  “If Ariel is the AI on board this Avenger, then where is Clarissa?” Jeremy asked. He glanced at the main viewscreen and saw that Ariel was watching them very intently. It was strangely comforting to see her there.

  “She’s aboard the new StarStrike,” answered Katie pleased that they had elected to put Clarissa on Admiral Streth’s new flagship. It showed that the Fleet Admiral still had confidence in the AIs. “Clarissa and Ariel have worked with humans for such a long time that I don’t believe their programming can be corrupted, but just in case I have installed some special firewalls that should be able to protect them.”

  “Where is the commanding officer?” Jeremy asked Katie. He looked around not seeing anyone ranked higher than a lieutenant to report to.

  Katie only smiled and nodded toward someone standing behind Jeremy.

  Jeremy turned and instantly came to attention. “Admiral in the Command Center!” he called out. Instantly everyone stood and snapped to attention.

  “At ease, and continue,” responded Admiral Karla Johnson pleased with Major Strong’s quick response.

  “Major Strong, we seem to have a slight problem with this ship,” she began with a mystifying smile as she walked over to stand in front of the five.

  “A problem?” spoke Jeremy, hesitantly. “What type of problem?”

  “This ship is going to be assigned to Admiral Streth’s fleet in the coming campaign. It doesn’t seem to have a commanding officer, and our friendly AI here is insisting that she will only accept one individual as her commander.”

  Jeremy felt his heart start to beat faster. He had become good friends with Ariel after the New Horizon incident and had spent a lot of time in her presence. He had a suspicion what the admiral was about to say. He recalled how Ariel had named his father as her commander.

  “Major Strong, effective as of today you have been promoted to the position of Commanding Officer of the heavy strike cruiser Avenger.”

  Kelsey, Angela, and Kevin could only stare and listen in amazement. None of them had expected something like this when they came aboard. Katie just smiled, knowing already who Ariel had wanted as her commanding officer. There was no doubt in Katie’s mind that the AI had made a good decision, and it would be great for all of them to be back together again.

  “I’m not qualified,” stuttered Jeremy, finding it difficult to accept what the admiral was offering him. He wanted the command, but he knew it shouldn’t be his. There were bound to be officers on the ship that were more qualified.

  “Nonsense,” replied Admiral Johnson with a smile. “My great ancestor and your father discovered the Avenger on the Moon over three hundred years ago. How could you be anything but a commander in the coming war? After all, Admiral Streth has been in cryosleep even longer and I gave him an entire war fleet.”

  “Yes, Admiral,” spoke Jeremy not sure what else to say.

  “You’ve served as an executive officer on a light cruiser for several years,” Admiral Johnson continued. She had read the files of all five of these young officers carefully. “Colonel Maylen, who will be reporting for duty tomorrow, will serve as your executive officer. She is extremely familiar with the specifications and capabilities of a heavy strike cruiser. If you have any questions, she will answer them.”

  “I look forward to meeting the colonel,” Jeremy replied, his eyes focusing on the admiral. He could feel his heart beating faster as he realized he was going to be the Avenger’s commander.

  “As for you other three, including Lieutenant Katie Johnson, you will be assigned to the Command Cent er as First Watch officers.”

  “Yes, Admiral!” they all spoke in unison.

  The admiral’s eyes softened as she looked at them. “All five of you represent a lot of Federation history. You were all on the New Horizon, and some of your parents were very important in creating the new Federation as we know it today. There is no doubt in my mind that you will continue that tradition on this ship. Make us proud.”

  “Yes, Admiral,” all five responded.

  “The ship is yours, Commander,” spoke Admiral Johnson, saluting Jeremy.

  Karla turned and left the Command Center, heading toward a transit tube. She prayed that nothing happened to those five, or six if you counted Ariel. Losing them and the history they represented would be almost as bad as losing Admiral Streth; it would be a hard blow to the Federation.

  Jeremy watched the admiral leave and then slowly made his way over to the command console. It was nearly twice the size as the one in a light cruiser. He looked at it for a moment, noticing there were two chairs instead of one. He sat down and saw a mini-com lying on top of the console. Picking it up, he inserted it into his right ear.

  “Don’t worry, Jeremy,” Ariel spoke in a pleasant and soft voice. “I will help you with everything; no one else can hear what I am saying to you. Tell the others to go to their stations and insert their mini-coms, and I will help them also. All but Katie, she has already been working on the Avenger’s computer systems for over a week and knows what to do.”

  Jeremy passed on the order to the other three and watched as they went to their stations. In just a few short minutes, everyone was busy learning the differences that three hundred years can make in a warship and its intricate systems. Fortunately, they had Ariel, and she could work and speak to all of them simultaneously. After an hour, Jeremy began to feel his confidence returning. Then the reality set in. He was aboard a Federation heavy strike cruiser, and he was in command. Letting out a deep breath, he looked back at the computer console where Katie was sitting. So much had changed and Katie had certainly changed. Jeremy wondered just what that might mean for the future.

  Katie was working on the computer system and thinking about what Admiral Johnson had said. When the admiral had commented that her remote ancestor had been with Jeremy’s father when the Avenger had been discovered, a shock had passed through her. It had never occurred to her that she and Admiral Johnson might be related. She allowed a smile to cover her face; it felt good to know she had other family still around. She wondered how closely she and the admiral were related. Perhaps someday she would ask her.

  -

  In Hocklyn space, Commodore Resmunt looked at the latest reports from the escort cruisers that were out on exploration missions. His large, dark eyes grew wider when he saw that two of them were missing. Getting up, he made his way over to the large star map hanging on the wall, which depicted this section of the galaxy. It took him only a few moments to plot the general area where the two ships had vanished. He stepped back and thought for a moment. The two escort cruisers had disappeared in an area that had not been previously explored.

  Activating his com system, he sent out orders for War Leaders Bisth and Sangeth to report to his office. Walking over to the large window, he looked out over the busy spaceport. Shuttles and small ships were coming and going constantly. From the last report, there were over ten thousand slaves working on the spaceport and the surrounding supp
ort facilities. In another six weeks, his forward fleet bases would be completed.

  Looking upward toward space, he wondered if he should set up some type of orbital defenses. Only the home worlds had them, but he was facing a new and possibly dangerous situation. He was also a long way from major military support if he were to need it. The decision wasn’t hard to make; once the shipyard was completed, he would begin building some basic defense satellites.

  -

  A few hours later, War Leaders Bisth and Sangeth reported to Resmunt’s office. Both were curious about what the Fleet Commodore wanted and were hoping it meant action would be forthcoming. Hocklyns were meant for combat, not routine shipboard duties. It was time to go and find honor.

  Resmunt watched impassively as the two entered. Letting out a deep breath, he gazed down at the six digits on his right hand. His hand was a light green in color, and his fingers ended in very sharp and thick nails, almost like talons.

  “Two of our exploration cruisers are missing,” he began in a cold and detached voice.

  “This mysterious race you believe is out there; do you think they are responsible?” Sangeth asked in his rasping voice.

  “Over the past month the amount of ghost sensor readings has increased dramatically,” he spoke in a calm calculating voice. “If I didn’t know better, I would think our defenses are being probed all along this sector.”

  “Then we could indeed be facing a well prepared enemy,” commented Bisth already relishing the thought of combat. Honor could be coming in the very near future. Very seldom did the Hocklyns ever encounter an enemy that was worthy of combat.

  Resmunt walked back over to the large map on the wall. “Based on when the increased sensor ghosts began to be reported and the two cruisers planned exploration path, I believe they were destroyed in one of these two star systems.” Resmunt pointed to the two indicated systems on the map.

  “That’s less than seven hundred light years from our outer borders,” commented Sangeth, realizing that the enemy could be much closer than he had thought possible. “What are our orders?”

  Resmunt turned toward the two and spoke with authority in his voice. “You will take your two fleets to this sector of space and investigate both systems. If an enemy is there and you can destroy him, you are authorized to do so. If his forces are too great, you are to withdraw and report back here.”

  “Withdraw!” Sangeth uttered, his large eyes almost turning yellow with rage. “Hocklyns do not retreat in the face of an enemy!”

  “In this case, you will,” Resmunt spoke in a cold and deadly voice. He stepped over to stand directly in front of the War Leader. “If you do not, I will see to it that your entire family is stripped of their honor.”

  “We will withdraw,” responded Bisth, knowing it was the wisest choice. “Honor will be served by bringing word of this potential threat back to the empire.”

  “War Leader Bisth, you will be in command of the two fleets,” Resmunt added, stepping back. “Find out what’s out there. Go and bring honor to the empire.”

  With that, Resmunt dismissed the two War Leaders. There was no doubt they would follow his commands. He knew that Sangeth was the more rash and excitable of the two, while Bisth was more calculating and might someday rise to the rank of Fleet Commodore. Walking back to the window, Resmunt gazed out, wondering whether Sangeth and Bisth would find a dangerous threat to the empire, or nothing at all?

  Chapter Five

  Admiral Tolsen gazed with deep concern at the main viewscreen. His fleet was stationed 2.7 light years from Gliese 667C, which contained Caden’s World. In addition to his flagship, WarHawk, the battle carriers Liberty and Independence were slightly behind and above the powerful battle cruiser, as well as four Monarch heavy cruisers. A strong light cruiser contingent consisting of eight ships were intermingled amongst the seven powerful warships. On the periphery of the fleet, six fleet destroyers hovered in screening positions.

  “I hate this waiting,” complained Colonel Beck, letting out a long sigh. “It’s been nearly fourteen weeks since the two Hocklyn cruisers were destroyed. I would have thought the Hocklyns would have responded by now.”

  “Be patient, Peter,” replied Admiral Tolsen, looking over at his second in command standing next to him. “The Hocklyns will be here soon enough. Have you read the latest reports from military intelligence?”

  “Yes, they’re almost frightening. They’ve found six major Hocklyn bases less than seven hundred light years away from our borders. Major Ackerman believes they may find more before the survey is complete.”

  “They suspect something,” Tolsen put forth, leaning back in his command chair and arching his eyebrows. “The escort cruisers we have destroyed over the years and the stealth scout spying has made them suspicious. They know something is out here and are preparing for it.”

  “I suspect Admiral Streth will make short work of those bases when he launches his attack,” smirked Colonel Beck. “I would like to be there when he levels them.”

  “It will be the start of a long war,” Tolsen said somberly, his eyes taking on a distant and sad look. “A war with the Hocklyns may go on for generations. Even our children may not see the end of it.”

  “It’s better than being slaves in their empire,” Peter replied with a nod of understanding. “We have allies and a powerful fleet; this won’t be like when the Hocklyns attacked the original Federation.”

  It was at that moment that a warning alarm sounded, drawing their attention to the sensors.

  “We have unauthorized FTL signatures in the Gliese 667C system,” reported Lieutenant Anders as a flashing red light began blinking on his sensor panel.

  Tolsen looked back over at Colonel Beck. “Bring the fleet to readiness, Peter. This may be it!”

  -

  On Caden’s World, Captain Krandle gazed at the long-range sensors, which were now showing glaring red threat icons appearing in the system. She had been promoted since the original battle due to the fact that additional marines had been stationed upon the planet.

  “Bring us to Condition One, Lieutenant Simmons,” Krandle ordered as additional red threat icons continued to appear. Simmons had also been promoted. Then turning to Adam Severson, she continued. “Put your people in the deep bunkers, this may be the Hocklyn attack we have been expecting. I don’t think those are freighters off course.”

  Severson turned and began passing on the orders. At least this time they had an additional two hundred marines to help provide security. There were even two heavily armed marines standing at the doorway to the operations center, which had been substantially reinforced. He knew it would take about two hours for the twenty thousand inhabitants of the planet to reach the underground bunkers. They had considered evacuating Caden’s World, but this was their home and the people had wanted to stay.

  “Fleet units are withdrawing to just beneath the defensive satellites,” the corporal sitting at the sensor console reported. The young woman continued to monitor the sensors closely.

  Captain Krandle nodded as she studied the sensor screen. There were currently two light cruisers and four destroyers in orbit. In addition, there were now eighty defensive satellites as well as ten missile-launching platforms. If this was a Hocklyn fleet, they might find Caden’s World a hard nut to crack.

  “We’re at Condition One, and our marines are reporting to their assigned security positions,” Lieutenant Simmons reported as he listened to numerous conversations over his mini-com. “Surface missile batteries are being activated and readied to shoot down any inbound Hocklyn shuttle or missile.”

  Krandle nodded her head in acknowledgment. They had two defensive missile platforms at each mining site. From the number of red threat icons on her screens, she wished she had more! Now it begins, she thought as she watched the red icons apprehensively. She knew that Admiral Tolsen and his fleet were nearby. She just hoped it was enough.

  -

  War Leader Sangeth gazed with cold eyes
at the sensor screen. The fourth planet of the system was showing energy readings. There were also numerous satellites in orbit as well as a small number of ships.

  “Send a message back to War Leader Bisth that we have found an inhabited planet and are closing to investigate.”

  First Leader Rahn quickly passed on the orders and then returned to studying the information from the long-range sensors.

  As a safety precaution, the two Hocklyn fleets were not jumping together; they were staying separated by one jump. This had been War Leader Bisth’s decision. If they encountered a weak enemy, Bisth’s fleet would jump forward and help eliminate it. If the enemy were powerful, then his fleet could jump forward, help extricate Sangeth’s fleet, and then both fleets would return to Commodore Resmunt’s base with data on their new enemy.

  What irked War Leader Sangeth was that Bisth had demanded that Sangeth leave over half of his fleet at Bisth’s location. He claimed it was so the enemy wouldn’t know their true strength until it was needed, but Sangeth did not agree that his fleet should be split; he preferred to have his entire fleet with him. When they returned to Fleet Commodore Resmunt’s base, he intended to lodge a formal complaint against the other War Leader. Perhaps it would be necessary to fight an honor duel with War Leader Bisth to prove his point.

  “Plot a jump to just outside of the planet’s gravity well,” ordered Sangeth, feeling energized at the thought of battle. “Let’s see what is truly on the planet.”

  From what he was seeing on the sensor screens, this planet would not be able to withstand the power of his current fleet. The ships that had been left behind with Bisth would not be needed. Honor was a few short hours away. He smirked, knowing that this would be over before Bisth could jump in. He would miss out on this honor opportunity, which was just fine with Sangeth.

  War Leader Sangeth was confident of an easy victory; he had his dreadnought the Crimson Oblivion, two war cruisers, and eight escort cruisers. With satisfaction, he saw a white spatial vortex form in front of his flagship, and the Oblivion moved into it. Honor was about to fall his way.