The Slaver Wars: First Strike (The Slaver Wars Book Four)
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“What about losses?” President Kincaid pressed. “How badly have we been hurt?”
Karla called up the latest numbers. “Two battle cruisers, eight Monarch cruisers, eighteen light cruisers, and thirty-two destroyers.”
President Kincaid turned pale at hearing the losses. “Will those losses endanger Operation First Strike?”
“No,” Karla responded with a shake of her head. “Most of the losses can be made up from the reserves in the supply fleet.”
“Admiral Streth still needs to take out their main base though,” added Admiral Telleck, looking over at the president.
“They have already substantially damaged or destroyed the fleet that was protecting it,” continued Karla, nodding her head in agreement. “For the last several days they have been using their fighters and bombers to take out the planet’s defensive grid.” Looking down at her screen once more, she added, “Admiral Sheen and Admiral Adler should be launching their final attack on the remaining Hocklyn ships and the base within just a few more hours. Then, for all intents and purposes, that entire sector of space will be under our control.”
“Which brings up the main reason for this meeting,” President Kincaid spoke, his eyes taking on a serious look. “What are we to do about this new alien race that Admiral Strong has contacted? They have formally sent a request to join our alliance and are asking for military aid to defend their planet.”
“I say we help them,” Governor Malleck spoke up for the first time. He had been patiently listening to the conversation waiting for this to be brought up. “According to Admiral Strong, this is a very advanced race with a high technological level. If we can set up a base in Hocklyn space to use against them in the future, then I say we do it.”
“This race of bears is over seven hundred light years from the Federation,” President Kincaid reminded the governor. “It will take our supply ships twelve to fourteen days just to reach them. Is that even practical?”
“It is,” replied Admiral Freeman, joining the conversation. “We have a new class of military supply ship that can make the trip in ten days. The ships are the size of a light cruiser, with energy shields and defensive weapons. They would be ideal for this type of operation.”
“I would make another suggestion,” Governor Malleck added. He was about to propose something that Admiral Telleck had suggested. “We know that our defensive satellites have a flaw because they are too easy to destroy.”
“Yes, we’ve had to make some adjustments in our fleet deployment to ensure their survivability,” answered Admiral Johnson, unhappily. She had been forced to assign more destroyers to picket duty by moving them into all of the defensive satellites grids over the planets to prevent the satellites from being picked off so easily.
“We have a new development that will solve that,” spoke Governor Malleck, indicating for Admiral Telleck to explain their proposal.
Admiral Telleck stood up and walking over to a holographic image projector inserted a computer chip into it. Instantly, an image of a small metallic sphere appeared floating directly above the display table.
“This is our new satellite defensive battle station,” he announced as the others gazed on. “It is 120 meters in diameter and fully self contained. It has an energy shield, defensive lasers, railguns, and interceptor missiles with a standard crew of forty.”
“By placing them either in or just above our defensive satellites we can increase the grid’s survivability. Not only that, but these installations can also serve as Command Centers for their section of the defensive grid.”
Admiral Johnson stood up and walked over to gaze closely at the image. “How soon would these be ready to deploy?” She could already see their usefulness. She had suggested something similar, but the construction time to implement such a program wasn’t there yet.
“Immediately,” Admiral Telleck said with a smile. “We have already started construction inside several of the construction bays in Ceres. We have twenty-four of these ready to deploy and would like to send all of them to help in the defense of these new aliens.”
“What?” President Kincaid stammered in surprise. He didn’t know if it was wise to deploy such a new weapon system to these aliens. “How would you get them there? I don’t believe we have anything that can handle something of that size and jump into hyperspace.”
“It’s quite simple actually,” responded Admiral Telleck, looking around the small group. “We attach them to our battle carriers and take them to these aliens. We estimate we can attach four to each one.”
“Won’t that be dangerous on the ship’s systems?” asked Admiral Freeman, thinking about the energy that would be needed to open a spatial vortex to take something so large into hyperspace.
“Not if we make the jumps shorter,” Admiral Telleck responded. “We believe we can make it to the bear’s planet in sixteen days.”
“Where will the battle carriers come from?” Admiral Johnson asked. She hated sending any more ships in Admiral Streth’s direction. It was all she could do to ensure she had sufficient forces to defend the Federation with in case of a Hocklyn attack.
“We will furnish the battle carriers,” Governor Malleck answered as his eyes swept over the group. “In this instance, we agree with Admiral Strong and Admiral Streth’s assessment that helping these aliens is in the best interest of the Federation.”
What Governor Malleck didn’t mention was that the world of the Bears might someday be used to launch an offensive to retake the old Federation home worlds. It was primarily for this reason they were willing to allocate the resources. The Federation survivors were determined to drive the Hocklyns from their old worlds and return home someday.
After more discussion, the group finally agreed on Admiral Telleck and Governor Malleck’s plan. It was also decided to send additional laser satellites as well as missile platforms to the bears.
-
Later, Admiral Johnson was alone with Admiral Andrews in a small office just off to the side of the Command Center. The two would be traveling to New Tellus later to eat with the president and for further discussions.
“Do you know why Governor Malleck and Admiral Telleck are so determined to help these new aliens?” Karla asked as she sat down.
“Yes, they want to retake our home worlds someday,” replied Richard as he poured both of them a glass of cold water. Handing one glass to Admiral Johnson, he sat down behind his desk and leaned back, still holding his glass in his right hand. “It could be a good plan; at the worst it will cause the Hocklyns a lot of problems having a heavily armed and defended hostile planet in their own backyard.”
Karla was silent for a moment and noticed the picture of Admiral Sheen on Richard’s desk. “Miss your wife, don’t you?”
“Of course,” Richard replied with a heavy sigh. “She’s gone off to fight a battle and I worry. What husband wouldn’t?”
“She’s very resourceful,” responded Karla, wondering if she were in the same position if she could have allowed her husband to go off like that. Sometimes she regretted choosing the military over a family. Perhaps someday she would change her mind.
“She always has been,” Richard replied with a smile, recalling their trip to the resort on New Tellus. “She always manages to come up with something to surprise me.”
Admiral Johnson nodded and then said. “I’m going to go ahead and give the approval to send tactical nukes to the bears to be used on the Shrike missiles the missile platforms will be equipped with.”
Richard nodded his approval at this decision. “I wonder what effect Operation First Strike is having on the Hocklyn Empire? By now, word of our assault has to have spread. Even their High Council must know what’s happening.”
Karla nodded and then, with a serious and worried frown, she added, “The AIs will learn of our attack shortly. That’s what concerns me the most.”
-
High Leader Nartel gazed in growing worry at the reports coming in from Fleet Co
mmodore Resmunt’s sector. The humans were sweeping through the sector, destroying base after base and freeing numerous slave worlds. It would take years to repair the harm to the empire the humans were causing.
“This is all High Leader Ankler’s fault!” Councilor Ruthan roared as he studied the reports before him in disbelief. “His ancestor should have destroyed these humans centuries ago.”
“But he didn’t,” responded High Councilor Jarles, standing up to be heard. “The two AI ships will arrive in Resmunt’s sector shortly and destroy the human war fleets. In the mean time, we have two operations that need to be organized.”
“Prepare a large fleet to meet the five AI ships two months hence and gather another large fleet to pacify the area the humans are freeing,” spoke High Leader Nartel, knowing what Jarles was referring to.
“How large a fleet?” asked High Councilor Berken, rising to his feet. “Our fleets are scattered throughout the galaxy, expanding the empire. It will take months to assemble a fleet the size the AIs are demanding.”
“Not necessarily,” responded High Leader Nartel, striding over to a large viewscreen, which depicted Hocklyn controlled space. He had already spoken to several Fleet Commodores and War Leaders about what could be done to free up the necessary ships. He made several adjustments and the three sectors around Resmunt’s sector of space flashed up.
“If we strip all the support bases in these three sectors and stop their expansion of the empire, we can pull sufficient ships to satisfy the AIs.”
“How many?” demanded Ruthan, doubtfully. The AIs frightened him by what they could do to the empire. “We dare not infuriate the AIs anymore than they already are.”
“Sixteen Dreadnoughts, forty war cruisers, and eighty-six escort cruisers,” High Leader Nartel responded in a steady voice. “We can have them at the rendezvous point in two months.”
“That still may not be enough to satisfy the AIs,” High Councilor Berken responded dubiously as he studied the numbers. “We can’t take the risk of anything going wrong.”
High Leader Nartel paused for a long moment as he thought about his only other option. Several of the more experienced Fleet Commodores had recommended it instead of the one he had just proposed. “We have the main fleet base at Kenward Seven that could be stripped and all of its forces sent to Resmunt’s sector.”
“Kenward Seven,” echoed Ruthan, frowning heavily. It was one of the main fleet bases that protected the heart of the empire from attack. Granted, an attack had never occurred until now. “How many ships?”
“Twenty additional dreadnoughts, sixty war cruisers and one hundred and thirty escort cruisers,” High Leader Nartel responded. “These forces, along with the others, should be able to easily subdue and destroy these human worlds.”
“There will be five AI ships with them,” High Leader Berken added with a nod of his head as he considered the suggestion. “We should suffer few losses once the AIs destroy the majority of the human ships. Our forces will complete the mopping up of stray warships that might have escaped the AIs and then destroy the human worlds.”
“Then we send the fleet from Kenward Seven as well?” High Leader Nartel asked, his cold eyes meeting those of the rest of the council.
The council voted unanimously to do so with the stipulation that the Fleet Commodore in charge of the fleet ensure that not a single human escape!
-
Later, High Leader Nartel was in his new office high above the Council Chambers gazing out of the open window at the distant streets below. The streets were crowded, even here at the center of government of the empire.
Once this crisis with the humans was over, he had a new rule he needed the High Council to pass; it would not be a popular one and would meet considerable resistance. This was something that High Leader Ankler should have enacted years ago. The rule was designed to deal with the Hocklyn overpopulation. For the next two generations, childbirths would be limited to one per couple and then moved to two, permanently. To violate the rule would have a serious impact on one’s honor.
Nartel also knew he would probably need the military to enforce it as many Hocklyns preferred large families. He didn’t know how the general public would feel upon seeing armed Hocklyn Protectors marching across their worlds and habitats ensuring the new regulation was followed. Nartel suspected that the Hocklyn race was in for some very hard times, but it would be necessary to preserve their empire and to continue to live under the rule of their masters, the AIs.
-
Second Leader Jaseth was breathing hard as he warily watched his opponent. This was his third honor duel in the past three days. Since his father had been killed by the AIs for his failure as High Leader, the challenges had begun.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped slowly to his right and feinted with his knife, drawing his opponent in. Flipping the knife to his left hand, he slashed downward, feeling the knife encounter skin and cutting deeply into his opponent’s leg.
“Honor cut,” called out the duel master. He raised his right hand, indicating the match was over.
Jaseth’s opponent just glared at him without acknowledgment and turning, left without a word.
“It’s time to go, Second Leader,” War Leader Versith of the dreadnought Viden spoke, his eyes gazing intently at Jaseth. “You can do no more here. Your personal honor has been redeemed by your actions in these duels.”
Jaseth nodded in agreement as he stepped to the side of the honor duel arena and drank a large amount of cold water. He stood there for a moment, feeling the aches and pains from fighting three duels. He had a number of unhealed wounds that were still seeping blood. “Honor has come my way, now it is time to return to my duties.”
“We will treat your wounds on the ship,” Versith commented as they left the dueling arena. “How is the rest of your family?”
Jaseth stopped and looked over at the War Leader, who was also a close family friend. “My mother is still in the Mirrin habitat. Fortunately, we were left with enough to keep our home and the area immediately around it, but very little else.”
“It was Councilors Ruthan and Nartel,” Versith muttered in a raspy voice. “They have always wanted to depose your father as High Leader.”
“The AI took care of that,” spoke Jaseth, letting anger appear in his voice.
“We cannot blame the AIs,” Versith cautioned the young Second Leader. “There are times when we must pay for past mistakes. This was one of them. What about your brother, Hangeth?”
“He will be staying with my mother for now,” spoke Jaseth, noticing for the first time how blood soaked his side was. “Now let us return to the ship. I have much to learn from you.”
“Yes,” Versith responded, his large dark eyes gazing upon the younger Hocklyn. “Someday you will be a great War Leader and will bring much honor to our people.”
“Perhaps,” Jaseth replied as they started walking again. “I just hope the humans are still around. It is because of them my family has fallen into disgrace. My honor will not be satisfied until I see the last one of them die!”
-
Jeremy was meeting with Grayseth aboard the Fleet repair ship Osborn. He had taken the bear on a quick tour of the ship, explaining to him what its capabilities were.
“You offer us much,” Grayseth spoke as the two entered a small conference room that had been set up for the occasion.
“We will be allies,” Jeremy said as he poured Grayseth a large cup of ice-cold water. He poured a smaller one for himself. “The Hocklyns are our mutual enemy, and I believe my government will fully agree to give you all the assistance we can.”
“You have already furnished us with much,” Grayseth replied as he sat down in the large, comfortable chair that had been provided. “Already, work has begun on the space station and the new defensive grid is being put into place. The evil ones will not like what they find here when they return.”
“Speaking of the defensive grid, one of the supply ships that arri
ved today has sixty of our new laser defense satellites on board,” Jeremy said with a smile. “I have been instructed to turn them over to you for the defense of your planet.”
“Laser satellites,” Grayseth spoke in a pleased voice. “We have talked of such, but the power requirements have always been beyond our reach.”
“That too will not be a problem,” Jeremy continued. “I have also been authorized to furnish some of our Type Two fusion reactors for use on the space station to be used as its primary power source.”
Grayseth nodded graciously. “Your race is truly powerful and has much knowledge. We have many things to learn from one another. Let us always be friends and hunt together.”
“Always be friends and hunt together,” Jeremy replied. He had already decided he would do everything in his power to protect the bears. Now he just needed to figure out how he was going to do it.
-
Several hours later, Jeremy was eating a relaxing meal in the officer’s mess with his friends. Ariel was even sitting at the table, listening.
“I love these bear people,” Kevin was saying with a gleam in his eyes. “They are so friendly and polite.”
“It’s their culture of respect for others,” Jeremy explained. Grayseth and he had discussed this in great detail over the last few days. “It is one of the things that was being eroded by the Hocklyn occupation. I also wouldn’t consider the bears to be harmless. Do you know that there were forty Hocklyn Protectors on the space station and another six hundred on the planet when we attacked the two escort cruisers? They all died within minutes of each other in hand-to-hand combat with the bears.”
Kevin nodded as he considered what Jeremy had just said. The bears didn’t look that dangerous.
“They’re Carethians,” Angela put in, looking at the others. “We need to quit calling them bears.”
“I don’t think they mind,” Kelsey said as she used her knife to cut a slice of roast beef that was on her plate. “I think they were quite pleased to learn we have several primitive species of bears living on Earth.”
“So,” Katie said, her green eyes glinting mischievously. “What’s this about a teddy bear you used to sleep with, Kevin?”