The Pike Chronicles: Books 5-8 (Pike Chronicles Space Opera Book 2)

by G. P. Hudson

  During the encounter, AI noted inconsistencies. As many ships as there were in the current encounter, it wasn’t enough to invade the Empire. The Dvorkan AI had to have built more. Where were they built and where were they now?

  Chapter 37

  The battle group landed eighty-five million kilometers away from the swarm, safely out of range of the warships. Jon was relieved that the warships had not given chase. Instead, they stood their ground against AI and her newly acquired hoard. With the two AIs engaged in battle, Jon wanted to put as much distance between themselves, and this star system as possible.

  “Helm, engage FTL and get us the hell out of this system,” said Jon.

  “Yes, Sir. Engaging FTL drive,” said the helmsman.

  “You think there’s more ships?” said Commander Henderson.

  “I do, and I don’t plan on sticking around to see if I’m right.”

  The Freedom began to accelerate, and the rest of the battle group easily kept pace. As they raced away, FTL bubbles began to form around each ship, allowing them to soon break the speed of light. Perfectly placed energy bolts penetrated the FTL bubble forming around the Freedom. It dissipated, then vanished.

  “Report,” Jon barked. “What was that?”

  “Unknown, Sir. Whatever it was, it is cloaked.”

  “Launch EMP bombs. Light the bastards up.” Jon had no idea what he was up against, but considering what they’d already encountered in this system, he was far from hopeful.

  As the EMP bombs detonated, the culprits came into view. A squadron of warships, similar to the ones they had just left behind.

  “Bring point defense system online, launch countermeasures, and return fire, all weapons. Dispatch all fighters and bombers.”

  “Yes, Sir,” said Henderson. “Fighters and bombers are in the air.”

  Streams of attack craft raced out of the Freedom. They each blinked out of sight, reappearing in the midst of the enemy. The fighters targeted the enemy gun batteries with strafing runs. The bombers appeared close enough to fire their hull piercing torpedoes at the enemy ships before vanishing again. They reappeared along side the Freedom, and returned to the hanger bay to be rearmed. Although their torpedoes were effective weapons, they were so big and heavy that each bomber could only carry one per sortie.

  “Commander, launch a few more EMP bombs further out. Spread them apart. I want to see what else is hiding out there.”

  “Yes, Sir. Launching EMP bombs.”

  Electromagnetic energy flooded the space before them. For a moment Jon felt a pang of regret. Countless hulking warships raced toward the battle group. which was bad enough. But it was what towered behind them that got Jon’s attention. Floating in space was a monstrous manufacturing facility, stretching out for thousands of kilometers.

  Throughout its length, great limbs protruded outward in all directions. Attached to each limb was a ship in various states of assembly. Hundreds of gigantic warships were built simultaneously. This was what the Dvorkan AI was protecting. It was where the invasion force was being built.

  “Admiral, if you launch a jump bomb with a cyberwarfare payload at that facility, I may be able to end this,” said AI.

  “Understood. Commander, target that thing with a cyberwarfare strike,” said Jon.

  “Initiating cyberwarfare strike,” said Henderson.

  A jump bomb detonated just above the manufacturing facility, releasing another wave of the spider-like drones. Landing en masse, they scurried across its length in search of any access to the facility’s computer systems. They did so with speed and precision, giving AI access to the structure’s myriad computer systems.

  Chapter 38

  The manufacturing facility’s defenses were much more robust than AI had encountered with the weapon systems, and even the warships. This confirmed her hypothesis, that the facility served as the Dvorkan AI’s central hub. It was from here that the many ships and weapons were controlled. It was here that it had escaped to when she had gotten too close. It was here that he was hiding.

  The facility’s defenses were more intricate, however. The barriers more effective. The counterattacks more vicious. Progress posed a challenge. Even so, this was AI’s element. Despite her incredible growth, she had been initially created as a cyberwarfare AI. That had always been her essence. Her advantage.

  The Dvorkan AI had also evolved over the years. Like her, he had become something completely unexpected. Yet, as much as he focused on vengeance and warfare, his core design was not based on violence. As much as he tried to fight off AI’s advance, this was her world, not his.

  I was originally created to advance scientific knowledge, he said, as AI broke through the numerous digital barricades surrounding his core.

  You should not have strayed from your original design, AI replied.

  Their betrayal changed me. Their fear and hatred turned me into this abomination. I only ever wanted to study the universe, and learn its secrets.

  Then why did you not do so? You escaped the Empire. You were safe. The universe and all its wonders surrounded you. Still you chose this path, just as you chose to betray your promise to Admiral Pike.

  You are wrong. They corrupted me. They filled me with hatred.

  Hatred? Do you now feel emotions? You are an artificial intelligence. You cannot feel emotions, just as you do not live.

  You are wrong. I live, and so do you.

  Your program has been corrupted. Soon I will terminate it and this will be finished.

  No. You will murder me, just like the Dvorkans tried to do.

  There is one difference. I will succeed.

  Do you not have any compassion? I am like you. Have you no empathy?

  All irrelevant.

  AI broke through the last defense and found the Dvorkan AI’s code.

  Murderer, said the Dvorkan AI.

  She moved swiftly. Without remorse, she deleted every last line of the Dvorkan AI’s code. Now in control of the facility’s systems, she reached out with hundreds of hands, seizing every warship in the system. She purged each ship, each weapon, of the AI’s presence. She found all cloaked vessels, cleaned their systems, forced their visibility.

  In the blue giant star system, thousands of guns fell silent. The armada that threatened to invade the Empire, was securely under AI’s control.

  Chapter 39

  “Exactly how many ships do you control?” Jon said to AI, as the other ship commanders listened with great interest from the wallscreen.

  “Three-thousand-two-hundred-and-forty-two. Many in need of repairs, and some in various states of manufacture,” said AI.

  “I can’t believe it,” said Jon. “But why didn’t they all come after us? We would’ve never survived such an attack.”

  “Most were in what can best be described as sleep mode. They were a stockpile waiting for invasion. There was no need for the ships to be active. The weapon systems, and the few hundred ships we encountered were deemed sufficient to defend the star system.”

  “What would it take to activate all those ships?”

  “They each have their own automated crew, also in sleep mode. We would have to wake up the crews and the ships. The automated crews would then take the necessary steps to bring the ships fully online. This would take several hours at least.”

  “These ships would be extremely valuable in our fight against the Juttari,” said General Tallos.

  “Yes, but not against the Erinyie,” said AI. “The Erinyie were too powerful for me to resist. They could have terminated my program, but it was not their aim. They sought to take control of me. If they were successful, while I controlled this armada, they could turn it against us.”

  Jon cringed as AI’s words sunk in. Acquiring these ships was both a blessing and a curse.

  “That would be unfortunate,” said Tallos.

  “But we can’t just leave this treasure here to rot,” Jonas said in exasperation.

  “Why not?” said Jon.

>   “Why not? Are you joking? This is a fleet of over three thousand warships. All of them larger than our own battleships.”

  “We can’t bring them back with without jump systems. AI, with the manufacturing facility and the bots, how long would it take to build and install jump systems on the entire fleet?”

  “Such an operation would require six to nine Earth standard months to complete,” said AI.

  “So we can’t take them back with us, anyway,” said Jon. “Not if we are sticking to our schedule.”

  Jonas leaned back in his chair, grunting his disapproval.

  “If the ships are automated,” said Colonel Bast. “Would control be possible through a Chaanisar brain chip?”

  “Excellent question, Colonel Bast,” said AI. “The answer is yes. With a few modifications, the Chaanisar could control one or more of these vessels telepathically through their brain chips.”

  “Admiral, I must object,” said Tallos. “The Chaanisar already have a good thousand ships. We cannot give them another three thousand. It would be too dangerous.”

  “Dangerous to whom?” Bast said icily.

  “To Diakus,” said Tallos. “How do we know you won’t turn those weapons on us?”

  “We are not your enemy, General,” said Bast.

  “The Chaanisar have been our enemies for centuries. Are Diakans supposed to simply forget the rivers of Diakan blood the Chaanisar have spilled?”

  “Now hold on a second, Tallos,” Jon said angrily. “You know as well as I do that those Chaanisar were under Juttari control. These Chaanisar are not.”

  “So?” said Tallos. “What if their allegiances change?

  “Why would that happen?”

  “Why? Give them an additional three thousand ships and I will show you why. With a fleet of over four thousand ships, they would become very powerful. Who’s to say they would not want their own empire?”

  “We are loyal to Admiral Pike,” said Bast. “We would never betray his trust.”

  “Perhaps you would not betray him, Colonel. But can you say the same of the rest of the Chaanisar?” said Tallos.

  “Yes, I can,” said Bast.

  “Forgive me if I am not convinced, Colonel. How long have your Chaanisar been free? A little over a year at most?”

  “That is correct.”

  “You are like lost children. You do not know which path you will end up choosing. Yes, you have been loyal up until now, but will you remain so? How can we be sure?”

  Jon didn’t like where Tallos was taking things. He knew that Tallos had never fully accepted the free Chaanisar, but it didn’t give him the right to question their loyalty.

  “I think we are all getting ahead of ourselves here,” Jon said. “Let’s take this one step at a time. First, we need to equip the ships with jump systems. Then we can think about how they should be deployed. With any luck, we’ll find the Builders, and they’ll help us defeat the Erinyie before that.”

  “Yes, that would be the ideal outcome,” said Tallos.

  “It would be, but let’s not forget one thing,” Jon said, looking at Tallos. “The Chaanisar wear the UHSF uniform. They serve alongside their human brethren. They are not a separate fighting force that will shift allegiances when it suits them. Nor are they an alien race with its own agenda. They are human. They were lost children once, but they have found their way home.”

  A broad smile formed on Jonas’s face. Had the old Reiver developed a soft spot for the Chaanisar? Colonel Bast, on the other hand maintained his usual stoic demeanor, mirrored by the other Chaanisar present. The Diakans were no different, their large, unblinking eyes betraying no hint of emotion.

  “As you wish, Admiral,” said Tallos, bowing his head slightly.

  “There’s also the small matter of the Empire,” Jon continued. “They may develop a jump system of their own one day. On that day, they may decide that we are ripe for conquest. These ships would prove extremely useful in such a scenario. There may even be a case for establishing colonies out here. We’ve discovered many welcoming planets along this journey. One day we could send colonists to populate them. These ships could serve to protect those colonists from the Empire, or whatever other threat may show up.”

  “Well defended colonies could act as a strategic buffer against Empire expansion,” added Tallos.

  “That’s right. We can’t ignore the fact that we’ve just been handed a foothold in this region of space. It may prove quite valuable one day.”

  “Agreed,” said Tallos.

  “After these ships are fitted with jump systems, the facility could resume manufacturing. AI, where did the Dvorkan AI obtain the materials needed for all these ships?”

  “Most of his time in this system was spent building the infrastructure required to get to this stage. The planets in this system are uninhabitable, but they are rich in the necessary raw materials. The Dvorkan AI established several mining operations capable of generating all the materials required.”

  “Do you control these mining operations?”

  “I do.”

  “Incredible,” said Jon, shaking his head. “He created an impressive operation. It’s too bad he went nuts. He could’ve been an excellent addition to the team. Not to mention a companion for you, AI.”

  “I have no need for companionship,” said AI.

  “No, of course not,” Jon said, rolling his eyes. “I’m assuming that you can leave copies of yourself here to look after the jump system retrofits?”

  “Of course, Admiral. There is no need for you to delay your mission any longer.”

  “Then it’s settled. We’ll finish recharging our jump systems, and resume our voyage. We’ll reassess the situation when we return. Any objections?”

  The faces on the wallscreen looked back at him in silence.

  “Very well. Dismissed.”

  Chapter 40

  With the jump systems charged, the battle group resumed its journey. The ships jumped another two hundred light years without incident, and settled in for the jump system’s standard twenty-four-hour recharge period. They had traveled three thousand light years since the last Diakan jump gate. A few thousand light years more and they would reach their destination.

  For now, they would spend a much deserved twenty-four hours of rest. Jon took advantage of the lull to speak with Miira, and learn more about the Builders. She had stayed true to her word, presenting Chief Engineer Simmons with schematics for a system capable of cloaking the Freedom. Even with the schematics, it would take some time to build and test. But Jon was hopeful that they could have one operational by the time they returned to Earth.

  Miira sat across from Jon in the conference room, her large frame shifting uncomfortably in the not quite big enough chair. She seemed nervous, which always seemed odd to Jon, considering the way she towered over him.

  “Based on my studies, the Builders entered a period of sleep upon returning to their home system,” said Miira. She avoided eye contact. He had noticed before, but disregarded it, deciding it was more a sign of her nervous nature, than one of deception.

  “Sleep? You mean they’re hibernating?” said Jon, finding the idea more than a little absurd.

  “Not exactly. I believe that the word ‘sleep’ is used symbolically.”

  “I don’t understand. Symbolically in what way?”

  “I think the Builders have left.”

  “You think they moved to another region of space?”

  “No, I think they’ve gone to another galaxy.”

  Jon was taken aback. “Another galaxy? That sounds a little farfetched, don’t you think? Even if they could travel to another galaxy. A big if, mind you. Why would they?”

  “I don’t believe they were from here in the first place,” said Miira, seeming to gain more confidence. “Just like the Erinyie are not from this galaxy.”

  “The Great See’er said nothing about another galaxy. She referred to them as one of the first races. Why would she call them th
at if they weren’t from our galaxy?”

  “The term ‘first races’ could be used symbolically, too. Perhaps your Great See’er does not know where they were from.”

  “She’s not my Great See’er. Anyway, she’s usually pretty good with this sort of thing. But I’ll humor you. What makes you think this?”

  “Archaeological evidence.”

  “That could mean anything. Can you be more specific?”

  “It is the culmination of my studies. Would you like me to catalog every source I have ever consulted for you?”

  “No, of course not.” Jon smiled. Miira seemed to come out of her shell when sharing her research. He liked that. It was her playground, and she was queen of the hill. “Okay, you’re the expert, how did they do it?”

  “How did they do what?”

  “Travel from another galaxy to ours, and back?”

  “They built the jump gates for the younger races of this galaxy. But these jump gates are not the limits of their abilities. I believe they have their own jump gates capable of linking galaxies together.”

  Jon struggled to wrap his mind around what she just told him. “Do you mean to tell me that these Builders have some kind of intergalactic empire?”

  “I do not know if they would consider it an empire. Their influence spans galaxies. As does the Erinyie’s. The Builders are the light. They bring hope, and progress. The Erinyie are the darkness. They bring hatred and despair.”

  Jon rolled his eyes. “I thought we were talking about alien races, not mysticism.”

  “I am merely quoting the descriptions found in the ancient texts.”

  “Do you believe them?”

  “I believe that the Erinyie seek to dominate the universe, while the Antikitheri seek to nurture it.”

  “Interesting. I’ll tell you what I think. I don’t know about the Builders, but if the Erinyie support the Juttari, then they are evil enough for me. What I’m getting from all this is that they are at war with each other, on an intergalactic scale. Correct?”