-
“All ships report ready for combat,” confirmed Commander Buckley.
“Vortexes forming around the fleet,” warned Lieutenant Calydon.
Moments later enemy warships began appearing in the tactical display a short distance from the fleet.
“Confirmed Simulin battlecruisers and escort cruisers,” said Buckley as she studied a nearby tactical display. “Damn, there are a lot of them. I don’t think we want to stick around long.”
Admiral Sithe leaned forward in his command chair. “All ships fire!” he knew even the Simulin ships were vulnerable the first few seconds after emerging from a hyperspace vortex. An early barrage of missiles and weapons fire could seriously damage the emerging Simulin fleet. Sithe would risk engaging them for a minute or two and then jump the fleet to the emergency coordinates. It would also allow time for his drive cores to cool.
-
From the bow of the Star Defender two bright blue particle beams flashed out, striking the hull of a Simulin battlecruiser and penetrating deep inside the ship. The Simulin warship seemed to stagger and then the ship’s energy shield snapped into being. However, before it did a pair of power beams played across the bow of the ship, destroying two of its energy beam spires. The ship’s energy screen wavered as a pair of sublight antimatter missiles slammed into it. The Star Defender’s particle beams fired again, penetrating the weakened energy screen. Both beams were aimed at Engineering. The particle beams tore through the hull with one beam destroying the ship’s primary fusion reactor and the second opening up the entire Engineering section to space. In a massive explosion, the Simulin battlecruiser blew apart.
-
“Simulin battlecruiser is down,” reported Lieutenant Calydon. “Shifting fire to the next target.”
“How did our other ships do?” Admiral Sithe knew his initial strike had to be decisive or they would have no choice but to withdraw immediately.
“Six Simulin battlecruisers are down as well as seven escort cruisers.”
“Simulins are responding,” warned Commander Buckley. “Incoming fire. We hurt them but there are still a lot of ships out there.”
“More Simulin ships are dropping out of hyperspace,” added Calydon uneasily. “Sensors are detecting twenty-seven battlecruisers and forty-two escort cruisers.”
On the screen, a brilliant white light suddenly filled it.
“What was that?” demanded Admiral Sithe. He knew a ship had died.
“Warsphere WS-123 is down,” responded Calydon. “Their energy shield was overloaded and the warsphere took several Simulin antimatter warheads to the hull. The ship was destroyed instantly.”
-
In space, the Simulins attacked with renewed vigor. Their High Commander had orders from the Grand Council to teach the organics from the Fitula Nebula a lesson, even if it meant the loss of his entire fleet.
“Battle computer projects a 68 percent chance of victory,” reported the flagship’s Second Commander.
“Concentrate our fire on the AI ships,” the High Commander ordered. “They are the most dangerous and must be eliminated.”
-
The Simulins began hammering the nine remaining AI warspheres with sublight antimatter missiles and their powerful energy beams. Space became lit up from the titanic amounts of energy being released.
-
On board the Command Warsphere, the AI in charge gazed at the ship’s damage control console seeing red lights flaring up indicating increasing damage across the ship.
“Two minutes until failure of the energy shield,” reported one of the AIs at the ship’s tactical station calmly in its mechanical voice.
“We have lost six particle beam cannons as well as eight of our energy turrets,” added one of the other AIs. “Fighting efficiency is now at 54 percent.”
The Command AI floated over to gaze at the damage reports flooding into the damage control console. “Launch missiles in auto fire mode. Target two Simulin battlecruisers. Focus our remaining beam weapons on just one of the two. When the first one is destroyed switch to the second.”
The warsphere shook violently, and several consoles erupted in showers of sparks. The glowing ball of energy that served as the Command AI’s head grew larger. It was rapidly becoming evident its command was not going to survive. The Command AI quickly transmitted an order to all the other warspheres that their primary responsibility was to ensure the Federation ships with them survived. Their own survival was of secondary importance.
-
In space, the battle intensified. The Command Warsphere let loose with every remaining weapon at its disposal. Antimatter missiles were launched at an increased rate. Two Simulin battlecruisers were the targets and 100-megaton antimatter explosions pummeled the shields causing them to flare up brightly. However, Simulin shields were designed to withstand such attacks. However, their weakness was their vulnerability to powerful particle beam weapons and the AI warsphere still had six functioning. Six bright blue beams penetrated the stressed energy shield of one of the Simulin battlecruisers. Two struck energy weapon spires, blowing them apart. Three others struck the central hull of the seventeen-hundred-meter ship, opening it up to space and causing severe damage deep inside the vessel. The final beam struck above Engineering, disabling the ship’s subspace drive. Secondary explosions began to shake the vessel as other sections of the hull were blown open. The energy shield flickered and two sublight antimatter missiles detonated against the hull, transforming the Simulin warship into twin miniature suns.
The other Simulin battlecruiser intensified its efforts to destroy the warsphere. Powerful energy beams reached out and penetrated the now drastically weakened energy shield. Too many shield emitters had been damaged or destroyed. The beams raked the hull, leaving deep glowing gashes behind. The warsphere began shaking violently and then exploded, sending debris flying through space. Several large pieces struck a nearby Simulin escort cruiser, destroying it.
-
“Warsphere WS-125 is down,” reported Lieutenant Calydon as the green icon representing the warsphere vanished from his sensors.
“That was the AI command ship,” said Commander Buckley, looking sharply at the admiral.
Admiral Sithe bit his lip shaking his head. His task group was being torn apart by the superior Simulin force. “All ships, jump to the emergency coordinates!”
“Warspheres WS-128 and WS-129 are down,” Lieutenant Calydon reported suddenly. “The remaining AI ships are putting themselves between the Simulins and us.”
“They’re trying to protect all the Federation ships,” gasped Commander Buckley. “They’re sacrificing themselves to save us.”
“The Defiant is reporting damage to their hyperdrive,” Lieutenant Gayla Jalp informed the admiral from Communications. “They say it’s not repairable.”
Admiral Sithe felt a cold chill flash over him. The Defiant was one of the four Gaia class battlecruisers assigned to his task group.
“The Alton battleship Lemuria is under heavy enemy fire,” Commander Buckley said as she listened to the reports coming in on the fleet comm channel. It’s taking all of their energy to keep up their shield. If they attempt to activate their hyperdrive, their shield will be too weak to resist the fire from the Simulin ships attacking it.”
“Our other ships are jumping,” reported Lieutenant Calydon as the three remaining Gaia class battlecruisers and the other Alton battleship vanished from his sensors.”
“The remaining AI warspheres are trying to give additional covering fire to the Defiant and the Lemuria,” Commander Calydon added. “The AIs are requesting that we leave immediately.”
Admiral Sithe shook himself. He knew he had no other option. “Jump,” he ordered. “Take us into hyperspace and let’s hope the AIs are successful in saving our other ships.”
In front of the Star Defender, a swirling blue-white vortex formed. The Federation battleship quickly entered it and fled the scene of the battle. A
dmiral Sithe sat in his command chair, unmoving. He felt like he had failed in his mission. He had walked right into a Simulin trap and lost most of his fleet. He should have jumped out quicker instead of staying to engage the enemy. However, his drive cores needed a minimal cool down time or risk damage during the next hyperjump. On the nearby tactical display, the long-range sensors were showing the battle they had just left. Six AI warspheres were valiantly trying to save a Human Gaia class battlecruiser and an Alton battleship. Never again would Admiral Sithe ever say anything negative about the AIs.
-
The AIs formed up around the stricken battlecruiser and the Alton battleship. All eight ships were firing every weapon they had at the encircling Simulins. However, the amount of firepower the Simulins had available was too much. Two AI warspheres met their end almost simultaneously as numerous Simulin energy beams and antimatter missiles penetrated their over stressed energy screens. Both exploded in fiery fireballs, sending debris careening through space. A nearby warsphere was damaged from a large chunk of debris, compromising its energy screen and allowing the Simulins to take advantage of its weakened state. Moments later, the warsphere died as eight antimatter missiles turned it into a miniature nova.
The Gaia class battlecruiser was the next to die. Even as its commander fought to save his ship Simulin energy beams wrecked havoc on its hull, ripping open compartments and blasting huge holes in the superstructure. Emergency klaxons blared loudly as damage control crews rushed to try to contain the damage. A number of the crew were sucked out into space as compartments they were in were opened up to space. Then a Simulin antimatter missile arrived and the Defiant ceased to be.
The three remaining AI warspheres formed up around the Alton battleship. They were trying to take enough pressure off the ship to allow the vessel to divert enough power to the hyperdrive to escape. The Simulins were intent on not allowing that to happen. Their battlecruisers and escort cruisers crept closer and the space around the four trapped vessels glowed like a mighty furnace on fire. Hundreds of Simulin antimatter missiles were detonating against the struggling energy shields of the four ships. White energy beams flashed out seeking points of weakness. Another AI warsphere blew apart as its shield was overloaded. A Simulin battlecruiser was blown in two as an AI antimatter missile penetrated its screen. Two escort cruisers were torn apart from particle beam fire from the Alton battleship. Then in three bright explosions, the two remaining warspheres and the Alton battleship met their ends as their struggling energy screens were finally overwhelmed.
-
Aboard the Simulin flagship, the High Commander looked coldly at the tactical display. He had destroyed most of the enemy fleet. Only five ships had escaped. However, his own losses had been substantial. Eight battlecruisers and ten escort cruisers had been lost. The Fitula organics and their AIs had demonstrated once again just how dangerous they were. However, in this instance they had been defeated and forced to withdraw. The High Commander would send a report of the battle back to the Simulin Grand Council as well as a request for additional warships to replace those he had lost. It would also be necessary to take his fleet to a nearby base for repairs. Once that was complete, he would return to this sector and continue his search for other enemy fleets.
-
Jeremy was inside the AI Command Station in orbit above Borton. The reason for his visit stood beside him. Kazak had requested to come out to the AIs’ center of operation to make a request. They were in a large conference room the Command AI maintained for his Human and Alton guests. There were appropriate food and beverages to partake of if anyone felt the need.
“I am impressed by what you have built here,” Kazak began. He did not sit down but remained standing.
Across from Kazak, the Command AI hovered on its anti-gravity repellers. The Command AI was easily six feet tall and had a cubical-shaped body with six flexible tentacles attached. The AI’s metal body floated about six inches above the deck, its head a glowing ball of pure energy the size of a basketball.
“Why have you come to Borton?” asked the Command AI, getting straight to the point.
“Your Master Codex contains the program to create more AIs,” said Kazak, his eyes focusing on the Command AI. “It also contains much information from worlds destroyed in the Milky Way Galaxy in your genocidal war against that galaxy’s organics.”
“Only a minuscule amount,” responded the Command AI, its head glowing brighter and seeming to expand slightly. “Most of the information is in the data banks on Astral, the home world of the Altons.”
“In the City of Light,” Andram informed Kazak. “The knowledge gathered from my own people as well as what the AIs took from their conquered worlds resides there. Even as we speak my people back home are sifting through the data seeking new technology and other advances.”
Kazak seemed to ponder what the Command AI and Andram had said. “How much medical knowledge is stored in these data banks on Astral?”
“Unknown,” replied Shilum. The Alton hyperspace specialist had asked to be included in the meeting. In addition, Kurene and Jeeneb, the two AI specialists, were also there.
Kazak turned slightly to face Andram. “If we had access to this data, what is the probability of being able to use that information to find a cure for the Originator pathogen? I am dissatisfied with the current progress of our research. I fear the database we are working with is too limited.”
Andram was surprised by the question and also concerned by Kazak’s reference to a lack of progress. “It would greatly increase. There are many great Alton scientists on Astral very well versed in longevity drugs and techniques. But what use is knowing the knowledge you seek may be there? With the destruction of the AI Central Nexus and the Hyper Translation Station around the Milky Way Galaxy’s central black hole, it’s no longer possible to establish an intergalactic vortex anywhere inside the galaxy.”
“You are correct,” Kazak said as his eyes narrowed. “However, I have calculated it would be possible to establish an intergalactic vortex just outside of your home galaxy at a range of 42,000 light years.”
Jeremy felt stunned by this revelation. Was it possible that Kazak knew of a way to open up such a vortex? “How would it even be possible to do what you suggest?”
The Command AI waved several of its tentacles. “It would require a tremendous amount of energy to create such a vortex.”
Kazak turned back toward Andram. “You once sent a message drone through a small intergalactic vortex back to your Federation.”
“Yes,” replied Andram, feeling mystified as to where Kazak was going with this line of questioning. “But the disturbance in intergalactic hyperspace created by the supernova at the heart of the dark matter nebula ensures that such a vortex cannot be used again.”
Kazak was silent for a period of time and then finally spoke again. “I would like to tour the facilities that are in orbit above Borton.”
“For what purpose?” asked Jeremy, feeling uneasy with Kazak’s request.
He still didn’t trust the Originator AI. He knew as long as the Altons and a few of the more knowledgeable Human specialists were working on a cure for the pathogen, Kazak had been easier to deal with. He had even agreed to turn over some of the simpler Originator technology he felt could be useful to the fleet. Several of the repair robots and even samples of the nanites on board the Dominator had been turned over to Federation scientists. Kazak had even hinted that if a cure were found he would be willing to turn over the schematics to several of the Dominator’s more powerful weapon systems.
“I would like to analyze the construction capability of the shipyards,” Kazak said. “I may be able to furnish Originator technology that will greatly enhance the shipyards’ construction rates.”
“The shipyards are already operating at maximum efficiency,” commented the Command AI. “However, if you have superior technology that can improve that efficiency, I am willing to listen.”
-
Jeremy agreed to the tour but remained behind. The Command AI, Jeeneb, and several other AIs went with Kazak.
After they left Jeremy looked at the others still in the room. “What do you think he’s up to?” Jeremy strongly suspected the Originator AI had other reasons for coming to Borton.
“I fear he no longer believes we will find a cure,” Andram said, letting out a deep breath. He ran his left hand through his thick white hair. “He’s looking at other options.”
“He seeks to find a way to reach Astral,” spoke up ZED, who had remained quiet during the meeting. “I believe he is seeing what construction resources are available around Borton if he decides to build the equipment necessary to establish an intergalactic vortex. He may wish to use the AI facilities for his construction project.”
Jeremy frowned deeply. He didn’t like the sound of that. “Is it even possible to build what it would take to send a ship back home? Just considering what it took to send the Distant Horizon here, it would take us years and most of our resources to build enough capacitor stations and a vortex ring.”
“It would bring our war against the Simulins to a halt,” added Kurene.
Shilum was entering some numbers on the handheld computer tablet she always carried. “If my figures are correct, we would need ten capacitor stations and a vortex ring two kilometers across.”
“Where would we build such a thing?” asked Jeremy. He knew it couldn’t be inside the nebula.
Shilum let out a deep breath. “Outside the Triangulum Galaxy. It would need to be nearly sixty thousand light years out due to the black matter supernova.”
Jeremy’s eyes grew wide at the thought of what Kazak might soon be demanding. “We can’t agree to such a construction project. It would allow the Simulins to complete their assimilation of this galaxy. We would never be able to defeat them and someday they’re going to find a way through the protective interference of the nebula.” Jeremy was referring to the hyperspace interference buoys they had emplaced throughout the nebula to limit hyperspace travel except in carefully guarded tunnels leading in and out.
The Lost Fleet: Search for the Originators: A Slaver Wars Novel Page 12