“We were hit by a large piece of wreckage from the Livingston,” reported Commander Blanton. She had a deep gash on her forehead, which was bleeding profusely. “We have a two-hundred-meter hole in our hull on the port side. Our energy screen is also compromised. I’m receiving reports of heavy crew casualties.”
“Pull us back to the third line,” ordered Jackson. Turning back to Lieutenant Ortega. “Do we know who that ship is?”
“Yes, sir,” replied Ortega, looking shocked and confused. “It appears to be the Distant Horizon. But it’s much larger and it’s firing weapons similar to what are on the Dominator.”
“The Distant Horizon?” said Jackson, feeling stunned and his eyes opening wide in disbelief. “That’s impossible. It was destroyed in the supernova at the black matter Dyson Sphere.”
“I know, sir, but look.”
Instantly on one of the viewscreens a large ship appeared.
Jackson drew in a sharp breath as he gazed at the viewscreen. The ship did indeed resemble the Distant Horizon but is was much larger and was equipped with weapons it shouldn’t have. “It just can’t be. There’s no way that’s the Distant Horizon. They’re all dead.”
“Admiral,” called out Lieutenant Brenda Neal from Communications. Her face looked ashen as if she had seen a ghost. “I have Rear Admiral Barnes on the comm. She wishes to speak to you.”
Jackson felt a wave of dizziness sweep over him. This was impossible. “Put her on my private channel,” he ordered.
“If that is the Distant Horizon, they’re blowing the hell out of the Simulins,” Commander Blanton reported. “The Simulins have nothing to stop her.”
“Admiral Jackson,” a familiar female voice said over his comm channel.
“Rear Admiral Barnes, is that really you and the Distant Horizon?”
“Yes, Admiral,” Barnes replied.
“How? It’s impossible! We all saw you die.”
“Not quite,” the rear admiral responded. “I’ll explain everything soon. We’re getting ready to activate an energy-siphoning field. Very shortly most of these Simulin ships are going to be powerless. I want this fleet crushed!”
“We’ll be ready,” replied Admiral Jackson, turning toward Commander Blanton. “Belay that order to withdraw to the third line. We’re staying right where we are. Captain Lance, prepare all of our missile tubes. We’re about to show the Simulins they never should have attacked Ornellia.”
Jackson didn’t understand what was going on, but that had definitely been Rear Admiral Kathryn Barnes’ voice on the comm. For the first time since the battle began, he started to feel hope.
-
Simulin Supreme High Commander Altrab stood stunned in his Command Center. An unbelievably powerful ship had appeared behind his fleet and was blowing the rear section of his attack formation into oblivion. Not only that, all of his Conqueror Drone carriers had been annihilated when the ship first appeared. It was using weapons powerful beyond belief.
“Identify that ship!” he greatly feared it was the ancient ship of the Sphere Builders.
“Unknown,” High Commander Jarald replied. “It meets no known spacecraft in our database. It does vaguely resemble a Fitula organic vessel but it was believed to have been annihilated when the Great Sphere was destroyed.”
Altrab watched as ten more of his vessels vanished in blinding explosions of energy. That ship by itself had already destroyed over sixty Simulin vessels.
“Our ships near the new vessel are failing to report. They’re also no longer firing their weapons,” reported Jarald with uncertainty in his eyes.
“What?” Altrab’s eyes went to the viewscreens, which had been changed to show the new vessel. The Simulin ships closest to it were no longer firing their energy beams. They seemed to be drifting powerless in space. With growing fear he recalled an earlier report where the ship of the ancients had caused all the Simulin ships near it to lose power. Well over a thousand Simulin warships had been lost in that battle. It had been right outside the Fitula Nebula. This might be that same type of weapon.
Without hesitation, Altrab knew he had to act quickly or his fleet was doomed. “Order all ships to enter hyperspace and return to our assembly area.”
“What?” responded Jarald, looking confused. “The battle computer is still showing a 70 percent probability of victory.”
“Not against that ship,” growled Altrab. “It’s equipped with ancient weapons. If we remain, we die!”
Jarald seemed to turn pale as he quickly began issuing orders.
Moments later Altrab felt his ship make the transition into hyperspace. Looking at the long-range sensor display, he felt gloom at seeing how few ships had made the escape into hyperspace. Most of his fleet was still back at Ornellia, powerless. He had failed in his first mission as a Supreme High Commander. He was certain when he returned to Gladen Three he would pay the ultimate penalty for failing the Simulin race.
-
“Energy siphoning field established,” reported Major Weir.
“Enemy ships are losing power,” confirmed Captain Reynolds. “Sensors indicate a definite drop in weapons fire.”
“We got about 82 percent of their fleet,” Clarissa said, placing her hands on her hips and smiling. “We only took a few minor hits to our energy screen and it never dropped below 96 percent.”
“Admiral Jackson’s fleet is advancing toward the Simulins,” added Captain Reynolds. “They’re firing Devastator Three missiles at the enemy fleet.”
“Put it on the screen,” ordered Kathryn.
Instantly on the large viewscreen, space was full of massive bursts of nuclear energy. Each Devastator Three sublight missile had a fifty-megaton warhead attached. Whenever one struck the armored hull of a Simulin battlecruiser or escort cruiser, the ship simply ceased to be. In each location a fiery firestorm of energy turned the vessels into glowing gas and plasma.
“Hold our current position,” Kathryn ordered. “After the ships they lost they deserve to finish off these Simulins.”
“So this is what war is like,” said Leeda, who had been standing close to Kathryn watching everything on the viewscreen and the ship’s tactical displays. “I never imagined such violence. I studied it when I researched the war against the Anti-Life, but experiencing it is so much different.”
“A lot of good people just died due to Camlin’s interference,” Kathryn said pointedly. “Thousands of people died on those ships the Simulins destroyed. “If we could have arrived just a few minutes sooner, they might still be alive.”
“I’m truly sorry, Admiral,” Leeda replied with remorse in her voice. “If we thought we could have stopped her sooner, we would have.”
“Leeda’s correct,” Clarissa said, coming to the Originator AI’s defense. “We dared not risk alerting her, or any of the other Originator AIs, that we knew what their scheme was. We moved at the most opportune time with the highest probability of success.”
Kathryn let out a deep sigh. “I know all of you think you did right and perhaps you did. After we’ve settled everything on Ornellia, we’ll have a long and detailed discussion about this.”
Kathryn turned her attention back to the viewscreen, which was filled with bright explosions marking the death of the Simulin fleet. She was awed realizing the Distant Horizon had single handedly, defeated a Simulin fleet of fifteen hundred vessels. It made her realize just how advanced and powerful Originator weapons technology was. It also made her realize why the Originator AIs were so hesitant about sharing this technology. In the wrong hands, it could be devastating.
-
Dax felt numb watching what was occurring on the sensors of his Control Center. The Simulin fleet was being systematically annihilated by Admiral Jackson. “Is it confirmed?” he asked Les.
“Yes,” he replied. “It’s the Distant Horizon and Rear Admiral Barnes. She’s returned!”
“At an opportune time,” Dax replied, grinning. He didn’t know how his people could ever
repay the rear admiral. It seemed as if whenever they were in trouble she appeared.
“The all clear is being sounded in the cities,” the communications operator reported.
Dax nodded. “We’ll wait until tomorrow before we open up the bunker.” Dax strongly suspected after this horrendous defeat it would be a long time if ever before the Simulins returned. Perhaps they would be given enough time to rebuild their world.
-
Admiral Jackson watched with a wolfish grin as the last Simulin battlecruiser vanished in a bright fireball of nuclear destruction.
“That’s the last of them,” confirmed Commander Blanton.
Jackson looked at the tactical display seeing all the red threat icons were gone. He’d prayed for a miracle, and it had appeared in the form of a long dead rear admiral and her legendary ship. Rear Admiral Kathryn Barnes and the Distant Horizon had returned from the grave.
“Communications, contact Rear Admiral Barnes and ask her to place the Distant Horizon in orbit above Ornellia. Then request that she come over to the Dauntless at her earliest convenience.”
“Yes, sir,” replied Lieutenant Neal from her communications console.
Leaning back in his command chair, Admiral Jackson looked over at Commander Blanton. “What did we lose?” He knew a lot of ships had been destroyed at the beginning of the battle.
“We lost two Alton battleships, four Alton battlecruisers, six warspheres, the battleship Vulture, the battlecruiser Livingstone, and four strikecruisers. We also lost one Type Two battlestation and one hundred and eighty-two particle beam satellites.”
Admiral Jackson sucked in a deep breath. He shook his head at hearing the losses. Nineteen ships in only a few minutes of battle. He knew if Rear Admiral Barnes and the Distant Horizon hadn’t shown up when they did, he would have lost his entire fleet.
Jackson’s eyes shifted back to one of the main viewscreens displaying the fabled ship. It was much larger than he remembered and considerably more heavily armed. Looking down he saw that he had torn his uniform and there was a smattering of blood on it. He would change before Rear Admiral Barnes arrived. Looking around his Command Center, he saw the relieved looks on everyone’s faces. All had expected to die, but a miracle had arrived in the form of the Distant Horizon. Jackson leaned back in his command chair. Looking at another viewscreen, he gazed at Ornellia. The planet was still there and unharmed.
-
Captain Marsha Trask was landing back on the Exeter. As her Anlon bomber entered the massive flight bay, she let out a deep sigh of relief. She had never expected to return. She still wasn’t certain what had happened. Rumors were flying over the comm channel that a mysterious ship had appeared and destroyed the Simulins. A few unconfirmed reports were claiming it was the Distant Horizon and Rear Admiral Barnes but everyone knew that was impossible.
“I guess you still get to see that brunette you’re always talking about,” a female voice commented over the squadron comm channel.
“You know,” Lieutenant Fry replied. “I think for now I’ll just leave her alone. Every time I try to go out with her something disastrous happens.”
One of the female pilots laughed. “We’ll see. I bet you change your mind within forty-eight hours.”
Marsha allowed herself to smile. For once she would let the chatter continue. They were all still alive and for that she was grateful.
-
Admiral Jackson had summoned his other admirals. He was sure they would be just as curious as he was about where Rear Admiral Kathryn Barnes and the Distant Horizon had been for all of these months. Jackson suspected he was going to hear an extraordinary story. What had been done to the Distant Horizon seemed to indicate it had something to do with the Originators.
Chapter Twelve
Admiral Jackson was waiting in his briefing room for the arrival of Rear Admiral Kathryn Barnes. Already a fleet repair ship was moving toward the Dauntless to begin some much needed repairs. A two-hundred-meter hole was no laughing matter. Commander Blanton was currently touring the ship, inspecting all the damage, and working with the Chief Engineer compiling a long list of what needed to be done. Jackson was just grateful they had the fleet repair ships.
“It was a great battle,” roared Admiral Calmat, slapping the table with his large hand. “There will be much honor for the clan members of the fleet.”
“My ship has scanned the Distant Horizon,” Admiral Bachal said with a thoughtful look in his eyes. “It has undergone some major modifications. There is no doubt Originator technology is involved.”
“It’s the only explanation for what they did to the Simulin fleet,” Jackson replied. He was still feeling astonished over what had happened. “The Distant Horizon may be as powerful as the Dominator. The question is, where did they get this technology and who rebuilt the ship?” Jackson felt excited at the thought of what this technology could mean. A fleet equipped with the Distant Horizon’s weapons could clear the Triangulum Galaxy of Simulin warships in just a few short weeks.
The door opening drew Admiral Jackson’s attention. Rear Admiral Kathryn Barnes entered followed by several Altons, Clarissa, and what appeared to be an Originator woman. Admiral Jackson stood utterly speechless. Could they have actually found living Originators?
“Hello, Admiral Jackson,” Kathryn said pleasantly. “Let me introduce you to some of the members of my crew. The two Altons are Kelnor Mard and Reesa Jast; they are both research scientists in the field of the Originators. They are also from our home galaxy. You already know Clarissa, who has been given an AI body, and of course there is Leeda who is an Originator AI similar to Kazak.”
“But I’m not trained for war,” Leeda said, wanting to clarify that.
Admiral Jackson caught his breath and nodded. It looked as if this was going to involve more Originator AIs. “Let’s all sit down. Rear Admiral Barnes, I guess what we all want to know is where you have been the past year. We all thought you were dead. On Gaia there is a granite obelisk honoring the crew of the Distant Horizon on a hill above the new Fleet Academy. This is going to cause quite an uproar when we inform Fleet Admiral Strong of your presence here at Ornellia.”
Kathryn’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Admiral Jackson, I’m going to have to ask you not to send that message. We can’t allow Kazak to find out we’ve returned and the Distant Horizon is equipped with Originator technology.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Let me explain,” replied Kathryn. She then began to detail what had happened to the Distant Horizon at the Dyson Sphere in the dark matter nebula.
-
For nearly three hours the small group listened, asked questions, and then asked even more questions. Many times their eyes showed disbelief at what they were hearing.
“This is all fantastic,” said Admiral Jackson, leaning back in his chair and looking at Leeda. “An entire culture run by Originator AIs.”
“The technology of the Originators is amazing,” commented Admiral Bachal. “The Communications and Transport Hub may be the greatest construction project in the known universe. I still find it hard to believe a race as advanced as the Originators succumbed to a pathogen.”
“They did,” Leeda said sadly. “That’s why I and others hope there are still living Originators in the stasis chambers on board the Dominator. It’s what we have worked for all of these long years.”
Admiral Jackson looked long and hard at Leeda and then spoke. “I can confirm there are indeed Originators in stasis on board the ship. Kazak has taken Fleet Admiral Strong and a few others inside the compartment to inspect the stasis chambers. They’re currently working on finding a cure. A number of Alton geneticists and medical scientist are on board the Dominator studying the pathogen.”
Leeda seemed frozen as she stared at Admiral Jackson. Then she seemed to come out of it. “How many are in the chambers?”
“Over two hundred,” answered Jackson. “Most of them children, although there are a few adults as wel
l.”
A relieved and joyous smile spread over Leeda’s face. “Then we were right. There’s still hope for the Originator race. We have a cure for the life extension pathogen on board the Distant Horizon.”
“Then you need to get to Gaia as soon as possible,” Admiral Jackson said. “From what I understand Kazak is growing highly impatient at the lack of progress on a cure.”
“It’s part of his programming kicking in,” Leeda said concerned. “We must move quickly before Kazak does something rash that might endanger your people on Gaia.”
“I agree,” Kathryn said, looking toward Admiral Jackson. “Particularly after what you told us about Kazak using dark matter missiles to destroy six Simulin worlds. I don’t want to even think about one of those weapons being used on Gaia.”
“All of us were shocked when Kazak went off on his own and destroyed those planets,” Admiral Jackson said. “No one should possess such power.”
“It is a frightful thing,” Admiral Bachal said, his eyes focusing on Leeda. “He killed billions and there was no regret.”
“It’s his programming,” Leeda said, looking disturbed at what Kazak had done. “He’s potentially the greatest military AI ever built by the Originators. He’s programmed to win battles and destroy our enemies regardless of the cost.”
“He is a great warrior,” Admiral Calmat admitted. “But even in battle restraint must be shown at times.”
“How can Kazak be controlled?” asked Admiral Bachal. “Surely the Originators put in some type of control mechanism.”
“He is obedient to the ship’s commander as well as the second officer,” answered Leeda. “If both are killed in battle then Kazak will assume full command of the Dominator. Once the battle is over promotions in the chain of command will fill the vacancies in the command ranks.”
The Lost Fleet: Search for the Originators: A Slaver Wars Novel Page 19