“Thousands of AI ships,” he muttered his eyes wide. “Then we’re doomed. We don’t have the ships to fight against those kinds of odds.”
“We have a plan,” President Kincaid continued in a firm and more commanding voice. “It’s a long shot, but it’s all we’ve got.”
“If Fleet Admiral Streth is involved, we’ve got more than a long shot,” Senator Barnes added with confidence in his voice. “The Fleet Admiral defeated the Hocklyns and he will do the same with the AIs.” Senator Barnes had known nearly from the very beginning about the AI threat.
Kincaid saw several other senators nod their heads in agreement. He just hoped that they were right in their belief in the Fleet Admiral. He then proceeded to outline the planned attack on the galactic center and the forces that would be involved.
-
Later, President Kincaid stepped into his office and took a seat behind his desk. With a heavy sigh, he looked over at the two men, who'd been waiting for his return.
“Tough meeting?” asked Governor Malleck, seeing the tired look upon President Kincaid’s face.
“Fulbright,” responded Kincaid, sounding exasperated. “I don’t understand why the people of Serenity keep reelecting him to the senate. The man is unbelievably narrow minded.”
“So you told them about what the AIs are building at the galactic center?”
“Yes,” responded Kincaid, drawing in a deep breath. “I still don’t know if Senator Fulbright believes me or thinks it was all just a bunch of bullshit.”
“It really doesn’t matter,” Admiral Kalen said with a frown. He'd come with Governor Malleck for this meeting. “The fleets are all on their way and won’t be returning until this is settled one way or the other.”
“I hope Fleet Admiral Streth knows what he’s doing,” spoke President Kincaid, arching his eyebrow. “He’s going up against nearly impossible odds.” It was difficult to believe that the future of the Federation and the other races of the galaxy might all depend on the outcome of just one battle.
“If anyone can find a way, it’s Admiral Streth,” Malleck replied. To the people of Ceres, the Fleet Admiral was a legend, and it was nearly incomprehensible that he could fail in any endeavor. After all, he'd been awoken from cryosleep to save the Federation from the Hocklyns and he had just finished doing that.
President Kincaid was silent for a long moment. “I’ve spoken to Ambassador Tureen about the possibility of an evacuation if the mission fails. If the AIs fire off their hyperwave, we’ll have approximately twenty-six years before it reaches Federation and Alton space.”
“To travel to another galaxy,” Admiral Kalen continued in a quiet voice. He'd heard this mentioned before. “How long a voyage are we talking about?” He knew the Altons had once considered doing just that to escape the AIs. They had discussed all this briefly on Ceres a while back.
“Ambassador Tureen says if we equip the ships with the latest Alton hyperdrive, the crossing to the larger Magellanic Cloud can be made in two years' time. Even with the Alton drives, it will be necessary to drop out of hyperspace occasionally to allow the drives to cool down.”
“Will that be far enough away to escape the hyperwave?” asked Governor Malleck with concern in his voice. They had discussed an evacuation before but hadn’t settled on a destination.
“Yes,” Kincaid answered with a nod. “The Alton scientists have calculated that while it will still pass through the Magellanic Cloud, it'll be much weaker at that point and won't pose a significant danger to organic life.”
“What size ships are we talking about building?” Admiral Kalen asked. He suspected they would have to be quite large to make such a long voyage and carry the materials they'd need to establish their civilization in another galaxy. To go more than 170,000 light years over two years would take a tremendous amount of supplies just for the crews of the ships.
“Sixteen hundred meters,” responded Kincaid, decisively. “The same size as our battleships. That way we can produce them in our current shipyards without having to make major modifications. We’ve run some preliminary calculations and feel confident we can build nearly six thousand ships in the time we’ll have.”
“How many survivors are we talking about taking with us?” asked Admiral Kalen, knowing only a fraction of the Federation population could be saved. He didn’t even want to imagine what those last few years would be like. With they hyperwave nearing, people would begin to panic.
“The civilians will be placed in cryosleep for the crossing,” answered Kincaid, recalling what Ambassador Tureen had explained to him. “If we pack the ships with sleep chambers, we can put twelve thousand people on each one.”
“Seventy-two million people,” Governor Malleck breathed as he did some quick calculations. “When our people find out how few are going to be saved, we may find ourselves in the same situation that the Hocklyn Empire just went through. We could have massive rioting and fighting over control of the ships. The Federation will fall into anarchy.”
“We’ll have time to prepare to ensure that doesn’t happen,” responded President Kincaid, agreeing there would be massive civilian unrest toward the end.
“We could build more shipyards,” Admiral Kalen suggested. “With more shipyards, we could produce more ships.” He knew they could expand greatly the number of construction bays in Ceres.
President Kincaid nodded his head in agreement. “Admiral Kalen, I want you to get with Admiral Freeman and begin making plans to do just that. While we won’t be able to save everyone, I want to save as many as possible. Keep in mind that the Altons, Carethians, Kessels, Darvonians, and possibly the Zanth will be building evacuation ships also.”
“I hope all of this is unnecessary,” Governor Malleck said as he stood up and walked over to the large map of the galaxy. He stood gazing at the galactic center. Their fate and that of the entire galaxy rested on Fleet Admiral Streth’s shoulders. He just hoped the legendary admiral could pull off one more miracle.
-
The Command AI was inside the Hyper Translation Station watching intently as the first test was about to be performed. For months, the AIs had worked nonstop to get the massive structure ready for this day. Tremendous amounts of resources from tens of thousands of worlds had been used to build the ring of constructions around the black hole.
“Ready to power up,” the science AI spoke as it directed several others who were assisting in the experiment.
“Bring the capacitors online,” instructed the science AI as it watched the complicated control panel in front of it.
“Capacitors coming online,” reported one of the assistant science AIs as it moved its long metal tentacles across a control console. The AI depressed several buttons and turned a number of dials. A low humming noise filled the chamber.
-
In space, around the monstrous black hole, the twelve hundred capacitor stations came online. From each, a light bluish glow covered their exterior. Spatial vortexes opened as energy was transferred along the line to the Hyper Translation Station. The attending AI spheres moved back from the capacitor stations as the massive surge of energy could affect their ships' systems.
“Energy is at ten percent and climbing,” one of the technical AIs reported as the gauges on its console continued to rise.
“Energy is at twenty percent and holding constant,” the AI spoke a few minutes later, the globe of energy, which served as its head glowing brighter.
“Charging the spatial vortex ring,” the science AI stated as it depressed several more switches. “Preparing to activate the vortex.”
The command AI switched its gaze to one of the large viewscreens showing the thirty vortex generators. They suddenly glowed with a brilliant bluish light and then a massive, swirling white vortex formed, twenty kilometers in diameter. It was large enough for the AIs to send anything they needed through to the intended destination, which was another galaxy.
“Vortex established and holding,” the sc
ience AI confirmed as it studied its console intently. “Sending the probe through.”
On the viewscreen, an older fifteen hundred-meter AI sphere moved steadily toward the swirling light and then entered it. The sphere vanished into the center of the spatial vortex.
“We’re receiving telemetry from the sphere,” one of the science technicians reported a few moments later. “It’s arrived at its destination.”
“Vortex is collapsing,” one of the other AIs reported.
“Why so soon?” demanded the Command AI. In order to send the thousands of AI ships through it would have to remain open far longer.
“We only charged the vortex generators to twenty percent capacity,” the science AI explained. “We'll need to charge them to eighty percent to keep the vortex open long term as well as to generate the hyperwave from the Eternity Device.”
“How much longer before we’re ready?” the Command AI questioned.
The AI was growing impatient; it still felt uneasy knowing the Altons had probably deduced what the Great Project was by now. When it had first been created, it had come to know the Altons and respect their high science. Now that science could be a threat if the Altons could bring sufficient force to bear against the project.
“Ten more weeks and we can run the final tests; two weeks after that we can open the vortex permanently and fire off the hyperwave.”
“Continue with your preparations,” the Command AI ordered, satisfied with the answer. “We can probably expect the Altons to make an attempt to stop the Great Project.”
“They will not succeed,” responded the science AI. “We have twelve thousand warships that will crush them if they attack.”
That was the same response the command AI had gotten from the head military AI. The military AI had been quick to point out that in the latest battle in the Hocklyn home system they'd annihilated the majority of the Alton ships in the attacking fleets. The military AI doubted if the Altons had the forces remaining to mount a significant threat against the Great Project. The Humans had also suffered heavily. However, there was no doubt in the Command AI’s mind that the Humans and Altons would try. They would try and die, and the hyperwave from the Eternity Device would finish their civilizations.
In a little less than fifty years, this galaxy would be free of organic life. It would be a galaxy of AIs, as would be the one the vortex would send their ships to. The spatial vortex was different from the normal ones generated by ships. This one linked directly to a nearby galaxy and created a stable wormhole, which allowed ships to travel instantly from one galaxy to the next. Once they arrived at the new galaxy, they would build a new complex around that galaxy’s black hole and send out a hyperwave to eliminate the galaxy’s organic life. Later, two-way travel between the galaxies would commence and AI dominance of the known universe would start to become a reality.
-
High Leader Nartel stood upon the Command Pedestal in the War Room of the Hocklyn dreadnought HighVengence. He looked at one of the main viewscreens showing the new shipyard being constructed in orbit above the new Hocklyn home world. Already work was beginning on the outer hull as heavy armor plates were in the process of being installed.
“The new shipyard is progressing rapidly,” commented War Leader Santel his cold, dark eyes focused on the screen. Numerous small construction shuttles were visible as well as hundreds of slaves in spacesuits swarming across the structure. Bright welding arcs were highly visible as the shuttles moved massive beams and hull plating into position with their manipulator arms.
“We'll need it for the new classes of warships we will be building,” High Leader Nartel answered.
“What of the slave worlds in this sector?” inquired Santel. “Are they firmly under our control?”
“Yes,” answered Nartel as he looked at the large tactical screen showing hundreds of Hocklyn warships in orbit around the planet. “There are twenty slave worlds within a fifteen light year radius of our new world. It's one of the reasons I chose this sector. Fleet Commodore Caltrin has already sent warships to all of the slave systems to ensure they stay firmly under our control. A warcruiser and two escort cruisers were assigned to each system to ensure obedience. Already the first cargo ships have been sent with valuable supplies. We’ll shortly be supplying each world with a list of what they’re expected to ship to our new world on a monthly basis.”
“High Councilors Berken and Jarles have come aboard, as well as Fleet Commodore Caltrin and Commodore Zeth,” Second Leader Visth reported. “They are headed to Briefing Room Two.”
“Excellent,” Nartel spoke. Upon learning that Jarles was assembling his own evacuation fleet, Nartel had dispatched an envoy suggesting that Jarles join with them and proceed to the new Hocklyn world he'd established in secret. Jarles had quickly accepted the offer, seeing strength in numbers as they fled the collapsing Empire.
-
A few minutes later, High Leader Nartel stepped into the briefing room, which had been set up with a large wooden conference table very similar to the one in the High Council Chambers back on Calzen. They all stood as Nartel entered the room.
“I'm impressed by what has been done here,” began High Councilor Jarles. “It's amazing that you were able to keep all of this a secret from the other members of the council.”
“They were not expecting anyone to attempt to circumvent the council and establish a new colony,” responded Nartel, coldly. “The High Council had too many shortsighted fools upon it, such as High Councilor Ruthan. I saw early on that our Empire might suffer defeat once the Altons became involved. Their technology was overwhelming compared to what the AIs were willing to share with us.”
“How many civilians are on the world beneath us?” asked Berken. He'd brought nearly two hundred thousand in his own fleet.
“At last count, we have nearly twenty million Hocklyn civilians on the surface, enough to begin our civilization anew,” Nartel responded. “The weapons development facility on the planet’s moon has reported that they'll have the first sublight missiles ready to test within another two months. They've already constructed over three hundred antimatter warheads.”
“Yes,” Fleet Commodore Caltrin added. He was very pleased with the progress the weapons research facility was making. “Once the new shipyard is completed, we have new designs for better energy shields as well as more powerful energy weapons. We’ll build a new generation of Hocklyn warships.”
“Will we continue the war against the Humans and the Altons?” asked Jarles, nervously. With only one Hocklyn world still under their control, he couldn’t see how that would be feasible. It could only bring disaster down upon them.
“No,” responded Nartel, letting out a deep and cold breath. “We’ll stay within the confines of the fifteen light year radius, which contains this planet as well as the twenty slave worlds. We'll build up our strength and fortify this planet much as the Humans have done theirs. Then someday, when we’re ready, we'll begin to move back out into the galaxy and reestablish our Empire.”
“There is much to be done,” Fleet Commodore Caltrin spoke his dark eyes focusing on the surviving council members. “The shipyard will be fortified with heavy weapons, both defensive and offensive. We'll be placing a defensive grid of satellites in orbit around the planet to repel invaders. In addition, we will have our fleet, which when it has been fully updated should be able to withstand any attack, even from the Humans and the Altons.”
“Just how large a fleet do we have remaining?” asked High Councilor Jarles. He'd brought some warships with his fleet, and he knew High Leader Nartel and Berken had done the same.
“We currently have sixty-eight dreadnoughts, eighty-seven warcruisers, and three hundred and twenty escort cruisers in our combined fleet,” answered Fleet Commodore Caltrin. “All are battle ready and fully stocked with munitions and supplies. In addition, twelve of the dreadnoughts have antimatter warheads on their heavy missiles.”
Everyone remained sil
ent for a moment as they thought the numbers over. It was a powerful fleet, but where the Empire once could boast of a fleet numbering well over ten thousand, now it was reduced to less than five hundred. It was a sobering thought realizing what the Humans and the Altons had done to the Empire.
“Any word from the core worlds?” asked Berken. While he'd saved many of his immediate family members, many others had to be left behind due to a lack of space on the evacuation ships.
“Yes,” hissed High Leader Nartel as his cold eyes looked over the group. “I left several armed scout ships in close proximity to the core worlds with instructions to relay any important developments. They have access to an AI FTL communicator and I received word only yesterday that our core worlds have fallen to the Humans and the Altons. It seems that after the battles being fought for food supplies our fleet was drastically reduced in numbers, perhaps to less than one thousand ships.”
“A thousand ships,” breathed Jarles, finding it hard to believe.
“Yes, a thousand ships,” reiterated Nartel in his rasping voice. “Fleet Commodore Jaseth put up an honorable battle in the home system but was defeated. His force was vastly outnumbered but engaged the Human and Alton ships in a great battle. There is a report of a large AI fleet, which joined in at the last minute, but even with the presence of the AIs the Humans and the Altons managed to prevail. Not a single warship of Fleet Commodore Jaseth’s command survived.”
“They died honorable deaths,” High Councilor Jarles proclaimed.
“The Humans went on to destroy every Hocklyn warship in the core worlds,” High Leader Nartel added.
“Then the core worlds are no more; surely the Humans bombed the planets once our warships were destroyed,” Jarles spoke his voice cold and nearly devoid of emotion.
“No, they did not,” answered Nartel, shaking his reptilian head. “High Councilors Ruthan and Desmonde surrendered the core worlds to the Humans.”
The Slaver Wars: Endgame Page 24