Eric Olafson Series Boxed Set: Books 1 - 6 (The Galactic Chronicles Series)

by Vanessa Ravencroft

  Chapter 7: Boiling Dust

  Kar Hi stood on the bridge of the Exer-Hi, his mightiest battleship. With a concerned expression on his face he watched his two lumbering Dai Mothers gaining speed. They were the pinnacle of Dai Than engineering, heavily armed, well shielded and the thickest armor possible. All this came with a prize, Dai Mothers weren't very fast and it took them time to accelerate. Every fighter was launched to create a protective cocoon around the very heart of his clan. Cam Elf-Na had kept his promise and was in hot pursuit with the combined force of all the loyal clans with him. There was not much that frightened Kar Hi, but seeing this enormous force on the long range scanners made him wonder if he did the right thing. Maybe he should have kept his mouth shut and simply gone to the Union without announcing it to everyone, he had hoped more of them would have seen it his way.

  That 1500 Tribal Chiefs followed him was quite a success but far from 6500 Tribes declaring him and his allies Okthi Dai.

  It was not very far to the Union Border, but he doubted the pursuing clans would stop at this imaginary line in space. It was here were Admiral Stahl said, he would meet him and any of the clans wishing to join the Union. Looking at the long range scanners in front of him he saw that most of the 1500 tribes had already crossed into Union space, but none of his scanners nor any of the long range scouts had yet to report a single Union ship.

  Even if the mighty Devastator would have been there, what could one ship, even as powerful as this one do against an Armada of angry Dai, an armada so huge, they probably could waltz all the way to Arsenal before being stopped. The Union fleet far out-numbered the Dai, but was spread over an incredible area of space. It would take them weeks to gather enough units to mount an effective defense.

  He could almost feel the thoughts of the pursuing Dai. They would have never felt as invincible as now! They hated the Union and now for the first time in millennia, the fleets were combined and not even the mighty Union could stop them for a long while. They would destroy the Okthi and then go on and raid every system in reach. Destroying and pillaging everything in sight.

  It would be the end of the Dai of course. The Union fleet would eventually get enough assets in the area and then pursue every Dai tribe and ship in revenge, disregarding Free Space and end the Dai threat once and for all.

  Had his decision caused the ultimate doom of his kind? Was he the one who brought the inevitable end much sooner than necessary over his proud kind?

  Only one Light Nutho or in Union terms only about ten Light years from the Union Border. This border region was known among the Dai as the Thalim-Nebulas, six stellar nebulae in close proximity to each other. He always wondered what caused six suns more or less simultaneously go supernova. It was also an area of space with hundreds of asteroids and wanderers, remnants of the destroyed star systems. It was considered a rich hunting ground for Dai than as there were many Mining Colonies, prospecting for precious metals and minerals, close to Free Space and with relative little protection. Why Admiral Stahl had asked him to rendezvous there he could not fathom. That the Immortal Human Warrior had a good reason for it he did not doubt a moment. As much as Stahl was hated and feared among the Dai, no one questioned his tactical and strategic genius. If only half the legends about this man were true, then he was without a doubt the greatest warrior and military genius in the Galaxy.

  But he was not there! His scanners would have been able to pick up that enormous ship, or any other Union battle ship. True the scanners were somewhat hampered by the dust and gaseous clouds but they were light years apart and nothing could really hide the Devastator.

  Bas-Co came up to him and said." I see the concern in your face, Old Friend and I share it. I expected every ship of the Union to be there. Either to finish us off once and for all or to keep the word and take us as new members. Are we to early perhaps?

  "Yes we are somewhat early. I told Stahl that I would announce my plans at the meeting. I had planned to announce it at the end of the meeting, and we are about two days early, but I expected…no I hoped he would be prepared for it already."

  "He is a man of his word. I trust our enemy more than some of our kind in that regard. We might have to survive two days."

  "We won't last two days. The enemy is too numerous!"

  "True that, but we are not facing a trained Armada, my friend. They fly together but are not united under one command, as much as Cam Elf-Na wishes it to be that way. There will be much confusion and it will be hard to differentiate friend from foe."

  "You speak wisely. Did we send the Transponder codes to all our allies? So if the Union does show up can differentiate?"

  "Yes and all confirmed."

  "I wish we had this marvelous instantaneous Communication, the Union possesses. We could call and warn the Union!"

  "We soon will. I am confident. Maybe not all of us, but the Dai Than will survive this time of trial. Your decision was the only one open to us and guarantee our survival. Should we fail then we die as Dai!"

  "As much as I bemoan your losses my friend. I am glad you are with me now. It is a blessing like no other to have a friend in times like this."

  "I am your friend and you are my Dai Liege now till whatever End the spirit of the Galaxy has chosen for us."

  Har- Hi his son also came up and bowed, crossed his underarms before his chest." Father, let me be out there with my fighter! I am old enough to fight and my skills as pilot are second to few."

  " No my son! You must remain here on the bridge. Battle is soon raging and you are my first born! Shall I fail it is you who must take command, you cannot do this from a fighter."

  "You shall not fail father, and I am doomed at the dawn of our biggest fight to watch from the side? Father do not deny me that honor! Wise Bas-Co is more aide to you than I can on board a battle ship. Father I will obey and do as you ask, but consider my desire."

  "So be it then, my son. You are the pride that fills my heart. Go and join thy brethren, fly and fight if fight we must!"

  Har Hi smiled crossed his arms and then rushed to the Elevators.

  The Navigator reported." Our mothers have crossed into Union space, only we and the rear guard remain , the enemy is gaining.

  Another of his bridge crew said." Liege everyone is hailed from a single Union Destroyer that has just come in Scanner range."

  "Put them on."

  "This is Captain Brandon Lane of the USS Bilbao. Hailing all Dai forces. Stop all engines, drop shields and prepare to surrender."

  Kar Hi responded." This is Tar Ka-Hi, I have come with 1500 Tribes of my kind to accept the offer received by Admiral Richard Stahl. We are being pursued by those Dai that do not agree with our decision. It will come to a large fight I am afraid."

  "Receiving your transponder codes and verifying it with Fleet Central, one moment!"

  Did Stahl forget? Was he so arrogant or did he not believe Kar-Hi would really do it?

  Kar Hi did not feel too well. His Scanner Operator added to his woes." Liege I am seeing large numbers of a Kermac Thrall Fleet amassing three Nutho Years on the fringes of Kermac Space, at least 2000 heavy units, all Nogoll Battle ships!"

  The single Union ship came back on." Fleet Command confirmed your Codes and all Dai who wish to join are asked to approach the coordinates I am transmitting. Please remain there, the Admiral and a delegation of Pluribus is on its way to welcome you and facilitate your membership application."

  Then the single Destroyer hailed everyone." Captain Brandon Lane , USS Bilbao. Hailing all pursuing Dai and the Nogoll. Any aggression towards the Union Applicants, any trespass into Union space or the discharge of weapons across and into Union territory will be considered an act of war and I am authorized by Union Command to retaliate with force!"

  Cam Elf-Na could not resist and responded." Arrogant , puny Union ship. You are facing the combined might of all Dai! We are in pursuit of traitors and will not be stopped or denied. Go and run, let that cursed Stahl come and we show him how impo
tent his ship is against the combined might of all Dai. This is the day of revenge and maybe we won't stop until we destroyed and looted everything in this sector."

  A third individual became visible on the Com Screens. A tall being with long black fur and glaring red eyes, and a maw full of teeth pointed his clawed finger." The Nogoll care not what the Dai do or not, but Union be warned , trespass into Free space and war shall be upon you!"

  The Union captain seemed completely relaxed and unimpressed." Well Goat-face then it will come to no surprise to you that the opposite holds true as well. If I see your furry butt or one of your rust buckets in Free space, it's going to be a goat cook off you won't forget!"

  In between the transmissions was always a little delay. The faster than light transmissions used by Dai, Nogoll and the Union ships was only twice as fast than light and had limited range. In one of the delays someone on the battle ship bridge said." He must be Terran, that Union Captain. No other species I know of is so confident even in the face of such overwhelming odds."

  "Don't forget he does have Translocators. He will be destroyed but not without taking more than a fair share with him." Said another.

  Tar Hi motioned with his hand." Helm bring us to the coordinates he requested. Not that it won't do us much good to be behind that asteroid swarm. It is not dense or big enough to provide any protection for so many ships."

  The Scanner operator said."My Liege our angry brethren has not stopped. They crossed into Union space and they are charging weapons and should be within firing range in ten noktas."

  "Raise shields, power weapons, cocoon formation around the Mothers!"

  Elf Na transmitted once more:" All Okthi Dai! Reconsider your decision, wipe that stain of shame from your names. Join us and we will stomp out the Union and the Dai will be masters once again! Come Nogoll join our ranks! The Union is unprepared, with you on our side we can raid Ulta and Terra before the rest will plead surrender!

  "Where is this coward Stahl! I wanted to meet him and make him pay!"

  Tar Ka-Hi's battle ship shuddered as it was hit by the first salvos.

  "Shields holding, but not for long my liege. We are the focus of seven Battle ships and the Cam Na Mother is launching fighters!"

  The Scanner Operator yelled." The Nogoll are moving as well!"

  Then all hell broke loose! The Devastator had suddenly appeared. Translocator turrets appeared out of hidden shafts in the Asteroids!"

  The Admiral appeared on the Com Screen." I am right here Cam Elf-Na! You asked for payment? I hope you brought spare change. All I got is translocator bombs! Here have a few!"

  Kar-Hi stood there with an open mouth. The Devastator in all its size maneuvered agile between the Asteroids into open space. The enormous gun turrets extended, and the ingenious revolving fighter launchers spitting wave after wave of Wolfcraft Fighters. Plowing a path of horrible destruction through the mass of attacking Dai Tribes! Tar Bas-Co's prediction came true. The Dai fleets were un coordinated, had they acted under one command combining their fire, the Devastator would not have been so successful. To his horror he saw the Asteroid Cannons were Translocator Gatlings the most devastating weapon in the known Universe. Thor Gun boats lifted from hidden hangars on the Asteroids with Long range sniper TL cannons. Then on the long range scanners appeared not one not two but five Union Battle groups. Fifty Klack Megalon Battle Cruisers, their ISAH Pods glowing bright blue at maximum speed output in perfect V formation joining the battle.

  From the same direction an Armada of thousand sleek looking and very fast Attikan Dreadnoughts over took the Klack plowing into Dai Formations releasing salvo after salvo.

  Kar Hi slammed his fist on the trans fleet communicator." Let us join our new allies and show them that we are not helpless victims but Dai and that is them who are the Okthi Dai. Athar-Ko formation, return fire!"

  The Nogoll fled in panic, but only a third of their initial force made it back to Kermac Space. The USS Bilbao in hot pursuit, turning a straggler into blazing clouds of expanding energy.

  Of the almost 7500 Dai Tribes with over hundred ships each , about 3000 had made it across Union Space. The rest already turned fleeing. Yet still more Union assets arrived. Fleet tenders already towing or repairing damaged Union ships. Hundreds of the majestic white Hospital ships rendering aid. Massive Marine troop ships releasing regiment after regiment of Marines in Heavy Destroyer suits boarding Dai Ships, to damaged to flee.

  It was a dark day for the Dai and Kar Hi was deeply saddened as he stared on the main viewer, seeing the burning, glowing pieces of hundreds of Dai Mothers. Even though they were now enemies and he would not hesitate to fight any Dai force attacking the Union now, they were still Dai and the seats of the Amphitheatre would have many more empty seats at the next meeting.

  The Union showed no mercy, only maybe one or two tribes of those who had crossed over made it back into Free space, the rest was utterly destroyed.

  The Crisis was not over however as the Nogoll had crossed into Free Space and thus violating the Big Four treaty. The Kermac leading their thrall species, feared Union retaliation massed a fleet on their side.

  Kar Hi listened in on the communication. Admiral Stahl standing with spread legs and arms crossed behind his back before a Union Flag on the bridge of his enormous ship." Let it be known to you Kermac and your lackeys that we do not take the trespass of your Nogoll slaves lightly. The entire Union is on highest alert and every combat capable ship is on its way to meet any and all aggression. I was urged by my superiors to give you a chance to explain that incident. I personally think it is time to end the Kermac problem once and for all! You have one hour to reply. If there is no reply, the next time we talk is when I am in orbit around Kermac Prime."

  The response came right away." The Nogoll have acted without the approval of Kermac High command. We will punish those who decided to trespass. Kermac High Command wishes to express its apologies and suggests a diplomatic meeting and solution of this crisis. The status of Free Space must be maintained, we will not seek any further hostile activities, but will respond with all force if the Free Space treaty is violated."

  Stahl managed to sound disappointed." It would have been interesting to see if your all force response would have been enough to stop me from transforming Kermac Prime into a parking lot. My government however accepts your apologies and expects your diplomatic envoys to discuss this on a different level than military confrontation. Let me make it absolutely clear to you, this is the last time such an incident is tolerated and the next time all your diplomats will do is sign a declaration of total surrender, you have my personal guarantee on that, Stahl out!"

  ***

  The scarred woman was accompanied by three men, all armed. She sat in one of the lounge chairs touching her burned face and then looked at me." You didn't expect to see me again, didn't you, hero?"

  I shrugged." I did not expect to see you at our first meeting, so it's not a big thing."

  "You are one arrogant citizen bastard. Before this is over you will plead on your knees for mercy!"

  Her companions tied the governor to his seat and took his PDD." Let's see if they are more receptacle to our demands, now that we have the Governor as hostage." One of them said and smashed the barrel of his gun across the governors head. Reynolds groaned and blood trickled on his white shirt." You idiots don't get it do you? This is not Gore and even if you kill me and half the planets population, it is Twilight. We have no influence over that planets government."

  "Oh but if we kill enough high profile targets. Then public awareness will rise and put pressure on the Corporations thinking they own Gore. It is still in Union space and under Union law."

  "Can someone actually explain to me what the problem is with this Gore Planet?" I asked.

  The woman gasped."You really don't know don't you?"

  "Either they did not cover it in Basic school or I was sick that day. I didn't even know about Twilight until a few days ago."

&
nbsp; "Where are you from, hero boy?"

  "Nilfeheim."

  She looked at her partners and said."A Neo Viking, no wonder!"

  She then said."Gore is the most unusual planet in all the Galaxy. It has no equal because it is not a planet. Gore is a being! A planet sized organism! It lives and breathes and thinks. It is tortured by human maggots mining its flesh, draining its blood. It is the greatest crime committed by the Union!"

  Reynolds snorted."You are as whacko as they say you people are! It is not sentient. The Saresii have confirmed that! It does not breath , what would it breath? Vacuum?"

  One of the men whacked him again." Silence you are as guilty as anyone doing nothing!"

  The woman rose her voice with a fanatical tone vibrating in every word."The Saresii are in of it of course! Paid off by the Corporations exploiting Gore! Gore is a god! It cannot be measured with or by any of our standards."

  I was pushed forward by the other man as he tied my hands to my back and took my PDD. I looked at her." I guess it is everyone's own business what they consider a god, but would a god by definition not be able to defend or protect itself? Why does it need you? Has it talked to you?"

  "Because Gore sleeps. One day Gore will wake and then it will tell us how to live and why we are here. Gore is as old as the Universe and knows everything. There are eleven more like Gore throughout the Universe and they together form the Spirit of Creation itself!" She raised her fist." Yes Gore has spoken to me in many dreams! I have heard his cry for help and I will not rest until I am dead or Gore is free and so will all of us!"

  "That's some pretty detailed information you got there from Gore. Why are you the only ones hearing it?"

  "Because the Servant has heard it and written it down and he opened our minds to Gore and his pain!"

  "Well I am not one who puts down someone else and their religion, but it sure sounds to me you all follow another human his ideas and not the planet itself. I always wondered why Gods would need priests to talk to us, could they not do that themselves?"

  "Blasphemer! You must be chosen to hear Gore!"