“I think he will accept this time,” Resmunt replied. He knew Versith would make an excellent leader and a worthy opponent to the Humans. “War Leader Versith has been directed to bring his remaining ships here to be updated. I am looking forward to discussing and hearing his thoughts on this war.”
“Versith is an honorable War Leader,” First Leader Ganth responded. He'd served under Versith years in the past.
“We will need more like him if we are to win this conflict,” Resmunt responded.
One thing he had learned in his months of fighting the Humans was that victory was no longer a sure thing. He greatly feared that the Empire was facing a threat that could actually destroy it. He was also deeply concerned that the High Council still didn’t seem to understand exactly what the Empire was up against.
-
Jeremy watched with interest as the supply fleet dropped out of hyperspace. Dozens of swirling blue-white spatial vortexes were forming and ships were appearing. There were thirty large supply ships, including some of the newer type being built at New Tellus. In addition, there were eight battlecarriers, all with type two battle stations attached to their hulls. Jeremy knew that as soon as the battlecarriers released the stations and unloaded a number of their fighters and bombers, six of them would be returning immediately to the Federation. The other two would be staying until the supply fleet was unloaded and ready to return back to Federation space.
“Thirty-two of the type two battle stations,” Colonel Malen commented, impressed by the sight of the large carriers starting to move into Careth’s gravity well. “They will go a long way toward securing Careth from attack by the AIs.”
“There are also four fleet repair ships that have returned,” Jeremy added as he watched the approaching ships on the main viewscreens. “From what Admiral Streth has said, two of the repair ships have been reconfigured to produce additional fighters and bombers for either Human or Carethian pilots.”
“When will we be departing?” asked Malen, curiously. She knew that the final essential repairs to Fourth Fleet had been completed and they could depart at any time. She was also anxious to get back home to Earth to see her parents.
“The six returning battlecarriers will be going back with us,” Jeremy answered as he turned and gazed at Ariel’s computer console behind him.
It had been completely repaired and he knew that Katie was currently in her lab running diagnostics on the AI. He hoped everything turned out okay. He also wondered how Ariel would respond if Clarissa could not be brought back. Letting out a heavy sigh, he turned back toward the viewscreens.
“We should be able to leave early in the morning.”
Colonel Malen nodded. It would be good to return to Federation space and take some leave time. She knew the crews of all the ships needed it.
Jeremy heard the hatch to the Command Center open and looking over saw Katie and Kelsey come in. Katie was holding a large green crystal in her hand with a big smile on her face. “Guess who's back?” she said as she walked over to Ariel’s computer console, opened the panel, and bending over, inserted the crystal into its slot. Closing the console back up, she stood up and activated it.
Instantly, Ariel materialized in her normal spot right next to Jeremy. “Hi,” she said in her girlish voice with a big grin on her face. Placing her hands on her hips, she looked at Jeremy and asked. “Did you miss me?”
The entire Command Center erupted in cheers and excited voices at seeing Ariel back on duty. To most of the crew she wasn’t just an AI, she was their friend.
Jeremy stood up and smiled at Ariel. “If I could, I would hug you. I really missed you. It’s great to have you back, Ariel.”
“I’m glad to be back,” responded Ariel, looking around at the smiling crew. Then she began accessing the ship’s systems. “Let’s see what you have done to my ship while I was away.”
Katie stood nearby watching, seeing the warmth in Jeremy’s smile. She knew that Ariel was very important to him; she was to all of the Special Five. Sitting down at the main computer console, she began thinking about what to do about Clarissa’s damaged crystal. It was going to pose a major problem to restore it back to its original state. Katie wasn’t even sure if it could be done. Glancing over at Ariel, who was talking animatedly with Jeremy, she knew one thing. She would do everything possible to restore Ariel’s friend.
Kelsey walked over to her Navigation console and sat down. The Command Center felt more normal with Ariel back. It was amazing the difference in the attitude of the crew upon realizing that the AI was back on duty.
-
It was early the next morning and Hedon had just finished talking to Admiral Strong. Fourth Fleet was preparing to depart and would soon be on its way home.
“I will miss Admiral Strong,” spoke Grayseth with a sad look in his large brown eyes. “He is a great hunter and a true friend.”
Hedon nodded. They were in the Command Center of the space station. “He will be returning,” Hedon promised. “Once his fleet has been updated he will be coming back to join us in this war.”
“I am pleased to see that your ships have brought us more fighters and bombers for my pilots. We had few left after the recent battles with the evil ones.”
“Two hundred fighters and one hundred bombers,” Hedon responded. He knew that many pilots both Human and Carethian had been recovered after they ejected during the battles. He also knew that Grayseth was already bringing more Carethians up from Careth to go through flight training. “We also brought enough new defense satellites and missile platforms to replace those lost in the battles.”
“This will be a great and long war,” Grayseth spoke in his powerful voice, turning to look at Admiral Streth. “The evil ones will not be defeated easily.”
“No, they will not,” agreed Hedon. “But we are not alone in this battle; we have allies and more ships that will soon be arriving.” Hedon had been pleased to learn from Fleet Admiral Johnson that the Kessels and the Darvonians had agreed to send ships to help defend Careth. The ships of both allied races were currently being updated at their shipyards with better weapons and shields. Human and Alton engineers had gone to both to help with those efforts.
Hedon watched one of the main viewscreens as Fourth Fleet accelerated toward the edge of the planet’s gravity well. He knew when Admiral Strong returned, Amanda and Second Fleet would be coming also. His main job now was to see that Careth was so strongly held that no conceivable Hocklyn or AI attack could endanger it. It was to become the primary base for the Federation’s war with the Hocklyns and the AIs. He also intended to use First Fleet to harass all the Hocklyn bases within easy range of the Carethian system. Once Second and Fourth Fleet returned, he planned to strike at the heart of the Hocklyn Empire. He had a daring plan that, if it worked, would also free the old Federation worlds.
-
On board the Avenger, Jeremy watched the viewscreens as the strikecruiser crossed the edge of the gravity well and blue-white spatial vortexes began to form in front of the ships of Fourth Fleet.
“It’s time to go home,” he spoke in a soft voice over his mini-com on the private channel that connected the Special Five.
“I’m glad,” Kelsey responded. She knew in the next few months she'd finally have a lot of alone time with Jeremy and she fully intended to make the most of it. She also had a wedding to plan.
“Katie and I are going to take a long vacation,” Kevin announced with a grin.
“First I've heard of that,” Katie retorted with a pleased smile. A long vacation with Kevin sounded great!
“Have you told Angela that you had her marine captain transferred to the Avenger?” Kelsey asked. She knew Angela would be pleasantly surprised.
“Not yet,” admitted Jeremy, sheepishly. “He just arrived on the ship a few hours ago. He was going to go see Angela after we made our first jump.”
“She’ll be surprised,” Katie said with a laugh. “It should help speed up her recovery.”
Ariel listened to the four talk with a pleased smile on her face. Everything seemed so normal.
A few moments later, the Avenger entered the spatial vortex and jumped into hyperspace. Jeremy let out a long sigh of relief. It would be great to get back to the Federation, but there was a nagging worry in the back of his mind. Due to the relationships the five of them had established, he wondered if Fleet Admiral Johnson would allow all of them to remain aboard the Avenger, especially if Kelsey and he got married. Jeremy was deeply afraid that this trip home would be the last time the Special Five would be allowed to serve together on the same ship. Their lives were about to change once again, and Jeremy wondered how they would all feel about it.
Chapter Ten
Fleet Commodore Resmunt gazed at the tactical display as newly promoted Fleet Commodore Versith jumped into the Kenward Seven star system with what remained of Commodore Krilen’s fleets. He had received the new commodore’s detailed report on the damage to the fleet ships earlier.
“It will take weeks to repair all the battle damage,” he muttered in frustration, looking over at First Leader Ganth. Already the systems repair bays were full of the ships that had returned with him after the disastrous battle at the Human world.
Ganth’s large black eyes gazed back as he nodded in agreement. “From the reports it is obvious that the Humans' new alien allies have given them better energy shields and weapons. They will be difficult to defeat in battle.”
“Over two hundred ships destroyed and only five or six Human vessels destroyed in return,” Resmunt muttered with a deep frown. If Fleet Commodore Versith had not confirmed the numbers, he never would have believed them. “We must update our ships quickly if we want to be able to defeat the Humans. They become a bigger threat to our Empire with each passing day.”
“I fear that many of our warriors will find their final honor in this war,” Ganth responded in agreement. Honor was important to a Hocklyn and death in battle was an honorable way to die.
Resmunt let out a heavy sigh. From his recent engagements with the Humans, he knew better than to underestimate them. There was no doubt in his mind that the Humans would use their new tactical advantage to continue to attack the Empire. There were very few warships remaining between the Humans and Kenward Seven. A few small bases and numerous slave worlds with only an older escort cruiser or two for defense.
Looking at the front wall of the War Room, he saw that one of the main viewscreens was currently focused on the AI ship that was floating in orbit a short two thousand kilometers from the Liberator. For days now, Hocklyn engineers had been meeting with the AIs, discussing the new weapons systems the masters were willing to supply. The meetings were always highly uncomfortable with the AIs expecting the Hocklyns to easily understand what they were being told.
“Will the AI’s new weapons make a difference?” asked Ganth, knowing that honor in the future would be much more difficult to acquire. How could a Hocklyn warrior accumulate honor and prestige if they continued to lose battles to the Humans?
“That is unknown,” responded Resmunt, folding his powerful, sinewy arms across the chest plate of his battle armor. Without thinking, his pale green scaly hand with its six long fingers and sharp nails slid down to the knife at his waist. “Once the updates have been completed our ships will be more powerful, but the Humans may still possess an edge in weapons technology. Our biggest advantage will be in numbers. I have already sent a message to the High Council suggesting that we should not engage Human ships henceforth unless we have at least a two-to-one advantage.”
“What did they say?” asked Ganth, knowing the High Council was used to issuing orders, not receiving them. They might frown heavily at a Fleet Commodore suggesting a change in battle tactics to the council.
“Nothing yet,” Resmunt answered with a cold look. He had expected to have received a reply by now. “Make my shuttle ready. I will be going over to the Viden to speak with Fleet Commodore Versith. We have a war to fight and Versith is our best tactician. Unlike Commodore Krilen, I will pay close attention to Versith’s’ recommendations. He may also have some insight as to the new weapons the Human ships are equipped with.”
-
Back on the Hocklyn home world of Calzen, High Leader Nartel and the High Council were waiting nervously for the AIs to make an appearance. Ten AI ships had jumped into orbit above the planet in the clear space made by the AI’s destruction of the habitats that once floated in that region. Only recently had all the debris from the destroyed habitats been cleared away. The AIs had demanded an immediate audience with Nartel and the council.
“What can they want?” Ruthan asked, his large cold reptilian eyes showing fright as he tried to think of an answer. Then, turning toward Nartel, he said accusingly, “It’s your weapons research! Never have they come to Calzen with so many ships. Your foolish desire to pursue this weapons program has brought disaster upon us. The AIs will kill us and install our subordinates as new council members. They will demand that the weapons research program be disbanded. You have brought ruin to all of us!”
“I doubt if it is the weapons program that they are here for,” responded High Councilor Berken, frowning heavily at Councilor Ruthan and the obvious weakness he was displaying. “It is the war with the Humans that they are here to discuss. I strongly suggest we listen to what they have to say.”
“Yes, the Humans and these new allies of theirs,” added Councilor Desmonde, rising to his feet and looking at Nartel and the other councilors. “It is becoming more evident every day that the Empire is in danger. We must learn more about what the AIs know of the Humans and their new allies. They have never been forthcoming in telling us why they fear the Humans so much. It has now become essential that they do so.”
It was at that moment that two Hocklyn Protectors opened the massive council chamber doors, allowing six AIs to enter. The room fell into silence as the councilors stared at the mechanical monstrosities. Each one was a different shape. The only thing they had in common was the glowing globe of energy that served as a head and the numerous tentacles attached to various locations of their metal bodies.
“We have come to address the council,” the one who had entered first spoke as they floated over and took up positions on each side of the council table. “It is time you know the truth about the enemy you now face. If you fail to understand the danger, then your Empire will fall.”
“I don’t understand,” responded High Leader Nartel, rising to his feet and trying not to show fear or nervousness in front of the AIs. “What is this truth you speak of? What is it about the Humans that make them such a threat?”
“The Humans are extremely dangerous, but these new allies of the Humans are even more so. These new allies of the Humans are our creators, the Altons,” the AI replied as it floated even closer to Nartel. “We thought they had died out over ten thousand years ago; we were wrong. It is the Altons who have been responsible for guiding the Humans in their conflict with you. They brought Humans to the original Human Federation of Worlds from the Human home world, which you have recently come into conflict with. We believe the Altons must inhabit several star systems in close proximity to the Human worlds.”
Nartel sat back down, his large dark eyes growing even wider after hearing these revelations. He was now beginning to understand why the AIs feared the Humans. “How advanced are these Altons?”
“Perhaps as much as we are,” confessed the AI in a voice that sounded unsure of itself. “They are an unknown factor in this war. All AI ships have been recalled to the galactic center to be updated with better weapons in order to combat the Altons. Your own ships will be given more powerful weapons in order to combat the Humans. We do not believe the Altons will make their most powerful weapons available to the Humans as they are a more youthful and less advanced race.”
“What are your orders for us?” asked Nartel, gazing inquiringly at the AI that was doing the speaking.
“You will co
ntinue to attack the Humans wherever they can be found once your ships have been updated. Leave the Altons to us.”
“It will be as you command,” responded Nartel, knowing they had no other choice but to obey.
“This war must be won quickly or your Empire will soon lie in ruins,” the AI spoke as it turned and begin moving toward the large doors to the council chamber followed by the others. “Do not underestimate the Humans or they will destroy you!”
Nartel was silent as the AIs left and then he looked around the conference table. “This is extremely serious,” he said after a moment. “We are facing the Humans, who are a proxy race for the Altons much as we are to the AIs.”
“And the Altons created the AIs,” Ruthan spoke his eyes wide and looking terrified. “What if they cannot be defeated?”
“Then our Empire is finished,” replied Nartel grimly. He did not tell the council he still had one trump card to play. If it worked, then the Human threat would be neutralized and that would leave the AIs to deal with the Altons. If things went according to plan, the Hocklyns would be left to pick up the pieces.
-
Fleet Admiral Streth gazed thoughtfully at the latest reports from the stealth scouts. The supply fleet had brought twenty of the new long-range stealth scouts with them in their cargo bays. For the last four weeks, Hedon had deployed those scouts searching the edge of Hocklyn space for any bases that might pose a potential threat. For the most part, they had found nothing. It was as if the Hocklyns had withdrawn their fleets farther back into their Empire.
“They must be modernizing the same as us,” Admiral Telleck spoke through pursed lips. “If we don’t attack soon, our tactical advantage given to us by our new weapon systems may be reduced or even eliminated.” He didn’t like the fact that there were no signs of any AI or Hocklyn warships.
“You’re right, of course,” responded Hedon, leaning back and folding his arms across his chest. “We need to find some targets that are easy pickings but will still hurt the Hocklyn’s war effort.”
The Slaver Wars: Galactic Conflict Page 14