The Slaver Wars: Galactic Conflict

by Raymond L. Weil

  “Even if they have further strengthened their weapons and shields, we will use our superior numbers to wear them down,” High Leader Nartel responded determinedly. “I have informed all of our fleets not to engage the Humans unless we have at least a two to one advantage in ships. The Human victories are about to come to an end, and soon we will once more begin expanding our Empire.”

  “How soon until we start our new offensive?” Fleet Commodore Resmunt asked.

  He'd been greatly concerned that the Humans would use the absence of Hocklyn warships in the outlying sectors to take over more Hocklyn slave worlds. For some reason that hadn't happened. The Humans seemed to be satisfied with staying in the system of Careth. Resmunt knew if the positions were reversed, the Hocklyns would have long since moved out and used their tactical advantage to conquer as many worlds as possible.

  “We've waited a long time,” Fleet Commodore Versith stated, his large dark eyes focusing on the High Leader. “The Humans have been heavily fortifying Careth. It will be a difficult system to conquer.”

  “I've made arrangements,” High Leader Nartel replied. “We'll have sufficient forces when the time comes to overwhelm Careth and continue on to the Human home worlds. This time we will not be defeated.”

  The meeting ended with the commodores leaving. All wondered exactly what Nartel had meant by sufficient forces. Were the AIs going to commit a large number of their ships to this campaign?

  High Leader Nartel watched the commodores leave with a smirk on his face. Several times since he had arrived at Kenward Seven, he'd taken his dreadnought and flown to a nearby star system, one that he'd made off limits to all other Hocklyn ships. In that system was the secret weapon he would use to annihilate the Human threat once and for all.

  -

  Admiral Streth was in the Command Center of the StarStrike. For weeks now, First Fleet and Ceres Fleet had been jumping steadily toward Kenward Seven. Before each jump, long-range stealth scouts were sent out to check the systems ahead. In order for this attack to succeed, it was essential that the Hocklyns not detect them. They were deep in Hocklyn space. It reminded Hedon of a previous mission he had been involved in with the original Human Federation of Worlds.

  During that mission, he'd taken a portion of his fleet and gone deep into supposed Hocklyn space to determine just what type of enemy the Federation was facing. Much to his chagrin, he'd discovered an enemy that controlled a vast galactic empire, one the Human Federation of Worlds could not hope to defeat. It was when he returned home from that mission that he'd found the Federation worlds in ruin and most of the Human race dead. He'd gathered what survivors he could and fled with the fleet to Earth. Now here he was once again, deep in Hocklyn space. However, this time he would be the aggressor, not the Hocklyns.

  “All ships have reported in,” Captain Duncan spoke from Communications. “All ship commanders are reporting their FTL drives are functioning normally and the drive cores are in the process of cooling down.”

  “First Fleet ships are moving into screening positions around the StarStrike,” Colonel Trist reported.

  “Same with Ceres Fleet,” Colonel Grissim added. “They are forming up around the battlecruiser Ceres.”

  “One hour and then we jump again,” Hedon ordered. “We can’t stay too long in one spot or we run the risk of being detected.”

  Hedon leaned back in his command chair and gazed across the Command Center. This mission to Kenward Seven had taken on added significance when Admiral Telleck returned from the Federation. Hedon had been shaken to the core when Glenn had informed him of his meeting with Ambassador Tureen and the two Alton scientists. He had less than two years to defeat the Hocklyns and then launch an assault against the AIs at the center of the galaxy. It seemed impossible, but somehow he had to find a way to do it or the entire galaxy might be doomed.

  Glancing at one of the tactical displays, he contemplated all the friendly green dots that represented Federation and Alton ships. Both First Fleet and Ceres Fleet consisted of nearly one hundred ships each as well as ten Alton battlecruisers. All ships were updated and the battlecruisers, battlecarriers, and the strikecruisers carried the new particle beam cannons, which could be fired from the bow. They were primarily to be used against AI ships. The Altons had recently incorporated some Federation technology, which made the cannons even more dangerous.

  The new Alton designed fusion reactors had greatly enhanced the Federation energy screens as well as the power beams and pulse lasers. For the first time, Hedon felt confident about going up against an AI ship. Another change made was to the Alton’s antimatter missiles. After consultation with some of the Federation’s leading military strategists, the yield had been increased to 100 megatons. The Altons had balked about going any higher as the weapons could become too dangerous to use. The Federation strategists and scientists had agreed. At 100 megatons a single sublight missile should be able to bring down an AI energy shield or at least knock a sizable hole in it. Only battleships, battlecruisers, and strikecruisers would carry this more powerful missile.

  “Long range scouts are returning,” Captain Reynolds reported from his sensor console as several new green icons flashed into existence on his screen. Reynolds knew the scouts were not using their full stealth capability or his sensors would not have been able to detect them.

  “Scouts are reporting the next two jump points are free of enemy activity,” Colonel Grissim said as she listened to the scouts report in over her mini-com.

  Hedon nodded and let out a long sigh of relief. Two more jumps and they would be within range of Kenward Seven. He knew there was a good possibility that there would be several AI ships in that system and the sensors in the AI ships had a range of at least several light years. Federation scientists were not certain of the absolute distance, but it was estimated from previous observations of AI ship movements that their sensors had a range of between two to six light years.

  He wished Amanda and Second Fleet were with them. She was an excellent commander and had a lot of battle experience. He took solace in knowing that both she and Admiral Strong would probably be waiting for them when they returned to Careth.

  “What do you think we'll be facing when we jump into the Kenward Seven system?” Colonel Trist asked as he finished speaking to Engineering.

  “A lot of updated ships,” Hedon replied evenly, his eyes looking over at his executive officer. “If we can stay undetected they won’t be expecting an attack. It should give us a brief tactical advantage.”

  “We’re going to be heavily outnumbered,” Colonel Grissim commented as she stepped closer to the command console.

  “I know,” Hedon responded. “I'll risk sending in two of our long-range stealth scouts to scan the system once we come within range. As soon as they return and download their data, we'll attack immediately. We will jump in as close to the planet’s gravity well as is deemed safe and launch our attack upon the four shipyards. We only need to get within twenty thousand kilometers to use our new antimatter missiles to destroy them.”

  “If the AIs are on guard they might be able to intercept the missiles,” warned Colonel Trist with concern in his voice. “There are bound to be at least a few AIs present as important as this system is to the Hocklyn Slave Empire.”

  “If they do, we'll just have to go in closer,” responded Hedon, calmly. “Those shipyards must be destroyed. They are the only military shipyards between Careth and the Hocklyns' home systems. In a single blow, we can cripple their war effort.”

  “It’s a risk,” Colonel Grissim uttered with a concerned frown covering her face. She knew they were a long way from help if the battle went the wrong way.

  -

  Hedon was in the officers' mess eating a tuna fish sandwich and drinking unsweetened tea. He knew it would probably be the last time he'd get the chance to eat before the coming engagement. Sitting there alone, he thought back to the wonderful meals that Lendle used to cook for him and Taylor in the cabin by
the lake on Maken. He really missed her home cooking.

  “You should be eating something warm and more filling,” Janice’s reproachful voice spoke from behind him.

  Turning his head, he nodded and gestured for her to sit down. “I never can eat a big meal before a battle,” he confessed as he laid his partially eaten sandwich down on his plate.

  “Everyone’s feeling tense,” she said as she sat down across from Hedon. “This is really the first time, other than the Hocklyn fleet base, that we're going to attack one of their main systems. It'll be a major battle and we’re going to be seriously outnumbered.”

  Hedon was silent for a moment; he wanted to tell Janice about what was going on at the center of the galaxy and how important neutralizing this system had become. However, he knew he could not; it would not be fair to saddle her with that added worry.

  “Once we destroy the shipyards we will return to Careth to repair our battle damage. Admirals Sheen and Strong should be waiting for us when we return.”

  “Then what?” Janice asked, her hazel eyes focusing on Hedon. She knew there had to be more to this than what Hedon was letting on.

  “Then we return to the old Federation,” he responded, his eyes taking on a look of fire. “We free them from the Hocklyns and prepare for our next big step in the war.”

  “What’s that?” asked Janice, feeling confused. She really hadn’t thought too much about what would happen after the old Federation worlds were freed. She'd supposed at some point in time the Hocklyns would grow weary of the war and agree to a truce.

  “We attack the Hocklyn home worlds,” Hedon responded with conviction.

  “Their home worlds?” Janice gasped her eyes growing wide in disbelief. “There are hundreds of billions of Hocklyns in those systems. How can we possibly attack them? It would be suicide! They’re bound to be heavily defended.”

  “I have a plan,” spoke Hedon, carefully. “But first we must destroy the shipyards at Kenward Seven and then retake the Federation home worlds. Once that is done, we can move upon the Hocklyn home systems.”

  Janice fell into silence. She didn’t know if Hedon was raving or dead serious. Either way, it sounded as if this war was just barely beginning.

  -

  High Leader Nartel was back on board his dreadnought, HammersHand, studying the fleet readiness reports. He'd also sent a report back to the High Council on Calzen as to the readiness of the fleet. If all went as planned, the Human menace would soon be over.

  War Leader Caltrin came over to stand next to the command pedestal where the High Leader was. He waited patiently for the High Leader to recognize his presence.

  Nartel looked down from the command pedestal at the waiting War Leader. Caltrin was one of Nartel’s relatives, a first cousin to be exact. “What's on your mind, War Leader?” Nartel asked in his raspy voice.

  “When will you reveal to Fleet Commodore Resmunt what is in system C-215?”

  “In time,” Nartel replied. “They may not like what I have done; the High Council will surely not. But it is necessary to ensure the Humans' defeat and the continuation of our Empire.”

  “The Empire must be preserved,” Caltrin agreed, his reptilian eyes focusing intently on the High Leader. “Your wisdom will bring the Empire victory against the Humans. In time, we will begin to expand again until we reach the edge of the galaxy. It is our right.”

  “If the AIs allow us,” Nartel responded his eyes narrowing. “While it is true that we control the Empire, never forget about who controls us.”

  Both of their eyes went to a main viewscreens, which showed one of the 1,500-meter AI spheres floating a short distance away. Unlike other Hocklyns, Nartel preferred to keep an AI ship close by. It helped to ensure his own safety.

  “The AIs are our masters,” Caltrin conceded. “They are powerful and must be obeyed.”

  “Not as powerful as they once were,” Nartel reminded the War Leader. “The Humans and the Altons have the capacity to destroy AI ships, something that until recently was not considered possible.”

  “What you have said is true,” Caltrin replied in his cold voice. “Perhaps when this war with the Humans is over the AIs will see us more as equals.”

  “It's possible,” Nartel responded.

  Particularly if he could get his hands on some of the weapons the Humans and Altons were using to destroy AI ships. If the Hocklyns had the same technology then the AIs would have no recourse but to recognize them as equals. It would also allow the Hocklyns to colonize more worlds and alleviate the growing population pressure in the home systems.

  Nartel folded his sinewy arms across the chest plate of his dark gray battle armor. Yes, if he was successful it would bring about a new era in the Hocklyn Slave Empire, one that he would control. Nartel allowed his cold dark eyes to wander across the War Room. This was a handpicked crew and one he could trust. In just a few more days, he would be ready to order the attack on Careth and send forth his secret weapon. The Humans would fall before the onslaught and this war would finally and irrevocably be over.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The Command AI floated a few inches above the metal deck in the Control Center of the AI ship. Around it, other AIs operated the Sensors, Navigation, Communications, Engineering, Damage Control, and numerous other important ship systems. The AIs were in the Kenward Seven star system and had been directing the updating of Hocklyn warships. They detested contact with any of the organic races, but the Hocklyns were their proxies for this section of the galaxy and currently engaged in a war with the Humans and the AIs’ creators, the Altons.

  “We have detected two sensor ghosts on the periphery of the system,” the AI in front of the sensors reported as it used its tentacles to adjust the sensors to a higher degree of sensitivity. “They just appeared.”

  “They may be Human scout ships,” warned the AI at Tactical. “We have received reports from the outer regions of the Hocklyn Empire that the Humans have been jumping into and scanning numerous systems.”

  “We are far from the frontier of the Empire,” the Command AI spoke, the glowing orb that served as its head glowing brighter. “It is highly unlikely that these are Human vessels. Run diagnostics on the sensor panel. There must be a fault somewhere in the system.”

  “I am detecting a spike in energy readings indicating that active scans of the system are being taken,” the AI at the sensors reported in its mechanical, almost emotionless voice even as it began running diagnostics on the sensor system. The glowing orb above its body seemed to grow larger as it turned to face the Command AI. “I don’t believe these are sensor ghosts.”

  The Command AI was silent as it contemplated what this might mean. From the latest report, the Humans were still at Careth. Pointing a long tentacle at Communications, the AI spoke again. “Contact Fleet Admiral Resmunt and see if he has any vessels in that area that might be experimenting with new equipment.”

  The Command AI was well aware that the Hocklyns had launched their own weapons development program, and these sensor ghosts could be a part of that, particularly since their High Leader was in the system. If this was a result of new ship designs by the Hocklyns, this development would have to be reported to AI Command back in the galactic center. The Command AI was aware that the Great Project was nearing completion. The intensity of the work had been drastically increased since learning that the Altons had survived. If the project was completed as projected, then the Hocklyn’s new weapons program would be totally irrelevant. However, the AI had instructions to report any new developments.

  A few minutes passed and the Communications AI reported back. “Fleet Commodore Resmunt denies having any ships in that area.”

  “The scans have stopped and the sensor ghosts have disappeared,” the AI at the sensors reported as it studied the data coming over the screens. “Whatever it was is gone.”

  “Should we increase our level of readiness?” the AI at Tactical inquired. Currently, the ship was at a low alert le
vel with shields at minimum.

  The Command AI was quiet as it contemplated what needed to be done. Due to the recent reversals that had been suffered at the hands of the Humans and the Altons, the Command AI had strict orders not to engage any Alton ships. While it was highly unlikely the recent contacts were a result of Human scout ships, it was prudent that the ten AI ships in the system not be put in danger.

  “Power up our FTL drives and plot an emergency jump to system C-114 upon my command,” the Command AI ordered. “Bring our defensive systems to full alert status and be prepared to intercept inbound sublight missiles.”

  “This is an attack then, by the Humans?” questioned the AI at the sensors.

  “I calculate only a small possibility of that,” responded the Command AI, waving its tentacles. “More than likely it is nothing, but we should be prepared just in case.”

  “Should we notify High Leader Nartel or Fleet Commodore Resmunt?” the AI at Communications asked.

  “No,” the Command AI responded, as the glowing orb above its metal body grew visibly dimmer. “It is probably nothing.”

  -

  Two hours passed and High Leader Nartel was summoned to the War Room of the HammersHand by the ship’s War Leader. He made his way quickly through the corridors escorted by two heavily armed Protectors. Reaching the War Room, he went inside while the two Protectors took up positions outside the hatch, their hands held at their side next to their holstered weapons.

  “What is it?” demanded Nartel, striding over to the command pedestal where War Leader Caltrin was standing speaking to his First Leader.

  “It's just been brought to my attention that all ten AI ships have powered up their FTL drives as if they are preparing to jump out of the system. The strength of their energy screens has also increased.”

  Nartel’s cold, black eyes glittered dangerously. “And how long ago did they power up their jump drives?” Nartel demanded. Did the AIs know something and were refusing to communicate that important information to the Hocklyns?