“How long will the trip take?” asked Andram.
“Two years,” replied Arlak. “The star cluster we have chosen is one of the farthest out from our galaxy’s periphery.”
“When will the fleets leave?” asked Kathryn. She knew the longer they waited, the more danger they were in.
“Three days from now,” Admiral Krusk answered. “There will be over four hundred colony ships as well as two hundred of our largest cargo vessels.”
“Do you have enough supplies for such a long journey?” asked Andram, his brow creasing in a frown as he thought about the supplies needed for a two-year trip.
“Our medical science is very advanced,” Arlak said. “Most of the colonists will be in cryosleep and won’t be awakened until they reach a new world to colonize.”
“What about warships?” asked Kathryn. The fleet would need to be protected.
“We kept back 120 of our warships,” Admiral Krusk said. “The fleet will be escorted by twenty of our battlecruisers and one hundred of our smaller cruisers.”
“What if a ship is damaged or something goes wrong?” asked Andram. “Do you have ships that can initiate repairs?”
“Yes,” Arlak answered. “There are four repair vessels specifically built to handle those types of emergencies.”
Admiral Krusk looked over at Rear Admiral Barnes with a desperate look upon his face. “Admiral, I know this is a lot to ask. Is there any way you could look after our evacuation fleet until it is safely away from this area of space? They are our only hope of carrying on our civilization.”
“What about your home world? We can help with its defense.”
“Will it matter in the end?” asked Krusk with a deep sigh. “I fear if we ask you to remain all we’re doing is sacrificing your warships in a hopeless battle.”
Kathryn knew she couldn’t refuse the request to protect the evacuation fleet, not if it meant saving the Ornellian race from extinction. “I will consult with my officers.”
-
The meeting lasted for another hour and finally Rear Admiral Barnes, Andram, and the two marines returned to their shuttle. The Ornellians had informed Kathryn they had one other vitally important matter to discuss and would be contacting her shortly.
“They have no hope for victory,” Andram said in a sad voice. “According to Arlak, the total population of their worlds before the Simulins launched their attack was slightly over twelve billion.”
“So many,” murmured Kathryn, shivering at the thought of such a large number of deaths.
“They’re a brave race,” commented Lieutenant Barkley. He had listened to what was being discussed in the meeting and come away with a profound respect for the Ornellians. “If we could have found them sooner they would have made excellent allies.”
Kathryn agreed with the lieutenant. If they had left the nebula earlier perhaps this disaster could have been averted. Then again, they might not have ever found the Ornellian Empire.
Moments later, they boarded the shuttle and were shortly on their way back to the Distant Horizon. They had much to discuss and some important decisions that needed to be made.
-
Kathryn was in the Command Center staring at the large viewscreen showing the planet Ornellia. The blue-white globe looked quiet and peaceful.
“Three point two billion Ornellians live on that planet,’ Commander Grissim commented with her arms folded across her chest. “There’s another twenty million or so scattered around the system on mining settlements and in domed cities on some of the system’s moons.”
Colonel Leon shook her head. “They’re doomed. The Simulins won’t leave anything intact in the system, and after they’ve bombarded Ornellia they’ll release thousands of Conqueror Drones to hunt down the survivors.”
“What’s the current status of the Ornellian fleet?” asked Kathryn. She felt so helpless knowing there was little they could do to change the outcome of the coming battle.
“They still have over seven hundred warships,” Clarissa reported, as she used the ship’s sensors to scan the Ornellian vessels. “However, nearly two hundred of them have received significant damage.”
Kathryn looked over at Andram. “Are you certain there’s nothing we can do to help them?”
Andram let out a deep and drawn out sigh. “I wish there was. If the Simulins had continued to attack, I’m nearly certain we couldn’t have saved the planet. I’m a little mystified as to why they withdrew.”
“I think the massive suicide attack by the Ornellian cargo ships threw them for a loop,” Commander Grissim stated. “They may have been concerned there were more ships waiting to be used in the same way.”
“They’ll be prepared for it next time,” Clarissa added.
“What about their orbital stations?” asked Kathryn still wanting to find some way to help. “Is there any way we could upgrade their power systems to use power beams or energy beams?”
Andram shook his head. “No, Admiral; there’s just not enough time. Even with the aid of the AIs, it would take two to three weeks to install class three fusion reactors. I’ve already sent Arlak Grall the information on the alloy for their laser tubes though I don’t believe they’ll have the time to convert many of their ships.”
“The Simulins won’t wait long before they renew their attack,” Clarissa said. She was standing next to the admiral with her hands on her hips. “I’ve run some simulations and they won’t delay more than four or five days at the most before they attack again, and the next time they won’t stop until they’ve won.”
“Admiral,” called out Captain Travers from Communications. “Admiral Krusk and Arlak Grall are requesting permission to come aboard the Distant Horizon. They say they have something of strategic importance to discuss with you.”
Kathryn looked over at Commander Grissim and then toward Andram, who shrugged his shoulders. “Tell them to come aboard and bring them to my quarters. I believe my personal office will suffice for this meeting. Andram, Commander Grissim, if you will come with me.”
-
High Commander Lantu was angry. He stalked around his Command Center venting his rage at those around him. This should have been a simple attack upon a stellar empire, which was not an immediate threat to the Simulins. However, there could be none but Simulin and the eradication of all organics was a set policy of the Grand Council. Returning to his command station, Lantu brought his emotions back under control and turned toward Second Commander Darst, who had stood quietly while Lantu vented his rage.
“What’s the status of our fleet?”
“We lost 118 ships in the Ornellian System,” Second Commander Darst replied.
Lantu looked up at a viewscreen, which showed a badly damaged Simulin battlecruiser. Three of its energy weapon spires were missing and it had a deep and ragged gash in its side. None of this should have happened.
“Damaged?”
“Another seventy-two,” replied Darst. “Most can be fully operational within two days.”
Lantu nodded. “What are the AIs and the organics from the Fitula Nebula doing out here?”
‘Unknown,” Darst answered. “We have reports from some of the small reaction fleets that they recently attacked some of our energy collection stations in the blue giant nebula. It seems they are taking a more active role in opposing our operations in this galaxy.”
“Someday we will find a way to penetrate that nebula,” muttered Lantu in a harsh voice. “When we do, we will end the AIs and the organics they protect.”
High Commander Lantu knew his own future was now in question. Simulins were not allowed to fail. The very fact that he had withdrawn from battle on two occasions now brought into question his fitness to command. When they returned to their base and the analyzes of the battles were downloaded from the battle computer, it could well result in his deletion.
“The AI fleet is not powerful enough to protect the Ornellian System from us,” Lantu said after a moment. “We also know h
ow to defend ourselves from future attempts to ram our vessels. The attacking cargo ships were not shielded. If such attacks happen in the future, I want the battle computer programmed to automatically intercept such attacks with our antimatter missiles.”
“It will be done,” Second Commander Darst replied evenly.
Lantu gazed around the Command Center. “We attack in three days. This time, we will not withdraw until the AIs, their allies, and the Ornellians have been eliminated. There can be none but Simulin.”
“None but Simulin,” responded Darst with a nod.
-
Kathryn, Anne, and Andram were waiting in her private office when the door opened and several marines appeared with Admiral Krusk and Arlak Grall.
“Greetings, Admiral Krusk,” said Kathryn, rising and indicating for the admiral and Arlak to take a seat.
The two Ornellians sat down though the chairs were a little large for them. The two marines stepped back outside and shut the hatch.
“Your ship is impressive,” Admiral Krusk said.
“When we’re through with our meeting, I’ll be glad to take you on a tour. Now, what did you want to speak to us about?”
Krusk took a deep breath and said. “We wish to inform you of the artifact.”
“The artifact?” asked Commander Grissim, looking confused. “What is the artifact?”
Admiral Krusk looked over at Arlak for an explanation.
“The artifact was discovered nearly three hundred years ago by one of our exploration ships,” Arlak began. “At that time we were just beginning to explore the space outside of our star system.”
“You’ve been in space for three hundred years?” asked Andram with some confusion showing on his face. “I would have thought in that time you would have developed more powerful weapons than the pulse laser you’re currently using.”
“We didn’t feel it necessary,” Admiral Krusk explained. “We found no threats in the surrounding star systems, and it has only been in the last few years we began to hear rumors of these Simulins that attacked us.”
Kathryn nodded in understanding. Weapons research seemed to be directly linked to conflict. When wars were being fought, new and more powerful weapons were in high demand. “What is this artifact?”
“We believe it to be a ship,” Arlak answered. He opened a folder he was carrying and slid a photo over to Kathryn. “The ship is massive and unbelievably old. The hull material is unlike anything we’ve ever encountered. In all the years since its discovery, we have never been able to gain access. Some of our scientists suggested using very powerful explosives to attempt to blast our way in, but others were opposed.”
Kathryn looked at the photo and her eyes widened. She passed the photo over to Andram, who began studying it intently. His face taking on a look of growing amazement. “Just how big is this ship?”
“It’s five-thousand-meters in length and nearly six hundred in diameter,” Arlak replied.
Kathryn glanced over at Andram. “Is that ship what I think it is?”
“It’s an Originator ship,” Clarissa announced as she suddenly appeared just behind Kathryn.
The two Ornellians nearly jumped out of their chairs. “What is this?” stammered Admiral Krusk, his eyes looking at the apparition in disbelief.
Shaking her head, Kathryn answered. “Don’t be alarmed, it’s only our resident AI. This is Clarissa and she’s a hologram.”
“An AI,” said Arlak with curiosity glinting in his eyes. “We have delved some into AIs, but all we’ve been able to create are some very responsive and intuitive computer programs.”
“Well,” announced Clarissa, putting her hands on her shapely hips. “I’m not a computer program!”
“I can see that,” Arlak responded apologetically. “Who are these Originators you spoke of?”
“A very ancient race,” Andram answered. He then proceeded to tell the two Ornellians about the Dyson Sphere in the blue giant system.
Admiral Krusk listened to the exchange with growing worry. “If this ship is indeed an Originator vessel, we can’t let it fall into the hands of the Simulins.”
“No,” Kathryn replied in agreement. “We don’t believe they’ve been able to access very much of the Dyson Sphere either, but a spaceship might be a different matter entirely. If they can learn the science of these Originators then no one would be able to stand against them.”
“I agree,” Admiral Krusk responded with a heavy sigh. “We always hoped that someday our scientists would find a way into the ship without damaging it. Now it seems our best recourse is to destroy it. However, we have no weapons that are capable of doing so, but you do. If you can show me some star maps of our local area, I’ll point out the star system where the ship is. It will be up to you to see that it doesn’t fall into Simulin hands.”
-
Later, Kathryn sat in her office deep in thought. Finding a ship of the Originators this far away from the Dyson Sphere had been the farthest thing from her mind when they set out on this expedition. Just the thought of what that ship might contain was enough to send chills through her. A ship as advanced as this one most likely was could even provide them with a way back home again. What frightened Kathryn was the fact she might have to destroy it. However, there was one thing that frightened her even more and that was the Simulins gaining control of it. She wondered what had happened to the crew of the ship and what they might find if they could find a way to board it? Also, what was it doing way out here so far away from the Dyson Sphere? Kathryn had a bad feeling she wasn’t going to like the answers.
Chapter Ten
Admiral Krusk sat in his command chair gazing at the multitude of viewscreens in the Command Center showing views of the surrounding space. Some screens showed nothing but hundreds of unblinking stars while others displayed various warships. However, the largest screen was focused on Ornellia. He knew down on the surface military forces were being dispersed across the planet to help protect underground shelters and bunkers. The Ornellian ruling council had already decided it was useless to attempt to protect the larger cities. From what they had learned from Rear Admiral Barnes, nearly all the medium and large cities on the planet would be targeted by Simulin nuclear bombardment missiles. Some of the bunkers were deep underground and had instructions to stay silent for several years minimum. When the Ornellians in those bunkers emerged, they would have to face the Simulin Conqueror Drones. For that reason, each of the deep bunkers also had a military contingent to help deal with that future threat.
“How are we doing with placing the new allow in our pulse laser tubes?” he asked, looking over at First Commander Lukel. Lukel had served as his executive officer for nearly ten years, during that time they had become close friends.
“We’ve replaced the lining in twenty-three of our battlecruisers,” Lukel replied. “It’s a slow process.”
Admiral Krusk stood up and strolled to the front of the Command Center. Clasping his hands behind his back, he stared at the jewel of a planet that had given birth to the Ornellian race. There was no pollution and they had been at peace for nearly five hundred years. In the last one hundred years, medical technology and many of the other sciences had seen substantial advances. Unfortunately, military technology had not received the same level of attention due to no known external threats.
“The repairs to our ships?”
“All combat capable,” Lukel answered. “Some more so than others.”
“Admiral, one of our scouts has returned from the Parkel System,” the communications officer reported. “The Simulins are forming up into an attack formation and the officer in charge of the scout believes they will be coming through shortly.”
Admiral Krusk let out a deep breath and stared calmly at Lukel. “Bring the fleet to battlestations and have any ships in the shipyards exit the bays immediately.” Looking at one of the viewscreens, Krusk could see one of the large shipyards. Both shipyards had been working around the clock trying to repair s
hips and change the lining in the pulse laser tubes. “Once all ships have cleared the shipyard bays, the shipyards are to implement an immediate evacuation to the surface.” The science stations had already been evacuated.
A few minutes later, First Commander Lukel turned back toward the admiral. “Messages have been sent. The shipyards will begin their evacuations in twenty minutes.”
Admiral Krusk let out a deep sigh. “Let’s move our fleet down into the defense grid; that will give us more firepower.”
Lukel looked shocked at hearing those words. “But that will let the Simulins fire upon the planet!”
“It won’t matter,” Admiral Krusk said softly. “However, we can make them pay for destroying our world.”
Lukel nodded and proceeded to pass on the orders. He knew from the admiral’s words he did not expect them to survive this battle.
-
High Commandeer Lantu watched as his fleet assembled to prepare for transit to the Ornellians’ home system. He had taken precautions to ensure they couldn’t use their cargo ships to ram. He was also prepared to deal with the AI fleet and their allies if they were still in the system.
“All ships are ready to enter hyperspace,” reported Second Commander Darst. He stood still awaiting the order to begin transit from the High Commander.
“Then let us proceed,” Lantu ordered. “This time there will be no withdrawal. We will destroy the Ornellian fleet and the AIs if they are still there. Once that has been done, we will eradicate the Ornellian organic presence on their world and then proceed to do the same to all of their remaining colonies.”
Folding his arms across his chest, Lantu waited for his orders to be carried out.
-
“Hyperspace vortexes forming,” called out the sensor operator.
Admiral Krusk nodded and buckled his safety harness securely around his chest and waist. “Standby for combat maneuvers.”
“Confirmed; Simulin warships,” the sensor operator added. “Distance is forty thousand kilometers outward from Ornellia.”
The Lost Fleet: Oblivion's Light: A Slaver Wars Novel Page 13