Admiral Baasil hesitated briefly before responding. “I strongly suspect, and Commander Stockwell agrees with me, that the Shari have a number of fleets between us and the safety of the Federation. They have no intentions of allowing us to escape their space.”
“Then what are our options?” Tureen wasn’t militarily minded and depended on those in the military to take the lead in those matters.
“We leave immediately and attempt to reach the Rylus Cluster and Admiral Tolsen. I don’t believe the Shari will be expecting us to head out in that direction, and there may not be as many fleets between us and the cluster as there are between here and the Federation.”
Ambassador Tureen closed his eyes and sighed deeply. Opening them, he looked over at the admiral. “You do realize that by leaving unannounced it will be tantamount to declaring war?”
“Yes,” Admiral Baasil replied grimly. “But to remain is to risk the total destruction of our fleet.”
“Can we still send out messages to Admiral Tolsen and the Federation?”
“So far,” answered Baasil, his eyes narrowing. “I believe the Shari don’t want us to suspect anything is amiss so they’re not jamming us. However, it won’t be hard for them to trace our FTL communication buoys.” There was a string of them between the fleet’s present location and Federation space. There was also a second string to the Rylus Cluster.
Ambassador Tureen stood up as he reached his decision. “Send an encrypted message to the Federation to send the second relief fleet to Admiral Tolsen immediately. Send another message to Admiral Tolsen informing him of our planned arrival and to be prepared for immediate war with the Shari.” The second relief and supply fleet had been waiting at the border of the Shari Empire for orders to proceed. They had been held up so as not to heighten the tension with the Shari while the negotiations were in progress.
“How soon before we leave?”
“I have another meeting scheduled for tomorrow with the Shari representative. I don’t believe they’re quite ready to make their move on our fleet. Perhaps I can buy enough time for the messages to reach the Federation and Admiral Tolsen. However, it might be wise to discretely raise the alert level of the fleet. I don’t want us to be taken by surprise.” Tureen knew due to the distances involved it would take several days for the messages to reach their recipients.
“With Humans in the fleet,” Baasil said with a slight smile. “I don’t think anything could take us by surprise.”
-
Three more days passed and Ambassador Tureen was once more in the Command Center of the Star Avenger. He couldn’t help but think of the irony of the ship’s name. The Altons were a peaceful race with over ninety percent of the population pacifists. However, there were still enough Altons on their worlds willing to fight and go to war to preserve the Human Federation of Worlds and the ideals the two races held dear to their hearts.
“The Shari representative is going back to their home world to discuss our latest offer,” Ambassador Tureen commented as he gazed at the huge viewscreen on the front wall of the Command Center. As on all Alton constructed ships, the screen was crystal clear and gave a very unobstructed view of space. It almost seemed as if you could step out of the ship and touch the stars.
“When will he be returning?”
“He won’t,” answered Tureen, turning to face the admiral. “I believe it is but a ruse to force us to remain at this location until they’re ready to attack. It’s highly likely they’re planning to attack us as well as Admiral Tolsen at the same time. What of their ship movements?”
“No new arrivals in the past forty-eight hours,” Admiral Baasil answered. “I’m certain the Shari believe the ships they have assembled will be sufficient to destroy our fleet.”
“The Shari have over two thousand warships within attack range,” Commander Stockwell added. Stockwell was from New Tellus and was a career officer in the fleet. “We’ll be heavily outnumbered and while our weapons are superior, we’ll be at a distinct disadvantage against a fleet of that size.”
Tureen shifted his gaze to the holographic tactical display showing what the long-range sensors were detecting. Around a number of nearby stars were numerous red threat icons. “As soon as our long-range sensors detect those Shari warships entering hyperspace, we need to leave.”
“We’ll only have two or three minutes’ warning before the first of their warships can reach us,” Commander Stockwell informed Ambassador Tureen. “Some of those ships are only a few light years distant.”
“Will that be time enough for us to enter hyperspace?”
“Yes,” confirmed Admiral Baasil. “Just barely.”
Ambassador Tureen nodded, accepting the danger of their situation. “Very well, make your preparations. We’re going to the Rylus Star Cluster.”
-
Four more days passed when Ambassador Tureen was suddenly awakened by the Condition One alarms sounding. He was hurriedly dressing when he heard the announcement over the ship’s comm system they were preparing to leave the system. Taking a deep breath, he sat down on his bed and waited for the shift into hyperspace. He felt a sudden dizziness and a brief bout of nausea and then everything returned to normal. He knew the Star Avenger had successfully made the transition. He allowed himself to breathe out a long sigh of relief. They couldn’t be attacked in hyperspace, at least not until they exited. The ambassador knew the Star Avenger was capable of traveling one light year every three minutes with an effective jump range of one hundred and twenty light years. That would give them six hours of safety before they had to exit the warp vortex, allow the hyperdrive to cool, and then recharge the drive for the next jump.
It didn’t take the ambassador long to reach the Command Center. Stepping inside, he saw that it was a beehive of frantic activity. Glancing at the large viewscreen, he saw the swirling colors of deep purple associated with hyperspace. He knew from recent studies what he was seeing was the effect of dark energy on the higher bands of hyperspace in which the battleship was traveling. No Alton scientist was quite certain what affect dark energy played in hyperspace travel though it was becoming more apparent there was a definite connection.
“Ambassador,” Admiral Baasil said respectfully, seeing Tureen enter the Command Center.
“I assume the Shari made their move?”
“Yes,” responded Baasil, gesturing toward one of the large holographic tactical displays. “All of their fleets entered hyperspace within two minutes of one another. Navigation plotted their eventual destination to the coordinates our fleet was occupying. As soon as we detected their entry into hyperspace, I gave the order for the fleet to leave. I also sent messages to the Federation as well as Admiral Tolsen apprising them of our situation.”
Tureen shifted his attention to the indicated tactical display, seeing what appeared to be a number of Shari fleets inbound toward their former location. So it was actually happening. He had hoped he was wrong and the Shari would not choose the path of war.
“How long until we reach the Rylus Star Cluster?” Tureen also wondered when he would see home again. Even if they reached the cluster, they might find themselves trapped there for quite some time.
“Six days,” answered Commander Stockwell, stepping over closer to the two. “We’ll have to exit hyperspace eighteen times before we reach the cluster and then several more times in order to reach the Dyson Sphere. We’ll need to spend an hour each time we dropout to allow the drive cores to cool properly. We’ll also have to check the harmonics on the fleet’s hyperdrives periodically.”
“That’s assuming we don’t run into a Shari fleet,” said Tureen in a tired voice. He felt as if he had failed. The Human Federation of Worlds and their allies, which included the Altons, were once more going to war.
“We’ll have ample warning with our long-range sensors,” Admiral Baasil pointed out.
“What will happen once we reach the Dyson Sphere?”
Admiral Baasil stood up from his command c
hair and gazed around the Command Center. He knew a number of the crew was listening to the conversation. “Probably a battle,” Baasil answered grimly. “It won’t take the Shari long to figure out where we’re going.”
“I just hope the other relief fleet makes it there before we do,” Tureen commented. “Admiral Tolsen’s going to need what that fleet has with it.”
Admiral Baasil nodded. The most valuable military asset in the known galaxy was the recently discovered Dyson Sphere. Under no conditions could it be allowed to fall into Shari hands. The technology contained inside the sphere had the potential to make whoever got to it first the dominate power in the galaxy. Of course there was still a wild card in play. Admiral Baasil knew the Simulins were also hunting for the Dyson Sphere and when they found it, all hell would break loose as the Humans would say.
Chapter Two
Admiral Race Tolsen stared worriedly at one of the WarHawk’s tactical displays. The number of Shari vessels now in the outer regions of the system was steadily increasing every hour. It was obvious they were building up their forces for an attack, one which could happen at any time.
“How soon before the relief and supply fleet arrive?” Race needed those supplies and additional ships if he wanted to hold his position above the Dyson Sphere.
“Two hours,” answered Colonel Cowel as he checked some data on one of his computer screens. “I just hope the Shari don’t detect them on their way in.”
“What about Admiral Baasil and the Alton fleet?” Race was deeply concerned about the Alton fleet as Ambassador Tureen was on board the Star Avenger.
“Sixteen hours,” Cowel said as he checked some additional data.
“Any signs the Shari can detect incoming fleets?”
“No,” responded Commander Madelyn Arnett as she turned to face the admiral. “All evidence indicates their long-range sensors extend out only about twenty-five AU.”
Race nodded. At least that was some good news. “We’ll take the fleet to Condition One twenty minutes before the arrival of the relief and supply fleet. If necessary, we may have to move out from beneath the defensive grid to give the arriving ships covering fire. I want all fighters, bombers, and the defense globes ready to launch at a moment’s notice.”
“We’ll be ready,” promised Madelyn.
“Do you believe this will turn into an all out battle?” asked Cowel.
“Maybe,” Race answered as his eyes shifted to the colonel. “It depends on how many ships the Shari are willing to lose. After all, they’re still building up their fleet. I’m hoping they’re not quite ready to commit to a full-scale battle, and once Admiral Baasil arrives it might give the Shari pause in their attack plans.”
Cowel nodded and went back to his duties.
Race leaned back in his command chair and gazed at the large viewscreen on the front wall of the ship. The dark and dimly lit surface of the Dyson Sphere covered the entire screen. Both Reesa Jast and Kelnor Mard were down on the surface investigating a large structure they hoped might provide entrance to the sphere. Reesa had taken the small copper colored globe, which had served as a key to open up the doors in the Originator complex they found beneath one of the airless moons in the Rylus Cluster. The two Alton scientists were hoping the key would allow them access to the structure. Race hoped they were correct. If they couldn’t find a way into the Dyson Sphere, then this mission would be a bust and the Human Federation of Worlds would have committed a lot of fleet resources sorely needed elsewhere. If they were forced to withdraw from the Dyson Sphere, they would be trapped deep inside enemy territory and there was no guarantee they could make it back to Federation space. There was no doubt the Shari would do everything in their power to destroy the fleet.
“With all the inbound Shari traffic, the Simulins are eventually going to find us,” said Madelyn worriedly as she studied the tactical display, which was showing four more recently arrived Shari escort cruisers joining their main fleet. “We know they’ve been searching for the Dyson Sphere for quite some time.”
“If and when they find it, we’ll be facing two enemies,” Race said grim-faced. It posed a serious problem as the Simulin warships were much more powerful than those used by the Shari. In the last battle with the Simulins, the dreadnoughts Falcon and Yellen had been destroyed.
“The Shari don’t understand how big a threat the Simulins are,” Madelyn said with a deep frown. “Has that been pointed out to them in the negotiations?”
“Yes,” Race replied. “It was one of the first things Ambassador Tureen brought up. The Shari seemed indifferent to the danger.”
Madelyn turned her attention back to the main viewscreen and the Dyson Sphere. “I just hope all of this is worth it. By now the Shari have sealed their borders, and we’re effectively cut off from the Federation. We have several lines of FTL buoys that will allow us to communicate, but eventually the Shari will find the buoys and our ability to send messages back to the Federation will cease.”
Race knew they were going to be stuck between a rock and a hard place when that happened. He looked at another viewscreen showing the battlecarrier Hera. He was pleased his sister was close by, but for her own safety it might have been better if she had stayed in Federation space. He knew their parents had to be gravely concerned. Massie had told him Fleet Admiral Nagumo had promised to explain the reason for his apparent resignation to their parents. Race knew they would be greatly relieved to find out he was still in the fleet. However, they would be worried when they found out where he and Massie were.
-
On the surface of the Dyson Sphere, Reesa Jast stood in front of a massive structure that rose up over two hundred meters. It was constructed of the same wondrous alloy or metal as the sphere and was impervious to scans. Behind her Kelnor Mard, several other Alton and Human scientists, as well as ten Marines under the command of Sergeant Brenda Wilde were waiting expectantly. They had found a possible entrance into the structure and were preparing to use the key to see if it would open up a door.
“Are you sure about this?” asked Kelnor as he stepped up next to Reesa.
They were dressed in Alton environmental suits, which allowed considerable freedom of movement and were capable of protecting them from most radiation and other hazards. The Marines were dressed in a larger suit, which allowed them to carry their weapons as well as wear their body armor underneath.
“Yes,” Reesa said. They were standing in front of a smooth wall with a slight indentation at chest level. The indentation was just the right size for the key to fit into. “We’ve searched for three months, and this is the only spot we’ve found that seems to fit the key.”
Kelnor looked back at Sergeant Wilde; behind her was the exploration cutter they had used to come down to the surface. “It’s your call, Sergeant.”
Brenda let out a deep breath. Why was it always her in these situations? She well remembered the dressing down she received from Captain Abrams when she had allowed the two Altons to talk her into going deep inside the Originator complex on the airless moon. She had promised the captain to be more careful in the future.
The problem she had now was that communication between the surface of the Dyson Sphere and the orbiting warships was prohibited except in the case of an extreme emergency. They couldn’t risk the Shari intercepting any communications that might indicate an entrance to the Dyson Sphere had been found. Once again she was faced with a decision that might get her into trouble with her superior officer.
“I want to bring out the rest of my Marines as well as some emergency supplies,” Brenda said after a moment’s thought. “If you do succeed in opening up an entrance I want to be able to survive inside if we get trapped.”
“We won’t get trapped,” promised Reesa with a disapproving frown. “We’ll have the key and we can use it to get back out.”
It took only a few minutes for the rest of the platoon to exit the exploration cutter carrying the supplies Brenda wanted. They also had two small anti
gravity sleds, which held research instruments as well as other items that might be needed.
“Try the key,” Brenda said, satisfied they were ready. She crossed her fingers hoping she had made the right decision.
With a nod of her head, Reesa took out the small copper colored globe from the zippered pocket of her environmental suit. Without hesitation, she inserted it into the indentation and then waited expectantly for something to happen.
For several moments there was no indication the key was going to work, then it suddenly erupted in brilliant light and a section of the wall in front of them slid open, revealing a dark corridor that seemed to go deep into the structure.
“So said the spider to the fly,” muttered Brenda as she looked back toward the exploration cutter. She knew the crew inside was monitoring everything. “Corporal Metz, take your squad inside and see what you can find.”
The corporal and six Marines hesitantly entered the dark corridor. As soon as they stepped inside brilliant lights came on, illuminating the interior.
“At least the power’s still on,” commented Private Richard Trent as he held his rifle at the ready.
“I don’t see anything dangerous,” reported Corporal Metz. “The corridor seems to go on for a considerable distance, and I think I can see several doors at its end.”
They were using short-range communications, which shouldn’t be picked up by the Shari. Turning toward Kelnor and Reesa, Sergeant Wilde looked expectantly at them. “What now?” Unless there was danger, the two Altons were in charge of the exploration team.
“We go inside,” Reesa said with a tinge of excitement in her voice. “That’s why we’re here and the exploration cutter is monitoring us.” For Reesa, this was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. She had spent years studying and doing research on the Originators, now she was going to get to explore one of their greatest creations.
The Lost Fleet: Genesis: A Slaver Wars Novel Page 2