Dylan gestured toward Jalen Gresth. “Jalen will be our representative to the council, if you are willing to accept him. Jalen has been in cryo sleep for over one thousand years. He was present in the Empire when the Druins first conquered it.”
Lisa turned toward Jalen, respect glowing in her eyes. “An Imperial from the old days. That will go a long way with the council.”
“We want to prepare the Human Empire for war,” explained Jalen. “We’re aware of the Confederation’s attempts to make the people of the Empire forget there ever was a Human Empire. We need all the bases to remind the people of their history and their heritage. The Human Empire must not be forgotten.”
“I can understand that,” replied Lisa. “We have discussed that among ourselves in our meetings. What else is required of us?”
Jalen took a deep breath. “Can you give us an idea of how many secret bases there are? If we’re going to fight a war to free the Empire, we need to know what our combined resources will be.”
Lisa looked into the eyes of everyone in the conference room. “I can’t give you the exact number. That’s highly classified. I can tell you that more than three hundred bases exist, and some of those are very large. A few are even capable of building warships. I also can’t reveal their locations.”
Jalen nodded in understanding. “We are willing to provide resources to your bases. We have this cargo ship, and, before the year is out, we’ll have two more. We can bring those supplies to Bratol Three or any other location you request.”
“That could be useful, particularly if you can provide weapons and some specialized parts for warships. The Druins have restricted certain technology, making it difficult to acquire some items.”
“We can do that,” replied Jalen. “If I stay and become a member of your council, I can request the necessary supplies and equipment when any of our cargo ships come by.”
Lisa looked around. “This is a very modern cargo ship. Is it armed?”
Jalen looked at Dylan.
Dylan smiled. “Yes, heavily. We could probably take out a Druin battlecruiser if necessary.”
“Your weapons are well hidden. We scanned your ship from the surface and could not detect anything. We also used several of our specialized shuttles to do scans.”
“All of our weapons are behind special shielding. Our ship should have no problem passing a routine inspection. We made sure that anything that might raise suspicion is well hidden and shielded.”
-
They spent another hour talking and asking questions. At the end of that time Lisa was satisfied with what she had heard. “I understand you’ll spend some time traveling around the Empire?”
Dylan nodded. “Yes, we want to get a good feel for what’s been going on and what the current status of the inhabited planets are. We would appreciate any information your council may furnish us. We also need some trade items that we can sell on some of the planets we’ll visit.”
“Will you be going to the surface?”
“Possibly, it depends on what the situation is on the ground.”
“Most planets won’t be a problem. However, a few have bent over backward to accommodate the Druins. It might be best for you to avoid those worlds initially. Bratol Three trades with over thirty Human worlds. What I would suggest is that we load cargos on your ship to deliver to those worlds. In return they’ll reload you with cargos for our world. Later, we can arrange for another council member to set you up on additional worlds. We should, in time, be able to send your cargo ships to nearly every world of the Empire.”
“That would be good,” replied Dylan. This was just what he wanted. “When we have all three cargo ships operating, we can set up some regular trade routes. It will enable us to monitor all the worlds, as well as the Druins. We want to keep track of their activity in the Empire.”
Lisa looked thoughtful. “We have some people who have traveled to many Human worlds. It might be a good idea to add several of them to your crew. You may find them extremely useful. I’ll vouch for them, as they’re in our secret military.”
Dylan was surprised but realized it was a good suggestion. He was familiar with a few worlds but much of the current Empire was still a mystery to him. “I accept your proposal. It’s a good one, and those people will come in useful.”
Looking at Jalen, Lisa continued. “If Mr. Gresth is willing to come with me to Bratol Three, I’ll introduce him to the rest of the council. When you are ready to return to your base, I’ll go with you to verify everything you have told me.”
“No problem,” replied Dylan. “We want to spend a few months traveling around the Empire before we return home.”
Lisa nodded. “I’ll make arrangements for your first cargo, as well as your new crewmembers.”
-
They talked for another two hours before Lisa and Jalen Gresth left for the surface. Jalen would spend some time briefing the Human Resistance Council on some of Earth’s future plans. Of course, for the time being, the location of Earth would remain a secret.
“What do you think?” asked Dylan, looking at Cheryl.
“Everything sounds believable. I’ll make arrangements to go to the surface to meet several of my contacts.”
“Do you want an escort?” Dylan knew many of the people Cheryl dealt with were unscrupulous.
Cheryl laughed. “Probably. Give me two of the larger Marines, and I should be fine.”
“I’ll have Corporal Mueller accompany you. He’s originally from Lydol Four and should have no problems in providing you with security.”
“My contacts should also be able to provide considerable information on the Empire.”
Dylan nodded. “I’ll make the necessary arrangements for you to go to the planet. Just be careful.”
-
For two days the Draxon Hauler stayed in orbit around Bratol Three. Admiral Cleemorl went to the surface and met briefly with the resistance council and Governor Rastell. All were disappointed they couldn’t move against the Druins immediately but understood the importance of long-range plans and being ready to make such a move.
Cargo was brought up to the Draxon Hauler and loaded. Four new crewmembers from the resistance arrived to be part of the crew, as well as to act as advisors on the worlds Admiral Cleemorl planned to do business with.
Governor Rastell and Lisa Strell compiled a working list of Human planets to visit for Admiral Cleemorl’s review. Several he had been to while he was still on Lydol Four.
Finally Admiral Cleemorl returned to the Draxon Hauler as the cargo had been loaded and the new crewmembers assigned to quarters.
“Ready to get underway,” reported Captain Fulmar.
Dylan sat in his command chair and nodded. “Set a course for Malor Two. We have a cargo to deliver there and another one to pick up.” Cheryl was still on Bratol Three. She had sent Dylan a message that she had some business to attend to and would be waiting for the ship to return.
Moments later the Draxon Hauler left orbit and soon afterward made the transition into hyperspace. The ship’s journey through the Empire was about to begin.
Chapter Two
Admiral Bract was in his office, listening to Rear Admiral Leeson explain why he wanted to go into cryo. In a way Bract had expected this. He had heard Leeson speak many times about his desire to fight the Druins.
“I’ll wait another year before I do,” Leeson said. “That way we’ll have all the ships we need activated and their crews trained. The civilian shipyard over Earth will be done, and we’ll have many of the defenses we need put in place.”
Bract took a deep breath and knew what Leeson was planning to do was what many would probably want in the future. The Druins were the big threat, and everyone wanted to play a part in taking them down. “I have to admit that I’ve considered it myself, but too much work needs to be done to get the Solar System ready. These next few years will be extremely important in preparing our Solar System for a possible Druin attack.”
“Do you have a suggestion for your replacement?” Bract hated the thought of losing Rear Admiral Leeson, but he understood the rear admiral’s reasoning.
“A young officer currently in training from Earth,” answered Leeson. “He’s got a good head on his shoulders and has flown circles around everyone else in an interceptor. I ran him through some battle scenarios, where he’s in charge of a fleet task group, and he has excelled. When I go into cryo, I will recommend he take my place.”
“What’s his name?”
“Johnathan Turner,” replied Leeson. “I’ll send his file over to you later.”
Bract nodded. “I’ll keep an eye on him. Now let’s discuss what we need to do over the next few months. Admiral Cleemorl is currently in the Empire with the Draxon Hauler. We have two more cargo ships that will be ready to deploy to the Empire in three more months. Of course we’ll wait until Admiral Cleemorl gets back, so he can give the other two crews some guidance. Hopefully, when he returns, he will have a representative of the resistance council with him.”
“You think someone will come?”
“I would if I were them. We’re asking them to commit to a war sometime in their future. I would want to see what we had to offer.”
“I’m taking the Titan to the Moon tomorrow. I’m supposed to observe some drills Luna City’s interceptors will be taking part in.”
Bract had considered going himself, but he had too much on his plate at the moment. “We have two hundred interceptors based on the Moon, all built at the new facilities in China, Taiwan, and Japan. That’s a pretty sizable force.”
“We’re making progress,” replied Leeson. “Earth is beginning to come around and will soon be out producing Pallas as far as war material goes.”
Admiral Bract picked up a sheet of paper off his desk. “Donovan Stewart of the space program wants to base some of the three-man interceptors on the moons of Jupiter, as well as put up defense grids around all four of the colonized moons.”
“It needs to be done,” replied Leeson, nodding his head. “Those moons will eventually be heavily colonized. Interceptors based there could patrol a major part of the outer Solar System.”
Admiral Bract leaned back in his chair. “What about Mars? In a few more years it will have a breathable atmosphere. By the time we go to war against the Druins, a billion people could be living there.”
“They’re voting for a governor on Mars next week. Once that’s finished, I suggest we go to Mars and discuss what defenses will be necessary.”
Bract stood and walked to the wall to gaze at a painting of the Imperial Palace on Golan Four. “Captain Masters said the Imperial Palace is falling into ruin. Several of its towers and arches have already collapsed.” Letting out a deep sigh, Bract turned around to face Leeson. “I’ve accepted that I’ll never see the palace in my lifetime, but, if you go into cryo, you may.”
“I wonder what it’ll be like for Captain Masters. He fled the Empire with the Princess over one thousand years ago. When he awakens, he will be fighting to free the Empire and to restore the Royal Family.”
Bract returned and sat down. “Captain Masters is a very resourceful man. I wish I could see how all of this turns out.”
-
In the former Human Empire, Admiral Cleemorl was visiting his third Human-inhabited planet. So far everything had gone according to plan. They would go to a world, deliver their cargo, pick up another cargo, all the while scanning and compiling data on the world they traded with. However, this next world would be different.
A Druin battleship was in orbit.
“What’s it doing?” asked Cheryl. She was back on board after spending several days on Bratol Three, checking on some of her hidden assets. She had also set a few things into motion to increase her holdings.
“Routine patrol,” said Corporal Hastings, who was one of the four Human Resistance crewmembers added at Bratol Three. “It’s very common for Druin battleships or battlecruisers to go into orbit.”
“Do they contact the planet’s government?” asked Captain Fulmar.
Hastings shook his head. “No, they go into orbit and do some routine scans. If they find nothing unusual, they leave. Very seldom do they ever send troops to the surface or attempt any contact. The only contact is when they come to pick up whatever a planet is required to produce for the Confederation.”
“Keep a good distance between us and that battleship,” ordered Admiral Cleemorl. “We won’t do anything suspicious. I suspect that many of the worlds we’ll go to will have Druin ships present. We need to get used to this.”
“What about our scans?” asked Lieutenant Casella. “Will it attract their attention?”
“Short-range only and aimed at the planet,” answered Dylan. “I don’t want any scans around that battleship.”
The tension increased in the Command Center as the Draxon Hauler eased into orbit and informed Space Control they had a cargo to deliver.
Suddenly two cargo ships accelerated from orbit and headed away from the planet. The Druin battleship turned to pursue.
“What’s going on?” asked Cheryl, a frown on her face. “Why are those two cargo ships running?”
“Contraband,” answered Hastings, shaking his head. “They must have contraband on board, and they don’t want to be caught.”
The two cargo ships suddenly made the transition into hyperspace and vanished from the system. The pursuing Druin battleship did the same.
“What will happen now?” asked Captain Fulmar.
“The Druins are very good at tracking a vessel. They know the direction the cargo ships were heading when they entered hyperspace. The ships are probably still showing on the Druins’ sensors. The Druins will follow until they catch up to the two vessels and then they’ll destroy them.”
Dylan looked at the tactical display. The other ships around the planet seemed to be ignoring what just happened. “Does this occur often?”
“More than you would think. The Druins don’t allow a large number of items to be traded. Some of that contraband cargo comes from nonhuman worlds just outside of the Empire. A black market has always existed since the fall of the Empire. There’s also a high demand for certain items on the contraband list. The Druins routinely scan cargo ships to see if any contraband items are on board. If there are, the ships are destroyed.”
“Admiral, we are to dock with the space station to unload our cargo. They have a return cargo for us as well,” reported Newsome.
Captain Fulmar looked at the admiral. “Do we dock?”
Dylan nodded. “Yes, I want to go on board the station. I’m supposed to meet a member of the resistance. I believe a hidden base is somewhere on this planet.”
Fulmar frowned but nodded. “I’ll arrange an escort.”
“I’ll go,” said Corporal Hastings. “I’ve been to this station several times, and I’ve gone to the planet before. I don’t perceive any problems.”
-
The cargo ship docked to the station, and the crew began unloading the cargo. This time they were delivering some agricultural products. It had been decided the Draxon Hauler would only be loaded with items that would not raise any suspicions. They did not want to draw the Druins’ attention to the ship. A simple scan would only show a cargo of special seeds for planting.
While the cargo was unloaded, Admiral Cleemorl and Corporal Hastings went on board the station. The station was quite large with a crew in the thousands. Much of the work of loading and unloading was done by specialized robots. The station even had a civilian shopping sector, as well as a large food court for visitors. It was at the food court Dylan would meet his contact from the secret base.
-
Dylan and Corporal Hastings were sitting at a table. Both wore regular ship uniforms normally associated with cargo ships. The food court was busy with hundreds of patrons sitting at tables. A
fter a few minutes a server came over and took their orders. Dylan had been told to order a specific drink along with his meal. The drink was unusual and only one of the food court establishments carried it.
“This is a busy place,” commented Dylan, looking around.
Hastings nodded. “Many worlds are like this. They try to keep up a semblance of a normal civilization.”
Neither spoke about their reason for being here, just in case they were overheard. Instead they discussed their cargo and how much they expected to receive for it. Talk that would be expected from two people off a newly arrived cargo ship.
Their drinks and meals arrived, and they began to eat. They were nearly finished when a young man in a business suit approached them and sat down.
“Dylan Cleemorl?”
Dylan nodded. “That’s correct. Can I help you?”
“I believe you would like an inspection of our agricultural facility.”
“Yes, we have some certified seeds we brought that you might be interested in.” These two code phrases identified each other.
The man nodded. “I’m Arden Brale, and I’ll take you to the surface to see our plant. I’m sure you will be impressed with what we have to offer.”
“I hope so,” replied Dylan, as he put down his fork. “Let’s go.”
Dylan and Corporal Hastings followed their guide through the space station to a large spacedock. They were led to a small shuttle, sitting on a landing pad. Numerous shuttles were in the spacedock. Some with loaded cargoes on board, and others ready to take passengers to the planet.
It didn’t take long, and the shuttle was out of the station and on its way.
“We’re going to a food processing factory,” explained Brale. “From there you will be taken to see the facility you’re interested in.”
They discussed little for the rest of the short trip. It didn’t take long, and the shuttle landed at a small spaceport just outside a major city. They exited the shuttle and found an aircar waiting for them.
Looking around the spaceport, Dylan noted a few other shuttles were being unloaded.
The Forgotten Empire: Earth Ascendant: Book Two Page 2