The Forgotten Empire: Earth Ascendant: Book Two

by Raymond L. Weil

  “If we succeed in freeing the Empire, will the Human worlds there add to the war effort against the Confederation?” asked General Stern, who was responsible for the combined Earth military.

  Layla nodded. “Yes, almost immediately. Shipyards and space stations still remain in orbit around most worlds. It will not take long to convert them to the war effort.”

  “Will the Confederation surrender?” asked President Chen of China.

  Layla looked at Derrick and indicated for him to answer.

  “No, they will not surrender,” answered Derrick. “What we hope to accomplish is to free all of the Human Empire and then see if we can force the Confederation into some agreeable truce. None of that will be easy.”

  General Stern looked at Princess Layla and spoke. “Will the Human worlds in the former Empire accept you as the High Princess?”

  “Yes, General. The groundwork has already been laid. As you may know, numerous secret Imperial bases are scattered throughout the worlds of the Empire. For the last sixty years they have been spreading rumors that one of the Imperial Princesses escaped the attack of the Druins and would someday return to free the Empire. Princess Krista and I are already recording messages that will be broadcast throughout the Empire, once we launch our attack. One of the main items we will be pointing out is what the Lamothians are doing to our people taken from our planets to serve in the Confederation. I can guarantee you that no Human in the Empire will be pleased to hear our young people are used as food.”

  General Stern nodded. “I can imagine. I must say that all of the General Staff of Earth’s militaries has condemned the actions of the Confederation and particularly the Lamothians. I am also pleased to inform you that the General Staff has approved an eventual full military strike against the Lamothian worlds to ensure such barbarism never occurs again.”

  Layla was both surprised and pleased to hear this. “All in good time. The first thing we must do is free the Empire, and that’s what I would like to discuss now.”

  -

  For the next two hours there were heated discussions as to the best way to free the Empire. The problem was twofold. First, they needed to keep sufficient forces in the Solar System to ensure its safety. Second, they needed to send a large-enough fleet to the Empire that could drive out the Druins and any other Confederation forces.

  Finally Princess Layla stood. “I think any decision can still wait for a few more weeks. From what I understand, we are still constructing the carrier ships needed to hold the attack interceptors. We are also in the process of building two mobile shipyards, needed to repair ship damage suffered in battles in the Empire. Let’s agree to meet again, once those vessels are finished and have undergone their shakedown cruises.”

  General Stern looked surprised at the High Princess’s knowledge and then nodded. “A wise decision. In the meantime, we can continue beefing up the defenses in the Solar System We still have a few areas we need to work on.”

  With that, Layla called the meeting to an end, thanking everyone who had attended and for their participation. Every attendee left, except Colonel Henderson and Brett Newcomb.

  Princess Layla motioned for one of her attendants to come forward, who quickly served everyone a glass of Carlish. She also had ice water placed on the conference table. Layla then looked at Brett Newcomb. “Did you find out anything about my brother and Princess Krista’s parents?” Layla could feel her heart beating in her chest. It would mean so much to her if she knew Aiden had lived out a good and long life after being stranded on Earth.

  “More than you could hope,” Brett replied, as he opened his briefcase and took out a very old book. He opened it and read about what being banished to Earth had been like for the Imperials. He told of them building a new town, beginning to farm, gathering animals. He spoke of a few deaths of those who just weren’t suited to this life and never could adjust. He spoke of how the Imperials had struggled to keep their knowledge intact and how they had eventually gone out to help advance the world.

  “One thing I believe you will find very interesting. There is much about Prince Starguard in the early years of them being on Earth. He married a member of his crew, a Lieutenant Maya Breams. They had several children, and both lived very happy and long lives.”

  “Maya,” said Layla, tears in her eyes. “I knew her. She was a very qualified officer.”

  “She was pretty too,” added Krista. “What about my parents?”

  Brett turned to some other pages he had marked. “Both were very constructive in building the new community. I am sure you will be pleased to know they lived a very long time. They also passed away within a week of one another, with your father going first.”

  Krista nodded, wiping the tears from her eyes. “That does not surprise me. That’s how they both would have wanted it. They were so much in love that they would not want to live without the other.”

  Brett smiled and took two folded pieces of paper from inside the book. They were written on a very special paper made in the Empire that was supposed to last for ages. “I have letters for both of you. One from Prince Starguard and the other is from Princess Krista’s parents.” Brett handed them the two letters. “I also have a copy of this book for both of you.” He reached into his briefcase, handing them both a copy. “Now I believe it’s best we leave the two of you alone to read those letters and to examine the history books.”

  Everyone left the room, including Derrick, the attendants, and the Imperial Guards.

  Layla looked at Krista and then, with a shaking hand, opened the folded letter.

  Dear Layla, I really miss you. I wish things could have ended differently. I want you to know I am happy here and have married Lieutenant Maya Breams. We are expecting our first child in another few months. Earth is a beautiful world, and we have already made contact with a few villages close by.

  The letter went on to express the confidence Aiden had in Layla and Krista to carry on the Royal Line. He also offered a few words of advice. When Layla finished reading, she put the letter in her copy of the history book and looked at Krista. She wasn’t surprised to see Krista crying.

  “We’re Princesses,” Layla softly reminded Krista. “All of this occurred over one thousand years ago. All we can do is carry on, as our families would have wanted us to.”

  Krista nodded. “I know. At least we know now what happened. It will give us some closure.”

  Layla stood. “It’s time for us to go. Someday we will make the Druins and the Confederation pay for what they did to our families. The name Starguard will become a word feared throughout the Confederation.”

  “To the Empire,” replied Krista, standing and gazing at Layla.

  “To the Empire,” answered Layla. “Now let’s gather everyone and head back to our ship. We’ve had a long day, and both of us could use some rest. We can take our time and read these history books later. The war is still a few weeks in our future, and we must be prepared to lead.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Princess Layla was in her quarters, reading the history book from the Earth Imperials. She was amazed at the very detailed descriptions of life on Earth and what the marooned Imperials had faced in those early years. There were many comments about her brother and his leadership in keeping the colony flourishing.

  During the past week she had read nearly every page in the book during her spare time. The sections relating to Aiden she had read over and over again. She could just picture her brother directing the others in building a new community. She wished she could have been a part of it, but her destiny and Aiden’s were not to be the same. His was to sow the seeds for a future technological civilization on Earth, and hers was to retake the Empire from the Confederation. She wasn’t sure which would be harder. Aiden had accomplished his goal, and Layla was just beginning to work on hers.

  -

  Rear Admiral Derrick Masters was on board his flagship, named the Destiny after his old ship. It had taken a few days to get used to
the massive size of the dreadnought. The ship was 1,400 meters long and covered with weapon turrets, missile tubes, communication antennas, and sensor arrays. Derrick was currently in the Command Center, reviewing the new battlecruisers added to his fleet. He now had thirty-four of the one-thousand-meter-long warships.

  “Our fleet’s growing,” commented newly promoted Captain Audrey Banora.

  Derrick nodded. “They’re taking more ships out of stasis next week. We’re just waiting for the crews to be trained.”

  “I understand the Fleet Academy on the Moon is hard-pressed to keep up with the demand for crews, both for civilian ships as well as military.”

  “There are discussions about expanding it or adding a second academy on Mars.” Derrick was in favor of doing both.

  Audrey sat at her command console, examining some of the screens. “How are the Princesses?”

  “Doing well. They’re still adjusting to all the time that’s passed and what has happened in the Empire. The news about what the Lamothians have been doing with our people was shocking to them.”

  “And the Confederation considers themselves to be civilized. In many ways they seem barbaric.”

  Derrick nodded in agreement. “That’s because none of the seven races are fully humanoid. They don’t look at life as we do.”

  “Admiral,” interrupted Andrew from Communications. “We’ve just been ordered to go to Condition Three.”

  “Condition Three?” said Audrey, confused. “Why? Nothing is on the long-range sensors.”

  “Pallas Admiral Reynolds is about to make an announcement to explain,” added Andrew.

  Derrick leaned back in his command chair. “Put it on the shipwide speakers. Let’s hear what’s going on.” Derrick was curious to hear what Admiral Reynolds had to say and why he had ordered the fleet to Condition Three.

  “Attention all fleet units, this is Admiral Reynolds. An hour ago we received a message from General Livingston on Lydol Four. They have intercepted hyperlight messages indicating the Confederation has launched a large fleet toward Earth. Supposedly this fleet is composed of warships from the Lamothian worlds. This is the Confederate race that has been consuming Humans as a food source.”

  Admiral Reynolds paused, allowing everyone to think over his words. “As near as we can tell, this fleet is about one week out. We have no idea how large it is, other than it is rumored to be much larger than the one the Druins hit us with. All commands need to be prepared to respond as soon as the inbound enemy fleet is detected. We’re still hoping the new virus we’ve developed will give us a decisive advantage in the coming battle. Keep in mind that the freedom of Earth, Mars, Pallas, and the rest of the Solar System rides on your shoulders. I know you will give your all.”

  Derrick briefly closed his eyes. In a way he was glad the Lamothians were coming. The rage humanity felt over what they did to the captive Humans from the Empire still simmered.

  “Admiral,” spoke Andrew, “Admiral Reynolds would like to speak to you.”

  Reaching forward, Derrick activated the comm button on his command console. “Yes, Admiral.”

  “Derrick, I’m pulling in some of the patrol vessels to add to your fleet. I’m also giving you two more dreadnoughts. As soon as all the ships arrive here at Pallas, I want you to take your fleet and reinforce Rear Admiral Leeson. I want to keep this battle out of the Solar System, if I can.”

  “I understand, Admiral,” replied Derrick. “Can you have someone send a list of those ships being reassigned?”

  “Affirmative. I’ll have Colonel Bryson contact you shortly with that ship list. I wish I could give you a full fleet, but the ships and crews just aren’t ready yet.”

  “I understand, Admiral. We’ll make do with what we’ve got.”

  After speaking to the admiral, Derrick stood and headed toward the hatch. “I’m going to see the Princesses and inform them of what’s going on. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  Audrey grinned knowingly. “Take your time. It’ll take a while for all those ships to get here. Only the ones on the other side of the Solar System are using hyperspace jumps.”

  Derrick nodded. Most of his command crew knew how he felt about Princess Layla. Trouble was, he wasn’t sure how the Princess felt about him.

  -

  In deep space, the Lamothian fleet was on a course for Earth. Arrival time was still a good six days away. Admiral Zahn spent much of his spare time examining the battle footage from Druin Admiral Kreen’s fleet.

  “Some of this is disturbing,” commented Krek, as he watched a Druin battleship being destroyed on the main viewscreen. “Never have we faced a race that possessed both fusion energy beams as well as antimatter weapons.”

  “Because we banned such weapons’ research and development outside of the Confederation,” answered Admiral Zahn. “What concerns me is whether they have weapons we have not yet seen. For example, how did they overcome the Druin interdiction system? The AIs in charge of that system should have detected any approaching enemy, and those stations were armed with weapons which should have destroyed them.”

  “A mystery,” conceded Krek. “We know they have advanced stealth capability. They may have approached the stations with a stealth craft and then boarded them. Those stations were not designed to repel boarders.”

  “Perhaps,” replied Zahn, shifting his massive weight upon his four legs. “Nevertheless, when we arrive at the Human’s star system, we must remain vigilant.”

  “Agreed,” said Krek. “I have been working on several different methods to serve Humans. Once we have some captives, you must come to my lab and see which is your favorite. It will be part of my research.”

  Admiral Zahn did not reply. While he enjoyed the flesh of Humans, he was more concerned at the moment with what had happened to the Druin interdiction system. Something just didn’t add up, and he was determined to figure out what it was.

  -

  Derrick was inside Princess Layla’s quarters, waiting for her to exit her dressing room. Two of her attendants were helping her get dressed. Derrick shook his head. He knew this was how the Royals were treated. Layla had even gone to extremes in keeping her Royal Staff down to a minimum, but some were necessary to remind everyone of the importance of the Royal Line.

  Princess Krista came in through the adjoining door and came to a halt when she saw Derrick sitting on the sofa. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

  Derrick laughed. “No, not unless you want to help Layla get dressed. Even in here I can hear her arguing with the two ladies helping her to pick out the appropriate clothes.”

  Krista laughed. She wore a comfortable sundress, as she did not expect to be doing anything official today. She just wanted to be comfortable. “It’s been like that all our lives. Our parents always insisted we wear the proper clothes, and we were very seldom allowed to pick out what we wanted to wear. I absolutely hated some of the outfits we were expected to wear at certain Court functions. I know Layla feels the same way.”

  Finally Layla came out of her dressing room, wearing a longer skirt and a white frilly blouse. “Don’t either of you laugh,” she threatened, as she came over and sat near Derrick. The two female attendants came out of the dressing room, nodded their approval and then left.

  “You look nice, Princess,” said Derrick, smiling.

  Layla blushed slightly and turned her attention to Derrick. “Krista and I have discussed what our personal life will be like. We have decided we want to have a personal life, but it will be severely limited, due to our duties in the coming war.”

  Derrick nodded. “I understand that.” He wondered what Layla was trying to say.

  Layla took a deep breath. “As the only two members of the Royal Line still living, both Krista and I have to be extremely careful in everything we say and do. The only time we can really be ourselves is in our private quarters. In public, we have to be Royals.”

  “We want to date,” blurted out Krista. “Layla wants to
date you, and I want you to find an officer who I can go out with.”

  “Krista!” cried out Layla, her face turning red.

  Derrick smiled at both women and then nodded at Krista. “I believe I can find a suitable young officer for you.”

  Layla drew in a deep breath. “What about me?” Her gaze met Derrick’s.

  “Let’s take it slow so as not to cause any rumors. I would like to spend more time with you, and I realize your duties as Royals will strictly limit that. Fortunately I was around your brother enough to have an idea of what all is involved.”

  Layla looked relieved. “I want to arrange for us to eat out somewhere.”

  Derrick frowned. “That might be difficult. Wherever you go, you’ll cause a commotion.”

  Smiling, Layla nodded. “Both Krista and I are used to that. If you wish, I would suggest bringing Ensign Allert along. That way it wouldn’t look as if we were out on a date and should help to keep the rumors down.”

  Derrick laughed. “I suspect Brenda would enjoy being our chaperone, especially if she can get a free meal out of it.”

  “I think she actually enjoys the attention.”

  Nodding, Derrick had to agree. “I believe Brenda even went to a Royal Ball once at the Imperial Palace.”

  “Really?” said Krista. “Brenda is full of surprises.”

  Layla looked at Derrick. She was very conscious of how close they were on the sofa. “Is there a particular reason you came by today, other than to allow Krista to embarrass me?”

  The look on Derrick’s face became more serious. “Yes, we received a message from General Livingston on Lydol Four. A Lamothian fleet is headed toward us and should be here in about a week. Admiral Reynolds is already preparing to deploy our fleets to meet it. The plans, for now, are to meet the Lamothians in battle just outside the Solar System.”

  “So, the Confederation is coming for us,” said Layla, with a look of concern. “Can we stop them?”

  “We’ll try the virus first. With a little luck it will give us a tactical advantage. If not, then it will be a fleet battle. We have the ships. We just can’t afford to lose them at this juncture in our preparation to free the Empire.”