The Forgotten Empire: Earth Ascendant: Book Two

by Raymond L. Weil

  Krista looked alarmed. “If these are Lamothians, I can guarantee you they plan on capturing a large number of Humans to take back with them as food. That’s also probably why it’s the Lamothians who are coming. They see this as an opportunity to fill their larders.”

  Derrick frowned. He realized Krista was probably right. The fleet must ensure that any Lamothian cargo ship was destroyed. No Humans from the Solar System would be used to feed the perverted Lamothians. As soon as he left the Princesses’ quarters, he would inform Admiral Reynolds of this worrisome possibility.

  -

  After Derrick left, Layla spun around to face Krista. She put her hands on her hips, frowning at her younger cousin. “I can’t believe you told Derrick that I wanted to go out with him.”

  “Well, don’t you want to?” asked Krista defiantly.

  Layla let out a deep breath and slowly nodded her head. “Yes, but I would have preferred to be the one to tell him.”

  “But you might not have,” pointed out Krista. “You are so dedicated to your Royal duties that you might have let this opportunity slip by. Besides, Derrick is a handsome man, and I’m certain your parents would have approved. Your brother certainly liked him, or he wouldn’t have placed Derrick in charge of the Destiny and our safety.”

  Layla knew Krista was right. “Okay, at least now it’s out in the open, but we have other matters to attend to. I need to make an appointment to see Admiral Reynolds and Head Councilor Tristan. I must talk to them about this coming attack.”

  “What are you planning?” Krista knew Layla well enough to recognize that look in her eyes.

  “I want to be in the Pallas Command Center when the battle with the Lamothians begins.”

  Krista’s eyes widened. This sounded like something that Layla’s father would say. It was also the right of the High Princess. “I’m sure that can be arranged. I would suggest that you have Derrick recommend another officer to aid us while he’s gone with his fleet.”

  Layla nodded. That sounded like a good idea. “I’ll contact him as soon as I speak to the admiral and the councilor.”

  “Make sure he’s young,” suggested Krista, a dangerous gleam in her eyes.

  Shaking her head, Layla turned and made her way to the small comm unit in her quarters. It was time to make some arrangements and to once more remind everyone she was the High Princess of the Human Empire.

  -

  Derrick had returned to the Destiny, after making arrangements for another officer to be on call if either of the Princesses needed him. It had been tempting to assign a female officer; however, Derrick had gone out of his way to choose a younger male officer who he thought Krista might like. He knew he was matchmaking, but Krista was the one who had originally suggested it.

  “How was your visit with the Princesses?” asked Ensign Allert, as Derrick settled back in his command chair.

  “They seem to be adjusting to their new world very well.”

  “And how was Princess Layla?” asked Brenda, a twinkle in her eyes.

  Derrick had to grin. “Things might be progressing there.”

  This seemed to please Brenda, as she turned and went over to her duty station.

  “Seventeen battlecruisers and both of the dreadnoughts arrived while you were gone,” reported Captain Banora. “All the other battlecruisers should be arriving over the next four hours.”

  Derrick nodded. “Make sure all the ships have sufficient supplies and missiles for the upcoming battle. Requisition anything we need from Pallas.”

  “Admiral Cleemorl has already jumped his fleet out,” reported Audrey. “They left about an hour ago.”

  “Where did they go?”

  “Out past the orbit of Jupiter. They’ll wait there and see what the virus does to the Lamothians.”

  “Let’s just hope this virus works, or we’ll lose a lot of valuable crews and ships.”

  -

  Over the next four hours the rest of the battlecruisers arrived. All the ships had sufficient supplies and missiles for the upcoming battle.

  “All ships prepare to jump,” ordered Derrick over the ship-to-ship comm network. “We’ll go to the battlestation nearest Rear Admiral Leeson, acting as his backup once the Lamothians arrive. We’ll enter hyperspace in five minutes.”

  Derrick leaned back in his command chair, as Lieutenant Viktor transmitted the jump coordinates. All the ships would jump at the same time. Derrick wished he had the time to work on some fleet maneuvers before entering hyperspace, but he wanted his fleet in position as soon as possible. Once they arrived at the station, then they could run some drills.

  The five minutes passed, and suddenly the Destiny made the transition into hyperspace. A few seconds later the ship emerged close to the battlestation with the other ships in Derrick’s Fifth Fleet dropping out around the flagship.

  “Hyperspace jump complete,” reported Captain Banora. “The battlestation is four hundred kilometers distant.”

  Derrick nodded. “Andrew, contact the battlestation and inform them we’ll be staying in their immediate vicinity for the foreseeable future. We’ll also be running some battle drills over the next few days. I don’t want them to panic when we begin jumping around and attacking a few of these ice rocks out here.”

  The message was sent, and Derrick could well imagine the relief of the commander of the battlestation at having an Imperial fleet nearby.

  -

  For the next several days Derrick put the Fifth Fleet through numerous drills. Because his fleet wasn’t up to full strength, he varied his formations, based on the reduced numbers of his ships. His fleet could best be used as a quick strike force. Jumping in, firing its weapons and launching a missile barrage, and then jumping back out.

  For days they jumped around the Kuiper Belt, attacking various targets. Finally Derrick pulled the fleet back to the battlestation. They expected the Lamothian fleet to arrive soon.

  “We’re as ready as we can be,” said Captain Banora. “Those last few drills went very smoothly.”

  Derrick had to agree. They had spent days practicing certain maneuvers. “Let’s make sure everyone gets plenty of rest over the next twenty-four hours. Once this battle starts, who knows how long it will last.” Derrick knew this battle against the Lamothians would make the one against the Druins look like a minor engagement.

  -

  Andrew and Kala were in the officers’ cafeteria, eating a light meal. Both had been very busy, learning what life on a dreadnought was like.

  “This is a lot different than what it was like on the original Destiny,” commented Kala, as she ate a dish of chocolate ice cream. She had already finished off a tuna sandwich.

  “At least we’re together,” replied Andrew. He was really enjoying his job as the ship’s communications officer.

  Kala took a bite of her ice cream and smiled. “I’ve always had a weakness for chocolate. I’ve been thinking. When we get back to Pallas, why don’t we move in together?”

  Andrew put down his fork and frowned. “While I like the idea, it might prevent us from serving on this ship together. So far Rear Admiral Masters has been kind enough to overlook our relationship.”

  Kala nodded. “I know, and I appreciate it. However, I don’t believe I’m cut out to be on a warship during a time of war. It’s been bearable since you’re on board, but I would really like to continue my research, and I can best do it on Pallas.”

  Andrew understood where Kala was coming from. After all, she was not an Imperial. It would also be very hard on her being away from her aging father for months at a time, once the war in the Human Empire began. “I do like the idea of coming home and having you there waiting for me. They are building some nice homes inside the new habitats in Pallas. We could purchase one of those.”

  Kala smiled. “That’s sounds wonderful. Can we do that as soon as we get back?”

  Andrew nodded. “Yes, we’ll look at some as soon as the Destiny returns to Pallas.”

 
The two finished their meal. They would now go on separate paths, but they would always be there for one another, and their lives would now be joined by the new home they would create together.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Admiral Zahn was nearly to the Human star system. After considerable thought, he had finally adapted a strategy he believed would address the question as to exactly what weapons the Humans might possess. Already on the tactical display, a large Human fleet was showing up just outside their star system. Obviously the word of his fleet’s arrival had preceded it. No doubt some of their hyperlight communications had been intercepted. He would test this fleet to see how they handled his strategy; then he would continue into the system and secure the main Human world as a future food source for the Lamothians.

  -

  Deep beneath Pallas, in the underground Command Center, alarms began sounding, and red lights started flashing. The center was a beehive of activity as everyone prepared for the expected fleet battle. The huge hatch allowing admittance was sealed shut, with four heavily armed Marines standing guard on each side. Throughout Pallas, emergency hatches were shutting, sealing off the different sections. Several thousand Marines fanned out, taking up guard positions in all the primary corridors and junctions.

  “All commands are going to Condition One,” reported Colonel Bryson. “All the defensive grids around Earth, the Moon, Mars, and the colonized moons of Jupiter and Saturn have been activated. Gateway Station has taken over the defense of the Earth-Moon System.”

  “We may have a problem,” reported Major Denise Fields from her sensor console. “If I’m reading this correctly, the Lamothian fleet has divided into two sections. The first section is heading directly toward Rear Admiral Leeson’s Second Fleet. The second section of the Lamothian fleet has slowed down considerably.”

  “Damn!” uttered Admiral Reynolds, his gaze focused on the tactical display. “We weren’t expecting this.”

  “Will this be a problem?” asked Princess Layla, who was standing close to the admiral. She had hurried to the Pallas Command Center as soon as she heard that the Lamothian fleet had been detected.

  Reynolds shrugged his shoulders. “Don’t know. We were to use the virus on the entire fleet. Now that might not be possible.”

  Layla frowned and then spoke. “Won’t using the virus against this first fleet of the Lamothians substantially weaken their total force?”

  Admiral Reynolds looked with surprise at the Princess. “Yes, it would. I guess the question is, do we use it against this first section or the second one?”

  “The first,” said Princess Layla decisively. “My father always said, if you have an advantage, don’t wait to use it, or it may be too late.”

  Reynolds smiled. “Your father was a wise man. Who am I to argue with the former King of the Human Empire? Captain Moore, send a message to Rear Admiral Leeson. He’s to use the virus against the first section of the Lamothian fleet.”

  It took a moment, and then Captain Adrian Moore turned her head toward the admiral. “Message sent.”

  “Good, contact Admiral Cleemorl. As soon as the second section drops out of hyperspace, he is to take First Fleet to reinforce Second Fleet. Send the same message to Rear Admiral Masters.”

  “Now what?” asked Layla, watching the large tactical displays, which showed the inbound Lamothian fleets and the waiting Human fleets.

  “We wait,” replied Admiral Reynolds. “We wait and see if the virus is effective and then hope we can handle the second Lamothian force without them making it into the Solar System.”

  About that time Head Councilor Drew Tristan came into the Command Center, after being cleared by the guards. His face was flushed, and he was breathing hard. “What’s going on?”

  Layla had to smile. She had beaten the councilor to the Command Center and still managed to look regal. It was a moral victory.

  -

  Rear Admiral Leeson had his fleet in a globe formation, as he had no idea where the Lamothians would drop out of hyperspace. “How many ships in the first formation?”

  “Seven hundred and twelve,” reported Lieutenant Marvin Stewart. “From what I can tell on the sensors, seven hundred of them are battlecruisers and the remaining twelve are battleships.”

  Leeson looked at Linda Martin, who sat at the computer station. “Is your virus ready?”

  Linda nodded. “Just give me the signal.”

  “How long after we transmit until the Lamothian ships are disabled?”

  “In just a few seconds. Their energy screens and weapons will go down first, followed by their communications. In about a minute the entire fleet should be powerless.”

  “Let’s hope it works that way,” said Captain Newman. He wasn’t that confident in the virus.

  -

  Admiral Zahn grew impatient. His eyestalks were weary from gazing nonstop at the tactical displays. The long-range sensors had detected several more fleets of Human ships in the Human star system.

  “I don’t like this,” commented his second officer. “There are far more Human ships than we expected, more than were reported by the Druins. Not only that but the defenses around their planets and moons have been greatly added to.”

  “Are you saying we don’t have the fleet units necessary to take this system?”

  “No, I am merely pointing out the resistance in this system will be far greater than we expected.”

  “We need the Humans as a food source,” pointed out Krek. “My research depends on us acquiring a large number of different specimens.”

  Admiral Zahn turned toward his science officer. “We will acquire your precious specimens. Now go to your lab until I summon you.” Zahn was growing aggravated at Krek’s constant jabbering about the Human recipes he had concocted.

  “The first section of our fleet is about to drop out of hyperspace,” reported Vormalt who was the first officer.

  “Make sure we keep hyperlight communications open constantly. I want to know of any strange weapons being used by the Humans.” Zahn still felt he was missing some data. Perhaps soon he would know what that was.

  -

  Deep beneath Pallas, Princess Layla gazed at the tactical displays. She knew which fleet was Derrick’s, and she kept an eye on it. So far Fifth Fleet was staying at the battlestation nearest Rear Admiral Leeson’s location.

  “Lamothian fleet should be dropping out of hyperspace at any moment,” reported Colonel Bryson.

  There was intense activity in the Pallas Command Center as the situation in the entire Solar System was being monitored. The status of all the system’s defenses, as well as warships, were displayed on various screens and monitors. Constant communication was ongoing with all defensive commands.

  “Lamothian fleet is dropping out of hyperspace,” confirmed Captain Adrian Moore. “They are within engagement range of Second Fleet.”

  Admiral Reynolds folded his arms across his chest, watching the main tactical display intently. “Now we will find out if the virus works.”

  Layla could feel her heart beating faster. However, she was the High Princess of the Empire and could not look worried or afraid. She just hoped Derrick came through this battle okay.

  -

  “Contact!” called out Lieutenant Stewart from his sensor console. “Lamothian ships are dropping out of hyperspace.”

  Rear Admiral Leeson looked at Linda Martin.

  “Not yet,” she said. “We must wait until all of them have exited hyperspace.”

  Leeson nodded, watching the tactical displays and viewscreens as hundreds of red threat icons appeared.

  “They are all here,” confirmed Stewart.

  “Transmitting virus,” reported Linda, as she touched several icons on her computer screen.

  “Standby to fire!” ordered Leeson. He would give the virus twenty seconds, and then he would order his fleet to open fire on the Lamothian vessels. His fleet was slightly outnumbered, but he had forty-three dreadnoughts to the Lamothians’ twe
lve battleships. That should even things up considerably. Not only that, he had other fleets he could call in, if needed.

  His eyes focused on the main viewscreen, watching as the running lights on a number of the Lamothian ships started to go out.

  “I’m detecting a power decrease across the Lamothian fleet,” reported Stewart excitedly. “Energy screens are coming down.”

  Leeson felt relief flood through him. “Have all ships fire. I want those ships destroyed before they figure out what we did to them.”

  On the viewscreens, a hail of missiles and energy beams shattered the darkness of space. Massive explosions lit up the Lamothian fleet as its ships were blown apart without mercy. Antimatter warheads turned enemy ships into drifting wrecks, and fusion energy beams riddled other Lamothian warships, leaving them ripped apart and lifeless.

  In less than two minutes they had been annihilated.

  -

  Admiral Zahn watched in silence as his entire advance fleet was destroyed.

  “How?” asked Vormalt, his eyestalks quivering uncontrollably.

  “They managed to take over the fleet’s computers, causing all the systems to shut down,” reported the systems officer. “They used some computer virus to attack our systems.”

  Admiral Zahn now knew how the Humans had taken over the Druin interdiction system. The Humans had just demonstrated they were much more dangerous than he had imagined.

  “Impossible,” uttered Vormalt. “Those are illegal.”

  “We’re not in the Confederation or even near Confederation space,” pointed out Admiral Zahn. “These Humans are not like those in the former Human Empire. These are more dangerous. Slow the fleet down, and send a hyperlight message to Lamothia. We need a more powerful level of protective firewalls for our computers. Explain to them what has happened to our advance fleet and how it was immobilized by this Human computer virus.”

  Admiral Zahn considered his next move. He knew little about the Humans. Yet he still had two-thirds of his fleet, including most of his battleships. He could defeat the Humans if he could stop their computer virus from taking over his ships’ computers.