“I’ll bring glasses for all of you with your meal,” said the server with a pleased smile on her face.
Mathew looked at Krista. “How soon after we launch our attack on the Empire will the two of you be returning to Golan Four?”
“Almost immediately,” replied Krista. “We will be a symbol for our people to rally around and to rebuild the Empire.”
“The two of you have many responsibilities as Princesses. It must leave you very little free time.”
“More than you would think,” answered Layla. “One of the things our fathers taught us was how to delegate authority. We will depend on the House of Worlds to actually set the laws in the Empire, though the Imperial Council here on Pallas has suggested setting up a council that would be the go-between for the Palace and the House of Worlds. It is something Krista and I will discuss when the time is appropriate.”
“What about you, Derrick?” asked Mathew. Derrick had told Mathew to address him by his first name while they were at the restaurant. “You’re the Princesses’ primary military advisor. Are you staying on Golan Four as well?”
Derrick nodded. “It’s my homeworld. I will do whatever is necessary to serve the Royal Family.”
Two servers returned this time, carrying trays of steaming food and a bottle of Chardonnay wine. They carefully placed the plates of food on the table and then poured each person a wineglass three-fourths full of the wine.
“Enjoy,” said the head server as she turned to leave.
Layla picked up her glass and took a cautious sip, and then her face broke into a smile. “I like this. It should go well with the lobster.”
Krista took a cautious bite of her lobster, after dipping it in butter. She smiled and nodded. “This is good. I could eat two of these.”
Everyone laughed and started eating.
-
For the next hour, the five of them sat at their table, talking and laughing. Even Brenda, without a date, was having a good time. “I guess I’ll have to invite someone to join me next time, if we do this very often,” she said.
“It’s nice to get out of our quarters,” affirmed Layla. Her left hand was under the table and entwined in Derrick’s.
“Let’s have dessert,” suggested Krista. “Something rich in chocolate.”
Layla laughed. This was the best time she had experienced since coming out of cryosleep. “You’ll turn into chocolate as much as you consume. Emira will have you working out half the day tomorrow to get rid of all the calories you consumed tonight.”
Krista frowned. “Well, maybe just half a piece of that red velvet cake.”
Brenda grinned. “I like chocolate too. Why don’t we order a full piece, and we can split it.”
Krista nodded. “Sounds like a winner to me.”
-
After eating dessert, they left the restaurant. Captain Averson and the two Imperial Guards were waiting outside the restaurant’s entrance to escort them back to their Royal Quarters.
Layla was also pleased to see no crowd had gathered outside the restaurant. This was so much different than what it had been like back home.
Upon reaching the Royal Quarters, they found Stewardess Emira waiting impatiently at Layla’s door.
“There she is,” said Layla in a soft voice. “As people on Earth would say, she’s just like a mother hen.”
“She’s only looking after you and Krista,” said Derrick. “If you ask me, she’s doing a great job.”
Layla smiled and nodded. “I really enjoyed tonight. We will have to do this again sometime.”
“I enjoyed myself too. I need to return to my ship and check how my fleet’s coming along. I’ll see you again as soon as I can.”
Layla nodded and, leaning forward, gave Derrick a gentle kiss on the cheek. “That’s all for now, especially with Emira watching.”
Derrick grinned, backed away, and gave Layla a slight bow. He then went to get Captain Barkley and Ensign Allert, who were waiting in front of Krista’s quarters.
-
On the way back to the ship, Brenda looked at Derrick. “Well, I thought that went well.”
Derrick nodded. “Yes, it did, and thank you for sacrificing your night.”
Brenda laughed. “This was not a sacrifice. I’ll take a good meal and good company anytime.”
“What did you think about Captain Barkley?”
Brenda nodded approvingly. “I think he’s a good pick for Krista. They’re both young and energetic.”
Derrick was pleased with the way the night had gone. He had been a little surprised when Layla had reached under the table to hold his hand. Overall, he could not have planned a better evening. With a deep sigh, he knew that tomorrow would be time to get back to planning the war. The Confederation was about to learn what war with a fully prepared Human star system was like.
Chapter Seventeen
In the Confederation, the Great Council had called a meeting. Admiral Zahn was present, making his report of his unsuccessful attack against the Human star system.
“I have never seen a system so heavily defended. Even if we had defeated the fleets that we encountered, I doubt if we could have reached the Humans’ home planet.”
“We have analyzed your data from the battle,” spoke Ardon Reull in a calm and steady voice, as the head of the Great Council and a Lormallian. “It is evident the Humans of Earth are very dependent on using computer viruses to disable our ships. That’s what the evidence indicates happened to the Druin interdiction system and then to your fleets. They used two different versions of the same virus to disable your warships. After studying the viruses they used, we can easily defeat them with a new series of advanced firewalls.”
“They have violated one of the main edicts of the Articles of Confederation,” rasped Ralor Corr, the Zynth council member. “No race is allowed to develop any computer viruses. It could seriously damage the economies of too many worlds. These Humans must be punished.”
“These Humans are not like the ones in the former Human Empire,” proclaimed Admiral Zahn. “They are much more violent and dangerous.”
“What are we to do?” spoke Klug, the Morphene council member through his voice translator.
Reull looked at his fellow council members. “We must update the firewalls on our ships and in our computer systems throughout the Confederation. It is also obvious we must construct a larger fleet to deal with this renegade Human star system.”
“What if they come here?” asked Councilor Clun of the Druins.
“I don’t believe they would dare penetrate our space a second time,” answered Councilor Reull. “I feel the first time they did so was to find out what was happening to the Humans we have been taking from the former Human Empire. Now that we are aware of the Humans of Earth, I don’t believe they will dare risk such an action a second time. I believe they will be satisfied to stay in their system, behind their defenses, as they hope we don’t come and destroy them.”
“Which we will when we have produced a larger fleet,” said Clun. “We must destroy these Humans, yet still maintain the necessary fleet strength to hold the Confederation.”
“How long?” asked Councilor Klug.
Councilor Reull spent a moment consulting a computer terminal that connected him to several Lormallian AIs. “Six to eight months. At that time we can easily destroy the Humans without weakening our own defenses.”
“Then it is decided,” said Admiral Zahn. “I request to be part of that expedition. The Lamothians would still like to have possession of Earth to use as a future food source for our race.”
Councilor Reull nodded. “I believe that can be arranged, once we have destroyed their space fleets and any ground-based resistance.”
This satisfied Admiral Zahn. His people wanted a massive feast, and, for that, they needed tens of millions of Humans. The Humans of Earth would provide for that grand feast.
-
Two months had passed since the Lamothian attack. Admiral Cleemorl was in Cheryl�
�s new business office in the same habitat where they had established their home. “You are keeping everything legal?” he asked, as he gazed at Cheryl’s cleavage.
Cheryl saw where Dylan’s eyes were focused and casually buttoned another button on her blouse, cutting off his view. “Let’s keep our minds on the subject at hand,” she said, grinning. “You can check out my assets when we get home.”
Dylan sighed and nodded. “How many restaurants and entertainment bars have you opened?”
“Six family restaurants and ten bars,” Cheryl answered. “The men and women of the fleet need someplace to blow off some steam when they’re on leave, and I’m more than glad to provide it. It also pays very well.”
“Everything’s legal?” Dylan asked again, almost afraid of the answer. He was very familiar with Cheryl’s pirating past.
Cheryl laughed. “The restaurants are completely on the up-and-up. The bars are as well—as long as the profits stay good.”
Cheryl made him feel a little uncomfortable. “Let’s keep the profits up then. You’re not providing any male or female companionship, are you?”
A big grin crossed Cheryl’s face. “And what if I am? There’s a big demand for it.”
“I would prefer you didn’t indulge in that type of business activity.”
Cheryl let out a deep sigh. “I have to admit it was tempting, but I want to leave that part of my life behind, so I’m keeping everything legal. Does that make you happy?”
Dylan reached across Cheryl’s desk and undid the top button on her blouse. He smiled. “Now I’m happy.”
“You are in a mood,” said Cheryl, grinning. “Is there something going on that I don’t know about?”
Dylan leaned back in his chair. “I guess I just realized that, in a few more weeks, I’ll be setting out for the Empire. I don’t know when I’ll be coming back.”
“Don’t forget. I still have my yacht. If necessary, I can always come to the Empire to visit. Besides, I really need to check up on some of my business ventures.”
Dylan looked seriously at Cheryl. “I don’t know if I feel comfortable with you doing that. It might not be safe.”
Cheryl smiled. “Don’t worry. My two escort ships are still in stasis as well. If I come to the Empire, I’ll make sure I have plenty of protection. Besides, I imagine, once the war starts in earnest, convoys of ships will be going back and forth all the time. I could always join one of them.”
Cheryl was a very strong-willed and independent woman, and Dylan knew better than to argue with her. “Just make sure you’re careful when you do, and let me know when you’re coming.”
“I will. Now get back to organizing your fleet, and I’ll see you at home tonight. How does a home-cooked meal sound?”
Grinning, Dylan nodded. Cheryl was a very good cook. “I’ll make sure I’m home on time. What are you planning for dessert?”
Cheryl laughed. “You will just have to wait and find out,” she said teasingly.
-
Princess Layla was on board the Destiny, visiting Rear Admiral Masters. Over the past few months their time together had been severely limited to a few meals and military briefings. She found that, whenever she was on board the Destiny, the crew tended to make sure they had some alone time. She wondered if the entire crew knew about her and Derrick.
They were currently in Derrick’s quarters, enjoying a glass of Carlish. Brenda was with them, as Derrick felt it best to have someone present anytime he had Layla in his personal quarters. Layla and Derrick sat together on the couch, and Brenda sat across from them.
“The battlecarriers are ready,” Derrick said, as he took a sip of his Carlish. “Each fleet will be assigned three, since we still have another month before we set out for the Empire.”
Layla nodded. “The mobile shipyards are finished also. Admiral Reynolds took me on a tour of one of them yesterday. They’re quite impressive.”
“How soon will you be coming to the Empire?” asked Brenda. She enjoyed playing chaperone to the two.
“Almost immediately,” answered Layla. “We want to establish a Royal presence as soon as possible, so we can bring some stability to the Human worlds in the Empire. I’m afraid it’ll be a long and difficult process.”
“We’ll get it done,” promised Derrick. “This was your brother’s plan, and we’ll see it through.”
Layla nodded. “Someday I need to trace what happened to my brother and Maya’s children. I’m curious to learn if they have any descendants living today.”
Brenda nodded. “That would be interesting, indeed. I wonder if the Earth Imperials have such detailed records?”
“I don’t know,” replied Layla.
Brenda looked at Derrick. “Andrew might know. Maybe we should ask him.”
“He might,” replied Derrick. “Or he would at least know who to contact.”
“I’ll ask him,” volunteered Brenda. “We’re pretty close.”
Layla set down her drink and took Derrick’s hand. “I better go. Krista and I have to attend a function several of the Imperial Councilors are holding.” Layla stood, and Derrick stood also. Brenda got up and walked over to the door, purposely not watching.
With a smile, Derrick took Layla into his arms and gently kissed her on the lips. “Now go play Princess, and I’ll see you as soon as I can. I’m taking my fleet out for a week’s worth of drills.”
Stepping from Derrick’s embrace, Layla nodded. “We both have our duties to perform. I will see you when you get back.”
Derrick walked Layla to the door and, opening it, saw the two Imperial Guards waiting there. Brenda and Layla stepped out together into the corridor, Brenda returning to her duty station and Layla being escorted back to Pallas by her two guards.
-
In the former Human Empire, Druin Admiral Kreen sat in the command chair in his flagship, the Avenging Light. The ship currently orbited Golan Four.
“I don’t care what the Great Council says. I’m certain the Humans are coming. They want their Empire back. It’s the only logical explanation for them being active in the Empire with their cargo ships and venturing into Confederation space. They were gathering intelligence in preparation for their attack.”
“But they would need a larger fleet,” objected First Officer Falorr.
“That’s just it,” replied Admiral Kreen. “We have no idea how large a fleet they have. I read the report from Admiral Zahn on what he faced. It was far more ships than what we encountered. I fear the Confederation might be underestimating these Humans.”
Falorr looked at the tactical display of a fleet of over four hundred Druin battlecruisers and battleships a short distance away. Falorr knew five other similar fleets were in different regions of the Human Empire. “Surely we have the ships to stop any attack.”
“Do we?” asked Admiral Kreen. “We have not yet received the latest computer firewalls to protect our ships from the viruses these new Humans use.”
Falorr was silent as he folded his powerful arms across his muscular chest. “What should we do in the meantime?”
“I want to move two of our fleets out of Human space and hold them as a reserve. We’ll use our other four fleets to see how effective they are against the Humans.”
“How large do you believe this attack will be?”
“Massive. The likes of which we’ve never experienced since the Confederation was founded. I don’t believe the Great Council truly understands the danger these new Humans represent.”
Falorr looked at the viewscreen, showing the Human homeworld. “What should we do?”
“Prepare,” replied Admiral Kreen. “The Humans will think they have an advantage with their computer viruses. We will show them that isn’t so and what the true power of the Confederation is. I must send a hyperlight message to the Great Council. Plans must be made, and resources committed.”
-
Captain Barkley was on board the battlecarrier Orion, checking out the large flight bay that
contained some of the carrier’s attack interceptors. With a smile, his gaze wandered down the long twin rows of interceptors.
“Looks as if they have everything figured out,” commented Lieutenant Simmins, standing next to Mathew. “I understand we’re shipping out in another few weeks.”
Mathew nodded. “That’s what I heard.”
Rod looked appraisingly at Mathew. “So, how are you and the Princess getting along?”
“She’s a Princess, so her free time is very limited. We’ve gone out to eat a few times, and we speak occasionally over the comms, but it’s hard to build a relationship when we’re getting ready to go to war.”
“Have you kissed her?”
Mathew grinned. “I’m not answering that. Princess Krista is a very special young woman. I’m just glad to be in her company upon occasion.”
“I’ve seen her,” replied Rod. “She’s really good-looking.”
Mathew nodded. “Yes, she’s very pretty, and she has a fun personality.”
Rod laughed. “You really like her. I’ve never heard you speak about a woman like this before.”
Mathew shook his head. “Let’s go check out our interceptor. I have a squadron meeting planned for tomorrow morning. If I understand it right, Rear Admiral Masters is taking Fifth Fleet out either tomorrow or the day after for a week of drills. Very few of our interceptor pilots have ever landed on a moving object like this battlecarrier will be. We have a lot of work ahead of us.”
Rod nodded his agreement. “In another month we’ll be off to war. I hope all of us make it back.”
Mathew again looked down the long line of interceptors. He knew very well that some of his pilots would not make it back. They were at war, and people died in battles. He just hoped to keep it to a minimum.
-
Two days later Derrick was in the Command Center of the Destiny. His fleet had gathered around the flagship, and he watched as three large battlecarriers left their docks. All three were three hundred meters longer than a dreadnought. They were protected by numerous energy beam turrets and some missile tubes. The battlecarriers had slightly more firepower than a battlecruiser and had a more powerful energy shield. The carriers had four landing bays for the attack interceptors they carried.
The Forgotten Empire: Earth Ascendant: Book Two Page 23