The Forgotten Empire: Earth Ascendant: Book Two

by Raymond L. Weil

  -

  Reaching the shuttles, Derrick was surprised to see that a large crowd had gathered. Several men and women were talking to Sergeant Bower and making gestures toward the Palace.

  “What’s going on here?” asked Derrick.

  “You’re an admiral,” said one of the men, seeing the Imperial insignia on Derrick’s uniform.

  Derrick nodded. “Yes, I’m an Imperial. Over one thousand years ago Golan Four was my home. I’ve spent a thousand years in cryosleep, waiting to return at the head of a fleet to free it from the Confederation.”

  “Is it true that two of the Royal Princesses survived?” asked one of the women.

  “Yes, High Princess Layla Starguard and Princess Krista Starguard both survived. They were in cryosleep waiting for the day they could return and rebuild the Empire.”

  The group talked excitedly among themselves. Finally the man who had talked originally turned back toward Derrick. “When will they arrive?”

  “In about a week,” answered Derrick.

  “That’s not a lot of time,” the man replied, gazing at the Palace. “With your permission we would like to start rebuilding the Palace immediately. We can have construction crews here tomorrow, as well as a large number of structural engineers. I know where I can get the plans for the entire Palace. The blueprints are stored in the Imperial Library.”

  “The library is still intact?” asked Derrick, surprised.

  The man nodded. “Yes, many of its books, records, and files were safely hidden away. I guess the Druins didn’t realize a large section was underground. Almost everything of value was moved there.”

  “Who are you?” asked Derrick, realizing he didn’t know the man’s name.

  The man smiled. “I’m Governor Darl Stein. The rest of the people with me are part of my council. I’m also a member of the Human Resistance, so I knew this day was coming.”

  Derrick reached out and shook the man’s hand. “If you want to start reconstruction on the Palace, go ahead. I know the Princesses will be pleased with whatever you can do.”

  Governor Stein nodded. “I’ve dreamed of doing this all my life. We’ll rebuild the Palace and then start on the House of Worlds. I think you will be surprised how fast we can get this done.”

  “I have a question,” said the woman who had spoken earlier. “Can you keep us safe from the Confederation?”

  “Yes, I can,” replied Derrick. “My fleet will stay in orbit here, and our other two fleets are currently checking the other Human worlds in the cluster. When High Princess Starguard arrives, the ships with her are bringing a powerful defensive grid to put up around Goal Four and the other core worlds.”

  “Then its war,” said Governor Stein, nodding slightly. “Us against the Confederation. Can we win?”

  “Maybe,” replied Derrick truthfully. “This time we are evenly matched in weapons. We just need to buy enough time to get enough Human worlds ready for the fight.”

  Governor Stein nodded. “Most Human worlds will join us. However, a few bent over backward to accommodate the Confederation. I’m not sure what they will do.”

  “We’ll focus on those who want to fight first,” replied Derrick. “We’ll worry about the others later.”

  Governor Stein looked at Derrick. “Where did you live when you were here?”

  “In Mistral, about three hundred kilometers from the capital.”

  “I’m familiar with Mistral. I’m afraid it’s changed considerably since you were last there.”

  Derrick nodded. “A lot has changed, and that’s something we’ll all have to get used to. I should get back to my flagship. If you need me, contact the Destiny, and the communications officer will patch you through.”

  “Will do. I must get busy, so we can start on the Palace. After all, we have two Royal Princesses returning in a week, and I want to be ready to receive them. I’ll have to look up some historical articles and videos of the Royal Court on how to act. It’s been a long time since we had to do any of that, and we’ll need the Princesses to reunite the Human Empire.”

  “I’ve met both Princesses, and they are very special women. I’m sure they will be looking forward to meeting and working with you.” With that Derrick turned and entered his shuttle. It was time to return to the Destiny. There was still a war to fight.

  -

  Admiral Cleemorl was in the Ambary Two System, where one Druin battlecruiser was present, but it fled upon detecting the Human fleet. The Themis and the rest of First Fleet had gone into orbit, and Dylan had contacted the planetary governor, explaining the situation. It had taken a while to convince the governor that the Druins were actually gone and that three large Human fleets were available to protect the Mall Star Cluster.

  “Well, that was interesting,” said Captain Fulmar. “I didn’t know if he would believe you or not.”

  “It’s been over one thousand years since they were truly free. I’m not surprised they’re full of doubt. Once we have a new defensive grid orbiting the planet and a small defensive fleet assigned to this system, I’m sure they’ll come around quickly. We’ll need them in this war.”

  Dylan looked at the viewscreens that showed the two massive shipyards in orbit around the planet. Also the four large space stations. The planet had a massive population, and much of its food came from other worlds. Currently over thirty large cargo ships were docked to the stations, and a steady flow of shuttles came to and from the planet.

  “We’ll leave a dreadnought and six battlecruisers in orbit. The rest of the fleet will go on to the next core world.”

  “If we leave ships behind in each system we visit, our fleet will shrink rapidly. What if we run into a large Confederation fleet?”

  Dylan nodded. “I know, but it’s necessary for now. Once Princess Layla arrives with her fleet, we’ll use those ships to guard these systems, freeing our ships to rejoin the fleet.”

  Captain Fulmar nodded. “What do we do if the Druins launch an attack in the meantime?”

  “All the Druin fleets that we know of were in the Golan Four System. If they do attack us, they must first get more ships from the Confederation, and, by then, Princess Layla’s fleet should be here.”

  “We can’t defend the entire Empire. It’s too large.”

  “The Human Resistance groups should have a good-size fleet. We’ll defend the core worlds and a few other regions with numerous Human-inhabited worlds. Parts of the Empire will be on their own, until we can build sufficient ships to protect all the worlds.”

  “That might take years,” said Fulmar worriedly.

  “It might,” replied Dylan. “But it’s the best we can do.” Dylan knew that it was impossible to defend the entire Empire. They would have to pick and chose what worlds were needed the most here at the beginning. He was glad he wasn’t the one making that decision.

  -

  Rear Admiral Leeson visited his third core system. No Druin vessels were present, and Second Fleet was currently in orbit above Glimmerr. It was a beautiful planet from space, covered in eighty percent water, with two large continents. It also had four medium-size moons in orbit.

  “I bet that planet has some beautiful views,” commented Linda Martin. “If a person could live by the seaside, that planet would be ideal.”

  “The files show the planet has an abundance of seaside resorts,” said Captain Newman. “Wish we had the time to go for a visit.”

  Leeson smiled. He had just finished talking to an excited governor, who was pleased to see an entire fleet of Imperial warships in orbit. She had invited the crews down, but Leeson had declined, saying they had more core worlds to visit. “We’ll leave a dreadnought and four battlecruisers in orbit, in case a stray Druin vessel comes by.”

  So far everything was going very smoothly. Much smoother than he had expected. Now if it would only continue that way until the Princesses arrived.

  -

  Princess Layla was in the Command Center of the Starburst, listening as Cap
tain Darlu reported the latest news from the hyperlight messages the fleet had received.

  “Golan Four is free, and the fleets are currently checking on all the core systems. The Druin fleets in the Golan Four System were soundly defeated and have fled. General Livingston reports the Human Resistance has come out into the open and is active on over four hundred planets. Defense grids are being put up, and the Human Resistance fleet is combing the Empire for more Druin ships. So far, Confederation resistance has been very light.”

  Layla felt relief flood over her. This was very good news. “What of Fifth Fleet?” She wanted to ensure Derrick had come through the fighting unharmed.

  Captain Darlu smiled. “It’s currently in orbit around Golan Four and will remain there. They don’t want to risk the Confederation making a move to retake the capital.”

  Layla nodded, pleased to hear that. She could hardly wait to arrive back home. “Keep me apprised of any new developments. I need to make a new video to broadcast across the Empire.”

  Layla wanted to reassure all the people that the Earth Humans and the Human Resistance in the Empire would do everything in their power to keep the Human Empire free from the Confederation. She also wanted to mention some hard times were ahead, but they would get through them together. She would not be leaving the Empire again.

  -

  In the space just outside the Empire, Admiral Kreen rendezvoused with his other two fleets. Already new firewalls had been sent from the Confederation that should protect his vessels. These most recent firewalls were the most advanced the Confederation possessed.

  “We are not to do anything until more ships arrive,” reported the communications officer. “The Great Council is in an emergency session, and more ships will be dispatched shortly.”

  “Too little and too late,” said Kreen coldly, as he looked at the viewscreens, showing the ships which had arrived with him. Most had huge holes in their hulls, and some were little more than shattered wrecks. Many would be worthless in any future battle. They would have to be scuttled, and the crews evacuated. “I still don’t believe the council understands the danger these Earth Humans represent.”

  “Perhaps not,” replied Falorr, “but we must obey the council. It is how the Confederation has survived for so long.”

  “We will obey,” answered Kreen, looking at his second in command. “It is our duty as members of the Confederation.” Kreen shifted his gaze to the tactical display again. Nearly twelve hundred Druin warships were represented as friendly green icons. If the Confederation sent a decent-size fleet, Kreen could retake most of the Empire from the Earth Humans.

  He strongly suspected the Humans from Earth had no idea of the true power of the Confederation. The Human Empire would not be attacked this time with just the thousand ships Admiral Kreen currently had but with ten thousand!

  The Humans would learn very quickly that they should not have challenged the Confederation. Once the Human Empire was firmly back under Confederation control, it would be time to deal with Earth. What worried Admiral Kreen was that he doubted he could make the Great Council understand the real danger Earth represented or how powerful the defenses were in that single star system. The Confederation might lose a major portion of their fleet conquering the system, but it had to be done.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  The Great Council of the seven races met for an emergency session, and already heated discussions and much finger-pointing had been shared, from those who had fingers.

  “Admiral Kreen tried to warn us,” said Councilor Clun, looking at the others. “We ignored his warnings, believing no one would dare to challenge the Confederation. Now look at what has happened. The Earth Humans have attacked the former Human Empire, forcing our ships to retreat. Not only that but a secret resistance movement has appeared, and they have a large fleet as well.”

  “The Humans are an inferior race,” said Ardon Reull, the head of the Great Council and a Lormallian. “They are not ready to rule themselves. It is why we conquered their growing Empire over one thousand years ago.”

  “Are they truly inferior?” asked Ralor Corr, the Zynth representative. “Sometimes I wonder if we overstate our own intelligence.”

  “Our intelligence is not in doubt,” spoke Cryler, the Zang representative, in a grating whistle-like voice. The Zang were a birdlike race with very sharp beaks and wings, giving them the ability to fly. A set of arms were attached to the main part of their body with clawlike fingers. The Zang are very intelligent and very seldom speak. “We have merely underestimated this enemy because no one has really challenged us since we joined together and formed the Confederation.”

  “Perhaps,” acknowledged Ardon Reull. “The question now is, what will we do about it?”

  “We have lost many of our warships,” said Clun of the Druins. “We are in the process of rebuilding our fleet. We cannot send ships at this time.”

  “The same for us,” said the Lamothian councilor. “It will take us several years to replace the ships we lost in the Earth Humans’ star system.”

  “We will send a fleet,” stated Ralor Corr, the Zynth representative. “I recommend we order Admiral Kreen to wait until our fleet arrives before he launches his attack.”

  “We will send a Lormallian fleet as well,” said Ardon Reull. “That should give Admiral Kreen sufficient ships to overwhelm the Earth Humans and to regain control of the Human worlds.”

  -

  The Great Council spoke for a number of additional hours. In the end arrangements were made to send four thousand warships to reinforce Admiral Kreen and to retake the Human worlds.

  -

  Princess Layla and Princess Krista were in the Command Center of the Starburst as it dropped out of hyperspace just twenty thousand kilometers from Golan Four.

  “It’s beautiful,” said Krista as she gazed in reverence at her homeworld.

  “It’s been a long time,” replied Layla. “I just want to see the Palace.”

  “I spoke to Rear Admiral Masters a few minutes ago,” said Captain Darlu. “He is waiting for you on the planet’s surface. He says the planetary governors of all sixteen of the main core worlds will be there as well.”

  Layla’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected this. “I guess I better get my speech ready.”

  “As if you really need one,” kidded Krista. “I’ve never known you to be at a loss for words.”

  “I just didn’t expect all the governors to be there. I don’t know if that’s good or bad.”

  Captain Darlu spoke briefly to someone on his comm system and then turned to the Princess. “We’ll be landing the Starburst just outside the Palace. A landing site has been prepared for us.” The Starburst, being a destroyer, could land on planets where the larger battlecruisers and dreadnoughts could not.

  Layla nodded. “Krista and I need to get ready.” Layla knew, if sixteen planetary governors were there, she and Krista both needed to make a good first impression.

  It didn’t take long for the two to reach their quarters. Without surprise Layla saw that Emira already had her clothes laid out. “How did you know?”

  Emira smiled. “I had a feeling you would need these. I’ve already laid out Princess Krista’s clothes as well. Two attendants are to help her, and they have strict instructions not to allow the young Princess to switch to other clothes. Now let’s get you ready. We want you looking like a High Princess when you step out on Golan Four.”

  Sometimes Emira sounded so much like Layla’s mother. Without hesitation she began to undress. She had a lot to do before making her first appearance in the Empire as its hereditary ruler.

  -

  Derrick waited near the Palace, along with the planetary governors. Four long lines of Imperial soldiers were lined up, waiting to honor the Princesses.

  “I’m actually nervous,” confessed Governor Stein. “I read and watched videos on how to greet royalty. I hope I won’t screw this up.”

  Derrick laughed. “You won’t.
Both Princesses are very understanding.”

  There was a loud noise in the air, Derrick looked skyward and saw the Starburst gently descending through the clouds. The starburst symbol of the Empire was visible on her hull, and the ship was painted a brilliant white, making it very easy to see.

  The large crowd gathered here stirred expectantly. Many of the children screamed with delight at seeing a spacecraft landing so close to them. A band played the Imperial March, and everyone stood straighter.

  The Starburst landed, and the crowd grew silent, except for the soft playing of the band. The main hatch opened, and a ramp slid down to touch the ground. Ten Imperial Guards led by Captain Averson, all wearing their purple capes, stepped out into the open and slowly descended. Behind them, the two Royal Princesses appeared, wearing long gowns with waist-length capes of purple. A loud cheering erupted from the gathered crowd. Behind the Princesses, a number of attendants appeared, including Emira, who kept a sharp eye on everything, including the Princesses.

  Suddenly from a hidden speaker came an announcement. “I present to you, High Princess Layla Starguard, the hereditary ruler of the Human Empire, and her cousin, Princess Krista Starguard.”

  As the Imperial Guards reached the ground, they spread out in two lines of five on each side of the ramp. Layla and Krista came to a stop in front of a short line of Imperial officers and the governors directly behind them.

  Taking a deep breath, Derrick stepped forward and bowed. “High Princess, I welcome you to Golan Four. I would like to introduce you to the current governor of the planet, Darl Stein.”

  Stein stepped forward and bowed deeply. “Your Majesty.”

  “I am pleased to meet the governor of the capital of the Empire,” said Layla in a steady voice. “I assume these are the other governors of the core worlds?”

  “Yes,” replied Derrick. “I will introduce them to you.”

  Each governor stepped forward and bowed as they were introduced.

  “I am honored all of you have come to Golan Four for my arrival.”