The Star Cross: Galaxy in Peril
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Subcommander Orphren moved closer to the admiral where no one could overhear. “We don’t stand a chance, do we?”
Fleet Admiral Lorell looked long and hard at Subcommander Orphren and then let out a deep sigh of frustration. “I wish we did. Our people are depending on us to protect them, but we just don’t have the firepower!”
Subcommander Orphren nodded his understanding. His mate and cubs had been assigned to one of the deep shelters. Even if the fleet was defeated and the Destroyers of Worlds harvested the planet, there was a slim chance they would survive. Perhaps someday in the future, his male cubs would avenge his death.
“Enemy will be within weapons range in four minutes,” reported the sensor operator.
Grand Fleet Admiral Lorell leaned back in his command chair and closed his eyes. He took a deep, steadying breath as his greatest battle was about to begin.
-
Prince Brollen watched the tactical display as his fleets moved closer to the second inhabited moon. Already he could imagine how this new food species would taste. Once he had demonstrated these so-called Protector Worlds could be destroyed with few losses, then other Protector Worlds would be attacked. That would allow the harvesting fleets to expand the harvest area and return to the Vorn Conclave Habitat and their other megastructures with full loads of food pellets. Their food shortage would end, and his status in the hierarchy would be assured.
We have reports of other fleets inbound toward this system, reported Military Commander Fraymot.
How soon before they arrive? Prince Brollen knew that Military Commander Fraymot had left a number of the spindle-shaped cruisers on patrol duty to detect such fleets on their long-range sensors.
Fourteen hours before the first can reach us. If they attack in small groups, they can easily be destroyed.
Very well, we will continue the attack. We should be finished with the harvesting of these worlds before their other ships can arrive. Once we have harvested the two moons, we will leave.
Military Commander Fraymot turned toward the prince. A large number of inhabitants are on the moons, asteroids, and other planets in the system.
We will leave those for now, answered Prince Brollen. Normally he did not tell his subordinates the reasons for his actions, but this time he did. They will tell others of how easy our victory was, forcing these Protector Worlds to pull their fleets from the weaker worlds they defend. Our harvesting fleets will then cull thousands of planets of different food species that will hopefully be palatable to our Queens and the rest of our kind.
Weapons range in twenty seconds, reported the Vorn in front of the sensor screens.
-
In space, the fleets drew nearer. The Bascom ships waited until the black ships entered weapons range and then let loose with every missile they could launch. Hundreds of antimatter missiles slammed into the hulls of the black ships. Thousands of megatons of antimatter energy were released, only to be absorbed by the powerful energy screens of the black ships. Missile after missile pounded the enemy’s screens. Then, in ones and twos, the energy screens failed. They exploded in massive bursts of energy, creating small novalike explosions, which instantly annihilated the ships. For a few seconds the Bascoms in the defending fleet were elated as they saw black ships dying. But then the black ships returned fire. Only this time they attacked with both their black antimatter beams and their deadly black spheres.
Across the defensive grid, platforms were torn apart as the black beams ripped through their screens, blasting huge chasms in the hulls. Black ship antimatter missiles arrived as energy shields failed, leaving the massive structures vulnerable. In a matter of thirty seconds, fourteen of the twenty defending platforms died fiery deaths. Around them Bascom battleships and battlecruisers exploded in flames like moths drawn to a fire. The black antimatter spheres attached themselves to energy screens, absorbing their energy, and then latched onto the hulls to finish their deadly work.
Several more of the defensive platforms lost their power and were instantly turned into drifting wreckage as antimatter missiles finished the work of the spheres. The Bascom antimatter missiles pummeling the black fleet lessened as the defenders were systematically eliminated.
-
Deep below the surface of the planet, the leaders of the Bascom race watched in horror as bright flashes of light indicated the destruction of the defensive platforms and the fleet guarding their moon. In consternation and dread, they all understood what this meant. The Destroyers of Worlds would soon harvest the planet. Billions of innocent Bascom citizens would die. Only a few million hidden in the deepest of shelters might survive.
With growing understanding, the leaders of the Bascom moons knew the Destroyers of Worlds could not be stopped. In time the deadly enemy would harvest the inhabited planets of this galaxy, culling all of its intelligent life. When the black ships left, tens of thousands of broken and destroyed worlds would be left behind.
-
In space, Grand Fleet Admiral Lorell watched in anguish as the Command and Control Station was ripped apart by the deadly black beams of the black ships. His fleet was mostly gone, and only a few ships besides his flagship still survived.
“Order the remaining observation ship to jump into hyperspace and proceed to Lakiam. There is nothing else it can learn here.”
In silence, Subcommander Orphren moved to carry out the order. His steps were leaden and his movements almost mechanical. His world was coming to an end.
Fleet Admiral Lorell watched the subcommander, understanding his detachment from what was going on around him. The battle was lost, and nothing could be done to save Debent. The flagship suddenly shook violently, and the lights faded. After a few moments, the lights died completely. Even the ventilation system grew quiet. Grand Fleet Admiral Lorell closed his eyes, waiting for the end.
-
As the last defending ship died under the fire of the black antimatter beams, Military Commander Fraymot turned toward the prince. The battle is over. We have a few defensive satellites to eliminate, but the harvest can begin shortly.
You have done well, sent Prince Brollen. As soon as the satellites have been eliminated, move the fleets into position. I am anxious to taste this new food species.
-
A few minutes later the six motherships went into close orbit above the moon. From each ship fourteen large hatches slid open, and a black ray flashed forth to strike the surface of the moon below. As the black beams swept across the cities, all their inhabitants were transformed into a black ashy substance.
On board the mothership Reaper, the prince watched as the tractor beams inside the black rays brought the converted organic substance into the mothership and fed it to the converters. The converters classified the different organic substances and then changed them into appropriate food for each of the three castes.
The prince walked over and pressed a button on a small control panel. Instantly a receptacle slid open, and a gray pellet in the form of a small cube was ejected onto a tray. The prince took the pellet and popped it into his mouth, crunching the pellet with his mandibles and feeling the invigorating strength that instantly flowed through him. This pellet was made from the organic material of one of the civilized inhabitants of the moon they were culling. Gray pellets were for the Royal Caste and the other privileged; black pellets were for the Military Caste. Finally the brown pellets were for the Working Caste. Each cube would provide sustenance for a full day, or two days if necessary, without any hunger pangs.
With intense pleasure, Prince Brollen was surprised by how tasty this particular food pellet was. The Queens would truly enjoy such a delicacy. He would make a point of presenting a significant portion of these food pellets to Queen Alithe. He was certain when he returned to the Conclave Habitat that his future as one of the favorites of the Vorn Queen would be assured.
-
On the surface of the moon, white spheres of energy from the orbiting motherships fell. Wherever a city had
been harvested, the spheres exploded, wiping out nearly all signs of civilization. City after city died as all constructs that once showed a civilized society had existed on the moon were systematically eliminated.
-
A few hours later the same culling took place on Glasht as its inhabitants were harvested and turned into food pellets for the Vorn race. The same destruction from the white energy spheres was inflicted on Glasht, turning it into a nearly lifeless world. All visages of a civilized society were eliminated. The three Vorn fleets then formed up and entered hyperspace, leaving a shattered system behind. Very quickly word of what had been done would spread across this region of the galaxy. In a matter of a few short days, the Protector Worlds would know not even their home planets were safe from the Destroyers of Worlds.
Chapter Two
Fleet Admiral Kurt Vickers was on board Newton Station, the large and completely rebuilt shipyard in orbit above the planet Newton. Six months had passed since destroying the Profiteer fleet around Earth and once more freeing the planet—six busy months both in the solar system and around Newton. In addition to expanding the station, new ship construction had begun in earnest.
“She’s quite a sight, isn’t she?” said Captain Randson as he critically studied the new battlecruiser about to exit the large construction bay. The ship was 1,000 meters long and 200 meters wide. It contained twenty decks, making the ship 170 meters thick.
“She’s more powerful than the Aurelia,” commented Colonel Hayworth, in charge of ship construction.
“She should be,” spoke up Lomatz, who could pass as Human, except for the pale yellow tint to his eyes. “We combined the technology from four Protector Worlds to build your new battlecruisers.” He paused, considering Fleet Admiral Vickers. “I still don’t understand why you insisted on installing that massive KEW cannon.”
The large cannon ran four hundred meters along the center of the ship and had a twelve-degree range of fire from the bow of the vessel.
Star Cross Chief Tactical Officer Lieutenant Evelyn Mays stood nearby, listening to the discussion. “That cannon can fire a round at nearly 60 percent of the speed of light with the new power systems we’ve installed. I’m not convinced even these Destroyers of Worlds’ ships could withstand such a blow to their shields if we had the right projectile.”
Lomatz went silent for a long moment and then responded. “I do have to admit, with all the research my people have done, there is no record of anyone using such a weapon against a black ship. It’s considered too primitive.”
“We need to find the right projectile,” said Captain Randson as he watched the battlecruiser slide past the large observation window where they all stood.
“I may have an idea on that,” said Lieutenant Mays with a sly smile on her face. “We use neutronium as the projectile.”
“Impossible,” said Lomatz, shaking his head in disbelief. “Neutronium has to come from the core of a neutron star, and, due to the intense gravity and surface temperature there, it’s impossible to mine. Even if you could, once it’s removed from the star, it will expand and explode. It would destroy your mining crew and/or the ship instantly.”
Lieutenant Mays’s smile changed to a deep frown. “There must be a way. I’ve run the numbers. A projectile the size of a marble would generate the explosive force equivalent to all the energy Newton’s sun puts out in one second. Such a projectile fired by our KEW cannon would be unstoppable by any conceivable energy shield. Even the ones used by the black ships.”
“Let’s say you could get this neutronium marble. It would crush your ship because it would weigh in excess of several billion tons,” said Lomatz. “I’m afraid you will have to settle for something larger and less dense. Neutronium will not work.”
Lieutenant Mays let out a deep sigh of disappointment. “I’m not giving up. We need a weapon that can easily destroy the black ships, and this would do it.”
“Keep searching,” Kurt said with a nod. Lieutenant Mays was a brilliant tactical officer. “Perhaps someday we’ll find a way to get you the neutronium. For now, we must find the best substitute we can.”
Lieutenant Mays nodded, but her mouth was pressed into a thin line.
Kurt knew she wouldn’t give up on the neutronium idea.
“That makes the tenth new battlecruiser we’ve built,” Colonel Hayward said with a pleased smile. “The new construction techniques and systems that Lomatz’s people helped us to install have made a huge difference.”
“What about our older ships? How is the conversion going with them?” asked Kurt. The four large repair bays on the station had been working around the clock, equipping various ships with the new weapons and power systems.
“The last of them will be changed over in six more weeks,” reported Hayworth.
“What about the improvements in the construction bays?”
“We’ve finished the modifications to all four of the older ones, and the two newer construction bays are already in full operation.”
Kurt nodded his approval. Over the last six months, the news coming in from the rest of the galaxy had been frightening. The Destroyers of Worlds had culled planet after planet across the galaxy. All Kurt’s data came from Ambassador Marvin Tenner, stationed on Kubitz. The planet was, a treasure trove of information if you knew the right people and could afford to pay for it. Currently Avery Dolman was making a small fortune off Newton’s need to know.
“What about my new flagship?”
Colonel Hayward grinned. “The new Star Cross?”
“Yes.” Kurt wanted a battleship as his command vessel.
“It’s been moved to one of the repair bays for completion. All the primary systems are installed and functioning. We need to finish up the interior and perform a little additional work on the power systems. All that can be done in a repair bay while we build new battlecruisers in the six construction bays.”
This sounded fine to Kurt as the new construction technologies in the bays resembled the same ones used at Kubitz in the massive shipyards that orbited the planet. Those new technologies gave Kurt the ability to build twelve new battlecruisers every six weeks. It thrilled Kurt to know that, within one year, he would have a fleet of over one hundred of the powerful vessels. If the Newton System could remain undetected by the Destroyers of Worlds, Kurt might just build a fleet powerful enough to give the black fleets pause, if and when they did show up.
Kurt faced Lomatz. “How do your people like living on the island?” The huge Newton island had been settled by twenty thousand members of Lomatz’s race.
“Fine,” answered Lomatz, folding his arms over his chest. “It’s large enough for future expansion, and all our automated factories are up and running. My people couldn’t be happier.” Then he looked knowingly at Kurt. “I’m also sure your people are glad mine are on the island and not running loose on Newton.”
“We must learn to trust one another first,” Kurt replied evenly. “You have to admit the culture you’re from is very different than ours.”
“I’m not complaining,” answered Lomatz. “I think it’s a wise decision. However, keep in mind that my people are not Profiteers.”
“I understand you’re returning to Kubitz shortly,” said Hayworth.
Lomatz shifted his gaze to the ship construction manager. “Yes, we’ve been here for several months, and I’ve still got a lucrative business to run back on Kubitz. Also a few more necessities must be picked up as well as several more automated factories. Governor Spalding and his people have submitted a list of additional factories they’re interested in, particularly with all the people flooding Newton from Earth. We’ll leave in a couple days.”
Captain Randson shook his head. “I guess I’ll never understand how a place like Kubitz can exist. From what Grantz told me, it’s getting wilder and more dangerous every day.”
“Because of the Destroyers of Worlds,” said Kurt, recalling Ambassador Tenner’s last report. “Kubitz is the biggest exporter
of defensive weapons systems in the galaxy, and—with the growing demands for these by both Protector Worlds and Enlightened Worlds—Kubitz is building a number of new construction facilities in orbit. Even the defenses around Kubitz and other Gothan Empire worlds have been substantially strengthened.”
“It’s grown nearly impossible for many clans to even purchase warships for raiding purposes,” added Lomatz. “The different worlds in the Gothan Empire have purchased nearly every ship being built in the Kubitz shipyards. Prices in the last six months have nearly tripled.”
“Tenner mentioned the slave market is still going strong, which indicates some raiding is still continuing,” said Kurt. Kurt wished there was something that could be done to shut that despicable market down.
Lomatz nodded. “Only in areas where no Destroyers of Worlds’ ships have been reported and only by the larger clans.”
“What happens if the black ships find the Gothan Empire?” asked Randson.
Lomatz went silent for a long moment and then answered. “Why do you think I brought my people here? At some point in time, the Destroyers of Worlds will come to the Gothan Empire. All the empire worlds are heavily defended and are protected by huge fleets. It will be a grand battle, but, in the end, the empire will fall, and all their worlds will be harvested, just as the Enlightened Worlds are now. There is no stopping the black ships.”
Everyone quieted after that pronouncement. The future of the galaxy was perilous. Rumors were spreading like wildfire of Protector World fleets being swept aside as if they were a minor hindrance. The civilized culture of most of the galaxy was in danger of collapsing. However, what concerned all of them the most was what would happen when the Destroyers of Worlds finally took the time to search the backwater area of the galaxy, which held Earth, Newton, and a few other civilized worlds.
-
Several hours later Kurt was in a shuttle rapidly descending to the surface of Newton. His destination was the large spaceport outside the capital city. The porthole next to him displayed how close they were to one of the orbiting defensive platforms. Each was two hundred meters across and forty meters thick. On top sat a pair of massive ion cannons, four direct energy cannons, and eight large energy projectors. Six pods contained eight hypermissiles, each with an automatic reloading system. Everything was computer-controlled, and a crew of twelve could operate the entire platform. The Class One Command and Control Station was ten times the size of the defensive platforms with the firepower of ten Lakiam battleships. Currently sixty-four of the Class One defensive platforms orbited Newton. The fourteen Class Twos and their Command and Control Station had been taken to Earth and put into orbit to protect the home planet.