The Star Cross: Galaxy in Peril

by Raymond L. Weil

  Kurt nodded as Keera made her way to the kitchen. One thing he could say about living with Keera: she continued to surprise him.

  Chapter Three

  Four days later, Kurt was on board the Star Cross, preparing to set out for the Gothan Empire. Keera hadn’t been pleased to learn Kurt was returning to Kubitz. She despised that world due to the assassination attempts on Kurt as well as for what it had done to her brother.

  “All ships are ready for orbital departure,” reported Captain Randson.

  Kurt looked at the viewscreens in the front of the Command Center. The heavy battlecarrier Ranger, under the command of Rear Admiral Susan White, was prominently displayed. Along with the Ranger, the battlecruisers Ceres and Trinity would be going as heavy escorts. In addition, the light cruisers Trenton, Crescent, Justin, and Olympia were in attendance. This was a sufficient force to ensure no problems with the smaller Profiteer fleets, which patrolled the outer regions of the star cluster that held the Gothan Empire. Those small fleets routinely attacked cargo ships or other Profiteer ships that might contain items of value.

  In addition, the Newton Princess would be going. The passenger liner would return the Newton crews on board the two Lakiam battlecruisers and the four Andock vessels—while transporting a large quantity of gold in one of its holds. Part of it would be delivered to Ambassador Tenner and stored in the secure vault beneath the embassy compound, and the rest would be deposited with the Controllers at the Controller station at the main Kubitz spaceport.

  “Lomatz left two days ago with six of his large cargo ships,” Andrew said as he finished checking his command station. “He should arrive at Kubitz before we do.”

  “I never would have believed how valuable Lomatz has been. These black ships of the Destroyers of Worlds must really have him spooked.”

  “Can’t say that I blame him,” responded Andrew as he scanned his command console. “So far only the Lakiams have stood up to them and lived, and that’s only because they have dark matter warheads on their hypermissiles.” Andrew paused and looked at Kurt thoughtfully. “I don’t suppose we can get our hands on a few of those?”

  Kurt shook his head. “No. From what Mara told me, they’re in short supply. The Lakiam worlds are working overtime to produce enough for their own ships. They had hoped, by defeating the black ships once, it would delay their future attacks in the Lakiam sector of the galaxy. So far that seems to be holding true.”

  “What about these two-hundred-megaton antimatter missiles we’ve been hearing rumors about? Can we get any of them?” asked Lieutenant Mays. “I’m not sure anything we have now will be effective against the black ships if what we’ve heard about them is true.”

  Kurt frowned. He didn’t know how this information about the two-hundred-megaton warheads had gotten out. He suspected one of Lomatz’s technicians had mentioned something. Lieutenant Mays was always looking for better weapons.

  “Or can we build our own?” she asked.

  Leaning back in his command chair, Kurt focused his attention on Lieutenant Mays. He couldn’t stop her mind from working overtime, trying to find a way to destroy the black ships. “Maybe. None are available in the Gothan Empire. The largest antimatter missiles they make are one hundred megatons.”

  Our new ships have antimatter chambers as their power source,” said Andrew. “Is there any way we can find out how the Gothan Empire creates their antimatter warheads?”

  Kurt let out a deep sigh. They needed more powerful weapons. As of now they had no means to destroy a black ship. “I’ll speak to Avery Dolman when we get to Kubitz,” Kurt answered. “Perhaps he can get that information for us.” Avery Dolman seemed to be able to get his hands on about anything, though the secret to making antimatter warheads might be beyond even his reach.

  Andrew nodded his understanding. “Sometimes I forget everything is for sale on that godforsaken planet.”

  “This may be different,” Kurt said with a deep frown. “We’re talking about a major weapons system, one the weapon’s dealers on Kubitz may not want to part with. From what I understand, they’re the only ones in the entire Gothan Empire that produces antimatter weapons.”

  “But, if we can discover their method, we could possibly build two-hundred-megaton warheads or even larger,” said Lieutenant Mays, her eyes brightening. “It would give us something to use against the black ships until we can develop something more powerful.”

  “Remember, the reports we’ve received from Ambassador Tenner indicates it takes forty of those missiles to penetrate the screen of a black ship. Not only that, they have to be delivered to a small area of the energy screen in a very short amount of time.”

  “I’ll work on a program for that,” Mays said as she faced her tactical station. “If you can get me the missiles, I’ll get them to the target.”

  “Newton Station has given us permission to leave orbit,” reported Communications Officer Lieutenant Brenda Pierce.

  With all the traffic present in the Newton System, every effort had been made to ensure ships could enter and leave the system safely. A series of updated hyperspace detection buoys allowed Newton Station to monitor all traffic within ten light-years so they could direct incoming and outgoing ships.

  Kurt looked at one of the other screens showing the 1,700-meter-long Aurelia. A crew of forty-seven could run it. It still amazed him how the Lakiams operated such powerful warships with crews of that size. Of course the ship had multitudes of repair robots to handle routine maintenance plus specialized combat robots for internal security. The Aurelia had played a major role in driving the Profiteers permanently from Earth.

  “Take us out,” ordered Kurt. “Let’s go find out what awaits us on Kubitz.” In the back of Kurt’s mind, he couldn’t help worrying. On two of his trips to Kubitz he had nearly been killed. Of course, with the destruction of the Profiteer ship Ascendant Destruction and the death of High Profiteer Creed, that threat should be greatly diminished.

  -

  On Kubitz, Grantz was in one of the pleasure houses, eating a meal of delicacies only found in these establishments. Food from all across the galaxy could be ordered as well as drinks found nowhere else. Grantz was a Marsten Profiteer. He was bipedal and slightly taller than a Human. His skin was a light blue color with coarse white hair on his head. His face, while humanoid, had larger-than-normal eyes.

  “Why are we here?” asked Avery Dolman, known for his involvement in nearly all the black market enterprises on Kubitz. If anyone wanted something hard to find on the black market, or some secret information, Dolman was the one to go to.

  Grantz swallowed a Homalt egg, a rare delicacy that was hideously expensive. A year ago he wouldn’t have even considered eating such an exotic item. Now, with all the gold coins he had gotten from Marvin Tenner, he allowed himself to splurge on occasion.

  “Just be patient,” Grantz said as he cut a slice off the large Merton steak on one of his plates. “We’re meeting a couple Profiteers with information on the black ships.”

  “Kubitz is full of information on the black ships,” muttered Dolman. “Most of it false.”

  Grantz went silent as one of the scantily dressed servers refilled their drinks. “This involves the Protector Worlds. It seems one of them has been attacked.”

  Dolman’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Impossible! The black ships have stayed away from those heavily defended worlds. Their prey has been the Enlightened Worlds and their colonies.”

  “Not anymore,” Grantz said as he saw the two Profiteers he was waiting on. Raising his hand, he gestured for them to come over to the table. “My friends are here. Maybe now we’ll find out more.”

  The two Profiteers made their way through the crowd to Grantz’s table.

  “Profiteer Grantz,” one of them said. “I believe you are seeking information?”

  Grantz nodded. “Sit and have a drink. We have some business to discuss.”

  The two sat, and the server promptly brought them two
of the drinks Grantz and Dolman had before them.

  Grantz took a long sip and then shifted his attention to the two newcomers. “I understand you know something about the black ships attacking one of the Protector Worlds?”

  “Perhaps,” replied the taller one cautiously as he reached for his drink. “Such information won’t be free.”

  Grantz reached into his pocket and took out one of his gold coins. Sliding it in front of the Profiteer, Grantz waited for a response.

  The Profiteer reached out and took the coin, testing its weight in his hand. “Such information as you want will cost two of these coins.”

  Reaching into his pocket, Grantz took out a second coin and slid it over. He had hoped to get by with paying only one. It pained him immensely to let go of the valuable coins.

  Taking the second coin, the Profiteer quickly pocketed them. “The black ships recently attacked the Bascom System, destroying the fleets defending the system as well as their two inhabited moons.”

  -

  “Do you have proof of this?” demanded Dolman. He still couldn’t imagine the Destroyers of Worlds successfully attacking a Protector World, surrounded by massive defensive systems as well as large fleets of heavily armed warships.

  “Yes,” the Profiteer replied. Reaching into his pocket, he handed over a small computer disk. “The Bascoms sent observation ships to Lakiam with reports on the progress of the battle. This disk contains a copy of those reports. They are very detailed and contain videos of the battles in space and above their worlds.”

  -

  Grantz took the small disk and pocketed it. This was the kind of information he had been seeking. No doubt Marvin Tenner and Fleet Admiral Vickers would pay a premium price for this. He would recoup his gold coins and more. This little venture assured his continued trips to the pleasure houses where he could enjoy their opulent offerings.

  “How did you get such information from the Lakiams?”

  The other Profiteer, who had been silent until now, answered. “Several Lakiams occasionally visit the pleasure houses here on Kubitz. Over time we have come to know them and arranged some special performances. They owed us a favor, and, for the right price, they turned over the disk.”

  Grantz wasn’t going to ask what type of performances had been provided. The pleasure houses could offer entertainment many people would frown upon. However, any type of perversion was for sale for the right price.

  “We also have information on how the Gothan Empire is preparing itself for the coming of the black ships,” the second Profiteer added. “We would be willing to share it with you for a price. It covers ship deployments and the planned defenses for the major Profiteer worlds, including Marsten.”

  Grantz looked at Dolman, who would be more interested in this data, though Grantz would be curious to see what his homeworld of Marsten was up to.

  -

  “How much?” asked Dolman, trying not to sound too interested as it might drive up the price.

  The Profiteer named a figure, and, after a little haggling, Dolman took out a thick sheaf of credits and handed a large number to the Profiteer, who in return produced another small computer disk.

  Securing the disk inside one of his pockets, Dolman looked thoughtful. “How did you obtain this information?” The leaders of various clans and worlds had been holding secret meetings on how to deal with the black ships. Those meetings were general knowledge on Kubitz, though the details were unknown.

  “My brother is a major clan leader on Marsten,” the second Profiteer replied. “I got this off his home computer.”

  Dolman nodded. This didn’t surprise him in the least. A Profiteer was a Profiteer and would take valuable information any way he could get it, even from relatives. It was all about making a profit.

  “We’ll be going now,” the first Profiteer said, finishing his drink and standing. He looked directly at Grantz and Dolman. Then, in a lower voice, he said, “This meeting never occurred.” With that, the two Profiteers turned and left, vanishing into the crowd.

  Dolman shifted his gaze to Grantz. “Well, that was interesting. I hope what’s on these two disks was worth it.”

  -

  Grantz grinned. He had already run the numbers through his head on how many gold coins he would sell his information for. “I guess we’ll find out later.”

  Dolman stood; he needed to leave and review what was on the disk. “Are you coming or staying here?”

  The young scantily clad server came by, and Grantz reached out, grabbing her and pulling her onto his lap. She giggled and leaned suggestively against the Profiteer. “I’m staying for a while. I have an appointment upstairs.”

  “Suit yourself,” said Dolman. “I have other business I must attend to.”

  Grantz watched as Dolman left. “Get me another drink,” he said, releasing the server. Watching her walk off, swinging her hips, only made him more anxious for later. Over the past few months he had come to this pleasure house more often. It was becoming one of his favorites as the service, both food and women, was fantastic.

  -

  Several days later Ambassador Marvin Tenner was in his office at the embassy compound when Captain Briar put in an appearance.

  “The Lakiams are here,” he announced. “Their ships just went into orbit above Kubitz.”

  “They’re early,” Marvin said, wondering why they had come four days before Fleet Admiral Vickers was scheduled to arrive.

  “I don’t think the people who run Kubitz are happy,” Briar added. “From what I understand, the Lakiams breezed right past the Controller station without paying any fees.”

  “How many ships?”

  “Fourteen.”

  Marvin let out a long breath. He could well imagine the surprise and concern this appearance by the Lakiam vessels had created. The Lakiams were one of the more advanced Protector Worlds, and, if the reports were accurate, the only one to have actually defeated a Destroyers of Worlds’ fleet.

  “Contact the Lakiam ships, and inform them Fleet Admiral Vickers is on his way with the ships they requested to be returned to them. Inform them of his arrival time, and ask if we can be of assistance with anything else.”

  Captain Briar nodded. “I’ll have the communications officer attempt to contact the fleet.”

  Marvin watched as the captain hurried off to the communications room. One thing about Kubitz: there was never a dull moment.

  -

  Several days later, the Star Cross and her attending fleet dropped from hyperspace outside the orbit of the sixth planet in the Kubitz System, four hundred thousand kilometers from the Controller station. All ships that entered the system had to stop at the station to state their business and to pay a fee.

  “We’ve been challenged,” reported Lieutenant Brenda Pierce as several lights on her communications console lit up, indicating incoming messages.

  Kurt had been expecting this. “Inform them who we are and that only four of our ships will be proceeding to Kubitz. The rest will stay here. Have them take the fee from our account.” Each time a ship entered the system to trade, they were offered two choices. For a large fee paid in credits, they could proceed to Kubitz and go into orbit, or they could conduct their business through the Controller station and stay out past the sixth planet.

  “Detecting over seven hundred ships in orbit around the station, not including their small patrol ships,” reported Lieutenant Lena Brooks on Sensors. “Two small squadrons have departed the station and are coming toward us.”

  Captain Randson studied the tactical display. “Same as usual.”

  “We have confirmation of the fee being deducted from our account,” Lieutenant Pierce said. “They’re transmitting the approval and a copy of the transaction.”

  A few minutes later the two small groups of patrol ships passed by the fleet and then, after completing several circles, headed toward the station.

  “Admiral, the station asks why we have Lakiam and Andock ships with us.�
��

  Kurt looked at Lieutenant Pierce. “Inform them we’re here at the request of the Lakiams to conduct some business.”

  “I’m sure that’ll pique their interest,” Andrew said, looking at one of the screens that displayed the massive station. “Every Profiteer in the system will want to know what type of business we have with the Lakiams and why we have Lakiam and Andock warships with us.”

  “I’m sure you’re right,” Kurt answered. Very seldom did a Lakiam warship visit the Gothan Empire.

  Andrew looked thoughtful. “This might be a good thing. I’m sure the Dacroni mercenaries reported on the battle above Earth and the role the Aurelia played. This will help to ensure the Profiteers stay away from Earth and Newton. They’re bound to believe we’re involved with the Lakiams somehow.”

  “Rear Admiral White, you will remain here with the rest of the fleet unless I send for you,” Kurt said over the ship-to-ship comm. “The two Lakiam ships, the Aurelia and the Treliid, and the four Andock vessels will remain here as well. Make sure no one approaches any of those ships without my permission.”

  “Yes, Admiral,” Susan replied. “I’ll launch a CSP to keep any curiosity seekers away.”

  “Don’t let them spook you,” Kurt added. “Remember, these people will do almost anything to earn extra credits. If you’re unsure how to handle a situation, contact the Star Cross. Either I or Captain Randson will tell you what to do.”

  “There won’t be a problem,” promised Rear Admiral White.

  Kurt turned his attention to Captain Randson. “Andrew, take us in.”

  Kurt watched as the Star Cross, Ceres, Trinity, and Newton Princess accelerated their sublight drives and headed toward Kubitz. No ships were allowed to perform a hyperspace jump inside the orbit of the sixth planet or they would face stiff fines from the Kubitz government.

  “Admiral, I’m picking up fourteen Lakiam vessels in orbit around Kubitz,” reported Lieutenant Brooks.

  “Fourteen,” muttered Andrew with a deep frown. “I bet the Kubitz government and the Controllers aren’t happy about that.”