Marken nodded; in recent years, the Kleese had come to depend more and more on their subject races to perform research for them. They had allowed Marken’s people complete access to the heart of the main computer system on the station. Over the years, a secret team of research scientists had used the Kleese’s own treasure trove of scientific information against them.
“If we can escape with the Humans and give them this weapon to use against the Kleese, what do you think will happen?” Kalarn asked nervously. He still didn’t fully trust the Humans. They frightened him, knowing what they were capable of.
“The Kleese destroyed their home world,” responded Marken, folding his long arms across his chest. “You have already seen how their soldiers fight. In time, I believe the Humans will attack the Kleese Empire and perhaps the Kleese themselves.”
“We will be unleashing a very deadly force against the Kleese,” Larnell admitted as he thought about the ramifications. “I just wonder how all of this will end?”
“It will start a galactic war,” warned Kalarn. “In time, it could involve all three of the galactic powers.”
“Perhaps,” Marken responded, his eyes sweeping over his fellow conspirators. “It is a risk we have to take.”
“The Kleese will have brought it upon themselves,” added Taalon, unsympathetically. “They will get what they deserve.”
“We still have months of careful preparation ahead of us yet,” continued Marken in a cautious voice. “We must be careful that the Kleese don’t learn of what we’re planning.”
“They will not know,” replied Kalarn, confidently. “They do not believe that any race can be a threat to them and their Empire. They and the other two galactic powers have been at the top for far too long and haven’t faced a well-armed adversary in many lifetimes. They have become too trusting and dependent upon their subject races and will never suspect a possible rebellion because it has never happened before. All their subject races have always been afraid of the power wielded by the large Kleese ships.”
Marken nodded in agreement. If they were successful, all of that was about to change. The Kivean race was about to throw a major portion of the known galaxy into war. Marken just hoped he was right about the Humans in that they would take the war to the Kleese. To the best of his knowledge, it had been generations since an actual Kleese had been killed in combat. He also knew that the Humans would show no mercy to any member of the Kleese race, particularly after they discovered what the Kleese had done to their world.
Chapter Eleven
Wade let out a long, deep breath as he lay down on his bunk. They had just returned from their fourth combat mission in the past month. For the first time since they had begun, they had suffered a casualty. Private Richards had stepped on a land mine that had blown his battle suit apart. Wade didn’t know how powerful the explosive charge had been, but it had left a hole a good ten meters across and five meters deep in the ground where Richards had been standing. There had been very little left of the private or the battle suit to recover. Another six of his marines were in the infirmary suffering from various injuries, none severe.
There was a knock at his door and Wade forced himself to sit up and then stand. Going over to the door and opening it, he found Lieutenant Williams standing there.
“Come in,” spoke Wade, gesturing for Beth to enter.
Beth came in and sat down in a chair against the wall. “This last one was rough,” she said, closing her eyes and then reopening them. “I just finished talking to Captain Jenkins, and he said that there were twelve casualties overall from all the units involved. All were similar in that the marine or soldier stepped on one of those God damn land mines!”
“They weren’t supposed to have them,” Wade said in a tired voice as he sat back down on his bunk. “At least their deaths were quick. I doubt if they even knew what happened.”
“We may be going back,” Beth said in a quieter voice. “Captain Jenkins said the planet still hasn’t surrendered, even after what we did to their capital. The planet is rich in natural resources, so the Kleese are hesitant about bombing them into submission.”
“I’m not surprised,” responded Wade, his eyes focusing on Beth. “This planet isn’t quite as advanced as Earth. A trading vessel from another system stumbled upon it and then made a report to the Kleese when it came to the station. They have a highly developed industrial complex due to their resources. I’m sure the Kleese feel those resources could be put to better use.”
“The Kleese believe everything is theirs to take,” grumbled Beth with contempt in her voice. “What makes them think they’re better than all the other races?”
“They’ve been out here longer and have a higher technological level,” answered Wade, wishing things were different. “They and the other two galactic powers have grown so large that no one can stand in their way.”
Beth nodded. She hated the predicament they were in. To be used to expand the Kleese Empire was aggravating to say the least. Even worse was not knowing what was going on back home on Earth. What had happened after the Kleese left? Had conscripts from other races equipped with battle suits been sent in to conquer the planet? So far, the Kiveans had been silent when asked about Earth, even though Beth thought from the strange looks that occasionally appeared on Marken’s face that he knew the answer.
It had been four months since they had made their first attack on the Jalton home planet. On an average, they had been sent out twice per month for some type of operation the Kleese wanted. Anywhere from a show of force to encourage a planet to fall in line to downright fighting on a planet’s surface.
“Marken said we will be training in some new type of battle suits tomorrow,” Beth added with a tired yawn. She covered her mouth with her hand and forced a smile. “I’d better be getting back to my own quarters; I think we all could use a good night’s sleep.”
“I think you’re right,” Wade said, nodding his head in agreement. The quarters in the assault ships were not very comfortable and he hadn’t slept much in the past week.
He watched as Beth let herself out and then lay back down on his bunk. In just a few minutes, he was sound asleep and dreaming about the family home back in Phoenix where his parents and his younger brother lived.
-
Are you sure this is wise?” Larnell asked as Marken finished explaining what he wanted to do.
“The Type Three battle suits are the most powerful the Kleese have developed,” answered Marken. “The sooner we begin training the better off we’re going to be.”
“But will the Kleese allow it?” asked Taalon, sounding doubtful. “Very seldom have the Kleese ever let anyone use one of those suits.”
“The current situation with the Bresth can be used to our advantage,” Marken replied craftily. “I have already mentioned to one of the Kleese that the use of the Type Three suits might be exactly what is needed to bring this race into the Empire.”
“What was the response?” Larnell asked, his eyes growing wide with interest. It was always difficult to broach any type of subject with the Kleese.
“The Kleese have indicated that they will consider it,” replied Marken, nodding his head in satisfaction. “I am sure they will agree to it as they truly want the natural resources and the industrial capacity this planet possesses.”
Kalarn looked over at Marken and spoke. “If the Kleese agree, then we need to begin training the Humans immediately. We have made much progress in our preparations to escape. If the Humans have access to the Type Three battle suits it could make everything that much easier.”
“If the Kleese allow the Humans to use the suits against the Bresth, will they allow the Humans to keep them afterward?” Larnell asked, looking at the others. “They may insist on the suits being returned immediately.”
“I firmly believe that once the Kleese give the Humans the suits and see them in action that they will allow them to keep them,” Marken responded in a voice of confidence. “The Klees
e can’t imagine anyone being a threat to them. It will never occur to them that it’s a mistake to allow the Humans to keep the battle suits.”
“I hope you’re right,” Taalon said with a sigh. “We have much riding on this, and we can’t afford a slip up.”
“What about the passenger liners and transport ships?” asked Marken, looking over at Kalarn. “Are we going to have enough to evacuate all of our people when the time comes?”
“I have made the arrangements,” Kalarn responded. “A number of races have ships that will be suitable for our purpose. When the time comes, enough will be here to transport all of our people to safety.”
Marken nodded; the Kleese did allow unrestricted travel between established star systems of their Empire. There was even a lucrative tourist trade amongst some worlds. There were thousands of ships that traveled the space lanes daily, all of which had to check in at one of the massive trade stations on a regular basis. The Kleese, while they did allow travel and some trade, were very strict about what items one planet could trade with another.
-
Later, Marken was in his quarters with Harnett talking about the Humans. “They are so much like us,” Harnett said as she took a seat next to him. “While I believe our race is more technically advanced and perhaps more scientifically minded, they are the more caring and aggressive.”
“Don’t underestimate their intelligence,” Marken cautioned as he took his life mate’s hand. “Their scientists and technicians are making rapid strides in understanding the technology we have turned over for them to study. We may do things in a more rational and methodical way, but the Human’s approach also seems to work.”
“I didn’t mean to make it sound as if they’re not as smart as we are,” replied Harnett, embarrassed. “I just meant that we are an older race and they seem to have more vitality. I have studied the sports played upon their planet. Where our people prefer games that involve the mind, the Humans prefer sports that are more physical and can cause actual physical injury.”
Marken nodded, understanding what Harnett was trying to say. “That’s what will make them so dangerous to the Kleese,” he commented. “Armed with our technology and their aggressiveness they will quickly become a force to be reckoned with.”
“That’s assuming a large enough number of them still exists in their home system,” Harnett reminded Marken with a concerned look. “We don’t know how many have managed to survive.”
“We will know soon,” Marken responded in a quiet voice. “Two or three more months and we will be ready to make our escape attempt with the Humans.”
“When are you going to tell the Humans what you’re planning?” Harnett asked with concern in her voice. “They deserve to know.”
She had always felt uncomfortable about keeping the fate of the Human home world from them. If they were to play an important role in the Kivean’s future plans, then at some point in time their leaders would have to be brought in and told what was going on.
“Not until the last minute,” Marken replied with a deep sigh.
He felt guilty about not sharing with the Humans what his people were planning. However, he couldn’t afford to take the risk of the Kleese finding out. One wrong word spoken where one of the other humanoid races could overhear could ruin everything. There were several other races on the station that would go straight to the Kleese if they suspected the Kiveans or the Humans were up to something. At some point in time, they would have to tell the Humans, and Marken knew that day was not too far off.
-
Two days later, Wade was standing on the training grounds looking in astonishment at the new battle suits lined up in front of them. The suits were nearly a solid black with small blue lights at key junctures. Strapped to the left arm was an energy weapon that looked more like a small cannon. The armor was thicker and the overall suit looked more massive. Wade wondered if they would be harder to handle.
“This is a Type Three battle suit,” Marken announced once he saw that he had everyone’s attention. “As you can see, it comes equipped with an energy weapon as one of its main forms of armament. On the back of the suit are two tubes capable of launching explosives at any target within two kilometers. Each tube contains twenty explosive rounds. The rounds have ten times the explosive power of the ones used in your rifles.”
“So no more rifles?” Private Dawson asked as he examined the nearest suit more closely. He guessed the new suits must weigh a third more than the old ones.
“Yes, you will still have your rifles,” replied Marken, looking over at Dawson. He recognized Dawson as being one of those who was not afraid to ask a question. “They also have been modified. The rate of fire in the new rifles is double that of the old ones, and the explosive charges are twice as powerful.”
“This battle suit is to be used against the Bresth?” spoke Sergeant Stern, realizing the reason they were being given the new suits. She had a suspicion that they would shortly be returning to the Bresth’s home world.
“Yes,” replied Marken, evenly. “The Bresth are still refusing to join the Empire. However, there is one more weapon that goes with the new battle suit. This weapon is designed for hand to hand combat.”
Marken stepped over to one of the suits and pulled a slim metal rod about a meter long out of a sheath at the suit’s waist. A small flexible wire connected it to the suit. Pressing a button on the handle, the rod suddenly glowed a deep dark blue and the smell of ozone filled the air. The rod seemed to vibrate with power.
“This is an energy lance,” Marken explained as he carefully moved the rod from side to side.
Marken stepped over to a one-meter block of metal, which rested on a short pedestal close to the suit. He slammed the lance down against the block, cutting it cleanly in two. He pressed the button on the handle and the blue glow faded.
“The wire furnishes power from the suit,” he explained as he replaced the lance back into the protective sheath at the waist of the battle suit. “The new suits can operate twelve hours without needing to be recharged. They also have a reserve of two hours.”
Wade had listened to everything in astonishment. He couldn’t believe they were being given such deadly weapons. Now more than ever he suspected Marken had an ulterior motive in his actions, and furnishing them with these new suits and weapons only seemed to confirm that. Looking across the line of marines, he could see Captain Jenkins standing there with a thoughtful look upon his face. Wade was sure the captain suspected the same thing. He wondered just what type of game Marken was playing and how it involved the marines,
“Lieutenant Nelson, will you try on your battle suit first?” asked Marken, pointing to the one he had just taken the lance from.
Wade nodded and stepped up onto the small platform. Positioning himself in front of the open battle suit, he stepped backward. As soon as he was inside it closed up around him and he felt various sensors attach themselves to his body. The suit suddenly came alive and he took a tentative step forward. In incredulity, he realized that this suit was much more flexible and responsive than the other suit had been. After a couple of minutes, it felt as if he was not even wearing a suit of armor.
Marken watched Lieutenant Nelson with interest. Of all the marines, the lieutenant seemed to understand the battle suits better than anyone else. Watching him in the Type Three suit, he saw how quickly Nelson had adapted to the new suit of armor and how smoothly he was already using it.
“Okay, now everyone else try yours out,” Marken ordered. “The energy weapons and the lances are not active.”
-
For the next several days, the marines trained in the suits under the watchful eyes of their Kivean trainers. They were taught how the new railgun rifles worked and fired off several of the more powerful explosive charges, with which they were equipped, at targets obliterating them. The two tubes on the back of the suit that carried the more powerful explosive rounds were empty, and Marken had explained they didn’t want to set explo
sives of that power off inside the dome.
Lieutenant Nelson and Williams worked their marines hard, knowing the new suit with its more powerful weapons and armor would help to keep them alive in combat situations. It was almost as if each marine had become a walking tank with the firepower they now had at their disposal.
The weapon that Wade found the most interesting was the energy lance. The power from the suit flowed into the one-meter rod and it served as a focus, allowing the energy to cut through most metals. Fortunately, one of the metals it had no effect against was the one that composed the armor of the Type Three battle suits. Marken had explained that the composite material the suits were made of were resistant to the energy given off by the lances.
When their final day of training was finished, Wade and Beth went to the mess hall to eat. Sitting down at a table, Beth looked over at Wade and leaned forward over her tray. “We’re being deployed tomorrow,” she spoke in a quiet voice. “We’re going back to the Bresth home world.”
“I expected that,” Wade replied as he took a bite of his mashed potatoes. “I think the Kleese hope that the new battle suits will be so frightening to the Bresth that they will immediately capitulate and surrender.”
“I don’t think that will happen,” responded Beth, unhappily. “I think we will have to inflict massive casualties on them to make that occur, and you know how I feel about that.”
Wade nodded. Neither of them enjoyed killing any member of the races that attempted to resist the Kleese Empire. Unfortunately, the only hope they had of ever seeing Earth again was to obey the Kleese and participate in these military operations.
“Have you been over to the research building recently?” asked Beth, curiously.
“Yesterday,” Wade replied. He was surprised at all the technology Marken and his people had been providing the military researchers. It only seemed to confirm that something else was going on. “Our scientists are learning more about the Kleese technology every day.”
Galactic Empire Wars: Destruction (The Galactic Empire Wars) Page 18