The Originator Wars: Universe in Danger: A Lost Fleet Novel

by Raymond L. Weil

  “I wonder what we’re getting into?” said Kevin, his eyes narrowing slightly. “We have no idea how powerful the Anti-Life are or how big a threat they are to the Originator Dyson Spheres.”

  Jeremy nodded. “We’re about to find out. That’s the purpose of this meeting. Let’s go meet Bartoll and the others and see what else we can find out about the Anti-Life.”

  -

  A few minutes later, Jeremy and Kevin entered the briefing room where Bartoll and several other Originators were waiting. There were also a few of their AIs in the room. They had awakened all twenty-three Originator adults and over the last few months finished awakening the two hundred and forty-seven children. The children ranged in age from ten to early adult.

  “Greetings,” Bartoll said as he stood up. Bartoll was the senior surviving Originator scientist and as a result had been elected to be their leader. “I saw the Distant Horizon and her fleet depart a short while ago.”

  “Yes,” replied Jeremy as he and Kevin took their seats and everyone sat down. “Our fleet will be departing tomorrow.”

  Dazon Fells, an Originator scientist who specialized in the Anti-Life, stood up. “I suspect you want as much information on the Anti-Life as possible.”

  “Yes,” answered Jeremy. “We know a lot of the basic facts but I would like to know exactly what we’ll be facing when we enter their space.”

  “You already know due to our extremely long life spans that as an Originator becomes older our emotions become less pronounced. While we still feel emotions, they are not a driving force like they were in our younger years. This has aided immensely in our research as it causes fewer distractions. The Anti-Life on the other hand have used mechanical nanites to modify their bodies so certain emotions have been vastly reduced and others greatly augmented. The emotions of love, empathy, and compassion have been nearly eliminated. They have turned into a more logical race but are still driven by what we call the darker emotions. They crave power and dominance over all others. They believe themselves to be superior as the use of mechanical nanites has given them superhuman strength and lives even longer than our own. There is much infighting amongst the Anti-Life as the weak are eliminated, and only the strong remain. Their leaders are the most powerful and ruthless of their race.”

  “How did you defeat them in the first place?” asked Kevin.

  “It was a long and brutal war,” answered Nomar Krill. “We were fortunate to have vaster resources than the Anti-Life. Even so, we lost tens of thousands of warships and their crews. It took us decades to push the Anti-Life back to their home galaxy and then place the hyperspace interference stations around it. Even as we were emplacing the stations vast Anti-Life fleets resisted us. In the end, we managed to activate the interference field and bring the war to a close.”

  “What prevented the Anti-Life from destroying the stations?” asked Jeremy.

  “The stations are far enough outside their galaxy to make traveling to one longer than even the Anti-Life could live once the field was activated. They’re heavily fortified as well.”

  “There is also redundancy built in,” added Bartoll. “We put in place four times more than were necessary with overlapping interference coverage.”

  “And a little over one thousand years ago they managed to take down the hyperspace interference and escape their galaxy once more,” said Canton Ophrey, who was an astrophysicist. “We don’t know if they succeeded in destroying a sufficient number of stations to allow them access to hyperspace or if they found a way to get around the interference altogether.”

  Jeremy nodded. “I’ve seen videos of the battles between your fleets and the Anti-Life. What type of weapons can we expect if we come across some of their vessels in our explorations?” This was one of Jeremy’s concerns. There was no way to tell if the weapon updates on the new ships would be of the same level as the weapons used by the Anti-Life.

  “We’re uncertain,” Bartoll said, his voice showing a trace of concern. “Their society exists in a nearly constant state of conflict. Battles between opposing factions is not uncommon. In those situations, weapons development is often very rapid.”

  “Your ships have been equipped with weapons more advanced than what the Dominator had originally,” said Nomar Krill. “However, the energy shields that protect your vessels are the most powerful we can provide. We’re confident the shields are at least on an even par with the Anti-Life if not more so. We believe they should be able to withstand an attack by Anti-Life vessels to allow you to escape if necessary. You should also have an advantage with your stealth energy shield. This is an area the Anti-Life will be less developed in as they prefer frontal attacks and have probably done little to develop stealth technology. They would view stealth technology as a cowardly way to do battle.”

  “We hope,” said Jeremy. The purpose of this mission was not to engage the Anti-Life but to ascertain just how big a threat they were. Even the ships they would be using were designed similarly to what was used by the Federation and not the Originators. It was hoped that even if they were detected the Anti-Life would not realize where the ships had come from. It was essential that at least for a few more years the Anti-Life not realize there were still living Originators.

  “We’ve done everything we can to ensure your ships can survive a battle with the Anti-Life,” added Bartoll. “When will you be departing?”

  “Tomorrow,” answered Jeremy. “We’ll leave tomorrow and make our way to what we believe is Anti-Life space. I want to investigate several galaxies we believe they control. We want to know how they go about conquering planets and what kind of forces they leave behind. I would also like to get a general idea of their overall ship strength.”

  The meeting lasted for several more hours as they went over in detail the mission as well as more information on the Anti-Life. In the end, Jeremy and Kevin left the building feeling overwhelmed by what they would be facing. The Anti-Life appeared to be a threat far greater than they had imagined.

  -

  As the two walked out on the street, Kevin stopped and turned toward Jeremy.

  “What have we gotten ourselves into? If we just leave the Anti-Life alone, it could be thousands of years before they venture our way.”

  “Maybe,” Jeremy responded. “However, right now we have Originator technology available to us. In all of the Dyson Spheres the fleets are being updated with new weapons technology and command systems where we can control them if need be.”

  “Still,” argued Kevin, running his right hand through his red hair. “We may be like a mouse poking its head into a mouse trap. If the Anti-Life realize we’re using Originator tech they may come hunting for us. I don’t know about you, but I’ve enjoyed the last few months of not having to worry about whether I’m going to be alive tomorrow or not. We have a great home here and it’s safe. Aren’t we endangering all of that?”

  Jeremy had to agree Kevin had some good points. “The Dyson Spheres have some very strong defenses as well as thousands of warships in each one. Not only that, I talked to Commander Zafron, Kazak, and Bartoll recently and all the defenses on the outer hulls of the Dyson Spheres are being strengthened. Kazak feels pretty confident none of the Dyson Spheres are in danger of falling to the Anti-Life. You must remember that the reason the Originators allowed us to send Rear Admiral Barnes back to our home galaxy was to bring back the people necessary to fight the Anti-Life.”

  “Maybe you’re right,” Kevin admitted with a shrug of his shoulders. “I spoke with Angela earlier while we were watching the Distant Horizon leave. She really enjoys running the communication section of the Command Center.”

  “I wish Kelsey and Katie would accept jobs there. They could be really useful with their experience.” It would also be one less worry for Jeremy.

  “So do I,” replied Kevin. “Maybe when they get done with this search for the missing Originators they’ll do just that.”

  Jeremy nodded his head. “Kelsey did mention that when s
he returns she might want to look at starting a family. With everything going on there’s never going to be an ideal time.”

  “Katie mentioned that also,” confided Kevin. “I think Katie and Kelsey have been discussing it between them.”

  Jeremy and Kevin got into a waiting vehicle. Jeremy leaned back relaxing as the driver headed toward Kevin’s home. He wondered what it would be like to have a child around. Angela and Brace seemed to be enjoying Clair and it wasn’t affecting their careers. Then again, there were Ariel and Clarissa. Both had stated very plainly they wanted at least five children to train. The future Special Five or even Special Six as they sometimes called them. One thing was certain, the future still held a lot of surprises in store for all of them. Some of those surprises would doubtlessly involve children. Often Jeremy questioned how his dad had found time for a family. Jeremy’s father, Jason Strong, had been one of the founders of the new Human Federation of Worlds. He had managed to do that and still have a wonderful home life. Jeremy wondered if he would ever be able to do the same.

  -

  It was early morning and Jeremy was in his office visiting with General Wesley, Major Wilde, and Leeda.

  “What’s the current status of removing the rest of the Simulins from the Dyson Spheres?” This operation was going to continue while Jeremy was away on his mission to Anti-Life space. He was particularly concerned about sphere 114 where the Simulin shuttles landed.

  “We’ve taken back seven of the Shrieels the Simulins were using to invade other galaxies,” replied Leeda. Leeda had been instrumental in bringing Major Wilde to the Communication and Transport Hub as well as the events that had occurred on the Distant Horizon when they had gone in search of the Dominator. “Of course they haven’t been able to send ships through since we activated the defenses. Every time they do, the military AI’s responsible for the Shrieels’ defenses blows them apart.”

  “That leaves the three most difficult ones and sphere 114,” stated General Wesley. “The Dyson Sphere in the Simulin’s home galaxy probably has thousands of Simulins and Conqueror Drones around the Intergalactic Vortex Control Center. There are two others in galaxies we believe the Simulins control completely that may be just as bad. All three galaxies have trillions of Simulins scattered across thousands of worlds. We’re still not certain about what’s going on at sphere 114. The military AI there reports no obvious changes at the vortex Control Center as far as he can tell. ”

  “I think we should make sphere 114 our next target,” stated Major Wilde with an intense look. “We don’t dare let them regain control so they can send fleets through. They could reverse all of our gains.”

  “The military AI at sphere 114 has assured us that won’t happen,” General Wesley said. “In addition, in another week we’ll have five crewed Originator warships on station at that Dyson Sphere in case they’re needed. With their weapons I’m confident we can stop any surprises the Simulins may have for us.”

  “How many other Dyson Spheres have Simulins on them?” asked Jeremy, recalling a previous meeting where they had discussed the Dyson Spheres and galaxies the Simulins were involved in.

  “There are twenty others with small Simulin detachments where they were planning future operations,” replied Leeda.

  “Those should be relatively easy to deal with,” added Major Wilde. “That’s why we have been saving them for last.”

  Jeremy looked thoughtful and then spoke. “What type of fleets do the Simulins have in those twenty galaxies?”

  “Small exploration fleets,” Leeda answered promptly. “From the reports the Originator AIs on those Shrieels have sent us, there are anywhere from forty to several hundred Simulin vessels exploring those galaxies. The ships are staying away from the Shrieels as the military AIs are now destroying them anytime one comes within range.”

  Jeremy didn’t like the idea of any Simulin ships roaming free in any galaxy. “Once we’ve taken those Dyson Spheres, I want to send a fleet of our modified Originator warships out to eliminate those Simulin ships. The worlds in those galaxies don’t need to suffer as so many others have.”

  “They may be difficult to find,” said General Wesley with a deep frown. “However, I’ll get with Admiral Kalen and see what type of arrangements can be made.”

  “Some of the galaxies where we’ve retaken complete control of the Shrieels have large numbers of Simulin warships as well as colonized Simulin worlds,” added Leeda, her eyes focusing on Jeremy. “What are we going to do about them?”

  “While I’m gone on this mission, Admirals Cross and Lukel will be training crews for the new warships that have been built for their fleets,” answered Jeremy. “Once Admiral Kalen is satisfied they’re ready, we’ll send them to the Dyson Spheres in the affected galaxies and have them begin clearing out all Simulin warships. Any Simulin worlds we find will be given the same ultimatum as we did to the Simulin worlds in the Triangulum Galaxy. Either disarm or face total destruction. If necessary, we’ll set off a dark matter warhead to demonstrate we have the power to do what we say. Once that’s been taken care of, then we’ll decide what to do in their home galaxy as well as the other two they’ve heavily colonized. We may have no choice but to quarantine them and keep an eye on the Simulin’s activities using the Dyson Spheres.”

  “We’ll begin making plans to take back the vortex Control Center in sphere 114,” said General Wesley.

  “We’ll have the new combat robots ready in another week,” added Leeda. “We used combat robots in the past so it’s just a simple matter of building them and setting up their programs. We could use them on sphere 114.”

  “And these robots will be able to take out the Conqueror Drones?” asked Jeremy. It might prevent some of Major Wilde’s Marines from being torn apart. She lost a number of them in every assault on a vortex Control Center. He had watched some of the videos of the battles and they were quite gruesome.

  “Yes,” Leeda answered. “The robot’s armor will be impervious to the weapons the Conquer Drones normally wield. They should have no problems in dealing with these primitive automations of the Simulins.”

  “We’ll hold back on attacking the vortex Control Center in sphere 114 until the combat robots are ready,” said General Wesley.

  “Once the robots are finished we’ll launch our attack immediately,” added Major Wilde. “If they work as we hope, it should not take long to eliminate the Simulins in all of the remaining Dyson Spheres where they have a presence.”

  Jeremy stood up looking at the group. “Perhaps when I get back we’ll be ready to deal with the three main Simulin galaxies.”

  “We should be,” answered General Wesley.

  -

  After leaving General Wesley, Jeremy took a transit tube to the large spacedock the new Avenger was in. He was just about to enter when he heard a loud booming voice.

  “Jeremy!” called out Grayseth, striding up in his long gait. “It is good to go out on the hunt again.”

  Jeremy tried to smile as Grayseth came up and gave him a huge bear hug, driving the breath from his lungs. The enormous Bear was very powerful, and Jeremy knew Grayseth could have just as easily crushed him. The big hug was a Carethian’s way of greeting a fellow clan member. Many years ago Grayseth had made Jeremy an honorary member of his clan.

  “It will be a long journey,” remarked Jeremy, catching his breath. “We have no idea what’s out there.”

  “I have no fear,” Grayseth replied. “With the new ships the Originators have made for us we will be victorious in this hunt and all others.”

  “To the hunt,” replied Jeremy, knowing how important this was to Grayseth and to all Carethians.

  “I just came from the new Warrior’s Pride,” boomed Grayseth. “The Originators have done an unbelievable job making it the type of vessel any Carethian would be proud to serve on.”

  “You did keep your crew down to a minimum?” asked Jeremy. He knew the Bears preferred large crews on their ships as they all wanted to
go on the hunt. Grayseth and Jeremy had met several times in the last few months discussing this.

  Grayseth let out a huge sigh and nodded his large furry head. “Yes, it was not easy as we have so many more of my people here than we did on Gaia.”

  “In time all who want to will be given the opportunity to go on the hunt,” replied Jeremy. He knew once the real war against the Anti-Life began everyone would be needed.

  “That is true,” agreed Grayseth. “My people are already training for that day.”

  “Then let us go to our flagships,” Jeremy said. “It’s time for the hunt to begin.”

  “To the hunt,” roared Grayseth, showing his huge incisors.

  -

  A few minutes later Jeremy stepped into the Command Center of the Avenger. The rest of the crew was already on board.

  “Admiral on deck!” called out Commander Malen.

  “As you were,” answered Jeremy, indicating for everyone to go about their duties.

  “All ships report all systems operating normally and are prepared to exit the spacedocks,” added Commander Malen.

  Jeremy walked over to the command dais and took his seat. The main viewscreen was on showing the inside of the massive spacedock. This single chamber was over twenty kilometers long, ten wide, and seven high. What was amazing was the fact there were thirty other such spacedocks in this shipyard plus other maintenance and construction facilities. What was even more astonishing was the fact the shipyards outside the Dyson Sphere were even larger.

  “We are cleared for departure,” reported Aaliss the Originator AI assigned to the Command Center of the Avenger.

  Jeremy acknowledged the message. “Take us out, Lieutenant Striker.”

  Moments later the Avenger began moving down the center of the massive spacedock. In the distance, two huge space doors opened. An atmospheric retention field made sure the air inside the spacedock didn’t escape.

  Letting out a deep breath, Jeremy watched the viewscreen as the Avenger cleared the spacedock and slid out into space. Commander Malen had already taken the ship out on a short shakedown cruise and briefly tested the ship’s weapons.