The Originator Wars: Universe in Danger: A Lost Fleet Novel
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“If this turns out to be correct, you’ve just saved us from searching this entire galaxy for that ship.”
“It must be important,” said Arlak.
“It is,” Kathryn replied. “It may lead us to a missing Originator artifact we’re seeking.” That was close enough to the truth as to not sound overly suspicious.
Arlak nodded. “These Originator AIs are fantastic. I spoke to Camlin for quite some time yesterday. If one didn’t know better you would never realize you were speaking to an artificial being.”
“They are pretty special,” Kathryn said in agreement. “Have you spoken to Clarissa as well?”
“Yes,” Arlak said, nodding his head enthusiastically. “She is quite remarkable. I understand the Originator AIs constructed her artificial body.”
“They did,” Kathryn said. “Clarissa has been quite pleased with it. It’s given her an entirely new perspective on life.”
“When we get back to Ornellia I may do some research on artificial intelligence. We had just begun some experiments when the Simulins showed up.”
“At least that’s one problem you won’t have to worry about again.”
Arlak nodded. “It will be good to return home.”
-
After Arlak left, Kathryn made her way back to the Command Center. Once there she found Kelsey, Katie, and Mikow hovering over Andram’s science console where he was studying some data on his computer screen.
“I think we’ve found it,” Clarissa said, seeing Kathryn.
“It’s definitely a ship,” Mikow said. “I’ve run Arlak’s sensor scans through a program that takes out all the regular material identified in the moon. It leaves a shape very similar to an Originator exploration vessel.”
“Andram?”
“I agree. The ship seems to be about two thousand meters in length. I have no idea how it could have gotten so deep inside the moon.”
“It’s going to be a bitch to get to,” said Commander Grissim.
“Perhaps not,” Camlin said as she came over to gaze at the computer screen. “We have mining equipment at the Shrieels which can be used to free the ship. All we have to do is send for it.”
Kathryn sat down in her command chair. “Let’s not jump to conclusions. Granted, it looks as if this might be the ship. However, it could also be a vessel lost previously.”
Camlin turned toward Kathryn looking thoughtful. “You’re correct. Over the years the Originators were exploring there were a number of vessels that vanished. Particularly during the years of the pathogen. This could indeed be one of them.”
“But in the same system we discovered the Dominator in?” said Kelsey, her eyes wide with doubt. “I think the odds this is the ship that was following the Dominator is very high.”
“I agree,” said Katie. “Perhaps this ship watched the Dominator for years. When the crew or the AIs in charge realized the Dominator wasn’t going to move anytime soon they buried their ship close by so they could keep watch on the Dominator and still remain undetected.”
“But twenty kilometers beneath the surface?” said Mikow in disbelief. “There’s a mystery here, one we need to solve.”
“If this ship did follow the Dominator for such a long period of time, it would indicate some type of tracking device the crew and Kazak never noticed,” said Camlin. “That in itself would be remarkable.”
“We’re going to the moon,” declared Kathryn as she looked at the others. She was just as curious as the rest of them to find out why the ship was buried so deep. “As soon as the refugee fleet makes it safely back to Ornellia we’ll recall our other vessels and meet in the system where the moon is. After we take some scans confirming Arlak’s data, we’ll call in some Originator mining ships.” Kathryn was also going to send a message back to Bartoll informing him of what they might have found. She knew the Originator scientist would be excited to hear they might have located the missing ship. Somewhere on that ship would be the information leading to the missing Originators.
-
Time passed and soon the Ornellian refugee fleet was beginning their transit back to Ornellia. The Accelerator Ring activated and the first large colony ship entered the swirling dark blue vortex followed by the next. In a little over thirty minutes the last of the 722 ships vanished into the vortex. Moments later the Accelerator Ring shut down. The Distant Horizon would be entering the vortex later while the other two exploration ships remained behind to guard the construction ships as they disassembled the accelerator ring. Kathryn didn’t want to risk such technology falling into anyone else’s hands. While the odds were infinitesimally small, she preferred not to take the risk. Of course even the Originator construction ships were armed and had an energy shield. However, the exploration ships had the firepower of a dreadnought.
“What do you think we’ll find?” asked Kelsey. She was full of curiosity. This was the exact reason she and Katie had volunteered to come along on this mission. The thrill of discovery and the unknown was what made exploration such a lure.
Kathryn shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. There’s a good chance this is the ship we’re searching for. If it’s still intact and we can access its computer, we might just discover where the missing Originators went.”
“I hope so,” said Camlin. “If we’re going to fight a war with the Anti-Life we’re going to need them.”
Kelsey suddenly looked concerned. “Jeremy should be back from his mission shortly. I wonder what he found in Anti-Life space?” It was strange knowing her husband was galaxies away.
“Cruelty,” said Camlin, her eyes narrowing. “The Anti-Life have always been a cruel race. The mechanical nanites they used to change their physiology also changed their core beliefs. They are a cruel and heartless race only seeking power and dominance over all others.”
“Sounds like the Simulins,” commented Katie.
“Much worse,” Camlin responded.
Katie shuddered at hearing that. “How can a race be worse than the Simulins?”
“When we last encountered the Anti-Life they were well on their way to eliminating many of the core emotions the Originators and your own races find important. By now the Anti-Life will be more like machines than an organic species.”
“Like an AI?” Clarissa looked frightened at the thought.
“No, not like an AI. The Anti-Life will be seeking power and dominance. They will not know mercy or compassion. If you take all the emotions you care about and then eliminate them, you may have an inkling of what the Anti-Life are.”
“We’re ready to enter the vortex,” reported Commander Grissim. On the large screen, the swirling intergalactic vortex suddenly activated. “We’ll pass the refugee fleet and arrive nearly an hour before they do.”
Kathryn nodded. “Sible, take us in. It’s time to go find the missing Originators.”
Sible nodded and activated the Distant Horizon’s gravity drive. Moments later the exploration dreadnought dove into the heart of the vortex.
Chapter Fourteen
Nest Lord Creesth stood upright gazing at the main viewscreen. Shortly the Ralift fleet would be dropping out of hyperspace into the Melsberth System. From captured data files, he knew there were over two billion Shari on the planet and others spread out in small habitats throughout the system, some on moons, asteroids, and orbital facilities. Creesth intended to use the Ralift fleet to destroy the entire system and all of its inhabitants. That was what the masters had ordered, and it was his duty as a Ralift to obey.
“Long-range sensors are picking up large numbers of warships in the system,” reported Second Nest Lord Alboin. “The Shari have gathered their forces to protect Melsberth. From our scans it is apparent the three fleets which were resisting our advance, as well as the Shari Second Fleet, are present.”
Creesth shifted his gaze to the tactical display, which was beginning to show the Shari fleets in the system. “It will do them no good. With the AI battle spheres at our side we will be victori
ous. Once Melsberth has fallen, the AIs will demand the immediate capitulation of the Shari Empire. We have a number of occupation fleets even now beginning to move into Shari space. In just a matter of a few weeks we will have full control of their empire, making the Ralift the most powerful galactic power.”
“What of the Federation and the Humans?” asked Alboin. “Their warships are supposed to be very advanced, particularly those built by the Altons.”
“Once the AIs have control of the Dyson Sphere they will add to their numbers. More battle spheres will be built and when there are a sufficient number, the AIs and our own warships will wipe the Federation from their worlds. The Altons will be overwhelmed by superior numbers.”
“The Federation will be preparing for war once they hear we have conquered the Shari Empire,” cautioned Alboin. “They have destroyed AI battle spheres in the past. The war with the Federation may not be won so easily.”
“The Federation has never fought against the updated AI battle spheres. I doubt if the Humans or their protectors, the Altons, have anything that can threaten the AIs. In a few short years the Ralift Empire will cover the entire galaxy. When the AIs move out to conquer other galaxies, we will go with them.”
“The Queens at home will be pleased,” said Alboin. “The masters will be grateful to our race for aiding them in their ultimate goal of controlling this galaxy and all the races within its confines.”
“We will be dropping out of hyperspace in thirty-two minutes,” reported the navigation officer.
“Communication from the Command AI,” added the communications officer. “We must prepare for immediate combat. As soon as we exit hyperspace, we are to immediately engage the Shari forces. The AIs will commit their battle spheres where needed.”
Nest Lord Creesth nodded. The fleet would drop out of hyperspace and then proceed to engage the defending Shari fleets. It would be a great battle and doubtlessly many Ralift ships would be lost. In the end, the superior numbers of the Ralift and with the aid of the powerful ships of their masters, the Shari fleets would be defeated. Then the Ralift would sterilize Melsberth and destroy every trace of Shari civilization. It was the will of the AIs and their will would be carried out. After word of the defeat of their forces at Melsberth and the sterilizing of the system reached the Grand Council, the Shari would have no choice but to surrender.
-
Admiral Race Tolsen sat in the Command Center of the battle dreadnought WarHawk. The entire fleet was hidden behind a large gas giant with stealth energy shields operating at full power. Engines were shut down and all essential systems were operating at minimal power. Routine sensor scans would not be able to detect the hidden fleet.
“Ralift fleet is inbound,’ reported Captain Davis in the quiet Command Center. “They’re about thirty minutes out.”
Race gazed at the large blob of red threat icons inbound for the Melsberth System. With a deep sigh, he could see that his forces and the Shari were badly outnumbered. “We’ll let the Ralift engage the Shari fleet formations. Once the battle starts, the Alton battleships and our dreadnoughts will move on the AI battle spheres. The rest of our fleet will assault the Ralift from the rear.”
“This will be the biggest battle ever,” said Commander Arnett as she gazed at the tactical display. “Even bigger than at the black hole when we destroyed the AI’s great project.”
Race knew Madelyn was right. Even at the black hole the opposing fleets had been smaller than this. However, this was two galactic empires at war, not the Federation and the AIs. “Our technology is better. If we can destroy the AI battle spheres, I believe the Ralift will withdraw.”
“Damn AIs,” muttered Colonel Cowel. “They’re always stirring up trouble wherever they appear. Let’s hope this is the last of them.”
Race looked over at Captain Davis. “What’s the total number of AI battle spheres in the Ralift fleet?”
“Three hundred and fourteen,” reported Davis. “They’re trailing the Ralift fleet.”
Madelyn looked surprised. “They must be worried. By allowing the Ralift to engage first, they ensure there are no threats to their own vessels.”
“Which indicates to me these are all the AIs left,” said Race as he mulled that thought over. “They’ve placed all their cards on reaching the Dyson Sphere.”
“But the Dyson Sphere’s defenses will destroy them,” said Colonel Cowel. “We all saw what that thing is capable of. It wiped out the Simulin and the Shari fleets near it like they were nothing.”
“The AIs may not be aware of that,” said Madelyn, her eyes narrowing. “Or they believe they have a way to get around the Dyson Sphere’s defenses.”
Races eyes widened at hearing those words. He recalled Reesa’s words to him about the Originator AIs on the Dyson Sphere not allowing any ship to approach it again. Had the AIs on the battle spheres found a way to get inside the Dyson Sphere? To make sure that didn’t happen he had to destroy the AIs here and now. He couldn’t take the risk of the AIs gaining access to that advanced technology. It would be a disaster.
“What’s the current status of High Lord Droll and High Lord Tabor’s fleets?
Both fleets are holding position near Melsberth,” replied Commander Arnett. “They are at full alert and ready for combat. We’ve already sent them tactical data on the inbound Ralift and AI fleets.”
Race spent a moment studying the fleet assets the Shari had near Melsberth. High Lord Tabor had Second Fleet which consisted of thirty-four hundred warships. The fleet included sixteen hundred battlecruisers and eighteen hundred support cruisers. High Lord Droll had 3,217 ships under his command. His fleet consisted of fourteen hundred battlecruisers and 1817 support cruisers. In addition, another two hundred and seventy battlecruisers and three hundred and seventy support cruisers had arrived from nearby Shari worlds. That gave the Shari 7,257 ships to fight the Ralift with. However, there was also a very powerful defense grid around Melsberth with numerous missile platforms and energy beam satellites as well as a few large battle stations. The shipyard above Melsberth was also heavily armed.
Unfortunately the Ralift fleet had slightly better weapons and energy shields thanks to the AIs. They also had a nearly two to one advantage in ships. From the sensor scans, Race knew they were facing twenty-two hundred battleships, forty-four hundred battlecruisers, and seventy-four hundred armed escorts. Fourteen thousand ships total!
Race leaned back in his command chair wondering how difficult it was going to be to coordinate such a battle. For once he wished he had an AI on board like Ariel or Clarissa. Unfortunately both of them were with Fleet Admiral Strong in the Triangulum Galaxy or elsewhere by now.
“Commander Arnett, in the coming battle I want you to focus on the AIs. It’s essential our dreadnoughts and the Alton battleships concentrate on destroying them.”
“What’s the plan, Admiral?”
“When the Ralift and AI fleets drop out of hyperspace we will allow them to engage the Shari. Once the battle has been joined, we will jump our dreadnoughts and the Alton battleships directly to the location of the AI battle spheres and attempt to destroy them. At the same time the rest of our fleets will engage the Ralift and take some of the pressure off the Shari. Rear Admiral Tolsen will launch bomber strikes from her battlecarriers against any damaged Ralift ships as well as their smaller escort cruisers.”
“Rear Admiral Tolsen will lose a lot of her bombers,” said Commander Arnett grimly. “She’s going to be missing a lot of her pilots when this is over.”
“It can’t be helped,” Race replied. “We need every advantage we can get.” Race was concerned about how the loss of so many of her pilots would affect Massie. As long as she had been in command of the Hera she probably knew many of them very well. “Those bombers will take some of the pressure off Admiral Stoddard’s fleet.”
Colonel Cowel shook his head and frowned. “After the battle at the black hole I never thought I would be facing AI battle spheres again.”
-
High Lord Droll waited tensely in his Command Center. Everything that could be done had been. The defense grid around Melsberth was fully activated, and the population on the surface had been dispersed. This entire battle would hinge on whether the Humans and the Altons could destroy the AI battle spheres. Even if they could, it still didn’t mean the battle would be won. The Shari fleets were going to be heavily outnumbered.
“Ralift fleet will be dropping out of hyperspace shortly,” reported Lower Lord Malben. “Computer projections indicate they will appear six million kilometers from Melsberth.”
High Lord Droll nodded. Current strategy called for Droll and High Lord Tabor to keep their fleets separate in case the Ralift divided their fleet. The six hundred and forty other Shari vessels from nearby worlds would stay in orbit around Melsberth, reinforcing the defense grid.
“All ships are at full battle alert and ready for combat,” added Malben. “The latest reports from the surface of Melsberth indicates most of the larger cities have been evacuated and as many of the inhabitants as possible have gone into shelters.”
“High Lords Jabal and Nalarth report their fleets are ready to engage the Ralift,” reported the communications officer. These were the other two High Lords in Droll’s fleet.
Alarms suddenly began sounding on the sensor console as red threat icons began appearing in the tactical display.
Droll shifted his eyes to the sensor officer for confirmation.