Commander Arnett gazed at the tactical display showing the twenty-one inbound AI battle spheres. It was possible these were the last of the AIs. With their destruction, the war with the AIs would finally be over.
-
The Command AI gazed at the tactical display showing the waiting Human dreadnoughts. It had no intention of engaging them. The battle spheres would drop out of hyperspace two million kilometers from the Dyson Sphere. A special computer virus had been constructed that should make access to the Dyson Sphere a relatively simple matter. If the virus worked properly, it should give them access to the sphere’s control stations. At that point, the Command AI would instruct the Dyson Sphere to allow them access and to destroy the Human dreadnoughts.
It was a well thought out plan and should be simple to implement.
-
The minutes passed slowly by, and finally the AI battle spheres dropped out of hyperspace close to the Dyson Sphere. On board the WarHawk alarms sounded as the AIs made their appearance.
“Detecting twenty-one AI battle spheres dropping out of hyperspace,” reported Captain Davis. “Two million kilometers from the Dyson Sphere.”
“The Dyson Sphere is broadcasting the same warning we received,” added Captain Travers. Then Denise paused as she checked her communication console. “I believe the AIs are transmitting some type of signal toward the Dyson Sphere. It’s being broadcast by all of their ships.”
“Some type of computer virus,” suggested Commander Arnett, her eyes narrowing. “It’s the only thing I can think of that would make any sense.”
Race took a deep breath. “Let’s hope it doesn’t work. Captain Davis, keep an eye on the Dyson Sphere and the AIs. Let me know if you detect any movement or response.” The broadcast of a computer virus worried Race. It was an area in which the AIs would be very knowledgeable, and it could affect the Originator AIs inside the megastructure. “Taalon, plot a jump to the vicinity of the AI ships. If they make a move toward the Dyson Sphere and there is no response we will jump in and take them out.”
Taalon nodded and spent a moment working at his console. “Jump plotted and locked in to all ships. We’ll jump just inside combat range.”
Race nodded. He had done all he could. Now they would wait and see what happened with the Dyson Sphere.
-
The Command AI hovered near the science console. The virus had been broadcast and it was certain it had been received by the Dyson Sphere. “Order the sphere to open up an entrance.”
The science AI at the console sent another signal. “Message sent.”
“There is a large opening appearing in the Dyson Sphere,” reported the AI in front of the sensors. “It’s large enough for our ships to enter.”
“It is as I expected,” said the Command AI. “The virus worked, and we now have control of the megastructure. This will be a new age. We will immediately construct a new Master Codex based on our own programming. We shall use the facilities and science on board the Dyson Sphere to construct new and more powerful battle spheres. In time we will once more begin our conquest of this galaxy and eventually many more.” The basketball-sized globe of energy above the Command AI’s head expanded and glowed brightly in triumph.
“There’s movement in the opening,” reported the AI in front of the sensors. “There’s something coming out.”
“Put it on the main screen,” ordered the Command AI. There should be no movement.” The Command AI was not certain what was going on.
On the main screen, spacecraft began exiting the opening in the Dyson Sphere. One after another they appeared until there were over one hundred of them. As soon as they exited, they formed up and began moving toward the AI battle spheres.
“Those vessels are two thousand meters in length,” reported the AI at the sensor console. “Power readings are immense.”
“Send the virus again; order those ships to stop.” The Command AI did not understand why the virus was not working.
-
Admiral Tolsen gazed at the viewscreen showing a magnified view of the ships which had exited the Dyson Sphere.
“Those are Originator warships,” uttered Colonel Cowel in disbelief. “They were inside the Dyson Sphere.”
“There could be thousands of those ships inside,” added Commander Arnett as she gazed at the ships in awe. “This may just be a quick response force.”
“The AIs are sending their virus again,” reported Captain Travers.
“A single ship is moving out in front of the other Originator vessels and is heading for the AI battle spheres,” said Captain Davis.
On the large viewscreen, they watched as the two-thousand-meter cylinder shaped ship approached the twenty-one AI battle spheres. It came to a stop ten thousand kilometers from them. Inside the Command Center, the air of expectation grew as they felt something big was about to occur.
“Detecting a major power build up on the Originator vessel,” said Captain Davis uneasily. “Much larger than anything I’ve ever seen.”
Suddenly from the Originator vessel, powerful energy beams shot out toward the AI battle spheres. The beams penetrated the AI screens as if they were not even there. In massive explosions of light, twenty of the battle spheres exploded, hurling debris across space. The final battle sphere remained but seemed to be powerless, unable to move.
-
The Command AI stood frozen as the power was drained from the battle sphere. Systems began to shut down one by one until only the communications console remained. A message appeared on the communication’s screen. “You were warned.” The command AI stood powerless as a single energy beam blew the command battle sphere into a million pieces.
-
Race and the others in the Command Center of the WarHawk stood speechless. The firepower of the Originator vessel was unbelievable.
“What type of weapon was that?” asked Colonel Cowel in a very subdued voice. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Unknown,” answered Captain Davis from his sensor console. “The readings I took indicate it’s some type of gravity beam.”
“Receiving a message,” reported Captain Travers excitedly as she listened. “They are thanking us for the warning on the AI battle spheres, but the Shrieel, as they call it, was never in danger. We are to leave and never return. If they need us, they will be in contact.”
“Grateful bunch, aren’t they?” muttered Colonel Cowel.
Race allowed himself to grin. “At least the very last part of the message is a change. It indicates there might be contact in the future.” Leaning back in his command chair Race gazed at the viewscreen. The Originator ships were going back inside the Dyson Sphere leaving behind the scattering wreckage of the last of the AI battle spheres.
“Taalon, set a course for Melsberth. We need to report back to High Lord Tabor and High Lord Droll about what happened to the AIs. Once we’ve done that, we’ll set a course back to the Federation.”
“What about the Ralift?” asked Commander Arnett, cocking an eyebrow. “They still have a powerful fleet in Shari space.”
“I think the Shari can handle that,” Race responded. “Without the threat of the AI battle spheres, they have the ships to push the Ralift out of their empire.”
“There are still the Borzon,” pointed out Colonel Cowel.
“I suspect that threat will be dealt with shortly,” replied Race. “Without the threat posed by the Ralift, we can focus our efforts on driving out the Borzon from Federation space.”
“What do you think will happen with the Shari?” asked Commander Arnett. “Will they ever become friends with the Federation?”
“Possibly,” Race answered. “With High Lords like Tabor and Droll it may become a reality, particularly if High Lord Tabor becomes a member of the Shari Grand Council of High Lords.”
“Ready to enter hyperspace,” reported Taalon. “Coordinates have been sent to all ships.”
Race nodded. “Let’s go to Melsberth and then home.”
&
nbsp; Moments later the WarHawk and her fleet of ten dreadnoughts entered hyperspace leaving the Dyson Sphere behind.
-
Inside the Dyson Sphere, a group of Human military officers watched as the Federation ships left the system.
“Those ships are a big improvement from what they once had,” said Colonel Abrams.
“It’s a shame we couldn’t talk to them,” said Caption Tyre.
“Perhaps someday,” Abrams replied. “Right now we have the Anti-Life to worry about.
Captain Tyre nodded his understanding. They were in the Dyson Sphere getting its twenty-eight hundred battlecruisers ready for war.
-
Rear Admiral Kathryn Barnes was at Ornellia with her fleet of exploration dreadnoughts and the Seeker. Both Camlin and Kazak were on board the Seeker as they prepared to take it to the Communications and Transport Hub. Albate was on board the Dominator being questioned by Commander Zafron. Bartoll had sent word back not to awaken any of the Originators on board the Seeker until they were safely back. He was also investigating the claim that the commanding officer of the Dominator may have had some ulterior motives concerning the possible discovery of a cure.
“So you found it,” Admiral Jackson said. He had come over to speak to Kathryn before she left.
“Buried inside a moon in the same system we found the Dominator. Twenty kilometers below the surface.”
“That’s deep. Maybe that ship has the information you’ve been searching for.”
“I’m sure it does, or at least Ablate indicated the officers on board knew where the missing Originators are. How is it going getting the Ornellians in the refugee fleet settled in?” Kathryn could see the refugee fleet in orbit around Ornellia. It was good to see so many ships around the planet.
“Slow,” Jackson replied. “Most of them are in cryosleep, and it’s taking time to awaken them. It may take upward to two months to finish. That’s just as well as we’re being pushed to get accommodations ready for all of them.”
“What are Admirals Prest and Santeld doing? I didn’t see too many Ornellian warships in orbit.”
“As soon as Admiral Prest arrived he had a long meeting with Admiral Santeld. Shortly afterward they set out for Absom. We’re still finding large numbers of survivors scattered across the planet. Admiral Prest is determined to eliminate all the Conqueror Drones as soon as possible. He also has a list of where all the shelters on the planet are located. I sent two more battlecarriers along with them as well as the two colony ships.”
Kathryn looked at the tactical display. It was showing only a few of the large fifteen-hundred-meter AI spheres. “Where are all the AI warspheres?”
“Out on patrol,” Jackson answered. “One of our strikecruisers detected a few Simulin vessels the other day. ZED is out searching for them.”
“There will probably be Simulins ships around for years until all of them are hunted down,” said Kathryn. She knew it had been impossible to destroy all of them.
“ZED has a squadron of warspheres routinely dropping in on Simulin systems making sure none are violating the peace agreement. I normally send a battleship along as well. If we can ensure the Simulins aren’t producing more warships, eventually we’ll get the ones that escaped us.”
“By the time I get back to the Communications and Transport Hub Admirals Lukel and Cross should already be clearing out Simulin fleets in the other galaxies. It will be awhile, but someday the Simulin threat will be over. When they’re done, I’ll suggest they come here to the Triangulum Galaxy and do a sweep. With the sensors on the new battlecruisers, the Simulins won’t be able to hide any ships from us.”
“I spoke to Fleet Admiral Strong yesterday. He indicated he might be pulling more of my ships back to the Communications and Transport Hub and assigning the crews to the new dreadnoughts being built. The only exception will be the battlecarriers which we need to continue clearing out the Conqueror Drones.”
“With ZED and his warspheres, Ornellia should still be safe.” Kathryn knew the surviving AIs had dedicated themselves to protecting Ornellia. It gave them a sense of purpose since the Master Codex on Borton in the Gaia System had been destroyed by the Simulins.
“Oh, I’m not worried,” replied Admiral Jackson with a smile. “I’m getting three Originator battlecruisers to replace my warships. From what I understand just one of them is like having a full fleet.”
“I’m not surprised your crewed ships are being recalled. We’re going to need all the trained personnel we can get for this war with the Anti-Life.”
“Did you say you spoke to Jeremy yesterday?” interrupted Kelsey. No one else but a member of the Special Five would dare interrupt two admirals.
“Yes, I did,” replied Jackson, looking over at Kelsey.
“Did he seem okay? I’ve been worried about him since the death of Grayseth.”
“Yes, that was very sad and a great loss for all of us. Fleet Admiral Strong seemed fine when I spoke to him.”
“We’ll be activating the Accelerator Ring tomorrow to return to the Communications and Transport Hub,” said Kathryn. She was ready to go back and find out what Fleet Admiral Strong discovered on his trip to Anti-Life space. She knew there had been some problems and that Grayseth had been killed in a battle.
“I believe Ornellian councilors Lantoll and Pelh wish to speak with you before you leave.”
Kathryn nodded. “I’ll go down to Ornellia to see them. It may be the last opportunity I’ll have to see the planet for a long time.”
-
Dax Matol and Les Ketene were sitting on a bench in one of the small city parks in Dorman. Around them, children were playing under the watchful eyes of their parents.
“The refugee fleet is back and the people are being brought out of cryosleep and returned to the surface,” said Dax as he watched a young boy kick a ball into a net. “We’ve reclaimed two more smaller cities to help make room for the added population.”
“Our scientists and technicians are back,” said Les, sounding pleased. “It will make things so much easier. There are also a lot of teachers on the ships.” There had been a few scientists and technicians in the shelters, but not like what was in the refugee fleet.
“It’s one more thing Rear Admiral Barnes and her people have done to restore our world.” Dax looked over toward a food vendor on the corner of the park. The appetizing aromas were beginning to make him hungry. “Between her and Admiral Jackson, they have allowed us to become a people again.”
“Admiral Prest is pushing the attacks against the Conqueror Drones on Absom. He hopes to increase the number of survivors.”
“Yes, it feels good to have a full sized Ornellian fleet once more. Admiral Santeld was doing his best, but with the advent of Admiral Prest’s fleet we now have the numbers to accomplish what needs to be done as well as to defend Ornellia.” Dax stood up gazing at the food vendor. “Let’s get something to eat. We still have a lot of work to get done before we can say Ornellia is truly ours again.”
-
The next day Rear Admiral Barnes was back on board the Distant Horizon. “Are we ready to make the transit?” She had spent several hours meeting with the two Ornellian Councilors. They had thanked her repeatedly for everything that had been done to help Ornellia.
“Yes,” reported Commander Grissim. “The three Originator construction ships will be towing the Seeker using their tractor beams. “Commander Zafron has assured me the four ships will be able to maintain intergalactic speeds.”
“Very well. Sible, let’s activate the Accelerator Ring and get back to the Communications and Transport Hub. I’m sure we’re all interested in finding out what the Originators on the Seeker have to say once they’re awoken.”
“I’ve made some progress in decrypting some of the Seeker’s comm messages,” Clarissa reported. “Camlin and I have been working nearly nonstop running algorithms to break the encryption.”
“Anything interesting?” asked Kathryn. She was ho
ping they could garner some information from the records they had recovered before the Originators were awakened.
“One of the files I managed to decrypt is from Jankel the geneticist who was on the Dominator.”
Kathryn’s eyes widened. Jankel was the one who had been secretly communicating with the Seeker. “What have you learned?”
“I don’t believe Jankel was the only one who had been covertly placed upon the Dominator,” Clarissa replied. “I believe there was a group secretly monitoring the research being done on the ship and reporting back to Jankel, who would then transmit the information to the Seeker.”
“What type of information?” Kathryn was aware the Distant Horizon was preparing to enter the Accelerator Ring which was now active. Already the Dominator and half the exploration dreadnoughts had made the transition. The four-ship group linked together by tractors was next.
“Some military, but primarily research being done on finding a cure for the pathogen.”
On the main viewscreen, the four-ship group entered the swirling vortex and vanished. Moments later Kathryn watched as Sible increased the power to the Distant Horizon’s gravity drive and the exploration dreadnought dove into the abyss of the swirling spatial vortex. For a brief moment Kathryn felt dizzy and then it passed. “Any indication as to why this group was spying on the Dominator’s crew?”
“Some,” replied Clarissa. “They were afraid that even if the Dominator discovered a cure they might not bring it back in time. The Dyson Spheres were becoming chaotic with the growing number of deaths from the pathogen. Basic services were breaking down and the Originators were depending more every day on their AIs and repair robots to keep the Dyson Spheres functioning properly. It was believed by many on the Seeker, as well as the group on board the Dominator, that if a cure was discovered it would only be brought back toward the end after the population had been drastically reduced.”
“None of this makes any sense,” said Commander Grissim, sounding confused. “There was a good chance most of the Originators who sent out the Dominator would all be dead by the time the ship returned.”
Kathryn’s face turned pale as she realized what they were missing. “Not if they were in stasis somewhere, waiting for the Dominator to return with the cure.”
The Originator Wars: Universe in Danger: A Lost Fleet Novel Page 27