Nanomachine War series Box Set

by Don Viecelli

  General Bradstone did not appear surprised by this announcement. He apparently knew about this development before arriving for the meeting. He said, “The UN General Assembly and most world government leaders on Earth have already approved this measure. The UN Space Strike Force is authorized to use whatever means necessary to destroy the Yoykan Empire.”

  Vice Leader Di posed a question for the group. “We only have two hundred ninety-two warships in our fleet, some still under repair. The Yoyka will have three hundred eighty warships defending their home worlds. How can we win this battle with our current forces?”

  It was a good question. Altek was prepared for it. “We will not attack Yoykan home worlds directly until we have sufficient warships to defeat the Yoyka in a large space battle. We will begin by freeing some of their slave worlds to win support from other races in the galaxy. We will attack while we have an advantage in weapon design such as our Orca cloaked drones.”

  Altek spent the rest of the meeting outlining his plans to defeat the Yoyka. The war would not end as fast as some hoped, but no one doubted the outcome from this point on.

  *****

  Doug had returned to the USS Illinois after the meeting on Altek’s warship. He was still greatly troubled by finding the remains of thousands of people killed by the Yoyka nanoweapon in two underground shelters. Actually, there were no human remains, just articles of clothing and other personal effects. Three other shelters in Haffen City survived the attack and had already begun the task of rebuilding the city.

  To clear his mind of the tragedy Doug helped his crew repair the damage to the USS Illinois during the battle. Some of it was structural and needed repair robots sent up from the Haffen City Spaceport. Other damage was internal that needed help from UN Defense Force technicians. Most of the repairs would be completed in a few days. The warship was built tough enough to withstand tremendous damage in battle and still survive to fight another day.

  Doug worked alongside his crewmembers each day long into the night. He was still in a daze from the loss of his wife and son and several close friends. His only comfort was he was sure Jan and Jules were with their friends when they all died. Still, he could not bear to think about it at times. To dull the pain, he would drink whiskey after work trying to block out the memories and get some sleep.

  Today was no different. He was in his stateroom getting ready to pour himself a drink when someone knocked on his door. “Come in. It’s open,” he said loudly.

  The door opened and Colonel Shirley Tills walked in. “Evening, Captain. I hope I’m not intruding.”

  Doug smiled at his old friend. “Not at all, Shirely. Have a seat. Would you like something to drink?” First names were allowed when off duty, especially with friends.

  Shirley saw the label on the whiskey bottle—Jack Daniels, a very good and hard to find Tennessee whiskey. “Sure.”

  Doug poured both of them a drink and handed the glass to her. “What brings you to my quarters this time at night?”

  Shirley looked a bit uncomfortable before answering. “I just wanted to see how you’re doing, Doug. I was very sorry to hear about Janice and Jules. It’s still a shock to all of us.”

  Doug suspected the ship’s Chaplin had a hand in this visit. He refused counseling when it was recommended. Up to this point, he had not talked about his loss with anyone. “I’m fine, Shirley. I’m keeping myself busy. The ship needs to be fully operational before we leave for Yoykan.”

  “We’ve been through a lot together, Doug. If you need anything, just let me know.”

  “I appreciate that. I’m good. Things like this happen in every war. I just thought I would be the one to die in battle; not Janice or Jules.”

  Doug took a moment to compose himself. He took another drink. “How are the Space Marines? Ready to fight the battle in Yoykan territory?”

  Shirley knew he was just trying to change the subject. That was okay for now. “We’re Marines, sir! We’re always ready to kill the enemy.” They both smiled at that.

  “I know it’s been hard dealing with the Holtu androids. But they’re not as well equipped to fight on land as our Marines are. They really appreciate our help in this war. I don’t think they ever thought it would come to this. The Qumru are not warlike in the least,” Doug added.

  “We showed them what we can do on Qum. We’re ready to fight the Yoyka on their home world. You just get us there.” Shirley finished her drink. “I need to get some sleep. Tomorrow, we’re practicing a spaceship assault mission on one of the destroyed Yoyka warships we found floating in space. It should be interesting.”

  Doug set down his empty drink. He was about to shake Shirley’s hand when she gave him a quick hug instead.

  “Take care of yourself, Doug. We need you to lead this ship while Admiral Weston is recovering from his wounds.”

  “I will, Shirley. Be careful tomorrow.”

  Shirley said she would as she left the room and closed the door behind her.

  Doug looked at the empty glass sitting on the table. He decided he had enough and put the bottle of whiskey back in the cabinet where he found it. Tomorrow would be another day without his family. The only thing that could lessen the pain of loss he was feeling right now was thinking about what he was going to do to the Yoyka who brought this pain upon him. They would have to die a similar death even knowing Janice once said before she died that she abhorred the thought of using nanoweapons on anyone. Doug almost agreed with her then, but he certainly did not agree now.

  Chapter 41

  Rahta

  Emperor Rahta took the news of the defeat in the Human solar system as he always did. He flew into a rage and wanted to kill everyone within sight. He would have done so if it were not for the fact he was still on the Bridge of the Yoykan Malee Tre. He knew it would destroy all morale on the ship and cause a mutiny among his fleet commanders.

  The bad news came in over the QTL communication channels from returning warships as they began to appear in Yoykan space. High Commander Anahta gathered all the news he could and tallied up the results.

  “Half our warship fleet and Spitka fighters were lost in the battle, Imperial Leader. First Commander Trolga on the Zeenta has been killed; the Zeenta destroyed. The rest of the fleet has returned here; some are badly damaged.”

  “What about the Holtu and Human battle fleets? Did they suffer similar damage?” Rahta asked in a bitter voice.

  “Their losses are lower, Imperial Leader. Estimates are only twenty percent of their fleet was destroyed in the battle. Some of the Commanders say a new weapon is the main cause for our losses. This new weapon appears to be some sort of invisible nuclear device with massive destructive power. It takes down warship energy shields without warning.”

  Rahta was still raging inside his skull. He left his command seat and paced around the room. Finally, he demanded, “Take me home! I need time to think!”

  Anahta gave the command to the navigation officer to enter the space coordinates to return to Yoykan. He was worried about another surprise attack from the Holtu battle fleet and gave orders for the rest of the fleet to disperse and protect Yoykan home worlds until further orders were received. Then he faced Rahta. “What are your plans, Emperor Rahta?”

  Rahta sat down in his seat and did not answer right away. He had never faced such obstacles to his rule before. In fact, his empire had never lost two space battles in a row before in all of Yoykan history. His subjects would certainly be wondering if he was fit for ruling the Empire. He considered his options carefully before answering.

  “We will regroup our warfleet and protect Yoykan from Holtu attack at all costs! Call in our distant warships. Have them destroy all slave planets that still have rebel forces attacking our ships. Use the nanobot drone weapon to send a warning. I will not tolerate rebellion!”

  “Yes, Imperial Leader!” Anahta snapped at attention and prepared the orders to be sent to the appropriate Commanders.

  “When we arrive at Yoykan
, I want you to accompany me to my palace. There are things that must be done before the Holtu attack us.”

  Anahta could only guess what Rahta had in mind. Whatever it was, he would have no choice but to obey.

  The trip to Rahta’s palace did not take very long after they returned to Yoykan. Rahta was in a hurry for reasons known only to him. Anahta accompanied him on the shuttle along with twenty of Rahta’s personal Imperial Guards, loyal only to Rahta.

  The specially designed shuttle landed near the Imperial Palace at the Emperor’s private spaceport. An underground shuttle transport system carried everyone to the palace. Upon arrival, Rahta was escorted to a large, well lit room underneath the palace. When the door to the room was opened for the emperor, a group of Yoyka scientists in lab coats was waiting for him. They all bowed to Rahta. One scientist named Menenta stepped forward to great him. “Welcome, Imperial Leader. We have been waiting for your arrival.”

  Rahta dismissed all but two of his personal guards and Anahta. He turned to Menenta and said, “Tell me your results. Were you successful?”

  Menenta tried not to show any fear and replied, “Yes, Imperial Leader. We have succeeded in our trials. The test results are positive. We are ready for a final test, but waited per your instructions.”

  Rahta studied the group of scientist standing before him. They were among the scientists he ordered on board the Qumru starship Solruku after it was captured to study the Onutu life extending technology and find out how it worked so he could control and use it. If this test failed, he would kill Menenta on the spot and replace him with another scientist. He could see the fear in Menenta’s eyes and smiled. “I am here for the test. Let us begin!”

  Menenta turned around and led the group to another room further down the hallway. Inside was a row of quantum computer bays similar in design to the ones found on the Solruku. Various colored lights were blinking on the computer panels showing they were active.

  Across from the computer bays was another room filled with a dozen glass covered pods that looked like regeneration chambers. Each chamber was filled with a cloudy liquid and several small flexible hoses that connected to large metal containers located in the back of the room.

  Menenta explained, “We have duplicated the Onutu equipment needed for the trials. The programs controlling the Onutu process have been tested. Yoyka DNA is now compatible with Onutu. We are ready for a live test.”

  “Do you have a subject for the test?” Rahta asked knowing the answer.

  “Yes, Imperial Leader.” Menenta pointed to another scientist and said, “Bring our test subject in.”

  A moment later, a Yoyka warrior dressed in a simple white gown was brought into the room. He bowed before Rahta without saying a work. Menenta spoke instead. “This warrior has volunteered for the trial. Per your orders, his family will be rewarded regardless of the outcome. Do you have anything to ask him before we begin the test?”

  Rahta looked at the older looking male Yoyka warrior. He looked unafraid. “Do you understand what will happen during this test?”

  The warrior nodded his head. “I have been told what to expect, Imperial Leader. I am ready for whatever happens.”

  “Very well. You will be honored for your sacrifice and your family rewarded as promised.” Rahta gave the order to proceed with the test.

  The warrior was led to a cloth covered table and told to lie down on top of it. Menenta pulled a medical injector device from his pocket. He quickly jabbed behind the neck and inserted the heart stopping medicine through a needle.

  The warrior made no sudden movements or sound. He simply closed his eyes and fell into a deep coma. His breathing slowed down and stopped within seconds. He was dead.

  Menenta explained what was happening. “We injected our newly programmed DNA nanites into this warrior before he was brought in. They are similar to the Qumru nanites used to communicate with the Onutu quantum computers after death occurs. If all works as expected, this warrior’s memories transferred over the quantum link to our computers the moment he died. His memories are now stored inside our computer banks.

  “The next step in this process is to replicate this warrior’s body and transfer his mind data to the new body. This process will take a full day to complete.”

  Rahta watched the dead body lying before him as someone covered his body with a sheet. He finally said, “I wish to know the results the moment they are available!”

  Rahta turned around and left the room. Tomorrow would determine the fate of everyone left behind in this room. If the test worked, Rahta would become immortal. If not, Menenta would die and someone else would continue the work until the test was successful. Regardless, once success was achieved, the secret must be reserved for him and a few of his loyal followers only. All others with this knowledge would die.

  Chapter 42

  Synor Rebels

  Senior Commander Koral was on the final leg of his journey. It had been a trying time for him and his crew. They all knew what the Yoyka did to their home world, Synor. Their last visit showed a planet without any living Synorans; billions killed by that merciless Emperor Rahta using a terrible new weapon of war—nanobot drones!

  Koral turned in his seat to Second Commander Ratoon who was monitoring the communication channels. “Any word from the Qorians?” he asked.

  “Not yet, Commander. We are almost there.”

  Koral checked his holo charts. They were still traveling in hyperspace trying to reach another rebel home world called Qoria. It was one light year from Synor and the people there used to be friendly allies before the war with the Yoyka began. The Qorians were an advanced race, even more so than the Synorans. The people on Qoria were attacked by the Yoyka soon after Synor. The Yoyka used their nanomachines to enslave both worlds before the two races could defend themselves. Now, the unthinkable has happened again.

  “We are ready to exit hyperspace, Commander,” Ratoon announced.

  “Weapons ready to fire! Energy shields at full power!” Koral ordered. He was taking no chances.

  Koral had five warships at his command. They all exited hyperspace at the same time. He was not expecting to find any Yoyka warships in this solar system, but he was ready to engage in battle if he must.

  “Any signs of the Qorians or the Yoyka?” Koral asked.

  Ratoon studied the viewscreens in front of him and replied, “All clear on our scans. No Yoyka warships in the area. I have six targets near the planet. They are Qorian, Commander.”

  “Let’s contact them and see what they want.”

  A moment later, an image appeared on Koral’s comscreen. He recognized the Qorian immediately. It was Prefect Flordia, a female Qorian of great stature among her people.

  The Qorians were a reptilian race with features that were full of grace and intelligence. Their skin was smooth, hairless and light cream colored. Their heads were narrow with large eyes, small mouth, nose and ears. They stood on two legs and possessed long arms and hands with four fingers each. They had evolved from the sea just like most other races, but had somehow surpassed all two legged mammals on their evolutionary journey. Koral was not surprised by this for it was common throughout the galaxy.

  Prefect Flordia recognized Koral and said in a tense voice using her translator, “I’m glad you could come, Commander Koral. Perhaps you can explain what has happened to my people.”

  Koral’s warship moved into orbit alongside the Qorian warship. Koral ordered his other warship commanders to patrol the solar system in case the Yoyka showed up. Koral answered, “What happened here?”

  “As I said on my last communication before you arrived, The Yoyka attacked my people with a new weapon. I believe they exterminated everyone on Qoria!”

  It was as he feared. The Yoyka were using the new nanoweapon on slave worlds. It seemed Emperor Rahta was trying to eliminate all threats from repel planets such as Synor and now Qoria. It would not end unless they could stop Rahta.

  “Bring up our long ran
ge scanners of the planet on our viewscreens,” Koral ordered Ratoon.

  The cameras zoomed in on the surface of the planet as both warships orbited the planet. The images appearing on the screens were mind-numbing and incomprehensible to intelligent thinking beings.

  Koral faced Prefect Florida and explained what he knew. “The Yoyka have developed a new nanoweapon to use against our peoples. It is a nanobot drone weapon that is capable of devouring living organisms and replicating. It is much worse than the Yoyka nanomachines that enslaved our people. The Emperor Rahta is trying to teach all rebel races a lesson for attacking his Empire.”

  Florida understood the implications. She asked, “Can it be stopped?”

  Koral looked at the images appearing on his viewscreen. The killer swarms were growing in size over the entire planet now. They seemed to double in size very quickly over large populated areas. It was clear it was too late to stop the spread of the nanobot drones.

  “It is too late, Prefect. Your planet is doomed as was ours. It is possible to stop the spread of the nanoweapon by using thermonuclear neutron bombs that create electromagnetic pulses and low yield gamma radiation, but it must be used early, before the killer swarm can spread too far. If you use too many bombs, you will radiate the entire planet and it will take a long time before the planet can become habitable again.”

  Prefect Florida did not say another word. Koral could see tears flowing down from her eyes. She turned off the video transmission for a moment. Koral waited patiently knowing what the Qorian was feeling.