The Lost Fleet Box Set, page 122
part #1 of The Lost Fleet Series
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Sergeant Wilde stood and saluted. “Thank you, Admiral; I won’t let you down.” Brenda sat back down, feeling overwhelmed. She had just been handed the task of freeing the Dyson Spheres. It would mean fighting the Simulins and their Conqueror Drones. She just hoped she was capable of doing the job that had been assigned to her.
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“Reesa and Kelnor will be accompanying you on the Distant Horizon,” added Leeda. “They are the foremost experts in your Federation on the Originators. They will also serve as science officers on board the ship. Reesa and Kelnor have won the trust of the AIs on the Shrieel in your home galaxy and will be able to advise us on issues that may infringe on our mission. It is highly likely at times, our goals and yours may not coincide. They can act as intermediaries to help alleviate any potential problems between us. They may also be very useful in dealing with Kazak.”
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Reesa sucked in a deep breath. At least now she knew why she was here. Looking over at Kelnor, she saw he had that thoughtful and oftentimes brooding look on his face. She suspected he was deeply concerned about this mission and Kazak. Reesa, however, felt excited. If everything worked out and they were successful in delivering the pathogen cure to the Originator children on the Dominator, then she would finally achieve her lifelong dream of actually meeting one of the ancient race.
Chapter Four
Kelsey was on board the Dominator speaking to Kazak. Kazak stood eight feet tall, with dark hair, and features that were very normal for a Human. The only odd thing was his height and the bluish skin color. In many ways he resembled an Alton except he was taller and his skin had a much more bluish tone to it whereas the Altons only had a hint of blue. He was dressed in his normal high-collared dark red uniform.
“Has there been any progress with the pathogen?” asked Kelsey. She knew Kazak was spending much of his time in the Dominator’s labs answering the numerous questions the Alton research scientists had about the deadly pathogen that had wiped out the Originators.
Kazak was standing next to her on the command dais in the Command Center of the ship. “No,” he said with evident disappointment in his voice. “I was hoping the Altons with their own background in life extension drugs might be able to offer some new insights toward perfecting a cure. They are going down many of the same dead ends as the Originator scientists on this ship did before they died.”
“The Originators worked for centuries trying to find a cure,” Kelsey reminded Kazak. She didn’t want to upset the AI but he needed to understand a cure wouldn’t be found overnight. “It may be necessary for the Alton scientists to duplicate some of their work in order for them to better understand the problem.”
Kazak remained silent, not responding. This concerned Kelsey as there was still much about the Originator AI they didn’t know or understand. Ariel suddenly appeared on the lower level of the command dais where the control consoles resided. Several holographic emitters had been installed to allow the beautiful AI to transfer her image over to the Dominator whenever necessary. Kelsey knew Ariel normally monitored the Command Center in case she was needed.
“The Altons are doing everything they can,” Ariel said, stepping up on the dais and gazing into Kazak’s eyes. “They have brought their best medical doctors and research specialists on board the Dominator to study the pathogen and seek a cure. You must be patient. After all, you’ve already waited several million years. The Altons are the most advanced race we know of. If anyone can find a cure, it will be them. What are a few more years if they’re successful in the end? You monitor the stasis chambers daily and there has been no change. The children and the adults are safe.”
“At least they’re trying,” Kazak grudgingly acknowledged. “The Altons are the most advanced race I’ve encountered other than the Originators. However, there are twenty-three adult and two hundred and seven Originator children in stasis waiting for a cure. I can’t wait forever.”
“We don’t expect you to,” answered Ariel. “Just give us time.”
“How much time?” demanded Kazak. “My patience is nearly at its end.”
“What does that mean?” asked Kelsey, her eyes focusing on Kazak. Was this a threat he was making? It sure sounded like it. “I’m sure the Altons are doing all they can.”
Kazak folded his arms across his chest. “I will wait one month. If progress hasn’t been made by then it may be necessary for me to apply further inducements.”
“What kind of inducements?” demanded Kelsey. This was what she had been afraid of. Kazak controlled the Dominator and all of its advanced weapons and technology. He could make good on any threat.
Kazak didn’t respond but turned and left the Command Center.
“That didn’t sound good,” Kelsey said, looking over at Ariel. “What do you think he meant by that?” Kelsey would make sure Ariel reported this conversation to Jeremy.
Ariel was staring at the hatch Kazak had exited through. “I don’t know. I’ll speak to him and see what I can find out. I fear he’s deeply concerned his mission will be a total failure. If the Altons can’t find a cure then in all likelihood Kazak will have no further options. I know with every day that passes with no progress being reported, Kazak seems to be brooding more. It’s as if the past is coming back to haunt him. I know he’s been spending a lot of time in the stasis compartment checking the chambers.”
Kelsey was about to respond when the hatch opened and Katie, Mikow, and Commander Malen entered. Kelsey felt as if a load had been lifted from her shoulders upon seeing Kyla.
“We saw Kazak leaving,” Katie said as her eyes took in her surroundings. The Command Center of the Dominator was very impressive. “He didn’t look pleased.”
“He’s not happy with the speed of the research,” Kelsey explained. “I fear he may be contemplating taking some type of drastic action if some progress isn’t made soon. He talked about applying additional inducements in thirty days if the research isn’t progressing to his satisfaction.”
Commander Malen let out a deep sigh. “I’ll go down and speak to the Altons and see how they’re doing. Don’t worry, Kelsey, we’ll get through this.”
“Make sure they’re not getting bogged down in their research,” Mikow said. “I know my people can get sidetracked very easily while doing research if something interesting comes up.”
Kyla nodded and left through the hatch.
“What are you two doing back on board? Did you see Angela while you were down on Gaia?”
Katie grinned and nodded her head. “She’s as big as a blimp.”
“She’s pretty certain the baby will come in the next few days,” added Mikow.
“We should all be at the hospital when she’s born,” proclaimed Kelsey. “I think Angela would like that. She would do the same for us.”
“Talking Jeremy and Kevin into going to the hospital for the delivery might not be so easy,” Katie said, her eyes narrowing. “Men aren’t that interested in babies like most women are.”
“They’ll go,” Kelsey said determinedly. “Now what are the two of you doing back on board? I doubt if it was to give me a report on Angela.”
Mikow and Katie looked at one another and then Katie replied. “Kevin went back on board the Avenger to help with an upgrade to the ship’s sensor systems. Mikow and I wanted to do some additional research into the crew of the Dominator. Kazak has released all of the crew records to us.”
Kelsey held up a cautioning hand and looked over at Ariel.
“He can’t hear us,” she replied. “I’ve temporarily disabled all the audio and visual recorders in the Command Center. He won’t notice it for a few minutes.”
“What else is going on?” Kelsey strongly suspected the two weren’t telling her everything.
Mikow pulled out a small handheld computer pad from one of her pockets. “We’re going to download the crew information and as much other data relating to the pathogen and the Dominator’s mission. Then we’re going over to one of the Alton science ships and analyze the data. Kurene is going to help us.”
“Is that going to be safe?”
“It should be,” Ariel responded. Her dark eyes focused on Kelsey. “Kazak has allowed me access to many of the ship’s systems. I think I can download the data to the computer pad without Kazak’s knowledge.”
Kelsey nodded. “Do it; I’m afraid we’re running out of time. We need to show some measure of progress in the next month.”
“I’m glad to see Commander Malen has been assigned to the Dominator,” Katie added. “I bet it’s a big relief to you.”
“Yes,” admitted Kelsey, leaning back in her command chair. “Commander Malen is a seasoned officer and will be of great help. I don’t care that much for command, but I think Commander Malen actually enjoys it.”
“We need to hurry,” Ariel said as a look of concern filled her dark eyes. “I need to drop the blocking of the audio and video recorders shortly or Kazak’s going to notice.”
“Go ahead,” ordered Kelsey. There was no point in making Kazak overly suspicious. “Just try to give Katie and Mikow enough time to download the data.”
As Katie and Mikow made their way over to the main computer console, Kelsey looked at the massive viewscreen surrounding them on all sides. It provided a 360-degree panoramic view of space. She could see the Avenger, the Clan Protector, Gaia, other ships, and even a few of the massive Indomitable Class Battlestations that protected the planet. Other than that, there was nothing but darkness. Gaia was located inside a dense nebula, which blocked out the light from other stars.
Jeremy had wanted the two of them to take some time off and go to one of the new seaside resorts for a few days. After speaking to Kazak, she realized it might be best for her to remain on the Dominator. She didn’t trust the Originator AI and as much as she disliked being in command of the ship, Kelsey knew it was the best place for her.
Turning her attention to Katie and Mikow, she watched as they downloaded the data from the ship’s computer to the handheld one Mikow always carried. It only took a few minutes and then Katie looked over and nodded.
“Kazak is back in one of the labs speaking to one of the Alton research scientists,” Ariel said softly. “I tampered with the ship’s computer system just enough to ensure Kazak didn’t notice the data download. I’m now turning back on the audio and video recorders. I’ve also created a false recording so he won’t notice they were turned off briefly.”
Kelsey nodded. She wasn’t sure what Katie and Mikow wanted with the data. She would wait until they were all off the ship before she asked. With a deep sigh, she looked at the viewscreen showing the Avenger. She really wished she could have taken a few days off to be with Jeremy.
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Grayseth clenched his teeth as the Warrior’s Pride shook violently. Warning alarms sounded, and red lights flashed on the damage control console.
“We have several compartments open to space,” reported Ganlon as he studied the damage control board, which now had several glaring red lights showing. “We took an energy beam hit to the stern just above Secondary Engineering. Emergency bulkheads have activated. Several members of our clan have met their deaths with honor.”
Grayseth looked at one of the nearby tactical displays. The Simulins had set a trap for his fleet. It was evident they had expected him to attack this base which was the last one in the sector where Gaia resided. On one of the viewscreens, a Carethian cruiser was burning. Fires were jetting out from huge rents in its hull where the oxygen was escaping. Even as he watched, the ship suddenly blew apart as four Simulin energy beams finished destroying the warship.
“This hunt goes the way of the Simulins,” growled Grayseth.
They had jumped just outside the orbit of the seventh planet where the Simulins maintained a large shipyard. Moments later two Simulin fleets had exited hyperspace and immediately attacked Grayseth’s fleet. He had quickly formed the fleet into a globe formation, which offered the most defensive protection while he figured out what to do next.
“What are we facing?” Grayseth could see the worry on the faces of his clan brothers. Many of them had mates and cubs back at Gaia.
“Thirty-nine Simulin battlecruisers and sixty-one of their escort cruisers,” reported the sensor operator.
“We’re outnumbered,” Ganlon said. “There are too many Simulin battlecruisers. If we remain, we will suffer heavy losses. Even the AI warspheres will not be able to hold up to that kind of firepower.”
Grayseth’s attention was drawn to one of the other viewscreens where an AI warsphere was under heavy attack. Its energy screen was glowing brighter and brighter as Simulin energy beams and antimatter missiles battered the vessel. Then the screen seemed to flicker and an antimatter missile penetrated, detonating against the hull. When the explosion cleared, there was a glowing chasm that reached nearly to the center of the ship.
“Warsphere WP-103 reports terminal damage. Self-destructs have been activated,” the communications officer informed Grayseth.
The viewscreen suddenly lit up with light and when it faded, all that remained of the AI ship was a glowing cloud of spreading debris.
Grayseth studied the tactical display for a long moment and then reached a decision. Their goal was not necessarily to destroy the Simulin fleets but to obliterate their bases, limiting their ability to supply and repair their ships. There was still a way he could salvage a victory out of this disaster.
Activating the ship-to-ship comm, he gave his order. “All ships stand by to enter hyperspace. We will make a short jump to the seventh planet and engage the shipyard. Once it’s been destroyed all ships are to jump out and rendezvous at the red giant.” Before making the hyperspace jump into the system, Grayseth had set up an emergency rendezvous at a red giant star fourteen light years away.
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In space, the Simulins pressed their advantage. Having heard of the attack on their other shipyard in this sector, they guessed the one at System X247-029 would be next. They had gathered their remaining ships and waited for the fleet from the Fitula Nebula to arrive. When it did, they sprung their trap.
Six Simulin battlecruisers were firing all of their energy beams at a Gaia class battlecruiser. The ship was resisting with all of its might and returning fire. Particle beam fire ripped through one of the large energy beam pylons on a Simulin battlecruiser, tearing it from the ship. A Devastator Three missile blew off the stern of another battlecruiser leaving it drifting in space. But even that was not enough.
Two Simulin energy beams tore through the energy screen of the Gaia class battlecruiser ripping open compartment after compartment to space. Debris drifted away from the ship and secondary explosions blew open even more compartments.
On board the battlecruiser crewmembers rushed to contain the damage. Fire suppression systems activated, emergency bulkheads slammed shut, and damage control crews in full protective spacesuits moved into the affected areas looking for survivors.
More energy beams flashed through the screen. One of them destroyed the Command Center, sending the ship drifting helplessly through space. Its energy screen seemed to glow brighter and then it vanished altogether as the ship’s power failed. A single Simulin antimatter missile turned the battlecruiser into molten ruins, killing everyone on board.
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“The Huntress and Night Clan are down,” reported Grayseth’s sensor operator. The Huntress was a Gaia class battlecruiser and the Night Clan was a Carethian cruiser. Grayseth was becoming painfully aware that the smaller cruisers were no match for Simulin battlecruisers. He would not be bringing them on hunts again. He would have to speak to Daelthon about building more Carethian battlecruisers along the lines of the Humans’ Gaia class.
“Fleet is jumping,” reported Ganlon.
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Around the fleet blue-white swirling vortexes formed. The ships rapidly accelerated, entering them and fleeing into the momentary safety of hyperspace. That safety didn’t last long since only a few seconds passed and the fleet dropped back out of hyperspace around the shipyard.
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Grayseth heard the hull of the Warrior’s Pride groan as the ship dropped out of hyperspace into the gravity well of the seventh planet. For a moment the ship’s viewscreens and other systems were down and then rapidly began to power back up. The emergence from hyperspace always affected a ship’s systems. For a scant few seconds the ship was vulnerable to enemy weapons fire.
“Energy screen is up,” reported Ganlon. “Other systems are coming online.”
As the viewscreens flashed on Grayseth saw two AI warspheres suddenly explode as powerful Simulin energy beams from the shipyard targeted them before their screens were fully recovered from the hyperjump. Both 1,000-meter ships were turned into tumbling wreckage. Grayseth knew that could just as easily been the Warrior’s Pride.
“All ships,” Grayseth ordered over the ship-to-ship comm. “Fire antimatter missiles until the shipyard’s screen is down.”
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From the surviving AI warspheres, Gaia class battlecruisers, Carethian battlecruisers, and the smaller cruisers hundreds of sublight antimatter missiles began slamming into the powerful protective energy screen of the shipyard. The shield glowed brighter and brighter and then failed. When it did dozens of antimatter missiles detonated against the unprotected hull. In a matter of microseconds an expanding nova appeared at the shipyard’s location. As it died down all that remained was glowing plasma and a few pieces of drifting wreckage.
