The Lost Fleet Box Set, page 126
part #1 of The Lost Fleet Series
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“Take us out, Sible,” ordered Kathryn. The AI had put on a dark blue uniform without insignia to blend in more with the crew.
“Activating gravity drive,” Sible said in a calm and confident voice.
On the viewscreen, Kathryn could see the inside of the shipyard and then noticed the ship was slowly moving. For several long minutes the ship moved down the lengthy construction bay.
“Space doors are opening, atmospheric retention field is on,” Sible reported.
Kathryn wondered why the AIs needed the atmospheric retention field. She would ask Sible about it later.
“Exiting the shipyard,” Sible said.
On the viewscreens, space began to appear. Stars, distant galaxies, and the Originator constructs became visible.
“We’re out of the construction bay,” Sible reported. “We’ll use the gravity drive to put us in position relative to the accelerator ring.”
Chief Engineer Jalat had explained to Kathryn that the Originator AIs had taken out the ship’s sublight drive and replaced it with a faster and far more efficient gravity drive. Gravity was one of the prime forces in the universe and present in every corner. The ship just reversed polarity to either propel the ship or slow it down. The drive was capable of reaching a speed nearly half that of light.
“What do you think Jeremy and Ariel will say when we show up?” Clarissa asked Kathryn.
Kathryn allowed herself to smile though she was feeling tense over the upcoming intergalactic jump. “We’ll be coming back from the dead. I suppose they’ll be shocked.”
“I’ve really missed Ariel and Katie.”
“And they’ve missed you,” replied Kathryn.
“Accelerator ring activation in two minutes,” Sible said calmly. “Activating our own hyperspace drive.”
Kathryn knew the use of their drive was necessary to keep the original speed boost intact.
“All systems operating within normal parameters,” reported Commander Grissim. “Should I increase the alert level?”
“No,” Kathryn replied. “The crew is nervous enough as it is about entering the accelerator ring.” Kathryn was nervous herself as she didn’t know what to expect.
“One minute to ring activation,” said Sible. “Hyperdrive is on standby, course is set, and the Distant Horizon is ready to enter the ring.”
“Look at the tactical display,” suggested Captain Reynolds from his updated sensor console.
Turning her attention to the nearest tactical display, Kathryn was amazed at all the icons now showing. There were hundreds of large icons representing Originator Constructs. Not only were there the four Dyson Spheres and all the shipyards, there were other large constructs as well. Whatever the AIs had been doing out here, they had certainly been busy.
“Ring activation,” said Sible as she poured power into the gravity drive, causing the Distant Horizon to accelerate rapidly toward the ring.
On the viewscreen, the ring seemed to glow and then a dark blue vortex formed. It seemed to shimmer and swirl as if beckoning the ship to come forward.
“Activating hyperdrive,” said Sible as the ship entered the vortex.
Kathryn felt a sudden twinge, her eyes blurred, and then everything returned to normal.
“I am pleased to report successful entry into the intergalactic vortex. We will arrive in the Triangulum Galaxy in two weeks, one day, and seventeen hours,” reported Sible, looking pleased with herself.
Kathryn looked at the swirling colors of deep purple that surrounded her on three sides. The colors seemed to be raging almost as if they were at war. “Turn the viewscreen off,” she ordered. “I don’t think we need two weeks of that.”
Kelnor reached forward on his science console and deactivated the screen.
“Why are the colors of hyperspace in such turmoil?” Kathryn had never seen hyperspace behave this way.
“We’re traveling in the upper bands,” Camlin explained. She had been standing to the right of Kathryn. “The interaction of dark energy becomes more pronounced in the upper bands of hyperspace. Dark energy is what allows us to travel faster than light. Also, by traveling in the higher bands, we avoid the disturbances in hyperspace caused by the nova and other phenomena. You should know the nova where the Shrieel was located in the Triangulum Galaxy is a supernova.”
“I don’t understand,” said Kathryn, looking confused. “We don’t use dark energy in our hyperdrives.
“No, we don’t,” agreed Camlin. “However, the drives themselves affect dark energy and that’s what allows travel in hyperspace. Your Alton scientists already know this though they haven’t yet discovered what the exact interaction is.”
“How did the nova at the Dyson Sphere become a supernova? Andram and Clarissa had both projected the star becoming just a nova.”
“It was the exotic material that makes up the Shrieel,” Camlin replied. “When the nova reached the Shrieel, the exotic matter greatly increased the energy being released. It became the largest supernova in existence. It is something we will want to study to see what danger it poses to that galaxy.”
Kathryn leaned back in her command chair. The danger posed by the supernova could wait. They were on their way home though she intended to stop off at Ornellia first. If there were Simulins in the system, she intended to test the Distant Horizon’s new weapons on them. With the new weapons and increased power of the ship’s energy shield, she doubted if the Simulins had anything that could now harm the exploration dreadnought.
Perhaps when they were through with Kazak and the Dominator, she would see if the Originator AIs would agree to allow her to take the Distant Horizon back home to the Milky Way Galaxy before returning to the Communication and Transport Hub. The ones on board the ship might be more responsive to such a suggestion, particularly if they took safeguards to ensure none of the advanced technology ended up in the Federation’s hands. Kathryn would really like to see her father one more time.
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Reesa was growing bored. There was going to be little to do during the two-week voyage to the Triangulum Galaxy. Idly she wondered what was happening back home. Were the Shari and the Federation at war over the Dyson Sphere? She suspected Fleet Admiral Strong would have a lot of questions for her and Kelnor about that subject.
“You look bored,” Leeda said, stepping over next to Reesa.
“We’re on a spaceship,” Reesa replied. “I’m a scientist trained in doing research on the Originators. There’s not a lot of that I can do here unless you’re willing to sit down with me and answer a lot of questions.”
“I imagine you have quite a few,” Leeda said with a mysterious smile. “That’s why I brought this along.” Leeda showed Reesa a small computer disk. The AI reached forward and inserted it into a slot on Reesa’s console. “This is Leeda A16-472-WR5437. Authorization code Originator research.”
“Accessing,” said a young female voice. “What would you like to know?”
“That’s the ship’s computer,” Reesa said. She had already spoken to it a few times during her training on how to use her science console.
“Yes,” Leeda said. “I just loaded the complete crew manifest for the Dominator. It is very detailed and gives a history of each crewmember as well as the type of research they were involved in. I believe you will find it highly interesting. In addition there is some Originator music included as well as some other items I thought you might enjoy listening to and studying. You can access this information from your science station or the workstation in your quarters.”
“Thank you!” Reesa said, her eyes glowing with excitement. “I’ll use the station in my quarters as it will be quieter.”
Now she would have some actual research to conduct! If she ever made it back home, she intended to be the foremost expert on the Originators. She would still like to ask Leeda and the other AIs a lot of questions. Perhaps sometime during their voyage she would have the opportunity.
“Study the crew manifest well; you may be surprised what you find.” Leeda then turned and walked over to converse with Camlin.
Reesa turned back to her console wondering what Leeda had meant by that last remark. She had a suspicion there was something in the manifest Leeda wanted her to find. With determination and excitement, Reesa had the computer call up the manifest and she began reading the names of the crew and scientists that had been on board the Dominator. It was an impressive list. There was a mystery here and she was determined to find it. However, she would wait until she was in her quarters to study the information in more detail.
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Above Gaia, Jeremy was in the process of speaking to Grayseth about his recent destruction of two Simulin bases. The large Bear had arrived several days back but Jeremy had been out at Borton setting up the patrol schedules with the Command AI.
“So they nearly trapped you,” surmised Jeremy as he listened to Grayseth describe how the Simulin fleets had jumped in unexpectedly.
“It is the way of the hunt,” Grayseth replied in his loud voice. “You must always be prepared for the unexpected. Our mission was to destroy the two fleet bases, not to engage the enemy fleets.”
“You did well, my friend,” Jeremy said. “I understand you lost several of your cruisers.”
Grayseth bared his teeth. “Yes, they died in the hunt which will bring honor to their families. However, it is evident that our small cruisers are no match for Simulin vessels. I have already spoken to Daelthon about building new battlecruisers along the lines of your Gaia class to replace them with.”
Jeremy nodded his approval. “We will be keeping most of our older vessels here at Gaia to aid in its defense. Only the AI warspheres, the Gaia class battlecruisers, and a few battleships will be venturing out of the nebula to engage the Simulins.”
“It is wise,” replied Grayseth, folding his large arms over his massive chest. “We must preserve our population until it has grown sufficiently where we can afford to take losses. It is foolish to believe the hunts are not dangerous. The Simulins are a powerful enemy and will take more of our people in the future.”
“It is unfortunate,” replied Jeremy, knowing Grayseth was correct. There would be more deaths in the future, probably a lot more. “The AIs want to do everything they can to keep our population intact. For the time being, I have to agree with them.”
Ariel suddenly appeared in front of Jeremy and Grayseth, startling them. “Jeremy, you and Kevin are needed down on Gaia. Kelsey and Katie have requested you take the next shuttle down to the surface.”
Jeremy grew concerned. “What’s happened, has there been an accident?” Jeremy was worried as both Katie and Kelsey were in New Eden visiting Angela. Then his eyes widened as he realized why the girls wanted both him and Kevin. Angela must have gone into labor.
“Is it Angela?”
“Yes,” answered Ariel excitedly. “Clair is about to be born!”
“It is good to hear Angela’s child is arriving,” said Grayseth, his eyes shining with interest. “You and Kelsey should also consider having an heir.”
“In time,” answered Jeremy. “Ariel, arrange for a shuttle to take Kevin and me down to Gaia.”
Ariel smiled. “Already done and Kevin is on his way, though not happily.”
“We’ll speak more when I get back,” Jeremy said to Grayseth.
“It can wait,” Grayseth replied. “There is nothing more important than a new life being brought into the world.”
Jeremy nodded and then left the conference room. Jeremy knew Kevin was nervous about being at the birth of Angela’s child. Katie had been hinting for months that she wouldn’t mind starting a family. So far Kelsey hadn’t made the suggestion, but Jeremy knew she too had been thinking about it. However, his job as Fleet Admiral and hers as the commander of the Dominator had prevented any serious discussion.
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Kelsey and Katie were at the medical center with Angela. Angela groaned loudly and glared at Brace. “This is all your fault!”
“You want this baby as bad as I do,” Brace said defensively.
Angela’s face softened. “Yes, but I’m the one going through all the pain.”
“I can have the doctor give you some painkillers,” suggested Kelsey.
“No,” Angela said, shaking her head. “I want to do this naturally. It makes the baby stronger and healthier.”
Katie cocked her head as if listening to something. She had her mini-comm in her left ear. “Jeremy and Kevin just left the Avenger. They’ll be here shortly.
A flash of light and Ariel suddenly appeared at Angela’s bedside.
“How did you do that?” asked Angela in surprise. She was glad to see the friendly AI.
“I’m afraid it’s my fault,” answered Katie guiltily. “I have a portable holographic projector in my purse. Ariel wanted me to carry it with me just in case you went into labor.”
“Is it time for the baby?” asked Ariel excitedly. “I’ve spent months working out a training schedule.”
“Training schedule?” moaned Angela as another set of contractions began. “I don’t think that’s necessary.” Brace reached out, taking Angela’s hand.
“Of course it is,” replied Ariel, with her hands on her hips. “I’m personally going to train all of the children of the Special Five. Just like I did all of you.”
“We’ll see about that,” Katie said with a deep frown. “If I remember correctly, the training I received from you didn’t work out so well.”
Ariel grew silent. Katie was referring to her sneaking on board the Earth’s first starship, the New Horizon. That had been a disaster and had nearly resulted in everyone’s deaths.
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Jeremy and Kevin were on board a shuttle, which was rapidly descending toward the spaceport just outside of New Eden.
“How soon do the first patrols go out?” asked Kevin, wishing he was still on the Avenger. All going to Angela’s baby’s birth was going to do was make Katie want one of her own. She had already mentioned it numerous times. Kevin wasn’t sure he was ready to be a father.
“Two more days,” answered Jeremy. “There will be five patrols with each one assigned a patrol route. Each fleet will have ten AI warspheres, four Gaia class battlecruisers, and two Alton battleships. They will be searching for any Simulin activity, particularly the construction of any new fleet bases. They will only seek engagement if they have superior numbers, otherwise they’re to report back to Gaia and a larger fleet will be sent out.”
Kevin looked out the viewport at the rapidly approaching spaceport. “What about the support fleet Admiral Jackson has requested?”
Jeremy let out a deep breath. “Admiral Calmat will be leaving tomorrow with a fleet. Jackson has requested we send some colony ships as they’re finding a large number of survivors on the other worlds of the Ornellian Empire. He estimates there might be as many as five million.”
“Five million!” Kevin said in surprise. “I never would have dreamed there would be so many. “What ships are you sending?”
“Twenty AI warspheres, four Alton battleships, two battlecarriers, five of the big colony ships, six supply ships, two more fleet repair vessels, two Carethian battlecruisers, and the Hunter, Admiral Calmat’s flagship. There will also be six more Type Two battlestations as well as four hundred more particle beam satellites on the supply ships. The two battlecarriers are going as they’re needed to help clear the Ornellian planets of Conqueror Drones.”
“Conqueror Drones,” muttered Kevin. “I don’t even want to be around one of those.”
“That’s why we’re using our fighters and bombers to clear them off the planets.”
“Has there been any talk of sending one of our ships out to their evacuation fleet and having it turn around?”
Kevin was referring to the Ornellian evacuation fleet on its way to a small star cluster outside of the Triangulum galaxy where they thought they might be safe. The fleet consisted of nearly eight hundred Ornellian spaceships.
“Not at the moment,” Jeremy answered. “Their trip will take another sixteen months. We can always send for them later though we would need to modify the hyperdrives on their ships so they could return quicker. Besides, they’re warning all the space-traveling races they encounter about the Simulins. That might be useful when we go out searching for allies.”
Kevin felt the shuttle began to slow as it prepared to land. With a deep sigh, he knew their next stop would be the medical center.
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Jeremy and Kevin were walking down a hallway in the large modern medical center. Going through a set of double doors, they saw Katie, Kelsey, and Ariel all pacing back in forth.
“Is there a problem?” asked Jeremy worriedly. He was a little surprised to see Ariel here. Katie must have arranged it.
“No,” Kelsey answered a little tensely. “Angela’s in the delivery room.”
“Where’s Brace?” asked Kevin.
“He’s in there with her,” replied Katie, shifting her gaze to Kevin. “Same as you will be if we ever have any children!”
Kevin turned pale and decided his best course of action was to remain silent.
“How much longer?” asked Jeremy.
“Quiet!” Kelsey said, her deep blue eyes focusing on Jeremy. “We can’t hear if you keep asking questions.”
“Hear what?
“That!” said Kelsey excitedly as she turned to face the delivery room door.
Jeremy strained his ears and thought he could hear a baby crying.
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A few minutes later a doctor stepped out of the delivery room. Seeing Jeremy and the others, he walked over to them. “Mother and baby are doing fine,” he said.
“Clair is here,” announced Ariel solemnly. “I wish Clarissa could have been here. This would have made her so happy.”
“Yes, it would have,” Katie said in agreement. She was also deeply touched that Angela had named her daughter after the blonde AI.
Ariel looked around at her friends and then spoke. “The first member of the future Special Five has arrived.”
