The Lost Fleet Box Set, page 130
part #1 of The Lost Fleet Series
“I’ll go into Dorman and speak to Councilor Lantoll and see if he’s heard anything. I also want to inspect the laser turret sites around the city.”
“Let’s just hope we’re wrong and this is nothing more than a drill,” Les said as he went over to the communications console and began contacting a few key personnel.
-
For three days the Distant Horizon had been going through emergency drills. They were occurring at random intervals to simulate an actual battle or emergency situation.
“I don’t understand the importance of this,” said Camlin as Kathryn simulated a failure of the ship’s life support systems. Only two hours earlier the crew had fought make believe fires raging through numerous compartments on the ship.
“That’s because you’ve never been in battle,” Kathryn patiently explained. She had changed the large viewscreen to show various compartments on the ship. That way she could observe the crew’s reaction to the different drills. So far she was satisfied with the learning curve.
Clarissa stepped over closer to Camlin. “So many changes have been made to the ship that the crew needs to be able to handle unexpected situations without hesitation. The ship has been greatly expanded with new compartments and equipment added nearly everywhere. It’s essential the crew know where they’re going and how to conduct the repairs.”
“So that’s why you requested none of the AIs on board participate?”
“Precisely,” replied Kathryn as she watched two crewmembers pause on one of the screens with a confused look on their faces. “Take those two, they’re both highly qualified engineers but they’re in a new section of the ship. They’re not quite sure where to go.”
As they watched one of the two stepped over to a wall control panel and called up a schematic of the ship. After a moment he pointed to one section of it and then gestured toward a nearby corridor. Moments later the two were off running toward their destination.
“Those two lost valuable seconds having to stop and consult a control panel to see where they were,” Clarissa said. “In a combat situation those few seconds could cost lives.”
“I see,” Camlin said. “Our combat AIs would doubtlessly understand this, but we have so few of them.”
“When are you going to start moving on the Dyson Spheres the Simulins control?” asked Commander Grissim. She frowned as it was evident the two engineers were lost again. They had stopped and were looking around in confusion.
“Back at the Communication and Transport Hub, Captain Wilde and her Marines are being shown the intergalactic vortex Control Centers and what is necessary to disable them. We have a special key we’ve designed that will allow her access to the centers and when inserted in the master control console will shut it down. The intergalactic vortex then cannot be activated again without the use of a gold command key. After taking the one from the Simulins, we now have all of them in our possession.”
“Unless Kazak has one,” Kelnor said from his science console. “If the Dominator had all of the leading scientists on board then I strongly suspect several of the gold command keys could be on board as well.”
“What about the Simulin ships inside the Dyson Spheres and around it?” asked Commander Grissim.
“If they attack a Shrieel the automatic defenses will destroy them,” Camlin answered. “We have managed to modify the defensive programming of all Shrieels now to ensure that occurs.”
“What if they don’t attack one of the Dyson Spheres?” asked Reesa.
“That’s why we need Kazak,” Leeda said. She had just entered the Command Center. “Kazak was designed to be a leader of our warfleets and upon his orders he can activate the defensive systems on any Shrieel to destroy an enemy. It will also mean we don’t have to modify our programming.”
Kathryn and Clarissa looked at each other in surprise. If what Leeda had just said was true, Kazak could have activated the defensive systems on the black matter Dyson Sphere, eliminating the Simulins. Kathryn felt suddenly frightened as she realized the ramifications. Kazak must have wanted the Dyson Sphere destroyed. There must have been something either on the Dyson Sphere or in one of its computer systems the Originator AI considered to be a threat.
“Admiral, I’m picking up an inbound fleet on the long-range sensors,” reported Captain Reynolds.
Kathryn looked over at the nearest tactical display expecting to see more red threat icons. Instead there were a large number of friendly green icons. “Where are those ships going?” She already knew the answer but wanted to confirm it.
“Ornellia,” replied Reynolds.
“Reinforcements,” commented Commander Grissim approvingly. “They must be expecting an attack from the Simulins so a reinforcing fleet has been sent.”
“What about the Simulin fleet?”
“Still holding its position,” Reynolds replied. “However, in the three days we’ve been here ten more battlecruisers and seventeen more escort cruisers have arrived.”
Looking at the two different displays showing the gathered Simulin fleet and the inbound Federation fleet, Kathryn made a decision. “We’ll continue with our drills. However, I want to mix in some weapon drills as well. If that Simulin fleet moves toward Ornellia we’re going to intercept it as soon as it drops out of hyperspace.”
“That’s a lot of ships,” Commander Grissim pointed out.
“Can the Distant Horizon take on a fleet of that size?” Kathryn asked Jolban, who was standing nearby.
The Originator AI nodded. “I think you will be surprised by what the Distant Horizon is capable of now. There is nothing in this galaxy, other than the Dominator, that is a danger to us.”
Kathryn considered what to do next. She didn’t want to take the ship into battle without the weapons being thoroughly tested. “We’ll start alternating tomorrow between combat drills and emergency drills.”
Commander Grissim nodded her approval. “I’ve been wanting to try out the new weapons. I’m sure I’m not the only one.”
Looking back at the tactical display, Kathryn decided to take one more defensive measure. She didn’t want the Simulins or any Federation ships detecting the Distant Horizon until she was ready to make an appearance. “Until further notice I want the stealth shield up at all times.” The stealth shield would make the ship impervious to sensors scans, particularly after the modifications the Originator AIs had made.
“Yes, Admiral,” Commander Grissim responded. “I’ll take care of it immediately.”
Kathryn looked at her second in command and then spoke in a softer voice. “Anne, get some rest. We’re going to have a busy day tomorrow.”
Anne nodded. “I will.”
-
The next day above Ornellia, Admiral Jackson was busy talking to Admiral Calmat. The massive Bear had come aboard Jackson’s flagship soon after arriving in orbit. Jackson had just finished briefing the Bear admiral on the Simulin forces gathering nearby.
“It is well that I came when I did,” Calmat said, folding his massive arms across his chest. He towered over Admiral Jackson. “My fleet is ready for the hunt, and I place myself under your command. We will fight as one clan and destroy the Simulins.”
“Admiral Bachal is already positioning the six Type Two battlestations you brought as well as the four hundred particle beam satellites. When the Simulins do attack, we will have much stronger teeth than they expect.”
Calmat nodded in agreement. “Fleet Admiral Strong needs Ornellia. He seeks allies in the outer regions of this galaxy so the Simulins’ genocidal war against all space-going species can be brought to an end. It is an honorable quest.”
“If anyone can do it, it would be Fleet Admiral Strong and those that surround him.”
“The Special Five,” spoke Calmat in agreement. “They are heroes on Careth and the Fleet Admiral is a member of Grayseth’s clan. Only a few times in the history of our race has an outsider been granted clan status. He is very wise and a capable leader.”
“The people in our Federation feel much the same,” Admiral Jackson admitted.
To the people of the Federation overall, the Special Five were almost legendary. It was rumored they had special abilities and could not be defeated in battle. Jackson knew as the years passed, the legend would only grow and become more unreal. In time, it was likely the people of the far future would question whether the Special Five were real or only made up to give the Federation hope in its darkest time. The same would most likely be said of Fleet Admiral Hedon Streth as well.
“Where would you like my ships?”
“The two fleet repair ships can begin working on the new shipyard we’re building. Once the Simulins are detected, all four ships will retreat beneath the defense grid. Have your two carriers join mine. They will use their fighters to intercept any stray missiles that get by the defense grid. The bombers may be needed for tactical strikes against damaged Simulin vessels. The Colony ships and the supply ships will take up positions beneath the grid as well. All of your warships will join mine. When the Simulins come, I intend to meet them away from the planet.”
“May we be victorious in the hunt,” Calmat said solemnly.
“To the hunt,” replied Admiral Jackson.
-
An hour later the warships in Calmat’s fleet began moving. The twenty AI warspheres joined the fifty-eight already present. The four Alton battleships moved into Admiral Bachal’s formation, joining his command and giving him twenty-three battleships and nineteen battlecruisers. The two battlecarriers joined the other two just outside the defense grid and began launching fighters to form a joint CSP. The two Carethian battlecruisers formed up on each side of the Hunter to aid in the battleship’s defense.
In orbit, the Alton battleships were towing the six Type Two battlestations to their respective slots in the defense grid. They were also emplacing the four hundred particle beam satellites Admiral Calmat had delivered. It would take a good twenty hours to properly place the satellites.
-
In Dorman, Dax had just finished talking to Councilor Lantoll. Lantoll had confirmed they were expecting a major Simulin attack. However, it had been decided that only young people would be placed in the deep bunker. Enough so that if life on the surface of Ornellia were extinguished, the people in the bunker could someday emerge and start over again.
Dax stood on a street corner watching heavy trucks rumble by. Looking around, the city was full of life and people trying to rebuild. Given time the Ornellians could someday reclaim their empire. Looking up toward space, Dax knew Admiral Jackson was ready to defend the planet. Councilor Lantoll had casually mentioned that a reinforcing fleet had arrived and Jackson now had a much larger fleet.
Dax’s thoughts were interrupted by the laughter of children. Turning, he saw a family walking past on the sidewalk. In the distance, he heard a flight of Anlon bombers taking off from the nearby spaceport. Squaring his shoulders, he decided it was time to return to the bunker. The first of two thousand specially chosen young people would be arriving shortly. One thing he did know with certainty. When the Simulins returned, they would find that Ornellia would be ready.
Chapter Nine
Jeremy was on board the Dominator. The Originator AI had summoned him for an immediate meeting. He had been very curt and refused further communication once he had demanded Jeremy come over to the ship. Suspecting what Kazak wanted, Jeremy had brought ZED along just in case the meeting went the way Jeremy thought it would. For several weeks now Commander Malen had been coming over to the Avenger daily to brief Jeremy on the progress of the Alton research teams. Each report had been the same: no progress made and no hopeful lines of research. It seemed the Originator scientists had thoroughly researched every possible avenue that might have led to a cure of the life extension pathogen. All had met with failure.
Stepping out of his shuttle, he saw Kelsey, Commander Malen, and Andram waiting for him. All had looks of concern on their faces.
“We’re in trouble,” Kelsey began as she stepped up closer to Jeremy. She didn’t say anything about ZED. “During the last few days Kazak has been growing impatient with the Alton research scientists. He seems to be getting dangerously out of control. I’m not sure anyone is safe on the ship anymore. If I didn’t know better, I would say he’s beginning to act irrationally.”
“He threatened several of the research scientists this morning,” Commander Malen said, narrowing her eyes. “I was in one of the research labs when Kazak came storming in and demanded the two Alton research scientists stop their current line of research. Kazak was fuming as he pointed out the Originators had already tried that line of research and it was a waste of time. When the Altons tried to explain why they were looking at this line of research, he refused to listen. I thought for a moment he was going to throw them across the room. He finally calmed down and gave them forty-eight hours to find another line of research and show progress or he would have them removed from the Dominator.”
“And this behavior is getting steadily worse?”
“Yes,” Commander Malen answered. “I’m not sure the crew is even safe if this continues. I believe Kazak is getting desperate to find a cure. It’s almost as if he believes he’s running out of time.”
Jeremy noticed several of the small work robots in the shuttle bay. There seemed to be more than normal. Doubtlessly Kazak could hear every word they spoke. “Andram, what’s the probability of finding a successful line of research in the near future?” Jeremy wanted to be certain all avenues of research had been investigated. Ariel had suggested, before he left the Avenger, that Kazak’s base programming was starting to influence his actions.
Andram let out a long and deep sigh of resignation. “We won’t. The Originators tried everything and their medical science is far in advance of ours. If we had access to the medical information on Astral, which is from numerous worlds, we might be able to make some progress. There’s medical information there from tens of thousands of worlds as well as research done by my own people while we still inhabited the galactic core.”
“Kazak’s going to demand we build the capacitor stations to allow him to go to Astral,” predicted Commander Malen. “I’m convinced he believes that’s his only option.”
“We’ll lose the war if we do that!” exclaimed Kelsey, her eyes growing wide. “We’ve sacrificed too much for that to happen. We can’t abandon Gaia.”
“What are the odds a cure could be found on Astral?” asked Jeremy, looking over at Andram.
“Unknown,” Andram said. “The computer archives beneath the City of Light hold tremendous amounts of medical records. If there is a possibility of finding a cure, it would be there.”
“And Kazak knows that,” warned Kelsey.
“Let’s go see Kazak,” suggested Jeremy. Jeremy was growing impatient with the Originator AI. Perhaps it was time he was put in his place. “ZED, do you remember what I told you?”
“Of course, Admiral,” the AI responded in a near Human voice. “I am ready to face Kazak.”
-
As they proceeded through the Dominator, Jeremy noticed a large number of work robots that seemed to be involved in updating a number of the ship’s systems. “What are the work robots doing?”
Kelsey hesitated and then responded. “We’re not sure. They started this yesterday. The only thing Kazak will say is that they’re doing some upgrades to several of the ship’s systems.”
“Work is occurring all over the ship,” Commander Malen added. “I was going to speak to you about it at our next meeting.”
Jeremy didn’t like the sound of that. He was greatly concerned about the power Kazak wielded. The Dominator could destroy Gaia and the fleets protecting it if it came down to a battle. Jeremy had to find another way. There had to be a way to get Kazak to give them more time.
It didn’t take long and they reached the conference room where Kazak was waiting. Stepping inside, Jeremy saw Kazak standing at the front of a long conference table. Several Alton medical research scientists were also present.
“Sit down,” ordered Kazak in an uncompromising voice.
Jeremy nodded at the others but he remained standing. He had stopped at the far end of the table opposite Kazak. “I’m not used to being called away from important work by one of my subordinates. This had better be important.” Jeremy had spoken in depth to Ariel about the best tact to take with the Originator AI.
Kazak seemed taken aback by Jeremy’s words. “I am not your subordinate. I agreed to place the Dominator under your command. I now revoke that agreement.”
Jeremy nodded, folding his arms across his chest. “Very well.” He then turned to Kelsey. “Order all the Alton scientists to return to their science ships. Your crew will be leaving the Dominator shortly after you’ve confirmed that all the Alton research scientists have left.”
“What are you doing?” demanded Kazak, his voice turning cold. “I called this meeting!”
Jeremy gazed at Kazak with hard, uncompromising eyes. “You’ve had millions of years to find a cure to the Originator pathogen and failed. Yet you expect the Alton research scientists to find one in a few months.”
“They are wasting their time,” said Kazak. “They’re following lines of research the Originators in the Shrieels and on this ship did. They all failed.”
“We need more time,” said Andram calmly. “Perhaps we will find something they overlooked. We have barely touched the data they left on the pathogen.”
Kazak was silent for a long moment. “I have an ultimatum to deliver. You have forty-eight hours to show progress or I will take the Dominator out to Borton. Once there I will have the AIs begin constructing the parts for the capacitor stations that will be needed to allow the Dominator and a select few Alton research scientists to travel to Astral.”
“I think not,” said Jeremy, folding his arms across his chest again. “I am in command here, not you. The AIs at Borton will not be constructing any capacitor stations. They have other construction priorities.”
