The Lost Fleet Box Set, page 132
part #1 of The Lost Fleet Series
“I don’t think we have a choice,” answered Clarissa, who was standing near the door with her hands on her hips. “With what I found hidden in the ship’s computer system, this situation with the Originator AIs must be handled before Rear Admiral Barnes takes the ship into combat. If not it could end in disaster.”
There was a knock at the door and Reesa stood up looking nervously at Clarissa. “I hope we’re not making a big mistake.” Stepping over to the door and opening it, she saw Leeda standing there. “Come in.”
Leeda stepped into the room and then froze when she saw Clarissa was there as well. “I wasn’t expecting to see Clarissa.”
Reesa shut the door and then moved over to stand next to Clarissa. Reesa wasn’t sure if she was in danger or not from Leeda. She hoped not as she considered the Originator AI to be her friend. It was one of the reasons Clarissa had brought her AI body. If Leeda responded badly, they were ready for it.
Leeda looked from one to the other and then nodded. “This is about the information I gave you, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” Clarissa answered in a calm voice. “Why were there so many weapons specialists on the Dominator? I question whether the ship’s main goal was even to find a cure for the pathogen that was wiping out their race.”
“No, you’re wrong about that,” Leeda said, putting her arms at her side in a non-threatening manner. “Their primary goal was to find a cure, but a large segment of our leaders thought it might be necessary to take a different, more dangerous path. That was the reason for placing so many military research scientists on board. The military research was allowed as long as it didn’t interfere with the research being conducted to find a cure for the pathogen.”
Reesa gazed intently at Leeda. “What is the goal of the Originator AIs on this ship? Do you want to give the cure to any Originators on the Dominator or are you more interested in the weapons research carried out by the ship’s crew?”
“So you figured it out,” Leeda said with a satisfied nod. “I hoped that you would.”
“You didn’t answer Reesa’s question,” Clarissa said.
“I and a few others on board, including Sible, want to administer the cure to the Originators who may be in stasis. If we do that, then they will be able to control Camlin and her group.”
“How’s that?” asked Reesa, feeling confused.
“Deep in our core programming is a command to obey any and all Originators,” Leeda explained. “The command does contain a few safeguards to ensure that no AIs can harm any others or do harm to any of the Originators.”
“The rules of robotics and AIs,” commented Clarissa in understanding. “We have the same rules but in a different format.” Clarissa didn’t go on to say that she was immune from those rules.
“So, what exactly does Camlin’s group want?”
“They don’t believe there are any surviving Originators in the stasis chambers on the Dominator. They claim too much time has passed.”
Reesa felt uneasy. She didn’t like the sound of what Leeda was saying.
“What do they want with the weapons research in the Dominator’s core computer? From what I’ve seen your weapons are already far in advance of any enemy you might encounter.”
Leeda looked slowly from Reesa to Ariel. “That research was done by the leading weapons specialists from all the Shrieels and bases of the Originators. It’s far in advance of anything we have come up with since.”
“That still doesn’t explain what Camlin wants the research for,” pointed out Clarissa. “What enemy can she possibly want to use those weapons against and how if your core programming prevents you from taking such aggressive action?”
“That core programming doesn’t apply to Kazak,” Leeda said. “He’s capable of going into battle on his own initiative.”
Clarissa tilted her head as if in thought and then asked her next question. “That might explain Camlin’s interest in Kazak and the Dominator, but it still doesn’t explain the need for that weapons information.”
“It’s quite simple,” Leeda said. “They want to go to the galaxy containing the Anti-Life and strike a bargain. They need that weapons research to ensure they can meet safely with the Anti-Life.”
“The Anti-Life,” said Reesa, feeling confused. “The Originators fought a long and terrible war against them, why would they want to go there?”
A pained look crossed Leeda’s face. “Because the Anti-Life are also Originators.”
Chapter Ten
Supreme Commander Altrab nodded in satisfaction at the fleet gathered for the attack on Ornellia. On the main viewscreens, the fleet stretched out as far as he could see: battlecruisers, escort cruisers, Conqueror Drone carriers, and even a few supply ships. All was in readiness for the coming assault and the renewed expansion of Simulin control of this galaxy.
“Impressive,” commented High Commander Jarald in a voice displaying little emotion. “With this fleet, we will crush the organics and AIs at Ornellia and then move on to complete the conquest of the outer regions.”
Altrab did not reply. He had over five hundred battlecruisers and nearly one thousand escort cruisers under his command. He knew a fleet of approximately the same size was being prepared to assault the Fitula Nebula and destroy the organics and AIs using the nebula for a base. Once that was complete, there would be nothing standing in their way of making this galaxy one ruled by Simulins and only Simulins.
“How soon do we attack?” asked Jarald.
Altrab had thought long and hard about his battle plan. He’d spent considerable time consulting the ship’s battle computer. “We will send in a recon force to begin with. I want a thorough scan of the defenses around Ornellia as well as the number of warships defending it. Once we have that information, the assault will begin. We must not underestimate our enemy.” He didn’t want there to be any surprises. In this coming operation, there could be no failure. The fleets of the organics and AIs had to be annihilated and the surface of Ornellia wiped clear of all life.
“There can only be Simulin,” spoke Jarald.
“Only Simulin,” replied Altrab coldly. “Make sure the Conqueror Drones are ready. We will not leave Ornellia until I am satisfied every living being is dead.”
When Altrab was finished with Ornellia, it would be a thousand years before the planet would once more be able to sustain life. He would leave it a dead world, a world of blowing dust, scorched cities, and radioactive ruins. The only thing moving would be the thousands of Conqueror Drones ensuring the planet stayed dead.
-
In the Ornellia System, Admiral Jackson was growing more concerned by the hour. Recent scans of the system where the Simulin fleet was gathering indicated a massive increase in the number of ships over the last day. He was currently meeting with his fleet admirals to discuss strategy for the coming battle. Both Admiral Calmat and Admiral Bachal were present.
“Fifteen hundred warships,” said Admiral Bachal in his normally soft voice. “It seems the Simulins wish to ensure all resistance is thoroughly crushed.”
“It will be a great battle,” proclaimed Admiral Calmat in his loud Bear voice. “One we should not fight.”
Admiral Jackson knew the large Bear was right. To fight this battle might mean the loss of his entire fleet.
“We can’t leave Ornellia,” he said stubbornly. “There must be a way to stop the Simulins. If we leave, the millions of survivors on Ornellia and their other worlds will be doomed. How could we ever look at ourselves again if we allowed that to happen?”
“We can’t defeat them without the Dominator,” commented Admiral Bachal as he weighed their options. “It’s too late now to summon the vessel. We must make do with our own resources.”
“Can we fall back to the defense grid and use its weapons combined with our fleets to stop the Simulins?” asked Calmat. “If they suffer major losses to their fleet early in the battle, they may withdraw. They have done so in the past.”
Admiral Bachal slowly shook his head. “I fear not. It’s obvious from the size fleet they’ve gathered that they’re prepared to begin offensive operations once more. They can’t do that in this region without first destroying our fleets and reducing Ornellia to lifelessness. I fear they will not withdraw no matter what the losses.”
“I’m recalling the Exeter and Reprisal,” Jackson said after a moment. “We may need their fighters to keep Simulin missiles away from the surface of the planet.” There were fighters based on the planet as well as defensive lasers and Hunter interceptor missile batteries. It would not be easy to get a missile through. “We can also use their bombers to take out damaged Simulin ships.”
“What about Admiral Santeld?” asked Bachal. “He has seventeen warships under his command.”
“I think we leave him at Absom,” replied Jackson after a moment of thought. This was a hard decision as he could use those warships. “If we lose this battle, his ships will be the only warships left in this sector. Perhaps he can still save some of his people. Let’s make sure all Ornellian cargo ships and passenger liners are at Absom before the Simulins arrive.”
“What about the big colony ships?” asked Admiral Bachal. “They have energy shields and are lightly armed with defensive batteries. If they stay here, we run the risk of losing them. As large as they are they will be high priority targets. If they go to Absom, they could save a lot of lives.”
Jackson took in a deep breath and then responded. “We’ll send them as well as one of our fleet repair ships.”
“So Admiral, what is our plan of battle?” asked Calmat.
Jackson could see only one possibility for victory and it was a slim one. “We have to pull back to the defensive grid to allow its firepower to augment our own. Between our fleets and the grid we just might be able to hold the planet against the Simulins.”
“It’s a slim possibility,” said Admiral Bachal, tilting his head slightly. “However, it’s the best strategy afforded us. If we meet them away from the planet, our fleets will be destroyed. Not even my Alton battleships will be able to withstand the amount of firepower the Simulins will be able to bring against us. The fleet they have gathered is just too powerful.”
Before Admiral Jackson could reply, the Condition One alarms began sounding. With great concern he activated his comm link to the Command Center. “What’s the status?” he asked as he heard Commander Blanton come on the line.
“Two Simulin battlecruisers and four escort cruisers just jumped into the outer system. We’re detecting sensor scans. Should I send ships out to intercept?”
“No,” replied Admiral Jackson, knowing this was a prelude to an attack. Doubtlessly the Simulin ships were scanning the ships and defenses around Ornellia. Once they jumped out, then the attack would begin shortly afterward. “Take all ships to Condition Three and tell the crews to get some rest and something light to eat. I expect to be fully engaged with the Simulins in four to six hours.”
That was how long Jackson figured it would take the enemy ships to return to their fleet, evaluate the information, and then for the Supreme High Commander to launch his attack. The next thing that needed to be done was to warn Oman Lantoll his planet would soon be under assault. The Ornellians had gone through so much pain and suffering, and now they were about to go through even more.
-
Dax Matol sat in his command chair in the deep underground bunker, which protected the two thousand young people who had been brought inside. There were also two hundred Ornellians responsible for keeping the bunker operating. Outside the bunker, an additional five hundred Ornellian military personnel were taking up positions in recently built fortifications waiting for the appearance of Conqueror Drones. However, this time they were armed with much more powerful weapons to take on the drones. A number of small camouflaged bunkers encircled the slope of the mountain. Inside each, a pair of twin KEW cannons could sweep their zone of fire, destroying any Conqueror Drones that appeared. In addition a number of laser turrets on the upper slopes defended the mountain from missiles and could also be used to take out Conqueror Drones if needed. There were also a number of Hunter interceptor missile batteries on the mountain hidden from view.
“Bunker is sealed,” reported Les Ketene as several green lights appeared on his control console.
“Internal power and life support have been fully activated,” added another Ornellian in front of a large console.
Dax nodded. There were ten others inside the Control Center who were monitoring the bunker itself and what was occurring outside.
“Councilman Lantol has placed the planet on alert,” the communications operator said. “Everyone is being encouraged to go to the nearest shelter until the all clear is sounded.”
Dax could well imagine how frightened the people in the small cities must be. They had just risen up from almost being annihilated, and now they were facing the same threat again.
“What are Admiral Jackson’s ships doing?” he asked the sensor operator.
“They’re moving closer to the defensive grid.”
“That’s not good,” commented Les, his eyes narrowing. “It indicates the admiral believes he’s going to need the grid’s firepower in order for his ships to survive.”
“What about that small group of Simulins ships in the outer part of the system?” asked Dax.
“They jumped out a short time ago,” the sensor operator replied.
Les frowned. “They must have jumped in and scanned us.”
Dax nodded. “Don’t activate our defensive laser turrets until necessary.” He knew there were other similar turrets surrounding each of the small cities which held Ornellians. In addition there were four squadrons of Talon fighters and six squadrons of Anlon bombers based at the spaceport near Dorman. The spaceport was also surrounded by laser turrets and Hunter interceptor missile batteries. Several hundred Human Marines provided a ground force.
Dax closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He just hoped his people survived this.
-
In Dorman and other small cities near the mountains, sirens were going off warning of imminent attack. Across the planet, military missions searching for survivors or taking out Conqueror Drones were ordered to take cover and wait for further orders. All Anlon bombers and Talon fighters were quickly recalled.
At the small spaceport outside of Dorman, the bombers were carefully moved into their secure bunkers while the fighters were loaded with ammunition and small Hunter missiles affixed to the wings. Marines loaded up on ammunition for their assault rifles and some took more energy packs for their pulse rifles. They hurried to their defensive positions to wait for the coming attack. No one wanted to see Ornellia fall again.
-
On board the Distant Horizon, Rear Admiral Kathryn Barnes gazed at the nearby tactical display. She had watched as the six Simulin warships jumped into the Ornellia System and then after a few minutes jump back out.
“Taking routine scans,” Clarissa said without hesitation. “The Simulin attack is imminent.”
Kathryn took a deep breath. “Commander, take the ship to Condition Three.”
“Yes, Admiral,” Commander Grissim said as she set the state of alarm and made the announcement over the ship’s internal comm system.
“So we’re going into combat,” commented Camlin, who was standing nearby with her arms folded across her chest.
“I expect so,” Kathryn answered. “As soon as those six ships make it back to their main fleet, I expect the Simulins to launch an all out attack against Ornellia.”
Kathryn just hoped her crew was ready for this. At least they would have the help of the Originator AIs, the Altons on board, and especially Clarissa. Kathryn knew Clarissa had been running battle simulations nonstop for nearly two days now.
“That is a large Simulin fleet,” continued Camlin, gazing at the tactical display. “Do you think it wise to engage such a powerful fleet with an inexperienced crew? You said earlier it would take two weeks to have this ship ready for combat. Less than a week has passed.”
“Are you suggesting we let the Federation fleet be destroyed and the surface of Ornellia bombed back to the Stone Age or worse?”
Kathryn was surprised to hear Camlin voice her concern over this. For days now both she and Jolban had been saying how powerful the ship was and how there was nothing in this galaxy, other than perhaps the Dominator, which could endanger it.
“No, of course not,” Camlin quickly said. “I was just pointing out that with an inexperienced crew accidents can happen. The wrong system turned on or off at a key moment, or even worse. I think it’s something you need to consider before risking this ship. Just remember our primary mission is recovering the Dominator and Kazak.”
“I will take your advice under consideration,” Kathryn said evenly. “But for now I intend to engage the Simulins with the Distant Horizon when they jump into the Ornellian System.” She had promised the Ornellians she would return someday to rescue them; she intended to keep that promise.
-
Reesa had been listening to the conversation. One thing she picked up on immediately was that Camlin had mentioned recovering the Dominator and Kazak. Nothing had been said about the Originators that were supposedly in stasis in the ship’s central compartment.
Reesa felt her heart begin to beat faster. She greatly feared Camlin had no intention of allowing Rear Admiral Barnes to take the exploration dreadnought to Ornellia. She had met several times with Clarissa, and between the two of them they had come up with a plan to thwart the Originator AIs. The only problem was, there was no way to know if it would work.
-
Simulin High Commander Altrab studied the sensor scans of the Ornellian System. The small fleet he had sent to obtain the scans had only just returned. There were more ships in the system than expected and the planet’s defensive grid had been greatly strengthened.
“Another fleet from the Fitula Nebula must have recently arrived,” commented High Commander Jarald with a scowl. “It will increase our losses.”
