The Lost Fleet Box Set, page 135
part #1 of The Lost Fleet Series
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Admiral Jackson watched with a wolfish grin as the last Simulin battlecruiser vanished in a bright fireball of nuclear destruction.
“That’s the last of them,” confirmed Commander Blanton.
Jackson looked at the tactical display seeing all the red threat icons were gone. He’d prayed for a miracle, and it had appeared in the form of a long dead rear admiral and her legendary ship. Rear Admiral Kathryn Barnes and the Distant Horizon had returned from the grave.
“Communications, contact Rear Admiral Barnes and ask her to place the Distant Horizon in orbit above Ornellia. Then request that she come over to the Dauntless at her earliest convenience.”
“Yes, sir,” replied Lieutenant Neal from her communications console.
Leaning back in his command chair, Admiral Jackson looked over at Commander Blanton. “What did we lose?” He knew a lot of ships had been destroyed at the beginning of the battle.
“We lost two Alton battleships, four Alton battlecruisers, six warspheres, the battleship Vulture, the battlecruiser Livingstone, and four strikecruisers. We also lost one Type Two battlestation and one hundred and eighty-two particle beam satellites.”
Admiral Jackson sucked in a deep breath. He shook his head at hearing the losses. Nineteen ships in only a few minutes of battle. He knew if Rear Admiral Barnes and the Distant Horizon hadn’t shown up when they did, he would have lost his entire fleet.
Jackson’s eyes shifted back to one of the main viewscreens displaying the fabled ship. It was much larger than he remembered and considerably more heavily armed. Looking down he saw that he had torn his uniform and there was a smattering of blood on it. He would change before Rear Admiral Barnes arrived. Looking around his Command Center, he saw the relieved looks on everyone’s faces. All had expected to die, but a miracle had arrived in the form of the Distant Horizon. Jackson leaned back in his command chair. Looking at another viewscreen, he gazed at Ornellia. The planet was still there and unharmed.
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Captain Marsha Trask was landing back on the Exeter. As her Anlon bomber entered the massive flight bay, she let out a deep sigh of relief. She had never expected to return. She still wasn’t certain what had happened. Rumors were flying over the comm channel that a mysterious ship had appeared and destroyed the Simulins. A few unconfirmed reports were claiming it was the Distant Horizon and Rear Admiral Barnes but everyone knew that was impossible.
“I guess you still get to see that brunette you’re always talking about,” a female voice commented over the squadron comm channel.
“You know,” Lieutenant Fry replied. “I think for now I’ll just leave her alone. Every time I try to go out with her something disastrous happens.”
One of the female pilots laughed. “We’ll see. I bet you change your mind within forty-eight hours.”
Marsha allowed herself to smile. For once she would let the chatter continue. They were all still alive and for that she was grateful.
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Admiral Jackson had summoned his other admirals. He was sure they would be just as curious as he was about where Rear Admiral Kathryn Barnes and the Distant Horizon had been for all of these months. Jackson suspected he was going to hear an extraordinary story. What had been done to the Distant Horizon seemed to indicate it had something to do with the Originators.
Chapter Twelve
Admiral Jackson was waiting in his briefing room for the arrival of Rear Admiral Kathryn Barnes. Already a fleet repair ship was moving toward the Dauntless to begin some much needed repairs. A two-hundred-meter hole was no laughing matter. Commander Blanton was currently touring the ship, inspecting all the damage, and working with the Chief Engineer compiling a long list of what needed to be done. Jackson was just grateful they had the fleet repair ships.
“It was a great battle,” roared Admiral Calmat, slapping the table with his large hand. “There will be much honor for the clan members of the fleet.”
“My ship has scanned the Distant Horizon,” Admiral Bachal said with a thoughtful look in his eyes. “It has undergone some major modifications. There is no doubt Originator technology is involved.”
“It’s the only explanation for what they did to the Simulin fleet,” Jackson replied. He was still feeling astonished over what had happened. “The Distant Horizon may be as powerful as the Dominator. The question is, where did they get this technology and who rebuilt the ship?” Jackson felt excited at the thought of what this technology could mean. A fleet equipped with the Distant Horizon’s weapons could clear the Triangulum Galaxy of Simulin warships in just a few short weeks.
The door opening drew Admiral Jackson’s attention. Rear Admiral Kathryn Barnes entered followed by several Altons, Clarissa, and what appeared to be an Originator woman. Admiral Jackson stood utterly speechless. Could they have actually found living Originators?
“Hello, Admiral Jackson,” Kathryn said pleasantly. “Let me introduce you to some of the members of my crew. The two Altons are Kelnor Mard and Reesa Jast; they are both research scientists in the field of the Originators. They are also from our home galaxy. You already know Clarissa, who has been given an AI body, and of course there is Leeda who is an Originator AI similar to Kazak.”
“But I’m not trained for war,” Leeda said, wanting to clarify that.
Admiral Jackson caught his breath and nodded. It looked as if this was going to involve more Originator AIs. “Let’s all sit down. Rear Admiral Barnes, I guess what we all want to know is where you have been the past year. We all thought you were dead. On Gaia there is a granite obelisk honoring the crew of the Distant Horizon on a hill above the new Fleet Academy. This is going to cause quite an uproar when we inform Fleet Admiral Strong of your presence here at Ornellia.”
Kathryn’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Admiral Jackson, I’m going to have to ask you not to send that message. We can’t allow Kazak to find out we’ve returned and the Distant Horizon is equipped with Originator technology.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Let me explain,” replied Kathryn. She then began to detail what had happened to the Distant Horizon at the Dyson Sphere in the dark matter nebula.
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For nearly three hours the small group listened, asked questions, and then asked even more questions. Many times their eyes showed disbelief at what they were hearing.
“This is all fantastic,” said Admiral Jackson, leaning back in his chair and looking at Leeda. “An entire culture run by Originator AIs.”
“The technology of the Originators is amazing,” commented Admiral Bachal. “The Communications and Transport Hub may be the greatest construction project in the known universe. I still find it hard to believe a race as advanced as the Originators succumbed to a pathogen.”
“They did,” Leeda said sadly. “That’s why I and others hope there are still living Originators in the stasis chambers on board the Dominator. It’s what we have worked for all of these long years.”
Admiral Jackson looked long and hard at Leeda and then spoke. “I can confirm there are indeed Originators in stasis on board the ship. Kazak has taken Fleet Admiral Strong and a few others inside the compartment to inspect the stasis chambers. They’re currently working on finding a cure. A number of Alton geneticists and medical scientist are on board the Dominator studying the pathogen.”
Leeda seemed frozen as she stared at Admiral Jackson. Then she seemed to come out of it. “How many are in the chambers?”
“Over two hundred,” answered Jackson. “Most of them children, although there are a few adults as well.”
A relieved and joyous smile spread over Leeda’s face. “Then we were right. There’s still hope for the Originator race. We have a cure for the life extension pathogen on board the Distant Horizon.”
“Then you need to get to Gaia as soon as possible,” Admiral Jackson said. “From what I understand Kazak is growing highly impatient at the lack of progress on a cure.”
“It’s part of his programming kicking in,” Leeda said concerned. “We must move quickly before Kazak does something rash that might endanger your people on Gaia.”
“I agree,” Kathryn said, looking toward Admiral Jackson. “Particularly after what you told us about Kazak using dark matter missiles to destroy six Simulin worlds. I don’t want to even think about one of those weapons being used on Gaia.”
“All of us were shocked when Kazak went off on his own and destroyed those planets,” Admiral Jackson said. “No one should possess such power.”
“It is a frightful thing,” Admiral Bachal said, his eyes focusing on Leeda. “He killed billions and there was no regret.”
“It’s his programming,” Leeda said, looking disturbed at what Kazak had done. “He’s potentially the greatest military AI ever built by the Originators. He’s programmed to win battles and destroy our enemies regardless of the cost.”
“He is a great warrior,” Admiral Calmat admitted. “But even in battle restraint must be shown at times.”
“How can Kazak be controlled?” asked Admiral Bachal. “Surely the Originators put in some type of control mechanism.”
“He is obedient to the ship’s commander as well as the second officer,” answered Leeda. “If both are killed in battle then Kazak will assume full command of the Dominator. Once the battle is over promotions in the chain of command will fill the vacancies in the command ranks.”
Admiral Jackson shifted his eyes over to Rear Admiral Barnes. “I was hoping you could stay for a few days. At least until we repaired our battle damage. But now, it seems that you must return to Gaia as soon as possible.”
Kathryn was in full agreement with Admiral Jackson. “Clarissa, how long will it take for the Distant Horizon to reach Gaia?” Kathryn knew their new hyperdrive was capable of very high speeds in hyperspace. Unfortunately, due to the star density, they couldn’t use the intergalactic hyperdrive.
“A little over a week,” answered Clarissa.
Kathryn nodded and then turned back to Admiral Jackson. “We’ll stay two days and then set out for Gaia.”
Jackson nodded. “If there’s anything you need let me know and I’ll see what can be arranged.”
Kathryn smiled. “I think it’s us that will be helping you out. How would you like twenty of our defense globes? They’re capable of bringing down the energy shield of any Simulin ship. That should ensure the safety of Ornellia, particularly once the defense grid is brought back up to full strength.”
“We’ll take them,” replied a grateful Admiral Jackson without hesitation. “Besides, after what you did to the Simulin fleet, I doubt if we’ll be seeing any Simulin vessels for quite some time.”
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Supreme High Commander Altrab gazed at the tactical display at the paltry remnants of his fleet. Seventy-three battlecruisers and one hundred and eleven escort cruisers were all that remained.
“We have been defeated,” said High Commander Jarald. “When we return to Gladen Three our lives will be forfeit.”
“It is the Simulin way,” responded Altrab, accepting his likely fate. “Failure is not an option for a Simulin commander, no matter what his rank.”
“The battle computer is requesting that we send word to the Grand Council, warning them of this second ship equipped with ancient weapons.”
“Make it so,” Altrab ordered. “Send them all the data on the battle including the scans we made of the vessel. Inform them we will be coming to Gladen Three shortly to submit ourselves to the council.”
Altrab was deeply worried this marked the end of the Simulins in this galaxy. If the organics from the Fitula Nebula now had access to ancient weapons and technology, then the Simulin fleets were doomed. He would return to Gladen Three and suffer the consequences for his defeat. He was not afraid of death, no Simulin was. They were born to serve the empire and die in its service. However, in the coming months and years he strongly suspected there would be many Simulin High Commanders joining him in death.
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In orbit above Gaia, Jeremy was on board one of the Alton science ships. It was equipped with a very advanced medical center, and it was here they were going to attempt to revive one of the Originators.
“Will this work?” asked Jeremy, looking over at Andram who was standing next to him.
“Unknown,” replied Andram. “Nothing quite like this has ever been tried before. ZED, Daena, and Lansha all believe it will.”
Jeremy knew Daena and Lansha were Alton medical specialists who had been working with ZED on modifying the nanites.
They were standing in an observation room with a large window overlooking the room where the procedure would be carried out. Jeremy knew a lot was riding on this. If it failed and the Originator died, he didn’t want to think of the consequences. In order to preserve Gaia and his fleet, it might be necessary to give in to Kazak’s demands to use the AI shipyards to begin constructing capacitor stations. At least that would buy him some time to think of another solution. He didn’t know if Kazak still possessed any more dark matter missiles, but he dared not take the chance. Just one of those missiles striking Gaia and the planet would be doomed.
“Who is the Originator Kazak chose for the procedure?” asked Kelsey. She had requested to be there as the Dominator was her ship and would be affected by the success or failure of this operation.
Jeremy looked down into the medical room where Kazak stood. The eight-foot-tall Originator AI was standing with his arms crossed, watching with critical eyes as an Originator was carefully removed from his stasis chamber and placed on the operating table. Special life support devices were quickly attached by the Alton medical specialists.
“His name is Zafron, and he is the Dominator’s second in command.”
“A ship’s officer,” said Katie, who was standing next to Kelsey. “I wonder why he chose an officer to be experimented on rather than one of the scientists?”
‘I asked him that,” Jeremy said. “He claims Zafron was more open minded about trying obscure treatments in order to cure the life extension pathogen than most of the other Originators. He felt this first awakening needed to be someone who wouldn’t react badly to having mechanical nanites injected into their body.”
Andram turned toward Jeremy. “That might still pose a problem with some of the other Originators. Zafron might not allow the use of the nanites on the others.”
“Not even if it’s the only cure?” asked Katie, her eyes showing doubt.
Andram let out a deep sigh. “I spoke at length with Kazak about this. He expects there will be some problems from Zafron about using nanites, but once he’s convinced there are no vile affects he will accept the fact that they are a cure. However, even Kazak wasn’t certain if Zafron would allow the nanites to be used on the others. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
“Look, they’re starting,” said Katie as she watched ZED and two other AIs enter the room.
“Let’s just hope this works,” said Kelsey, crossing her fingers.
Jeremy’s eyes shifted to ZED and the medical injector the AI was carrying. ZED stopped and spoke briefly to Kazak, who nodded.
Floating over to the table Zafron lay on ZED waited patiently as everyone took their positions. Then, with one smooth motion, ZED injected the reconfigured nanites into Zafron’s upper arm.
Jeremy leaned forward until his face was nearly touching the window. He was breathing heavier and his pulse had quickened. What would it be like to speak to an actual Originator? The builders of the Dyson Spheres. Keeping his eyes focused on Zafron Jeremy felt his curiosity grow.
On the table, Zafron’s body suddenly began to spasm. His arms jerked and his legs began trembling. Kazak moved closer in concern speaking heatedly to ZED.
ZED spoke to one of the other AIs, who injected Zafron in his other arm. The spasms instantly subsided.
“Thought we had lost him for a moment,” Kelsey said, stepping over and taking Jeremy’s hand. “If anything bad happens to Zafron in that room, I wouldn’t want to be ZED.”
Jeremy had to agree. There was no doubt in his mind if Zafron was to die on that table, Kazak would destroy ZED and the other two AIs before they could get out of the room. Jeremy was beginning to regret he hadn’t brought some Marines along just in case Kazak went berserk.
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For nearly two hours the AIs and the Altons worked on Zafron with Kazak watching their every move and occasionally stopping them to ask a question. Each time he allowed them to continue. Finally they seemed to reach a stopping point and after Daena checked several instruments, she nodded at ZED.
Jeremy watched as ZED left the room followed closely by Kazak. The other two AIs and the two Altons remained behind observing Zafron for any changes.
“I guess it’s over,” Kelsey said. “I just hope everything went well.”
“It must have,” Katie added. “If not, ZED and Kazak wouldn’t have left the room.”
“I believe it was a success,” Andram said. “From what I was told earlier everything went as planned.”
“We’ll know shortly,” Jeremy said as the door to the observation room opened and ZED and Kazak came in.
“We have been successful so far,” ZED began. “Zafron’s body has accepted the medical nanites, and they’re currently in the process of removing all traces of the organic nanite that caused the pathogen.”
“I am confused about one thing,” said Jeremy, shifting his eyes to Kazak. “You said the Originators had passed some rules that prohibited the use of nanites, yet they constructed these biological nanites in their attempt at immortality.”
“There is a difference,” Kazak replied. “Like the Altons, the Originators used nanites to combat disease but they were organic and their use was very closely controlled. Mechanical nanites were not allowed as they could too easily be reprogrammed to make changes to the physiology of an Originator too frightening to even comprehend. It occurred in the past and caused a rift in the Originator civilization. After that, experimentation using mechanical nanites could result in banishment or even death.”
